Facilitating and hindering factors of personal recovery in the context of Soteria—A qualitative study among people with (early episode) psychosis

Abstract

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to gain insight into patients' experiences of how personal recovery (PR) is facilitated or hindered in the context of an early episode psychosis setting (Soteria). We thereby aimed to contribute to the understanding of how care settings may promote or hinder the process of PR in people with (acute) psychosis.MethodThis study used a qualitative method, consisting of semi-structured in-depth interviews with people who had been admitted to a Soteria house in the Netherlands. Interview transcripts were analyzed following the Grounded Theory approach.ResultsFive themes emerged from the data illustrating how Soteria facilitated or impeded PR. The experience of togetherness in contact with staff and peers, feeling at home, and being active facilitated PR, while the emphasis put on medication by staff was experienced as hindering, and attention to spirituality was missed.ConclusionIn addition to the literature that identified factors associated with PR in psychosis, the current study gives a sense of how this can be put into practice. By offering treatment within a normalizing, holding environment, with emphasis on equality, close contact, optimism, active structured days, open-mindedness toward spirituality, and the role of medication, PR can be facilitated without detracting from guideline-based treatment aimed at symptomatic recovery. Similarities with existing concepts are discussed.

Hearing voices, but whose? Constructions of schizophrenia in introductory psychology textbooks

“…None of the texts feature established or emerging approaches that seek to enhance autonomy and make sense of "psychosis," which can be effective and favoured by many PWDS. Such approaches include hearing voices peer support groups (Longden et al, 2018), Open Dialogue (Bergström et al, 2022), and Soteria houses (Leendertse et al, 2023). Non-Western and nonbiomedical approaches to treatment differences are either disputed or constructed as unusual cultural practices, inferior to scientific Western treatment (see also Hunter, 2013).…”

Psychotic experiences: Gift or illness?

“…Our fifth point concerns an important issue which is discussed in chapter (59,63), while also highlighting that stigma and discrimination can act as obstacles to the recovery process (63). Personal recovery is increasingly accepted as outcome measure in clinical practice (102). Therefore, we suggest that employing the CHIME framework may be a valuable and worthwhile approach to assess the effectiveness of traditional healing practices in the management of psychosis.…”