The Stories of Staff Members’ Understanding of Psychosis With the Use of the Power Threat Meaning Framework

The understanding of psychosis has changed over time to consider the impact of trauma on people’s experiences. The Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF) highlights the role of adverse life experiences on subsequent distress and has been used to guide team formulation meetings within the NHS for almost a decade. The study aimed to explore clinicians’ experiences of PTMF team formulation meetings and how this may influence their subsequent understanding of psychosis. Ten staff participants from mental health services supporting those experiencing psychosis were recruited and interviewed. Narrative analysis methodology was employed. Within the narratives, most participants spoke of having previously held a medical model understanding of psychosis, reflecting its dominance. The PTMF featured in the narratives and often illuminated the role of adversity and power in clinicians’ understandings. Participants narrated how the PTMF formulation meetings helped to humanise clients, alongside personal stories of loved ones’ experiences of psychosis. Clinical implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.