Perceived personal changes in Chinese ex-mental patients attending a Holistic Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program

This study was an investigation into perceived personal changes in ex-mental patients attending a psychiatric rehabilitation program in Hong Kong. The program used a self-help group approach with holistic care elements emphasizing the physical, psychological, social and spiritual functioning of the participants. Nineteen participants were invited to complete a repertory grid based on the personal construct theory to measure self-identity changes after joining the program. Results showed that participants perceived positive changes in physical, psychological, social and spiritual dimensions after joining the program, which indicates the value of adopting a holistic psychiatric rehabilitation approach and provides initial support for the use of the repertory grid method in measuring changes in ex-mental patients in the Chinese context.