Progress in mentalizing ability among people with psychosis through dialogic literary gatherings
Abstract Background People with psychosis often experience a fragmented sense of self, making it difficult to integrate perceptions, memories, thoughts, and emotions related to themselves and others. Enhancing mentalization processes and fostering reflection are crucial for comprehensive recovery. A...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | BMC Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02381-0 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1832585269146025984 |
|---|---|
| author | Aitana Fernández-Villardón Alfonso Sáez de Ibarra Ana Domínguez-Panchón Rocío García-Carrión |
| author_facet | Aitana Fernández-Villardón Alfonso Sáez de Ibarra Ana Domínguez-Panchón Rocío García-Carrión |
| author_sort | Aitana Fernández-Villardón |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background People with psychosis often experience a fragmented sense of self, making it difficult to integrate perceptions, memories, thoughts, and emotions related to themselves and others. Enhancing mentalization processes and fostering reflection are crucial for comprehensive recovery. As these processes are naturally developed through meaningful interactions and dialogue, incorporating a dialogic approach into the treatment of psychotic disorders may significantly support recovery. Methods This study examines the impact of Dialogic Literary Gatherings (DLGs) on the ability of mentalizing in individuals with psychosis. A quasi-experimental mixed-methods study was conducted with 23 participants (6 women and 17 men) diagnosed with psychosis. Over five months, participants engaged in 18 DLG sessions. Mentalizing ability was assessed using the Mentalization Scale (MentS), and qualitative data included interviews (n = 2) and focus groups (n = 3), to explore changes in mentalization. Results Participants reported an increase in mentalizing towards others and toward him or herself, and in motivation to mentalize. Dialogues during DLGs fostered empathy, awareness of individual differences, and deeper engagement with others’ emotions. Besides, sharing feelings in this dialogic environment enabled participants to reflect on past experiences and find purpose in life. Consistently, patients reported that these dialogues provided a platform for expressing emotions, re-evaluating life perspectives, and achieving greater self-awareness. Conclusions This study highlights Dialogic Literary Gatherings as a valuable tool for enhancing the ability to mentalize in clinical populations, offering a complementary approach to traditional psychotherapeutic interventions for individuals with psychosis. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2e822e4539e3425cbfbe427a43f1cf52 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-2e822e4539e3425cbfbe427a43f1cf522025-01-26T12:58:12ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832025-01-0113111310.1186/s40359-025-02381-0Progress in mentalizing ability among people with psychosis through dialogic literary gatheringsAitana Fernández-Villardón0Alfonso Sáez de Ibarra1Ana Domínguez-Panchón2Rocío García-Carrión3Faculty of Education and Sports, University of DeustoDepartment of Clinical Psychology, Aita Menni HospitalDepartment of Clinical Psychology, Aita Menni HospitalFaculty of Education and Sports, University of DeustoAbstract Background People with psychosis often experience a fragmented sense of self, making it difficult to integrate perceptions, memories, thoughts, and emotions related to themselves and others. Enhancing mentalization processes and fostering reflection are crucial for comprehensive recovery. As these processes are naturally developed through meaningful interactions and dialogue, incorporating a dialogic approach into the treatment of psychotic disorders may significantly support recovery. Methods This study examines the impact of Dialogic Literary Gatherings (DLGs) on the ability of mentalizing in individuals with psychosis. A quasi-experimental mixed-methods study was conducted with 23 participants (6 women and 17 men) diagnosed with psychosis. Over five months, participants engaged in 18 DLG sessions. Mentalizing ability was assessed using the Mentalization Scale (MentS), and qualitative data included interviews (n = 2) and focus groups (n = 3), to explore changes in mentalization. Results Participants reported an increase in mentalizing towards others and toward him or herself, and in motivation to mentalize. Dialogues during DLGs fostered empathy, awareness of individual differences, and deeper engagement with others’ emotions. Besides, sharing feelings in this dialogic environment enabled participants to reflect on past experiences and find purpose in life. Consistently, patients reported that these dialogues provided a platform for expressing emotions, re-evaluating life perspectives, and achieving greater self-awareness. Conclusions This study highlights Dialogic Literary Gatherings as a valuable tool for enhancing the ability to mentalize in clinical populations, offering a complementary approach to traditional psychotherapeutic interventions for individuals with psychosis.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02381-0Dialogic Literary GatheringsPsychosisTreatmentMentalizationSchizophreniaDialogue |
| spellingShingle | Aitana Fernández-Villardón Alfonso Sáez de Ibarra Ana Domínguez-Panchón Rocío García-Carrión Progress in mentalizing ability among people with psychosis through dialogic literary gatherings BMC Psychology Dialogic Literary Gatherings Psychosis Treatment Mentalization Schizophrenia Dialogue |
| title | Progress in mentalizing ability among people with psychosis through dialogic literary gatherings |
| title_full | Progress in mentalizing ability among people with psychosis through dialogic literary gatherings |
| title_fullStr | Progress in mentalizing ability among people with psychosis through dialogic literary gatherings |
| title_full_unstemmed | Progress in mentalizing ability among people with psychosis through dialogic literary gatherings |
| title_short | Progress in mentalizing ability among people with psychosis through dialogic literary gatherings |
| title_sort | progress in mentalizing ability among people with psychosis through dialogic literary gatherings |
| topic | Dialogic Literary Gatherings Psychosis Treatment Mentalization Schizophrenia Dialogue |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02381-0 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT aitanafernandezvillardon progressinmentalizingabilityamongpeoplewithpsychosisthroughdialogicliterarygatherings AT alfonsosaezdeibarra progressinmentalizingabilityamongpeoplewithpsychosisthroughdialogicliterarygatherings AT anadominguezpanchon progressinmentalizingabilityamongpeoplewithpsychosisthroughdialogicliterarygatherings AT rociogarciacarrion progressinmentalizingabilityamongpeoplewithpsychosisthroughdialogicliterarygatherings |