Meaning Making in Early Recovery from First Episode Psychosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Searching for meaning in early recovery: How do people make sense of their experiences of first episode psychosis (FEP)
IRAS ID
371079
Contact name
Ahmed Waqas
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 30 days
Research summary
The study aims to better understand the process of meaning-making within the ‘early recovery’ stage following a first episode of psychosis. Evidence highlights the importance of meaning-making in recovery trajectories in psychosis however much of the qualitative research investigating how people make sense of their experiences has focused on long-term recovery where personal narratives of meaning and recovery are already well integrated. Evidence suggests meaning making is an idiosyncratic and fluid process and our study aims to explore this in the more acute stage of recovery to enhance our understanding of how people interpret their experiences. It is hoped this may inform therapeutic interventions by offering insights into factors which may contribute towards positive change during this period.
Aims: to explore how people make sense of their experiences in the early recovery stage of first episode psychosis (FEP), and to understand what factors may support or hinder people’s recovery.
Method: This study will employ a qualitative design and will involve participants taking part in a semi-structured interview in which they will be asked questions about how they have made sense of their experiences of psychosis.
Procedure: Participants (N=12-18) will be provided with an information sheet containing the study aims and procedures and will be asked to provide consent prior to testing. Data will be collected face to face or via Microsoft teams video call.
Participants will take part in a semi-structured interview lasting up to an hour in which they will be asked questions around their experiences of first episode psychosis. Data will be analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis and will follow the will follow the 6 stages of TA (Braun & Clarke, 2021):
1) Familiarisation with the data.
2) Coding.
3) Generating initial themes.
4) Developing and Reviewing themes.
5) Refining, defining and naming themes.
6) Producing the report.Participants will be offered breaks and will be informed they have the right to withdraw from the study (along with their data) prior to the data analysis stage.
Service user/carer consultation: An expert by experience Alison Bryant has been involved and will be paid for their time to contribute to all aspects of the research including; recruitment processes, ethical considerations, participant information sheet and research materials, data analysis and dissemination of findings.
REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/LO/0487
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jul 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion