Skip to Main Content
YSM Home

INFORMATION FOR

DownloadHi-Res Photo

Michael Rowe, PhD

Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry; Director, Citizens Community Collaborative, Yale Department of Psychiatry

Contact Information

Michael Rowe, PhD

Mailing Address

  • Psychiatry

    319 Peck Street, Bldg 1

    New Haven, CT 06513

    United States

Research Summary

The intervention research I've conducted over the past twenty years includes mental health outreach to people who are homeless, peer (person with lived experience of mental illness) support and mentoring, and citizenship as a framework for the social inclusion and valued participation in society of people with mental illnesses. This research shares a focus on cutting-edge interventions in community mental health care. It also shares a link to the dual, foundational goal of community mental health care starting in the late 1950s and 1960s, that of providing effective treatment for people with mental illnesses and supporting their access to a ‘life in the normal manner’ in their home communities (1961 federal Action for Mental Health report). My research methods have ranged from qualitative-ethnographic to quantitative and experimental. It has drawn on the talents of researchers from a number of academic disciplines and on the unique perspectives of people with experience of mental illness, substance addictions, incarceration, homelessness, and/or poverty as co-researchers.

Extensive Research Description

My research proceeds from the idea that the foundation of mental health and mental illness is social; thus mental health care must include attention to the client/patient as a person living in society and in relationship with others. In the 1990s I studied mental health outreach to people who are homeless (outreach work). In outreach work, clinicians leave their offices to find, make contact, and build trust with people who, often, are avoiding contact with mental health professionals due to their previous negative experiences with them. Outreach workers move at the client’s pace, gradually introducing a range of services including primary care, access to entitlement income, and housing, hoping eventually to persuade people to accept mental health care. I see the encounters between homeless people and outreach workers as social encounters taking place at the psychological, socioeconomic, and physical boundaries of society. These social encounters involve transactions and negotiations regarding both instrumental goods such as housing and access to income, and affective goods including one’s future identity as a ‘mental patient.’

I found that, in addition to making health care and substantial resources such as housing and income available to their clients, outreach workers often were, at the same time, conferring upon them a status of ‘program citizenship,’ with dependence on clinicians and other care workers for much of their social contact. This finding led me to citizenship as a framework for support of the social inclusion and participation in society of people with mental illnesses. My colleagues and I define citizenship as the person’s strong connection to the 5 R’s of rights, responsibilities, roles, resources, and relationships that society makes available to its members through public and social institutions and associational and civic life. Our research has included individual and group citizenship interventions with program manualization, development of an individual measure of citizenship, and citizenship-oriented mental health care with community supports and access to valued community roles, for people with mental illness including those who are further marginalized by homelessness, addictions, and criminal charges. This research includes a randomized clinical trial (RCT) that found reduced substance and alcohol use and increased quality of life for citizenship participants compared to those receiving usual care. The deployment of peers as staff, and later as researchers, has been a core principle and practice of citizenship interventions since our finding, from another RCT, that peer staff have a unique facility for engaging previously unengaged persons into treatment and self-help groups such as AA and NA.

My research and writing in the fields of bioethics and narrative medicine are, in one way, distinct from my research and writing in mental health. A thread that runs through both domains, however, is the relationship between patients (or clients) and doctors, clinicians, and other helpers in the context of the professional, social, and institutional settings within which these relationships, and these forms of care, occur. In addition, I am now conducting cutting edge research on 'motive control' for people with strong vengeance cravings for past wrongs with my colleague James Kimmel, J.D. and other researchers at the Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health (PRCH).

Coauthors

Research Interests

Humanities; Psychiatry and Psychology; Anthropology, Education, Sociology and Social Phenomena; Health Care

Public Health Interests

Health Policy; Health Equity, Disparities, Social Determinants and Justice

Selected Publications

  • Making the case for citizenship-oriented mental healthcare for youth in CanadaJordan G, Mutschler C, Kidd S, Rowe M, Iyer S. Making the case for citizenship-oriented mental healthcare for youth in Canada Journal Of Public Mental Health 2023, ahead-of-print DOI: 10.1108/jpmh-06-2022-0055.
  • Le rétablissement civiquePelletier J, Le Cardinal P, Roelandt J, Rowe M. Le rétablissement civique Développement Humain Handicap Et Changement Social 2022, 20: 9-21. DOI: 10.7202/1086712ar.
  • Public spaces as transformative creative wellness spaces: an evaluation of Musical InterventionKriegel L, Bernard P, Fraser E, Maclean K, Noonan C, Crespo M, Schmidt R, Bruce L, Cole R, Rowe M, Bellamy C. Public spaces as transformative creative wellness spaces: an evaluation of Musical Intervention Social Work In Mental Health 2021, 20: 6-25. DOI: 10.1080/15332985.2021.1964675.
  • The role of occupational meaningfulness and citizenship as mediators between occupational status and recovery: a cross-sectional study among residents with co-occurring problemsNesse L, Aamodt G, Gonzalez M, Rowe M, Raanaas R. The role of occupational meaningfulness and citizenship as mediators between occupational status and recovery: a cross-sectional study among residents with co-occurring problems Advances In Dual Diagnosis 2021, 14: 99-118. DOI: 10.1108/add-08-2020-0018.
  • Collective citizenship: From citizenship and mental health to citizenship and solidarityQuinn N, Bromage B, Rowe M. Collective citizenship: From citizenship and mental health to citizenship and solidarity Social Policy And Administration 2019, 54: 361-374. DOI: 10.1111/spol.12551.
  • What’s citizenship got to do with mental health? Rationale for inclusion of citizenship as part of a mental health strategyMacIntyre G, Cogan N, Stewart A, Quinn N, Rowe M, O’Connell M. What’s citizenship got to do with mental health? Rationale for inclusion of citizenship as part of a mental health strategy Journal Of Public Mental Health 2019, 18: 157-161. DOI: 10.1108/jpmh-04-2019-0040.
  • How Shall We Promote Citizenship and Social Participation?Rowe M, Ponce A. How Shall We Promote Citizenship and Social Participation? 2019, 573-599. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-11908-9_20.
  • Beliefs and Attitudes About the Dissemination and Implementation of Internet-Based Self-Care Programs in a Large Integrated Healthcare SystemHermes EDA, Burrone L, Heapy A, Martino S, Perez E, Rosenheck R, Rowe M, Ruzek JI, Greene C. Beliefs and Attitudes About the Dissemination and Implementation of Internet-Based Self-Care Programs in a Large Integrated Healthcare System Administration And Policy In Mental Health And Mental Health Services Research 2019, 46: 311-320. PMID: 30600402, DOI: 10.1007/s10488-018-0913-7.
  • Stakeholder perspectives on integrated services for people who experience chronic homelessnessPonce A, Brown M, Cunningham A, Rowe M. Stakeholder perspectives on integrated services for people who experience chronic homelessness Journal Of Social Distress And The Homeless 2018, 27: 126-134. DOI: 10.1080/10530789.2018.1501947.
  • The 2012 sandy hook elementary school shooting: Connecticut’s department of mental health crisis responseDiLeo P, Rowe M, Bugella B, Siembab L, Siemianowski J, Black J, Rehmer P, Baker F, Morris C, Delphin-Rittmon M, Styron T. The 2012 sandy hook elementary school shooting: Connecticut’s department of mental health crisis response Journal Of School Violence 2017, 17: 443-450. DOI: 10.1080/15388220.2017.1387129.
  • Citizenship, mental health, and positive psychologyPelletier J, Bellamy C, O’Connell M, Baker M, Rowe M. Citizenship, mental health, and positive psychology 2017, 447-458. DOI: 10.4324/9781315659794-33.
  • Project Connect: A community intervention for individuals with mental illnessBromage B, Kriegel L, Williamson B, Maclean K, Rowe M. Project Connect: A community intervention for individuals with mental illness American Journal Of Psychiatric Rehabilitation 2017, 20: 218-233. DOI: 10.1080/15487768.2017.1338038.
  • Introduction: Citizenship and citizenship-oriented careRowe M. Introduction: Citizenship and citizenship-oriented care American Journal Of Psychiatric Rehabilitation 2017, 20: 198-199. DOI: 10.1080/15487768.2017.1338034.
  • Relevance of a subjective quality of life questionnaire for long-term homeless persons with schizophreniaGirard V, Tinland A, Bonin J, Olive F, Poule J, Lancon C, Apostolidis T, Rowe M, Greacen T, Simeoni M. Relevance of a subjective quality of life questionnaire for long-term homeless persons with schizophrenia BMC Psychiatry 2017, 17: 72. PMID: 28212630, PMCID: PMC5314634, DOI: 10.1186/s12888-017-1227-0.
  • Safety, Trust, and Treatment: Mental Health Service Delivery for Women Who Are HomelessDavid D, Rowe M, Staeheli M, Ponce A. Safety, Trust, and Treatment: Mental Health Service Delivery for Women Who Are Homeless Women & Therapy 2015, 38: 114-127. DOI: 10.1080/02703149.2014.978224.
  • To sue or not to sue: restoring trust in patient‐doctor‐family relationshipsRowe M, Surbone A. To sue or not to sue: restoring trust in patient‐doctor‐family relationships 2015, 51-63. DOI: 10.1002/9781118749272.ch4.
  • Introduction to oncology and medical errorsSurbone A, Rowe M. Introduction to oncology and medical errors 2015, 1-13. DOI: 10.1002/9781118749272.ch1.
  • Conclusion: the “given” and “therefores” of clinical oncology and medical errorsSurbone A, Rowe M. Conclusion: the “given” and “therefores” of clinical oncology and medical errors 2015, 172-179. DOI: 10.1002/9781118749272.ch12.
  • Citizenship and mental healthRowe, M. Citizenship and mental health. Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 2015.
  • Mental health outreach and street policing in the downtown of a large French cityGirard V, Bonin J, Tinland A, Farnarier C, Pelletier J, Delphin M, Rowe M, Simeoni M. Mental health outreach and street policing in the downtown of a large French city International Journal Of Law And Psychiatry 2014, 37: 376-382. PMID: 24746286, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijlp.2014.02.008.
  • A cultural exchange: assertive communication training in BangkokChan B, Rowe M. A cultural exchange: assertive communication training in Bangkok Asia Pacific Journal Of Social Work And Development 2014, 24: 45-58. DOI: 10.1080/02185385.2014.885208.
  • Les pairs-assistants de recherche : pour favoriser l’évolution d’un statut de patients vers celui de citoyens à part entièrePelletier J, Bordeleau J, Dumais A, Renaud P, Rowe M. Les pairs-assistants de recherche : pour favoriser l’évolution d’un statut de patients vers celui de citoyens à part entière Drogues Santé Et Société 2014, 12: 57-78. DOI: 10.7202/1021539ar.
  • The Global Model of Public Mental Health through the WHO QualityRights projectPelletier J, Fortin D, Laporta M, Pomey M, Roelandt J, Guézennec P, Murray M, DiLeo P, Davidson L, Rowe M. The Global Model of Public Mental Health through the WHO QualityRights project Journal Of Public Mental Health 2013, 12: 212-223. DOI: 10.1108/jpmh-06-2013-0048.
  • The Citizenship Project Part II: Impact of a Citizenship Intervention on Clinical and Community Outcomes for Persons with Mental Illness and Criminal Justice InvolvementClayton A, O'Connell MJ, Bellamy C, Benedict P, Rowe M. The Citizenship Project Part II: Impact of a Citizenship Intervention on Clinical and Community Outcomes for Persons with Mental Illness and Criminal Justice Involvement American Journal Of Community Psychology 2012, 51: 114-122. PMID: 22869206, DOI: 10.1007/s10464-012-9549-z.
  • Making Meaning of Citizenship: Mental Illness, Forensic Involvement, and HomelessnessPonce A, Clayton A, Noia J, Rowe M, O'Connell M. Making Meaning of Citizenship: Mental Illness, Forensic Involvement, and Homelessness Journal Of Forensic Psychology Research And Practice 2012, 12: 349-365. DOI: 10.1080/15228932.2012.695660.
  • Citizenship: A Response to the Marginalization of People with Mental IllnessesRowe M, Pelletier J. Citizenship: A Response to the Marginalization of People with Mental Illnesses Journal Of Forensic Psychology Research And Practice 2012, 12: 366-381. DOI: 10.1080/15228932.2012.697423.
  • Denial in Patient–Physician Communication among Patients with CancerAggarwal N, Rowe M. Denial in Patient–Physician Communication among Patients with Cancer 2012, 15-25. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-3369-9_2.
  • Going to the Source: Creating a Citizenship Outcome Measure by Community-Based Participatory Research MethodsRowe M, Clayton A, Benedict P, Bellamy C, Antunes K, Miller R, Pelletier JF, Stern E, O'Connell MJ. Going to the Source: Creating a Citizenship Outcome Measure by Community-Based Participatory Research Methods Psychiatric Services 2012, 63: 445-450. PMID: 22549531, DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.201100272.
  • Giving Back and Getting Something Back: The Role of Mutual-Aid Groups for Individuals in Recovery From Incarceration, Addiction, and Mental IllnessBellamy C, Rowe M, Benedict P, Davidson L. Giving Back and Getting Something Back: The Role of Mutual-Aid Groups for Individuals in Recovery From Incarceration, Addiction, and Mental Illness Journal Of Groups In Addiction & Recovery 2012, 7: 223-236. DOI: 10.1080/1556035x.2012.705703.
  • The Funeral CrasherRowe M. The Funeral Crasher Academic Medicine 2012, 87: 192-193. PMID: 22273615, DOI: 10.1097/acm.0b013e31823fbd8d.
  • Policy essay on “Policing the HomelessRowe M, O'Connell M. Policy essay on “Policing the Homeless Criminology & Public Policy 2010, 9: 875-881. DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-9133.2010.00678.x.
  • Hospital timeRowe M. Hospital time Medical Humanities 2009, 35: 109. PMID: 23674708, DOI: 10.1136/jmh.2009.002634.
  • New Visions of Me: Finding Joy in Recovery With Women Who Are HomelessLawless M, Rowe M, Miller R. New Visions of Me: Finding Joy in Recovery With Women Who Are Homeless Journal Of Dual Diagnosis 2009, 5: 305-322. DOI: 10.1080/15504260903371747.
  • Citizenship, Community, and Recovery: A Group- and Peer-Based Intervention for Persons With Co-Occurring Disorders and Criminal Justice HistoriesRowe M, Benedict P, Sells D, Dinzeo T, Garvin C, Schwab L, Baranoski M, Girard V, Bellamy C. Citizenship, Community, and Recovery: A Group- and Peer-Based Intervention for Persons With Co-Occurring Disorders and Criminal Justice Histories Journal Of Groups In Addiction & Recovery 2009, 4: 224-244. DOI: 10.1080/15560350903340874.
  • Beyond Generic Support: Incidence and Impact of Invalidation in Peer Services for Clients With Severe Mental IllnessSells D, Black R, Davidson L, Rowe M. Beyond Generic Support: Incidence and Impact of Invalidation in Peer Services for Clients With Severe Mental Illness Psychiatric Services 2008, 59: 1322-1327. DOI: 10.1176/ps.2008.59.11.1322.
  • A Model of Being in Recovery as a Foundation for Recovery-Oriented PracticeDavidson L, Rowe M, Tondora J, O'Connell M, Lawless M. A Model of Being in Recovery as a Foundation for Recovery-Oriented Practice 2008 DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780195304770.003.0007.
  • The Role of the Recovery GuideDavidson L, Rowe M, Tondora J, O'Connell M, Lawless M. The Role of the Recovery Guide 2008 DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780195304770.003.0010.
  • The Top 10 Concerns about Recovery Encountered in System TransformationDavidson L, Rowe M, Tondora J, O'Connell M, Lawless M. The Top 10 Concerns about Recovery Encountered in System Transformation 2008 DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780195304770.003.0008.
  • The Recovery Movement and Its Implications for Transforming Clinical and Rehabilitative PracticeDavidson L, Rowe M, Tondora J, O'Connell M, Lawless M. The Recovery Movement and Its Implications for Transforming Clinical and Rehabilitative Practice 2008 DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780195304770.003.0006.
  • Practice Standards for Recovery-Oriented CareDavidson L, Rowe M, Tondora J, O'Connell M, Lawless M. Practice Standards for Recovery-Oriented Care 2008 DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780195304770.003.0009.
  • Continuing Education in Cultural Competence for Community Mental Health PractitionersDelphin M, Rowe M. Continuing Education in Cultural Competence for Community Mental Health Practitioners Professional Psychology Research And Practice 2008, 39: 182-191. DOI: 10.1037/0735-7028.39.2.182.
  • Oppression and empowerment: perceptions of violence among urban youthAndres‐Hyman R, Forrester A, Achara‐Abrahams I, Lauricella M, Rowe M. Oppression and empowerment: perceptions of violence among urban youth Journal Of Community & Applied Social Psychology 2007, 17: 147-158. DOI: 10.1002/casp.907.
  • The Paradox of Engagement: How Political, Organizational, and Evaluative Demands Can Hinder Innovation in Community Mental Health ServicesJewell C, Davidson L, Rowe M. The Paradox of Engagement: How Political, Organizational, and Evaluative Demands Can Hinder Innovation in Community Mental Health Services Social Service Review 2006, 80: 3-26. DOI: 10.1086/498837.
  • La relation thérapeutique sans le savoir. Approche anthropologique de la rencontre entre travailleurs pairs et personnes sans chez-soi ayant une co-occurrence psychiatriqueGirard V, Driffin K, Musso S, Naudin J, Rowe M, Davidson L, Lovell A. La relation thérapeutique sans le savoir. Approche anthropologique de la rencontre entre travailleurs pairs et personnes sans chez-soi ayant une co-occurrence psychiatrique L Évolution Psychiatrique 2006, 71: 75-85. DOI: 10.1016/j.evopsy.2005.12.008.
  • To Err Is HumanSurbone A, Gallagher T, Rich K, Rowe M. To Err Is Human JAMA 2005, 294: 1758-1759. PMID: 16219874, DOI: 10.1001/jama.294.14.1758-a.
  • To Err Is Human 5 years later.Surbone A, Gallagher T, Rich K, Rowe M. To Err Is Human 5 years later. JAMA 2005, 294: 1758; author reply 1759. PMID: 16219875.
  • The Rest Is SilenceRowe M. The Rest Is Silence Health Affairs 2002, 21: 232-236. PMID: 12117134, DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.21.4.232.
  • Transplant: a non-fiction narrativeRowe M. Transplant: a non-fiction narrative Medical Humanities 2002, 28: 23. PMID: 23671045, DOI: 10.1136/mh.28.1.23.
  • Clinical Responsibility and Client Autonomy: Dilemmas in Mental Health Work at the MarginsRowe M, Frey J, Bailey M, Fisk D, Davidson L. Clinical Responsibility and Client Autonomy: Dilemmas in Mental Health Work at the Margins American Journal Of Orthopsychiatry 2001, 71: 400-407. PMID: 11822212, DOI: 10.1037/0002-9432.71.4.400.
  • Mental Health Training in Emergency Homeless SheltersVamvakas A, Rowe M. Mental Health Training in Emergency Homeless Shelters Community Mental Health Journal 2001, 37: 287-295. PMID: 11440428, DOI: 10.1023/a:1017589332682.
  • Homelessness, Mental Illness and CitizenshipRowe M, Kloos B, Chinman M, Davidson L, Cross A. Homelessness, Mental Illness and Citizenship Social Policy And Administration 2001, 35: 14-31. DOI: 10.1111/1467-9515.00217.
  • “Simply to Be Let In”: Inclusion as a Basis For RecoveryDavidson L, Stayner D, Nickou C, Styron T, Rowe M, Chinman M. “Simply to Be Let In”: Inclusion as a Basis For Recovery Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal 2001, 24: 375-388. PMID: 11406988, DOI: 10.1037/h0095067.
  • Homeless Persons with Mental Illness and Their Families: Emerging Issues from Clinical WorkFisk D, Rowe M, Laub D, Calvocoressi L, DeMino K. Homeless Persons with Mental Illness and Their Families: Emerging Issues from Clinical Work Families In Society 2000, 81: 351-359. DOI: 10.1606/1044-3894.1031.
  • Integrating Consumer Staff Members into a Homeless Outreach Project: Critical Issues and StrategiesFisk D, Rowe M, Brooks R, Gildersleeve D. Integrating Consumer Staff Members into a Homeless Outreach Project: Critical Issues and Strategies Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal 2000, 23: 244-252. DOI: 10.1037/h0095161.
  • Outreach Workers' Experiences in a Homeless Outreach Project: Issues of Boundaries, Ethics and Staff SafetyFisk D, Rakfeldt J, Heffernan K, Rowe M. Outreach Workers' Experiences in a Homeless Outreach Project: Issues of Boundaries, Ethics and Staff Safety Psychiatric Quarterly 1999, 70: 231-246. PMID: 10457548, DOI: 10.1023/a:1022003226967.
  • Crossing the border: Encounters between homeless people and outreach workersRowe, M. Crossing the border: Encounters between homeless people and outreach workers, University of California Press, Berkeley, CA, 1999.
  • Crossing the border: Encounters between homeless people and outreach workersRowe, M. Crossing the border: Encounters between homeless people and outreach workers, University of California Press, Berkeley, CA, 1999.
  • SERVICES FOR MENTALLY ILL HOMELESS PERSONS: Street‐Level IntegrationRowe M, Hoge M, Fisk D. SERVICES FOR MENTALLY ILL HOMELESS PERSONS: Street‐Level Integration American Journal Of Orthopsychiatry 1998, 68: 490-496. PMID: 9686300, DOI: 10.1037/h0080358.
  • Critical issues in serving people who are homeless and mentally illRowe M, Hoge M, Fisk D. Critical issues in serving people who are homeless and mentally ill Administration And Policy In Mental Health And Mental Health Services Research 1996, 23: 555-565. DOI: 10.1007/bf02108691.

Clinical Trials

Study Title
Song-making In a Group (SING)
Edit Profile