A preliminary study of spiritual self‐schema (3‐S+) therapy for reducing impulsivity in HIV‐positive drug users
Arthur Margolin, Zev Schuman-Olivier, Mark Beitel, Ruth Arnold, Carl Fulwiler, S. Kelly Avants
Journal of Clinical Psychology September 7, 2007 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.20407 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractImpulsivity is linked to heavier intoxicant use and HIV risk behavior, and lower spiritual practices and motivation for recovery, among HIV-positive drug users. A manual-guided therapy integrating cognitive and Buddhist psychologies, spiritual self-schema (3-S(+)) therapy, was tested in a preliminary study. Compared with standard care, patients who completed 3-S(+) therapy showed greater reductions in impulsivity and intoxicant use, and greater increases in spiritual practices and motivation for abstinence, HIV prevention, and medication adherence.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Preliminary study with comparison condition Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 38 |
| Population | HIV-positive drug users |
| Intervention | Spiritual self-schema (3-S(+)) therapy |
| Keywords | Impulsivity Abstinence Schema genetic algorithms Clinical psychology Psychotherapist |
| Citations | 75 |
| Key finding | Patients completing 3-S(+) therapy reported greater decreases in impulsivity and intoxicant use and greater increases in spiritual practices and motivation for abstinence, HIV prevention, and medication adherence relative to standard care. |
Abstract
The purpose of this study was twofold. First, pretreatment correlations are presented among impulsivity, intoxicant use, HIV risk behavior, spirituality, and motivation in a sample of 38 HIV-positive drug users. Second, treatment outcomes are presented from a preliminary study of spiritual self-schema (3-S(+)) therapy - a manual-guided psychotherapy integrating cognitive and Buddhist psychologies - for increasing motivation for abstinence, HIV prevention, and medication adherence. Impulsivity was negatively correlated with spiritual practices and motivation for recovery, and was positively related to intoxicant use and HIV risk behavior. Relative to a standard care comparison condition, patients completing 3-S(+) therapy reported greater decreases in impulsivity and intoxicant use, and greater increases in spiritual practices and motivation for abstinence, HIV prevention, and medication adherence.