Mindfulness-based art activities such as Zentangle may offer an accessible and cost-effective way to enhance leisure experiences and reduce stress for people living with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Zentangle art therapy on leisure satisfaction and perceived stress among individuals with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder residing in psychosocial rehabilitation centers. A quasi-experimental study with pre-test–post-test control group and multiple follow-ups was conducted among 30 residents from a selected psychosocial rehabilitation center. Participants were allocated to an experiment (n = 15) or control group (n = 15). The experimental group participated in 60-min Zentangle art sessions on alternate days for two weeks, followed by two weeks of supervised self-practice, while the control group continued with routine care. Leisure satisfaction and perceived stress were assessed at baseline, at two weeks, and at four weeks. Repeated measures ANCOVA were used to examine the changes over time, while adjusting for age and gender. The experimental group showed steady and sustained improvements in leisure satisfaction along with reductions in perceived stress over time. Adjusting for age and gender, repeated-measures ANCOVA showed a significant interaction effect for leisure satisfaction (F = 46.82, p < .001, partial η2 = .64) and perceived stress (F = 12.49, p = .001, partial η2 = .32). Hence, the researchers concluded that Zentangle art therapy is an effective, practical, low-cost, and an engaging leisure-based intervention for the residents of psychosocial rehabilitation centers.
Psychosocial rehabilitation strategies should be expanded to address difficulties as a component of the recovery process for people with mental illness. However, empirical evidence remains limited because few longitudinal studies have examined occupational dysfunction, defined as negative experiences in daily activities, as a factor associated with recovery. This study aimed to examine the influence of difficulty in daily life and occupational dysfunction on changes in the recovery process in individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. Participants were community-dwelling individuals with severe and persistent mental illness (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression) voluntarily responding to recruitment in 16 community facilities. Data from a longitudinal observational study with repeated assessments of the recovery process were analyzed using latent growth modeling with a Bayesian estimation approach. The hypothesized model examined the direct and indirect relationships among difficulty in daily life, occupational dysfunction, and changes in the recovery process. This multicenter study consisted of data collected from 63 participants. The results from the Bayesian latent growth modeling demonstrated good model fit (convergence statistics for Bayesian estimation: 1.001; posterior predictive p-value: 0.35) and statistical significance of the influence of difficulty in daily life and occupational dysfunction on changes in the recovery process. The findings suggested the importance of addressing occupational dysfunction as well as difficulty in daily life. Comprehensive assessment of negative experiences in daily activities may contribute to person-centered practices for the recovery process of individuals with severe and persistent mental illness.
Dementia is increasingly common in older adults, causing cognitive decline, functional impairment, and reduced QoL. Reminiscence therapy (RT) evokes personal memories, stimulates cognition, and enhances well-being. The aim was to re-examine individualized RT (iRT) using a nonparametric approach to detect subtle changes in cognition, mood, and QoL. A multicenter, single-blind randomized controlled trial of iRT included 122 older adults with dementia from Portuguese day care and long-term care institutions. The intervention group (n = 62) received 26 iRT sessions, twice weekly for 13 weeks, while the control group maintained usual activities. Outcomes were global cognition, memory, executive function, mood, and self-reported QoL, assessed at baseline, post-intervention (T1), and three-month follow-up (T2), and re-analyzed using the Aligned Rank Transform approach. The re-analysis revealed a significant short-term improvement in global cognition that was not detected in the original analysis. The intervention produced a significant improvement in global cognition. These improvements in MMSE scores were not maintained at the T2. Nonparametric re-analysis reveals effects missed by conventional models. iRT improves global cognition at T1. Beyond clinical efficacy, these findings contribute to the methodological and clinical understanding of psychosocial interventions for dementia and support further investigation of iRT in care settings.
Mental illness remains a global issue with limited community treatment options. In response, there has been a shift toward community-based approaches, such as the international Clubhouse model, which uses a “work-ordered day” structure. This study examines the impact of a London, England-based Clubhouse on members’ well-being and recovery, aiming to advance mental health care. A primary qualitative study was conducted at Mosaic Clubhouse with 16 participants. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, then thematically analyzed following ethical guidelines. Four themes emerged reflecting participants’ recovery experiences: “A Sense of Stability and Well-being” (improved daily functioning through structured support), “A Sense of Purpose” (finding meaning through contribution to the Clubhouse community), “A Sense of Achievement” (personal growth through skill development and autonomy), and “A Sense of Belonging” (social connections and acceptance within a supportive community). Participants described feeling “less bad” about themselves, having their lives “come back to life,” and experiencing reduced admissions. Challenges identified included staff turnover, repetitive activities, and limited board diversity. The study highlights the importance of addressing fundamental human needs in mental health interventions. It supports community-based recovery models that emphasize collaboration, empowerment, and belonging. The Clubhouse model aligns with evolving mental health care paradigms and underscores the role of these needs in both community and hospital-based approaches. Future research could examine which specific Clubhouse activities drive recovery-relevant outcomes and how these can be scaled to help close treatment gaps.
Moving beyond a traditional deficit-based model of recovery in substance use disorders (SUDs), the current study is grounded in contemporary strength-based personality framework, which frames Personality Functioning Strengths (PFS) as dynamic, context‑specific motives, goals, strategies, values and socio‑cognitive capacities that promote psychological well‑being in SUDs. The study addresses the precise question: What personality functioning strengths do individuals with SUDs identify as aiding their recovery? Ten adult participants (seven men, three women; mean age 31.5 years, range 18–43) with DSM‑5‑diagnosed SUDs, abstinent for ≥ 1 month, engaged in psychotherapy and in early‑mid recovery (1–5 years) were purposively recruited from a tertiary treatment centre in Bangalore. Based on the philosophical assumption and aim of the study, the concept of “informational power” was used to determine the sample size. Data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) following Braun and Clarke’s six‑phase framework, with iterative coding, theme development and peer debriefing supported by ATLAS.ti software. Five overarching themes of PFS were identified: (1) Being Emotionally Resilient, characterised by gratitude, hope, and humour; (2) Being Goal-Directed and Thinking Flexibly, which includes creativity, determination, and self-reflection; (3) Being Self-Aware and Value-Driven, involving self-care, autonomy, and help-seeking; (4) Building Connections with Empathy, encompassing conflict resolution and fostering social bonds; and (5) Being Rooted in Culture, which draws on family values, spirituality, and a sense of social responsibility. The findings highlight that PFS are multifaceted, spanning emotional, cognitive, interpersonal, and cultural domains. Integrating culturally anchored PFS, such as family values and a sense of oneness into SUD treatment better aligns with a strengths‑based, recovery approach in the Indian sociocultural context. The results have implications for refining strengths-based frameworks and developing culturally sensitive assessments and interventions for individuals with SUDs.
