Perspectives on personal identity in the early stages of psychosis: A survey of Canadian clinicians

Abstract

Aim: Identity-related concerns represent an important aspect of young people's experience in early psychosis. Knowledge regarding clinicians' perspectives on this issue, however, is limited. Thus, the present study was developed to understand Canadian clinicians' perspectives on personal identity-related concerns in early psychosis.Methods: An online survey was distributed to 331 multiprofessional clinicians working in early psychosis intervention programs in a Canadian province. Clinicians were asked about their opinions regarding the salience of identity in early psychosis using Likert-rated items and open response questions.Results: Nearly all of the clinicians agreed that identity is an important issue for clinical attention, yet only half of the clinicians endorsed a high level of confidence in their ability to address issues related to identity in treatment. Although several clinical strategies were identified, specific evidence-based approaches for strengthening identity in early psychosis remain lacking.Conclusions: Findings indicate a need for early psychosis programs to invest in identity-related training for clinicians.

A qualitative study on identity in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis: “ … Why does it have to be one thing?”.

“…Overall, it is clear that more research is needed to determine how to best target identity-related concerns in care. In a recent study with over 300 early psychosis clinicians in Canada, 98% of clinicians agreed that personal identity was an important issue for clinical attention and 99% believed that schizophrenia-spectrum disorders could negatively impact identity (Ben-David et al, 2020). However, only about half of these clinicians expressed a high level of confidence in their ability to address identity-related issues, and less than a third of the sample believed current interventions adequately addressed personal identity.…”