Journal article
Changes in positive and negative voice content in cognitive‐behavioural therapy for distressing voices
Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, Vol.95(3), pp.807-819
2022
Abstract
Objective
People who experience distressing voices frequently report negative (e.g. abusive or threatening) voice content and this is a key driver of distress. There has also been recognition that positive (e.g. reassuring, or guiding) voice content contributes to better outcomes. Despite this, voice content has been neglected as a standalone outcome in evaluations of psychological therapies for distressing voices. We aimed to examine whether a modular cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) intervention for voices led to changes in negative and positive voice content.
Design/Methods
In a naturalistic, uncontrolled pre- and post- service evaluation study, 32 clients at an outpatient psychology service for distressing voices received eight sessions of CBT for distressing voices and completed self-report measures of negative and positive voice content at pre-, mid- and post- therapy.
Results
There was no significant change in positive voice content. There was no significant change in negative voice content from pre- to post-therapy; however, there was a significant change in negative voice content between mid and post-treatment in which the cognitive therapy component was delivered. The CBT treatment was also associated with significant changes in routinely reported outcomes of voice-related distress and voice severity.
Conclusions
The cognitive component of CBT for distressing voices may be associated with changes in negative, but not positive, voice content. There may be benefit to enhancing these effects by developing treatments targeting specific processes involved in negative and positive voice content and further exploring efficacy in well-powered, controlled trials with more comprehensive measures of voice content.
Details
- Title
- Changes in positive and negative voice content in cognitive‐behavioural therapy for distressing voices
- Authors/Creators
- R.M. Brand (Author/Creator) - University of the Sunshine CoastJ.C. Badcock (Author/Creator) - The University of Western AustraliaG. Paulik (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
- Publication Details
- Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, Vol.95(3), pp.807-819
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Identifiers
- 991005544628307891
- Copyright
- © 2022 The Authors.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Allied Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.21 Psychiatry
- 1.21.24 Schizophrenia Research
- Web Of Science research areas
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Psychology, Clinical
- ESI research areas
- Psychiatry/Psychology