Pathways to Resilience III: Beyond Nature vs. Nurture

Mental Health:

Abstract #198
Positive Change Following A First Episode Of Psychosis: Findings From A Mixed Studies Review Using A Qualitative Synthesis Design
Presenter: Gerald Jordan Co-presenters: Megan Pope, Angella Lambrou, Ashok Malla, Srividya Iyer
Abstract:
Positive outcomes following a first episode of psychosis (FEP) and predictors of FEP have received limited attention, and have never been the focus of any investigation. This knowledge gap is problematic because clinicians have described the paucity of a synthesis on this topic as one that must be addressed if they are to reliably foster positive change in clients. This presentation will discuss what pre-existing research suggests the positive outcomes following FEP are, and how resilience predicts such outcomes. A librarian assisted, mixed studies review was undertaken. Eligible articles included qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods studies published in English between 1990 and 2014 on FEP. Two reviewers screened three databases (Medline, PsychInfo, Embase) for keywords related to the topic. This search was supplemented by hand searches and article recommendations from experts. Eleven studies were retained from the original pool of 4612 studies. The synthesis revealed that following FEP, people felt closer to others, gained spirituality, made positive lifestyle changes, and felt greater appreciation for life; and that being recovered from FEP, and receiving social support, were key in fostering positive change. Results imply clinicians should foster recovery and resilience through social support in patients to inspire positive outcomes following FEP.

Abstract #236
Transitions into Resilience
Presenter: Ulla Peters
Abstract: 
The Youth Psychiatry in the hospital Kirchberg (Luxemburg) proposes intensive individual pedagogical projects as a possible follow up treatment for adolescent patients. As these projects offer a highly individualized experience, they are assumed to be more helpful than a transfer to other settings (like group treatments). The research project “Time in – Time out” is designed to better understand in which ways these projects might promote individual resilience. The study will follow up boys and girls who, after their psychiatric treatment, were sent either to an individual project outside the country or to a group setting in and outside of Luxemburg. Quantitative data will be collected using the “Child and Youth Resilience Measure“ (CYRM, Liebenberg & Ungar 2013) and be compared with resilience scores of a group of Luxemburgish youth outside the care system. Qualitative interviews with a smaller sample of youth in individual care will provide additional data. The general project aim is to scientifically ground decisions about how to improve care for young ex-psychiatric patients with complex needs.

Abstract #253
The Meaning Of Resilience As Described By People Who Experience Schizophrenia
Presenter: Susan Sumskis Co-presenter: Lorna Moxham
Abstract:
Within a PhD level investigation, fourteen people living in regional and rural Australia described what resilience means to them in their journey with schizophrenia. Phenomenological interpretation of their stories revealed that living with schizophrenia is a journey that encompasses states of feeling lost, striving and then growing.  Within this journey, individuals described striving to overcome challenges and barriers in order to be able to use support or achieve desired goals.  While striving, the person grasped who they are, started to take control, took action and then strove to overcome the challenges of living with schizophrenia in everyday life. Medication, as an example, was viewed as a challenging aspect with many barriers however it was also viewed as necessary and supportive and therefore a decision was made to take control and to “use” rather than “take” medication.  The meaning of resilience is embedded within this, and many other challenging areas of struggle, such as the use of health professionals and health services, maintaining mental and physical stimulation, social ties and managing difficult family relationships.
Within this presentation, the elements of the meaning of resilience and the way in which they are embedded within the experience of schizophrenia will be fully discussed.