Problem:
Qualitative Research Questions The mini literature review indicates psilocybin is effective for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), but patients face trust, expectation management, and "sensemaking' challenges that quantitative metrics can't fully capture. The research question is: What social-psychological processes help TRD patients navigate trust, expectations, and make sense of experiences during and after psilocybin therapy? Qualitative Research Design Qualitative research suits exploring complex mental health phenomena, where personal experiences, emotions, and perceptions matter (Tenny et al., 2022). Grounded theory develops explanatory process theories (Coutts & Mills, 2026), explaining how interactions and their consequences evolve over time (2026). It allows exploring how participants interpret their experiences with psilocybin. Qualitative Sampling Strategy The sample will include 20-30 adults (18-65) with TRD who received psilocybin, aiming for diversity in gender and ethnicity. Purposive sampling will target recent trial participants recruited through clinics and research centers. The focus is on subjective experiences, treatment prep, and trust and expectation factors. Qualitative Data Collection Data will come from semi-structured interviews exploring experiences, expectations, and perceptions. Conducted at convenient times and places, interviews will be recorded, transcribed, and supplemented with field notes. Grounded theory will guide theme development (Alshaikhli et al., 2021). Need Assignment Help?