Play, pleasure, and other positive life events: "Non-specific" factors in recovery from mental illness?

Larry Davidson, Golan Shahar, Martha Staeheli Lawless, David Sells, Janis Tondora

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

93 Scopus citations

Abstract

As part of the emerging recovery paradigm, there is an increasing need for psychiatric treatment and rehabilitation to be strengths-based and to be driven by the desires and preferences of the person with mental illness. Yet if mental illness is a brain disease, it is not at all clear how these characteristics contribute to improvement in the person's condition or influence the course and outcome of the disorder. To avoid these aspects being relegated to the role of nonspecific factors, the field must develop an understanding of the role of strengths and interests in recovery. To contribute to this effort, we review the existing empirical research on the protective and stress-buffering effects of positive life events and qualitative data on the importance of play and pleasure in the lives of people with mental illness. We conclude by considering briefly the implications of this research for clinical practice.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)151-163
Number of pages13
JournalPsychiatry (New York)
Volume69
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 11 Aug 2006
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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