Holding the Hope? Therapist and Client Perspectives on Long Covid Recovery: A Q-Methodology

The aim of this thesis is to explore the role of psychological understanding and support for people living with Long covid in the United Kingdom. It is made up of three components in pursuit of this aim, including a synthesis of literature pertaining to psychological wellbeing and Long covid; an empirical study exploring recovery from Long covid, and an executive summary which presents these findings to the target groups.

Paper One is a literature review which synthesises current literature pertaining to Long covid and its potential impact on mental health and wellbeing. It utilises Ryff’s model of psychological wellbeing as a tool to formulate and understand the distress experienced by people living with the illness. The literature used is largely qualitative, representing the voices of those living with Long covid. The quality of the research is assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) qualitative checklist, alongside the Mixed-Methods Assessment Tool. Clinical implications and future research recommendations are then made.

Paper Two is an empirical study, reporting on the results of research into Long covid using Q-Methodology. This study consists of two sets of participants: therapists working within a Long covid Hub, and service users who had received talking therapies for Long covid. Their responses are analysed using factor analysis and compared within and between subjects, using participants’ qualitative feedback to give context to their perspectives. From the factor analysis, four key statements arose including Psychological Pathways to Recovery, Social Context and Agency, Physiological Recovery Goals and Personal Meaning Making. These factors are considered within a Hope theory framework, with clinical implications and recommendations for future research offered.

Paper Three is an executive summary designed to summarise the findings of the research project. This will be shared with local services, the sponsoring Trust, and interested client groups.