Recovery from severe mental disorders – Effectiveness of a combination of psychiatric interventions in a residential setting and psychometric properties of a measure of support for personal recovery
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
Pharmacology auditorium F202
Topic of the dissertation
Recovery from severe mental disorders – Effectiveness of a combination of psychiatric interventions in a residential setting and psychometric properties of a measure of support for personal recovery
Doctoral candidate
Master of Occupational Therapy Jonna Tolonen
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Medicine, Research unit of population health
Subject of study
Medicine
Opponent
Professor Sami Pirkola, Tampere university
Custos
Professor Erika Jääskeläinen, Oulu university
Empowering recovery: How young adults with severe mental disorders can reclaim independence
This study supports the positive effects of a combination of psychiatric rehabilitation interventions in fostering independence and recovery for young adults with severe mental disorders. The findings underscore the need to advance recovery orientated psychiatric rehabilitation in Finland, especially for persons with severe mental disorders. A strong collaboration between clients and mental health professionals is a key mechanism for successful interventions. "It’s not only about what interventions we use in psychiatric rehabilitation, but how we implement them in co-operation with the client," noted PhD researcher Jonna Tolonen.
Recovery from severe mental disorders has seen little progress in recent decades. However, a new dissertation sheds light on promising approaches to improve outcomes. The study focused on a psychiatric rehabilitation intervention in a residential setting designed for young adults with severe mental disorders, alongside an evaluation of the reliability of the Finnish translation of the INSPIRE measure, an instrument for measuring support for personal recovery.
Participants of the study were 39 young adults who received psychiatric rehabilitation over an average period of more than two years. Results revealed a significant increase in independent living: at the start of the intervention, 33% of participants lived independently, compared to 69% by the end and 78% at follow-up. Additionally, participants showed reduced depressive symptoms and improved daily functioning. Long-term follow-up indicated that over 80% of participants felt they had partially recovered from their mental illness. However, less than half rated their quality of life as good, highlighting the complex and prolonged nature of recovery from severe mental disorders.
The study also examined the INSPIRE measure, which is grounded in the recovery orientation approach—an evidence-based approach in mental health care. While INSPIRE showed potential as a practical tool, its psychometric properties in Finnish data partially deviated from the original structure, emphasizing the need for further refinement.
This research received funding from Oulu university, The Oulu University Hospital and wellbeing services county of North Ostrobothnia Pohde (VTR-funding) and Emil Aaltonen foundation.
Recovery from severe mental disorders has seen little progress in recent decades. However, a new dissertation sheds light on promising approaches to improve outcomes. The study focused on a psychiatric rehabilitation intervention in a residential setting designed for young adults with severe mental disorders, alongside an evaluation of the reliability of the Finnish translation of the INSPIRE measure, an instrument for measuring support for personal recovery.
Participants of the study were 39 young adults who received psychiatric rehabilitation over an average period of more than two years. Results revealed a significant increase in independent living: at the start of the intervention, 33% of participants lived independently, compared to 69% by the end and 78% at follow-up. Additionally, participants showed reduced depressive symptoms and improved daily functioning. Long-term follow-up indicated that over 80% of participants felt they had partially recovered from their mental illness. However, less than half rated their quality of life as good, highlighting the complex and prolonged nature of recovery from severe mental disorders.
The study also examined the INSPIRE measure, which is grounded in the recovery orientation approach—an evidence-based approach in mental health care. While INSPIRE showed potential as a practical tool, its psychometric properties in Finnish data partially deviated from the original structure, emphasizing the need for further refinement.
This research received funding from Oulu university, The Oulu University Hospital and wellbeing services county of North Ostrobothnia Pohde (VTR-funding) and Emil Aaltonen foundation.
Last updated: 19.2.2025