A qualitative narrative analysis of family carers supporting young adults in the early stages of psychosis.
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia - Okanagan, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V9, Canada. [email protected].
- 2Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
- 3Clinical Supports and Services, Addiction and Mental Health, Recovery Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
- 4Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Abstract
Background
Considerable evidence exists to support family carers' positive impact on the recovery of young adults with psychotic illness. Despite best practice documents that champion family inclusion, many family carers experience obstructions to their involvement in care. The current study aims to trace commonly occurring episodes in the stories of carers of young adults with psychosis to gain a deeper understanding of their narrative and identify points in their stories where intervention and system support were needed.Methods
Semi-structured interviews (n = 8) were conducted with carers who support a young adult with a psychotic illness. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and coded using narrative analysis. Common episodes in the families' stories were arranged into a meta-narrative, and common themes were situated under each meta-episode.Results
Meta-episodes synthesized from the data were (1) Blurry boundary between typical and atypical development, (2) Escalation of psychiatric symptoms, (3) Crisis event, (4) Repeated interactions with the healthcare system, (5) Hospitalization, and (6) Ongoing recovery.Conclusions
Family carers experience a tumultuous and traumatic journey through the mental health system as they grieve losses within their family, support their loved one's recovery, and advocate for their loved one's care. This study raises consciousness about the carers' journey as they walk alongside a loved one with psychosis, calling on care teams to empathize with families, honour lived experience, prioritize carers as partners in care, and fortify carers with skills and education.
Related
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BibTeX
@article{zentner2026qualitative,
title = {{A qualitative narrative analysis of family carers supporting young adults in the early stages of psychosis.}},
author = {Kristen E Zentner and Roxoliana Tsisar and Katherine Shettell and Adam Abba-Aji and Melanie Robles},
journal = {Discover mental health},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1007/s44192-026-00548-8},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42902116},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - A qualitative narrative analysis of family carers supporting young adults in the early stages of psychosis.
AU - Kristen E Zentner
AU - Roxoliana Tsisar
AU - Katherine Shettell
AU - Adam Abba-Aji
AU - Melanie Robles
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Discover mental health
DO - 10.1007/s44192-026-00548-8
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42902116
AB - Background Considerable evidence exists to support family carers' positive impact on the recovery of young adults with psychotic illness. Despite best practice documents that champion family inclusion, many family carers experience obstructions to their involvement in care. The current study aims to trace commonly occurring episodes in the stories of carers of young adults with psychosis to gain a deeper understanding of their narrative and identify points in their stories where intervention and system support were needed.Methods Semi-structured interviews (n = 8) were conducted with carers who support a young adult with a psychotic illness. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and coded using narrative analysis. Common episodes in the families' stories were arranged into a meta-narrative, and common themes were situated under each meta-episode.Results Meta-episodes synthesized from the data were (1) Blurry boundary between typical and atypical development, (2) Escalation of psychiatric symptoms, (3) Crisis event, (4) Repeated interactions with the healthcare system, (5) Hospitalization, and (6) Ongoing recovery.Conclusions Family carers experience a tumultuous and traumatic journey through the mental health system as they grieve losses within their family, support their loved one's recovery, and advocate for their loved one's care. This study raises consciousness about the carers' journey as they walk alongside a loved one with psychosis, calling on care teams to empathize with families, honour lived experience, prioritize carers as partners in care, and fortify carers with skills and education.
SN - 2731-4383
ER -