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This page is an AI-assisted Turkish summary of the study presented at the 26th World Congress of Psychiatry. The study belongs to the presenting authors; please refer to the original source when citing it.

SO428

Should patients be informed about the negative effects of psychotherapy? A mixed-methods study of attitudes in the general population

SHOULD PATIENTS BE INFORMED ABOUT NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF PSYCHOTHERAPY? A MIXED-METHODS STUDY OF ATTITUDES AMONG THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Most individuals in the general population support disclosure of the potential negative effects of psychotherapy.

The aim of the study was to examine attitudes in the general population toward receiving information about the potential negative effects of psychotherapy (deterioration, nonresponse, or newly emerging symptoms) and to explore preferences regarding whether and how this information should be communicated. A mixed-methods study was conducted via an online survey of adults from the general population in Sweden. The sample comprised 500 individuals, with a mean age of 38.2 years and an age range of 19–78; 77% were women and 23% were men, 64.6% were employed, and 77% had experience of psychotherapy. Quantitative items were examined using descriptive and correlational analyses, while open-ended responses were examined using thematic analysis. Attitudes toward being informed about potential negative effects were positive in 52%, somewhat positive in 20%, neutral in 18%, somewhat negative in 6%, and negative in 4%. Willingness to begin treatment after receiving this information was distributed as follows: 19% willing, 35% somewhat willing, 25% neutral, 18% somewhat unwilling, and 4% unwilling (the conference abstract also reported that 72% of participants preferred to be informed and that 66.2% wanted this information before starting treatment). In the qualitative analysis, insight into the treatment process, increased preparedness, and building trust emerged as positive themes, while concerns included the possibility that the information might increase anxiety, worry, or symptom focus (the nocebo effect), as well as hesitation about treatment or reduced motivation. In conclusion, most individuals support disclosure of the potential negative effects of psychotherapy, and these findings highlight the importance of integrating balanced information about risks and benefits into informed consent procedures.

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