The impact of positive psychotherapy of psychoses on the subjective well‐being of people suffering from chronic schizophrenia—Preliminary report

• Published in: Counselling and psychotherapy research 2022-03, Vol.22 (1), p.250-256
• Main Authors: Kasperek‐Zimowska, Beata, Bednarek, Agata, Giguere, Marta, Parnowska, Dorota, Żochowska, Agnieszka, Malewicz‐Sawicka, Maryla
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: chronic schizophrenia; Patients; positive therapy; psychiatric rehabilitation; Psychosis; Psychotherapy; Schizophrenia; Well being
• ISSN: 1473-3145; 1746-1405
• DOI: 10.1002/capr.12467

Purpose of the study The aim of the study was to determine the impact of positive psychotherapy of psychosis (PPP) on well‐being in a group of patients diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia. Subjective well‐being was defined by three dimensions ‐ the sense of effectiveness, the affective balance and strengths of character. Study groups The sample consisted of an experimental group of patients (patients diagnosed with schizophrenia participating in PPP and other therapeutic and rehabilitation classes), a control group of patients (patients diagnosed with schizophrenia participating in all classes except PPP) and a control group of healthy people. There were 25 people in each group. Method The impact of PPP on subjective well‐being was measured before and after classes in both patient and control groups of healthy people using the following measures: Generalized Self‐Efficacy Scale, Positive and Negative Experience Scale and Strengths Questionnaire (IPIP‐VIA). Results The subjective well‐being was defined by (a) sense of effectiveness: the experimental group of patients achieved significantly higher level of agency compared with the state before the classes. (b) Affective balance: after the end of PPP classes, there was a sevenfold and 12‐fold increase in the number of positive emotions in both groups of patients. (c) Character strengths: After the end of therapeutic activities, the patient groups did not differ in terms of character strengths. Conclusions Positive psychotherapy of psychosis may increase the subjective well‐being of patients with chronic schizophrenia. It increases the sense of agency and the number of positive emotions experienced.