Indications for further research
The model indicates many research paths. What are the newer directions it highlights?
Exploration of the variety and types of explanations that clients have available for the experiences their persecutory beliefs are intended to explain will clearly be of interest.The types of internal and external events that contribute to delusion development remain to be determined empirically. The model allows for events that may be negative,neutral, or even positive to be incorporated into the delusion. Investigation of direct roles for emotion in delusion development is needed, bringing the study of neurosis and psychosis closer together (see Freeman & Garety, in press). Detailed study of how disconfirmatory evidence is discarded would be valuable. Further study of the content of delusional systems would be greatly beneficial; this can be investigated in relation to emotional experiences and key beliefs about the self, others, and the world. Attention needs to be given to the patients’ relationships with their persecutors and the identity of the persecutors, as Birchwood, Meaden, Trower, Gilbert, & Plaistow (2000) have considered for voices. Individuals’ appraisals of their delusional beliefs and associated experiences require further investigation. These topic areas are underdeveloped and need basic work in terms of questionnaire development, cross-sectional studies assessing the presence of the cognitive factors, and longitudinal studies assessing their influence.