• ARTICLES

Construing Psychosis Onset

Green, B. & García Mieres, H.

Keywords:
Personal Construct Theory, early psychosis, schizophrenia

Abstract:
First person accounts (FPAs) provide an insider’s view into psychosis. Computerised textual analysis was used to explore how individuals construed psychosis development. Three broad categories of constructs were identified, pertaining to the self, onset and making sense of psychosis. Overall, an underlying dimension was absorption into an inner reality versus engagement in a shared reality. The findings have implications for understanding and assisting people who experience psychosis, particularly the importance of enhancing sociality. The paper extended the method to shorter texts by multiple authors. Elaboration of single construct poles was evident, highlighting the need to consider both contrast and likeness indicators.