Utilizing Non-Pharmacological Interventions to Increase Resilience

BACKGROUND: Low resilience increases mental illness symptoms (Llistosella et al., 2022). Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) measures resilience (Smith et al., 2008). Resilience assessment is important for identifying individuals at risk for ineffective coping, which increases mental illness severity (Llistosella et al., 2022; Nova, 2023).

LOCAL PROBLEM: A rural mobile mental healthcare clinic lacked resilience assessment. To address this, BRS was implemented. The purpose was to screen resilience, educate on non-pharmacological ways to increase resilience, and rescreen within three months to determine efficacy. The aim was: By January 12, 2025, 80% of individuals screened for resilience will have increased resilience score at the follow-up appointment at the project site. The goal was to influence providers to implement resilience screening and education by revealing benefit to patient outcomes.

METHODS: Iowa Model is an evidence-based practice framework for enhancing healthcare practice (Buckwalter et al., 2023). Iowa Model and Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles were used. BRS scores were evaluated initially, and the post-education scores were obtained at the next follow-up appointment, between 1-3 months later. After baseline screening, patients were educated on resilience, how to increase it, and given educational handouts. Specific/outcome measure variables were pre-/post- education scores. Paired sample T-test determined statistical significance.

INTERVENTIONS: BRS measured pre-/post-education resilience scores. Patients were educated on resilience, how to increase it, and given educational handouts. Non-pharmacological changes included yoga/exercise, volunteering, joining groups, journaling, sleep, eating healthily, meditation, guided imagery, and prayer (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2023; Arida & Teixeira-Machado, 2021).

RESULTS: There were 48 participants, with 39 participants aged 19-75 included in analysis. Mean pre-education BRS of 2.98 increased to 3.08 within three months post-education.

CONCLUSIONS: There was statistically/clinically significant difference in BRS scores post-education implementation. Psychoeducation improves outcomes. Providers should consider integrating resiliency education. Next steps are continued patient education via provider and advocacy for further research on resilience patient education.