TY - JOUR
AU - A. Heath
AU - D. Lim
AU - S. Lawn
A1 - 
AB - The stepped care model aims to dynamically align the intensity of care with the patients' needs, adjusting mental health interventions accordingly. While stepped up care for mental illness has been widely researched, there is limited evidence on how stepped down care supports recovery after acute mental illness. This JBI qualitative systematic review sought to understand stakeholders' perspectives of stepped care in supporting patients' transitions from acute mental healthcare to community settings. CINAHL, Medline, Embase, PsycINFO and Web of Science were searched, and data were synthesized using the JBI meta-aggregation method. Fourteen studies were included. Themes were patient preference, emotional support, information and education, coordination, access to care, family and friends, continuity and transition, physical comfort, service delivery, health sector, and community setting. Patients expressed the importance of autonomy, with many stakeholders making assumptions about their care. Challenges with existing stepped care programs, include a lack of resources, strained patient relationships with providers, a lack of standardized care, and limited communication. Enhancing the design and delivery of stepped care following acute mental illness could support mental health recovery.
AD - College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Australia.; IMPACCT: Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia.; Lived Experience Australia, Warradale, Australia.
AN - 41160889
BT - Issues Ment Health Nurs
C5 - Education & Workforce
CP - 1
DA - Jan
DO - 10.1080/01612840.2025.2573085
DP - NLM
ET - 20251029
IS - 1
JF - Issues Ment Health Nurs
LA - eng
N2 - The stepped care model aims to dynamically align the intensity of care with the patients' needs, adjusting mental health interventions accordingly. While stepped up care for mental illness has been widely researched, there is limited evidence on how stepped down care supports recovery after acute mental illness. This JBI qualitative systematic review sought to understand stakeholders' perspectives of stepped care in supporting patients' transitions from acute mental healthcare to community settings. CINAHL, Medline, Embase, PsycINFO and Web of Science were searched, and data were synthesized using the JBI meta-aggregation method. Fourteen studies were included. Themes were patient preference, emotional support, information and education, coordination, access to care, family and friends, continuity and transition, physical comfort, service delivery, health sector, and community setting. Patients expressed the importance of autonomy, with many stakeholders making assumptions about their care. Challenges with existing stepped care programs, include a lack of resources, strained patient relationships with providers, a lack of standardized care, and limited communication. Enhancing the design and delivery of stepped care following acute mental illness could support mental health recovery.
PY - 2026
SN - 0161-2840
SP - 24
EP - 39+
ST - Qualitative Systematic Review and Meta-Aggregation of Stakeholders' Perspectives on Stepped Care in Facilitating Return to Community After Hospitalization for Anxiety and Depression
T1 - Qualitative Systematic Review and Meta-Aggregation of Stakeholders' Perspectives on Stepped Care in Facilitating Return to Community After Hospitalization for Anxiety and Depression
T2 - Issues Ment Health Nurs
TI - Qualitative Systematic Review and Meta-Aggregation of Stakeholders' Perspectives on Stepped Care in Facilitating Return to Community After Hospitalization for Anxiety and Depression
U1 - Education & Workforce
U3 - 10.1080/01612840.2025.2573085
VL - 47
VO - 0161-2840
Y1 - 2026
ER -