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Negative effects of self-help materials: Three explorative studies

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Mark Papworth, Aileen Ward

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Abstract

Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2015. Within the field of adult mental health, self-help is now a pivotal treatment modality. However, earlier research indicates that some individuals react negatively to this. Through three, small-scale studies, this paper explores both clinicians' experience of harm in patients as a response to self-help materials as well as patients' own reports. In Study 1, a postal survey was administrated to clinicians; in Study 2, semi-structured interviews were conducted with clinicians; and in Study 3, patients were sent a postal survey. Over 18% of clinicians indicated that they had experienced self-help materials resulting in harm to patients. The interviews uncovered four main themes: the patients' clinical presentation, how the materials were presented within the therapeutic contact, certain personality characteristics in patients, and the characteristics of some materials. Between 12% and 24% of patients reported experience of negative effects (depending upon how this is defined), although the latter finding is limited by a small sample size. Proposals are made that are linked to best practice and it is suggested that there is a generic training need for clinicians in materials' use.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Papworth M, Ward A, Leeson K

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Cognitive Behaviour Therapist

Year: 2015

Volume: 8

Online publication date: 10/12/2015

Acceptance date: 09/10/2015

ISSN (electronic): 1754-470X

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

URL: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1754470X15000707

DOI: 10.1017/S1754470X15000707

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