TY - JOUR
T1 - Positive and negative caregiver experiences in first-episode psychosis
T2 - Emotional overinvolvement, wellbeing and metacognition
AU - Jansen, Jens Einar
AU - Lysaker, Paul H.
AU - Harder, Susanne
AU - Haahr, Ulrik Helt
AU - Lyse, Hanne-Grethe
AU - Pedersen, Marlene Buch
AU - Trauelsen, Anne Marie
AU - Simonsen, Erik
PY - 2014/9
Y1 - 2014/9
N2 - Objectives While caregivers of persons with first-episode psychosis often report a range of negative experiences, little is known about what psychological factors are involved. The aim of this study was to examine how caregivers' general wellbeing, emotional overinvolvement and metacognition influenced their reports of both positive and negative caregiving experiences. Design A prospective consecutive cross-sectional study. Methods Forty caregivers of patients with first-episode psychosis were interviewed using semi-structured interview and questionnaires. Results Greater levels of distress and overinvolvement were associated with more negative experiences of caregiving while greater metacognitive capacity was associated with more positive experiences of caregiving. Conclusions The experience of positive and negative aspects of caregiving seems to be associated with different variables. Greater metacognitive capacity does not necessarily alleviate the suffering and distress, which is a healthy and normal reaction to having a close one suffering from psychosis. But it might help broaden the perspective, allowing for both negative and positive experiences. Clinical implications in terms of expanding the range of therapeutic interventions are discussed.
AB - Objectives While caregivers of persons with first-episode psychosis often report a range of negative experiences, little is known about what psychological factors are involved. The aim of this study was to examine how caregivers' general wellbeing, emotional overinvolvement and metacognition influenced their reports of both positive and negative caregiving experiences. Design A prospective consecutive cross-sectional study. Methods Forty caregivers of patients with first-episode psychosis were interviewed using semi-structured interview and questionnaires. Results Greater levels of distress and overinvolvement were associated with more negative experiences of caregiving while greater metacognitive capacity was associated with more positive experiences of caregiving. Conclusions The experience of positive and negative aspects of caregiving seems to be associated with different variables. Greater metacognitive capacity does not necessarily alleviate the suffering and distress, which is a healthy and normal reaction to having a close one suffering from psychosis. But it might help broaden the perspective, allowing for both negative and positive experiences. Clinical implications in terms of expanding the range of therapeutic interventions are discussed.
U2 - 10.1111/papt.12014
DO - 10.1111/papt.12014
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 24038708
SN - 1476-0835
VL - 87
SP - 298
EP - 310
JO - Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice
JF - Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice
IS - 3
ER -