Abstract
This study is a narrative analysis of the accounts of four siblings (aged between 17 and 24 years of age) of people who had experienced a first episode of psychosis within the last three years. The main research aims were to hear how the participants talked about their experiences of their brother’s or sister’s first episode of psychosis, and to explore the impact of this experience on their sense of themselves and identity. The study drew on different types of narrative analysis, particularly integrative approaches. Semi-structured interviewing was used to create four stories. Participants were encouraged to tell their stories however they wanted. All of them spoke about their life prior to the onset of their brother’s or sister’s psychosis, and their life since this time, including their thoughts about their future. A summary of each story is presented, followed by a case study analysis of each account which highlights the core narrative, tone and genre identified. A cross analysis, highlighting similarities and differences between the accounts is then presented. The cross analysis identified differences in genres between the narrative accounts which appeared to be based on gender. The two genres were interpreted as ‘a call to manhood’ and ‘phoenix rising’. Similarities across the narrative accounts were also identified and an overarching genre of ‘rites of passage’ was identified. All four ‘rites of passage’ seem to be characterised by entering the journey as young people behaving as young people do, and emerging from the journey changed, either as men with responsibilities, or women with a passion that inspires their life. The main findings are discussed in relation to rites of passage as a concept, narrative identity and adversarial growth. Finally, the clinical implications, limitations and the influence of conducting this research on my own life story are outlined. One of the main clinical implications refers to the way in which siblings are perceived and approached by services. This was highlighted by the unique journey that each sibling in the current study appeared to move through, and their key role in the care-giving and recovery of their sibling. Further clinical implications were concerned with potential therapeutic interventions with siblings, and resources and information provided by services.