Predicting changes in delusional ideation: The role of mindfulness and negative schemas

Objectives. Understanding factors that contribute to delusional ideation has important clinical implications. This study looked at the impact of mindfulness and negative schemas on changes in delusional ideation over time. Design. A sample of University students was selected to investigate processes related to delusional ideation in a non-clinical sample. Method. A web-based survey was completed by 700 University students, 204 of whom completed a second identical survey after 6 months, to comprise the longitudinal sample. Results. Results from the study demonstrated that negative schemas and mindfulness were related to changes in delusional ideation over time and support was found for a mediated model, whereby mindfulness mediated the impact of schemas on the outcome. Conclusions. The findings point to the importance of mindfulness as an intervention for preventing non-clinical delusional ideation transitioning into clinical delusions.