Objective: Efforts have been made in Japan to transition individuals with mental disorders from inpatient medical care to community life. To promote the development of a community-based comprehensive care system that effectively addresses mental disorders, it is essential to clarify the issues from an individual’s perspective. This study aimed to examine the perspectives of individuals with mental disorders who have experienced long-term hospitalization to support their continued life in the community from the viewpoint of personal recovery.Materials and Methods: A descriptive, qualitative study was conducted. Nine individuals with mental disabilities living in Japan were interviewed. The interviews were conducted between September 2021 and December 2023 using a semi-structured format guided by the interview protocol. The interview transcripts were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.Results: Seven themes regarding future life were identified: “desire to live in one’s own way”, “realizing hopes and goals”, “desire to connect with the society and others”, “positive attitude toward the future”, “concerns and preparations for one’s own later life and that of one’s family”, “an uncertain future”, and “improvement of physical symptoms”. Eight themes associated with issues in community living were identified: “difficulty in controlling symptoms and self-management of medication”, “impact of deteriorating health on daily life, employment, and studies”, “social withdrawal and loss of connection with others”, “excessive interference from family members and deterioration of relationships”, “caring for elderly parents and their health issues”, “lack of understanding and support from others”, “difficulty in utilizing public support”, and “sustainable housing and financial issues”.Conclusion: Professionals must believe in the ability of individuals with mental disorders to achieve personal recovery and persistently support their choices and decisions. It is necessary to build a recovery-oriented and comprehensive community care system that responds to mental disorders based on the needs of community-dwelling patients.

This study aimed to explore, identify, and classify the strengths of elderly individuals living in rural areas from their own perspectives, using an asset-based approach. A qualitative analysis was conducted through group interviews. The study included two groups of four elderly individuals who resided in District D of Area C, City B, Prefecture A, and three groups of five to six elderly individuals from District E in the same city. As a result, 133 key items related to the strengths of elderly individuals were identified. These items were further classified into 39 subcategories, which were grouped into three major categories: individuals (personal strengths), associations (organizations/groups), and institutions (environments/resources that support strengths). Specifically, 18 subcategories were classified into the individuals category, 11 into the associations category, and 10 into the institutions category. These findings revealed that elderly individuals in rural areas actively take on various roles within their communities, utilizing their rural environment both as individuals and as part of a group. The rural setting itself was found to significantly influence their engagement, while intergenerational support and assistance from public institutions also played a crucial role. In the future, we aim to utilize these “strengths of elderly individuals” to develop strategies that empower community residents to lead vibrant, active, and secure lives in their familiar environments.