Relation between Chaos Theory and Peer Support in Mental Illnesses: Wisdom in the “Serenity Prayer” Embodies the Peer Support Effect and Ability to Sense Behavioral Changes through Continuous Covariation

Abstract

Peer support is an effective communication strategy for individuals with serious mental illnesses. This study investigated the relationships among these individuals, supporters, and trained professionals and identified conditions necessary to avoid communication error, within the framework of chaos theory. Chaotic phenomena require continuous covariation and tend to exist in either of two states: 1) converging fixed state, which underlies social rules and present science and is often misunderstood by professionals as completely fixed, non-converging state; 2) chaotic state, which characterizes individual freedom. Outside social rules, individuals exist in expanded chaotic states. Individuals with severe mental illnesses may sense the difference between their own and a professional’s thought processes. Conversely, supporter–individual relationships can become continuously covariant. Individuals’ changing behavior is subject to the butterfly effect, and supporter–individual relationships may positively develop or descend into further confusion. Thus, the supporter’s recovery experiment and professional’s continuous support are important.Inspired by the “Serenity Prayer,” two important factors in achieving favorable outcomes were identified: the peer support effect and a professional’s or supporter’s ability to sense the direction of individual’s behavioral changes.