Lived experience perspectives of factors that influence mental health recovery in Singapore: a thematic analysis
| Date | 14 October 2022 |
| Pages | 429-437 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-09-2022-0063 |
| Published date | 14 October 2022 |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Social inclusion |
| Author | Jonathan Han Loong Kuek,Toby Raeburn,Melissa Yan Zhi Chow,Timothy Wand |
Lived experience perspectives of factors
that influence mental health recovery in
Singapore: a thematic analysis
Jonathan Han Loong Kuek, Toby Raeburn, Melissa Yan Zhi Chow and Timothy Wand
Abstract
Purpose –Contemporary interpretations of mental health recovery emphasize the need to understand
better the lived experience of people with mental health conditions and how they define the idea of
recovery. While traction for such ideas has been building in many western countries, the recovery
movement is still in its early stages within most Asian countries. Hence, this study aims to add to this
growing effort by understandingvarious factors that influence the recovery of peoplewith mental health
conditionsin Singapore.
Design/methodology/approach –Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis was used on the qualitative
data providedby 21 participants.
Findings –Four themes were revealed: double-edged nature of social support, challenges accessing
mental health support, personalized coping strategies andsocietal influences. As a result, the authors
could betterunderstand various factors that influencedthe recovery process of people withmental health
conditions in Singapore,such as the high costs and low levels of literacy regardingpathways to mental
health services. In addition, the importance of societal influences on mental health recovery was
highlighted,and their impact could be seen through the participants’ sharing.
Research limitations/implications –These findings forma foundation from which future research and
recovery-orientedinterventions can work from to provide moretailored approaches to supporting people
with mentalhealth conditions.
Originality/value –This study identifiedcultural nuances to notions of recoverythat are commonly found
in personal recovery constructs that need to be considered when working within culturally diverse
populations.
Keywords Singapore, Mental disorder, Asia, Recovery, Culture, Mental illness
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Mental health challenges are increasingly common, affecting more than 1 billion people
globally (Dattani et al., 2021). In conjunction with these growing figures, there has been a
shift towards including consumer-oriented personalized perspectives in how mental health
recovery is conceptualised (Anthony, 1993;Deegan, 1988). Traditionally, clinical
conceptualisations of recovery have focused on ameliorating symptoms with view to
assisting people to return to life following successful medical treatment. Unlike such
conventional ideas, however, personal recovery emphasizes the importance of each
individual’s experience of their mental health condition and their ideas of what constitute
recovery (Byrne et al., 2015;Wyder and Bland, 2014;Bird et al.,2014;Slade et al.,2012).
These perspectives have resulted in a greater focus on empowerment instead of
prescription, collaboration instead of direction, and a redefinition of what it means to be
recovered based on the unique desires of the individual (Amering, 2012;Leamy et al.,
2011;Warner, 2010). At the core of this movement is greater recognition and
Jonathan Han Loong Kuek
is based at Susan Wakil
School of Nursing and
Midwifery, Sydney Nursing
School, Faculty of Medicine
and Health, The University
of Sydney, Sydney,
Australia.
Toby Raeburn is based at
Faculty of Nursing and
Midwifery, Health Sciences
and Physiotherapy, The
University of Notre Dame
Australia, Fremantle,
Australia.
Melissa Yan Zhi Chow is
based at School of Social
Sciences, Nanyang
Technological University,
Singapore, Singapore.
Timothy Wand is based at
Susan Wakil School of
Nursing and Midwifery,
Sydney Nursing School,
Faculty of Medicine and
Health, The University of
Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
The first author would like to
acknowledge the assistance
and support from the Tan Kah
Kee Foundation during his
postgraduate journey.
All authors contributed equally
to the preparation of this
manuscript.
DOI 10.1108/MHSI-09-2022-0063 VOL. 28 NO. 5 2024, pp. 429-437, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308 jMENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL INCLUSION jPAGE 429
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