“A Lightbulb Moment All The Way Through”–An exploration into participant experiences of a novel Group Formulation Programme. European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation
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Authors
Long, E
Dowling, C
O'Driscoll-Lawrie, C
Groarke, R
Johnstone, V
O'Neill, A
O'Reilly, G
Issue Date
2024-08-29
Type
Article
Language
en
Keywords
Research Subject Categories::SOCIAL SCIENCES::Social sciences::Psychology
Alternative Title
Abstract
Objectives
Despite its centrality to clinical psychology, research regarding psychological formulation has primarily focused on the perspectives of clinicians and researchers. ‘Bottom-up’ research into client experiences remains in its infancy. This study aimed to explore participants’ experience and understanding of their formulations before and after completing a group intervention designed to increase self-awareness and comprehension of personal formulations.
Methods
Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) was used to analyse data and develop themes summarising essential experiences. Twenty-one adults attending two streams of a novel Group Formulation Programme participated in semi-structured interviews pre-programme, with fifteen taking part post-programme. The groups comprised 8 and 12 sessions between May 2022 and January 2023. Analysis produced five overarching themes across Pre/Post-Programme: Understanding, Coping, Self, Journey, and The Group. Analysis of pre-data produced four themes: 1) Challenging Life Experiences, 2) The Cyclical Nature of Coping, 3) At an Impasse, and 4) Fractured Self. Post-intervention data produced four themes: 1) New Understandings, 2) Repairing the Relationship with Self, 3) Peaks, Valleys, and the Road Ahead, and 4) Group Experience.
Results
Results indicated that pre-intervention, participants had a good understanding of potential factors contributing to their difficulties but reported confusion around coping and self-relating, which impacted psychological and psychosocial functioning. Post-intervention, participants reported an increased sense of how past and present related to difficulties and decreased self-blame.
Conclusions
Participants noted benefits in line with other research in this area but also noted challenges associated with formulation, including feelings of overwhelm and grief.
Description
Citation
Long, E., Dowling, C., O'Driscoll-Lawrie, C., Groarke, R., Johnstone, V., O'Neill, A., ... & O'Reilly, G. (2024). “A Lightbulb Moment All The Way Through”–An exploration into participant experiences of a novel Group Formulation Programme. European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 100446.