EFFICACY OF POSITIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY IN THE REDUCTION OF DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN A CLIENT WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA

Abstract

The risk of having depressive symptoms remains high among clients with schizophrenia even though, therapies aimed at managing these clients often focus on the client’s negative emotions. The current study was conducted to examine the efficacy of positive psychotherapy intervention in the reduction of depressive symptoms in a 54-year-old male diagnosed with schizophrenia. A single-subject (A-B-A type) experimental design was used. Pre/post-test measure was administered alongside, a measure aimed at constantly assessing the client’s level of depression. The results showed decreased level of depression in the client post-intervention. Depressive symptoms measured before, during and after intervention were reduced to a minimal level of symptomatology by the end of the study. These findings therefore present an alternative to existing intervention modalities for managing depressive symptoms in clients with schizophrenia. This outcome suggests considerations for a single case design for treatment effectiveness studies conducted by clinical practitioners in Nigeria.