Recovery in mental illness: Focus on subjective perceptions of occupations in Clubhouses

The primary study aim was to explore which factors could predict recovery at baseline and follow- up, with occupational value, occupational balance, satisfaction with daily occupations, occupational engagement, and sociodemographic and clinical factors as predictors. A secondary aim was to investigate stability over time in personal recovery from baseline to a 9- month follow- up among people with psychiatric disabilities at ending clubhouses. Clubhouse members completed questionnaires at baseline (N = 57) and at a 9- month follow- up (N = 37). The data were analyzed with nonparametric statistics. Occupational value showed a bivariate relationship with recovery at baseline and follow-up. At follow-up there was also a relationship between occupational engagement and recovery. Satisfaction with daily occupations was not associated with recovery. There were two baseline predictors of recovery at follow-up: a higher level of recovery at baseline and perceiving that one’s activities pertaining to work and clubhouse participation formed a good balance. The personal recovery scores remained stable over time. The result indicates the importance of clubhouses in maximizing occupational opportunities for experience of occupational value and engagement, while also considering members’ occupational balance, in an effort to support the members’ recovery process