Connection and recovery in the COVID-19 age : An analysis of changes in goal-setting throughout the pandemic by consumers living with enduring mental illness

Journal article


Patterson, Christopher, Roberts, Michelle, Yousiph, Taylor, Robson, Georgia, Lewer, Kelly, Jay, Elissa-Kate and Moxham, Lorna. (2024). Connection and recovery in the COVID-19 age : An analysis of changes in goal-setting throughout the pandemic by consumers living with enduring mental illness. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. 33(1), pp. 166-174. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.13232
AuthorsPatterson, Christopher, Roberts, Michelle, Yousiph, Taylor, Robson, Georgia, Lewer, Kelly, Jay, Elissa-Kate and Moxham, Lorna
Abstract

Goal-setting is a tool that empowers consumer recovery. Though the pandemic has affected consumer goal-setting, the nature and extent of this impact have not been examined in a recovery setting. The aim of this study is to assess whether the recovery goals of individuals with serious mental illness changed in association with the COVID-19 pandemic. In this mixed-methods design, data were collected from a purposeful sample of consumers (nTOTAL = 355) aged 19–67 years (MAGE = 44.56, SD = 13.05) attending Recovery Camp, a 5-day therapeutic-recreation programme for individuals living with severe mental illness (e.g., PTSD, schizophrenia). Consumer-set goals were examined across 5 programmes prior to March 2020 (nPRE = 126) and 11 following (nPOST = 229). Goals were set on day one, with attainment self-scored on day five. Chi-squared goodness-of-fit tests compared goal proportions per domain; tests of independence assessed changes in goals pre- and post-pandemic. Six goal domains were identified: Approach-Based Recovery, Avoidance-based Recovery, Novel Physical Activities, Relationships, Health, and Recreation/Relaxation. Irrespective of the pandemic, goal attainment was consistently high across all programmes (86.56%). Approach-based Recovery goals were predominant pre-pandemic, but were significantly reduced post-pandemic (p = 0.040). Goals related to Relationships and Novel Physical Activities took precedence throughout the pandemic. Post-COVID-19, consumer recovery goals reveal increased desire for connection, novelty-seeking, and positive behavioural change.

KeywordsCOVID-19; goal setting; mental health; recovery; therapeutic recreation
Year2024
JournalInternational Journal of Mental Health Nursing
Journal citation33 (1), pp. 166-174
PublisherJohn Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd
ISSN1445-8330
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.13232
PubMed ID37743556
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85172398316
Open accessPublished as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
Page range166-174
Publisher's version
License
File Access Level
Open
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online24 Sep 2023
Publication process dates
Accepted06 Sep 2023
Deposited03 Jun 2025
Additional information

© 2023 The Authors. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.

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