Work

The Impact of Illness Identity on Recovery from Severe Mental Illness

Year: 2010

Type: article

Abstract: The impact of the experience and diagnosis of mental illness on one's identity has long been recognized; however, little is known about the impact of illness identity, which we define as the set of roles and attitudes that a person has developed in relation to his or her understanding of having a mental illness. The present article proposes a theoretically driven model of the impact of illness identity on the course and recovery from severe mental illness and reviews relevant research. We propose that accepting a definition of oneself as mentally ill and assuming that mental illness means incompetence and inadequacy impact hope and self-esteem, which further impact suicide risk, coping, social interaction, vocational functioning, and symptom severity. Evidence supports most of the predictions made by the model. Implications for psychiatric rehabilitation services are discussed.

Source: American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation

DOI: 10.1080/15487761003756860

Authors: Philip T. Yanos, David Roe, Paul H. Lysaker

Institutions: City University of New York, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, University of Haifa, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indiana University School of Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Mental Health Treatment and Access

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of Mental Health