Social Psychiatry, Vol. 54 No. 2, 2026.
Meeting abstract
https://doi.org/10.24869/spsih.2026.186
Lifestyle Interventions in the Rehabilitation of Persons With Mental Disorders
Lana Mužinić Marinić
; Dubrava University Hospital, Avenija Gojka Šuška 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
*
Igor Marinić
; Dubrava University Hospital, Avenija Gojka Šuška 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Objective: To present the importance of lifestyle
interventions in the rehabilitation of people
with mental disorders, with an emphasis on
their contribution to functional recovery, quality
of life, and physical health. Methods: A review
was conducted of relevant literature, including
contemporary European recommendations on
the use of lifestyle interventions in people with
mental disorders. Special emphasis was placed on
physical activity, nutrition, sleep, stress regulation,
social connectedness, and the reduction of
smoking, substance use, and other risky behaviors.
Results: Available findings indicate that lifestyle
interventions can play an important role in
the rehabilitation of people with depressive, anxiety,
psychotic, and other mental disorders. They
can help reduce psychiatric symptoms, improve
cognitive and social functioning, lower metabolic
and cardiovascular risk, and strengthen the sense
of self-efficacy and active patient engagement in
recovery. In the rehabilitation context, particularly important are structured, individualized, and
multidisciplinary interventions that take into account
motivation, level of functioning, emotional
regulation, stress coping, cognitive patterns, social
determinants of health, and the availability
of support in the community. Conclusion: Lifestyle
interventions are a valuable component of
modern, recovery-oriented psychiatric care. Their
more systematic implementation can contribute
to better functional outcomes, a reduction in
physical comorbidity, and the empowerment of
patients in the rehabilitation process. Successful
implementation requires professional education,
multidisciplinary collaboration, and adaptation
of interventions to the real capacities of the patient
and the healthcare system.
Keywords
lifestyle; rehabilitation; mental disorders
Hrčak ID:
352320
URI
Publication date:
15.6.2026.
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