Efficacy of group transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral therapy on subclinical paranoia

Abstract

Background: Studies have introduced anxiety as a key factor in the formation and development of paranoid thoughts. Transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy is specifically used for the treatment of emotional disorders, with its particular emphasis on anxiety that can be applied in the treatment of paranoia. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to determine whether transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy is effective in reducing the subclinical symptoms of paranoia. Methods: Participants were recruited from female students in Mashhad universities, Iran, during an eight-month period between October 2016 to May 2017. Healthy participants (n = 30) with subclinical paranoia (assessed with SCID-I, SCL-90-R and paranoia scale) were randomly assigned to two groups (GTCBT = 15 and waiting list = 15). Before and after the intervention, paranoid thoughts and their effects in individuals’ mental and social performance were assessed by paranoid scale and work and social adjustment scale. Results: The results of this study support the effectiveness of group trans-diagnostic therapy in decrease paranoid ideation (P = 0.003) and improve general function (P = 0.001). Conclusions: This study can be considered as a starting point for further research on the treatment of paranoia.