'O brother where art thou?': the experience of brothers of young Pakeha males with first episode psychosis

Abstract

The research presented is a small exploratory/interpretive study of the experience of four Pakeha male siblings of young Pakeha males (aged 13-25) who have experienced psychosis and received treatment through an early intervention service. There have been increasing number of studies of the experience of siblings of those with physical disorders or disabilities but the 'voice' of siblings of those with experience of psychosis has rarely been heard - when it has, this has often been in the context of siblings with long-term mental illness. In addition, siblings of those with first-episode psychosis may be the family members who have least contact with the mental health professionals engaged with the 'identified client', thus leading to a degree of 'invisibility'. The aim of this study, then, was to explore the experience of male siblings of such clients so that mental health nurses could begin to understand how they might contribute to meeting the needs of such siblings. The research was guided by concepts inherent within philosophical hermeneutics, particularly as expressed by Hans-Georg Gadamer. Hence, key constructs were the hermeneutic circle, fusion of horizons, dialogue and prejudices. Research methods included eight individual interviews, conducted and analysed by the researcher using a hermeneutic approach. Understanding emerged from this research around the significant and complex impact of a brother's psychosis on each individual; the range of feelings experienced, the tensions inherent in staying connected with a brother who was unwell, the high levels of understanding and empathy demonstrated towards their siblings, the wish to maintain a brother-to-brother relationship, and the needs of the participants. Benefits arising from the study findings include: (1) expanding previous research understandings and, (2) informing those staff, particularly nurses previous research and on what relevance it has for those staff, particularly nurses working in early intervention services, of issues relevant to male siblings of young Pakeha males experiencing psychosis.