Exploring the role of wisdom in mental health: a systematic review of wisdom measures and a single-case investigation of wisdom enhancement in post-stroke depression

Hassan, Ercan (2025) Exploring the role of wisdom in mental health: a systematic review of wisdom measures and a single-case investigation of wisdom enhancement in post-stroke depression. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

Background: Post-stroke depression (PSD) is common following a stroke, contributing to distress, identity disruption, and reduced psychological well-being. Existing therapies demonstrate variable efficacy, highlighting the need for alternative approaches. Wisdom, a multidimensional construct, offers potential benefits in the field of Clinical Psychology. Wisdom has been proposed as a possible mechanism for psychological adaptation following life disruptions. Despite this, it remains an underutilised construct.
Aims: This thesis examines the potential role of wisdom in Clinical Psychology through two complementary studies: a systematic review evaluating the psychometric properties of wisdom measures and an empirical study assessing the impact of wisdom enhancement on PSD recovery.
Methods: The systematic review used the COnsensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) guidelines to assess 21 wisdom measures across 27 studies, evaluating various psychometric properties. The empirical study implemented a wisdom-enhancement intervention using a single-case experimental design (SCED) methodology to examine changes in wisdom, identity coherence, self-esteem, and mood among PSD patients.
Findings: The systematic review identified substantial inconsistencies in wisdom measurement, with the Wisdom Development Scale (WDS) emerging as the most psychometrically robust tool, though lacking clinical feasibility due to length. The empirical study provides preliminary evidence of wisdom’s effectiveness in PSD. It demonstrates that wisdom enhancement preceded improvements in identity coherence, self-esteem, and mood, supporting the hypothesis that wisdom may serve as a resilience-enhancing factor in PSD recovery.
Significance of the portfolio: This thesis not only advances both theoretical and clinical understandings of wisdom but also holds the potential to transform post-stroke rehabilitation. The findings support the development of wisdom-based interventions as a novel therapeutic avenue, offering hope for improved recovery outcomes. The advocacy for refined measurement tools and further longitudinal research paves the way for a brighter future in the field of clinical psychology.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Nicola Veasy
Date Deposited:	27 Oct 2025 11:49
Last Modified:	27 Oct 2025 11:49
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/100778
DOI:

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