Qualitative findings from a mixed methods evaluation of once-weekly therapeutic community day services for people with personality disorder

Abstract

Background: This paper presents qualitative findings from a mixed methods study of four one-day-a-week therapeutic communities (TCs) in the north of England for people with personality disorder. Quantitative findings from the study are presented separately.

Aims: The study aimed to ascertain whether one-day-a-week TCs can be effective in addressing the problems associated with personality disorder.

Method: The qualitative component of the study comprised semi-structured interviews with service users, service user consultants, staff and referrers. This paper reports findings from the interviews with service users.

Findings: The qualitative findings indicate underlying changes in thinking that may account for some of the measurable changes in members' mental health and functioning reported in the quantitative findings. In particular, the services enable individuals to address two main problem areas: relating to others and self-harm.

Conclusions: The study suggests that once-weekly TCs provide an effective therapeutic approach to the problems associated with personality disorder.

Keywords:

• Personality disorder
• therapeutic communities
• day services

Acknowledgments

We would like to express our thanks to all service users, service user consultants, staff members and referrers who took part in this study.

Declaration of interest: The study was commissioned by Therapeutic Community Service North (TCSN), which closed in 2008. Two of the co-authors were employed by TCSN at the start of the study. Their role in the study was limited to advising on clinical issues and facilitating access to the research sites.