Positive and meaningful lives: Systematic review and meta-analysis of eudaimonic well-being in first-episode psychosis

Long-term Changes in Personal Recovery and Quality of Life Among Patients With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders and Different Durations of Illness: A Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS

In schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) personal recovery and subjective quality of life (S-QOL) are crucial and show conceptual overlap. There is limited knowledge about how these outcomes change over time. Therefore, we investigated changes in personal recovery or S-QOL for patients with SSD. We specifically focused on the influence of the patients' durations of illness (DOI) on changes in personal recovery and S-QOL.

STUDY DESIGN

We included 46 studies investigating longitudinal changes in quantitative assessments of personal recovery or S-QOL for patients with SSD. Outcomes were categorized in overall personal recovery, overall S-QOL connectedness, hope and optimism, identity, meaning in life, and empowerment. We evaluated effect sizes of change between baseline and follow-up assessments. We also evaluated potential moderating effects, including DOI on these changes in outcomes.

STUDY RESULTS

We found small improvements of overall personal recovery and S-QOL, but marginal or no improvement over time in the other more specific outcome domains. Patients without a schizophrenia diagnosis, a younger age, and more recent publications positively influenced these changes. We found no significant influence of DOI on the changes in any outcome domain.

CONCLUSIONS

Improvement in personal recovery or S-QOL of people with SSD is modest at best. However, these studies did not fully capture the personal narratives or nonlinear process of recovery of an individual. Future research should focus on how to shift from a clinical to more person-oriented approach in clinical practice to support patients in improving their personal process of recovery.

REVIEW PROTOCOL REGISTRATION

CRD42022377100.

Effects of Goal Management Training on self-efficacy, self-esteem, and quality of life for persons with schizophrenia spectrum disorders

Persons with schizophrenia often show executive dysfunction assessed with both subjective (self-report) and objective (neuropsychological tests) measures. In a recent randomized controlled trial (RCT), subjective executive functioning in everyday life was improved following Goal Management Training (GMT). The aim of the current study is to investigate the potential of GMT to improve secondary well-being outcomes from that RCT, including self-esteem, self-efficacy, and quality of life in persons with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Since well-being is frequently lower in persons with schizophrenia compared to healthy individuals, further knowledge about well-being as an outcome after cognitive remediation may have implications for clinical treatment. Sixty-five participants were randomly assigned to GMT (n = 31) or a waiting list control condition (n = 34). Assessments were conducted at baseline (T1), immediately after the intervention (T2-5 weeks), and at six-month follow-up (T3). Measures included the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Perceived Quality of Life Scale, and the General Self-Efficacy Scale. Results were analyzed using a linear mixed model analysis for repeated measures. There were no significant effects of GMT on self-esteem or quality of life. Only the GMT group showed a significant increase in self-efficacy that was most evident at six months follow-up, F(1, 34) = 10.71, p = 0.002, d = 0.71. Improved self-efficacy was found to correlate significantly with a reduction in perceived executive dysfunction in an exploratory post hoc analysis. Our findings demonstrate the potential of GMT in improving self-efficacy in schizophrenia Clinical trial registration:https://clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03048695.

Well-Being After Psychopathology: A Transformational Research Agenda

If one struggles with depression, anxiety, or suicidal impulses, what is the best outcome that one can hope for? Can psychopathology be a bridge to a better place where people operate with autonomy and self-mastery, enjoy healthy relationships, experience frequent positive emotions, and view life as meaningful and purposeful? Studies of national samples have revealed that a substantial number of people with depression, panic disorder, and suicidal impulses go on to achieve high levels of psychological well-being. We consider the practical and theoretical implications of these findings and call for a transformational mental-health agenda that focuses on good outcomes.

Digital Interventions for Psychological Well-Being in University Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Preprint)

Background

Life at university provides important opportunities for personal growth; however, this developmental phase also coincides with the peak period of risk for the onset of mental health disorders. In addition, specific university lifestyle factors, including impaired sleep and academic and financial stress, are known to exacerbate psychological distress in students. As a result, university students have been identified as a vulnerable population who often experience significant barriers to accessing psychological treatment. Digital psychological interventions are emerging as a promising solution for this population, but their effectiveness remains unclear.

Objective

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess digital interventions targeting psychological well-being among university students.

Methods

Database searches were conducted on December 2, 2021, via Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science.

Results

A total of 13 eligible studies were identified, 10 (77%) of which were included in the meta-analysis. Mean pre-post effect sizes indicated that such interventions led to small and significant improvement in psychological well-being (Hedges g=0.32, 95% CI 0.23-0.4; P<.001). These effects remained, albeit smaller, when studies that included a wait-list control group were excluded (Hedges g=0.22, 95% CI 0.08-0.35; P=.002). An analysis of acceptance and commitment therapy approaches revealed small and significant effects (k=6; Hedges g=0.35, 95% CI 0.25-0.45; P<.001).

Conclusions

Digital psychological interventions hold considerable promise for university students, although features that optimize service delivery and outcomes require further assessment.

Trial Registration

PROSPERO CRD42020196654; https:/www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=196654

Functioning and Happiness in People with Schizophrenia: Analyzing the Role of Cognitive Impairment

Schizophrenia is associated with marked functional impairment and low levels of subjective happiness. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the relationship between subjective happiness and functioning in patients with schizophrenia, while considering the role of cognitive functioning. Methods: In total, 69 schizophrenia patients and 87 matched healthy controls participated in the study. Patients’ clinical status was assessed, and a series of self-report questionnaires were administered to both patients and healthy controls to measure subjective happiness, satisfaction with life, well-being, functioning, and cognitive impairment. A multiple linear regression model identified significant predictors of subjective happiness and related constructs. Results: Schizophrenia participants endorsed lower levels of happiness and well-being, and higher perceived stress compared to healthy controls. In schizophrenia patients, there was an inverse and significant correlation (r = −0.435; p = 0.013) between subjective happiness and functioning in a subgroup of patients without cognitive impairment. This correlation was not significant (r = −0.175; p = 0.300) in the subgroup with cognitive impairment. When controlling for other clinical variables (by multiple lineal regression), the severity of symptoms and level of insight failed to demonstrate significant relationships with happiness; meanwhile, perceived stress and some specific cognitive dominions (as verbal learning and processing speed) were associated with satisfaction of life of the patients. Conclusions: The relationship between subjective happiness and functioning in schizophrenia patients was influenced by level of cognitive impairment. Findings from this study suggest that rehabilitation programs may improve recovery outcomes with a focus on subjective happiness and functioning, especially in patients with cognitive impairment. Future research is needed to better understand the complex interplay between subjective happiness, functioning, and cognitive impairment in patients with schizophrenia.

Executive dysfunction in schizophrenia: Predictors of the discrepancy between subjective and objective measures

This study aimed to investigate what characterizes individuals with schizophrenia who experience more or less subjective executive dysfunction in everyday life compared to objective executive performance on neuropsychological tests. Sixty-six participants with broad schizophrenia spectrum disorders completed a comprehensive assessment of executive function. Discrepancies between performance on neuropsychological tests (objective) and an extensive self-report questionnaire (subjective) of central executive functions (inhibition, shifting and working memory) were calculated. Higher level of self-efficacy was the best predictor of experiencing fewer subjective cognitive complaints compared to objective performance, followed by higher levels of disorganized symptoms. Depressive symptoms did not predict discrepancy between subjective and objective executive function. Higher estimated IQ predicted greater subjective working memory difficulties in everyday life despite better objective performance. Results may aid clinicians in the assessment and remediation of cognitive impairment. Low self-efficacy may identify individuals who are not able to utilize their potential executive functions in daily life. Interventions aimed at fostering self-efficacy ought to be included in cognitive remediation for these individuals. Disorganized symptoms could prove useful in identifying individuals who are in need of cognitive remediation for executive dysfunction, despite that they overestimate their skills. These individuals may benefit from efforts to increase insight into cognitive dysfunction.