An Exploration of Schema Modes in Psychosis (V1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An Exploration of Schema Modes in Psychosis (including Bipolar conditions).
IRAS ID
222790
Contact name
John Rhodes
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of East London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 31 days
Research summary
AN EXPLORATION OF SCHEMA MODES IN PSYCHOSIS (INCLUDING BIPOLAR CONDITION).
Schema therapy was developed for individuals with complex mental health problems who were not responding to traditional cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). Schema therapy expands on CBT, integrating aspects of other psychological models.
Schema therapy works with ‘modes’; the current emotional, cognitive, and behavioural state that a person is in. Modes can consist of thoughts, feelings, behaviours, memories, bodily sensations, beliefs, social perceptions, and interaction and behaviour difficulties. Modes happen in response to a trigger and can also be a coping mechanism for the person (e.g. avoidance of overwhelming emotions). Many modes develop as a result of unmet core emotional needs in childhood and can lead to multiple difficulties throughout life in negotiating relationships and managing mental health.
Schema therapy’s use of modes has demonstrated efficacy in relation to borderline personality disorder and other personality disorder diagnoses. The mode concept has extended to other presentations (eating disorders, chronic depression and obsessive compulsive disorder). Similarities are apparent between the concept and the development and maintenance of conditions where psychotic features are present.
The proposed research aims to explore whether modes can be identified in service users with a psychosis diagnosis or a bipolar condition diagnosis with psychotic features. This research has not previously been conducted. Adults with either one of these diagnoses who have been referred to the Tower Hamlets Community Mental Health Team will be interviewed and asked to complete the Schema Mode Inventory (a questionnaire developed to identify modes). Thematic Analysis will be used to analyse the interview data and comparisons will be made with data from the Schema Mode Inventory. If modes are identified, aspects of working with modes in schema therapy could be appropriately modified for people with a psychosis or bipolar condition diagnosis, and additional psychological therapies could be developed.
REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1407
Date of REC Opinion
5 Sep 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion