Self-affirmation and nonclinical paranoia

Abstract

Background and ObjectivesThis experiment examined whether reflecting on a core value—value-affirmation—was effective in attenuating state paranoia in students. MethodsUniversity students (N = 55) were randomised to either a value-affirmation or non-affirmation control condition before exposure to a paranoia-induction manipulation (high self-awareness plus failure feedback). Paranoid cognitions were measured before (T1) and after (T2) the value-affirmation task and after the paranoia-induction task (T3). Depressive cognitions were also measured at T3. ResultsAffirming a valued domain had a direct and significant effect on reducing state paranoia prior to the paranoia-induction task (T2), such that the overall impact of the paranoia-induction on state paranoia was not significantly different from baseline. This effect was not attributable to differential changes in depression across groups. LimitationsUse of a nonclinical sample limits generalisation to clinical groups. Repeat testing of key variables is a limitation, although this was necessary to assess change over time, and use of randomisation increased the internal validity of the study. ConclusionsThese findings suggest that self-affirmation is effective in reducing state paranoia in a nonclinical sample.