Browsing by Author "Castilho, Paula"
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- Dominant Affective Temperaments and its variance among people with depression, bipolar disorder, and a non-clinical sample : validation of the Affective Temperament Questionnaire (ATQ)Publication . Azevedo, Julieta; Carreiras, Diogo; Castilho, Paula; Rodrigues, Joana; Macedo, AntónioAbstract: Affective temperaments are frequently described as a biologically determined early emerging variation in emotional reactivity, with solid temporal stability. We aimed to analyse affective temperament variation and dominance while adapting and translating the Affective Temperament Questionnaire (ATQ) to European Portuguese in both clinical (Major Depressive Disorder – MDD and Bipolar Disorder – BD) and non-clinical samples. ATQ was administered to 42 subjects with MDD, 64 with BD and 411 non-clinical. A 3-factor model CFA was performed (comprising hyperthymic, cyclothymic and dysthymic temperaments), revealing good adjustment and acceptable internal consistency levels. ATQ subscales showed a general higher internal consistency in people with mood disorders. Support for convergent validity was found. BD and MDD presented higher prevalence in Cyclothymic and Dysthymic temperaments than non-clinical, although they did not differ significantly between them regarding the last one. Findings suggest ATQ is a valid and reliable self-report measure to assess affective temperaments in the Portuguese population and proved to be acceptable for either clinical or non-clinical samples. This measure can be applied to detect early vulnerability to affective disorders, which can be very helpful in clinical settings and primary care.
- A pilot study of the Portuguese version of the Voices Acceptance and Action Scale: Psychometric properties in a clinical sample with psychosis-spectrum disordersPublication . Martins, Maria João; Castilho, Paula; Macedo, António; Pereira, A.T.; Vagos, Paula; Carvalho, Diana; Pascoal, Ana Carolina; De Oliveira Barreto Coimbra Carvalho, Célia MariaAbstract: Given the recent interest in acceptance-based interventions for psychosis, it has been recommended that coping with voices mechanisms, namely experiential acceptance, are routinely assessed in clinical and research settings. The Voices Acceptance and Action Scale (VAAS-12) is a self-report measure developed to specifically assess acceptance-based or action-based beliefs in relation to verbal auditory hallucinations. This study aimed to translate, adapt and study the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the VAAS-12 in a clinical sample within the psychosis-spectrum disorders. The VAAS-12 was translated and adapted to Portuguese. Its psychometric properties were then studied in a sample of fifty-four male participants, mostly single, unemployed, and with a last week voice hearing experience. Confirmatory analysis was performed for the one-factor and two-factor structure suggested for the VAAS in previous studies. Both had unacceptable fit indicators. Exploratory analysis then yield an alternative two-factor structure (“Non-interference and action” and “Acceptance and Life functioning” subscales) with adequate fit. Adequate internal consistency and construct validity were found, with the VAAS being negatively associated with perception of voices as hostile-dominant and resistance regarding voices. The VAAS-12 seems adequate to use in clinical and research studies, although further study is needed particularly regarding subscale “Acceptance and Life functioning”.
- Validation of the psychometric properties of the self‐compassion scale. Testing the factorial validity and factorial invariance of the measure among borderline personality disorder, anxiety disorder, eating disorder and general populationsPublication . Costa, Joana; Maroco, João; Gouveia, José Augusto Pinto; Ferreira, Cláudia; Castilho, PaulaBackground: During the last years, there has been a growing interest in self-compassion. Empirical evidences show that self-compassion is associated with psychological benefits among young adults and it might be considered a buffer factor in several mental disorders. Aims: The aim of this study was to validate the psychometric properties of the Self-compassion Scale (SCS: Neff, 2003a) after the initial lack of replicating the original six-factor structure. Method: Data were collected from the overall database of a research centre (56 men and 305 women; mean age = 25.19) and comprised four groups: borderline personality disorder, anxiety disorder, eating disorder and general population. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis supported a two-factor model (self-compassionate attitude versus self-critical attitude) with good internal consistencies, construct-related validity and external validity. Configural, weak measurement and structural invariance of the two-factor model of SCS were also shown. Conclusions: Findings support the generalizability of the two-factor model and show that both properties and interpretations of scores on self-compassion are equivalent across these population groups.