SHORT TERM DURABILITY OF A COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL INTERVENTION IN PSYCHOSIS: EFFECTS FROM A PILOT STUDY

Low self-esteem in psychosis is common and has been found to be significantly related to a number of clinical variables and to symptom severity. This report describes the follow-up evaluation of a simple time-limited cognitive behavioural intervention aimed to improve feelings of low self-worth in the treatment of psychotic symptoms. A previous small scale pilot project found encouraging results for the efficacy of the novel intervention following its delivery and at 3-month follow-up. This report examines the benefits of the technique at 12 months following delivery of the intervention. These preliminary results suggest that the intervention may promote improved levels of self-esteem, psychotic symptomatology and social functioning over the longer term. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.