Psychological Flexibility and Therapeutic Outcomes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Psychological flexibility as a transtheoretical and transdiagnostic process of change
IRAS ID
350286
Contact name
David Dawson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Lincoln
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 9 months, 25 days
Research summary
Aims
The proposed study aims to investigate the role of psychological flexibility on therapeutic outcomes and different clinical presentations (such as anxiety and depression).
Background
In 2021/22, the NHS spent £12 billion on mental health services and recent data shows that of 1.8 million referrals to NHS Talking Therapies, just over 500,000 people completed a course of treatment with the average recovery rate of 50% (Nuffield Trust, 2023). Previous research has highlighted a need for identifying “processes of change” to increase effectiveness of psychotherapy. Psychological flexibility is “the ability to fully experience the present moment and consciously choose values-consistent behaviours in response” and is the key process of change in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), however it is unclear whether the same process is seen in other approaches used in NHS Talking Therapies. The research will increase understanding of psychological flexibility as a process of therapeutic change and allow for the introduction of new methods to be put in place before starting therapy.
Methods
Participants of the study will be individuals accepted to receive treatment through Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) Talking Therapies, identified using opportunistic sampling methods. Participants will complete their regular treatment within the service but will be asked to complete one extra questionnaire before each therapy session. The research will last for one year, but participant involvement will end when their treatment ends.
Patient and Public Involvement
Staff at the University of Lincoln and the University of Nottingham and Service User and Carer Involvement Panel (SUCAP) have been involved in the development of the research idea.
Dissemination
The results from the study will be written up in a doctoral thesis for the Trent Doctorate in Clinical Psychology programme. They may also be published in a relevant research journal.REC name
Wales REC 5
REC reference
25/WA/0205
Date of REC Opinion
15 Jul 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion