Cardiff University | Prifysgol Caerdydd ORCA
Online Research @ Cardiff 
WelshClear Cookie - decide language by browser settings

Clients' and carers' experiences of an Early Intervention for Psychosis Service

Woolley, Jessica 2012. Clients' and carers' experiences of an Early Intervention for Psychosis Service. ClinPsy Thesis, Cardiff University.
Item availability restricted.

[thumbnail of Woolley.pdf] PDF - Supplemental Material
Restricted to Repository staff only

Download (515kB)
[thumbnail of JW Thesis (2) (1) dec page removed.pdf]
Preview
PDF - Accepted Post-Print Version
Download (2MB) | Preview

Abstract

Early Intervention Services (EISs) for Psychosis have developed rapidly over the past decade. They offer support to people aged between 14-35 years of age with a first presentation of psychotic symptoms or during the first three years of psychotic illness. A plethora of research has explored the effectiveness of the EIS approach in terms of clinical outcomes, but few studies have explored clients’ and carers’ experiences of such services. This study focussed on clients’ and carers’ views and experiences of an EIS. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 participants (8 clients and 5 carers) who had been involved with an EIS for at least six months. The data were collected and analysed using a Grounded Theory approach. The analysis suggested that the experiences of participants could be portrayed in terms of three interrelated core categories: i) ‘Engagement’ – comprised of factors that help or hinder engagement with the service; ii) ‘Ongoing involvement’ – comprised of factors that challenge or support continued involvement with the service (and with the client’s recovery); and iii) ‘Towards Independence’ – comprised of factors that help or hinder the process of moving on and the transition from service involvement towards independence. A varied list of personal, staff and service factors appeared to be related to various aspects of the three core categories. Findings from this study are discussed in terms of their clinical implications. It is suggested that the effectiveness of EIS provision might be enhanced by promoting awareness of mental health difficulties and the availability of this type of service, providing training to EIS staff and allied professionals, and encouraging the delivery of interventions targeted specifically at carers. It is suggested that future research could usefully explore the experiences of other people who may play an important role in the lives of those experiencing first episode psychosis, including mental health professionals, siblings and peers.

Item Type: Thesis (DClinPsy)
Status: Unpublished
Schools: Psychology
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Date of First Compliant Deposit: 30 March 2016
Last Modified: 17 Oct 2023 11:42
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/38257

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item Edit Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics