Investigating Behaviour in Psychosis: The Implementation of a Parenting Intervention
Poster B133, Friday, October 21, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Le Baron
Lauren Stockton1, Rachel Calam1, Lynsey Gregg1, Richard Drake1,2; 1Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, 2Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Mental Health, The University of Manchester
Purpose: One quarter of those experiencing psychosis have dependent children. The functional decline and lack of cognitive insight experienced in psychosis, can cause misinterpretations of daily experiences (attributional errors); leading to faulty emotional and cognitive responses (expressed emotion; EE). This can result in damaging levels of child-blaming and guilt. An inadequate family environment can increase psychopathology in offspring in later life. As a large percentage of these parents lose custody of their child, intervening is a public health concern. Methods: The on-going study consists of two phases. The first explores EE and attributions using the Camberwell Family Interview (N=60). The second implements a 10-week guided self-help parenting intervention (N=15) with parents experiencing psychosis. A multiple baseline case series design is employed, and weekly at home sessions occur for three months. Ongoing data collection commenced December 2015 and is expected to be completed February 2017. Self-report measures examined facets of parenting, depression, anxiety, stress, hallucinations and delusions. Results: Preliminary data from phase one will be outlined. Findings from phase two case series (N=7) will be individually inspected and intervention acceptability will be presented. Conclusion: The case series design ensures changes to well-being, functioning and perceived parental role can be individually analysed during baseline, intervention and follow-up. Parenting interventions that support and promote positive practices can encourage strategy development for problem behaviours, stress management, goal setting and build self-esteem. Additional understanding of the home environment will help identify areas of behaviour change, adding to a limited evidence base.
Topic Area: Psychosocial Interventions