Differences in Personal Recovery Among Individuals with Severe Mental Disorders in Private and Supported Accommodations: An Exploratory Study

Alessandra Martinelli (), Tecla Pozzan, Doriana Cristofalo, Chiara Bonetto, Camilla D’Astore, Elena Procura, Corrado Barbui and Mirella Ruggeri
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Alessandra Martinelli: Unit of Epidemiological Psychiatry and Digital Mental Health, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, 25125 Brescia, Italy
Tecla Pozzan: Psychiatry Unit, Integrated University Hospital Trust, 37126 Verona, Italy
Doriana Cristofalo: Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37124 Verona, Italy
Chiara Bonetto: Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37124 Verona, Italy
Camilla D’Astore: Psychiatry Unit, Integrated University Hospital Trust, 37126 Verona, Italy
Elena Procura: Mental Health Center, Isola della Scala, Ospedale di Bussolengo, 37051 Verona, Italy
Corrado Barbui: Psychiatry Unit, Integrated University Hospital Trust, 37126 Verona, Italy
Mirella Ruggeri: Psychiatry Unit, Integrated University Hospital Trust, 37126 Verona, Italy

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 8, 1-15

Abstract: People with severe mental disorders (SMD) face long-term functional impairments requiring integrated, community-based, recovery-oriented care. Italy provides two main housing models for people with SMD: private accommodation (PA) and supported accommodation (SA). This exploratory study investigated differences in recovery outcomes across these settings using the Mental Health Recovery Star (MHRS). A six-month longitudinal study was conducted within the South Verona Community Mental Health Service. Nineteen trained mental health professionals assessed 25 people with SMD (14 in PA, 11 in SA) at baseline (BL) and follow-up (FU) using standardized tools for recovery (MHRS), functioning, psychopathology, functional autonomy, and needs. Group comparisons and within-group changes were analyzed using paired and independent t -tests. At BL, people with SMD in PA showed better functioning ( p = 0.040) and fewer needs than those in SA ( p = 0.008). Recovery goals differed, with people with SMD in PA focusing on health and networks, while people with SMD in SA emphasized functioning. At FU, people with SMD in PA improved across all MHRS domains ( p < 0.001), with significant reductions in symptom severity and unmet needs. People with SMD in SA showed targeted improvements in functioning, autonomy, and MHRS social networks ( p < 0.001), with increases in met needs but non-significant changes in unmet needs. When comparing PA and SA at FU, the differences were relatively modest. Recovery is achievable in both housing settings, although outcomes differ. People with SMD in PA experienced broader improvements, while people with SMD in SA progressed in their prioritized areas, likely reflecting more complex initial needs. These findings underscore the value of aligning recovery-oriented care with the specific needs and contexts of different residential settings. Further research is needed to confirm and expand these results.

Keywords: mental health recovery; housing; social support; severe mental disorder; outcome assessments (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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