The Development and Validation of the Social Recovery Measure

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Development and Validation of the Social Recovery Measure Portland State University PDXScholar Dissertations and Theses Dissertations and Theses Spring 5-24-2016 The Development and Validation of the Social Recovery Measure Casadi "Khaki" Marino Portland State University Follow this and additional works at: https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds Part of the Social Work Commons Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Marino, Casadi "Khaki", "The Development and Validation of the Social Recovery Measure" (2016). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 2925. https://doi.org/10.15760/etd.2921 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of PDXScholar. Please contact us if we can make this document more accessible: [email protected]. The Development and Validation of the Social Recovery Measure by Casadi Michelle Marino A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work and Social Research Dissertation Committee: Maria Talbott, Chair Eileen Brennan Mary Oschwald Greg Townley Melissa Thompson Portland State University 2016 © 2016 Casadi Michelle Marino Abstract Mental health recovery is a complex phenomenon involving clinical, functional, physical, and social dimensions. The social dimension is understood to involve meaningful relationships and integration with supportive individuals and a wider community. While the recovery model developed from a movement led by consumers and survivors of the mental health system to promote hope, self-determination, and social inclusion, the clinical aspects of recovery have dominated mental health research and practice. The under-investigated area of social recovery calls for psychometrically sound measurement instruments. The purpose of the current study was to develop and validate the Social Recovery Measure (SRM). The study was grounded in disability and mad theories which locate disability at the intersection of the person and the environment. The SRM is a 19-item self-administered instrument scored on a 5-point Likert scale that consists of two domains: Self and Community. Items for the SRM were developed through focus groups and interviews with 41 individuals in recovery from mental health challenges and the preliminary measure was administered to a purposive, nonprobability sample of 228 individuals in recovery. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted and a re-specified model resulted in good model fit. The SRM exhibited excellent internal consistency with a Cronbach’s coefficient alpha of .951 and demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability, content validity, and construct validity. Social recovery is highly relevant for social work given the discipline’s commitment to disenfranchised populations and investment in creating enabling environments. The i SRM has utility for use in evidence based practice and evaluation. The SRM can be used to further research in social recovery, test underlying theory bases, and explore the differential effects of the multiple dimensions of recovery. There is a need to better understand social recovery which this measure can facilitate. ii Acknowledgments I would like to recognize the members of my dissertation committee: Dr. Maria Talbott, Chair, Dr. Eileen Brennan, Dr. Mary Oschwald, Dr. Greg Townley, and Dr. Melissa Thompson. I would like to acknowledge the members of my expert panel: Dr. Larry Davidson, Dr. Nev Jones, Stephania Hayes, and Candice Morgan. I extend my appreciation to the mad grrls in the academy who supported me over the years. I am grateful to Christina Aguilera for the song “Fighter” which I listened to repeatedly for motivation during the last stages of my PhD program. Y gracias a las señoras de La Casita para los tacos vegetarian. Adios. iii Table of Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................ i Acknowledgments.............................................................................................................. iii List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v List of Figures .................................................................................................................... vi Chapter 1 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................1 Chapter 2 Review of a Theory Base for and the Literature on Recovery ..........................................13 Chapter 3 Methods ………………………………………………………………………………...115 Chapter 4 Results ………………………………………………………………………………….156 Chapter 5 Discussion ……………………………………………………………………………...177 References ……………………………………………………………………………...193 Appendices Appendix A. IRB Approval .................................................................................231 Appendix B. Qualtrics Survey .............................................................................232 Appendix C. Skew and Kurtosis of the Items on the Draft SRM .......................246 Appendix D. Total Variance Explained and Pattern Matrix…………………... 252 Appendix E. Final Version of the SRM ...............................................................262 iv List of Tables Table 1. Summary of Instrument Quality Ratings ..........................................................110 Table 2. Demographic Characteristics: Residency, Age, Gender, Race/Ethnicity, Sexual Orientation, Relationship Status, Living Situation ..........................................................157 Table 3. Demographic Characteristics: Education, Employment, Services Type, Diagnosis..........................................................................................................................159 Table 4. Draft SRM Distribution Data .............................................................................161 Table 5. Final SRM Distribution Data .............................................................................166 Table 6. Factor Loadings for Final SRM Items ...............................................................167 Table 7. Correlation, One-way ANOVAs, and T-Test of Non-significant Findings .......175 v List of Figures Figure 1: Scree Plot of Eigenvalues of Factors for Exploratory Factor Analysis ............164 Figure 2: 19-item Two Factor Model of the Social Recovery Measure (SRM) ..............168 vi Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION Mental health and illness have proven difficult to define. Concepts and values differ across social groups, cultures, and time periods. There is insufficient understanding of the etiology of mental illness. The difficulty with definitions has challenged the development of common approaches and effective interventions (Satcher, 2000). Mental health policy is fundamentally shaped by the prevailing definition of mental illness. Changing policies reflect changing definitions (Goldman & Grob, 2006). According to the Surgeon General, serious mental illnesses are understood as conditions that interfere with social functioning (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1999). The Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation defines “psychiatric disability” as mental illness which significantly interferes with performance of major life activities such as communicating with others and working (Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 2012). Four percent or 9.6 million adults aged 18 or older in the U.S. have serious mental illnesses. Mental illness accounts for the largest proportion of disability in the United States as well as in other developing countries. The economic cost of mental illness in the United States is approximately 300 billion dollars a year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011; National Institute of Mental Health, 2014). Individuals with mental health issues face significant financial issues and employment barriers. According to the General Accounting Office, major mental illness is found disproportionally among the poor and homeless. Approximately one-third of homeless adults in the United States are believed to have major mental illness (GAO, 2000). An estimated one-half of individuals 1 with serious mental illness live at or near the poverty level (Cook, 2006). Nationwide, 10% - 20% of individuals with mental illness are employed versus 70% of individuals without disabilities (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011; National Association of Mental Health Program Directors, 2007). Individuals with major mental illness are overrepresented in jails and prisons. Prevalence rates of serious mental illness are thought to be three to six times greater in the prison population than in the community (U.S. Department of Justice, 2007). Compared to the general U.S. population, public mental health clients die 25 years younger (Colton & Manderscheid, 2006; Manderscheid, et al., 2010). Stigma Mental illness has been described as “the ultimate stigma” and a “mark of shame” (Green, 2009). Stigma is founded on a discredited individual difference and is characterized by lack of knowledge and fear (Corrigan, Watson, Byrne, & Davis, 2005). Stigmatizing beliefs lead individuals with relative social power to restrict opportunities to individuals with a perceived difference (Corrigan, Bink, Fokuo, & Schmidt, 2015). Given the pain caused by exclusion and rejection, stigma has been characterized as a form of social death (Corbiere, Samson, Villotti, & Pelletier,
Recommended publications
  • Deinstitutionalization: Its Impact on Community Mental Health Centers and the Seriously Mentally Ill Stephen P
    Page 40 Deinstitutionalization: Its Impact on Community Mental Health Centers and the Seriously Mentally Ill Stephen P. Kliewer Melissa McNally Robyn L. Trippany Walden University Abstract Deinstitutionalization has had a significant impact on the mental health system, including the client, the agency, and the counselor. For clients with serious mental illness, learning to live in a community setting poses challenges that are often difficult to overcome. Community mental health agencies must respond to these specific needs, thus requiring a shift in how services are delivered and how mental health counselors need to be trained. The focus of this article is to explore the dynamics and challenges specific to deinstitution- alization, discuss implications for counselors, and identify solutions to respond to the identified challenges and resulting needs. State run psychiatric hospitals have traditionally been the primary component in the treatment of people with severe and persistent mental illness. For many years, individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) were kept out of the community setting. This isolation occurred for many reasons: a) the attitude of the public about people with mental illness, b) a belief that the mentally ill could only be helped in such settings, and c) a lack of resources at the community level (Patrick, Smith, Schleifer, Morris & McClennon, 2006). However, the institutional approach was not without its problems. A primary problem was the absence of hope and expecta- tion that patients would recover (Patrick, et al., 2006). In short, institutions seemed to become warehouses where mentally ill were kept for long periods of time with little expectation of improvement.
    [Show full text]
  • Social Work 618 Systems of Recovery from Mental Illness in Adults
    Social Work 618 Systems of Recovery From Mental Illness in Adults 3 Units Instructor: Marco Formigoni, LCSW Course Day: E-Mail: [email protected] Monday Office Hours: By appointment Course Location: VAC I. COURSE PREREQUISITES This advanced level practice course is only open to Mental Health Concentrations students who are working, in their current field placement, with adult clients who have been diagnosed with mental illnesses. II. CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION This advanced mental health practice course focuses on the multi-level impact of mental illness on adults and families. Evidence-based interventions promoting increased quality of life and stability are emphasized. III. COURSE DESCRIPTION This advanced-level elective course offers students the opportunity to learn about effective, leading -edge social work approaches to providing humane care for persons with mental illness, especially those clients with concomitant substance abuse, developmental disabilities and severe socioeconomic disadvantage who are commonly considered “difficult” to treat. The course offers students a comprehensive approach to social work practice with this population which includes outreach, clinical assessment; treatment planning that includes strengths orientation with client’s environment and collaboration with other systems, advocacy and program development as well as management. The contribution of discrimination and social inequalities to clients’ difficulties is considered throughout the course, including discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, disability and diagnosis. Many different understandings related to the nature of the problem of severe mental illness are included and the required readings draw from various theoretical approaches to treatment, ranging from psychodynamic to ecological. The perspective of the course is client-centered in that the emphasis is on understanding the persons who have a severe mental illness, their strengths and the processes associated with acquiring care.
    [Show full text]
  • What the Consumer Movement Says About Recovery
    What the consumer movement says about recovery By Allan Pinches, Consumer Consultant in Mental Health, Bachelor of Arts in Community Development (VU) © Copyright 2004 - 2014 The rise of recovery-oriented systems of treatment and support in the mental health field is widely acknowledged as a major achievement for the consumer-movement. However, it was an achievement that was won with the help of a widely diverse range of supporters from many parts of the community with varying interests in mental health services. The partnerships which contributed to the development of the recovery paradigm in mental health services are still a vital resource in the field. Long and determined efforts by consumer advocates to highlight the need for sweeping reforms of the mental health system, on the grounds of human rights, poor quality of services, and ineffective or even harmful treatment methods, were joined by many campaigners in the community over decades – including, many conscientious nurses, social workers, family/ carers, clergy, some journalists, writers, opposition politicians, community workers and action groups, human rights lawyers, unions, academics, a few reformist psychiatrists, and others. This paper starts with an introduction about the role of the consumer movement in recovery-oriented mental health service delivery. Secondly, there is a Timeline of Recovery which traces a historical selection of key consumer related developments as the recovery model has taken shape between the 1960s and the present day. Thirdly the paper continues
    [Show full text]
  • A Pervasive Mental Model of Addiction Recovery and Its Implications for Sustaining Change Erin Stringfellow Washington University in St
    Washington University in St. Louis Washington University Open Scholarship Arts & Sciences Electronic Theses and Dissertations Arts & Sciences Spring 5-15-2019 “You Have to Want It”: A Pervasive Mental Model of Addiction Recovery and Its Implications for Sustaining Change Erin Stringfellow Washington University in St. Louis Follow this and additional works at: https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/art_sci_etds Part of the Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons Recommended Citation Stringfellow, Erin, "“You Have to Want It”: A Pervasive Mental Model of Addiction Recovery and Its Implications for Sustaining Change" (2019). Arts & Sciences Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1760. https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/art_sci_etds/1760 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Arts & Sciences at Washington University Open Scholarship. It has been accepted for inclusion in Arts & Sciences Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Washington University Open Scholarship. For more information, please contact [email protected]. WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS Brown School Dissertation Examination Committee: Renee M. Cunningham-Williams, Chair Patrick Fowler Sarah Gehlert Lee Hoffer Peter S. Hovmand Carrie Pettus-Davis Bradley Stoner “You Have to Want It”: A Pervasive Mental Model of Addiction Recovery and Its Implications for Sustaining Change by Erin J. Stringfellow A dissertation presented to The Graduate School of Washington University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 3. Peer Support Fundamentals
    CHAPTER PEER SUPPORT FUNDAMENTALS 3 Peer support does not adhere to any one “program model.” Rather, it is a dynamic and flexible approach A NATURAL HUMAN RESPONSE to connection and mutual understanding based on a set TO SHARED ADVERSITY of core values and principles. This chapter will present Most people who’ve been through hard information on the fundamentals of peer support that times empathize with and have an urge have been developed over the years by people who to reach out to others who struggle with have worked in peer support roles, conducted research problems that feel similar to their own. For on the topic, and have reflected upon and written about example, an older woman with children it.1,2,3,4 These ideas can be applied to any setting or shares her experiences with an over- activity. Understanding the fundamentals will help whelmed new mother. A widow offers tea you use the strategies presented in later chapters to and words of comfort to a woman whose apply these principles to peer support relationships husband has recently died. The desire for with women who are trauma survivors. The chapter peer support relationships can be seen also suggests books, articles, and websites that provide as a natural human response to shared additional information. struggles. What is Peer Support? Peer support is a way for people from diverse A “peer” is an equal, someone who has faced similar backgrounds who share experiences in common to circumstances, such as people who have survived come together to build relationships in which they cancer, widows, or women who parent adolescents.
    [Show full text]
  • Spiritual and Religious Issues in Psychotherapy with Schizophrenia: Cultural Implications and Implementation
    Religions 2012, 3, 82–98; doi:10.3390/rel3010082 OPEN ACCESS religions ISSN 2077-1444 www.mdpi.com/journal/religions Review Spiritual and Religious Issues in Psychotherapy with Schizophrenia: Cultural Implications and Implementation Lauren Mizock *, Uma Chandrika Millner and Zlatka Russinova Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 940 Commonwealth Avenue West, Boston, MA 02215, USA; E-Mails: [email protected] (U.C.M.); [email protected] (Z.R.) * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: [email protected]; Tel.: +1-617-353-3549; Fax: +1-617-353-7700. Received: 18 February 2012; in revised form: 6 March 2012 / Accepted: 6 March 2012 / Published: 12 March 2012 Abstract: The topics of spirituality and psychotherapy have often been controversial in the literature on schizophrenia treatment. However, current research indicates many potential benefits of integrating issues of religion and spirituality into psychotherapy for individuals with schizophrenia. In this paper, implications are presented for incorporating spiritual and religious issues in psychotherapy for individuals with schizophrenia. A background on the integration of spirituality into the practice of psychotherapy is discussed. The literature on spiritually-oriented psychotherapy for schizophrenia is provided. Clinical implications are offered with specific attention to issues of religious delusions and cultural considerations. Lastly, steps for implementing spiritually-oriented psychotherapy for individuals with schizophrenia are delineated to assist providers in carrying out spiritually sensitive care. Keywords: religion; spirituality; schizophrenia; psychotherapy; culture; rehabilitation; recovery; religious delusions 1. Introduction The topics of spirituality and psychotherapy have often been controversial in the literature on schizophrenia treatment [1,2]. Some practitioners have argued that religion had no space in the Religions 2012, 3 83 psychotherapy setting given a need to be grounded in science.
    [Show full text]
  • Abolishing the Concept of Mental Illness
    ABOLISHING THE CONCEPT OF MENTAL ILLNESS In Abolishing the Concept of Mental Illness: Rethinking the Nature of Our Woes, Richard Hallam takes aim at the very concept of mental illness, and explores new ways of thinking about and responding to psychological distress. Though the concept of mental illness has infiltrated everyday language, academic research, and public policy-making, there is very little evidence that woes are caused by somatic dysfunction. This timely book rebuts arguments put forward to defend the illness myth and traces historical sources of the mind/body debate. The author presents a balanced overview of the past utility and current disadvantages of employing a medical illness metaphor against the backdrop of current UK clinical practice. Insightful and easy to read, Abolishing the Concept of Mental Illness will appeal to all professionals and academics working in clinical psychology, as well as psychotherapists and other mental health practitioners. Richard Hallam worked as a clinical psychologist, researcher, and lecturer until 2006, mainly in the National Health Service and at University College London and the University of East London. Since then he has worked independently as a writer, researcher, and therapist. ABOLISHING THE CONCEPT OF MENTAL ILLNESS Rethinking the Nature of Our Woes Richard Hallam First published 2018 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN and by Routledge 711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017 Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business © 2018 Richard Hallam The right of Richard Hallam to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
    [Show full text]
  • This Is the Title of My Thesis
    A DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF TALK ABOUT SERVICE USERS IN EARLY INTERVENTION IN PSYCHOSIS TEAMS Ellen Duff Submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology (D. Clin. Psychol.) The University of Leeds Academic Unit of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences School of Medicine October 2013 The candidate confirms that the work submitted is her own and that appropriate credit has been given where reference has been made to the work of others. This copy has been supplied on the understanding that it is copyright material and that no quotation from the thesis may be published without proper acknowledgement. © 2013 The University of Leeds and Ellen Duff The right of Ellen Duff to be identified as Author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988. 2 Acknowledgements Biggest thanks go to the EIP staff who agreed to participate in this study – to have your words recorded and analyzed was doubtless a daunting prospect and I thank you for trusting me through this process. My supervisors, Carol, Anjula and Alex - I thank you for unswerving support, faith and optimism ... and to Carol in particular for coffee, biscuits and chats about cats. My family and friends have also been a constant source of support and given me what I needed just when I needed it – a motivational talk from Justine when I doubted myself, a stint of cat-sitting from Jane when I needed a holiday, a welcome home from my parents when I lacked the energy to take care of myself.
    [Show full text]
  • Resources for Those with Skin and Hair Disorders
    Resources for those with Skin and Hair Disorders Skin Picking Disorder is a serious and poorly understood problem. People who suffer from Skin Picking Disorder repetitively touch, rub, scratch, pick at or dig into their skin, often in an attempt to remove small irregularities or perceived imperfections. This behavior may result in skin discoloration or scarring. In more serious cases, severe tissue damage and visible disfigurement can result. Hair Pulling Disorder, biting the insides of the cheeks, and severe nail biting can also occur. Most people pick their skin to some degree. Occasional picking at cuticles, acne, scabs, calluses or other skin irregularities is a very common human behavior. It also is not unusual for skin picking to actually become a problem, whether temporary or chronic. Skin Picking Disorder may develop at any age. How the disorder progresses depends on many factors, including the stresses in a person’s life, and whether or not the person seeks and finds appropriate treatment. In addition to reviewing these materials, you should talk to your doctor about whether counseling (also sometimes called psychotherapy) and/or a medication evaluation might be helpful. Counseling Services • To access individual or family counseling using your health insurance benefits, call the “mental health benefits” number on your insurance card for referral to providers who accept your insurance. You can also access the website for your behavioral health insurance carrier to search for providers in your area and with the specialties you require. • If you are covered by Medi-Cal and you live in Sacramento County, contact the Mental Health Access Team at 916-875-1055 to access counseling or psychiatry services.
    [Show full text]
  • Spiritual Perspectives, Spiritual Care, and Recovery-Oriented Practice in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses" (2018)
    University of Texas at Tyler Scholar Works at UT Tyler Nursing Theses and Dissertations School of Nursing Spring 4-27-2018 Spiritual Perspectives, Spiritual Care, and Recovery- Oriented Practice in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses Melissa Neathery University of Texas at Tyler Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uttyler.edu/nursing_grad Part of the Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Commons Recommended Citation Neathery, Melissa, "Spiritual Perspectives, Spiritual Care, and Recovery-Oriented Practice in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses" (2018). Nursing Theses and Dissertations. Paper 82. http://hdl.handle.net/10950/846 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the School of Nursing at Scholar Works at UT Tyler. It has been accepted for inclusion in Nursing Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholar Works at UT Tyler. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVES, SPIRITUAL CARE, AND RECOVERY-ORIENTED PRACTICE IN PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSES by MELISSA NEATHERY A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Nursing Susan Yarbrough, PhD., R.N., Committee Chair College of Nursing and Health Sciences The University of Texas at Tyler April 9, 2018 The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, Texas This is to certify that the Doctoral Dissertation of MELISSA NEATHERY has been approved for the dissertation requirement on April 9, 2018 for the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing degree Approvals: ____________________________________ Dissertation Chair: Susan Yarbrough, Ph.D. ____________________________________ Member: Zhaomin, He, Ph.D. ____________________________________ Member: Belinda Deal, Ph.D. ____________________________________ Member: Elizabeth Johnston Taylor, Ph.D.
    [Show full text]
  • About the SMART Recovery Program What Is SMART Recovery?
    About the SMART Recovery Program What is SMART Recovery? SMART Recovery is a self-help, mutual-aid program that offers the chance for people to work together to examine and change problem behaviours. Group participants are there to help themselves and each other. Problem behaviours may relate to drinking, drug taking, gambling, food, shopping, internet, sex and other issues. SMART also helps participants manage associated problems such as depression, anxiety and anger. SMART Recovery is a practical and solution-focused program. It uses evidence based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI) tools and techniques to help people achieve their goals. SMART Recovery encourages individuals to determine a recovery pathway that is right for their needs and beliefs. Some may choose to use the program in combination with other mutual-support groups, or in conjunction with professional treatment. SMART recognizes that there are many pathways to recovery. SMART Recovery 4-Point Program SMART Recovery helps participants decide whether they have a problem, builds up their motivation to change and offers a set of proven tools and techniques to support recovery. A Global Community • SMART Recovery was developed in the USA in 1994 after people sought an alternative to the 12 Step approach. • There are SMART Recovery organizations in Australia, Denmark, Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States. • There are SMART Recovery Meetings held in over 20 countries around the globe and our materials have been translated into
    [Show full text]
  • Abraham Low Jason Jimenez, M.S., Lisa K. Lashley, Psyd., Charles Golden, Phd. Nova Southeastern University, College of Psycholog
    Abraham Low Jason Jimenez, M.S., Lisa K. Lashley, PsyD., Charles Golden, PhD. Nova Southeastern University, College of Psychology Dr. Abraham Low (1891–1954) was a Jewish-American psychiatrist and a pioneer in the treatment of mental disorders through self-help programs. He is known for founding Recovery, Inc., a self-help organization that is designed, in part, to fight against the stigma of mental illness. Dr. Low criticized the work of Freud, rejecting the psychoanalytic doctrine both as a therapeutic technique and ideology. He affirmed his belief that human conduct is not a result of unconscious drives but rather directed by personal will. Dr. Low was born in Baranów Sandomierski, Poland on February 28, 1891. He graduated from the University of Vienna Medical School in 1919. After completing his internship in Vienna, Austria in 1920, Dr. Low immigrated to New York City, NY in 1921, obtaining his U.S. citizenship in 1927. From 1921 to 1925, he practiced general medicine in New York City and Chicago, IL. In 1925, Dr. Low became a neurology instructor at the University of Illinois. He was later appointed Associate Professor of psychiatry and eventually promoted to Acting Director of the University of Illinois Psychiatric Institute. From 1931 to 1941, Dr. Low supervised Illinois State Hospitals, conducted seminars for the staff, and interviewed patients with severe mental illness. His research included infant speech and thought, histopathology of the brain and spinal cord, speech disturbances in brain lesions, shock treatment, and group psychotherapy. Dr. Low remained as part of the staff at the University of Illinois until his death.
    [Show full text]