A readiness assessment in psychiatric rehabilitation is a critical process that evaluates a person's preparedness to actively engage in the process of change. This assessment is centered on the individual's internal state. According to the widely adopted Boston University model, readiness has four key components: need for change, commitment to change, self-awareness, and environmental awareness. "Commitment to change" is a fundamental aspect, signifying the person's decision and willingness to actively work towards their chosen rehabilitation goal. It is the bridge between contemplating a different future and taking concrete steps to achieve it.

A. natural support system: This is evaluated as part of an environmental and resource assessment, which is distinct from assessing a person's internal motivation for change.

C. skills and resources: This is the focus of a functional assessment, which determines a person's capabilities, not their readiness or willingness to engage in the rehabilitation process.

D. hopes and dreams: These are explored during the goal-setting phase to define what the person wants to achieve, which then informs the context for assessing readiness.

1. Farkas, M., Gagne, C., Anthony, W., & Chamberlin, J. (2005). Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Boston, MA: Boston University, Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. In Chapter 5, "Assessing Readiness for Rehabilitation," the authors explicitly define readiness as comprising four components, one of which is "Commitment to Change" (p. 5.4).

2. Anthony, W. A., Cohen, M., Farkas, M., & Gagne, C. (2002). Psychiatric Rehabilitation (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Boston University, Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. The text details the readiness assessment process, emphasizing that it explores the person's interest in and commitment to making changes in their life (Section II, Chapter 5).

3. Ruthellen, H., & Sowers, J. (2008). Psychiatric Rehabilitation for Practitioners. Columbia, MD: United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (USPRA). This practitioner's guide outlines the core principles, stating that readiness assessment involves determining a person's "commitment to actively participate in rehabilitation" (Chapter 3: The Process of Psychiatric Rehabilitation).