Data from self-report questionnaires gathered before each In-Sight Recovery course was run, and after completion of each course, have now been analysed for all seven courses that have been run in Hertfordshire from 2008 to 2010.

Future In-Sight trainees might like to look at how the training might also benefit them in their recovery, and in the recovery of family members (for carers) and in the recovery for clients (for mental health staff).

In all 78 people started the courses with 63 people finishing and gaining their attendance certificate - a low drop out rate of 20%.

High marks of over 9 out of 10 points were awarded by trainees at the end of the course to the In-Sight training course curriculum, peer trainers’ experience, group learning and general organisation of the In-Sight training.

Huge improvements were noted by trainees in their recovery across all 22 different items, with a general improvement of 36% from pre-course scores compared to post-course scores, equating with a 20% increase on a 7 point Likert scale (from pre-course start of ‘Modest’ knowledge and practice of recovery to a post-course ‘Good’ knowledge and practice).

Whilst all 22 recovery items demonstrated a positive increase, trainees reported above average improvements in the following items (in order of priority) : their knowledge about recovery, knowledge of coping strategies for high and low moods, ability to ward off negative thoughts, knowledge of bipolar disorder, practice of relaxation, recognition of warning signs for low and high moods, recognition of stressful and vulnerable times, and ability to put coping strategies into practice effectively.

Improvements were also reported in the following items (in order of importance): empowerment or control over situations, knowledge and use of medication for bipolar disorder, practice of positive thinking, use of self-help support, level of confidence and self-esteem, practice of skills to manage anger effectively, hopefulness for the future, practice of assertive communication, quality of life, social support network, practice of a healthy lifestyle and relationship with their mental health team.

65% of people completing the course reported a better mood than before the course started, with 25% reporting that their mood had stayed the same. Only 2 people out of 63 reported that their mood had worsened.

7 out of 10 people who completed the training were White British, with 3 out of 10 people completing the training from other ethnicities and backgrounds (European, Indian, African Caribbean or Mixed). The majority of people completing the training were service users with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, carers for a family member with bipolar, or service users with a diagnosis of depression. 7 out of 10 people completing the course were women, with 3 out of 10 people completing were men.

Learn more about the effectiveness in recovery  … data-analysis-7-cohorts-summary-pre-post

Learn more about the effectiveness of the course and training organisation …data-analysis-7-cohorts-summary-post-only

Dr Heather Straughan devised the 22-item recovery scale which was based upon the learning in the In-Sight course, and the end of course questionnaire. Dr Straughan analysed the quantitative self-reports and end of course questionnaires.

Trainees also took part in focus groups - one before and one after the course, to look at benefits in their recovery. Dr Jan Wallcraft undertook the focus groups and analysed the data. The focus group data will be uploaded shortly.

This meta-analysis of both quantitative (numbers) and qualitative (textual) data will be added to when two further In-Sight courses take place in 2011.

If you have any comments about this meta-analysis, please contact the team on 01923-297122 or contact@recoveryin-sight.com

Thank you for your interest in this user-research study.

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