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A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of a Pilot Psychosocial Intervention Group for Older People with Schizophrenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2013

Katherine Berry ,
Nitin Purandare ,
Richard Drake ,
Richard Elmsley ,
Lisa Jones  and
Christine Barrowclough
Katherine Berry*
Affiliation:
University of Manchester and Manchester Health and Social Care Trust, UK
Nitin Purandare
Affiliation:
University of Manchester and Manchester Health and Social Care Trust, UK
Richard Drake
Affiliation:
University of Manchester and Manchester Health and Social Care Trust, UK
Richard Elmsley
Affiliation:
University of Manchester and Manchester Health and Social Care Trust, UK
Lisa Jones
Affiliation:
University of Manchester and Manchester Health and Social Care Trust, UK
Christine Barrowclough
Affiliation:
University of Manchester and Manchester Health and Social Care Trust, UK
*
Reprint requests to Katherine Berry, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, 2nd Floor Zocohnis Building, Brunswick Street, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. E-mail: katherine.berry@manchester.ac.uk
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Abstract

Background: There is a strong evidence base for psychological treatments in younger adults with schizophrenia, but limited work has been done on adapting these interventions for older people. Aims: We describe a study of a pilot psychosocial intervention group specifically designed to meet the needs of older people with schizophrenia in NHS settings. Method: We used a mixed-methods approach to evaluate the group. We assessed feasibility and acceptability by monitoring uptake and retention in the study. We used a within groups design comparing participants on a range of potentially relevant outcomes at baseline and posttreatment. Treatment acceptability was also assessed by semi-structured interviews conducted at the end of treatment. Results: We recruited 11 participants to the study and 7 of these completed the majority of the group sessions. At a group level participants made improvements in self-esteem and negative symptoms that were statistically significant even in this small sample. Feedback interviews suggested that participants valued the social contact provided by the group and made actual changes in their day-to-day lives as a result of attending. Conclusion: The intervention could offer help with some of the secondary disability associated with the diagnosis of schizophrenia and is acceptable to older adults. Further evaluation is, however, warranted.

Keywords

Old ageolder adultschizophreniapsychosisCBTpsychosocial intervention
Type
Research Article
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 42 , Issue 2 , March 2014 , pp. 199 - 210
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2013 

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