Oliver, J. E., McLachlan, K., Jose, P. E. & Peters, E. (2011). Predicting changes in delusional ideation: The role of mindfulness and negative schemas. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice. doi: 10.1111/j.2044-8341.2011.02025.x
Objectives. Understanding factors that contribute to delusional ideation has important clinical implications. This study looked at the impact of mindfulness and negative schemas on changes in delusional ideation over time.
Design. A sample of University students was selected to investigate processes related to delusional ideation in a non-clinical sample.
Method. A web-based survey was completed by 700 University students, 204 of whom completed a second identical survey after 6 months, to comprise the longitudinal sample.
Results. Results from the study demonstrated that negative schemas and mindfulness were related to changes in delusional ideation over time and support was found for a mediated model, whereby mindfulness mediated the impact of schemas on the outcome.
Conclusions. The findings point to the importance of mindfulness as an intervention for preventing non-clinical delusional ideation transitioning into clinical delusions.