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- Representations of depression and schizophrenia in the community: The role of illness and risk perceptions on help-seeking intentionsPublication . Neto, David Dias; Figueiras, Maria Joao; Sebastião, RitaObjective: Illness perceptions (IPs) are important in understanding human reactions to illnesses, including mental health disorders. They influence risk perceptions and several variables relevant to the adjustment to a disorder, treatment seeking, and health outcomes. This study sought to compare IP, risk perception, and help-seeking intention for depression and schizophrenia in a community sample and to assess the mediating role of risk perception in the relationship between IP and help-seeking intention. Materials and methods: A total of 380 adults participated in this study and filled out self-report measures of IPs, risk perceptions, and help-seeking intention. The previous diagnosis of depression was used to control the comparisons between the two disorders. A structural equation model (SEM) was used to test the mediation relationship. Results: Perceived consequences, expected timeline, lack of personal control, and symptom identity were higher for schizophrenia, while lack of treatment control and concern were higher for depression. An interaction occurred with a previous diagnosis of depression for several dimensions of IP. Concerning the SEM, a valid model was obtained for depression, explaining 15.5% of helpseeking intentions, but not for schizophrenia. Conclusion: The results show that the general population represents depression and schizophrenia differently. These representations are influenced by having experienced depression, and that illness and risk perceptions contribute to explaining the intention to seek help. Considering these illness representations makes it possible to understand the general population’s emotional and cognitive reactions to mental health disorders.
- Discerning the impact of personal and situational variables in risk perception of coronary heart diseasePublication . Figueiras, Maria João; Maroco, João; Monteiro, Rita; Caeiro, Raúl; Neto, David DiasResearch into how people perceive risk has highlighted the interaction between the available information and personal variables and their impact on judgement. This study sought to identify demographic and health variables that influenced risk and the influence of individual risk assessment, dispositional optimism and negative affect on judgement. A total of 476 participants were asked to make risks judgements of 24 vignettes depicting hypothetical risk scenarios. The findings showed that while people are able to correctly recognise, in others, relevant risk factors for coronary heart disease, risk perception is likely to imply a personal consideration of the same risk factors in themselves.
- Understanding differential stress and mental health reactions to COVID-19 related eventsPublication . Sebastião, Rita; Neto, David Dias; Costa, VascoThe effects of the pandemic on mental health can be studied through different variables, such as the number of COVID-19 stressors, the stressor types, and the stress responses. Understanding the sources of mental strain is crucial for developing effective interventions. The present study analyzed the relationship between these COVID-19-related variables and positive and negative mental health. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 666 individuals from the Portuguese general population, mostly females (65.5%) between 16–93 years old. They completed self-report measures regarding the number of COVID-19 stressors, the stressor types, the stress responses (IES-R), and positive (MHC-SF) and negative mental health (BSI-18). The results demonstrated that a higher number of COVID-19-experienced stressors and more stress responses were related to worse mental health. Regarding stressor types, experiences not related to the COVID-19 infection (e.g., tension at home) presented the largest effects on mental health. The strongest predictor was the stress responses for negative (β = 0.50) and positive mental health (β = −0.17). The predictors explained more about negative mental health than positive. These findings support the idea that individual appraisals play a crucial role in mental health.
- The relationship between lifelong learning and professional development activities in a Portuguese samplePublication . Ponces Coelho, Rodrigo; Pires, António A. Pazo; Neimeyer, Greg; Vaz, Alexandre; Dias Neto, David; Sousa, DanielObjective: A dispositional commitment to lifelong learning (LL) is an important aspect of continuing professional development for practicing psychotherapists. Equally important is the dedication of psychotherapists to engaging in professional development activities to foster growth and maintain competence. However, there are limited available data on the range of practices and factors influencing psychotherapists' commitment to these activities. The primary objective of this study was to examine whether a higher commitment to LL would significantly predict greater participation in a range of different professional development activities. Method: A sample of 166 Portuguese psychotherapists completed an online survey on professional development. The survey included two key measures: the Jefferson Scale of Psychotherapist Lifelong Learning and a list of professional development activities based on the Retrospective Analysis of Psychotherapists' Involvement in Deliberate Practice. Exploratory factorial analysis was conducted to determine an alternative and suitable grouping for the list of activities, and structural equation modelling was utilised to assess the relationship between the commitment to LL and engagement in these activities. Findings: Results provided valuable insight into the diverse levels of participation among therapists across five categories of activities: (1) supervision and case discussion; (2) recording-related activities; (3) reading and focussed learning; (4) reflecting; and (5) workshops supporting ongoing professional competence. Findings indicated that a stronger commitment to LL significantly predicted increased dedication to reading, focussed learning activities and attendance to training workshops. The implications and limitations of the study are discussed concerning their practical application for professional psychologists, counsellors and psychotherapists
- Randomized controlled trial of an intervention to change cardiac misconceptions in myocardial infarction patientsPublication . Figueiras, Maria João; Maroco, João; Monteiro, Rita; Caeiro, Raúl; Neto, David DiasThere is converging evidence that changing beliefs about an illness leads to positive recovery outcomes. However, cardiac misconceptions interventions have been investigated mainly in Angina or Coronary Heart Disease patients, and less in patients following Myocardial Infarction (MI). In these patients, cardiac misconceptions may play a role in the adjustment or lifestyle changes. This article reports a randomized controlled trial of an intervention designed to reduce the strength of misconceptions in patients after a first MI. The primary outcome was the degree of change in misconceptions and the secondary outcomes were: exercise, smoking status, return to work and mood (anxiety and depression). Patients in the intervention condition (n = 60) were compared with a control group (n = 67) receiving usual care. Both groups were evaluated at baseline and 4, 8 and 12 months after hospital discharge. There was a significant time-by-group interaction for the total score of cardiac misconceptions. Patients in the intervention group significantly decreased their total score of cardiac misconceptions at 4 months compared with the control group and this difference was sustained over time. Patients in the intervention group were also more likely to exercise at the follow-up period after MI than the control group. This intervention was effective in reducing the strength of cardiac misconceptions in MI patients and had a positive impact on health behaviour outcomes. These results support the importance of misconceptions in health behaviours and the utility of belief change interventions in promoting health in patients with Myocardial Infarction.
- 34. Grip strength across Europe –North/ South and East/West dividesPublication . Barros, Pedro Pita; Santos, F. M. Pimentel; Neto, David Dias
- The real relationship: The Portuguese version of the Real Relationship Inventory-ClientPublication . Rodrigues Ribeiro, Pedro; Dias Neto, DavidThe Real Relationship is a relational construct that has influenced other constructs, like the working alliance, although empirically neglected. The development of the Real Relationship Inventory provides a reliable and valid way of measuring the Real Relationship in research and clinical applications. This study aimed to validate and explore the psychometric properties of the Real Relationship Inventory Client Form with a Portuguese adult sample in the context of psychotherapy. The sample includes 373 clients currently in psychotherapy or concluded recently. All clients completed the Real Relationship Inventory (RRI-C) and the Working Alliance Inventory. The confirmatory analysis revealed the same two factors in the RRI-C for the Portuguese adult population, Genuineness and Realism. The observation of the same factor structure suggests the cross-cultural value of the Real Relationship. The measure demonstrated good internal consistency and acceptable adjustment. A significant correlation was found between the RRI-C and the Working Alliance Inventory and significant correlations between the Bond and Genuineness and Realism subscales. The present study reflects on the RRI-C while also contributing to the importance of the Real Relationship in different cultures and clinical contexts.
- Corrigendum: Representations of depression and schizophrenia in the community: The role of illness and risk perceptions on help-seeking intentionsPublication . Dias Neto, David; Figueiras, Maria Joao; Sebastião, RitaObjective: Illness perceptions (IPs) are important in understanding human reactions to illnesses, including mental health disorders. They influence risk perceptions and several variables relevant to the adjustment to a disorder, treatment seeking, and health outcomes. This study sought to compare IP, risk perception, and help-seeking intention for depression and schizophrenia in a community sample and to assess the mediating role of risk perception in the relationship between IP and help-seeking intention. Materials and methods: A total of 380 adults participated in this study and filled out self-report measures of IPs, risk perceptions, and help-seeking intention. The previous diagnosis of depression was used to control the comparisons between the two disorders. A structural equation model (SEM) was used to test the mediation relationship. Results: Perceived consequences, expected timeline, lack of personal control, and symptom identity were higher for schizophrenia, while lack of treatment control and concern were higher for depression. An interaction occurred with a previous diagnosis of depression for several dimensions of IP. Concerning the SEM, a valid model was obtained for depression, explaining 15.5% of help-seeking intentions, but not for schizophrenia. Conclusion: The results show that the general population represents depression and schizophrenia differently. These representations are influenced by having experienced depression, and that illness and risk perceptions contribute to explaining the intention to seek help. Considering these illness representations makes it possible to understand the general population’s emotional and cognitive reactions to mental health disorders.
- Looking after myself while caring for others: A pilot study on self-care in psychologists working in palliative carePublication . Sousa, Daniela Santos; Silva, Ana Nunes Da; Neto, David DiasThe risks inherent to being a doctor or a nurse in palliative care are well known. Since palliative care is a context in which professionals are exposed to specific risks and challenges, self-care is important to promote a better practice and prevent burnout. However, little research has been conducted to determine the impact palliative care setting has in clinical psychologists. It is necessary to explore the influence this work has on the well-being of psychologists, and the relevance they attribute to self-care. This qualitative study explores the experiences of clinical psychologists working in palliative care in order to understand the various aspects related to their self-care. Eleven Portuguese psychologists working in palliative care participated in semi-structured interviews. A thematic analysis was performed, and three main domains emerged: (1) working in palliative care and its impact; (2) self-care: how, what for and why not more; and (3) self-care learning. The findings suggest that being a psychologist in this setting has risks, as being exposed to human suffering, but also has existential positive benefits that allow them to seize their own lives and understand the strengths of humankind. Self-care practices are perceived as improving professional performance and contribute to the well-being of the psychologist. Also, participants recognized some barriers to self-care that seem to be related to the little access to self-care information during their training. This research allows an understanding of self-care practices and gives relevance to this topic within palliative care psychologists
- Patterns of psychological responses among the public during the early phase of COVID-19: A cross-regional analysisPublication . Chong, Yuen Yu; Chien, Wai Tong; Cheng, Ho Yu; Lamnisos, Demetris; Ļubenko, Jeļena; Presti, Giovambattista; Squatrito, Valeria; Constantinou, Marios; Nicolaou, Christiana; Papacostas, Savvas; Aydın, Gökçen; Ruiz, Francisco J.; Garcia Lopez, Maria; Obando-Posada, Diana P.; Segura-Vargas, Miguel A.; Vasiliou, Vasilis S.; McHugh, Louise Anita; Höfer, Stefan; Baban, Adriana; Neto, David Dias; Silva, Ana Nunes da; Monestes, Jean-Louis; Alvarez-Galvez, Javier; Paez Blarrina, Marisa; Montesinos, Francisco; Salas, Sonsoles Valdivia; Őri, Dorottya; Kleszcz, Bartosz; Lappalainen, Raimo; Ivanović, Iva; Gosar, David; Dionne, Frederick; Merwin, Rhonda M.; Gloster, Andrew T.; Karekla, Maria; Kassianos, Angelos P.This study aimed to compare the mediation of psychological flexibility, prosociality and coping in the impacts of illness perceptions toward COVID-19 on mental health among seven regions. Convenience sampled online survey was conducted between April and June 2020 from 9130 citizens in 21 countries. Illness perceptions toward COVID-19, psychological flexibility, prosociality, coping and mental health, socio-demographics, lockdown-related variables and COVID-19 status were assessed. Results showed that psychological flexibility was the only significant mediator in the relationship between illness perceptions toward COVID-19 and mental health across all regions (all ps = 0.001–0.021). Seeking social support was the significant mediator across subgroups (all ps range = <0.001–0.005) except from the Hong Kong sample (p = 0.06) and the North and South American sample (p = 0.53). No mediation was found for problem-solving (except from the Northern European sample, p = 0.009). Prosociality was the significant mediator in the Hong Kong sample (p =0.016) and the Eastern European sample (p = 0.008). These findings indicate that fostering psychological flexibility may help to mitigate the adverse mental impacts of COVID-19 across regions. Roles of seeking social support, problem-solving and prosociality vary across regions.