| The purpose of this study was to refine and evaluate the content, format, feasibility, and efficacy of a newly developed manualized treatment intervention, Happiness Boot Camp (HBC), with 12 group therapy sessions designed to (i) increase happiness and hope among veterans living with severe mental illness (SMI), and (ii) decrease internalized self-stigma. This study was designed as a single case design of group participants, where pre- and post-measures included quantitative self-report instruments. The recovery model provides the foundation for HBC, and the following research question guides the study: How efficacious is this manualized treatment for increasing eudaemonic happiness (EH) and hope as well as decreasing stigma for veterans living with SMI? In the study, the HBC was hypothesized to result in: (a) increased eudaemonic happiness (EH), as measured by the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) and hope, as measured by the Hope Scale (HS), and (b) decreased internalized self-stigma, as measured by the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMI). Statistical analysis was completed using regressions, ANOVA, and t-tests when appropriate. Consistent with single-case design methodology, graphical analysis, as well as qualitative information, was also used to analyze the data. Data analysis revealed an overall statistically significant increase in subjective happiness and a statistically significant reduction in self-stigma in one of the ISMI subscales---Discrimination Experience. It is hoped that results of this study may broaden the type of group treatment available to veterans with SMI. |
