RESIDENT: Mapping the Family Experience in Early Psychosis: Insights from a Narrative Study on Family Careers

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Presenting Author(s): Roxoliana Tsisar

Co-Author(s): Katherine Shettell, Kristen Zentner, Melanie Robles, Adam Abba-Aji

Date and time: 20 Mar 2026 from 14:20 to 14:35

Location: Saddleback & Glacier  

Learning Objectives

1. Recognize how young adult recovery journey with serious mental illness shapes the family's parallel experience;
2. Explore principles of collaborative communication and family engagement in integrated support services for supporting families; and 
3. Identify common gaps in care experienced by family caregivers and opportunities for support across the care trajectory.

Abstract

Background/Rationale: Family plays a critical role in the recovery of individuals with severe mental illness. Despite best practice documents and guidelines that recommend family inclusion, many families report struggling to navigate the complex system and being blocked from effectively supporting their loved ones. The current study traces common episodes in carer stories to deepen understanding and identify when system support was needed. 

Methods: Semi-structured interviews (n = 8) were conducted with carers who supported a young adult with psychosis. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and coded using Labov's narrative approach. Common episodes in carer stories were arranged as a metanarrative. Themes contextualize each meta- episode. 

Results: Meta-episodes generated from the data were 1) Factors shaping developmental trajectories 2) Blurry boundary between typical and atypical development, 3) Escalation of psychiatric symptoms, 4) Crisis event, 5) Repeated interactions with the healthcare system, 6) Hospitalization, and 7) Post-discharge Recovery. 

Conclusions: Families experience a tumultuous and traumatic journey through the mental health system as they grieve changes to their family structure, support their loved one's recovery, and advocate for care. Carers emphasized their need for access to services during early stages of psychosis, responsive crisis supports, accessible family programming, and clease collaborative communication with clinicians. Action/Impact: This study raises consciousness about the carers' journey as they walk alongside a loved one with psychosis, calling on care teams to empathize with families and support them as essential partners in recovery. 

Literature References

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