The role of safety-seeking behaviours in maintaining threat appraisals in psychosis

Abstract

Aim: This study investigated the interaction between appraisals and safety behaviours in the maintenance of psychotic symptoms.

Method: The study recruited a population who had persistent psychotic experiences but who had no 'need-for-care' (Persistence group; n = 39) as well as a population who had a diagnosed psychotic disorder and were receiving current treatment (Impairment group; n = 28). The participants were assessed on semi-structured interviews of appraisals and safety behaviours and on anxiety and depression questionnaires.

Results: The two groups did not differ in total or first rank psychotic experiences, but the Persistence group showed less anomaly-related distress, depression and anxiety than the Impairment group. As predicted, the Impairment group displayed more threat appraisals and safety behaviours than the Persistence group, with a greater frequency of safety behaviours being related to higher levels of threat appraisals and anomaly-related distress. Threat appraisals mediated the relationship between safety behaviours and anomaly-related distress, suggesting that threat appraisals may maintain distress, a defining feature of Impairment status.

Conclusions: These data provide support for the cognitive model of psychosis in suggesting that cognitive and behavioural factors are key in differentiating non-clinical anomalous experiences from clinical psychotic status. These data suggest that therapy should target threat appraisals and safety-seeking behaviours in order to decrease distress.