Table 1 Summary of clinical and demographic characteristics of the study sample (n = 23)

Diagnosis

 Schizophrenia

17

(73.9)

 Schizoaffective disorder

6

(26.1)

Number of psychosis episodes

 Two

4

(17.4)

 Three

12

(52.2)

 Four or more

7

(30.4)

Level of inter-episode symptoms

 None

6

(26.1)

 Low level

15

(65.2)

 High level

2

(8.7)

When discharged from hospital or crisis team, relative to interview

 Not discharged (hospital)

7

(30.4)

 <1 month ago (hospital) and/or not discharged (from crisis team)

10

(43.5)

 >1 month ago (hospital) and/or < 1 month ago (from crisis team)

2

(8.7)

 >1 month ago (hospital and/or crisis team)

4

(17.4)

PANSS positive sub-scale score, mean (SD)

16.87

(5.4)

Age, mean (SD)

38.4

(14.0)

Gender, n male

11

(47.8)

Ethnic origin

 Asian or Asian British

3

(13.0)

 Black or Black British

3

(13.0)

 White British

16

(69.6)

 Other ethnic group

1

(4.3)

Education

 None or primary only

3

(13.0)

 Secondary

6

(26.1)

 Further (e.g. A levels or Diploma)

7

(30.4)

 Higher (e.g. bachelor’s degree)

7

(30.4)

Employment

 Retired

3

(13.0)

 Home duties

1

(4.3)

 Unemployed

19

(82.6)

Living arrangement

 Family or partner

9

(39.1)

 Alone

11

(47.8)

 Shared/supported accommodation

3

(13.0)

Level of family or carer contact

 None

8

(34.8)

 Low

8

(34.8)

 High

7

(30.4)