Conceptualisation of Personal Recovery and Recovery-Oriented Care for Youth: Multisystemic Perspectives

There is a substantial body of evidence on the construct of personal recovery and the value of recovery-oriented mental health care worldwide. Personal recovery refers to the lived experience of those with mental illness overcoming challenges and living satisfying lives within the limitations of mental health symptomology. Conceptualisations such as CHIME have primarily relied on adult frameworks. With growing concerns about youth mental health, the present study aimed to understand the experiences of personal recovery and recovery-oriented care for youth. Given the multisystemic influences on youth development, the study analysed narratives from youth, caregivers, and mental health professionals. The analysis revealed two developmentally unique recovery processes involving the restoration of capabilities and existing relationships (restorative processes) and the bolstering of protective influences and strengths (resilience processes). Deductive analysis identified alignment to the CHIME framework. Implications of the findings for recovery-oriented care for youth are discussed.