Psychological interventions for amotivation and possible selves in psychosis

Lee, Jennifer (2020) Psychological interventions for amotivation and possible selves in psychosis. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

[thumbnail of 2020LeeJClinPsyD.pdf]
Preview
PDF
Download (2MB) | Preview

Abstract

Background This portfolio contains a systematic review and two empirical projects in the clinical field of psychosis. The aim of the systematic review was to narratively synthesise the effectiveness of psychological treatments for amotivation as a key negative symptom. The first empirical project aimed to explore possible selves theory with regards to individuals with psychosis and significant functional difficulties, as a possible motivational factor influencing functional recovery. The second empirical project aimed to explore whether Social Recovery Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (SRCBT) had an impact on possible selves and whether any change mediated functional recovery.

Methods The systematic review included all psychological and psychosocial interventions for amotivation in psychosis, with focus on the most reliable measures of amotivation. The empirical projects included secondary analyses of data collected from the Improving Social Recovery in Psychosis project, where 77 individuals with psychosis and particularly low functioning were recruited.

Results In the systematic review, conclusions regarding efficacy of interventions could not be drawn, due to the limited number of studies and mixed results. In the first empirical paper, Possible selves in people with psychosis and particularly poor functioning were found to have low specificity, balance and enmeshment, but relatively high optimism. Possible selves were not associated with functional outcomes in this population. Equally, in the second empirical paper, SRCBT was not found to have an impact on possible selves.

Conclusions Ongoing research is required to explore novel treatments for amotivation in psychosis, particularly utilising outcome measures which give sufficient weight to amotivation as a construct. Whilst motivational theories suggest that possible selves were an important motivational construct impacting on functioning, perhaps change in possible selves is not necessary for behaviour change to occur. Future research is implicated with regards to whether possible selves are subject to change once behavioural changes are consolidated following therapy.

Item Type: Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User: Chris White
Date Deposited: 05 Nov 2020 10:48
Last Modified: 05 Nov 2020 10:48
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/77543
DOI:

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item