Exploring the link between trauma and psychosis from a power, threat, meaning framework perspective

Section A: This is a meta-ethnographical review exploring peoples' subjective experiences of psychosis. The review used the lens of the Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF) to explore the role of adversity in psychosis; to understand the extent that concepts of power, threat and meaning were represented in depictions of psychosis and to investigate what strengths and opportunities contributed to survival and recovery. A systematic literature search and synthesis of 15 narrative studies was undertaken. Six overarching constructs were identified and a conceptual diagram was developed. Implications for future research are discussed.

Section B: This is a narrative analysis study looking at subjective experiences of EMDR for psychosis. Informed by the PTMF, the aims of the study were to explore what focusing therapeutically on traumatic experiences in the context of psychosis might reveal about the link between adversity and psychosis, and; to explore what people depict as important when engaging with EMDR for psychosis. Participants who had experienced psychosis, had been known to a secondary care community mental health team and had subsequently engaged with EMDR were interviewed. A conceptual model is presented representing key findings within the research and a number of clinical implications are raised.