title: Understanding the experiences and service needs of siblings of individuals with first-episode psychosis: a phenomenological study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite recent focus on developing family-inclusive services to meet the needs of young people with first-episode psychosis, the needs of their siblings are often overlooked.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study explored the experiences and needs of siblings of young adults with first-episode psychosis receiving support from two Early Intervention in Psychosis Services in South-East England.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-one siblings aged 11-35 years, were given a semi-structured interview to gather their perspectives and accounts of their lived experiences. The resultant rich qualitative data was analysed using responsive-reader and framework methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six themes were identified: siblings' roles and involvement; emotions; impact on relationships; coping patterns; resilience; and siblings' service needs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All participants had been greatly affected by the onset of the psychosis in their brother or sister. Most siblings did not identify themselves as carers, although most played a significant part in their brother's or sister's life. Participants wanted dynamic, robust and accessible services, especially information and peer support to meet their needs.
authors.affiliation: Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Bracknell, UK. jacqueline@urbanfuture.org
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sin
authors.forename: Nicki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Moone
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Scully
authors.forename: Nigel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wellman
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004644:Emotions; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D012801:Sibling Relations; D035781:Siblings / Q000523:psychology*