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- Psychometric properties and validation of the Portuguese version of the Anxiety Control Questionnaire Revised (ACQ-R)Publication . Suso-Ribera, Carlos; Jiménez-Ros, Antonia María; Osma, JorgeEarly experiences appear to influence the sense of unpredictability and uncontrollability of both life events and emotions in vulnerable individuals. The perception of low control has been considered a general psychological vulnerability factor in emotional disorders. One of the most commonly used measures of perceived control is the Anxiety Control Questionnaire-Revised (ACQ-R). However, its internal structure has shown structural inconsistencies among several studies finding two or three factors. Our aim is to analyze the internal structure of the Portuguese adaptation of the ACQ-R in a general population sample of 267 individuals, in a confirmatory way, as well as to explore sources of validity evidence (i.e., correlations with the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule). A three-factor solution showed the best data fit(chi(2) = 150.12, degrees of freedom = 87, p < .0001, Root Mean Square Error Approximation = 0.052, 90% Confidence Interval = 0.038-0.066, Confirmatory Fit Index = 0.935, Tucker Lewis Index = 0.921). We found moderate positive correlations between the ACQ-R dimensions and anxiety, depression, stress, and negative affect, as well as between small and moderate negative associations with positive affect. All measures presented satisfactory Cronbach alphas (from .77 to .92). The Portuguese version of the ACQ-R showed good psychometric properties and the same internal structure of its original version.
- Maladaptive consequences of mental intrusions with obsessive, dysmorphic, hypochondriac, and eating-disorders related contents: cross-cultural differencesPublication . Pascual-Vera, Belén; Akin, Burcin; Belloch, Amparo; Bottesi, Gioia; Clark, David A.; Doron, Guy; Fernández-Alvarez, Héctor; Ghisi, Marta; Gómez, Beatriz; Inozu, Mujgan; Ros, Antónia; Moulding, Richard; Ruiz, M. Angeles; Shams, Giti; Sica, ClaudioBackground/Objective: Unwanted mental intrusions (UMIs) with contents related to ObsessiveCompulsive Disorder (OCD), Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), Illness Anxiety Disorder (IAD), and Eating Disorders (EDs) are highly prevalent, independently of the cultural and/or social context. Cognitive-behavioral explanations for these disorders postulates that the escalation from common UMIs to clinically relevant symptoms depends on the maladaptive consequences (i.e., emotions, appraisals, and control strategies) of experiencing UMIs. This study examines, from across-cultural perspective, the cognitive-behavioral postulates of the maladaptive consequences of having UMIs. Method: Non-clinical 1,473 participants from Europe, the Middle-East, and South America completed the Questionnaire of Unpleasant Intrusive Thoughts to assess the maladaptive consequences of experiencing highly disturbing OCD, BDD, IAD, and EDs-related UMIs.
- 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.
- Experimental manipulation of beliefs about the importance of thoughts and the effect on an aggressive impulsePublication . Ros, Antónia; Faisca, Luis; Martins, T.; Janeiro, Luís; Martins, A.T.Background: Cognitive models of obsessive-compulsive disorder attribute a causal role to maladaptive beliefs. Aims: To test this hypothesis, we manipulated Overimportance of Thoughts (OT) beliefs and experimentally evaluated their effect on the response to an induced aggressive impulse. Method: Eighty-five participants completed a battery of self-report instruments assessing obsession symptoms, thought control, affectivity and obsessive beliefs, and were then randomly assigned to two conditions. In the experimental condition participants read a scientific abstract on the importance of thought control whilst those in the control condition read a neutral abstract. All participants identified a loved person and imagined feeling the impulse to stab this person, then completed again OT beliefs measures (Overimportance of Thought, Moral-Thought Action Fusion and Thought Action Fusion Likelihood). Results: The Moral component of the Thought Action Fusion was reduced by reading a brief text about the possibility and desirability of thought control. However, experimentally induced changes in beliefs did not yield differences in the intrusiveness of the aggressive impulse. Conclusions: Some beliefs can be modified through a single session in which information similar to what could be obtained in quotidian life is provided.
- Disgust and other negative emotions in the relationship between mental contamination and post-traumatic stress disorder: a systematic reviewPublication . Jiménez-Ros, Antonia María; Marques, Beatriz; Delgado-Pardo, Gracia; Martins, Ana TeresaBackground: Mental contamination (MC) refers to feelings of internal filthiness associated with contamination obsessions. Ego-dystonic memories and thoughts can trigger MC, although it can also be activated by trauma, which is associated with the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research shows that MC, negative emotions and PTSD can occur simultaneously. Despite considerable interest from researchers and clinicians, to the best of our knowledge, no systematic review has been carried out on the relationship between disgust and other negative emotions with MC and PTSD. Therefore, we conducted this systematic review to summarise and synthesise the current understanding of these constructs in PTSD. The main objective of this study was to review the association between MC, post-traumatic stress disorder and trauma; the role of disgust and other negative emotions in these associations; and whether the relationship between MC and trauma is limited to traumatic sexual experiences. Method: We searched PsycINFO, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection, Scopus, Web of Science, Medline, PubMed, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, Cochrane Library, APA PsycNet, and the Online Library of the University of Algarve. We also included grey literature published in Google Scholar. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Results: Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria for the review. Among these, six studies used a randomised methodology, nine used a non-randomised methodology, and five used a descriptive methodology. The results showed that MC is associated with all types of interpersonal trauma, although the relationship with sexual trauma was the strongest. Both basic emotion and disgust sensitivity appear to be significantly associated with MC and the severity of PTSD symptoms. Similarly, other negative emotions are positively associated with MC, although the experience and reappraisal of negative emotions may potentially attenuate the experience of MC. Conclusions: Based on the findings, MC, disgust and negative emotions are important clinical constructs associated with trauma and PTSD. These results may contribute to our understanding and treatment of PTSD.