A preliminary study of spiritual self‐schema (3‐S⁺) therapy for reducing impulsivity in HIV‐positive drug users

Abstract

The purpose of this study was twofold. First, pretreatment correlations are presented among impulsivity, intoxicant use, HIV risk behavior, spirituality, and motivation in a sample of 38 HIV-positive drug users. Second, treatment outcomes are presented from a preliminary study of spiritual self-schema (3-S(+)) therapy - a manual-guided psychotherapy integrating cognitive and Buddhist psychologies - for increasing motivation for abstinence, HIV prevention, and medication adherence. Impulsivity was negatively correlated with spiritual practices and motivation for recovery, and was positively related to intoxicant use and HIV risk behavior. Relative to a standard care comparison condition, patients completing 3-S(+) therapy reported greater decreases in impulsivity and intoxicant use, and greater increases in spiritual practices and motivation for abstinence, HIV prevention, and medication adherence.

Religion: Psychiatric Aspects

“…These treatments have been applied to several patient populations, with promising results (Propst et al, 1992;Rosmarin et al, 2010;Harris et al, 2011;Hardman et al, 2003;Margolin et al, 2007, Richards et al, 2006. Even though much of the work on spiritually integrated treatments has grown out of a cognitive-behavioral orientation, practitioners from other therapeutic orientations have also begun to integrate greater spiritual sensitivity into their treatments.…”

Buddhist Mindfulness as an Influence in Recent Empirical CBT Approaches to Addiction: Convergence with the Alcoholics Anonymous Model

“…This new schema embodies nonjudgmental reflection, a sense of interconnectedness, inner calm consistent with abstinence, and culminates in the healing of self as well as others (Avants & Margolin, 2004). At the end of treatment clients are referred to a three-tier support system Margolin et al, 2007) in accordance with the Buddhist tradition of ''seeking refuge in the triple gem'' to continue their spiritual development consisting of (1) a spiritual advisor or religious figure of their choosing, (2) lessons in the form of readings, scriptures, and so on, and (3) a fellowship or community of like-minded individuals committed to abstinence and a spiritual code of conduct.…”

Ethics, Values, Virtues, and Character Strengths in Mindfulness-Based Interventions: a Psychological Science Perspective

“…Participants are encouraged to view their behavior Bwith compassion, without judgment, and with the goal of targeting and eliminating the addict self-schema, rather than targeting and punishing themselves^(p. 272). Several studies of this treatment have reported reductions in HIV-risk behavior and increases in qualities such as generosity, morality, renunciation, and wisdom (Margolin et al 2006;Margolin et al 2007).…”