Publications by authors named "Wendy M M Albers"

Background: Individuals with severe mental illness experience more victimization and discrimination than other persons in the community. Effective rehabilitation and recovery-oriented care interventions aimed at addressing this issue are lacking. We therefore developed a victimization-informed intervention (accompanied by a training module for professionals) called .

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aims to evaluate a new intervention designed to help individuals with severe mental illness manage victimization and discrimination, which can hinder their social participation.
  • A multicenter trial included 400 participants divided into intervention and control groups, measuring various outcomes like social participation, victimization, and self-efficacy at multiple points over 20 months.
  • Results showed that while the intervention did not significantly improve victimization or social participation, it did slightly reduce experienced discrimination and increased feelings of acknowledgment and support in the recovery process.
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Individuals with severe mental illness have a significant risk of (anticipated) discrimination and (criminal) victimisation, which is not structurally and systematically addressed by mental health practitioners. The aim of this study was to develop and pilot an intervention which supports professionals to address victimisation and its consequences, in order to reinforce safe social participation and improve recovery. Following the rehabilitation and positive risk management literature, in addition to current practice, intervention components were developed in two focus groups and four subsequent expert meetings.

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Article Synopsis
  • Individuals with severe mental illness face increased risks of victimization and challenges in social participation, highlighting the need for personalized community mental health support.
  • A study conducted in the Netherlands identified three distinct groups among outpatients: the Victimized and Perpetrating class, the Discriminated and Avoiding class, and the General Difficulties class, each exhibiting varying experiences of victimization, discrimination, and social functioning.
  • Understanding these subgroups can help mental health professionals tailor rehabilitation strategies to improve patients' social contexts and overall quality of life.
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Background: People with severe mental illness (SMI) are more likely to experience criminal victimization than other community members. In addition, (self-) stigma and perceived discrimination are highly prevalent in this group. These adversities in the social context often have major adverse effects on the rehabilitation and recovery of these persons.

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