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. 2025 Jun;32(3):783-799.
doi: 10.1111/jpm.13158. Epub 2025 Feb 17.

Conceptualisation of Mental Health Recovery by Health Professionals and Students in Southeast Asia: A Qualitative Systematic Review and Meta-Aggregation

Rinlita Chatwiriyaphong  1   2 , Ritin Fernandez  3   4 , Rebecca Bosworth  1 , Grant Kinghorn  1 , Lorna Moxham  1
Affiliations

Conceptualisation of Mental Health Recovery by Health Professionals and Students in Southeast Asia: A Qualitative Systematic Review and Meta-Aggregation

Rinlita Chatwiriyaphong et al. J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs. 2025 Jun.

Abstract

Introduction: While the recovery approach is gaining recognition in non-Western countries, it remains underexplored in Southeast Asia. This study addressed this gap by examining how health professionals and students conceptualised recovery, providing insights for enhancing mental health practices.

Aim: To synthesise how health professionals and students in Southeast Asian countries understand mental health recovery.

Methods: A search across CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and the Web of Science identified ten qualitative studies (2006-2024). Data extraction, quality appraisal, and synthesis were conducted following the JBI methodology.

Results: The findings highlighted a medically driven and determined return to normal functioning for individuals living with mental illness. This was classified into six categories: return to being a 'normal person', symptom-free status, medication adherence, access to mental health services, living with residual symptoms, and holistic care with a psychosocial focus.

Discussion: Medical-oriented practices have dominated mental health care, creating a power imbalance. Training, education, culture, socioeconomic status, and stigma have shaped the understanding of recovery.

Implications for practice and recommendations: Shared decision-making and formal training prioritising lived experiences are vital to reducing power imbalances. A shift towards recovery-oriented approaches is critically needed to enhance mental health practices in Southeast Asia.

Keywords: international issues; mental health; recovery; staff perceptions; systematic literature reviews.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
PRISMA flowchart of the study selection process.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Synthesised findings and categories.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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