The subjective experience of youths at clinically high risk of psychosis: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Understanding the experience of individuals across stages of schizophrenia is important for development of services to promote recovery. As yet, little is known about the experience of individuals who exhibit prodromal symptoms of schizophrenia.

Methods

Audiotaped interviews were conducted with 27 participants of diverse racial-ethnic backgrounds who were at clinically high risk of psychosis (15 males and 12 females; mean age 21). Phenomenological qualitative research techniques of coding, consensus, and comparison were used.

Results

Emergent themes differed by gender. Themes for males were feeling abnormal or "broken," focus on going "crazy," fantasy and escapism, and alienation and despair, with a desire for relationships. Themes for females were psychotic

SUBMITTER: Ben-David S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4358875 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature