Psychological impact of identifying character strengths in people with psychosis

This thesis investigates the psychological impact of identifying character strengths in individuals with psychosis. Specifically, it investigates the feasibility of using a positive psychology intervention involving completion of a questionnaire to identify character strengths (the Values in Action Survey of Character Strengths, VIA-IS; Peterson & Seligman, 2004) with individuals seen in an Early Intervention for Psychosis service. Part One is a literature review examining the efficacy of psychological interventions in enhancing self-esteem amongst individuals with psychosis. It identifies a small group of randomised controlled trials that have demonstrated the efficacy of cognitive behavioural interventions and cognitive remediation training and considers explanations of the mechanisms of these effects, as well as methodological issues in the evidence base. Part Two is an empirical paper using a pre-post intervention design to examine the feasibility of an intervention involving identification of character strengths using the VIA-IS amongst individuals with early psychosis. Post intervention improvements in positive affect and cognitive performance were observed, with qualitative feedback suggesting that the intervention led to mood enhancement and self-reflection. One week follow up analyses were underpowered, as the majority of the sample declined follow-up, and did not find significant results. Part Three is a critical appraisal, discussing the background context to the choice of research area and the process of study planning and data collection, in order to inform future research and clinical practice relating to the use of strengths-based interventions amongst individuals with psychosis