Dissertation Title:

Healing the Soul in Crisis: A Grounded Theory Study of the Heroic Journey of Schizophrenia From Onset to Recovery

Candidate:

Kari Saenz

Date, Time & Place:

June 13, 2018 at 3:00 pm
Studio, Lambert Road campus


Abstract

Schizophrenia affects approximately 51 million individuals over the age of 18 and is considered one of the ten most disabling non-fatal disabilities worldwide. However, everyday people are coming out to share their stories of recovery and ability to move past their diagnosis to do great things in their lives. The aim of this study was to identify common elements that aid in recovery, by exploring individual’s subjective experiences of their recovery process and the quality of life in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Additionally, the study sought to gain a better understanding of what recovery means to an individual diagnosed with schizophrenia and how current treatment practices align with clients’ experiences. Participants identified length of time from symptom onset to proper diagnosis, limited access to services and a lack of psychoeducation upon diagnosis as obstacles which slowed their recovery process. A strong support system, hope, reality testing, and power were identified as crucial components to the participants’ recovery. The study also examined the parallels in Joseph Campbell’s hero myth to the journey taken by the participants, gaps in current literature and directions for future investigations based on the data collected from the participant’s subjective experiences of their recovery process.

Note

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Details
  • Program/Track/Year: Clinical Psychology, Track A, 2010
  • Chair: Dr. James Broderick
  • Reader: Dr. Karen Shipley
  • External Reader: Dr. Caitlin Sayegh
  • Keywords: Schizophrenia, Grounded Theory, Hope, Recovery, Hero’s Journey