BELIEFS ABOUT THE SELF AND OTHERS IN PARANOIA.

Background: Compassionate imagery may be one method of targeting the negative beliefs about the self and others that paranoid thoughts build upon. This talk presents two interventionist-causal studies testing this hypothesis, one targeting compassion for the self and one targeting compassion for others. These studies form part of the programme of work testing the manipulation of putative causal factors in paranoia, in individuals from the general population scoring highly for current paranoid ideation. Methods: Two hundred such individuals were recruited. The studies used a randomised controlled experimental design, with embedded tests for mediation. Study one targeted self-compassion via creation of a compassionate coach image. Study two targeted compassion for others via loving kindness meditation. Individuals repeatedly entered neutral virtual reality social environments and changes in compassion and paranoia were assessed. Results: Study one showed that, in comparison to the control group, those who practised compassionate coach imagery significantly increased in self-compassion (group difference=2.12, C.I.=1.57;2.67, p=<0.0001, d=1.4) and decreased in paranoia (group difference=-1.73, C.I.=-2.48;- 0.98, p=<0.0001, d=0.8). Mediation analysis indicated that change in self-compassion explained 57% of the change in paranoia. Study two showed that in comparison to the control group, those who practised loving kindness meditation significantly increased their compassion for others (group difference=3.26, 95% C.I.: 2.72;3.80, p=<0.0001, d=1.7), and decreased their paranoia (group difference=-1.70, C.I.=-2.51;-0.89, p=<0.0001, d=0.8). Change in compassion for others explained 63% of the change in paranoia. Discussion: Together, the studies suggest that targeting negative beliefs about the self and others using compassionate imagery causes reductions in paranoia, which may have benefits in clinical populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]