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- Treating affect phobias: Therapeutic alliance as a moderator of the emotional experience effect on outcomesPublication . Ferreira, Laura Inês; Janeiro, LuísPsychodynamic-oriented psychotherapies have demonstrated their efficacy in emotional disorders' treatment. However, it remains unclear what are the specific mechanisms accounting for change. In psychodynamic psychotherapeutic models as the Affect Phobia Therapy (APT), emphasis is placed on therapeutic relationship and the ability of clients to regain adaptive contact with their emotions. Specifically, it is argued that there must be a high therapeutic alliance for the emotions' exposure to lead to positive outcomes. This exploratory study aimed to examine whether the level of therapeutic alliance (high vs. low) moderates the contribution of emotional experience to outcomes. Twenty-six clients (65% females; Mage= 25; SD= 7.26) with depressive and/or anxiety symptoms undergoing a psychodynamic psychotherapy on a university counselling centre were included. After each weekly session, clients answered measures of therapeutic alliance, emotional experience, and outcomes (Psychological Well-Being and Subjective Discomfort). Data were analysed using Hierarchical Linear Models for longitudinal data. Results indicated that effect of emotional experience on outcomes depends on levels of therapeutic alliance. In clients with low therapeutic alliance, higher levels of emotional experience contributed to a decrease in Psychological Well-Being and an increase in Subjective Discomfort across sessions. In clients with higher levels of alliance, both outcomes decreased significantly between sessions, regardless of the emotional experience effect. Our findings highlight that it is important to consider that exposure to adaptive emotions may have adverse effects when a strong alliance is not established.
- Behavioral inhibition in childhood: European Portuguese adaptation of an observational measure (Lab-TAB)Publication . Faisca, Luis; Ferreira, Laura Inês; Fernandes, Catarina; Gagne, Jeffrey R.; Martins, Ana T.The assessment of behaviorally inhibited children is typically based on parent or teacher reports, but this approach has received criticisms, mainly for being prone to bias. Several researchers proposed the additional use of observational methods because they provide a direct and more objective description of the child's functioning in different contexts. The lack of a laboratory assessment of temperament for Portuguese children justifies the adaptation of some episodes of the Laboratory Temperament Assessment Battery (Lab-TAB) as an observational measure for behavioral inhibition. Method: In our study, we included 124 children aged between 3 and 9 years and their parents. The evaluation of child behavioral inhibition was made by parent report (Behavioral Inhibition Questionnaire) and through Lab-TAB episodes. Parental variables with potential influence on parents’ reports were also collected using the Social Interaction and Performance Anxiety and Avoidance Scale (SIPAAS) and the Parental Overprotection Measure (POM). Results and Discussion: The psychometric analyses provided evidence that Lab-TAB is a reliable instrument and can be incorporated in a multi-method approach to assess behavioral inhibition in studies involving Portuguese-speaking children. Moderate convergence between observational and parent report measures of behavioral inhibition was obtained. Mothers’ characteristics, as well as child age, seem to significantly affect differences between measures, being potential sources of bias in the assessment of child temperament.
- The enrich marital satisfaction scale: adaptation and psychometric properties among at-risk and community Portuguese parentsPublication . Nunes, Cristina; Ferreira, Laura Inês; Martins, Cátia; Pechorro, Pedro; Ayala-Nunes, LaraMarital satisfaction is a multidimensional construct that encompasses the satisfaction with marital interactions and with the emotional and the practical aspects of marriage. Marital satisfaction has a great impact on personal well-being and affects the family as a whole; low marital satisfaction has been associated with unhappiness and with higher divorce rates. Furthermore, marital satisfaction is related with family functioning and is an indicator of the quality of the parenting relationship. The Enrich Marital Satisfaction (EMS) scale is a two-factor and 15-items self-report measure that assesses satisfaction with the marital relationship. This study analysed the psychometric properties of the EMS among two samples: at-risk (N = 273, M = 37.05 years, 82.05% women) and community (N = 205, M = 38.38 years, 52.2% women) Portuguese parents. Participants completed the EMS and measures of parenting sense of competence, parenting stress, and parenting alliance. Confirmatory factor analyses showed that the revised two-factor model obtained the best fit, after removing a few items. Measurement invariance across the two samples was demonstrated. The EMS showed good psychometric properties, namely internal consistency, convergent and discriminant validity. The EMS is a time-efficient tool for both researchers and practitioners who need to assess marital satisfaction, a relevant dimension for family functioning and parenting.
- The Brief COPE: Measurement invariance and psychometric properties among community and at-risk portuguese parentsPublication . Nunes, C.; Pérez-Padilla, Javier; Martins, Cátia; Pechorro, Pedro; Ayala Nunes, Lara; Ferreira, Laura InêsParenting generally brings about high internal and external demands, which can be perceived as stressful when they exceed families’ resources. When faced with such stressors, parents need to deploy several adaptive strategies to successfully overcome these challenges. One of such strategies is coping, an important cognitive and behavioural skill. In this study, we intended to examine the psychometric properties of Carver’s (1997) Brief COPE (Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced), extending its cross-cultural validity among a Portuguese sample of community and at-risk parents. The sample comprised community (n = 153) and at-risk (n = 116) parents who completed the brief COPE, the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scales and the Parenting Stress Index—Short Form. Confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency, cross sample invariance, convergent and discriminant validity were analysed. Data from the confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the 14-factor model obtained the best fit. The results provided evidence that the Brief COPE is a psychometrically sound instrument that shows measurement invariance across samples and good reliability. Our findings demonstrated that the Portuguese version of brief COPE is a useful, time-efficient tool for both practitioners and researchers who need to assess coping strategies, a relevant construct in family context.
- The therapist, the group and I: how therapeutic alliance moderates the effect of group cohesion on outcomesPublication . Vicente, Sofia; Ferreira, Laura Inês; Jiménez-Ros, Antónia Maria; Carmo, Claudia; Janeiro, LuísPurpose This study aims to investigate whether the influence of group cohesion on the outcomes depended on the levels of the therapeutic alliance. Design/methodology/approach Sixteen individuals with a substance use disorder who were undergoing treatment in a therapeutic community responded to therapeutic alliance, group cohesion, craving and outcomes measures after every therapeutic small group session for a period of six weeks. Data analysis was performed using hierarchical linear modeling. Findings Results indicate that the effect of group cohesion is stronger when there is a high therapeutic alliance between resident and therapist. Originality/value Even on group interventions, to enhance group cohesion effects on outcomes, therapists must foster higher therapeutic alliance levels. The findings point out the importance of studying the effect of common factors on outcomes.
- Inibição comportamental infantil: validação de uma medida situacional em laboratório (Lab-TAB) e a sua associação com variáveis individuais e parentaisPublication . Ferreira, Laura Inês Monteiro; Martins, Ana Teresa; Faísca, LuísA avaliação do temperamento infantil e dos processos psicológicos associados tem sido feita, maioritariamente, através de medidas de autorrelato da criança, dos pais e/ou dos educadores, facto que pode introduzir enviesamentos e ser obstáculo à obtenção de dados mais ecológicos. Vários são os autores que defendem o recurso a medidas de observação direta como o melhor meio para estudar o comportamento humano infantil, por proporcionarem uma descrição direta do funcionamento dos sujeitos em diversos contextos sociais. A inexistência de uma medida de avaliação situacional do temperamento em Portugal suscitou a pertinência da adaptação da Bateria de Avaliação de Temperamento Infantil em Laboratório (Lab-TAB) como o ponto central desta investigação. Objetivo: Adaptar para a população portuguesa a Lab-TAB (versão original: Goldsmith, Reilly, Lemery, Longley & Prescott, 1999; 2001) e estudar as suas qualidades psicométricas; pretendemos ainda realizar um estudo transversal sobre as variáveis (individuais e parentais) associadas às caraterísticas de inibição comportamental infantil. Método: Foram incluídas neste estudo 126 crianças com idades compreendidas entre os 3 e os 9 anos de idades e os seus progenitores. A avaliação do temperamento da criança foi feita por relato parental - (BIQ) Questionário de Inibição Comportamental - e situacionalmente, através da versão portuguesa da Lab-TAB. As variáveis de influência parental foram recolhidas com recurso aos seguintes questionários: (EASDIS) Escala de Ansiedade e Evitamento em situações de Desempenho e de Interação social; e a (POM) Medida de Superproteção Parental. Resultados e Discussão: A análise psicométrica da Lab-TAB permitiu considerá-la um instrumento fiável e válido para avaliar a inibição comportamental infantil. Relativamente às variáveis parentais, observámos uma relação positiva entre a ansiedade e superproteção parental e a inibição comportamental infantil; esta associação é mais forte entre o progenitor masculino nas crianças mais novas; e entre a progenitora nas crianças mais velhas da amostra. Relativamente às variáveis individuais das crianças, verificámos que as dimensões de regulação emocional apenas se relacionam com a inibição de crianças em idades escolares, com uma maior propensão para a expressão de tristeza; enquanto um alto controlo inibitório se associou positivamente às crianças temperamentalmente inibidas das duas faixas etárias consideradas. Estes resultados são discutidos com base na literatura atual acerca da avaliação do temperamento infantil e dos fatores implicados na manutenção do mesmo. Palavras-chave: Inibição Comportamental; Lab-TAB; Controlo Inibitório; Regulação Emocional; Superproteção; Ansiedade Social.
- The sister concepts of working alliance and real relationship: A meta-analysisPublication . Vaz, Ana Marta; Ferreira, Laura Inês; Gelso, Charles; Janeiro, LuísThe real relationship and working alliance are considered sister concepts, because, even though they are distinct elements of the therapeutic relationship, they seem to be highly interrelated, especially regarding the bond element of the relationship. Both concepts are considered to contribute significantly to the therapy outcomes, but some questions remain regarding their relationship, similarities, and conceptual differences. The present study aimed to examine the association of real relationship and working alliance across studies and analyze their contribution to treatment success. For this purpose, we conducted a meta-analysis on these two constructs and performed a quantitative analysis to differentiate the contribution of real relationship and working alliance for psychotherapy outcomes. Results from the meta-analysis confirmed the theorized association between real relationship and working alliance, revealing an overall correlation of r = .66. Based on our quantitative analysis, real relationship seems to be as good a predictor as the working alliance, although both benefit from each other. The research findings underline the importance of considering the contribution of these two concepts for therapeutic outcomes. Therapists should pay attention to both real relationship and the working alliance as key factors that improve therapy success.
- Parenting Alliance Inventory: psychometric properties and invariance among a community and at-risk sample of Portuguese parentsPublication . Nunes, Cristina; Ayala-Nunes, Lara; Martins, Cátia; Pechorro, Pedro; Ferreira, Laura InêsThe existing alliance between the two caregivers is a key dimension for understanding the family context, as it affects parental behavior and children's development. The assessment of this construct becomes even more pressing in at-risk families, where the children's well-being may be compromised and where the parental alliance may serve as a protective factor. The Parental Alliance Inventory (PAI) is a self-report measure that assesses the parental alliance and the relationship of support and trust that exists between both parents. In this study, we intended to explore the psychometric properties of PAI in the Portuguese population, including normative and at-risk families. Participants were community parents (n = 205, M = 38.38 years; 52.2% women) and parents of Child Welfare Services (CWS) referred children (n = 273, M = 37.05 years, 82.05% women). Both samples completed the PAI and measures of parenting sense of competence, parenting stress, and marital satisfaction. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the proposed original unidimensional structure of the PAI. The instrument showed good psychometric properties, presenting levels of internal consistency and a quite satisfactory reliability. Findings also showed that PAI was measurement invariant across the two subsamples. Our findings provide evidence for psychometric soundness of the PAI and support its usefulness for the European Portuguese context.
- Características psicométricas e estrutura fatorial da FACES III numa amostra de famílias em risco psicossocialPublication . Nunes, Cristina; Ayala-Nunes, Lara; Ferreira, Laura Inês; Martins, CátiaEste estudo visou a adaptação e exploração das características psicométricas da Escala de Avaliação da Coesão e Adaptabilidade Familiar (FACES III) com uma população de famílias portuguesas em risco psicossocial. Esta medida é a mais utilizada para a avaliação do funcionamento familiar de acordo com as dimensões do Modelo Circumplexo dos Sistemas Familiares. Participaram 388 pais de crianças com medidas de apoio e proteção, residentes no Algarve. A FACES III foi aplicada em conjunto com medidas de stresse parental, aliança parental e sentimento de competência parental para testar a validade de constructo. A análise fatorial exploratória confirmou a solução original de dois fatores. A Coesão demonstrou alta consciência interna e boa validade de constructo, podendo ser considerada uma medida fiável desta dimensão. A Adaptabilidade apresentou resultados insatisfatórios em todos os indicadores psicométricos, pelo que se aconselha a revisão desta subescala. Os resultados são discutidos considerando as diversas versões do instrumento.
- The ENRICH Marital Satisfaction (EMS) Scale: a psychometric study in a sample of Portuguese parentsPublication . Nunes, Cristina; Martins, Cátia; Leal, Andreia; Pechorro, Pedro; Ferreira, Laura Inês; Ayala-Nunes, LaraMarital satisfaction is a key construct in the assessment of a couple’s relationship, and it encompasses aspects such as the feelings of affection, trust, and companionship that arise from the exchanges between spouses. The ENRICH Marital Satisfaction (EMS) Scale has been widely used as a reliable measure to assess marital satisfaction. In the present study, we aimed to analyze the psychometric properties and the factor structure of the EMS Scale in a sample of Portuguese parents. A total of 205 mothers and fathers participated; 107 were women (52%), and 98 were men (48%), and the mean age was 38.39 years (SD = 5.85). The majority were two-parent families (89.3%), with children between the ages of 1 and 13 years (M = 6.90), 53% of whom were boys. The participants completed the EMS Scale together with the Parenting Stress Index Short Form and the Parenting Alliance Inventory. The results from a confirmatory factor analysis corroborate the two-dimensional structure of the instrument, with internal validity and reliability values that were suitable for application in the Portuguese population. The EMS Scale can be an important resource, with good psychometric quality, for professionals and researchers, which can be used in assessment and intervention programs, both at the individual and couple levels.