Self and memory in psychosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Does autobiographical memory increase access to the self in people with psychosis?
IRAS ID
215653
Contact name
Lara Charlesworth
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 9 months, 19 days
Research summary
The proposed project will explore the relationship between the self and autobiographical memory (i.e. personal event memories) in people with psychosis. There is a great deal of research which suggests that the self is impaired in psychosis and that impairment in autobiographical memory might play a role in maintaining a disrupted and disordered sense of self in this clinical group. This project will determine whether it is possible to strengthen self-concept in people with psychosis by increasing their access to autobiographical memory. This will involve inviting patients with psychosis, who are being treated by inpatient or community mental health services, to recall a memory from their past and then complete several questionnaires that measure different aspects of the self, allowing us to determine the particular aspects of the self that autobiographical memory might impact on. If we do find that recall of an autobiographical memory improves access to the self then autobiographical memories may be an important feature to focus on in future therapies. Data will be analysed with standard methods of quantitative analysis.
REC name
London - Dulwich Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/0398
Date of REC Opinion
18 Apr 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion