Conceptions of Recovery and Relapse of Severe Mental Illness from the Perspective of Mental Health Personnel in Mexico City

Abstract

This study explores recovery from severe mental disorders from the perspective of 89 mental health care professionals working in Mexico City, using a mixed method approach. The participants were recruited and interviewed from mental health and addiction treatment facilities in Mexico City using convenience sampling techniques. Transcribed interviews were coded and analyzed for thematic content regarding recovery and relapse of mental illness. On the quantitative level, we used a sample of 11 items from the Mexican adaptation of the Opinions about Mental Illness questionnaire to compare the attitudes of health personnel and consider differences by gender. Of the respondents, 18% did not believe that recovery was possible for individuals with severe mental disorders, but most believed in recovery in at least some cases. The results also indicated a strong orientation toward recovery in the clinical sense, focused on patients’ symptomatology. There were significant differences in attitudes toward mental illness items by gender. Men showed more favorable attitudes than women (F = 6.60, p =.05). However, the small size of our sample limits the generalizability of the findings. Educational strategies based on social contact with persons with mental health problems could be useful in modifying negative attitudes toward mental illness.