Rights-Based Recovery and Cultural Worth Orientations in Psychiatric Services

Abstract

Personal recovery and rights-based approaches have become central to psychiatric services, but assumptions about individuals being entitled to support may not be culturally neutral. This column introduces worth orientations as a cultural dimension that shapes how service users interpret quality of life. In countries that use a dignity-based worth orientation, support is grounded in the inherent human value of a person. In countries with an effort-based worth orientation, support is linked more strongly to contribution, endurance, or deservingness. Recognizing these differences can help psychiatric services communicate recovery goals more sensitively and develop culturally responsive practices.