ObjectivesDeveloping compassion towards oneself has been linked to improvement in many areas of psychological well‐being, including psychosis. Furthermore, developing a non‐judgemental, accepting way of relating to voices is associated with lower levels of distress for people who hear voices. These factors have also been associated with secure attachment. This study explores associations between the constructs of mindfulness of voices, self‐compassion, and distress from hearing voices and how secure attachment style related to each of these variables.DesignCross‐sectional online.MethodOne hundred and twenty‐eight people (73% female; M
age = 37.5; 87.5% Caucasian) who currently hear voices completed the Self‐Compassion Scale, Southampton Mindfulness of Voices Questionnaire, Relationships Questionnaire, and Hamilton Programme for Schizophrenia Voices Questionnaire.ResultsResults showed that mindfulness of voices mediated the relationship between self‐compassion and severity of voices, and self‐compassion mediated the relationship between mindfulness of voices and severity of voices. Self‐compassion and mindfulness of voices were significantly positively correlated with each other and negatively correlated with distress and severity of voices.ConclusionMindful relation to voices and self‐compassion are associated with reduced distress and severity of voices, which supports the proposed potential benefits of mindful relating to voices and self‐compassion as therapeutic skills for people experiencing distress by voice hearing.Practitioner points
Greater self‐compassion and mindfulness of voices were significantly associated with less distress from voices. These findings support theory underlining compassionate mind training.Mindfulness of voices mediated the relationship between self‐compassion and distress from voices, indicating a synergistic relationship between the constructs.Although the current findings do not give a direction of causation, consideration is given to the potential impact of mindful and compassionate approaches to voices.
Objectives
Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) is an effective psychological intervention for several different mental health conditions. However, whether it is acceptable, safe, and beneficial for people with psychosis remains unclear, as is the feasibility of providing and evaluating it within a research context. The aim of this study was to begin to address these questions and to obtain for the first time a rich and detailed understanding of the experience of receiving CAT for psychosis.
Design
A mixed‐methods case series design.
Method
Seven individuals who experienced non‐affective psychosis received CAT. They completed assessments at the start of CAT, 16 weeks, and 28 weeks post‐baseline. Qualitative interviews were completed with four individuals following completion of or withdrawal from therapy.
Results
Six participants attended at least four sessions of therapy and four went on to complete therapy. There were no serious adverse events, and self‐reported adverse experiences were minimal. Qualitative interviews suggested CAT is acceptable and provided a way to understand and work therapeutically with psychosis. There was limited evidence of change in psychotic symptoms, but improvement in perceived recovery and personality integration was observed.
Conclusions
The results suggest that CAT is a safe and acceptable intervention for psychosis. Personality integration, perceived recovery, and functioning are relevant outcomes for future evaluations of CAT for psychosis.
Practitioner points
It is feasible to conduct research evaluating CAT for people with psychosis.
Within this case series, CAT appears acceptable and safe to individuals with psychosis.
Within this case series, clients reported that CAT was a positive and helpful experience.
There is a mixed picture with regard to secondary outcomes, but the design and aims of this case series limit conclusion that can be drawn from this data.
Abbreviations: MAI = Mindful attention induction; FCE = Food cue exposure Highlights:• Mindful attention can attenuate tendencies to eat in response to hedonic properties of food• Effects of attention with and without a mindful attitude were compared• Subjective reactions to the hedonic properties of energy-dense foods and food intake were examined• Following attention with a mindful attitude fullness increased and hunger did not whereas without a mindful attitude hunger increased and fullness did not Background: Excessive energy intake that contributes to overweight and obesity is arguably
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