The application of psychotherapies in schizophrenia is becoming increasingly common. Although studies showing the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in patients with schizophrenia based on the psychological flexibility model are increased, there is insufficient information on the mechanisms of action. Our study aims to evaluate the validity of psychological flexibility and the relationship between clinical features in patients with schizophrenia.
The study included participants between 18-65 years old, consisted of 110 patients who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and 110 healthy individuals. Participants in both groups filled Sociodemographic Data Form, Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire(CFQ), Valued Living Questionnaire(VLQ), Self-as-Context Scale(SACS), Freibırg Mindfulness Inventory(FMI) and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire(AAQ-II), in addition, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANNS) was applied to schizophrenia group by clinicians.
The patient and control groups were matched in terms of age, gender, and educational level;. The points in the schizophrenia group AAQ-II and CFQ were higher; and the points of SACS, FMI and VLQ were found lower. Furthermore, the PANNS positive subscale points, SACS, AAQ-II points on the schizophrenia group; PANNS negative subscale points with SACS, VLQ, FMI, AAQ-II points were found associated with each other. PANSS general psychopathology was associated with subscale scores of CCQ, VLQ, FMI and AAQ-II points, PANSS total scores were also associated with SACS, VLQ, FMI, AAQ-II.
In this study, it was found that schizophrenia patients were more inflexible than healthy individuals. Our results also imply that psychological flexibility components are related to clinical features of patients. The contribution of the psychological flexibility model to the treatment of schizophrenia patients should be investigated with advanced clinical studies.
Key words: Schizophrenia, psychological flexibility, acceptance and commitment therapy
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