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. 2025 Jan 24;13(1):65.
doi: 10.1186/s40359-025-02381-0.

Progress in mentalizing ability among people with psychosis through dialogic literary gatherings

Aitana Fernández-Villardón  1 , Alfonso Sáez de Ibarra  2 , Ana Domínguez-Panchón  2 , Rocío García-Carrión  3   4
Affiliations

Progress in mentalizing ability among people with psychosis through dialogic literary gatherings

Aitana Fernández-Villardón et al. BMC Psychol. .

Abstract

Background: People with psychosis often experience a fragmented sense of self, making it difficult to integrate perceptions, memories, thoughts, and emotions related to themselves and others. Enhancing mentalization processes and fostering reflection are crucial for comprehensive recovery. As these processes are naturally developed through meaningful interactions and dialogue, incorporating a dialogic approach into the treatment of psychotic disorders may significantly support recovery.

Methods: This study examines the impact of Dialogic Literary Gatherings (DLGs) on the ability of mentalizing in individuals with psychosis. A quasi-experimental mixed-methods study was conducted with 23 participants (6 women and 17 men) diagnosed with psychosis. Over five months, participants engaged in 18 DLG sessions. Mentalizing ability was assessed using the Mentalization Scale (MentS), and qualitative data included interviews (n = 2) and focus groups (n = 3), to explore changes in mentalization.

Results: Participants reported an increase in mentalizing towards others and toward him or herself, and in motivation to mentalize. Dialogues during DLGs fostered empathy, awareness of individual differences, and deeper engagement with others' emotions. Besides, sharing feelings in this dialogic environment enabled participants to reflect on past experiences and find purpose in life. Consistently, patients reported that these dialogues provided a platform for expressing emotions, re-evaluating life perspectives, and achieving greater self-awareness.

Conclusions: This study highlights Dialogic Literary Gatherings as a valuable tool for enhancing the ability to mentalize in clinical populations, offering a complementary approach to traditional psychotherapeutic interventions for individuals with psychosis.

Keywords: Dialogic Literary Gatherings; Dialogue; Mentalization; Psychosis; Schizophrenia; Treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The study was approved by the ethics committee of the University of Deusto with number ETK-12/21–22. All the participants and legal tutors signed the informed consent. The research was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

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Fig. 1
Participants in each session
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