Building self-confidence.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Building positive self-concept in patients with psychosis: a single-case experimental design series testing a targeted psychological treatment.
IRAS ID
307830
Contact name
Felicity Waite
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford, Research Governance, Ethics & Assurance Team
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 7 months, 31 days
Research summary
Why are we doing this study?
Treatments for patients with psychosis require improvement. We want to tackle the problems that are common, that patients want help with, and that underpin distressing psychotic experiences. Patients identify confidence as a treatment priority. How we see ourselves shapes our interactions with the world. When we have confidence, we are able to try new things, connect with others, and it can be easier to face life’s challenges. For many patients with psychosis, their confidence has taken a knock. We want to help people regain their confidence. In this study, we aim to bring together existing psychological techniques to develop a treatment package to improve self-confidence, reduce psychotic experiences, and improve wellbeing.
What will happen in this study?
Using psychological theory and techniques, we have developed a talking therapy to boost confidence. We will test this treatment package with three participants, we will then refine it and test it again with three different participants, and repeat this once again. We will then provide the final most effective treatment to three different participants to check its effect.
The psychological treatments will be provided by a clinical psychologist on an individual basis in around 8 sessions. They will focus on building positive self-beliefs, engaging in meaningful activity, and feeling at ease with oneself. Participants will complete assessments of confidence, wellbeing, and psychotic experiences before, mid, and after the treatment. To find out if any change is related to the treatment, we will assess levels of confidence for 5-7 weeks before therapy starts. The exact number is decided at random so the therapy doesn’t start at a particularly good or bad time, when things might have been improving anyway. Taking part in the study is voluntary. Before deciding whether to participate, we will explain the study and answer any questions.
How will the results be measured?
To find out if the treatment works, we will assess levels of confidence, psychotic experiences, and wellbeing. We will interview participants about their experience of the new treatment.
How could this study benefit patients in the future?
The findings of this study will be used to 1) develop the treatment further, and 2) conduct a larger trial testing the therapy. If successful, this approach could then be delivered in NHS services.
REC name
Wales REC 2
REC reference
22/WA/0006
Date of REC Opinion
18 Jan 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion