Mindfulness groups for people experiencing distressing psychosis: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

Abstract

Purpose

There is an increasingly active area of research indicating that interventions incorporating mindfulness can be beneficial for individuals distressed by experiences of psychosis. However, there is little qualitative information regarding clients' experiences of mindfulness groups. This paper aims to fill this gap.

Design/methodology/approach

To explore the subjective experience of mindfulness groups for people experiencing distressing psychosis. Three participants, who had attended a mindfulness for psychosis group, were interviewed and data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.

Findings

Four main themes were identified: “experiencing distress”, “group as beneficial”, “mindfulness as beneficial”, and “mindfulness groups as part of the process of recovery”.

Originality/value

The mindfulness groups appeared to support participants' journeys of recovery through: promoting choice and control in relating differently to distress; providing space to socially construct shared meanings; and enhancing a sense of agency in “moving on”.

Citation

Dennick, L., Fox, A.P. and Walter‐Brice, A. (2013), "Mindfulness groups for people experiencing distressing psychosis: an interpretative phenomenological analysis", Mental Health Review Journal, Vol. 18 No. 1, pp. 32-43. https://doi.org/10.1108/13619321311310096