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Recovery in Psychosis from a Service User Perspective: A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis of Current Qualitative Evidence

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Abstract

There is a growing number of qualitative accounts regarding recovery from psychosis from a service user perspective. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of these qualitative accounts. A thematic synthesis was utilised to synthesise and analyse seventeen studies included in the review. Studies were included if they used a qualitative methodology to explore service users’ experiences of recovery from psychosis as a primary research question. All included studies were subjected to a quality assessment. The analysis outlined three subordinate themes: the recovery journey, facilitators of recovery (e.g. faith and spirituality, personal agency and hope), and barriers to recovery (e.g. stigma and discrimination, negative effects of mental health services and medication). Recovery is an idiosyncratic process but includes key components which are important to people who experience psychosis. These should be explored within clinical practice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. North East London Foundation Trust, Goodmayes Hospital, London, IG3 8XJ, UK

    L. Wood

  2. Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Stansfield Place, 1 Marshall Road, Rochdale, OL16 5PX, UK

    S. Alsawy

  3. University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK

    L. Wood

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  1. L. Wood
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  2. S. Alsawy
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Correspondence to L. Wood.

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Wood, L., Alsawy, S. Recovery in Psychosis from a Service User Perspective: A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis of Current Qualitative Evidence. Community Ment Health J 54, 793–804 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-017-0185-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-017-0185-9

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