Is Psychological Flexibility a trans-theoretical mechanism of change?

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Is Psychological Flexibility a trans-theoretical mechanism of psychotherapeutic change?

• IRAS ID

  242109

• Contact name

  Monika Panczak - Abrahams

• Contact email

  07078791@students.lincoln.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Lincoln

• Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

  REC Reference, 18/YH/0083

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 11 months, 9 days

• Research summary

  Numerous researchers have examined the importance and presence of common factors in the process of change in therapy (e.g. Hubble, Duncan, & Miller, 1999; Lambert, 1992; Luborsky, Singer, & Luborsky, 1975). It has been suggested for instance that the ‘therapeutic relationship’ is a common factor present across different therapies (‘trans-therapeutic’) that may largely predict the outcome of the therapy (Lambert & Barley, 2001). This study aims to examine whether psychological flexibility (as defined by ACT) could be considered a ‘common factor’ across various therapeutic approaches by investigating whether it mediates the outcome of those therapies.

  The overall aim of the study is to examine whether psychological flexibility can be conceptualised as a trans-theoretical mechanism of psychotherapeutic change.
  The study will specifically explore the following:
  1. If ACT processes measured by the CompACT mediate the outcome of therapies other than ACT.
  2. If changes in psychological flexibility correlate with changes (or lack of) of distress and symptomology.
  3. If the changes in subjective wellbeing and life functioning correlate with changes in psychological flexibility.

  Eight participants who are starting therapy 'as usual' will be recruited from the Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT). The project will follow a multiple baseline single case experimental design. Participants will complete weekly outcome measures that aim to quantify level of psychological flexibility, quality of life, symptoms of distress, and a quality of therapeutic relationship.
  All participants will take a part in a post-treatment semi-structured interview where their subjective quality of life and symptoms of distress will be discussed. The length of the study may vary for individual participants will depend on how many sessions of psychological therapy they attend.

• REC name

  Wales REC 4

• REC reference

  18/WA/0095

• Date of REC Opinion

  14 Mar 2018

• REC opinion

  Unfavourable Opinion