Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

Conceptualising wellbeing for young people living with mental illness (commentary)

Honey, A., Coniglio, F., Hancock, N., McDougall, T. and Callaghan, J. (2015) Conceptualising wellbeing for young people living with mental illness (commentary). International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation. 22(6), pp. 278-286. 1741-1645.

Item Type: Article
Abstract: Background/Aims: Assisting clients to achieve wellbeing, even in the presence of ongoing mental illness, should be a primary goal of mental health services. However, little is known about what wellbeing means for young people living with mental illness. The aim of this study is to explore the ways in which young Australians living with mental illness conceptualise their wellbeing. Methods: Five focus groups were conducted with young people (n=20; age range: 16-25 years) living with mental illness. Results were analysed qualitatively using constant comparative analysis. Results: Analysis of the data indicated that participants were describing two different but complementary types of concepts. We conceptualised these two types of concepts as 'building blocks' and 'foundations' of wellbeing, respectively. Five building blocks were identified, which together constituted wellbeing for participants: i) sense of self; ii) relationships; iii) sense of the future; iv) feelings and experiences; v) agency. These building blocks were supported or undermined by seven foundations: i) activities; ii) having things; iii) mental illness; iv) the past; v) coping strategies; vi) environmental supports and barriers; vii) personal characteristics. Conclusions: The findings support the use of a recovery paradigm for young people with mental illness. The framework presented can be used to assist young people to consider different aspects that make up their wellbeing and plan ways to address these by attending to multiple foundational factors.
Subjects: R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA790 Mental health services. Mental illness prevention
R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics > RJ499 Mental disorders. Child psychiatry > RJ503 Adolescent psychiatry
Creators: Honey, Anne, Coniglio, Francesca, Hancock, Nicola, McDougall, Tim and Callaghan, Jane
Publisher: MA Healthcare Ltd
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Centre > Institute of Health and Wellbeing > Centre for Family Life
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Centre > The Centre for Children and Youth
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Group > Social and Cultural Research in Psychology Group
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > School of Social Sciences (to 2016)
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Health & Society > Psychology
Faculties > Faculty of Health & Society > Psychology
Research Centres > Centre for Health Sciences and Services
Research Centres > Centre for Psychology and Social Sciences
Date: 4 June 2015
Date Type: Publication
Page Range: pp. 278-286
Journal or Publication Title: International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation
Volume: 22
Number: 6
Language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12968/ijtr.2015.22.6.278
ISSN: 1741-1645
Status: Published / Disseminated
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/7600

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