To examine whether mild and subtle induced anxiety or anger increase the extent of the aggressive attitude in stabilized psychotic patients. *Aggression* is operationalised as completing word-stems, a thought experiment, and by a computer game which…
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
Synonym
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
The main study parameters are the scores on the aggression tasks after the
mood-induction as well as the scores on the self-report questionnaires.
Secondary outcome
Not applicable
Background summary
Although the relationship between aggressive behavior and severe mental illness
has been studied extensively, few studies have focused on intra-individual
mechanisms that might explain the nature of this aggressive behavior in
psychotic patients. It can be hypothesized that the psychotic symptoms as well
as the experienced emotions such as anxiety and anger might lead to this
aggressive behavior. If anxiety is an important factor, pharmacological as well
as psychological treatment might put a stronger focus on this aspect. In this
study, a model is hypothesized in which psychotic symptoms, anxiety, and anger
play a significant role in explaining aggression in this population.
Study objective
To examine whether mild and subtle induced anxiety or anger increase the extent
of the aggressive attitude in stabilized psychotic patients. *Aggression* is
operationalised as completing word-stems, a thought experiment, and by a
computer game which might induce mild frustration.
Study design
In this experimental, multi-centre research study with a between subjects
design, participants will first undergo an interview to investigate the
psychotic symptoms. Then they will be randomly subjected to the mild
mood-induction (conditions anxiety, anger, neutral) and afterwards they will
complete a word-stem completion task, the point subtraction aggression task and
the ultimatum game. Finally they will fill out several questionnaires
concerning psychotic symptoms, emotions and behaviour. During the tasks heart
rate and skin conductance will be measured. In addition, nurses will fill out a
short observational scale for aggressive behaviour. After the session follow-up
care will be given to the patients.
Intervention
Mood-induction
Study burden and risks
This study contains no invasive measures. Mood-induction will be done carefully
and vignettes will be adapted for this patient group. Aggression tasks will be
implicit or presented as a computer game so that participants will not
interpret it as an aggression tasks. Other research has shown that these
aggression tasks can be used in a psychotic population without any problems.
Burgemeester Oudlaan 50
3062 PA Rotterdam
NL
Burgemeester Oudlaan 50
3062 PA Rotterdam
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
- Men and women between 18-50 years, referred to one of the above mentioned psychiatric hospitals (i.e. DPC, DGR).
- Stabilized inpatients and outpatients diagnosed with a psychotic disorder in the schizophrenia-spectrum (e.g. schizophrenia, delusion disorder, psychosis NOS)
- Patients who are able to speak, read and understand the Dutch language
- Patients willing to participate in the current research project, signed informed consent
Exclusion criteria
- Secluded patients/acute wards
- Patients who are considered by their treating psychiatrist to be at high risk for decompensation, worsening in symptoms and/or severe aggressive behavior.
- Patients with a cognitive and/or mental impairment of handicap that makes self-reports and/or interviews impossible
- Instable somatic illness that makes participation impossible
- Suicidality
- Severe influenced behaviour and/or affect by substance abuse (e.g. drugs, alcohol)
Design
Recruitment
Medical products/devices used
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
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Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL31776.097.10 |