The influence of depressive symptoms on the effectiveness of a short-term group form of Schema Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for personality disorders: a naturalistic study

Abstract

Background This naturalistic study examined the outcomes of Short-Term Schema Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in groups with personality disorders, and with high and low severity of depressive symptoms. Methods Assessments were made at baseline, at mid-treatment (week 10), at treatment termination (week 20) and at three-month follow-up (week 32) of 225 patients with personality disorders and high severity of depressive symptoms (PD-Hi) and patients with low severity of depressive symptoms (PD-Lo). The assessments focused on symptom (Symptom Checklist-90) and schema severity (Young Schema Questionnaire) and coping styles (Utrecht Coping List). We also measured the rate of symptom remission. The data obtained were subjected to multilevel analysis. Results Psychiatric symptoms and maladaptive schemas improved in both patient groups. Effect sizes were moderate, and even small for the coping styles. Symptom remission was achieved in the minority of the total sample. Remission in psychiatric symptomatology was seen in more PD-Lo patients at treatment termination. However, the difference in levels of remission between the two patient groups was no longer apparent at follow-up. Conclusion A short-term form of schema therapy in groups proved to be an effective approach for a broad group of patients with personality disorders. However, the majority of patients did not achieve symptom remission. Trial registration Not applicable.

A Systematic Review of Scientific Studies on the Effects of Music in People with Personality Disorders

“…Given this finding, it is notable that none of the included studies sought to determine whether personality traits, other psychological features, or biomarkers can predict an individual’s response to MT. As specific symptoms, such as intensive depressive symptoms, have been found to influence the treatment outcomes for other PD treatments, for example, schema cognitive behavioural therapy [ 54 ], it is plausible that such symptoms could impact the effectiveness of MT for PDs.…”

Exploring the effect of group schema therapy and comorbidity on the treatment course of personality disorders

“…Comparable naturalistic studies [18–20] have shown better results than the Koppers study [17]. They found medium to large effect sizes for global psychological symptom distress and ‘early maladaptive schemas’ after SCBT-g for PD.…”

“…A naturalistic outcome study by Koppers et al [17] revealed moderate effect sizes for global psychological symptom distress and early maladaptive schemas after SCBT-g for personality disorders. The minority (26%) of all patients achieved symptom remission.…”

“…During the last decade, the following eight studies have been conducted of the effectiveness of shortterm schema therapy in groups with personality disorders: one randomized controlled trial (RCT) [14], two pilot RCTs [15,16], three naturalistic cohort studies [17][18][19] and two pilot studies [20,21].…”

“…Nonetheless, we found two recent naturalistic studies [17,31] that have addressed short-term schema therapy in groups of patients with comorbid personality disorders and psychological diseases.…”