Hope, psychosis and cannabis use
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Hope, psychosis and cannabis use: exploring the attitudes of service users and staff
IRAS ID
347275
Contact name
Millie Peaceful Watts
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Canterbury Christ Church University, Salomons Centre for Applied Psychology
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 30 days
Research summary
There’s lots of research which suggests that hope is an important factor in supporting people who have experienced psychosis in their recovery, not just at reducing symptoms but also in supporting self-identity and being able to live a meaningful life. In line with these findings, hope is one of the defining characteristics of early intervention services. However, research suggests that for individuals who have experienced psychosis and use substances, such as cannabis, their experience may be one of despair and a lack of hope.
This study aims to understand experiences of hope or hopelessness from the perspectives of people who are using early intervention in psychosis services (or EIP/EIS) and staff members.
Some research has found that for some individuals who have experienced psychosis, they may use cannabis as a way of reducing symptoms. This study also aims to look at why people use cannabis and how hope is experienced particularly for people who use cannabis.
The research will involve an interview with eight service users and two focus groups each with twelve staff members. Service users will be made up of individuals who are regularly using cannabis (weekly or more frequently for at least three months) currently receiving support from an early intervention in psychosis service. The interviews will involve questions about participants' experiences of and beliefs about cannabis, hope and recovery.
Staff members taking part in the focus groups will all be currently employed and working within an early intervention in psychosis service. The focus groups will involve questions about participants' experiences of working with individuals who have experienced psychosis and use cannabis and ideas around hope and recovery for these individuals. Both the individual interviews and focus groups will take place in an NHS Trust building.
REC name
Social Care REC
REC reference
25/IEC08/0013
Date of REC Opinion
20 May 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion