Impact of short-term groups in early intervention in psychosis

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Social groups and the impacts on depressive symptoms and subjective wellbeing in early intervention in psychosis: a short-term intervention efficacy pilot study

  • IRAS ID

    348757

  • Contact name

    Lars Hansen

  • Contact email

    lars.hansen@southernhealth.nhs.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 4 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    This pilot qualitative study aims to examine the potential impact of social groups on individuals under early intervention in psychosis. This study will carried out over a two-month period with a four week follow up, particular examining the course of depressive symptoms and subjective wellbeing ratings. This will be conducted with PHQ-9, Edinburgh-Warwick Wellbeing Scale, and the EIP Group Feedback Form.

    Lay summary of study results: For a 12-week period, individuals struggling with first episode psychosis participated in social groups with voluntary attendance. At the beginning of the social groups, their PHQ-9 and WEMWBs score, which measures their depression and subjective wellbeing, were taken with self-reported questionnaires and the scorings were taken again at 8 weeks and 12 weeks into the social groups. Alongside the two questionnaires, the participants were also asked to complete a form by themselves on their perception of the group that they attended.
    A total of 10 individuals completed the study and the scores were compared in terms of PHQ-9 score, WEMWBs score, and the amount of groups attended from 0 weeks to 8 weeks, 8 weeks to 12 weeks, and 0 weeks to 12 weeks and how that impacts the PHQ-9 score and the WEMWBs score.
    The results showed that there are statistically significant, the results did not occur due to chance, improvements in the PHQ-9 score from 0 weeks to 12 weeks and statistically significant WEMWBs score from 8 weeks to 12 weeks. The amount of groups attended by participants did not have statistically significant impact on the PHQ-9 and WEMWBs score.

  • REC name

    London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    25/LO/0386

  • Date of REC Opinion

    4 Jul 2025

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion