BMAC: Broad Minded Affective Coping
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The BMAC (Broad Minded Affective Coping) study: A positive mental imagery approach to experiencing positive emotions
IRAS ID
257751
Contact name
Dan Pratt
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 30 days
Research summary
The ‘Cry of Pain’ model is a theory of suicide. It says that suicidal thoughts and behaviour are sometimes caused by feeling trapped or defeated in a stressful situation. This means that people feel there is no way for them to escape. Another theory is called the Schematic Appraisals Model. This suggests that when people are feeling suicidal they focus on threatening or negative information. Paying attention to negative information can increase feelings of being trapped or defeated.
The Broad Minded Affective Coping task is a short therapy technique. It aims to help the person experience positive emotions. It does this by asking the person a set of questions. The questions help the person to recall a positive memory from their past using mental imagery. Mental imagery is ‘seeing with the mind’s eye’. Research has shown that when positive mental images are vivid they lead to better improvements in mood.
This study aims to explore which aspects of the BMAC technique are associated with changes in mood and lead to better improvements in mood and suicidal ideation. The study will involve a group of people who are under the care of an NHS home treatment team or a mental health ward.
This study will try to find out which aspects of the BMAC make it most helpful for people at risk of suicide. For example, the study will explore whether the vividness or pleasantness of the person's mental image is associated in any changes in their depressed mood or suicidal thinking. In the future this could help clinicians to find ways to improve the technique.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/NW/0291
Date of REC Opinion
24 Jul 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion