Taking what you get or Getting what you Need: A Qualitative Study on Experiences with Mental Health and Welfare Services in Long-Term Recovery in First-Episode Psychosis

Åsbø, Gina; Haavind, Hanne; Kruse, Sindre Hembre; Wold, Kristin Fjelnseth; ten Velden Hegelstad, Wenche; Romm, Kristin Lie; Slade, Mike; Ueland, Torill; Melle, Ingrid; Simonsen, Carmen

Abstract

How people in long-term recovery (clinical and personal) in first-episode psychosis (schizophrenia and bipolar spectrum disorders) experience the mental health and welfare services they interact with is not frequently studied but has significant implications. We therefore aimed to explore which aspects of these services people with FEP evaluate as important for their long-term recovery. Twenty participants in clinical and/or personal recovery from two Norwegian long-term follow-up studies after FEP (TOP 10-year and TIPS 20-year) were sampled for this interview-based qualitative study. The research-team included service user experience. A deductive analysis based on personal accounts of recovery generated five service aspects. Few specific types of interventions were reported to promote recovery although medications, psychotherapy and employment support were mentioned. Participants valued services based in collaboration and that focused on their resources rather than limitations. The importance of long-term follow-up with a consistent aim was highlighted, as was the inclusion of caregivers and peers. Welfare services contributed to recovery by supporting basic needs and safety, but some experienced social exclusion when not participating in the labor market. This study is unique in exploring the role of services, including welfare, in long-term FEP recovery from service user perspectives. Participants evaluated that services played a more indirect role in long-term recovery by supporting their personal resources, although what they needed from services had frequently not been offered. Their expertise by experience contributes valuable knowledge. Better service coordination and consistent implementation of this knowledge are crucial to support recovery in FEP.

Citation

Åsbø, G., Haavind, H., Kruse, S. H., Wold, K. F., ten Velden Hegelstad, W., Romm, K. L., Slade, M., Ueland, T., Melle, I., & Simonsen, C. (2024). Taking what you get or Getting what you Need: A Qualitative Study on Experiences with Mental Health and Welfare Services in Long-Term Recovery in First-Episode Psychosis. Community Mental Health Journal, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-024-01356-6

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 29, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Oct 16, 2024
• Publication Date: Oct 16, 2024
• Deposit Date: Oct 18, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 18, 2024
• Journal: Community Mental Health Journal
• Print ISSN: 0010-3853
• Electronic ISSN: 1573-2789
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-024-01356-6
• Keywords: First-episode psychosis · Schizophrenia · Bipolar disorder · Services · Recovery · Qualitative
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/40589254
• Publisher URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10597-024-01356-6