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Published in: Cognitive Therapy and Research 6/2021

01-12-2021 | Delusional Disorder | Original Article

A Randomised Comparison of Values and Goals, Versus Goals Only and Control, for High Nonclinical Paranoia

Authors: M. Davies, L. Ellett, J. Kingston

Published in: Cognitive Therapy and Research | Issue 6/2021

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Abstract

Background

Paranoia is common in the general population. Focusing on values and enhancing value-based acts may attenuate it. This study compared three brief (30-min, self-directed) online conditions: focusing on values and value-based goal setting (n = 30), goal setting only (n = 32) and non-values/goals control (n = 32) in a high paranoia sample.

Methods

Participants were randomly assigned to condition. State paranoia (primary outcome) and positive and negative self-views following a difficult interpersonal experience (secondary outcome) were assessed at baseline and two-weeks.

Results

Intention-to-treat: state paranoia was significantly lower following the values condition as compared to non-values/goals control (ηp2 = .148) and goals only (ηp2 = .072). Only the former comparison was significant. Per-protocol: groups did not significantly differ (p = .077). Within-group effect sizes: values and value-based goal setting (intention-to-treat d = .82, per-protocol d = .78), goals only (intention-to-treat d = .41, per-protocol d = .42) non-values/goals control (intention-to-treat d = .25, per-protocol d = .24). Positive self-views increased in all conditions. The increase was largest for the values condition, but not significantly so.

Limitations

Reliance on self-report, brief follow-up, predominantly White female sample.

Conclusions

The values condition was most effective at reducing non-clinical paranoia. The values condition appeared to increase positive self-views more so than comparison groups, but the sample was small and the difference was non-significant.
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Metadata
Title
A Randomised Comparison of Values and Goals, Versus Goals Only and Control, for High Nonclinical Paranoia
Authors
M. Davies
L. Ellett
J. Kingston
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Cognitive Therapy and Research / Issue 6/2021
Print ISSN: 0147-5916
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2819
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-021-10226-4

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