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Evaluation of a non-diagnostic ‘Psychology of Emotions’ group intervention within a UK youth IAPT service: a mixed-methods approach

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2019

Lawrence Howells*
Affiliation:
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Alice Rose
Affiliation:
University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
Brioney Gee
Affiliation:
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
Tim Clarke
Affiliation:
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
Ben Carroll
Affiliation:
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Sam Harbrow
Affiliation:
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Clio Oliver
Affiliation:
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Jon Wilson
Affiliation:
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
*
*Corresponding author. Email: lawrence.howells@nsft.nhs.uk

Abstract

Background:

A novel CBT-based intervention, tailored for young people, was developed in response to concerns about traditional diagnostically based approaches. Psychology of Emotions workshops use a normative approach to emotional difficulty instead of a diagnostic framework.

Aims:

To evaluate the acceptability and efficacy of Psychology of Emotions workshops within an IAPT service for young people aged 16–25 years.

Method:

This was a mixed-methods study, evaluating routinely collected self-report measures of depression and anxiety, and qualitative feedback forms. The main outcomes were rates of attendance, change in symptom severity, and participant views of the intervention.

Results:

From January to September 2016, 595 young people were invited to attend the Psychology of Emotions workshops, of whom 350 (58.8%) attended at least one session. Young people who attended all six sessions (8.1%) experienced significant reductions in self-reported anxiety (d = .72) and depression (d = .58) and 35.5% were classified as recovered at completion. Those who attended at least two sessions (41.3%) reported smaller but significant improvements in anxiety (d = .42) and depression (d = .45); 22.0% were classified as recovered at the last session attended. Participants provided largely positive feedback about the intervention.

Conclusion:

Psychology of Emotions is a promising treatment option, delivered outside of a diagnostic framework, for young people with mild to moderate mental health difficulties seen within IAPT services. Better understanding reasons for non-attendance might enable the intervention to be made accessible to more young people.

Type
Main
Copyright
© British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2019 

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