Self-Criticism and Self-Compassion in Adolescents: Two Forms of Self-Relating and Their Implications forPsychopathology and Treatment

Different ways of relating to oneself are linked with distinctive mental health outcomes: shame and self-criticism underpin a variety of psychological disorders, while self-compassion stands as a resource or protective factor related to psychological well-being, resilience and positive development. Despite the fact that compassion-based interventions have flourished over the last decade, holding promising results for adult populations, the integration of compassion in adolescent psychotherapy remains scarcely discussed. The present paper endorses an evolutionary model of human development and psychopathology for outlining our basic affect regulation systems, describing their functioning and development in the context of adolescence. The role of shame and self-criticism as transdiagnostic features is discussed for different forms of adolescent psychopathology, and the process of promoting self-compassion is summarized under specific compassion-based therapeutic models

Promoting Emotion and Behavior Regulation in Male Prison Inmates: A Secondary Data Analysis From a Randomized Controlled Trial Testing the Efficacy of the Growing Pro-Social Program

This article describes a secondary data analysis collected from inmates who participated in an independent randomized controlled trial, testing the efficacy of the Growing Pro-Social (GPS) Program. The current study aimed to test the program's ability to increase, on one hand, cognitive reappraisal (adaptive emotion regulation strategy) and, on the other hand, decrease expressive suppression (maladaptive emotion regulation strategy) over time. It was also assessed if the GPS was capable of reducing disciplinary infractions committed by inmates over time. Participants were randomized to the GPS treatment (n = 121) or the control group (n = 133). The Emotion Regulation Questionnaire was completed at baseline, at mid-treatment, at post-treatment and at 12-months' follow-up. Disciplinary infractions were collected from prison records during the 12 months before the beginning of the program, during the GPS's 12-month length and during the 12 months after treatment completion. Treatment effects were analyzed with latent growth curve models. Concerning cognitive reappraisal, while treatment participants showed a significant increase, controls presented a decrease over time. For expressive suppression, the treatment group presented a significant decrease, and the control group showed no change over time. Treatment participants also presented a significant decrease in the number of disciplinary infractions and in the number of days in punishment, while controls showed no change or an increase over time. This study showed the GPS's ability to promote emotion and behavior regulation, which contributes not only to inmate's interpersonal adjustment, but also to a more efficient management of the prison system. (PsycINFO Database Recor

The effects of the growing pro-social program on cognitive distortions and early maladaptive schemas over time in male prison inmates: A randomized controlled trial

Objective: This randomized controlled trial aimed to assess the efficacy of a structured cognitive-behavioral group program, Growing Pro-Social (GPS), in reducing cognitive distortions and early maladaptive schemas over time in male prison inmates. Method: A total of 254 participants were recruited from nine Portuguese prisons and allocated to receive GPS (n = 121) or treatment as usual (n = 133). Participants were assessed with self-report measures on cognitive distortions and early maladaptive schemas at baseline, during intervention, at post-treatment and at 12 months’ follow-up. Assessors were blind to group allocation. Treatment effects were tested with latent growth curve models. Results: At baseline, no significant differences between conditions were found. Results from latent growth curve models showed that condition was a significant predictor of change observed in all outcome measures over time. When compared with the control group, the treatment group showed a significant increase on adaptive thinking, and a significant decrease of cognitive distortions and early maladaptive schemas over time. Results also showed that treatment effects were maintained over time (12 months after GPS completion). Additionally, participants who completed the program presented higher improvements on cognitive distortions and early maladaptive schemas over time than non-completers. Conclusion: This study showed that a structured cognitive-behavioral group program can have positive effects on the cognitive functioning of male prison inmates, by reducing cognitive distortions and the prominence of early maladaptive schemas

I love me, I love me not : psychological adjustment in institutionalized and non-institutionalized adolescents

Revista de Psicologia da Criança e do Adolescente. - ISSN 1647-4120. - V. 9, n. 1 (Janeiro-Dezembro 2018). - p. 83-102.A investigação hipotetiza três sistemas de regulação emocional: ameaça, procura (drive) e tranquilização. A institucionalização relaciona-se com vários indicadores de desajustamento psicológico e com a sobreativação dos sistema de ameaça e/ou de drive. Por outro lado, a autocompaixão, relacionada com o sistema de tranquilização, parece ter um efeito positivo no ajustamento psicológico. Este estudo comparou adolescentes institucionalizados e não institucionalizados em variáveis relacionadas com psicopatologia e bem-estar. A amostra incluiu 460 adolescentes não institucionalizados e 171 adolescentes institucionalizados. Bem-estar, depressão, memórias precoces de calor e segurança (EMWS), vergonha, autocriticismo, autocompaixão (SCS-A) e medos da compaixão foram avaliados. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre as amostras no bem-estar, medo de dar compaixão ao outro, e fatores Calor/Compreensão, Mindfulness e Sobreidentificação da SCS-A. No entanto, foram encontradas diferenças na pontuação da depressão, vergonha, autocriticismo, medo de receber compaixão dos outros e de ser autocompassivo, e na pontuação do fator Humanidade Comum da SCS-A, com os adolescentes institucionalizados a pontuarem mais alto. Adolescentes institucionalizados apresentaram pontuações mais baixas nas EMWS, e nos fatores Autocrítica e Isolamento da SCS-A. As amostras não diferiram no bem-estar, possivelmente porque os adolescentes institucionalizados o avaliaram considerando as adversidades passadas antes da institucionalização. As pontuações mais altas na Humanidade Comum podem explicar-se através do contacto com pares com experiências semelhantes, facto que pode também explicar não terem medo de dar compaixão a outros. Hipotetiza-se que a instituição, quando funcional, possa ter um papel na estimulação do sistema de tranquilização.Research hypothesizes three emotion regulation systems: the threat system, the drive system, and the soothing system. Institutionalization is related with several indicators of psychological maladjustment and with the activation of the drive and/or the threat system. On the other hand, self-compassion, related to the soothing system, seems to have a positive effect in well-being. This study compared institutionalized and non-institutionalized adolescents in variables related to psychopathology and well-being. The sample included 460 noninstitutionalized adolescents and 171 institutionalized adolescents. Well-being, depression, early memories of warmth and safeness (EMWS), shame, self-criticism, self-compassion (SCS-A), and fears of compassion were assessed. Significant differences between the samples in well-being, fear of giving compassion to others, and in the factors Self-Kindness, Mindfulness and Over-Identification of the SCS-A were not found. However, there were differences in the scores of depression, external shame, self-criticism, fear of receiving compassion from others and from self, and in the factor Common Humanity (SCS-A), institutionalized adolescents scoring higher. Institutionalized adolescents presented lower scores in EMWS, and in the factors Self-Judgment and Isolation (SCS-A). The samples did not differ on well-being, possibly because institutionalized adolescents evaluated it considering their early life adversities before institutionalization. Higher scores in Common Humanity may be explained through contact with peers with the same background, which may also explain the fact that they are not afraid to give compassion to others. It is hypothesized that the institution, when functional, may have a role in stimulating the soothing system

Clinical change in anger, shame, and paranoia after a structured cognitive-behavioral group program: Early findings from a randomized trial with male prison inmates

Objectives: This study’s main goal was to assess the efficacy of a structured cognitive-behavioral group program, Growing Pro-Social (GPS), in reducing anger, paranoia and external shame in male prison inmates. Methods: In this randomized trial, a treatment group (n=24) was compared to a control group (n=24) and both groups were assessed at pre- and post-treatment. Participants answered the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory, the Paranoia Scale, and the Other as Shamer Scale. Treatment effects were tested using ANCOVA with baseline as covariate and condition as fixed factor. Additionally, in order to assess significant clinical change after intervention, the Reliable Change Index (RCI) was computed. Results: At baseline, no significant differences between conditions were found. ANCOVA with baseline as covariate showed significant differences between groups at post-treatment. When compared to controls, treatment subjects showed lower scores in anger-trait (temperament and reaction subscales) and paranoia. Concerning clinical change, a high percentage of treatment subjects presented improvements in anger, paranoia and external shame; the majority of controls showed significant deterioration in the same variables. After treatment, differences between groups were observed in the distributions by clinical change categories for anger-trait and its subscales, and paranoia. No differences between groups were found in anger-state and external shame. Conclusions: These results point out the GPS’s ability to promote significant change in cognitive and emotional relevant variables associated with antisocial behavior

Measuring Evaluation Fears in Adolescence: Psychometric validation of the Portuguese versions of the Fear of Positive Evaluation Scale and the Specific Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale

Modified measures of Fear of Negative Evaluation and Fear of Positive Evaluation were examined among Portuguese adolescents. These measures demonstrated replicable factor structure, internal consistency, and positive relationships with social anxiety and avoidance. Gender differences were found. Implications for evaluation and intervention are discussed

Terapia focada na compaixão online para a perturbação de ansiedade social na adolescência (CFT@TeenSAD): Dados preliminares de eficácia ao longo do tratamento

This work investigated the efficacy of Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) on symptoms of social anxiety disorder (SAD) in adolescence, based on data collected throughout treatment. CFT has contributed to the psychological well-being of various populations, but limited evidence exists on its therapeutic gains for SAD in adolescence. Twenty-one adolescents (57.1% girls; 15-18 years old) presenting with SAD received online treatment. The CFT@TeenSAD intervention was organized into four modules: Our mind according to CFT, Developing the compassionate self and the skills of a compassionate mind, Practicing compassionate behavior, and Last remarks and continuing a compassionate journey. Before each session, adolescents reported on perceived change in symptom severity. At the end of each session, clinicians rated overtime change in that severity. Self-reports (F(1,540) = 32.271, p < .0005, ηp2 = .63) and clinician’s reports (F(1,528) = 24.783, p < .0005, ηp2 = .57) showed that improvement was significantly heightened during treatment, with significant changes across all four intervention modules. Trajectories of change were similar across gender. Though preliminary, findings point to online CFT being a promising approach to treat SAD in adolescent boys and girls, given that it contributes to continuous decrease in severity of social anxiety symptoms.Este trabalho investigou a eficácia da Terapia Focada na Compaixão (TFC) nos sintomas da perturbação de ansiedade social (PAS) na adolescência, com base em dados recolhidos ao longo da intervenção. A TFC contribuiu para o bem-estar psicológico em várias populações, mas é escassa a evidência sobre a sua eficácia no tratamento da PAS em adolescentes. Vinte e um adolescentes (57.1% raparigas; 15-18 anos) com PAS receberam tratamento online. A intervenção CFT@TeenSAD foi organizada em quatro módulos sequenciais: A mente de acordo com a TFC, Promoção do eu-compassivo e de competências para uma mente compassiva, Prática de comportamento compassivo, Últimas notas e continuar numa viagem compassiva. Antes de cada sessão, os adolescentes reportaram mudança percebida na gravidade dos sintomas e os clínicos fizeram essa avaliação no final de cada sessão. Tanto os adolescentes (F (1.540) = 32.271, p<0.0005, ηp2 = 0.63) como os clínicos (F (1.528) = 24.783, p< 0.0005, ηp2= 0.57) relataram melhoria continuada ao longo do tratamento, com mudança significativa ao longo dos quatro módulos. As trajetórias de mudança foram semelhantes para rapazes e raparigas. A TFC surge como uma abordagem promissora na PAS em adolescentes, contribuindo para a diminuição contínua da gravidade dos sintomas