The Acceptability of Psychedelic‐Assisted Therapy Amongst Mental Health Consumers: Utilising the Theory of Planned Behaviour

Eva Louie; Ellen Towers; Alyssa R Morse; Joshua Watt; Zachary Bryant; Paul Haber; Kirsten Morley

doi:10.1111/inm.70010

The Acceptability of Psychedelic‐Assisted Therapy Amongst Mental Health Consumers: Utilising the Theory of Planned Behaviour

Eva Louie, Ellen Towers, Alyssa R Morse, Joshua Watt, Zachary Bryant, Paul Haber, Kirsten Morley

International Journal of Mental Health Nursing February 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1111/inm.70010 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract

Characteristics	Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed
Sample size	254
Population	Australian mental health consumers
Duration	February to July 2023
Topics	Psychedelic-assisted therapy
Keywords	Acceptability Mental health consumer Psychedelic‐assisted therapy Treatment preferences Therapeutic alternatives Mental health treatment Patient attitudes
Citations	2
Key findings	Intentions to access psychedelic-assisted therapies were more strongly associated with higher acceptability scores and negative experiences with conventional therapy than with prior recreational psychedelic use.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Australian government approval has been granted for 3,4‐methylenedioxy‐methamphetamine (MDMA) treatment of post‐traumatic stress disorder and psilocybin for treatment‐resistant depression, but the process of translating psychedelic‐assisted therapies (PAT) into more widespread use is complex. Along with establishing the efficacy and feasibility of PATs, their acceptability amongst consumers is a crucial factor of successful implementation. This study utilised the Theory of Planned Behaviour to evaluate the acceptability of PATs amongst mental health consumers, identifying potential influences of these attitudes and predictors of PAT uptake. Participants completed an online survey between February and July 2023. Survey items evaluated consumer characteristics, acceptability of PAT (effectiveness, efficacy and social norms) and behavioural intentions to undertake PAT. The 254 participants had a mean age of 42.5 years (SD = 12.8) and 79.1% were female. Three quarters expressed a desire to access PAT. Acceptability scores indicated strong agreement regarding the effectiveness of PAT, social norms that moderately endorsed PAT and mixed feelings about its expected efficacy. Whilst univariate analyses indicated that previous psychedelic experience was associated with increased acceptability of PAT ( d s = 0.63–0.80), multivariate analyses revealed that intentions to access PAT were associated with higher acceptability scores ( d s = 0.37–1.32) and poorer experiences of conventional therapy ( d = −0.31). Although a relatively large portion of participants had used psychedelics recreationally, the desire to access PATs was more strongly related to its acceptability, along with more negative experiences of conventional therapy. This implies that mental health consumers who are looking for alternatives to conventional therapy may view PATs as a desirable option, despite some safety reservations.

Comparable studies

Other cross-sectional and survey studies on psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.

Study	Year	Design	Participants
Psychological flexibility mediates the relations between acute psychedelic effects and subjective decreases in depression and anxiety. International sample of people who reported having used a psychedelic	2020	Cross-sectional survey	n = 985
Psychedelic Treatment for Trauma-Related Psychological and Cognitive Impairment Among US Special Operations Forces Veterans U.S. Special Operations Forces Veterans who completed a psychedelic clinical program in...	2020	Survey	n = 51
Population Survey Data Informing the Therapeutic Potential of Classic and Novel Phenethylamine, Tryptamine, and Lysergamide Psychedelics Respondents from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2008–2017, weighted to...	2020	Cross-sectional survey	n = 260,964,827
Examination of the Phenomenology of the Ibogaine Treatment Experience: Role of Altered States of Consciousness and Psychedelic Experiences. Individuals who used ibogaine in the past	2017	Retrospective survey	n = 27
American Psychiatrists' Opinions About Classic Hallucinogens and Their Potential Therapeutic Applications: A 7-Year Follow-Up Survey. American Psychiatric Association members (resident-fellows and attending psychiatrists)	2024	Survey	n = 131

Citations in the library

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