Feasibility and Effects of a Brief Compassion‐Focused Imagery Intervention in Psychotic Patients with Paranoid Ideation: A Randomized Experimental Pilot Study

Ascone, Leonie; Sundag, Johanna; Schlier, Björn; Lincoln, Tania M.

doi:10.1002/cpp.2003

Cited by 46 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Even though self‐compassion is primarily conceptualized as a resilience factor, interventions specifically targeting the counterpart vulnerabilities overidentification and isolation may be useful (Montero‐Marin et al ., ). Previous experimental studies found a significant immediate effect of a brief compassion‐focused imagery intervention on paranoia frequency in a subclinical sample (Lincoln, Hohenhaus, & Hartmann, ), but not in an acute patient sample, in spite of significant effects on self‐compassion and positive emotions (Ascone, Sundag, Schlier, & Lincoln, ). However, increased compassion following compassion‐focused group therapy reduced symptoms of depression and social marginalization in a clinical sample (Braehler et al ., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

The link between self‐compassion and psychotic‐like experiences: A matter of distress?

et al. 2018

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

The link between self‐compassion and psychotic‐like experiences: A matter of distress?

et al. 2018

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“…For patients with high levels of attachment anxiety, an approach that promotes effective self‐regulation (see Wallin, ) may be worthwhile. To target ER, we suggest (1) to identify the prevalent attachment‐specific dysfunctional ER pattern and (2) to select according interventions suited to reduce it, for example via worry interventions (for psychosis; see Foster, Startup, Potts, & Freeman, ), mindfulness (Khoury, Lecomte, Gaudiano, & Paquin, ), or compassion‐focused interventions (Ascone, Sundag, Schlier, & Lincoln, ; Braehler et al ., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pathways from insecure attachment dimensions to paranoia: The mediating role of hyperactivating emotion regulation versus blaming others

et al. 2019

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Objectives There is evidence of associations between insecure attachment and paranoia, but we do not yet fully understand the mediating mechanisms. Attachment theory emphasizes differential relatedness of insecure attachment dimensions (i.e., anxiety vs. avoidance) with specific emotion regulation styles (ER). We tested whether the associations between attachment anxiety versus avoidance and paranoia were mediated specifically by hyperactivating (i.e., the use of emotion‐amplifying strategies: self‐blame, rumination, catastrophization) versus blaming others ER, respectively. In addition, we explored whether self‐blame versus blaming others ER differentially mediated the associations between attachment anxiety versus avoidance and paranoia. Method We included 60 patients with psychosis and 40 healthy controls (HCs) with whom we conducted standardized diagnostic interviews. We assessed paranoia, attachment, and ER via questionnaires. A structural equation mediation model including attachment anxiety and avoidance (predictor), the ER styles (mediators), and paranoia (outcome) was calculated. Results Compared with HCs, patients exhibited significantly more attachment anxiety and avoidance, and used more hyperactivating ER as well as strategies of blaming others. We found a significant indirect effect between attachment anxiety and paranoia via hyperactivating ER in patients with psychosis. However, no significant indirect effects involving blaming others or self‐blame in any of the groups were found. Conclusions Our study provides a starting point for further investigation of how paranoid delusions in psychosis could emerge from insecure attachment via ER. This might inspire further research into attachment theories of ER in paranoia. In the long term, this could provide a basis to develop interpersonally oriented interventions for this target group. Practitioner points In individuals with psychosis, there appears to be an attachment‐specific emotion regulation (ER) pathway from attachment anxiety via hyperactivating ER to paranoia. Blaming others did not explain the significant association between attachment avoidance and paranoia. Attachment‐specific therapeutic approaches to paranoia, that focus on hyperactivating ER, could be a valid way to ameliorate paranoid delusions.

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“…Although CFI is not offered as a standalone technique in clinical settings, studying it in isolation enables us to identify whether it alone produces positive experiences or requires groundwork (and if so, what inhibitors the groundwork should target). One-session CFI significantly improved negative affect, self-esteem, and self-reassurance in participants with clinical and subclinical psychosis (Ascone, Sundag, Schlier, & Lincoln, 2017;Lincoln, Hohenhaus, & Hartmann, 2013), suggesting potential promise in clinical populations. However, quantitative group analyses can mask individual variance in treatment response.…”

Section: Facilitators and Inhibitors Of Compassionmentioning

confidence: 91%

A thematic analysis of compassion‐focused imagery for people with personality disorder: Inhibitors, facilitators and clinical recommendations

Kerr

Mwale

Feigenbaum

2019

Clinical Psychologist

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Background: Compassion-focused therapy (CFT) is increasingly being offered for a range of conditions, including personality disorders (PDs). A key process in CFT is to identify inhibitors to developing compassion and helping clients to overcome these. This study explores inhibitors and facilitators for clients with PD trialling compassion-focused imagery (CFI) over 1 week. Methods: Fifty-three participants with a diagnosis of at least one PD engaged in CFI for the first time, before and after a negative mood-manipulation. Semi-structured group interviews and written open-response questions were used to collect data on experiences of CFI, immediately following CFI and after 1 week of daily practice.Participants were invited to practice CFI daily for 1 week then complete further open-response questions online. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: CFI generated both positive and negative experiences for clients. Six superordinate themes were identified regarding inhibitors of CFI: weak imagery ability, fear of compassion (with multiple subthemes), lack of compassionate experiences, and psychological symptoms. Most inhibitors remained following 1 week of practice. Several facilitators of CFI were identified. Conclusions: Clients with PD diagnoses face numerous inhibitors to CFI that occur transdiagnostically. Others may be more specific to this population, such as fear of compassion focused on a dangerous "other." Some inhibitors are not overcome with practice alone, including weak imagery. Failure to assess for and address inhibitors prior to introducing CFI in this population risks causing harm to clients.

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Feasibility and Effects of a Brief Compassion‐Focused Imagery Intervention in Psychotic Patients with Paranoid Ideation: A Randomized Experimental Pilot Study

Cited by 46 publications

References 33 publications

The link between self‐compassion and psychotic‐like experiences: A matter of distress?

The link between self‐compassion and psychotic‐like experiences: A matter of distress?

Pathways from insecure attachment dimensions to paranoia: The mediating role of hyperactivating emotion regulation versus blaming others

A thematic analysis of compassion‐focused imagery for people with personality disorder: Inhibitors, facilitators and clinical recommendations

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