Goal advancement among mental health self-help agency members

Goal advancement is critical to mental health clients' reintegration into the community. This research considers factors likely to contribute to goal advancement among members of four consumer-run mental health self-help agencies (SHAs) who responded to questions about their goals at baseline and six-month follow-up.

Type of goals, demographics, psychiatric disability, agency characteristics, and members' attitudes toward professionals were used to predict goal advancement.

Surprisingly, faith in the psychiatrist as the source of responsibility for treatment decisions was associated with goal advancement. This is contrary to SHA ideology, which emphasizes peer-driven help. Other findings are also discussed.