Recovery in mental health: a movement towards well-being and meaning in contrast to an avoidance of symptoms.

Abstract

This paper examines the types of goals being set by individuals in the context of Australian mental health services and whether goal type differs across the stages of recovery. Goal records of 144 individuals accessing services were reviewed to examine goal content, ratio of approach and avoidance oriented goals and changes across stages of psychological recovery. Individuals further along in their recovery set significantly more approach goals and types of goals set appeared to reflect broader life roles. Setting approach goals and goals that reflect broader life roles tends to support the definition of psychological recovery as being "the movement towards" greater meaning and enhanced sens..