Reaching breaking point: a Constructivist Grounded Theory of service users' understanding of crisis

Watson, Ross 2013. Reaching breaking point: a Constructivist Grounded Theory of service users' understanding of crisis. ClinPsy Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

There is a growing body of literature that offers service users’ views of mental health crises, based on their experiences. Our understanding of a crisis is beginning to develop based on their views, however, what is still unclear is how service users understand a crisis. Existing theories of crisis do not adequately address the personal meanings of experiencing a crisis to service users, which is a critical element within the CRHT framework. The current study therefore, set out to explore service users’ understanding of a crisis and their ways of coping. Additionally, the current study aimed to consider the implications for service delivery at the level of the formal and informal systems surrounding the individual and how these aid the resolution of crises. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with nine service users across three Crisis Service settings in South Wales. A Constructivist Grounded Theory approach was taken to analyse the data. Five themes emerged from the data that related to the process of crisis development and crisis resolution: ‘Moving towards crisis’, ‘reaching breaking point (crisis)’, ‘contact with services’, ‘after crisis’ and ‘what helps’. The emergent themes were compared to the wider literature on the experiences of service users in crisis, including qualitative research generated by a systematic review. The findings have implications for CRHT at the level of planning and implementation and for clinical practice in terms of assessment, formulation, intervention and evaluation. Recommendations for further research are discussed.

Item Type:	Thesis (DClinPsy)
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Psychology
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Crisis; Service users; Understanding; Grounded theory
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Last Modified:	19 Mar 2016 23:24
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/50805

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