[Motives for the use of psychosocial aftercare services]

There are hardly any studies regarding the specific motives for the use of psychosocial aftercare services. The present study aims to fill this gap by investigating the motives for the use of certain psychosocial aftercare services for people with mental health problems. In particular, the services Ability-Oriented Activity, Mobile Care and Help, Psychosocial Counseling Center and Housing are considered.

Data from a client satisfaction surveys which had been conducted on an annual basis over a period of 5 years (2013-2017) were analyzed. Clients were surveyed regarding the importance of 5 motives for service use (getting support with problems; being able to talk to someone about problems; feeling understood; having a space of safety; feeling like they are doing something for their health) using a 5-point response scale.

The analyses of the data show that across all services, the motive "feeling understood" is of great importance for the use of psychosocial services. Apart from this motive, it is primarily safety that motivate the use of services of ability-oriented activity and housing. In the case of Mobile Care and Assistance and the Psychosocial Counseling Center, it is predominantly instrumental aspects, such as getting support with problems. In general, it can be seen that the motivational strength, i.e. how important these reasons are for using the service, is highest for the services provided by Mobile Care and Assistance and the Psychosocial Counseling Center.