Associations of participation domains with personal recovery process and quality of life among service users in Flexible Assertive Community Treatment (FACT).

PURPOSE: Flexible Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) is being implemented in Swedish general mental health services for persons with complex mental health needs. However, research addressing service users' participation in everyday life and its association to personal recovery is still scarce. The aim of this study was therefore to examine domains of participation and their association with two personal recovery outcomes (the personal recovery process and quality of life) at the 12-month follow-up among persons with complex mental health needs participating in FACT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational study design with secondary data derived from the FACT intervention arm of the UDiM-FACT trial (83 participants). Measurement was obtained before randomisation (baseline) and at 12 months follow-up. Two multiple linear regression models were conducted. Personal recovery process (QPR-Swe-7) and quality of life (MANSA) at 12 months follow-up were specified as dependent variables. Domains of participation were approximated using objective indicators of social inclusion (SIX), including employment, living situation, partnership/family, friendship at 12 months follow-up and were included as independent variables. Each model was adjusted for the corresponding baseline measure of the outcome variable. RESULTS: Participants living alone had higher scores on quality of life compared to those living with a partner or family. No other significant associations were found. CONCLUSIONS: The largely non-significant findings may suggest that the FACT model supports personal recovery across a broad range of service users, regardless of differences in participatory domains. However, the results should be interpreted with caution, due to methodological and contextual constraints.