Character Strength-Focused Positive Psychotherapy on Acute Psychiatric Wards: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study

Kouvaras, Stef; Guiotto, Martina; Schrank, Beate; Slade, Mike; Riches, Simon

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: A manualized single-session positive psychotherapy intervention was developed and tested on acute psychiatric wards. METHODS: Participants were invited in 2018-2019 to identify positive experiences, link them to a personal character strength, and plan a strengths-based activity. The intervention's feasibility was evaluated through fidelity to session components, character strengths identification, and activity completion. Acceptability was evaluated with self-reported pre- and postsession mood ratings, a postsession helpfulness rating, and narrative feedback. RESULTS: Participants (N=70) had complex and severe mental health conditions. In 18 group sessions, 89% of components were delivered with fidelity; 80% of the participants identified a character strength, of whom 71% identified a strengths-based activity, and 58% completed the activity. The mean±SD helpfulness rating (N=23) was 8.5±1.5 (on a 10-point Likert scale), and positive mood significantly increased postsession (5.9 presession vs. 7.2 postsession). CONCLUSIONS: Positive psychotherapy is feasible in challenging inpatient settings, and service users with severe and complex mental health conditions find it helpful.

Citation

Kouvaras, S., Guiotto, M., Schrank, B., Slade, M., & Riches, S. (2022). Character Strength-Focused Positive Psychotherapy on Acute Psychiatric Wards: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study. Psychiatric Services, 73(9), 1051-1055. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202100316

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 7, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Apr 5, 2022
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2022
• Deposit Date: Jan 10, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 6, 2023
• Journal: Psychiatric Services
• Print ISSN: 1075-2730
• Electronic ISSN: 1557-9700
• Publisher: Psychiatry Online
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 73
• Issue: 9
• Pages: 1051-1055
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202100316
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/7220248
• Publisher URL: https://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ps.202100316