Journal of Psychology & Psychotherapy
Open Access

Abstract

Using Repertory Grid to Establish Patient's Views of Psycho-Education

Helen Walker

Objectives: This article aims to describe the use of repertory grid to assess participant’s perception of a psychoeducation programme for psychosis, prior to and following on from attendance at an eleven week group intervention, delivered across high and medium secure forensic services in Scotland.

Design: As part of a wider randomised controlled trial, a cohort of patients (n=18) were selected to discuss their views on what might change as a result of attending the Coping With Mental Illness (CWMI) group, a psychoeducation group, designed for people who suffer from psychosis.

Methods: Group participants received 22 sessions of psycho-education. Participants were assessed using structured interviews at two time points, pre and post intervention, using repertory grids.

Results: A specialised computer programme (Gridsuite) was used to analyse data generated from the repertory grids. Principal component analysis indicated a number of factors were responsible for the change in participants’ experience of the group.

Conclusions: Conclusions suggest that repertory grid is a useful alternative to interview when exploring views of psychological interventions in a group of mentally disordered offenders. There is evidence to suggest that the intervention did prompt a change in patient perception.