Assessing the effectiveness and feasibility of a short-term recovery focused psychosocial group therapy intervention (PETA) for severe mental illness: a pilot study

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility and potential efficacy of an 8-week psychosocial intervention implemented in a group setting. The intervention was developed from the psychological egg treatment approach (PETA) (te Braak, 2008) for general maladjustment. It is a recovery, psychoeducational, and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) approach based on the stress-vulnerability model of mental illness. Method: The PETA study was a qualitative and quantitative mixed trial design. Potential participants with severe mental illness (SMI) were recruited to participate in eight face-to-face therapy group sessions in a rural setting in New South Wales, Australia. Outcomes were participants’ self-reported symptom weekly measures using the Outcome Rating Scale (ORS); and the Group Session Rating Scale (GSRS). The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 (DASS21), Kessler 10 (K10) and Recovery Assessment Scale Modified (RAS Modified) were completed pre- and post-intervention. A clinician rated measure the Social, Occupational and Functional Assessment Scale (SOFAS) was completed weekly; and Symptom Measure of Health Outcome (HONOS) was also obtained pre- and post-intervention. These quantitative measures were supplemented by a qualitative analysis of the group evaluation forms and therapist’s reflections completed post-intervention. Results: Three participants were recruited out of a projected sample size of 12 - 25. Two participants completed the 8-week intervention and all pre- and post- measures. Feasibility rates included the following: 66% retention rate, 100% data collection rate, 100% attendance rate. Qualitative data demonstrated participants benefited from the intervention. Trends in improvement in some of the symptom measures and all of the satisfaction measures (Recovery) were obtained (SOFAS, HONOS, RAS Modified, ORS and GSRS). The small sample size was a limitation of the study. The rural location and requirement to participate online due to pandemic restrictions may have contributed to the small number of participants compared to the initial 144 enquiries received about the study. Conclusion and recommendations for future research: The participants were satisfied with the intervention and the results were positive. There were significant difficulties with recruitment of a satisfactory participant sample size for the research, which may or may not have been directly related to the impacts of COVID-19. The results indicated that the participants found the 8-week PETA group intervention satisfying (ORS, GSRS) and that homework was feasible and acceptable. Further research with a larger sample size is recommended. Possible future research could include conducting a randomised controlled trial (RCT). This would allow for comparison of the PETA program to treatment as usual to determine if PETA is effective at improving targeted intrapersonal domains. Provision of online delivery of PETA programs through local health services and other referral sources, and recruitment of participants from around Australia are recommended.

Date of Award	2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Western Sydney University
Supervisor	Tania Perich (Supervisor) & Janet Conti (Supervisor)