Beat Victimization! Psychomotor assertiveness training with elements of kickboxing for people with a psychotic disorder.

Contrary to what is generally thought, people with psychotic disorders are more
likely to be a victim of a crime, than an offender. Research has revealed
several factors to be associated with victimization in patients with psychotic
disorder. These factors are partly due to clinical symptoms. Impaired social
cognition, decreased insight and problems in aggression regulation may lead to
inadequate social behavior that increase the risk of victimization. In turn
victimization can increase self-stigma resulting in reduced self-esteem,
empowerment, and assertiveness, making patients more vulnerable for
victimization. In addition, the traumatic experience of the victimization could
induce strong physiological responses to external stimuli resulting in fear
regulation problems. Consequently, becoming a victim significantly enhances
risk for revictimization. The aim of this study is to investigate a new
intervention that addresses the risk factors that may help people emerge from
the vicious victimization cycle.

The proposed study aims to investigate the effects of a psychomotor
assertiveness training by means of a multicentre randomized controlled trial
(RCT). Effects will be examined at the behavioural level by means of
questionnaires and interviews, and at the cerebral level with an fMRI task.
Firstly, effects on risk factors of victimization (e.g. social cognition,
internal stigma, assertiveness) and fitness will be examined, since these are
direct targets of the intervention. Long term effects on victimization will
also be investigated, because the prevalence of incidents is low and we expect
effects of the intervention will only be visible after a longer period of time.

To test the effectiveness of the intervention an RCT with a pretest-posttest
and follow-up will be performed.

To adress specific risk factors of victimization, we developed a psychomotor
assertiveness training with elements of kickboxing. The intervention consists
of 20 weekly group-training sessions of 75 minutes. Each group includes 8
participants. The intervention consists of five modules. All sessions will be
given by a psychomotor trainer and and expert by experience.

We don't expect risks associated with participation. However, participants may
find the questionnaires exhausting and confronting to some extent. The training
might cause light muscle pain. Although exercises are built up carefully and
participants wear protection, it is still possible to get a bruise.