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Listening to the Voices of Consumers and Survivors: A Qualitative Study of Empowerment and the Mental Health System

Domenici, Donald Joseph

Abstract Details

2010, Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, Psychology.
In recent years, there has been much discussion about the need for reforming the mental health system, including several government reports that address this topic. Although these government reports have mentioned the importance of involving consumers and their families in the process of reforming the mental health system, they are unclear about how we should go about doing so. Many authors have also identified stigma, discrimination, and empowerment as significant issues to address through mental health reform. The purpose of this study was to model a way that mental health professionals can engage in dialogue with people who utilize mental health services about how to improve the mental health system. I spoke to three women who have had varying experiences of mental health treatment. My goals were to generate dialogue across multiple perspectives and learn about participants’ experiences in the mental health system, specifically with regard to stigma, discrimination, and empowerment/disempowerment. I also sought to foster empowerment and collaboration in my conversations with participants by encouraging them to share their views about mental health reform, attending carefully to their words, and inviting them to provide feedback about what I wrote. To analyze our conversations, I utilized a modified version of the Listening Guide, a qualitative research method that highlights relationality, aesthetics, and multiplicity in participants’ voices. Through this study, I learned that there is a need for people who utilize mental health services to express their voices by telling their stories, inner dialogue plays a significant role in how people experience the mental health system, and mental health professionals need to be more aware of how their biases can influence treatment. I also learned about participants’ experiences of stigma, discrimination, and empowerment.
Larry Leitner, PhD (Committee Chair)
Roger Knudson, PhD (Committee Member)
William Stiles, PhD (Committee Member)
Keith Tuma, PhD (Committee Member)
363 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Domenici, D. J. (2010). Listening to the Voices of Consumers and Survivors: A Qualitative Study of Empowerment and the Mental Health System [Doctoral dissertation, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1271114407

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Domenici, Donald. Listening to the Voices of Consumers and Survivors: A Qualitative Study of Empowerment and the Mental Health System. 2010. Miami University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1271114407.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Domenici, Donald. "Listening to the Voices of Consumers and Survivors: A Qualitative Study of Empowerment and the Mental Health System." Doctoral dissertation, Miami University, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1271114407

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)