Service users views of the barriers to ‘recovery’ from psychosis: A Q-Methodological Study.

This thesis provides a synthesis of existing literature on research that makes reference to the potential barriers to recovery for people with serious mental health difficulties that require secondary care support in the UK. It further explores the views of people who experience psychosis and the barriers to their recovery using q-methodology.

Paper 1 is a literature review that provides an up-to-date synthesis of existing literature to answer the question: What are the barriers to recovery for people with serious mental health difficulties that require secondary care support in the UK? Ten articles were included in the review and were appraised using Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) tools. Findings suggest that barriers related to both accessing and engaging with services. Clinical implications were that access to care and gaps in services need to be addressed and meaningful service user involvement is key for positive engagement with services and for individuals’ recovery journeys.

Paper 2 is an empirical paper that investigates the views of people who experience psychosis and the barriers to their recovery. Q-methodology, using an online Q-study, was used to gather participants subjective view points on the subject matter. The following factors were identified, ‘Hopelessness for recovery’; ‘Interpersonal elements of care and feeling powerless’; ‘‘Shameful feelings’ and the views of others’ and ‘Negative experiences of care’. These factors showed there is no one universally agreed set of barriers to recovery but that the impact of stigma and hope for recovery can be affected both positively and negatively by interactions with service.

Paper 3 is an executive summary of the full thesis document.