Happiness in severe mental illness: exploring subjective wellbeing of individuals with psychosis and encouraging socially inclusive multidisciplinary practice
| Pages | 27-34 |
| Date | 22 February 2013 |
| Published date | 22 February 2013 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/20428301311305287 |
| Author | Pawel D. Mankiewicz,David M. Gresswell,Colin Turner |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care |
Happiness in severe mental illness:
exploring subjective wellbeing of
individuals with psychosis and encouraging
socially inclusive multidisciplinary practice
Pawel D. Mankiewicz, David M. Gresswell and Colin Turner
Abstract
Purpose – This paper seeks to extend the focus of positive psychology research to individuals with
severe mental illness (SMI) to address an aspect of social exclusion experiencedby this disadvantaged
client group.
Design/methodology/approach – The article summarises and builds on the outcomes of an earlier
subjective wellbeing in psychosis study and arrives at original implications to challenge socially
exclusive assumptions about limited emotional capabilities of those with SMI. The authors make
suggestions for enhancing the wellbeing of people with SMI from the perspective of social inclusion.
Data were gathered through validated self-report rating scales and analysed statistically.
Findings – The levels of subjective wellbeing within the sample were shown to approximate those
established in the general population. Depression was demonstrated to mediate the effects that the
experience of psychosis had on participants’ l ife satisfaction. Psychosis did not appear t o prevent individuals
from experiencing happiness, althoughwhen associatedwith depression,life satisfactionwas lowered.
Research limitations/implications – Because of the focus on subjective aspects of wellbeing, external
indicators of objective quality of life were not explored. Individual appraisals of experiences of psychosis
were not investigated.
Originality/value – The study demonstrates that individuals with psychosisare capable of experiencing
happiness. Thus, it challenges an aspect of a widespread socially exclusive assumption about limited
internal capabilities of those with SMI. It also highlights that those with combined symptoms of
psychosis and depression are in particular need of multidisciplinary support to enhance their wellbeing.
Keywords Severe mental illness, Psychosis, Subjective wellbeing, Happiness, Social inclusion,
Positive psychology, Mental health services
Paper type Research paper
As argued by Lingwood (2006), people with mental health problems have been located at
the edges of community life and have been amongst the most excluded of all social groups,
experiencing widespread stigma and discrimination. The Royal College of Psychiatrists
(RCP, 2009, p. 1) defined social exclusion as ‘‘the extent to which individuals are unable to
participate in key areas of economic, social and cultural life’’. Non-participation arising from
constraints rather than choice was stressed. Amongst the main reasons for widespread
social exclusion of people with mental health problems, as identified by Social Exclusion Unit
(SEU, 2004), were low expectations and negative assumptions shared by mental health
professionals about the capabilities of individuals with psychiatric diagnoses, which
contributed to inhibition of recovery. Indeed, the SEU reported that service users frequently
raised concerns that clinicians’ negative attitudes towards their abilities and skills slowed
down their progress. The RCP (2009) also acknowledged that professionals often had
low expectations as to what people with severe mental illnesses (SMI) were capable
of achieving, which could perpetuate self-stigmatisation where service users come to
believe the low expectations that clinicians have of them.
DOI 10.1108/20428301311305287 VOL. 17 NO. 1 2013, pp. 27-34, QEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308
j
MENTAL HEALTHAND SOCIAL INCLUSION
j
PAGE 27
Pawel D. Mankiewiczis a
Chartered Clinical
Psychologist,Adult Mental
Health Acute Care,
Cambridgeshireand
PeterboroughNHS
Foundation Trust –
Cambridge University
Health Partners,
Peterborough,UK.
David M. Gresswellis
Course Co-Director, Trent
Clinical PsychologyTraining
Programme,Faculty of
Health, Life and Social
Sciences, Universityof
Lincoln, Lincoln,UK.
Colin Turneris a Consultant
Clinical Psychologist,
Specialist Servicefor Adults
withPsychosis and Complex
Mental Health Needs,
Lincoln, UK, and Headof
RehabilitationSpeciality,
LincolnshirePartnership
NHS FoundationTrust,
Lincoln, UK.
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