The consumer-oriented recovery has been discussed for more than two decades in the mental health field. Although some qualitative recovery studies have shown important findings, they were limited in generalization of their findings to other people with mental illness. In addition, measurement is an important research tool for quantitative studies. Since few recovery measurements exist currently, a reliable and valid recovery measurement is needed for empirical studies and clinical program evaluation. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate one existing recovery measurement, the Mental Health Recovery Measure (MHRM), and to examine the relationships between recovery and associated factors with quantitative data.

The researcher collaborated with one mental health organization to collect data. Research participants were asked to fill out a self-adminsitered survey packet, including demographics and a set of anonymous instruments. One hundred and fifty-six surveys were eligible for this study. The MHRM was assessd by the Rasch model; the hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationships between recovery and associated factors.

The results showed that after the Rasch analysis, the new 26-item MHRM with a 4-point Liken scale has appropriate reliability and validity. The unidimensionality was confirmed; the new MHRM also showed proper rating scale functioning, item fit, and high reliability. Although it needs more difficult items to measure people with a high recovery condition, it can adequately measure people in the initial or middle stage of recovery, and can be used for future quantitative studies and program evaluation.

The study also found that social support and service quality had significant positive relationships with recovery; psychiatric symptoms had a significant negative relationship with recovery. The final regression model accounted for 58% of variance in recovery. Social-environmental factors do play an important role in people's recovery, even after taking into account psychiatric symptoms. Namely, people with mental illness can pursue recovery with symptoms as long as they receive appropriate support and services. The results are useful for mental health service designs and mental health policy-making. Mental health professionals can have more confidence to follow the consumer-oriented recovery paradigm.