Studies in Psychology最新文献

ABSTRACT

The role of caregivers for the treatment of sexually assaulted children has been widely discussed. Objective: to explore the influence of caregivers’ variables and the interaction between the therapeutic alliance with their children’s psychologists, in a sample of 58 children undergoing psychotherapy for sexual assault. Method: We explore the relationship between caregivers’ adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), post-traumatic symptomatology and initial therapeutic alliance using descriptive, correlational and moderation analyses. Results: 51.7% of caregivers reported ACEs. The greater the presence of ACEs, the lower the quality of the initial therapeutic alliance. Caregivers who experienced ACEs and reported fewer symptoms of post-traumatic stress presented a lower quality of therapeutic alliance. Discussion: The findings suggest that ACEs may provoke dissociative mechanisms in adults and that this appears to interfere with the emotional response to their child’s abusive experience and with the possibility of establishing a positive therapeutic alliance with the child’s therapist. This emphasizes the need that these adults have for therapeutic support as part of a comprehensive and specialized care model.

ABSTRACT

Following the guidelines of practice-oriented research (POR), a Psychotherapeutic Competencies Training Protocol (PCTP-1) for treating depression in primary health care (PHC) was developed and validated by a group of clinician-researchers, grounded on evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence. This protocol was subjected to a Delphi validation by a panel of judges, including clinicians, researchers and public health experts. After three rounds, a consensus of 85% in all PCTP-1 modules was achieved, resulting in version 2 of the protocol (PCTP-2), which will be used to develop a Psychotherapeutic Competencies Training Online Programme (PColP) for the treatment of depression in PHC. The basic principles of the protocol and its validation process are described and discussed, underscoring its contribution to clinicians who must face the challenges of treating patients with depression in PHC.

ABSTRACT

The therapeutic relationship is organized triadically between children, therapists and parents, yet little research focuses on its evolution as a change mechanism integrating these perspectives. Develop a comprehensive model of the therapeutic relationship as a change mechanism in different phases of psychotherapy, from the perspective of children, parents and therapists. A grounded theory analysis integrated findings from a retrospective and a qualitative longitudinal study of the therapeutic relationship with children and parents as change factors based on semi-structured interviews and children’s drawings. Initially, therapists’ close, flexible attitude improved children’s and parents’ motivation for psychotherapy. Later, a child-centred, playful relationship fostered children’s affection and trust in the therapists, promoting emotional and socio-affective changes. Lastly, as a greater bond developed, children internalized the therapist as a significant figure, and deeper changes emerged. Parents’ changes were eased by further trust and collaboration in the relationship with the therapist, and changes in the child-parent relationship emerged. Constructing positive therapeutic relationships requires participants’ evolving dispositions. These relationships shape progressive changes in children and their parents.

ABSTRACT

Theory of mind (ToM) is the ability to attribute mental states such as thoughts, desires and intentions to oneself and others. ToM is important for social interactions because having an accurate representation of the mental states of others can guide social approaches. One strategy for promoting social thinking might be to engage others in chess. It seems likely that the ability to understand one’s own and others’ mental states could be important in understanding opponents’ views. The present study examined relations between two types of theory of mind (constructivist theory of mind and embedded false belief understanding), empathic concern and perspective-taking skills with chess-playing. Participants included 233 adults, ages 18 to 70 years (M = 26.27, SD = 11.73). Results of regression analyses indicated that frequency of chess-playing predicted performance on ToM measures, even with age, income, empathic concern and perspective-taking entered as simultaneous predictors. Study implications and applications are discussed.

ABSTRACT

This paper begins with a discussion about environmental dependency syndrome (EDS) and utilization behaviour (UB). Are there differences between the two or are they synonymous terms? Following a description of the two conditions, the case of KI, a 57-year-old man, with both UB and EDS is presented. An easy and inexpensive treatment strategy to reduce his inappropriate responses and increase his attention to rehabilitation is described, and data are provided in the form of an ABABA design to demonstrate the effectiveness of this treatment. The simple therapeutic strategy is advocated for people who use objects in the environment inappropriately.

ABSTRACT

Based on the evidence published in the literature, we evaluated the effectiveness of the Amadeo® and Armeo® robotic devices used to treat patients who suffered a resulting functional deficit of the upper limbs after stroke. A systematic search was carried out by two independent reviewers in Pubmed, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, Otseeker, SciTePress, PEDro and Google Scholar databases following the PRISMA standard. Discrepancies between the two were resolved by consensus. Of the 799 articles initially identified, 13 RCTs were included for review as they met the inclusion criteria and showed highest methodological quality through a qualitative analysis of the evidence level according to PEDro and van Tulder scales. Relevant findings related to motor, cognitive and functional variables were analysed and discussed on a total of 595 stroke patients in different stages, based on their exposure to these devices. Strong evidence was found supporting rehabilitation of motor function and spasticity, moderate evidence for improvement in cognitive processes, limited evidence in improving pain and neuroplasticity and no evidence of changes in ADL or participation percentages. Robotic rehabilitation of the upper limb is effective after stroke.

ABSTRACT

This research analyses how sex, age, focus-alertness and emotional responses to the pandemic influenced media consumption for information about Covid-19 during lockdown in Spain. A sample of 1,981 participants were surveyed during the first two months of lockdown, specifically from 13 March to 12 May 2020. The sample was composed of 71.3% females and was aged between 18 and 72 (M = 35.37; SD = 12.71). The results showed that older people chose conventional media (e.g., radio) to find information about coronavirus, while younger people preferred social media (e.g., Instagram). More females than males chose written social media such as WhatsApp, as well as ‘face-to-face’ interaction. The results showed that the best predictors of media consumption for information about the pandemic were focus-alertness and negative emotional reactions to Covid-19; the greater the alertness and negative emotional reaction, the greater media consumption. Age and time in lockdown were also relevant variables, but to a lesser degree, such that the older the person and the longer in lockdown, the less media consumed.