Schematic Functioning, Interpersonal Dysfunctional Cycles and Cognitive Fusion in the Complementary Paradigmatic Perspective: Analysis of a Clinical Sample

Vasco

2020

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Emotional processing difficulties may be viewed as dysfunctional emotional states emerging from non-adequately processed emotional experience while early maladaptive schemas are experienced-based dysfunctional mental structures associated with chronic and recurrent psychological disorders. Schemas and emotional difficulties were previously associated with impairments on the regulation of psychological needs. However, clarifications about the relationships between these constructs are lacking. In a cross-sectional study, a clinical sample of 66 participants (M = 46.4, SD = 13.1) completed self-report questionnaires. Emotional processing difficulties correlated positively with schemas and negatively with the regulation of psychological needs. Disconnection and rejection, lack of autonomy and impaired limits schema domains mediated the relationship between emotional processing difficulties and psychological needs. Emotional processing difficulties may be associated with impairments on the regulation of psychological needs, due to activation of early maladaptive schemas, which, in turn, prompts symptomatology. Transtheoretical intervention regarding marker-guided interventions and phase-by-phase schema restructuring may be used to promote the regulation of psychological needs.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 94%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Key Practitioner Messagesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Key Practitioner Messagesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Relationships between emotional processing difficulties and early maladaptive schemas on the regulation of psychological needs

Vasco

2020

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Early maladaptive schemas and COVID‐19 anxiety: The mediational role of mistrustfulness and vulnerability to harm and illness

Vasco

Delgado

et al. 2022

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Background Early maladaptive schemas (EMS), as lifelong psychological structures, tend to be associated with psychopathological symptomatology. Previous research has suggested that schemas act as psychological vulnerabilities to stressful life situations, such as the present worldwide COVID‐19 pandemic. In this context, anxiety and psychological distress have been documented as two of the main psychological symptoms associated with the COVID‐19 pandemic. However, the associations between specific EMS and COVID‐19 anxiety remain unexplored. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationships between EMS, COVID‐19 anxiety as well as other mental health variables such as psychological well‐being, distress and life satisfaction. Methods In a cross‐sectional design, 249 individuals (M = 34.2, SD = 12.0) completed several self‐report measures. Results EMS from different schematic domains were positively associated with COVID‐19 anxiety and psychological distress and negatively associated with psychological well‐being and life satisfaction. An EMS hierarchical regression model predicted COVID‐19 anxiety. Mistrustfulness and vulnerability to harm and illness mediated the relationships between COVID‐19 anxiety, psychological distress and life satisfaction. Conclusions According to these results, mistrustfulness and vulnerability to harm and illness can act as underlying variables for the decrease in mental health associated with the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Minding my brain: Fourteen neuroscience‐based principles to enhance psychotherapy responsiveness

2022

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Intersections between psychotherapy and neurosciences are at its dawn. The quest to understand the neural underpinnings of psychological processes has led several generations of scientists to explore neural correlates between mind, brain and behaviour. Neuroscience methods and research have given psychology new perspectives and insights about the structure and function of complex neural pathways that underlie human functioning (cognition, emotion, motivation, somatic reactions and interpersonal behaviour). By translating neuroscientific findings into psychotherapeutic principles of change, it is possible to promote responsiveness towards brain dysfunction that underlies patients' psychological malfunctioning. In psychotherapy, responsiveness is a core aspect of the therapeutic change process, especially to adapt psychological interventions to patients' motivational stages and preferences, coping styles, neurobehavioural modes and emotional needs. Within a transtheoretical and translational approach, contemporary neuroscientific findings are revised, discussed and used to attempt to build on 14 theoretical brain‐based principles that may be applied to psychotherapy. Translating these empirical findings into practical principles, clinical strategies and tasks is expected to enhance psychotherapy responsiveness grounded on a science‐based knowledge of brain functioning.