Self-care in mental health services: a narrative review

Lucock, Mike, Gillard, Steve, Adams, Katie, Simons, Lucy, White, Rachel and Edwards, Christine (2011) Self-care in mental health services: a narrative review. Health and Social Care in the Community, 19 (6). pp. 602-616. ISSN 0966-0410

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Abstract

Self-care is an important approach to the management of long-term health conditions and in preventing ill-health by living a healthy lifestyle. The concept has been used to a limited extent in relation to mental health, but it overlaps with the related concepts of recovery, self-management and self-help. These related concepts all entail individuals having more choice and control over treatment and a greater role in recovery and maintaining their health and well-being. This paper reviews qualitative empirical research that provides information on the nature of self-care in mental health from the perspective of people experiencing mental health problems. Twenty qualitative studies were identified from a systematic search of the literature. The methods used in these studies were critically appraised and key themes across studies identified self-care behaviours and processes supporting self-care. The paper also highlights challenges to this approach in mental health and provides a conceptual framework of the relationships between self-care support, self-care behaviours and strategies, and well-being for the individual. It also highlights limitations in the current evidence base and identifies areas for future research.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
Schools:	School of Human and Health Sciences School of Human and Health Sciences > Centre for Applied Psychological Research
Related URLs:	Author
Depositing User:	Cherry Edmunds
Date Deposited:	26 Jul 2011 10:00
Last Modified:	02 Dec 2016 14:38
URI:	http://eprints.hud.ac.uk/id/eprint/11073

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