Habilitation: A Concept for Mental Health and Addictions Care
Date of Award
2005
Document Type
Thesis
College/School
College of Nursing
Degree Name
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Program Concentration
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Abstract
Habilitation is a conceptual approach to treatment used when a person is learning skills, abilities, and behaviors for the first time. In contrast, rehabilitation is the act of restoring lost abilities and skills. A literature review of the term habilitation is presented as it relates to the disabilities, psychiatric mental health/chemical dependence, and social work literature. Conceptual confusion between habilitation and rehabilitation is briefly reviewed. Habilitation is then applied to a mental health/addictions case study. The case illustrates how habilitation can help care providers avoid relying on a deficits perspective in their work, and foster self-efficacy and hope within a person.
Recommended Citation
Fenimore, Rachel, "Habilitation: A Concept for Mental Health and Addictions Care" (2005). Master of Science in Nursing Theses. 35.
https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/etds-msn/35