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Di Bello M, Giudetti F, Palani S, Petrocchi N, McIntosh R, Ottaviani C. Modulatory effects of transcranial direct current stimulation of right insula on compassion motivation. Int J Clin Health Psychol 2023; 23:100362. [PMID: 36605771 PMCID: PMC9800245 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijchp.2022.100362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Compassion motivation is associated with increased heart rate variability (HRV), reflecting a calm and self-soothing physiological state. Recent work, however, suggests that this association is dynamic for the specific components of compassion. Objectives The present study adopted anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the right insula to see whether this would modulate the sensitivity to suffering and the commitment to engage in helpful actions (i.e., the components of compassion motivation). Method Ninety-seven healthy individuals underwent 15-min anodal or sham tDCS over the frontotemporal lobe, while watching a video inducing empathic sensitivity and performing a Redistribution Game. Tonic and phasic HRV, dispositional traits, and momentary affects were assessed. Results Compared to sham condition, anodal stimulation favored significant i) HRV reductions during the video and HRV increases during the Redistribution Game; ii) decreases in self-reported levels of negative affect and increases in positive affect during task when the latter was preceded by the video, without influencing altruistic behavior. Conclusions Anodal tDCS over the right insula may modulate the engagement phase of compassion by intensifying the psychophysiological sensitivity to signals of distress and protecting from being subjectively overwhelmed by it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Di Bello
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Giudetti
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Sowmya Palani
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Petrocchi
- Department of Psychological and Social Sciences, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy
| | - Roger McIntosh
- Department of Psychology, Divisions of Health, Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Miami, FL, USA
| | - Cristina Ottaviani
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
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Cheli S, Cavalletti V, Lysaker PH, Dimaggio G, Petrocchi N, Chiarello F, Enzo C, Velicogna F, Mancini F, Goldzweig G. A pilot randomized controlled trial comparing a novel compassion and metacognition approach for schizotypal personality disorder with a combination of cognitive therapy and psychopharmacological treatment. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:113. [PMID: 36803673 PMCID: PMC9942388 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04610-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schizotypal personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of maladaptive behavior that has been associated with the liability for schizophrenia. Little is known about effective psychosocial interventions. This pilot non-inferiority randomized controlled trial aimed to compare a novel form of psychotherapy tailored for this disorder and a combination of cognitive therapy and psychopharmacological treatment. The former treatment - namely, Evolutionary Systems Therapy for Schizotypy-integrated evolutionary, metacognitively oriented, and compassion focused approaches. METHODS Thirty-three participants were assessed for eligibility, twenty-four randomized on a 1:1 ratio, nineteen included in the final analysis. The treatments lasted 6 months (24 sessions). The primary outcome was change across nine measurements in personality pathology, the secondary outcomes were remission from diagnosis and pre-post changes in general symptomatology and metacognition. RESULTS Primary outcome suggested a non-inferiority of the experimental treatment in respect to control condition. Secondary outcomes reported mixed results. There was no significant difference in terms of remission, but experimental treatment showed a larger reduction of general symptomatology (η2 = 0.558) and a larger increase in metacognition (η2 = 0.734). CONCLUSIONS This pilot study reported promising results about the effectiveness of the proposed novel approach. A confirmatory trial on large sample size is needed to provide evidence about relative effectiveness of the two treatment conditions. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT04764708; Registration day 21/02/2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Cheli
- School of Human Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. .,Center for Psychology and Health (Centro Di Psicologia e Psicoterapia), Tages Charity (Tages Onlus), Via Della Torretta 14, 50137, Florence, Italy.
| | - Veronica Cavalletti
- Center for Psychology and Health (Centro Di Psicologia e Psicoterapia), Tages Charity (Tages Onlus), Via Della Torretta 14, 50137 Florence, Italy
| | - Paul H. Lysaker
- grid.280828.80000 0000 9681 3540Department of Psychiatry, Richard L Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, USA ,grid.257413.60000 0001 2287 3919Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA
| | - Giancarlo Dimaggio
- grid.512576.20000 0004 7475 2686Centro Di Terapia Metacognitiva Interpersonale, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Petrocchi
- grid.449441.80000 0004 1789 8806John Cabot University, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Chiarello
- Center for Psychology and Health (Centro Di Psicologia e Psicoterapia), Tages Charity (Tages Onlus), Via Della Torretta 14, 50137 Florence, Italy
| | - Consuelo Enzo
- Center for Psychology and Health (Centro Di Psicologia e Psicoterapia), Tages Charity (Tages Onlus), Via Della Torretta 14, 50137 Florence, Italy
| | - Francesco Velicogna
- Center for Psychology and Health (Centro Di Psicologia e Psicoterapia), Tages Charity (Tages Onlus), Via Della Torretta 14, 50137 Florence, Italy
| | - Francesco Mancini
- grid.440899.80000 0004 1780 761XGuglielmo Marconi University, Rome, Italy
| | - Gil Goldzweig
- grid.430432.20000 0004 0604 7651The Academic College of Tel Aviv Yaffo, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Naismith I, Otto Scheiber CS, Gonzalez Rodriguez D, Petrocchi N. Physiological response to self-compassion versus relaxation in a clinical population. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0272198. [PMID: 36749746 PMCID: PMC9904495 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Compassion-focused imagery (CFI) can be an effective emotion-regulation technique but can create threat-focused responses in some individuals. However, these findings have been based on tasks involving receiving compassion from others. AIMS This study sought to compare responses CFI involving self-compassion to relaxation and a control task, and to see whether any threat-responses to self-compassion and relaxation decrease with practice. METHOD 25 participants with depression/anxiety symptoms and high self-criticism and/or low self-compassion engaged in three tasks (control task, relaxation imagery, and CFI) at three or four separate testing sessions, every three days. Heart-rate variability (HRV) was used to explore group-level differences between tasks. Additionally, we identified how many individuals showed a clinically significant change in HRV in response to compassion (compared to baseline) and how many showed such a change during relaxation (compared to baseline). RESULTS During session 1, more individuals had a clinically significant increase in HRV in response to CFI (56%) than in response to relaxation (44%), and fewer had a clinically significant decrease in HRV during CFI (16%) than during relaxation (28%). Comparing the group as a whole, no significant differences between tasks were seen. Repeated sessions led to fewer positive responses to CFI, perhaps reflecting habituation/boredom. CONCLUSIONS These preliminary findings suggest that in high self-critics (those most likely to find self-compassion difficult), self-compassionate imagery is no more challenging than standard relaxation tasks. For both compassion and relaxation, some individuals respond positively and others negatively. For those who are not benefiting, practice alone is not sufficient to improve response. Effects may differ for other compassion tasks. TRIAL REGISTRATION Trial number: NCT04647318.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iona Naismith
- Department of Psychology, University of the Andes, Bogota, Colombia
- * E-mail:
| | | | | | - Nicola Petrocchi
- Department of Economics and Social Sciences, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy
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Matos M, McEwan K, Kanovský M, Halamová J, Steindl SR, Ferreira N, Linharelhos M, Rijo D, Asano K, Vilas SP, Márquez MG, Gregório S, Brito-Pons G, Lucena-Santos P, da Silva Oliveira M, de Souza EL, Llobenes L, Gumiy N, Costa MI, Habib N, Hakem R, Khrad H, Alzahrani A, Cheli S, Petrocchi N, Tholouli E, Issari P, Simos G, Lunding-Gregersen V, Elklit A, Kolts R, Kelly AC, Bortolon C, Delamillieure P, Paucsik M, Wahl JE, Zieba M, Zatorski M, Komendziński T, Zhang S, Basran J, Kagialis A, Kirby J, Gilbert P. Improvements in Compassion and Fears of Compassion throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multinational Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:1845. [PMID: 36767212 PMCID: PMC9915071 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20031845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
During large-scale disasters, social support, caring behaviours, and compassion are shown to protect against poor mental health outcomes. This multi-national study aimed to assess the fluctuations in compassion over time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Respondents (Time 1 n = 4156, Time 2 n = 980, Time 3 n = 825) from 23 countries completed online self-report questionnaires measuring the flows of compassion (i.e., Compassionate Engagement and Action Scales) and fears of compassion toward self and others and from others (i.e., Fears of Compassion Scales) and mental health at three time-points during a 10-month period. The results for the flows of compassion showed that self-compassion increased at Time 3. Compassion for others increased at Time 2 and 3 for the general population, but in contrast, it decreased in health professionals, possibly linked to burnout. Compassion from others did not change in Time 2, but it did increase significantly in Time 3. For fears of compassion, fears of self-compassion reduced over time, fears of compassion for others showed more variation, reducing for the general public but increasing for health professionals, whilst fears of compassion from others did not change over time. Health professionals, those with compassion training, older adults, and women showed greater flows of compassion and lower fears of compassion compared with the general population, those without compassion training, younger adults, and men. These findings highlight that, in a period of shared suffering, people from multiple countries and nationalities show a cumulative improvement in compassion and reduction in fears of compassion, suggesting that, when there is intense suffering, people become more compassionate to self and others and less afraid of, and resistant to, compassion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Matos
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Kirsten McEwan
- Centre for Compassion Research and Training, College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby DE22 1G, UK
| | - Martin Kanovský
- Institute of Social Anthropology, Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Comenius University, 814 99 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Júlia Halamová
- Institute of Applied Psychology, Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Comenius University, 814 99 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Stanley R. Steindl
- Compassionate Mind Research Group, School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - Nuno Ferreira
- Department of Social Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia 2417, Cyprus
| | - Mariana Linharelhos
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Daniel Rijo
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Kenichi Asano
- Department of Psychological Counseling, Faculty of Psychology, Mejiro University, Tokyo 161-0032, Japan
| | - Sara P. Vilas
- Behavior, Emotions, and Health Research Group, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain
| | - Margarita G. Márquez
- Behavior, Emotions, and Health Research Group, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sónia Gregório
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
- Behavior, Emotions, and Health Research Group, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Brito-Pons
- Escuela de Psicología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Paola Lucena-Santos
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Margareth da Silva Oliveira
- Evaluation and Treatment in Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapies—Research Group (GAAPCC), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90619-900, Brazil
| | | | | | - Natali Gumiy
- Motivación Compasiva, Buenos Aires C1001, Argentina
| | | | - Noor Habib
- Neuroscience Department, Section of Psychiatry and Psychology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC), Jeddah 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reham Hakem
- Neuroscience Department, Section of Psychiatry and Psychology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC), Jeddah 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hussain Khrad
- Neuroscience Department, Section of Psychiatry and Psychology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC), Jeddah 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Alzahrani
- Neuroscience Department, Section of Psychiatry and Psychology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC), Jeddah 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Simone Cheli
- School of Human Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy
| | - Nicola Petrocchi
- Department of Economics and Social Sciences, John Cabot University, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Elli Tholouli
- Center for Qualitative Research in Psychology and Psychosocial Well-Being, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
| | - Philia Issari
- Center for Qualitative Research in Psychology and Psychosocial Well-Being, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
| | - Gregoris Simos
- Department of Educational and Social Policy, University of Macedonia, 546 36 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Ask Elklit
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Russell Kolts
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA 99004, USA
| | - Allison C. Kelly
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Catherine Bortolon
- Laboratoire Inter-Universitaire de Psychologie: Personnalité, Cognition et Changement Social, Grenoble Alpes University, 38400 Grenoble, France
- Centre Hospitalier Alpes Isère, C3R—Réhabilitation Psychosociale et Remédiation Cognitive, 38100 Grenoble, France
| | - Pascal Delamillieure
- CHU de Caen, Service de Psychiatrie Adulte, 14000 Caen, France
- UNICAEN, ISTS, GIP Cyceron, University of Normandy, 76000 Caen, France
| | - Marine Paucsik
- Laboratoire Inter-Universitaire de Psychologie: Personnalité, Cognition et Changement Social, Grenoble Alpes University, 38400 Grenoble, France
| | - Julia E. Wahl
- The Mind Institute Poland, 33-332 Warsaw, Poland
- Institute of Psychology, Department of General Psychology, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, 03-815 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mariusz Zieba
- Institute of Psychology, Department of General Psychology, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, 03-815 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mateusz Zatorski
- Institute of Psychology, Department of General Psychology, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, 03-815 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Komendziński
- Department of Cognitive Science, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torún, Poland
- Neurocognitive Laboratory, Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torún, Poland
| | - Shuge Zhang
- School of Human Sciences, University of Derby, Derby DE22 1G, UK
| | - Jaskaran Basran
- Centre for Compassion Research and Training, College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby DE22 1G, UK
| | - Antonios Kagialis
- Department of Social Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia 2417, Cyprus
| | - James Kirby
- Compassionate Mind Research Group, School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - Paul Gilbert
- Centre for Compassion Research and Training, College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby DE22 1G, UK
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Matos M, Petrocchi N, Irons C, Steindl SR. Never underestimate fears, blocks, and resistances: The interplay between experiential practices, self-conscious emotions, and the therapeutic relationship in compassion focused therapy. J Clin Psychol 2022. [PMID: 36563306 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Experiential practices are a core component of compassion focused therapy (CFT). Throughout the treatment process, the client's engagement with these practices may become blocked, resulting in a rupture in the therapeutic relationship. In these instances, the interplay between these experiential practices and the therapeutic relationship becomes an essential focus of therapy to repair the rupture, re-engage the client in the therapeutic process, and proceed with the CFT treatment plan. This paper presents the case of a man diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, with the presence of shame-based self-criticism, treated via 12 sessions of CFT. CFT was proceeding well until certain embodiment practices and chair work were introduced, at which point the client refused to continue and became disengaged in the session. The process of repair and re-engagement will be discussed from the perspective of this interplay between experiential exercises and therapeutic relationships. Implications for CFT practice and clinical recommendations will be provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Matos
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Faculdade de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Nicola Petrocchi
- Department of Economics and Social Sciences, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Stanley R Steindl
- Compassionate Mind Research Group, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Seabra D, Gato J, Carreiras D, Petrocchi N, Salvador MDC. Shame-Based Experiences of Homophobic Bullying and Mental Health: The Mediating Role of Self-Compassionate Actions. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:16866. [PMID: 36554745 PMCID: PMC9778800 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Homophobic experiences with traumatic characteristics related to shame are more frequent among sexual minority (SM) than heterosexual individuals. Concurrently, SM individuals present higher levels of psychopathology and transdiagnostic processes (e.g., shame) than heterosexual individuals. Self-compassion has been identified as a protective mechanism that counteracts the effects of shame. The current study aimed to analyse which components of self-compassion affect mental health and test the mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between feelings of shame in traumatic homophobic bullying experiences (THBEs) and psychopathology indicators (depression, anxiety, and social anxiety symptoms). In this study, 190 Portuguese SM individuals (Mage = 28.3, SD = 7.5) completed self-report measures assessing traumatic experiences, self-compassion, and psychopathology. Data were explored with SPSS and AMOS. Regression analyses showed that internal shame felt during THBE and compassionate actions predicted psychopathology outcomes. Mediation analyses revealed that internal shame during a THBE had a significant indirect effect on all psychopathology outcomes through compassionate actions. In other words, internal shame during a THBE was significantly associated with depression, anxiety, and social anxiety, and these relationships were partially mediated by compassionate actions. Our results reinforce the importance of developing compassionate actions towards the self as a possible protective factor for psychopathology among SM individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Seabra
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioural Intervention (CINEICC), Rua do Colégio Novo, 3000-115 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Jorge Gato
- Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences and Center for Psychology, University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Diogo Carreiras
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioural Intervention (CINEICC), Rua do Colégio Novo, 3000-115 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Nicola Petrocchi
- Department of Economics and Social Sciences, John Cabot University, Via della Lungara 233, 00165 Rome, Italy
- Compassionate Mind Italia, Via Marcantonio Colonna 44, 00192 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria do Céu Salvador
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioural Intervention (CINEICC), Rua do Colégio Novo, 3000-115 Coimbra, Portugal
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Gilbert P, Basran JK, Raven J, Gilbert H, Petrocchi N, Cheli S, Rayner A, Hayes A, Lucre K, Minou P, Giles D, Byrne F, Newton E, McEwan K. Compassion Focused Group Therapy for People With a Diagnosis of Bipolar Affective Disorder: A Feasibility Study. Front Psychol 2022; 13:841932. [PMID: 35936292 PMCID: PMC9347420 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.841932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Compassion focused therapy (CFT) is an evolutionary informed, biopsychosocial approach to mental health problems and therapy. It suggests that evolved motives (e.g., for caring, cooperating, competing) are major sources for the organisation of psychophysiological processes which underpin mental health problems. Hence, evolved motives can be targets for psychotherapy. People with certain types of depression are psychophysiologically orientated towards social competition and concerned with social status and social rank. These can give rise to down rank-focused forms of social comparison, sense of inferiority, worthlessness, lowered confidence, submissive behaviour, shame proneness and self-criticism. People with bipolar disorders also experience elevated aspects of competitiveness and up rank status evaluation. These shift processing to a sense of superiority, elevated confidence, energised behaviour, positive affect and social dominance. This is the first study to explore the feasibility of a 12 module CFT group, tailored to helping people with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder understand the impact of evolved competitive, status-regulating motivation on their mental states and the value of cultivating caring and compassion motives and their psychophysiological regulators. Methods Six participants with a history of bipolar disorder took part in a CFT group consisting of 12 modules (over 25 sessions) as co-collaborators to explore their personal experiences of CFT and potential processes of change. Assessment of change was measured via self-report, heart rate variability (HRV) and focus groups over three time points. Results Although changes in self-report scales between participants and across time were uneven, four of the six participants consistently showed improvements across the majority of self-report measures. Heart rate variability measures revealed significant improvement over the course of the therapy. Qualitative data from three focus groups revealed participants found CFT gave them helpful insight into: how evolution has given rise to a number of difficult problems for emotion regulation (called tricky brain) which is not one's fault; an evolutionary understanding of the nature of bipolar disorders; development of a compassionate mind and practices of compassion focused visualisations, styles of thinking and behaviours; addressing issues of self-criticism; and building a sense of a compassionate identity as a means of coping with life difficulties. These impacted their emotional regulation and social relationships. Conclusion Although small, the study provides evidence of feasibility, acceptability and engagement with CFT. Focus group analysis revealed that participants were able to switch from competitive focused to compassion focused processing with consequent improvements in mental states and social behaviour. Participants indicated a journey over time from 'intellectually' understanding the process of building a compassionate mind to experiencing a more embodied sense of compassion that had significant impacts on their orientation to (and working with) the psychophysiological processes of bipolar disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Gilbert
- Centre for Compassion Research and Training, College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby, United Kingdom
- The Compassionate Mind Foundation, Derby, United Kingdom
| | - Jaskaran K. Basran
- Centre for Compassion Research and Training, College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby, United Kingdom
- The Compassionate Mind Foundation, Derby, United Kingdom
| | - Joanne Raven
- The Compassionate Mind Foundation, Derby, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah Gilbert
- The Compassionate Mind Foundation, Derby, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychology, University of Roehampton, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Petrocchi
- Department of Economics and Social Sciences, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy
- Compassionate Mind ITALIA, Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Cheli
- School of Human Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrew Rayner
- The Compassionate Mind Foundation, Derby, United Kingdom
| | - Alison Hayes
- Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Kate Lucre
- Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Paschalina Minou
- Department of Philosophy, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby, United Kingdom
| | - David Giles
- Lattice Coaching and Training, Chesterfield, United Kingdom
| | - Frances Byrne
- Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth Newton
- College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby, United Kingdom
| | - Kirsten McEwan
- Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Matos M, Albuquerque I, Galhardo A, Cunha M, Pedroso Lima M, Palmeira L, Petrocchi N, McEwan K, Maratos FA, Gilbert P. Nurturing compassion in schools: A randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of a Compassionate Mind Training program for teachers. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263480. [PMID: 35231057 PMCID: PMC8887735 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Schools are experiencing an unprecedented mental health crisis, with teachers reporting high levels of stress and burnout, which has adverse consequences to their mental and physical health. Addressing mental and physical health problems and promoting wellbeing in educational settings is thus a global priority. This study investigated the feasibility and effectiveness of an 8-week Compassionate Mind Training program for Teachers (CMT-T) on indicators of psychological and physiological wellbeing. METHODS A pragmatic randomized controlled study with a stepped-wedge design was conducted in a sample of 155 public school teachers, who were randomized to CMT-T (n = 80) or a waitlist control group (WLC; n = 75). Participants completed self-report measures of psychological distress, burnout, overall and professional wellbeing, compassion and self-criticism at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-months follow-up. In a sub-sample (CMT-T, n = 51; WLC n = 36) resting heart-rate variability (HRV) was measured at baseline and post-intervention. RESULTS CMT-T was feasible and effective. Compared to the WLC, the CMT-T group showed improvements in self-compassion, compassion to others, positive affect, and HRV as well as reductions in fears of compassion, anxiety and depression. WLC participants who received CMT-T revealed additional improvements in compassion for others and from others, and satisfaction with professional life, along with decreases in burnout and stress. Teachers scoring higher in self-criticism at baseline revealed greater improvements post CMT-T. At 3-month follow-up improvements were retained. CONCLUSIONS CMT-T shows promise as a compassion-focused intervention for enhancing compassion, wellbeing and reducing psychophysiological distress in teachers, contributing to nurturing compassionate, prosocial and resilient educational environments. Given its favourable and sustainable effects on wellbeing and psychophysiological distress, and low cost to deliver, broader implementation and dissemination of CMT-T is encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Matos
- University of Coimbra, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioural Intervention (CINEICC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Isabel Albuquerque
- University of Coimbra, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioural Intervention (CINEICC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Galhardo
- University of Coimbra, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioural Intervention (CINEICC), Coimbra, Portugal
- Instituto Superior Miguel Torga, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Marina Cunha
- University of Coimbra, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioural Intervention (CINEICC), Coimbra, Portugal
- Instituto Superior Miguel Torga, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Margarida Pedroso Lima
- University of Coimbra, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioural Intervention (CINEICC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Lara Palmeira
- University of Coimbra, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioural Intervention (CINEICC), Coimbra, Portugal
- Universidade Portucalense, Infante D. Henrique, Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Kirsten McEwan
- University of Derby, College of Health, Psychology & Social Care, Derby, United Kingdom
| | - Frances A. Maratos
- University of Derby, College of Health, Psychology & Social Care, Derby, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Gilbert
- University of Derby, College of Health, Psychology & Social Care, Derby, United Kingdom
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9
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Makovac E, Carnevali L, Medina S, Sgoifo A, Petrocchi N, Ottaviani C. Safe in my heart: resting heart rate variability longitudinally predicts emotion regulation, worry, and sense of safeness during COVID-19 lockdown. Stress 2022; 25:9-13. [PMID: 34713763 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2021.1999408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Resting heart rate variability (HRV), a surrogate index of cardiac vagal modulation, is considered a putative biomarker of stress resilience as it reflects the ability to effectively regulate emotions in a changing environment. However, most studies are cross-sectional, precluding longitudinal inferences. The high degree of uncertainty and fear at a global level that characterizes the COVID-19 pandemic offers a unique opportunity to explore the utility of HRV measures as longitudinal predictors of stress resilience. This study examined whether resting measures of HRV prior to the COVID-19 outbreak (i.e. nearly 2 years before; Time 0) could predict emotion regulation strategies and daily affect in healthy adults during the May 2020 lockdown (Time 1). Moreover, we evaluated the association between HRV measures, emotion regulation strategies, subjective perception of COVID-19 risk, and self-reported depressive symptoms at Time 1. Higher resting HRV at Time 0 predicted a stronger engagement in more functional emotion regulation strategies, as well as of higher daily feelings of safeness and reduced daily worry at Time 1. Moreover, depressive symptoms negatively correlated with HRV and positively correlated with the subjective perception of COVID-19 risk at Time 1. Current data support the view that HRV might not only be a marker but also a precursor of resilience under stressful times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Makovac
- Centre for Neuroimaging Science, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Luca Carnevali
- Stress Physiology Lab, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Sonia Medina
- Centre for Neuroimaging Science, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Andrea Sgoifo
- Stress Physiology Lab, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Nicola Petrocchi
- Department of Economics and Social Sciences, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Ottaviani
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
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10
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Sousa R, Ribeiro da Silva D, Petrocchi N, Gilbert P, Rijo D. At the heart of change: Differences in young offenders' HRV patterns after the delivery of the PSYCHOPATHY.COMP program. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1032011. [PMID: 36704737 PMCID: PMC9872126 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1032011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Literature has pointed the need for intervention programs specifically tailored to target the treatment needs of young offenders, as well as the need to test the efficacy of such programs through physiological indexes of emotion regulation (e.g., heart rate variability; HRV), complementing self-reports typically used as outcome measures. The PSYCHOPATHY.COMP is a 20-session individual intervention program based on Compassion Focused Therapy aiming to reduce psychopathic traits and disruptive behavior among young offenders through the development of a compassionate motivation, while stimulating the soothing system as a strategy to improve emotion regulation. Previous research with young offenders has shown decreases in vagally mediated HRV (vmHRV) when the soothing system is activated. This physiological pattern seems to mirror threat-like responses that contrast with relaxed states. METHODS To test the efficacy of the PSYCHOPATHY.COMP, a clinical trial was implemented encompassing a treatment (n = 56) and a control group (n = 53). Treatment participants attended the PSYCHOPATHY.COMP, while controls received the Treatment As Usual (TAU) delivered in Portuguese juvenile detention facilities. HRV data was collected throughout a standardized procedure (encompassing resting, reactivity and recovery phases) specifically designed to trigger the soothing system. Participants were assessed at pre-treatment, post-treatment and 6-months follow-up. RESULTS Although treatment participants continued to process the soothing system as unpleasant (with decreased vmHRV), they seem to become able to adaptively recover from the stimuli without avoiding it or resorting to maladaptive coping strategies. The physiological pattern was in line with participants' decreases in difficulties in emotion regulation across the assessment periods. In contrast, controls seemed to have actively employed coping strategies associated with increases in vmHRV not only when the soothing system was triggered, but also when recovering from the stimuli. Congruently, for controls, increases in difficulties in emotion regulation were found, with increases in the lack of emotional clarity across the assessment periods. DISCUSSION Findings offer new evidence for the efficacy of the PSYCHOPATHY.COMP program in improving emotion regulation in young offenders, assessed through both self-report and physiological measures. Additionally, findings support the assessment of the autonomic balance as a treatment efficacy index in future research, targeting the rehabilitation of these youth. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03971682.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rúben Sousa
- Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Diana Ribeiro da Silva
- Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Nicola Petrocchi
- Department of Economics and Social Sciences, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy
| | - Paul Gilbert
- School of Allied Health and Social Care, College of Health and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Rijo
- Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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11
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Matos M, McEwan K, Kanovský M, Halamová J, Steindl SR, Ferreira N, Linharelhos M, Rijo D, Asano K, Vilas SP, Márquez MG, Gregório S, Brito-Pons G, Lucena-Santos P, Oliveira MDS, de Souza EL, Llobenes L, Gumiy N, Costa MI, Habib N, Hakem R, Khrad H, Alzahrani A, Cheli S, Petrocchi N, Tholouli E, Issari P, Simos G, Lunding-Gregersen V, Elklit A, Kolts R, Kelly AC, Bortolon C, Delamillieure P, Paucsik M, Wahl JE, Zieba M, Zatorski M, Komendziński T, Zhang S, Basran J, Kagialis A, Kirby J, Gilbert P. The role of social connection on the experience of COVID-19 related post-traumatic growth and stress. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0261384. [PMID: 34910779 PMCID: PMC8673633 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Historically social connection has been an important way through which humans have coped with large-scale threatening events. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns have deprived people of major sources of social support and coping, with others representing threats. Hence, a major stressor during the pandemic has been a sense of social disconnection and loneliness. This study explores how people's experience of compassion and feeling socially safe and connected, in contrast to feeling socially disconnected, lonely and fearful of compassion, effects the impact of perceived threat of COVID-19 on post-traumatic growth and post-traumatic stress. METHODS Adult participants from the general population (N = 4057) across 21 countries worldwide, completed self-report measures of social connection (compassion for self, from others, for others; social safeness), social disconnection (fears of compassion for self, from others, for others; loneliness), perceived threat of COVID-19, post-traumatic growth and traumatic stress. RESULTS Perceived threat of COVID-19 predicted increased post-traumatic growth and traumatic stress. Social connection (compassion and social safeness) predicted higher post-traumatic growth and traumatic stress, whereas social disconnection (fears of compassion and loneliness) predicted increased traumatic symptoms only. Social connection heightened the impact of perceived threat of COVID-19 on post-traumatic growth, while social disconnection weakened this impact. Social disconnection magnified the impact of the perceived threat of COVID-19 on traumatic stress. These effects were consistent across all countries. CONCLUSIONS Social connection is key to how people adapt and cope with the worldwide COVID-19 crisis and may facilitate post-traumatic growth in the context of the threat experienced during the pandemic. In contrast, social disconnection increases vulnerability to develop post-traumatic stress in this threatening context. Public health and Government organizations could implement interventions to foster compassion and feelings of social safeness and reduce experiences of social disconnection, thus promoting growth, resilience and mental wellbeing during and following the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Matos
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Kirsten McEwan
- Centre for Compassion Research and Training, College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Kanovský
- Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Institute of Social Anthropology, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Júlia Halamová
- Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Institute of Applied Psychology, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Stanley R. Steindl
- Compassionate Mind Research Group, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Nuno Ferreira
- Department of Social Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Mariana Linharelhos
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Daniel Rijo
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Kenichi Asano
- Department of Psychological Counseling, Faculty of Psychology, Mejiro University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sara P. Vilas
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Behavior, Emotions, and Health Research Group, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Margarita G. Márquez
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Behavior, Emotions, and Health Research Group, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sónia Gregório
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Coimbra, Portugal
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Behavior, Emotions, and Health Research Group, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Brito-Pons
- Escuela de Psicología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paola Lucena-Santos
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Margareth da Silva Oliveira
- Evaluation and Treatment in Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapies—Research Group (GAAPCC), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Noor Habib
- Neuroscience Department, Section of Psychiatry and Psychology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reham Hakem
- Neuroscience Department, Section of Psychiatry and Psychology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hussain Khrad
- Neuroscience Department, Section of Psychiatry and Psychology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Alzahrani
- Neuroscience Department, Section of Psychiatry and Psychology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Simone Cheli
- School of Human Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Nicola Petrocchi
- Department of Economics and Social Sciences, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy
| | - Elli Tholouli
- Center for Qualitative Research in Psychology and Psychosocial Well-being, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Philia Issari
- Center for Qualitative Research in Psychology and Psychosocial Well-being, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Gregoris Simos
- Department of Educational and Social Policy, University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Ask Elklit
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Russell Kolts
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA, United States of America
| | - Allison C. Kelly
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Catherine Bortolon
- Laboratoire Inter-universitaire de Psychologie: Personnalité, Cognition et Changement Social, Grenoble Alpes University, Grenoble, France
- Centre Hospitalier Alpes Isère, C3R - Réhabilitation psychosociale et remédiation cognitive, Grenoble, France
| | - Pascal Delamillieure
- CHU de Caen, Service de Psychiatrie Adulte, Caen, France
- UNICAEN, ISTS, GIP Cyceron, University of Normandy, Caen, France
| | - Marine Paucsik
- Laboratoire Inter-universitaire de Psychologie: Personnalité, Cognition et Changement Social, Grenoble Alpes University, Grenoble, France
| | - Julia E. Wahl
- The Mind Institute Poland, Warsaw, Poland
- SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw & Poznań, Poland
| | - Mariusz Zieba
- SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw & Poznań, Poland
| | - Mateusz Zatorski
- SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw & Poznań, Poland
| | - Tomasz Komendziński
- Department of Cognitive Science, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torún, Poland
- Neurocognitive Laboratory, Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torún, Poland
| | - Shuge Zhang
- School of Human Sciences, University of Derby, Derby, United Kingdom
| | - Jaskaran Basran
- Centre for Compassion Research and Training, College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby, United Kingdom
| | - Antonios Kagialis
- Department of Social Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - James Kirby
- Compassionate Mind Research Group, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Paul Gilbert
- Centre for Compassion Research and Training, College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby, United Kingdom
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12
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Kanovský M, Halamová J, Zuroff DC, Troop NA, Gilbert P, Shahar B, Petrocchi N, Hermanto N, Krieger T, Kirby JN, Asano K, Matos M, Yu F, Basran J, Kupeli N. A Multilevel Multidimensional Finite Mixture Item Response Model to Cluster Respondents and Countries. European Journal of Psychological Assessment 2021. [DOI: 10.1027/1015-5759/a000631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Abstract. The aim of this study was to test the multilevel multidimensional finite mixture item response model of the Forms of Self-Criticising/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale (FSCRS) to cluster respondents and countries from 13 samples ( N = 7,714) and from 12 countries. The practical goal was to learn how many discrete classes there are on the level of individuals (i.e., how many cut-offs are to be used) and countries (i.e., the magnitude of similarities and dissimilarities among them). We employed the multilevel multidimensional finite mixture approach which is based on an extended class of multidimensional latent class Item Response Theory (IRT) models. Individuals and countries are partitioned into discrete latent classes with different levels of self-criticism and self-reassurance, taking into account at the same time the multidimensional structure of the construct. This approach was applied to the analysis of the relationships between observed characteristics and latent trait at different levels (individuals and countries), and across different dimensions using the three-dimensional measure of the FSCRS. Results showed that respondents’ scores were dependent on unobserved (latent class) individual and country membership, the multidimensional structure of the instrument, and justified the use of a multilevel multidimensional finite mixture item response model in the comparative psychological assessment of individuals and countries. Latent class analysis of the FSCRS showed that individual participants and countries could be divided into discrete classes. Along with the previous findings that the FSCRS is psychometrically robust we can recommend using the FSCRS for measuring self-criticism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kanovský
- Institute of Social Anthropology, Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Júlia Halamová
- Institute of Applied Psychology, Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - David C. Zuroff
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nicholas A. Troop
- Department of Psychology and Sports Sciences, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Gilbert
- Centre for Compassion Research and Training, College of Health and Social Care Research Centre, University of Derby, School of Sciences, Derby, United Kingdom
| | - Ben Shahar
- Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Nicola Petrocchi
- Department of Economics and Social Sciences, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Hermanto
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Tobias Krieger
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - James N. Kirby
- The School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Kenichi Asano
- Department of Psychological Counseling, Mejiro University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Marcela Matos
- Cognitive and Behavioural Centre for Research and Intervention, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - FuYa Yu
- Student Counseling Center K-12 Education Administration, Ministry of Education, Taiwan
| | - Jaskaran Basran
- Centre for Compassion Research and Training, College of Health and Social Care Research Centre, University of Derby, School of Sciences, Derby, United Kingdom
| | - Nuriye Kupeli
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, University College London, United Kingdom
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13
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Sousa R, Petrocchi N, Gilbert P, Rijo D. HRV patterns associated with different affect regulation systems: Sex differences in adolescents. Int J Psychophysiol 2021; 170:156-167. [PMID: 34673123 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2021.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Evolutionary perspectives of human behavior propose the existence of three emotion regulation systems (i.e., threat, drive and soothing systems). An unbalanced functioning of the systems represents greater risk for emotion dysregulation and psychopathology. In recent years, heart rate variability (HRV) has been reported as an accurate index of emotion regulation, and although adolescence is characterized by multiple neurophysiological, psychological and social changes, there is no study exploring the HRV patterns of each emotion regulation system in this developmental stage. In Study 1, a standardized procedure (SP) aiming to elicit the three different systems was developed and validated by experts (n = 14) and community adolescents (n = 31). In study 2, differences in HRV patterns across the three emotion regulation systems and across sex, were investigated in a sample of community adolescents (n = 155; 70 males), aged between 14 and 18 years old. Results showed that the threat and drive systems were associated with decreases in HRV, while the soothing system was associated with decreased heart rate. Sex differences were found for the activation of the threat system: while males maintained a decreasing trend in HRV indexes, from resting to recovery, females did not show a decrease in HRV during the activation of this system. Overall, physiological correlates of each specific emotion regulation system corroborate the theoretical assumptions. Moreover, a SP able to trigger each system independently while measuring physiological data is now available and can be used in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rúben Sousa
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Nicola Petrocchi
- Department of Economics and Social Sciences, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy
| | - Paul Gilbert
- University of Derby, School of Allied Health and Social Care, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Rijo
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Coimbra, Portugal
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14
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Matos M, McEwan K, Kanovský M, Halamová J, Steindl SR, Ferreira N, Linharelhos M, Rijo D, Asano K, Gregório S, Márquez MG, Vilas SP, Brito-Pons G, Lucena-Santos P, da Silva Oliveira M, de Souza EL, Llobenes L, Gumiy N, Costa MI, Habib N, Hakem R, Khrad H, Alzahrani A, Cheli S, Petrocchi N, Tholouli E, Issari P, Simos G, Lunding-Gregersen V, Elklit A, Kolts R, Kelly AC, Bortolon C, Delamillieure P, Paucsik M, Wahl JE, Zieba M, Zatorski M, Komendziński T, Zhang S, Basran J, Kagialis A, Kirby J, Gilbert P. Fears of compassion magnify the harmful effects of threat of COVID-19 on mental health and social safeness across 21 countries. Clin Psychol Psychother 2021; 28:1317-1333. [PMID: 33880832 PMCID: PMC8251194 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Background The COVID‐19 pandemic is a massive global health crisis with damaging consequences to mental health and social relationships. Exploring factors that may heighten or buffer the risk of mental health problems in this context is thus critical. Whilst compassion may be a protective factor, in contrast fears of compassion increase vulnerability to psychosocial distress and may amplify the impact of the pandemic on mental health. This study explores the magnifying effects of fears of compassion on the impact of perceived threat of COVID‐19 on depression, anxiety and stress, and social safeness. Methods Adult participants from the general population (N = 4057) were recruited across 21 countries worldwide, and completed self‐report measures of perceived threat of COVID‐19, fears of compassion (for self, from others, for others), depression, anxiety, stress and social safeness. Results Perceived threat of COVID‐19 predicted increased depression, anxiety and stress. The three flows of fears of compassion predicted higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress and lower social safeness. All fears of compassion moderated (heightened) the impact of perceived threat of COVID‐19 on psychological distress. Only fears of compassion from others moderated the effects of likelihood of contracting COVID‐19 on social safeness. These effects were consistent across all countries. Conclusions Fears of compassion have a universal magnifying effect on the damaging impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on mental health and social safeness. Compassion focused interventions and communications could be implemented to reduce resistances to compassion and promote mental wellbeing during and following the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Matos
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Kirsten McEwan
- College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, Centre for Compassion Research and Training, University of Derby, Derby, UK
| | - Martin Kanovský
- Institute of Social Anthropology, Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Júlia Halamová
- Institute of Applied Psychology, Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Stanley R Steindl
- School of Psychology, Compassionate Mind Research Group, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nuno Ferreira
- Department of Social Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Mariana Linharelhos
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Daniel Rijo
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Kenichi Asano
- Department of Psychological Counseling, Faculty of Psychology, Mejiro University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sónia Gregório
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Coimbra, Portugal.,Department of Psychology, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Behavior, Emotions, and Health Research Group, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Margarita G Márquez
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Behavior, Emotions, and Health Research Group, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara P Vilas
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Behavior, Emotions, and Health Research Group, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Brito-Pons
- Escuela de Psicología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paola Lucena-Santos
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Margareth da Silva Oliveira
- Evaluation and Treatment in Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapies-Research Group (GAAPCC), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Noor Habib
- Neuroscience Department, section of Psychiatry and Psychology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reham Hakem
- Neuroscience Department, section of Psychiatry and Psychology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hussain Khrad
- Neuroscience Department, section of Psychiatry and Psychology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Alzahrani
- Neuroscience Department, section of Psychiatry and Psychology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Simone Cheli
- School of Human Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Nicola Petrocchi
- Department of Economics and Social Sciences, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy
| | - Elli Tholouli
- Center for Qualitative Research in Psychology and Psychosocial Well-being, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Philia Issari
- Center for Qualitative Research in Psychology and Psychosocial Well-being, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Gregoris Simos
- Department of Educational and Social Policy, University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Ask Elklit
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Russell Kolts
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, Washington, USA
| | - Allison C Kelly
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Catherine Bortolon
- Laboratoire Inter-universitaire de Psychologie : Personnalité, Cognition et Changement Social, Grenoble Alpes University, Grenoble, France.,C3R-Réhabilitation Psychosociale et Remédiation Cognitive, Centre Hospitalier Alpes Isère, Grenoble, France
| | - Pascal Delamillieure
- Service de Psychiatrie Adulte, CHU de Caen, Caen, France.,UNICAEN, ISTS, GIP Cyceron, University of Normandy, Caen, France
| | - Marine Paucsik
- Laboratoire Inter-universitaire de Psychologie : Personnalité, Cognition et Changement Social, Grenoble Alpes University, Grenoble, France
| | - Julia E Wahl
- The Mind Institute Poland, Warsaw, Poland.,SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw& Poznań, Poland
| | - Mariusz Zieba
- SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw& Poznań, Poland
| | - Mateusz Zatorski
- SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw& Poznań, Poland
| | - Tomasz Komendziński
- Department of Cognitive Science, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torún, Poland.,Neurocognitive Laboratory, Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torún, Poland
| | - Shuge Zhang
- School of Human Sciences, University of Derby, Derby, UK
| | - Jaskaran Basran
- College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, Centre for Compassion Research and Training, University of Derby, Derby, UK
| | - Antonios Kagialis
- Department of Social Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - James Kirby
- School of Psychology, Compassionate Mind Research Group, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Paul Gilbert
- College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, Centre for Compassion Research and Training, University of Derby, Derby, UK
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15
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Di Bello M, Ottaviani C, Petrocchi N. Compassion Is Not a Benzo: Distinctive Associations of Heart Rate Variability With Its Empathic and Action Components. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:617443. [PMID: 33776635 PMCID: PMC7994334 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.617443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have linked compassion with higher vagally mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV), a measure of parasympathetic activity, and meta-analytic evidence confirmed significant and positive associations. Compassion, however, is not to be confused with soothing positive emotions: in order to engage in actions aimed to alleviate (self or others) suffering, the pain should resonate, and empathic sensitivity should be experienced first. The present study examined the association between vmHRV and the empathic sensitivity and action components of trait and state compassion. To do so, several dispositional questionnaires were administered and two videos inducing empathic sensitivity (video 1) and compassionate actions (video 2) were shown, while the ECG was continuously recorded, and momentary affect was assessed. Results showed that (i) scores on subscales assessing the empathic component of trait compassion were inversely related to resting vmHRV; (ii) vmHRV decreased after video 1 but significantly increased after video 2. As to momentary affect, video 1 was accompanied with an increase in sadness and a decrease in positive affect, whereas video 2 was characterized by an increase in anger, a parallel decrease in sadness, and an increase (although non-significant) in positive affect. Overall, present findings support the notion that it is simplistic to link compassion with higher vmHRV. Compassion encompasses increased sensitivity to emotional pain, which is naturally associated with lower vmHRV, and action to alleviate others’ suffering, which is ultimately associated with increased vmHRV. The importance of adopting a nuanced perspective on the complex physiological regulation that underlies compassionate responding to suffering is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Di Bello
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Ottaviani
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Petrocchi
- Department of Economics and Social Sciences, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy
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16
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Petrocchi N, Cosentino T, Pellegrini V, Femia G, D'Innocenzo A, Mancini F. Compassion-Focused Group Therapy for Treatment-Resistant OCD: Initial Evaluation Using a Multiple Baseline Design. Front Psychol 2021; 11:594277. [PMID: 33510677 PMCID: PMC7835278 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.594277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating mental health disorder that can easily become a treatment-resistant condition. Although effective therapies exist, only about half of the patients seem to benefit from them when we consider treatment refusal, dropout rates, and residual symptoms. Thus, providing effective augmentation to standard therapies could improve existing treatments. Group compassion-focused interventions have shown promise for reducing depression, anxiety, and avoidance related to various clinical problems, but this approach has never been evaluated for OCD individuals. However, cultivating compassion for self and others seems crucial for OCD patients, given the accumulating research suggesting that fear of guilt, along with isolation and self-criticism, can strongly contribute to the development and maintenance of OCD. The primary aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the acceptability, tolerability, and effectiveness of an 8-week group compassion-focused intervention for reducing OCD symptoms, depression, fear of guilt and self-criticism, and increasing common humanity and compassionate self-reassuring skills in treatment-resistant OCD patients. Using a multiple baseline experimental design, the intervention was evaluated in a sample of OCD patients (N = 8) who had completed at least 6 months of CBT treatment for OCD, but who continued to suffer from significant symptoms. Participants were randomized to different baseline assessment lengths; they then received 8 weekly, 120-min group sessions of compassion-focused therapy for OCD (CFT-OCD), and then were tested again at post-treatment and at 1 month follow up. Despite the adverse external circumstances (post-treatment and follow-up data collection were carried out, respectively, at the beginning and in the middle of the Italian lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic), by the end of treatment, all participants demonstrated reliable decreases in OCD symptoms, and these improvements were maintained at 4-week follow-up for seven of eight participants. The intervention was also associated with improvements in fear of guilt, self-criticism, and self-reassurance, but less consistent improvements in depression and common humanity. Participants reported high levels of acceptability of and satisfaction with the intervention. Results suggest that the intervention may be beneficial as either a stand-alone treatment or as an augmentation to other treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Petrocchi
- Department of Economics and Social Sciences, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy.,Compassionate Mind Italia, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Valerio Pellegrini
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Antonella D'Innocenzo
- Compassionate Mind Italia, Rome, Italy.,Scuola di Psicoterapia Cognitiva S.r.l., Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Mancini
- Scuola di Psicoterapia Cognitiva S.r.l., Rome, Italy.,Department of Psychological Sciences, Guglielmo Marconi University, Rome, Italy
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17
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Cheli S, Cavalletti V, Petrocchi N. An online compassion-focused crisis intervention during COVID-19 lockdown: a cases series on patients at high risk for psychosis. Psychosis 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/17522439.2020.1786148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Cheli
- School of Human Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Center for Psychology & Health, Tages Charity, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Nicola Petrocchi
- Department of Economics and Social Sciences, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy
- Compassionate Mind Italia, Rome, Italy
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18
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Halamová J, Kanovský M, Petrocchi N, Moreira H, López A, Barnett MD, Yang E, Benda J, Brähler E, Zeng X, Zenger M. Factor Structure of the Self-Compassion Scale in 11 International Samples. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/07481756.2020.1735203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Júlia Halamová
- Institute of Applied Psychology, Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Martin Kanovský
- Institute of Social Anthropology, Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Nicola Petrocchi
- Department of Economics and Social Sciences, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy
| | - Helena Moreira
- Cognitive and Behavioural Centre for Research and Intervention, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Angélica López
- Department of Health Sciences, Health Psychology Section, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Michael D. Barnett
- Department of Psychology and Counseling, Memory Assessment and Research Center, University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX, USA
| | - Eunjoo Yang
- Department of Psychology, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jan Benda
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Elmar Brähler
- Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Xianglong Zeng
- Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Markus Zenger
- Faculty of Applied Human Studies, University of Applied Sciences Magdeburg and Stendal, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Stendal, Germany
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases - Behavioral Medicine, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
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19
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Petrocchi N, Dentale F, Gilbert P. Self-reassurance, not self-esteem, serves as a buffer between self-criticism and depressive symptoms. Psychol Psychother 2019; 92:394-406. [PMID: 29907988 DOI: 10.1111/papt.12186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Several studies suggest that self-criticism and self-reassurance operate through different mechanisms and might interact with each other. This study examined the hypothesis that self-reassurance serves as a buffer between self-criticism and depressive symptoms in a way that self-esteem, which is rooted in a different motivational system, may not. DESIGN We hypothesized that self-criticism would be correlated with high levels of depressive symptoms, but that this association would be weaker at higher levels of self-reassurance abilities. We also hypothesized that self-esteem, a self-relating process based on feeling able and competent to achieve life goals, would not buffer the relationship between self-criticism and depression. METHODS Self-criticism, self-reassurance, depressive symptoms, and self-esteem were assessed in a sample of 419 participants (66% females; Mage = 33.40, SD = 11.13). RESULTS At higher levels of self-reassurance, the relationship between self-criticism and depressive symptoms became non-significant, supporting the buffering hypothesis of self-reassurance. Despite the high correlation between self-esteem and self-reassurance, self-esteem did not moderate the relationship between self-criticism and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Results support the growing evidence that not all positive self-relating processes exert the same protective function against psychopathological consequences of self-criticism. Implications for psychotherapy and the validity of using compassion-focused interventions with clients with self-critical issues are discussed. PRACTITIONER POINTS Self-reassurance and self-criticism are distinct processes and they should not be considered positive and negative variations of a single dimension Different types of positive self-relating do not show the same correlation with depressive symptoms. The ability to be self-reassuring protects against the psychopathological correlates of self-criticism while having high self-esteem does not. Compassion-focused interventions are promising avenues to help clients counteract the negative impact of self-criticism on mood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Petrocchi
- Department of Economics and Social Sciences, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Dentale
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Paul Gilbert
- Centre for Compassion Research and Training, University of Derby, UK
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20
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Abstract
PURPOSE Humans evolved within the mammalian line as a highly social species. Indeed, sociality has been a major driver of human social intelligence. From birth, social relationships have emotional and self-regulating properties and operate through different body systems. This paper will explore how heart rate variability (HRV), an index of the vagal regulation of the heart and a central element of the physiological underpinnings of sociality, is related to mental health problems, with important implications for psychotherapy. METHODS We conducted a narrative review of the literature on the bi-directional links between prosocial motivations, HRV, and psychophysiological functioning. RESULTS HRV is associated not only with the ability to downregulate physiological arousal, but also with a variety of psychological and behavioural variables which are usually the target of psychotherapeutic interventions. A modern neurovisceral integration model can be employed to explain the complex intercorrelation between HRV and psychophysiological functioning. In particular, the link between HRV, the experience of inter- and intrapersonal safeness, and the inhibitory function of the prefrontal cortex will be explored in the context of prosocial motives, such as compassion, that alleviate and help prevent mental health difficulties. CONCLUSIONS Our knowledge of the social brain and its physiological underpinnings might influence important elements of a therapeutic intervention, from the initial assessment of patient's difficulties to the evaluation of therapy outcomes. PRACTITIONER POINTS Social relationships have emotional and self-regulating properties. The experience of inter- and intrapersonal safeness is connected to prosocial motives, such as compassion, and the inhibitory function of the prefrontal cortex. Social relationships and compassion influence different body systems, such as the vagus nerve. Many forms of psychopathology represent the activation of evolved, defensive strategies especially in contexts where there are few stimuli indicating safeness and social support. Heart rate variability predicts psychotherapy outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Petrocchi
- Economics and Social Sciences, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy.,Compassionate Mind Italia, Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Cheli
- School of Human Health Sciences, University of Florence, Italy.,Center for Psychology and Health, Tages Onlus, Florence, Italy
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21
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Halamová J, Kanovský M, Gilbert P, Troop NA, Zuroff DC, Petrocchi N, Hermanto N, Krieger T, Kirby JN, Asano K, Matos M, Yu F, Sommers-Spijkerman M, Shahar B, Basran J, Kupeli N. Multiple Group IRT Measurement Invariance Analysis of the Forms of Self-Criticising/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale in Thirteen International Samples. J Rat-Emo Cognitive-Behav Ther 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10942-019-00319-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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22
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Halamová J, Kanovský M, Gilbert P, Troop NA, Zuroff DC, Hermanto N, Petrocchi N, Sommers-Spijkerman M, Kirby JN, Shahar B, Krieger T, Matos M, Asano K, Yu F, Basran J, Kupeli N. The Factor Structure of the Forms of Self-Criticising/Attacking & Self-Reassuring Scale in Thirteen Distinct Populations. J Psychopathol Behav Assess 2018; 40:736-751. [PMID: 30459486 PMCID: PMC6223807 DOI: 10.1007/s10862-018-9686-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
There is considerable evidence that self-criticism plays a major role in the vulnerability to and recovery from psychopathology. Methods to measure this process, and its change over time, are therefore important for research in psychopathology and well-being. This study examined the factor structure of a widely used measure, the Forms of Self-Criticising/Attacking & Self-Reassuring Scale in thirteen nonclinical samples (N = 7510) from twelve different countries: Australia (N = 319), Canada (N = 383), Switzerland (N = 230), Israel (N = 476), Italy (N = 389), Japan (N = 264), the Netherlands (N = 360), Portugal (N = 764), Slovakia (N = 1326), Taiwan (N = 417), the United Kingdom 1 (N = 1570), the United Kingdom 2 (N = 883), and USA (N = 331). This study used more advanced analyses than prior reports: a bifactor item-response theory model, a two-tier item-response theory model, and a non-parametric item-response theory (Mokken) scale analysis. Although the original three-factor solution for the FSCRS (distinguishing between Inadequate-Self, Hated-Self, and Reassured-Self) had an acceptable fit, two-tier models, with two general factors (Self-criticism and Self-reassurance) demonstrated the best fit across all samples. This study provides preliminary evidence suggesting that this two-factor structure can be used in a range of nonclinical contexts across countries and cultures. Inadequate-Self and Hated-Self might not by distinct factors in nonclinical samples. Future work may benefit from distinguishing between self-correction versus shame-based self-criticism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júlia Halamová
- Institute of Applied Psychology, Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynské luhy 4, 821 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Martin Kanovský
- Institute of Social Anthropology, Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Paul Gilbert
- Centre for Compassion Research and Training, College of Health and Social Care Research Centre, School of Sciences, University of Derby, Derby, UK
| | - Nicholas A. Troop
- Department of Psychology and Sports Sciences, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire, Hatfield UK
| | - David C. Zuroff
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Quebec, Montréal Canada
| | - Nicola Hermanto
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Quebec, Montréal Canada
| | - Nicola Petrocchi
- Department of Economics and Social Sciences, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - James N. Kirby
- The School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Ben Shahar
- Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Tobias Krieger
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marcela Matos
- Cognitive and Behavioural Centre for Research and Intervention, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Kenichi Asano
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - FuYa Yu
- Student counseling center K-12 Education Administration, Ministry of Education, Yilan City, Taiwan
| | | | - Nuriye Kupeli
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, University College London, TottenhamCourt Road 149, London, W1T 7NF UK
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23
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Colonnello V, Petrocchi N, Farinelli M, Ottaviani C. Positive Social Interactions in a Lifespan Perspective with a Focus on Opioidergic and Oxytocinergic Systems: Implications for Neuroprotection. Curr Neuropharmacol 2018; 15:543-561. [PMID: 27538784 PMCID: PMC5543675 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x14666160816120209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2015] [Revised: 03/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, a growing interest has emerged in the beneficial effects of positive social interactions on health. The present work aims to review animal and human studies linking social interactions and health throughout the lifespan, with a focus on current knowledge of the possible mediating role of opioids and oxytocin. During the prenatal period, a positive social environment contributes to regulating maternal stress response and protecting the fetus from exposure to maternal active glucocorticoids. Throughout development, positive social contact with the caregiver acts as a “hidden regulator” and promotes infant neuroaffective development. Postnatal social neuroprotection interventions involving caregiver–infant physical contact seem to be crucial for rescuing preterm infants at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders. Attachment figures and friendships in adulthood continue to have a protective role for health and brain functioning, counteracting brain aging. In humans, implementation of meditative practices that promote compassionate motivation and prosocial behavior appears beneficial for health in adolescents and adults. Human and animal studies suggest the oxytocinergic and opioidergic systems are important mediators of the effects of social interactions. However, most of the studies focus on a specific phase of life (i.e., adulthood). Future studies should focus on the role of opioids and oxytocin in positive social interactions adopting a lifespan perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Colonnello
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna. Italy
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24
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Dentale F, Petrocchi N, Vecchione M, Biagioli C, Gennaro A, Violani C. Factorial structure and construct validity of an Italian version of the Fears of Compassion Scales: A study on non-clinical subjects. Psychol Psychother 2017. [PMID: 28639407 DOI: 10.1111/papt.12136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study was aimed at investigating the factorial structure and the construct validity of the Italian translation of the Fears of Compassion (FC) Scales in a non-clinical sample (i.e., Fear of Compassion From Others [FCFO], Fear of Compassion Towards Others [FCTO] and Fear of Self-Compassion [FSC]). An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on all the items to investigate the dimensionality of the FC scales. To assess construct validity, correlations between the FC scales and a series of construct-related measures were analysed. DESIGN/METHODS After being translated into Italian using a back-translation procedure, the questionnaire was administered to a community sample of 298 participants (82 males) with a mean age of 24.31 (SD = 8.75), along with self-report measures of psychopathological symptoms, attachment style, self-esteem, satisfaction with life and altruistic behaviour. A behavioural test of altruism was also administered in a subsample of 40 subjects. RESULTS Thirteen of 38 items did not show adequate psychometric characteristics and thus were removed. The remaining 25 items showed a clear 3-factor solution which explained 48% of the variance. FC Scales were significantly correlated with all the construct-related scales administered in the expected direction, with higher effect sizes for FCFO and FSC than FCTO. CONCLUSIONS Although 13 items were removed, results confirmed the expected three factor solution for the Italian translation of FC scales, and provided new evidence for their construct validity. In this vein, an interesting pattern of correlations emerged with psychiatric symptoms and prosocial behaviour, indicating that FCFO and FSC are more powerful correlates of psychopathology and altruism with respect to FCTO. PRACTITIONER POINTS Fears of Compassion Scales have been increasingly used in clinical and research settings. The reduced Italian version of the FCS developed in this study is a valid and parsimonious instrument. Fears of receiving compassion from others and from ourselves are more powerful predictors of psychopathological symptoms than fear of giving compassion to others. Fears of Compassion Scales were correlated with both a self-report and a behavioural measure of altruism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Dentale
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | | | - Michele Vecchione
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Biagioli
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Accursio Gennaro
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiano Violani
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
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25
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Kirby JN, Doty JR, Petrocchi N, Gilbert P. The Current and Future Role of Heart Rate Variability for Assessing and Training Compassion. Front Public Health 2017; 5:40. [PMID: 28337432 PMCID: PMC5340770 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2017.00040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The evolution of mammalian caregiving involving hormones, such as oxytocin, vasopressin, and the myelinated vagal nerve as part of the ventral parasympathetic system, enables humans to connect, co-regulate each other’s emotions and create prosociality. Compassion-based interventions draw upon a number of specific exercises and strategies to stimulate these physiological processes and create conditions of “interpersonal safeness,” thereby helping people engage with, alleviate, and prevent suffering. Hence, compassion-based approaches are connected with our evolved caring motivation and attachment and our general affiliative systems that help regulate distress. Physiologically, they are connected to activity of the vagus nerve and corresponding adaptive heart rate variability (HRV). HRV is an important physiological marker for overall health, and the body–mind connection. Therefore, there is significant value of training compassion to increase HRV and training HRV to facilitate compassion. Despite the significance of compassion in alleviating and preventing suffering, there remain difficulties in its precise assessment. HRV offers a useful form of measurement to assess and train compassion. Specific examples of what exercises can facilitate HRV and how to measure HRV will be described. This paper argues that the field of compassion science needs to move toward including HRV as a primary outcome measure in its future assessment and training, due to its connection to vagal regulatory activity, and its link to overall health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- James N Kirby
- The Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA; School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - James R Doty
- The Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education, Stanford University , Palo Alto, CA , USA
| | | | - Paul Gilbert
- Centre for Compassion Research and Training, University of Derby , Derby , UK
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Pepping CA, Lyons A, McNair R, Kirby JN, Petrocchi N, Gilbert P. A tailored compassion-focused therapy program for sexual minority young adults with depressive symotomatology: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. BMC Psychol 2017; 5:5. [PMID: 28249624 PMCID: PMC5333442 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-017-0175-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) men and women represent one of the highest-risk populations for depressive symptomatology and disorders, with young LGB adults being at greatest risk. To date, there have been no randomized controlled trials (RCT) to specifically target depressive symptoms in young LGB adults. This is despite research highlighting unique predictors of depressive symptomatology in this population. Here we outline a protocol for an RCT that will test the preliminary efficacy of a tailored compassion-focused therapy (CFT) intervention for young LGB adults compared with a self-directed cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program with no specific tailoring for LGB individuals. Methods The CFT intervention consists of 8 units with self-directed reading and activities tailored to LGB young adults, and 8 x weekly 1-hour consultations with a therapist. The CBT intervention consists of 8 units with self-guided reading and activities, with 1 x 1-hour session with a therapist at the mid-point of therapy. Fifty LGB individuals with scores of 13 or above on the Beck Depression Inventory-II will be randomized to either the CFT or CBT condition. The primary outcome measure is depressive symptomatology. Secondary outcome measures are symptoms of anxiety, suicidal ideation, internalized homophobia, self-compassion, and shame and guilt proneness. Assessments will occur at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at 3-month post-intervention. Discussion This study is an RCT to test the preliminary efficacy of an LGB-tailored compassion-focused intervention for young LGB adults with depressive symptomatology. If this intervention is efficacious, this could begin to address the substantial mental health disparities amongst sexual minorities. Trial registration ACTRN12616001018404. Prospective registration, registered 02/08/2016.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anthony Lyons
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health, and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ruth McNair
- Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - James N Kirby
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Nicola Petrocchi
- Department of Economics and Social Sciences, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy
| | - Paul Gilbert
- Department of Psychology, University of Derby, Derby, UK
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Au TM, Sauer-Zavala S, King MW, Petrocchi N, Barlow DH, Litz BT. Compassion-Based Therapy for Trauma-Related Shame and Posttraumatic Stress: Initial Evaluation Using a Multiple Baseline Design. Behav Ther 2017; 48:207-221. [PMID: 28270331 DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2016.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Revised: 10/15/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating research suggests that shame can strongly contribute to the development and maintenance of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Interventions that promote self-compassion have shown promise for reducing shame related to various clinical problems, but this approach has not been systematically evaluated for traumatized individuals. The aim of this study was to develop a brief compassion-based therapy and assess its efficacy for reducing trauma-related shame and PTSD symptoms. Using a multiple baseline experimental design, the intervention was evaluated in a community sample of trauma-exposed adults (N=10) with elevated trauma-related shame and PTSD symptoms. Participants completed weekly assessments during a 2-, 4-, or 6-week baseline phase and a 6-week treatment phase, and at 2 and 4weeks after the intervention. By the end of treatment, 9 of 10 participants demonstrated reliable decreases in PTSD symptom severity, while 8 of 10 participants showed reliable reductions in shame. These improvements were maintained at 2- and 4-week follow-up. The intervention was also associated with improvements in self-compassion and self-blame. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the intervention. Results suggest that the intervention may be useful as either a stand-alone treatment or as a supplement to other treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa M Au
- Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Boston University VA Boston Healthcare System.
| | | | - Matthew W King
- VA Boston Healthcare System Boston University School of Medicine
| | - Nicola Petrocchi
- Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Boston University John Cabot University
| | - David H Barlow
- Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Boston University
| | - Brett T Litz
- VA Boston Healthcare System Boston University School of Medicine Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiological Research and Information Center
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Piccirillo G, Ottaviani C, Fiorucci C, Petrocchi N, Moscucci F, Di Iorio C, Mastropietri F, Parrotta I, Pascucci M, Magrì D. Transcranial direct current stimulation improves the QT variability index and autonomic cardiac control in healthy subjects older than 60 years. Clin Interv Aging 2016; 11:1687-1695. [PMID: 27895475 PMCID: PMC5117948 DOI: 10.2147/cia.s116194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Noninvasive brain stimulation technique is an interesting tool to investigate the causal relation between cortical functioning and autonomic nervous system (ANS) responses. Objective The objective of this report is to evaluate whether anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the temporal cortex influences short-period temporal ventricular repolarization dispersion and cardiovascular ANS control in elderly subjects. Subjects and methods In 50 healthy subjects (29 subjects younger than 60 years and 21 subjects older than 60 years) matched for gender, short-period RR and systolic blood pressure spectral variability, QT variability index (QTVI), and noninvasive hemodynamic data were obtained during anodal tDCS or sham stimulation. Results In the older group, the QTVI, low-frequency (LF) power expressed in normalized units, the ratio between LF and high-frequency (HF) power, and systemic peripheral resistances decreased, whereas HF power expressed in normalized units and α HF power increased during the active compared to the sham condition (P<0.05). Conclusion In healthy subjects older than 60 years, tDCS elicits cardiovascular and autonomic changes. Particularly, it improves temporal ventricular repolarization dispersion, reduces sinus sympathetic activity and systemic peripheral resistance, and increases vagal sinus activity and baroreflex sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianfranco Piccirillo
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Anestesiological and Geriatric Sciences, "Sapienza" University
| | | | - Claudia Fiorucci
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Anestesiological and Geriatric Sciences, "Sapienza" University
| | | | - Federica Moscucci
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Anestesiological and Geriatric Sciences, "Sapienza" University
| | - Claudia Di Iorio
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Anestesiological and Geriatric Sciences, "Sapienza" University
| | - Fabiola Mastropietri
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Anestesiological and Geriatric Sciences, "Sapienza" University
| | - Ilaria Parrotta
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Anestesiological and Geriatric Sciences, "Sapienza" University
| | - Matteo Pascucci
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Anestesiological and Geriatric Sciences, "Sapienza" University
| | - Damiano Magrì
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, Italy
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Couyoumdjian A, Ottaviani C, Petrocchi N, Trincas R, Tenore K, Buonanno C, Mancini F. Reducing the Meta-Emotional Problem Decreases Physiological Fear Response during Exposure in Phobics. Front Psychol 2016; 7:1105. [PMID: 27504102 PMCID: PMC4958630 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Anxiety disorders may not only be characterized by specific symptomatology (e.g., tachycardia) in response to the fearful stimulus (primary problem or first-level emotion) but also by the tendency to negatively evaluate oneself for having those symptoms (secondary problem or negative meta-emotion). An exploratory study was conducted driven by the hypothesis that reducing the secondary or meta-emotional problem would also diminish the fear response to the phobic stimulus. Thirty-three phobic participants were exposed to the phobic target before and after undergoing a psychotherapeutic intervention addressed to reduce the meta-emotional problem or a control condition. The electrocardiogram was continuously recorded to derive heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) and affect ratings were obtained. Addressing the meta-emotional problem had the effect of reducing the physiological but not the subjective symptoms of anxiety after phobic exposure. Preliminary findings support the role of the meta-emotional problem in the maintenance of response to the fearful stimulus (primary problem).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nicola Petrocchi
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation Rome, Italy
| | | | - Katia Tenore
- Scuola di Psicoterapia Cognitiva S.r.l. Rome, Italy
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Petrocchi N, Ottaviani C, Couyoumdjian A. Compassion at the mirror: Exposure to a mirror increases the efficacy of a self-compassion manipulation in enhancing soothing positive affect and heart rate variability. The Journal of Positive Psychology 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/17439760.2016.1209544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Petrocchi
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
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Petrocchi N, Ottaviani C. Mindfulness facets distinctively predict depressive symptoms after two years: The mediating role of rumination. Personality and Individual Differences 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2015.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Muris P, Petrocchi N. Protection or Vulnerability? A Meta-Analysis of the Relations Between the Positive and Negative Components of Self-Compassion and Psychopathology. Clin Psychol Psychother 2016; 24:373-383. [DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Revised: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Muris
- Maastricht University; The Netherlands
- Virenze-RIAGG; Maastricht The Netherlands
- Stellenbosch University; South Africa
| | - Nicola Petrocchi
- John Cabot University; Rome Italy
- Fondazione Santa Lucia; Rome Italy
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Petrocchi N, Couyoumdjian A. The impact of gratitude on depression and anxiety: the mediating role of criticizing, attacking, and reassuring the self. Self and Identity 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/15298868.2015.1095794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Petrocchi N, Asnaani A, Martinez AP, Nadkarni A, Hofmann SG. Differences Between People Who Use Only Facebook And Those Who Use Facebook Plus Twitter. Int J Hum Comput Interact 2015; 31:157-165. [PMID: 26997849 PMCID: PMC4794279 DOI: 10.1080/10447318.2014.986640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Facebook (FB) and Twitter are popular social networking sites. This study examined differences between those who use both sites versus only FB, to test the hypothesis that mono-users differ in their personality characteristics from users active in both websites. Participants were 205 undergraduate students; 96 only used FB, 109 used FB and Twitter. Participants who used both sites reported significantly lower loneliness, higher number of FB friends, and lower number of minutes spent online, as compared to those who only used FB. Loneliness was positively associated with FB use only in those who used FB alone, but was negatively associated with and negatively predicted both FB and Twitter use in those who used both websites. Findings suggest that more intense use of online interactions is more frequently found in mono-users (people using only Facebook) as compared to those using both websites, and it is predicted by increased feelings of loneliness. The current study findings provide additional insights on what personality factors may make some people prone to excessive use of social networking sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Petrocchi
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University
| | - Anu Asnaani
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University
| | | | - Ashwini Nadkarni
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University
| | - Stefan G Hofmann
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University
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Petrocchi N, Ottaviani C, Couyoumdjian A. Dimensionality of self-compassion: translation and construct validation of the self-compassion scale in an Italian sample. J Ment Health 2013; 23:72-7. [DOI: 10.3109/09638237.2013.841869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Ottaviani C, Mancini F, Petrocchi N, Medea B, Couyoumdjian A. Autonomic correlates of physical and moral disgust. Int J Psychophysiol 2013; 89:57-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2013.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2012] [Revised: 05/06/2013] [Accepted: 05/07/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Carnì S, Petrocchi N, Del Miglio C, Mancini F, Couyoumdjian A. Intrapsychic and interpersonal guilt: a critical review of the recent literature. Cogn Process 2013; 14:333-46. [PMID: 23732818 DOI: 10.1007/s10339-013-0570-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2012] [Accepted: 05/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Various authors hold that some emotions (i.e., moral emotions) have the function of orienting people toward ethical actions. In addition to embarrassment, shame and pride, the moral emotion of guilt is believed to affect humans' behavior when they carry out transgressions that violate social and cultural standards. Over the past century, many studies (including controversial ones) have been conducted on guilt. In this study, we analyzed and summarized mainly the most recent literature on this emotion. On one side, the destructiveness of guilt is emphasized. It inflicts punishment and pain on individuals for their errors and can lead to psychopathology (e.g., depression). On the other side, it is described as a "friendly" emotion that motivates behavior adapted to social and cultural rules. How can this asymmetry be explained? Different existing views on guilt are presented and discussed, together with recent proposals, supported by research data. Finally, we discussed some systematic models that try to incorporate these different views in a single framework that could facilitate future researches.
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