ACT and Recovery: What We Know About Their Compatibility

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Services Research
• Psychiatric Rehabilitation

Background:

• Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is an evidence-based practice for severe mental illness.
• The recovery orientation of ACT has been a subject of ongoing discussion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review empirical literature on the relationship between Assertive Community Treatment and recovery.
• To identify research gaps and suggest future directions for supporting recovery within ACT.

Main Methods:

• A literature search was conducted to identify empirical studies examining recovery and ACT.
• The identified 16 studies were categorized based on their focus: stakeholder perceptions, interventions, or fidelity measurement.

Main Results:

• Stakeholder perceptions generally indicate that ACT is recovery-oriented.
• Research on ACT interventions and fidelity measurement suggests promising approaches to support recovery.
• The existing literature provides encouraging findings but highlights a need for more research.

Conclusions:

• ACT shows promise in supporting recovery, with positive stakeholder views and developing research on interventions and fidelity.
• Further research is crucial to enhance the recovery orientation of ACT programs and practices.
• Future efforts should focus on refining ACT to optimally facilitate client recovery.