Data_Sheet_1_Interpersonal Relations Within the Context of Resource Groups for People With Severe Mental Illness: A Narrative Approach.docx

Objective: The resource group method intends to promote patients' agency and self-management and to organize meaningful partnerships between patients and their informal and formal support systems. The aim of this study was to enhance the understanding of interpersonal dynamics that arise within resource groups for people with severe mental illness. Insight into these unfolding processes would enable improved implementation of the resource group method so that it contributes to establishing a positive social environment, which can lead to more enduring recovery.Methodology: We performed a narrative analysis of transcripts and field notes obtained in a longitudinal, qualitative study on the resource group method. The stories of four different resource groups were reconstructed and analyzed in depth. Data included a total of 36 interviews (with patients, significant others, and mental health professionals) and 18 observations of resource group meetings.Results: The degree to which the resource group method actually contributes to recovery was based on the extent to which the existing roles of and patterns between the patient and his/her resource group members were altered. Breaking through old patterns of inequality and the joint search for a new balance in relationships proved to be crucial processes for establishing an empowering resource group. The four cases showed that it takes time, patience, and small steps back and forth to overcome the struggles and fears related to finding new ways of relating to each other. An honest and reflective atmosphere in which all participants are encouraged to participate and be curious about themselves and each other is essential for changes in interpersonal dynamics to emerge. Such changes pave the way for individuals with SMI to find their own voices and pursue their unique recovery journeys.Conclusions: The functioning of the resource group and the ability of the involved members to respond in new ways are important when working toward the patient's recovery goals. The resource group method should therefore not be considered an intervention to organize informal support for the patient, but a platform to expose and adjust the functioning of the patient's social network as a whole.

目标：资源组方法旨在提升患者的能动性和自我管理能力，并促进患者与其非正式与正式支持系统之间的意义构建伙伴关系。本研究旨在深化对严重精神疾病患者资源组内部人际互动动态的理解。对这些演进过程的洞察将有助于资源组方法的改进实施，从而有助于构建积极的社交环境，进而促进患者更持久的康复。方法：我们对一项关于资源组方法的纵向、定性研究中的访谈记录和实地笔记进行了叙事分析。深入重构并分析了四个不同资源组的故事。数据包括总共36次访谈（访谈对象包括患者、重要他人和精神健康专业人士）以及18次资源组会议的观察。结果：资源组方法实际对康复贡献的程度，取决于患者与其资源组成员之间既定角色和模式改变的幅度。打破旧的不平等模式，共同寻求关系中新平衡的探索，被证明是建立赋权资源组的关键过程。四个案例表明，克服与寻找新的互动方式相关的挑战和恐惧需要时间、耐心以及反复的小步骤。一个诚实且反思的氛围，其中所有参与者都被鼓励参与其中，并对自身与他人保持好奇心，对于人际互动的变革至关重要。这些变革为具有严重精神疾病的个体找到自己的声音，追求其独特的康复旅程铺平了道路。结论：资源组的运作以及成员应对新方式的能力，在实现患者康复目标时至关重要。因此，资源组方法不应被视为仅为患者组织非正式支持的一种干预措施，而应被视为一个平台，用以揭露并调整患者整个社会网络的运作。