Michael Moutoussis1, Wael El-Deredy2, Richard P Bentall3. 1. University of Manchester, andInstitute of Neurology,University College London,UK. 2. University of Manchester,UK. 3. University of Liverpool,UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is controversy as to whether psychological defensive avoidance is associated with paranoia. AIMS: To elucidate whether "Poor-me" paranoid patients, who believe that the persecution they perceive is undeserved, show more prominent avoidance of negative thoughts about themselves than healthy and clinical controls. METHOD: The act of avoidance of aversive mental contents was assessed in 27 healthy controls and 48 patients with poor-me, bad-me (perceived to be deserved) or no paranoia. Defensive avoidance was assessed via established questionnaires, a novel task based on self-discrepancy theory and research-clinician ratings. RESULTS: Participants in all groups showed substantial levels of verbal defensive avoidance. Paranoia was associated with reduced self-reported tolerance of negative mental contents (high Experiential Avoidance, EA). Contrary to our hypotheses, poor-me and bad-me patients showed similar EA. All participant groups showed similar levels of verbal defensive avoidance. CONCLUSION: The findings do not support an association of psychological avoidance with paranoia.
BACKGROUND: There is controversy as to whether psychological defensive avoidance is associated with paranoia. AIMS: To elucidate whether "Poor-me" paranoid patients, who believe that the persecution they perceive is undeserved, show more prominent avoidance of negative thoughts about themselves than healthy and clinical controls. METHOD: The act of avoidance of aversive mental contents was assessed in 27 healthy controls and 48 patients with poor-me, bad-me (perceived to be deserved) or no paranoia. Defensive avoidance was assessed via established questionnaires, a novel task based on self-discrepancy theory and research-clinician ratings. RESULTS:Participants in all groups showed substantial levels of verbal defensive avoidance. Paranoia was associated with reduced self-reported tolerance of negative mental contents (high Experiential Avoidance, EA). Contrary to our hypotheses, poor-me and bad-me patients showed similar EA. All participant groups showed similar levels of verbal defensive avoidance. CONCLUSION: The findings do not support an association of psychological avoidance with paranoia.
Authors: Michael Moutoussis; Nelson J Trujillo-Barreto; Wael El-Deredy; Raymond J Dolan; Karl J Friston Journal: Front Hum Neurosci Date: 2014-03-25 Impact factor: 3.169
Authors: Michael Moutoussis; Robb B Rutledge; Gita Prabhu; Louise Hrynkiewicz; Jordan Lam; Olga-Therese Ousdal; Marc Guitart-Masip; Peter Fonagy; Raymond J Dolan Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-08-02 Impact factor: 3.240