Expanding Community-Based Participatory Action Research Practices to Clubhouses Through Sustainable Research Activities

Objective: There is growing utilization and acknowledgement of the benefits of community-based participatory action research (CBPAR) in advancing health practices and equity. However, the sustainability and full impact of CBPAR in health care settings faces many obstacles and limitations. The present article examines the synergies between CBPAR and Clubhouse programs, presents the demonstration and ongoing implementation of sustainable CBPAR practices at Fountain House in New York City, and offers lessons learned for other Clubhouses and similar programs seeking to integrate CBPAR. Methods: Alignment in practice and principles between CBPAR and Clubhouse programs are presented. The innovation and ongoing sustainable CBPAR practices in the Fountain House Clubhouse program are examined with a contribution of practice guidance for other Clubhouse and similar programs in further adopting and learning CBPAR into participatory health practices. Results: Clubhouse psychosocial rehabilitation programs present structurally conducive settings for the success and sustainability of CBPAR activities and projects. The Fountain House examination and demonstration of integrating CBPAR sustainably into core Clubhouse programming presents opportunities for further integration, research, and practice guidance in uniquely leveraging features of the Clubhouse model to advance health equity and rehabilitative outcomes through CBPAR. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: The opportunity for incorporating structural CBPAR activities within Clubhouse programs can be informed by the experience, processes, and lessons applied in the Fountain House example. Further research into the rehabilitation, program, and equity benefits of Clubhouse and CBPAR integration could uniquely contribute to the advancement of sustainable participatory research practices across the mental health field generally.