Family experiences of approaches for psychosis that include the family

Section A:
This literature review investigated qualitative research that explored family experiences of interventions for psychosis that include the family. There are various family approaches for psychosis experiences that incorporate aspects of systemic, psychoeducational and open dialogue interventions. Eleven studies were included and thematic synthesis was used to identify themes: sharing, Increased understanding, A change/ shift, Clinician attributes, Coping and Challenges. Findings showed that families felt they benefited from an intervention with a family approach. The intervention that families participate in can shape the lens by which they view the difficulties of their family member.

Section B:
This project explored experiences of family members who had attended an adapted open dialogue approach in an early intervention for psychosis service within the NHS. Seven
participants who had attended three open dialogue informed network listening meetings were interviewed and an interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to analyse data. Findings illustrate four experiential themes ‘as a family as a whole’, talking that otherwise wouldn’t happen, making sense together, relationship to help. Participant experiences were positive overall but it would be beneficial to explore experiences of those who have previous experiences of mental health services.