title: Positive and negative caregiver experiences in first-episode psychosis: emotional overinvolvement, wellbeing and metacognition.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  While caregivers of persons with first-episode psychosis often report a range of negative experiences, little is known about what psychological factors are involved. The aim of this study was to examine how caregivers' general wellbeing, emotional overinvolvement and metacognition influenced their reports of both positive and negative caregiving experiences.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective consecutive cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty caregivers of patients with first-episode psychosis were interviewed using semi-structured interview and questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Greater levels of distress and overinvolvement were associated with more negative experiences of caregiving while greater metacognitive capacity was associated with more positive experiences of caregiving.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The experience of positive and negative aspects of caregiving seems to be associated with different variables. Greater metacognitive capacity does not necessarily alleviate the suffering and distress, which is a healthy and normal reaction to having a close one suffering from psychosis. But it might help broaden the perspective, allowing for both negative and positive experiences. Clinical implications in terms of expanding the range of therapeutic interventions are discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Assessing the capacity for metacognition in a non-clinical population. Understanding what factors are involved in positive and negative caregiver experiences in first-episode psychosis. A broadening of family interventions by encompassing the concept of metacognition.
authors.affiliation: Early Psychosis Intervention Center, Zealand Region Psychiatry Roskilde, Denmark; Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jens E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Jansen
authors.forename: Paul H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Lysaker
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harder
authors.forename: Ulrik H
authors.initials: UH
authors.lastname: Haahr
authors.forename: Hanne-Grethe
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Lyse
authors.forename: Marlene B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Trauelsen
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Simonsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000451:nursing*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D056345:Theory of Mind / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Caregiver burden; Caregiver experience; Emotional overinvolvement; Expressed emotion; Metacognition