Peer relationships in adolescents experiencing a first episode of psychosis

What is psychosis? A meta-synthesis of inductive qualitative studies exploring the experience of psychosis

“…Self-esteem can be lost due to the content of voices and delusions (Rhodes et al, 2005), loss of employment (Bassett et al, 2001;Mackrell & Lavender, 2004) and labeling/stigma (Laliberte-Rudman et al, 2000;Lloyd et al, 2005;MacDonald et al , 2005;Rice, 2008). This is often internalized resulting in participants judging "themselves as useless, incapable or insane" (Wagner & King, 2004, p. 143).…”

“…(Mackrell & Lavender, 2004;Tooth et al, 2003;Shea et al, 2010) and demonstrate constancy (Lencucha et al, 2008). Friendships with people who shared similar psychotic experiences (Nixon et al, 2010a) can help give a valued sense of solidarity (Knight et al, 2003;Lencucha et al, 2008;Pitt et al, 2009).…”

Family interventions in early psychosis: specificity and effectiveness

“…The first episode of psychosis frequently occurs during adolescence and early adulthood with an average delay of 22 weeks to 3 years before individuals begin formal treatment (Norman & Malla, 2001;Stefan, Travis & Murray, 2002;Norman et al 2004). The initial episode, including the period of untreated illness, often coincides with a time when individuals are already encountering changes in their role and peer relationships, and are negotiating transitions to independence and responsibility (Mackrell & Lavender, 2004).…”

What is it like to be friends with a young person with psychosis? A qualitative study

“…Participants described spending less time with their usual friends, preferring to be around people who they felt understood them, such as other service users; participants also felt that they were seen differently by others following their psychosis and described avoiding old friends because of perceived stigma (Macdonald et al, 2005). In another study, young people with psychosis reported increasing isolation from peers; participants described themselves as withdrawing from peers, but also peers rejecting them (Mackrell & Lavender, 2004). These studies shed some light on the reasons that young people with psychosis might "drift away" from previous friends, and suggest that in order to gain a full understanding of the loss of social contacts following the first onset of psychosis, an exploration of the views of friends is warranted.…”

“…Qualitative studies have also examined the perspectives of young people experiencing psychosis (MacDonald, Sauer, Howie & Albiston, 2005;Mackrell & Lavender, 2004). Participants described spending less time with their usual friends, preferring to be around people who they felt understood them, such as other service users; participants also felt that they were seen differently by others following their psychosis and described avoiding old friends because of perceived stigma (Macdonald et al, 2005).…”