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. 2016 Feb 17:7:13.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2016.00013. eCollection 2016.

Development of the Positive Emotions Program for Schizophrenia: An Intervention to Improve Pleasure and Motivation in Schizophrenia

Alexandra Nguyen  1 , Laurent Frobert  1 , Iannis McCluskey  2 , Philippe Golay  3 , Charles Bonsack  3 , Jérôme Favrod  2
Affiliations

Development of the Positive Emotions Program for Schizophrenia: An Intervention to Improve Pleasure and Motivation in Schizophrenia

Alexandra Nguyen et al. Front Psychiatry. .

Abstract

Objectives: The efficacy of drug-based treatments and psychological interventions on the primary negative symptoms of schizophrenia remains limited. Recent literature has distinguished negative symptoms associated with a diminished capacity to experience, from those associated with a limited capacity for expression. The positive emotions program for schizophrenia (PEPS) is a new method that specifically aims to reduce the syndrome of a diminished capacity to experience.

Methods: The intervention's vital ingredients were identified through a literature review of emotion in schizophrenia and positive psychology. The program has been beta-tested on various groups of health-care professionals.

Results: A detailed description of the final version of PEPS is presented here. The French version of the program is freely downloadable.

Conclusion: PEPS is a specific, short, easy to use, group-based intervention to improve pleasure, and motivation in schizophrenia. It was built considering a recovery-oriented approach to schizophrenia.

Keywords: anhedonia; apathy; motivation; pleasure; psychosocial interventions; schizophrenia.

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