The Dual Factor Model of Mental Health in Inpatients

Overview

The Dual Factor Model of mental health (DFM; Greensporn \& Saklofske, 2001) postulates that mental health consists of two at least partially unrelated factors, the experience or absence of psycho-pathological symptoms (i.e. depressive symptoms) and the experience or absence of positive mental health (i.e. life satisfaction, meaningfulness). Both factors contribute to an individual's well-being and mental health.The DFM has been used as a framework to describe and evaluate participants' mental health in different settings in cross-sectional and longitudinal designs mostly outside of clinical settings. Psychological Interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy are widely studied concerning their reduction of psycho-pathological symptoms. However, little is known about the effect of psychological interventions on the second factor (positive mental health) of the DFM. This is especially important, because the latter has been shown to contribute significantly to subjective well-being and to reduce the risk of suicidal intentions and behavior. Primary, the authors aim to investigate the DFM in an inpatient sample over the course of time (pre-treatment, post-treatment, 6 and 12 months after discharge). Secondly, they aim to investigate the relationship between positive mental health and suicidal ideation over the course of time.

Participants will be divided into four groups according to the DFM over the course of time: 1. unhappy: high psychopathology and low positive mental health; depression and/or anxiety scores above published cut -offs and positive mental health scores under published cut offs. 2. symptomatic but content: high psychopathology and high positive mental health; depression and/or anxiety scores above published cut -offs and normal to high positive mental health scores 3. vulnerable: low psychopathology and low positive mental health; depression and/or anxiety scores under published cut -offs and positive mental health scores under published cut offs 4. Complete mental health: low psychopathology and high positive mental health; depression and/or anxiety scores under published cut -offs normal to high positive mental health scores. The authors will then depict the movements of patients through these groups graphically and use regression analyses to check for differences according to age, diagnosis and gender. Towards the second aim they will use regression analyses to investigate the protective effect of positive mental health on suicidal ideation or behavior.