Attachment in psychosis; Intra- and interpersonal processes affecting recovery

Abstract

Psychosis is a significant mental health presentation characterised by difficulties in affect, behaviour, and cognition. Untreated psychosis has detrimental impacts individually and societally. Further understanding of the intra- and interpersonal processes affecting recovery is required. Individual barriers and facilitators to accessing support for psychosis requires further exploration. Insecure attachment styles have been linked to psychosis, however research examining the impact of these on emotional regulation, help-seeking, service engagement, and outcomes across clinical samples is limited. Within this thesis, the systematic review examined studies exploring barriers and facilitators for individuals’ accessing Early Intervention for Psychosis services. Three themes from seven studies that met the inclusion criteria emerged: Knowledge, Stigma and Relationships. The presence or absence of these interpersonal factors influenced access to Early intervention services for individuals with psychosis. Addressing these barriers is crucial for reducing the duration of untreated psychosis and improving recovery outcomes. Attachment is an intra-personal process likely to affect support-seeking beliefs and behaviours. The empirical study within this thesis investigated the role of attachment on emotional regulation, help-seeking, service engagement, and recovery outcomes for people with psychosis. Sixty-five participants were recruited via two pathways (Community and NHS routes). Insecure attachment predicted difficulties with emotional regulation, help-seeking, service engagement, and clinical and recovery outcomes for individuals with psychosis. Collectively, these findings highlight the importance of understanding factors which may hinder access to early intervention services and ongoing support for psychosis and negatively impact recovery. I present a guide for future research and clinical implications, including the need to assess barriers to access and the role of attachment in routine clinical practice to mitigate these obstacles at the earliest opportunity.

More information

Identifiers

ORCID for Jacqui Louise Tiller: orcid.org/0000-0002-5929-7756

ORCID for Katherine Newman-Taylor: orcid.org/0000-0003-1579-7959

Catalogue record

Export record