Susanna Konsztowicz1, Casandra Roy Gelencser2, Catherine Otis3, Norbert Schmitz4, Martin Lepage5. 1. Department of Psychology, McGill University, 2001 McGill College Ave, Montréal, QC H3A 1G1, Canada. Electronic address: sue.konsztowicz@mail.mcgill.ca. 2. Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, 405 Rue Sainte-Catherine Est, Montréal, QC H2L 2C4, Canada. Electronic address: roy_gelencser.casandra@courrier.uqam.ca. 3. Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada. Electronic address: catherine.otis@douglas.mcgill.ca. 4. Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, 1033 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada. Electronic address: norbert.schmitz@mcgill.ca. 5. Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, 1033 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada. Electronic address: martin.lepage@mcgill.ca.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Illness engulfment, a process whereby one's self-concept becomes defined entirely by illness, is implicated in the association between insight and depressive symptomatology in schizophrenia. We examined the feasibility and acceptability of a brief intervention called Self-concept and Engagement in LiFe (SELF) that aims to reduce engulfment and enhance personal recovery. METHODS:Forty individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders were assigned to SELF intervention or waitlist-control (treatment-as-usual). Outcome measures included the Modified Engulfment Scale and measures of depressive symptomatology, self-esteem, recovery style, quality of life, and self-stigma. RESULTS: Retention at post-therapy was 90% (18/20 completed SELF; 18/20 remained on waitlist). Eleven waitlist participants then completed SELF (73% overall retention). Participants reported high satisfaction with the intervention, and participation was associated with reduced engulfment (ES = 0.48), more adaptive recovery style (ES = 0.37), improved self-esteem (ES = 0.35), and reduced self-stigma (ES = 0.25). The treatment group had lower engulfment (adjusted mean = 91.9) compared to waitlist (adjusted mean = 100.0) post-therapy, F (1,32) = 5.78, p = .02, partial η2 = 0.15. CONCLUSIONS: The SELF intervention is highly acceptable to participants and can reduce engulfment and improve secondary outcomes. Future research should examine the efficacy of SELF in a larger randomized controlled trial.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Illness engulfment, a process whereby one's self-concept becomes defined entirely by illness, is implicated in the association between insight and depressive symptomatology in schizophrenia. We examined the feasibility and acceptability of a brief intervention called Self-concept and Engagement in LiFe (SELF) that aims to reduce engulfment and enhance personal recovery. METHODS: Forty individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders were assigned to SELF intervention or waitlist-control (treatment-as-usual). Outcome measures included the Modified Engulfment Scale and measures of depressive symptomatology, self-esteem, recovery style, quality of life, and self-stigma. RESULTS: Retention at post-therapy was 90% (18/20 completed SELF; 18/20 remained on waitlist). Eleven waitlist participants then completed SELF (73% overall retention). Participants reported high satisfaction with the intervention, and participation was associated with reduced engulfment (ES = 0.48), more adaptive recovery style (ES = 0.37), improved self-esteem (ES = 0.35), and reduced self-stigma (ES = 0.25). The treatment group had lower engulfment (adjusted mean = 91.9) compared to waitlist (adjusted mean = 100.0) post-therapy, F (1,32) = 5.78, p = .02, partial η2 = 0.15. CONCLUSIONS: The SELF intervention is highly acceptable to participants and can reduce engulfment and improve secondary outcomes. Future research should examine the efficacy of SELF in a larger randomized controlled trial.