A longitudinal qualitative follow-up study of post-traumatic growth among service users who experienced positive change following a first episode of psychosis

ABSTRACT

Background

Posttraumatic growth refers to the positive psychological changes that people experience following a traumatic or adverse event; and has been reported among people who have experienced a first episode of psychosis. This body of research has an important limitation of not having examined how experiences of posttraumatic growth following a first episode of psychosis change over time. In this study, we examined different aspects and facilitators of posttraumatic growth approximately one year following participants’ initial interview.

Methods

Data were collected via semi-structured individual interviews with seven participants and analyzed using thematic analysis. Themes generated from the follow-up interviews were compared with those developed from the initial interviews.

Results

Participants experienced challenges at the intersection of trauma, social adversity, and oppression; yet they also reported an improved sense of self; improved relationships with others; embracing existing or new activities; and engaging with and giving back to others. These changes were facilitated by personal resources; social and community-based support; and traditional mental health services and interventions.

Discussion

Posttraumatic growth may continue over time. The broader social determinants of health that may lead to a resurgence of psychosis and potential challenges to posttraumatic growth, such as inequality, poverty, and discrimination, should be addressed.

KEYWORDS:

• Posttraumatic growth
• first episode psychosis
• qualitative
• longitudinal
• subjective experience
• interview

Disclosure statement

Gerald Jordan has received Doctoral and Postdoctoral training awards from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research; the Fonds de Recherche Santé – Québec; the Department of Psychiatry at McGill University; and the Yale Franke Program in Science and Humanities. Fiona Ng has no conflicts to disclose. Srividya N. Iyer has no conflicts to disclose. Unrelated to the present study, Ashok Malla has received research funding from BMS and Lundbeck as well as honoraria related to CME lectures, research consultation, and advisory board participation from Otsuka and Lundbeck. None of these pose any conflict of interest in relation to the present manuscript. The other authors report no conflict of interest to declare..