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A randomised comparison of values and goals, versus goals only and control, for high nonclinical paranoia

APA Citation

Davies, M., Ellett, L., & Kingston, J. (2021). A randomised comparison of values and goals, versus goals only and control, for high nonclinical paranoia. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 45, 1213-1221. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-021-10226-4

Publication Topic
ACT: Empirical
Publication Type
RCT
Language
English
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.