Browsing by Author "Leonhardt, Bethany"

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    Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy: A Recovery-Oriented Treatment Approach for Psychosis
    (Dove Medical Press, 2020) Lysaker, Paul H.; Gagen, Emily; Klion, Reid; Zalzala, Aieyat; Vohs, Jenifer; Faith, Laura A.; Leonhardt, Bethany; Hamm, Jay; Hasson-Ohayon, Ilanit; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Recent research has suggested that recovery from psychosis is a complex process that involves recapturing a coherent sense of self and personal agency. This poses important challenges to existing treatment models. While current evidence-based practices are designed to ameliorate symptoms and skill deficits, they are less able to address issues of subjectivity and self-experience. In this paper, we present Metacognitive Insight and Reflection Therapy (MERIT), a treatment approach that is explicitly concerned with self-experience in psychosis. This approach uses the term metacognition to describe those cognitive processes that underpin self-experience and posits that addressing metacognitive deficits will aid persons diagnosed with psychosis in making sense of the challenges they face and deciding how to effectively manage them. This review will first explore the conceptualization of psychosis as the interruption of a life and how persons experience themselves, and then discuss in more depth the construct of metacognition. We will next examine the background, practices and evidence supporting MERIT. This will be followed by a discussion of how MERIT overlaps with other emerging treatments as well as how it differs. MERIT’s capacity to engage patients who reject the idea that they have mental illness as well as cope with entrenched illness identities is highlighted. Finally, limitations and directions for future research are discussed.
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    Nutrition Enhancement in Early Psychosis (Neep): A Feasibility Trial of Enhanced Nutrition with Text Messaging and a Dietary Tracking Mobile Application
    (2022-08) Fischer, Melanie W.; Salyers, Michelle; Minor, Kyle; Stewart, Jesse; Rivera, Rebecca; Leonhardt, Bethany
    Background. People with psychotic disorders tend to die earlier than the general population, primarily due to preventable cardiovascular disease. Behavioral risk factors, such as poor diet, have been identified as major contributors. Given the importance of prevention, the early stages of psychosis have been described as a “critical” time to intervene on health behaviors. As such, a mobile-based intervention, Nutrition Enhancement in Early Psychosis (NEEP) was created to improve diet quality in persons with early psychosis. This study has three aims: (1) assess the feasibility of the intervention, (2) examine preliminary outcomes, and (3) investigate mechanisms associated with dietary change. Methods. NEEP incorporates a combination of nutrition education, goal setting, and mobile technology (i.e., a mobile application for dietary tracking, as well both automated and personalized text-messages). Given the pilot nature of the study, all participants (N=15) received the intervention. Feasibility was assessed through different metrics related to recruitment and adherence to the dietary tracking application, as well as self-report responses regarding acceptability. Preliminary outcomes (i.e., two measures of diet quality) and potential mechanisms of change (i.e., self-efficacy and motivation) were also evaluated using paired sample t-tests. Qualitative interviews were conducted following study participation. Given the emphasis on feasibility with a small sample, all significance tests were set at p <.10, and Hedges g was used to examine effects over time. Results. 15 participants were enrolled in the study and 12 participants completed follow-up assessments. Evaluative measures of feasibility suggest that the majority of those who were screened enrolled in this intervention and regularly engaged with the mobile tracking device to record their dietary consumption. In addition, participants enjoyed the intervention and found it to be useful in improving their diet. Preliminary evidence also suggests this intervention may improve diet quality. As such, one indicator of improvement in diet quality was considered significant (Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants- Shortened; p=.084), and both measures of diet quality suggested improvement in diet at the end of the 28-day intervention with small to medium effect sizes (REAP-S g=.44; Heathy Eating Index-2015 g=.69). Contrary to hypotheses, self-efficacy significantly decreased after the intervention (p=.028) and motivation remained relatively stable. Conclusion. Results suggest that NEEP is feasible as a low-cost, low-resource mobile intervention that is well-tolerated and may improve diet quality in people with early psychosis; however, mechanisms of change require further exploration.
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    Supporting Occupational Justice for Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming People Through Narrative-Informed Theater: A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study
    (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2021-07-01) Wasmuth, Sally; Leonhardt, Bethany; Pritchard, Kevin; Li, Chih-Ying; DeRolf, Annie; Mahaffey, Lisa; Psychiatry, School of Medicine
    Importance: Societal stigma gravely impedes occupational justice for transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) people, producing vast health disparities for this population. Objective: To test the feasibility of an intervention to reduce stigma and improve the well-being of TGNC people. Design: A parallel, mixed-methods design was used to test feasibility in the areas of acceptability, demand, and limited efficacy. Setting: Community. Participants: Forty-two audience members and 5 TGNC interviewees. Intervention: Virtual, narrative-informed play reading and moderated discussion about gender diversity and affirmative care. Outcomes and Measures: The valid and reliable Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-Stigma was used to assess stigma beliefs. An open-ended, qualitative question assessed TGNC interviewees' experiences. Results: Recruitment and participant responses to the intervention indicated feasibility in the areas of acceptability, demand, and limited efficacy. However, future efforts at obtaining a diverse TGNC sample are needed. Conclusions and relevance: The intervention decreased stigma beliefs in audience members and offered a positive experience for TGNC participants. Feasibility outcomes warrant future efficacy testing. What This Article Adds: This article adds an innovative intervention for promoting occupational justice to support the health and well-being of TGNC people. The community-based intervention facilitates change in societal attitudes and stigmatizing beliefs.