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The aim of the study was to elucidate the factors contributing to the severity and persistence of delusional conviction. One hundred participants with current delusions, recruited for a treatment trial of psychological therapy (PRP trial), were assessed at baseline on measures of reasoning, emotions, and dimensions of delusional experience. Reasoning biases (belief inflexibility, jumping to conclusions, and extreme responding) were found to be present in one half of the sample. The hypothesis was confirmed that reasoning biases would be related to delusional conviction. There was evidence that belief inflexibility mediated the relationship between jumping to conclusions and delusional conviction. Emotional states were not associated with the reasoning processes investigated. Anxiety, but not depression, made an independent contribution to delusional conviction.

Original publication

DOI

10.1037/0021-843X.114.3.373

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Abnorm Psychol

Publication Date

08/2005

Volume

114

Pages

373 - 384

Keywords

Adolescent, Adult, Anxiety, Awareness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cohort Studies, Delusions, Depression, Emotions, Family Therapy, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Probability Learning, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Psychotic Disorders, Schizophrenia, Schizophrenic Psychology, Sick Role, Statistics as Topic