Running head: PERCEIVED CONTROL AND MENTAL ILLNESS

Perceived Control and Mental Illness Kylie Kap Hintze Brigham Young University

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PERCEIVED CONTROL AND MENTAL ILLNESS Perceived Control and Mental Illness Mental illnesses of all types affect people everywhere. People suffer from Depression, Bi-Polar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Anxiety, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, to name a few. Although varying greatly, mental illnesses have been a common subject of study for medical professionals, students, and patients alike. There has been a great push in recent years to understand mental illness and help people recovery from its debilitating effects. Recent studies have shown that there is one thing that enables people to recover from mental illness; perceived control is the answer. Summary Perceived control is the “belief that one can determine one’s own internal states and behavior, influence one’s environment, and/or bring about desired outcomes” (Patterson et al. 2016). Because researchers have found that those with mental illnesses experience low perceived control over their life, they have set out to find a way to increase perceived control in the life of those with mental illness. Through an intensive study conducted by researchers, this article shows how therapeutic recreation increases the perceived control of people who suffer from mental illness. The researchers conducted their study in a recovery camp at a YCMA facility. This recovery camp is “facilitated as a strengths-based experience where participants engage in adventure activities such as zip-lining, rock climbing, tie-dying, and creating arts and crafts” (Patterson et al. 2016). The study involved two groups of people: an intervention group and a comparison group. All participants ranged from age 22-63 and had previously been diagnosed with a mental illness. The intervention group attended the recovery camp and the comparison group continued their normal routines in the community. Each participant completed the

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PERCEIVED CONTROL AND MENTAL ILLNESS PCADS (perceived control across domains scale) test three times during the study: after one week, after two weeks, and after three months. Lower scores on the test indicate a higher sense of perceived control. At the three-month follow up, the results showed that perceived control for the comparison group had gone down and perceived control had increased for the intervention group. This shows that therapeutic recreation has enduring effects on perceived control. Even after three months, those who participated in the recovery camp had a greater sense of perceived control and a greater control over substance use. Because of the results, the researchers now want to better understand how therapeutic recreation may be used to improve addictive issues among those with mental illness. The study concludes that “therapeutic recreation initiatives, such as Recovery Camp, may assist people with mental illness in maintaining positive thought processes, positive thinking about the future, and positive belief of one’s influence on the environment” (Patterson et al. 2016). Strengths The first strength is that the article targets the information to a large audience. By the way that the content and language is presented, the article is understandable to all readers, not just medical professionals. I think this is a great strength because I find it important for people everywhere to learn about the benefits of recreational therapy. The article reaches out to a large audience by not only mentioning terms, but explaining them as well. For example, the article clearly explains what perceived control is, why it’s important and how it relates to recreational therapy. The article goes into detail about every word that could seem unfamiliar such as recovery camp, therapeutic recreation, and mental illness. Such explanations make the writers more credible and knowledgeable. Another strength that I want to discuss is that the article

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PERCEIVED CONTROL AND MENTAL ILLNESS points out it’s own weaknesses and limitations. It also discusses what the researchers would change next time and how they will improve. The article’s recognizing of limitations helps the reader to trust the research. Weaknesses The researchers who conducted the study used the PCDAS test as a form of measuring perceived control. However, the way that the article explains the PCADS test is very confusing for readers. Although the article includes tables and charts of the results, I didn’t understand what all the numbers and different levels mean. I was left with questions such as, ‘how does the PCADS test work’ and ‘what exactly is it measuring’. With this confusion, it made the article conclusion less credible. I also noticed that throughout the article, the writer would briefly mention studies or certain medical professionals by name, but then wouldn’t go into detail. The brief studies and names that were mentioned didn’t tie in to the central purpose of the article and weren’t necessary for what the writers were trying to get across. Application After reading the article all readers are able to fully understand how recreational therapy helps people with mental illness. The article can also be applied in “mental health nursing education to teach nursing students how to support recovery of those with a lived experience of mental illness” (Patterson et. al 2016). This article applies to all recreation therapy students as well because it outlines ways that perceived control can be increased in individuals. Without understanding the needs of the clients, it will be impossible to create therapeutic activities that benefit such clients. The article helps all therapy-based professionals to gain a greater view of mental illness and what the best possible solutions are. In a way, this article opens the door for

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PERCEIVED CONTROL AND MENTAL ILLNESS recreational therapists because it gives other medical and health professionals proof that therapeutic recreation is much more than just playing games. Personal application. I loved this article because I want to help those who have suffered or who suffer from mental illness. Because of outside voices it’s hard to believe sometimes that recreation can help people that have mental disabilities, but this article gives specific evidence on how physical activities and goal-oriented recreation can improve the quality of life for people with mental illness. I thought the article was well organized, clear, and helpful to me as a student. I also thought that the article reflects therapeutic recreation for what it really is. I love the explanation in the article that states, “[RT] has been shown to positively influence quality of life, including family life and social life, as well as health and wellbeing,” because it sums up what the article is truly about (Patterson et. al 2016).

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PERCEIVED CONTROL AND MENTAL ILLNESS References Patterson, C., Moxham, L., Taylor, E., Sumskis, S., Perlman, D., Brighton, R., . . . Keough, E. (2016). Perceived Control among People with Severe Mental Illness: A Comparative Study. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 30(5), 563-567.

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