Jens Einar Jansen1,2, John Gleeson3, Sarah Bendall4,5, Miguel Alcazar-Corcoles6, Simon Rice4,5, Erik Simonsen2,7, Patrick McGorry4,5, Mario Alvarez-Jimenez4,5; 1Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Capital Region, Copenhagen, Denmark, 2Psychiatric Research Unit, Psychiatry Region Zealand, Slagelse, Denmark, 3School of Psychology, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia, 4Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Australia, 5Orygen: the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia, 6Department of Biological and Health Psychology, School of Psychology, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Spain, 7Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Background: Recent years have seen a renewed optimism regarding recovery in persons with psychosis. However, it has been argued that interventions aimed at reducing symptoms and dysfunction not necessarily leads to improvements in resilience, well-being and more subjective forms of recovery, which may be associated with more complete and enduring recovery. Objective: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of specific positive psychology interventions for people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Methods: A systematic literature search according to the PRISMA guidelines using relevant databases and manual searches. The outcome measures used were positive emotions, compassion, mindfulness and subjective well-being. Interventions included individual therapy, group training and group therapy. Results: Twelve studies, comprising 411 persons with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder met inclusion criteria. For controlled studies, overall between- group Hedge’s g was 0.67 (p < .001, 95% CI = 0.33 – 1.02). For uncontrolled studies there was an overall pre-post Hedge’s g of .44 (p < .001, 95% CI = 0.19 – 0.69). Heterogeneity was low to moderate, but there were important variations in terms of methodological quality. Conclusion: The positive psychology interventions showed promise in increasing positive emotions, positive behaviors, or positive cognitions for persons with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. However, notable methodological limitations and heterogeneity needs to be taken into consideration when interpreting the findings, and more controlled studies are needed. This warrants further research into the mechanisms by which these interventions can promote recovery beyond symptom reduction and thus expand on existing evidence-based interventions.
