Voluntary Participation in Rehabilitation: Lessons Learned From A Clubhouse Environment

Clubhouses, as voluntary communities, can be excellent indicators of recovery environments for persons who have a mental illness. To understand why people become affiliated with a Clubhouse and others disengage, 4 focus groups with Clubhouse members and 1 with staff explored questions of membership retention. Responses encompassed 4 domains: personal, interpersonal, structure, and organizational environment. These domains were interwoven with values of acceptance without stigma, empowerment, self-determination, egalitarian relationships, independence, interdependence, dignity, respect, hope, and positive expectations. The domains and values correspond to elements that aid recovery. The presence and absence of such domains encouraged people to either attend or stay away from the organization. Overall analyses of the groups' responses suggest that recovery-oriented values and organizational climate are important factors in determining attendance in a consumer-oriented program.