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An experience sampling study of worry and rumination in psychosis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 August 2013

S. Hartley ,
G. Haddock ,
D. Vasconcelos e Sa ,
R. Emsley  and
C. Barrowclough
S. Hartley*
Affiliation:
Division of Clinical Psychology, University of Manchester, UK Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, UK
G. Haddock
Affiliation:
Division of Clinical Psychology, University of Manchester, UK Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust, UK
D. Vasconcelos e Sa
Affiliation:
Division of Clinical Psychology, University of Manchester, UK
R. Emsley
Affiliation:
Centre for Biostatistics, University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, UK
C. Barrowclough
Affiliation:
Division of Clinical Psychology, University of Manchester, UK Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust, UK
*
* Address for correspondence: S. Hartley, Ph.D., Division of Clinical Psychology, 2nd Floor, Zochonis Building, University of Manchester, Brunswick Street, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. (Email: samantha.hartley@manchester.ac.uk)
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Abstract

Background

Increasing research effort is being dedicated to investigating the links between emotional processes and psychosis, despite the traditional demarcation between the two. Particular focus has alighted upon two specific anxious and depressive processes, worry and rumination, given the potential for links with aspects of delusions and auditory hallucinations. This study rigorously explored the nature of these links in the context of the daily life of people currently experiencing psychosis.

Method

Experience sampling methodology (ESM) was used to assess the momentary links between worry and rumination on the one hand, and persecutory delusional ideation and auditory hallucinations on the other. Twenty-seven participants completed the 6-day experience sampling period, which required repeated self-reports on thought processes and experiences. Multilevel modelling was used to examine the links within the clustered data.

Results

We found that antecedent worry and rumination predicted delusional and hallucinatory experience, and the distress they elicited. Using interaction terms, we have shown that the links with momentary symptom severity were moderated by participants' trait beliefs about worry/rumination, such that they were reduced when negative beliefs about worry/rumination (meta-cognitions) were high.

Conclusions

The current findings offer an ecologically valid insight into the influence of worry and rumination on the experience of psychotic symptoms, and highlight possible avenues for future intervention strategies.

Keywords

Auditory hallucinationdelusionecological momentary assessmentexperience sampling methodologymeta-cognitionpsychosisruminationworry

Information

Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 44 , Issue 8 , June 2014 , pp. 1605 - 1614
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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