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Atitudes dos psicólogos clínicos e psicoterapeutas portugueses face à psicoterapia assistida por psicadélicos
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Abstract(s)
O presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar as atitudes de psicólogos clínicos e psicoterapeutas portugueses face à Psicoterapia Assistida por Psicadélicos (PAP), uma abordagem terapêutica emergente sustentada por evidência científica crescente. Através da aplicação da Escala Attitudes on Psychedelics Questionnaire (APQ), adaptada ao contexto português, foram analisadas as perceções dos profissionais quanto à segurança, eficácia e legitimidade clínica de várias substâncias psicadélicas, bem como o impacto de fatores sociodemográficos, formativos e experienciais sobre essas atitudes. Os resultados demonstraram que a aceitação da PAP está fortemente associada ao nível de conhecimento técnico-científico, à experiência direta ou indireta com psicadélicos e à orientação teórica, com maior abertura entre profissionais de perspetiva humanista e existencial. A religiosidade revelou-se também uma variável significativa: profissionais não crentes expressaram atitudes mais favoráveis à integração terapêutica dos psicadélicos. Por outro lado, variáveis como género, idade, grau académico e setor de exercício profissional não apresentaram associações significativas com as atitudes. As limitações metodológicas incluem viés de seleção, codificação limitada de respostas abertas e desigualdade na representação de alguns subgrupos. Apesar dessas limitações, o estudo oferece contributos valiosos para o desenvolvimento de políticas de formação, práticas clínicas e decisões regulamentares baseadas em evidência, promovendo uma abordagem informada, ética e segura à integração dos psicadélicos na saúde mental em Portugal.
The present study aimed to investigate the attitudes of Portuguese clinical psychologists and psychotherapists toward Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy (PAP), an emerging therapeutic approach supported by growing scientific evidence. Using the Attitudes on Psychedelics Questionnaire (APQ) Scale, adapted to the Portuguese context, the research examined professionals' perceptions of the safety, efficacy, and clinical legitimacy of various psychedelic substances, as well as the impact of sociodemographic, educational, and experiential factors on these attitudes. The results indicated that acceptance of PAP is strongly associated with the level of scientific and technical knowledge, direct or indirect experience with psychedelics, and theoretical orientation, with greater openness observed among professionals with a humanistic or existential perspective. Religiosity also emerged as a significant variable: non-religious professionals expressed more favorable attitudes toward the therapeutic use of psychedelics. In contrast, variables such as gender, age, academic degree, and professional sector showed no significant associations with attitudes. Methodological limitations include selection bias, limited coding of open-ended responses, and unequal representation of certain subgroups. Despite these limitations, the study provides valuable contributions for the development of training policies, clinical practices, and regulatory decisions based on evidence, promoting an informed, ethical, and safe integration of psychedelics into mental health care in Portugal.
The present study aimed to investigate the attitudes of Portuguese clinical psychologists and psychotherapists toward Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy (PAP), an emerging therapeutic approach supported by growing scientific evidence. Using the Attitudes on Psychedelics Questionnaire (APQ) Scale, adapted to the Portuguese context, the research examined professionals' perceptions of the safety, efficacy, and clinical legitimacy of various psychedelic substances, as well as the impact of sociodemographic, educational, and experiential factors on these attitudes. The results indicated that acceptance of PAP is strongly associated with the level of scientific and technical knowledge, direct or indirect experience with psychedelics, and theoretical orientation, with greater openness observed among professionals with a humanistic or existential perspective. Religiosity also emerged as a significant variable: non-religious professionals expressed more favorable attitudes toward the therapeutic use of psychedelics. In contrast, variables such as gender, age, academic degree, and professional sector showed no significant associations with attitudes. Methodological limitations include selection bias, limited coding of open-ended responses, and unequal representation of certain subgroups. Despite these limitations, the study provides valuable contributions for the development of training policies, clinical practices, and regulatory decisions based on evidence, promoting an informed, ethical, and safe integration of psychedelics into mental health care in Portugal.
Description
Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada no ISPA – Instituto Universitário de Ciências Psicológicas, Sociais e da Vida, para obtenção de grau de Mestre na especialidade de Psicologia Clínica.
Keywords
Psicoterapia assistida por psicadélicos Atitudes profissionais Psicologia clínica Psicoterapia Portugal Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy; Professional attitudes Clinical Psychology