Notas para decolonizar os estudos transpessoais no brasil: contribuições do pluriperspectivismo participativo / Notes for decolonizing transpersonal studies in brazil: contributions of participatory pluriperspectivism / Apuntes para la decolonización de los estudios transpersonales en brasil: aportes del pluriperspectivismo participativo

O campo dos estudos transpessoais tem avançado em diversas áreas no Brasil. Comemorou seus 40 anos com uma inserção ativa nas Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES) e uma ampliação de núcleos formativos e apoiadores de ensino, pesquisa e ações sociais, além de diálogos com o Sistema de Conselhos de Psicologia. Desafios são apresentados a partir do levantamento de uma série de questões importantes e ignoradas dentro da Psicologia Transpessoal no Brasil. Apresentamos o pluriperspectivismo participativo como possibilidade de decolonizar as matrizes eurocêntricas e estadunidenses, que dão suporte ao pensamento transpessoal brasileiro, buscando honrar nossas raízes históricas e incluir outras epistemologias e ontologias, que dão continuidade à crítica à lógica cartesiana moderna. Indicamos uma breve agenda de notas temáticas que carecem de um processo decolonizador no campo transpessoal: a) crítica às perspectivas de um pensamento hegemônico, em termos globais por meio da dominação Norte-Sul ou no campo das relações sociais; b) revisão das formas de "centrocentrismo"; c) questionamento da noção de universalismo das ciências e da ética; d) aprofundamento da análise crítica da supremacia restritiva da racionalidade formal técnico-científica em relação às formas de subjetividade, de vivências holísticas e integradoras e de valorização do corpo; e) revisão da noção de sujeito moderno desprovida da cocriação do humano com a comunidade, a história, a natureza e o cosmos.(AU)

The field of transpersonal studies has advanced in several areas in Brazil. It celebrated its 40th anniversary with an active insertion in Higher Education Institutions (HEI) and an expansion of training centers and supporters of teaching, research, and social actions, in addition to dialogues with the System of Councils of Psychology. Challenges are presented based on a survey of a series of important and ignored issues within Transpersonal Psychology in Brazil. We present participatory pluriperspectivism as a possibility to decolonize the Eurocentric and North American matrices that support Brazilian transpersonal thought, seeking to honor our historical roots and include other epistemologies and ontologies, which continue the critique of modern Cartesian logic. We indicate a brief agenda of thematic notes that lack a decolonizing process in the transpersonal field: a) criticism of the perspectives of a hegemonic thought, whether in global terms via North-South domination or in the field of social relations; b) review of the forms of "centrocentrism"; c) questioning of the notion of universalism of science and ethics; d) deepening of the critical analysis of the restrictive supremacy of the technical-scientific formal rationality in relation to the forms of subjectivity, of holistic and integrative experiences, and of valuing the body; e) review of the notion of the modern subject devoid of the co-creation of the human with the community, the history, the nature, and the cosmos.(AU)

El campo de los estudios transpersonales ha avanzado en varias áreas de Brasil. Se celebró su 40.º aniversario con una inserción activa en Instituciones de Educación Superior (IES) y una ampliación de los centros de formación y promotores de la docencia, la investigación y la acción social, además de diálogos con el Sistema de Consejos de Psicología. Los desafíos se presentan a partir de una encuesta de una serie de temas importantes e ignorados dentro de la Psicología Transpersonal en Brasil. Presentamos el pluriperspectivismo participativo como una posibilidad para decolonizar las matrices eurocéntrica y americana, que sustentan el pensamiento transpersonal brasileño, buscando honrar nuestras raíces históricas e incluir otras epistemologías y ontologías que continúan la crítica de la lógica cartesiana moderna. Indicamos una breve agenda de apuntes temáticos que carecen de un proceso decolonizador en el campo transpersonal: a) crítica de las perspectivas de un pensamiento hegemónico, ya sea en términos globales a través del dominio Norte-Sur o en el campo de las relaciones sociales; b) revisión de las formas de "centrocentrismo"; c) cuestionamiento de la noción de universalismo de la ciencia y la ética; d) profundización del análisis crítico de la supremacía restrictiva de la racionalidad formal técnico-científica en relación a las formas de subjetividad, de experiencias holísticas e integradoras y de valoración del cuerpo; e) revisión de la noción de sujeto moderno desprovisto de la cocreación de lo humano con la comunidad, la historia, la naturaleza y el cosmos.(AU)

Towards an animal model of consciousness based on the platform theory.

The evolution of intellectual capacities has brought forth a continuum of consciousness levels subserved by neuronal networks of varying complexity. Brain pathologies, neurodegenerative, and mental diseases affect conscious cognition and behavior. Although impairments in consciousness are among the most devastating consequences of neurological and mental diseases, valid and reliable animal models of consciousness, that could be used for preclinical research are missing. The platform theory holds that the brain enters a conscious operation mode, whenever mental representations of stimuli, associations, concepts, memories, and experiences are effortfully maintained (in working memory) and actively manipulated. We used the platform theory as a framework and evaluation standard to categorize behavioral paradigms with respect to the level of consciousness involved in task performance. According to the platform theory, a behavioral paradigm involves conscious cognitive operations, when the problem posed is unexpected, novel or requires the maintenance and manipulation of a large amount of information to perform cognitive operations on them. Conscious cognitive operations are associated with a relocation of processing resources and the redirection of attentional focus. A consciousness behavioral test battery is proposed that is composed of tests which are assumed to require higher levels of consciousness as compared to other tasks and paradigms. The consciousness test battery for rodents includes the following tests: Working memory in the radial arm maze, episodic-like memory, prospective memory, detour test, and operant conditioning with concurrent variable-interval variable-ratio schedules. Performance in this test battery can be contrasted with the performance in paradigms and tests that require lower levels of consciousness. Additionally, a second more comprehensive behavioral test battery is proposed to control for behavioral phenotypes not related to consciousness. Our theory could serve as a guidance for the decryption of the neurobiological basis of consciousness.

Healthy Aging-Relevant Goals: The Role of Person-Context Co-construction.

OBJECTIVES: This article considers how individuals' motivation for healthy aging manifests within the myriad of different contexts that older adults are embedded in as they move through later life. METHODS: Drawing on the concept of co-construction, we argue that persons and contexts both contribute to the emergence, maintenance, and disengagement from healthy aging relevant goals in adulthood and old age. RESULTS: To promote the understanding of such co-constructive dynamics, we propose four conceptual refinements of previous healthy aging models. First, we outline various different, often multidirectional, ways in which persons and contexts conjointly contribute to how people set, pursue, and disengage from health goals. Second, we promote consideration of context as involving unique, shared, and interactive effects of socio-economic, social, physical, care/service, and technology dimensions. Third, we highlight how the relevance, utility, and nature of these context dimensions and their role in co-constructing health goals change as individuals move through the Third Age, the Fourth Age, and a terminal stages of life. Finally, we suggest that these conceptual refinements be linked to established (motivational) theories of lifespan development and aging. DISCUSSIONS: In closing, we outline a set of research questions that promise to advance our understanding of the mechanisms by which contexts and aging persons co-construct healthy aging relevant goals and elaborate on the applied significance of this approach for common public health practices.

Construindo o infantil¹ / Constructing the infantile / Construyendo lo infantil / En construisant l'infantile

Este trabalho aborda vários fatores que contribuem para a construção do infantil, fatores que abrem múltiplas perspectivas teóricas. Quais dimensões particulares são mais relevantes para qualquer construção é algo que depende, em última análise, de sua utilidade para o analista no estabelecimento da intersubjetividade com os pacientes na prática clínica.

This paper addresses several factors that contribute to constructions of the infantile, as they inform multiple theoretical perspectives. Which particular dimensions are most germane to any construction depends ultimately upon their usefulness to clinicians in establishing intersubjectivity with their patients in clinical practice.

Este trabajo aborda varios factores que contribuyen a la construcción de lo infantil, factores que abren múltiples perspectivas teóricas. Qué dimensiones particulares son más relevantes para cualquier construcción es algo que depende, en última instancia, de su utilidad para el analista en el establecimiento de la intersubjetividad con los pacientes en la práctica clínica.

Cet article aborde plusieurs éléments qui contribuent aux constructions de l'infantile, car il présente de multiples perspectives théoriques. Quelles dimensions particulières sont-elles les plus pertinentes pour une certaine construction, cela dépende, en dernière analyse, de son utilité pout les médecins, au moment de l'établissement de l'intersubjectivité avec leurs patientes dans la pratique clinique.

Measurement Invariance and Developmental Trajectories of Multidimensional Self-Perceptions of Aging in Middle-Aged and Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the measurement invariance and longitudinal trajectories of multidimensional self-perceptions of aging (SPA) and factors that predict between-person variability in the level and change of SPA in middle-aged and older adults. METHOD: Data were drawn from the German Ageing Survey spanning four waves, covering a 15-year period. Multidimensional SPA was assessed with the Personal Experience of Aging Scale, consisting of three dimensions, physical decline, social loss, and continuous growth. RESULTS: The measurement invariance models across age groups (middle-aged versus older adults) and across time showed a good fit after allowing one item to vary at metric and/or scalar levels. Growth curve models showed only minor declining trajectories in two of the three dimensions of SPA, social loss and continuous growth dimensions, toward more negative views. Participants with poor resources in general were more likely to have negative SPA across all three dimensions. The protective effect of having a spouse was observed on only the social dimension of SPA, supporting a domain-specific effect of having a spouse. DISCUSSION: The study demonstrates the usefulness of a multidimensional understanding of SPA and recognizes the need for identifying different factors that may promote positive perceptions on aging in different dimensions of life.

Novas construções em análise perante o vazio psíquico, o tédio e a apatia / New constructions in analysis in the face of psychic emptiness, boredom and apathy / Nuevas construcciones en análisis ante el vacío psíquico, o el tedio y la apatía / Nouvelles constructions en cours d'analyse face au vide psychique, à l'ennui et à l'apathie

RESUMO No texto "Construções em análise", Freud afirma que a tarefa do analista envolve uma atividade de construção, originária da complementação e da integração dos restos conservados da história do analisando. Neste artigo, sustenta-se que, além do modelo de 1937, existem outras formas de construção em análise, concebidas a partir da relação da dupla analista-analisando e decorrentes do vínculo transferencial. Essas construções repercutem na simbolização primária e na elaboração de novas narrativas sobre o vazio psíquico. Propõe-se que, nos casos de vazio psíquico, tédio e apatia, o analista há de se envolver em um trabalho de construção para revitalizar a cena analítica, propiciar uma rota de simbolização do material cindido do analisando e contribuir para que a análise funcione como um espaço potencial para esse fim. Exemplifica-se tal manejo com um caso clínico da chamada síndrome da resignação.

ABSTRACT In the text Constructions in Analysis, Freud (1937/2018) states that the task of the analyst involves a construction activity, originating from the "complementation" and "integration of surviving remains" of the analysand's history. The aim of this article is to argue that, besides this 1937 model, there are also other forms of constructions in analysis, conceived from the relationship between analyst-analysand and resulting from the transference-countertransference link - constructions that generate repercussions on primary symbolization and the elaboration of new narratives about the psychic void. It is proposed that, in cases of psychic emptiness, boredom and apathy, the analyst should engage in a constructive work to revitalize the analytic scene, providing a route of symbolization of the analysand's split material and contributing to the analysis functioning as a potential space for that purpose. Such management is exemplified with a clinical case of the so-called Resignation Syndrome.

RESUMEN En el texto "Construcciones en análisis", Freud afirma que la tarea del analista envuelve una actividad de construcción, que tiene origen en la complementación y la integración de los restos conservados de la historia del analizado. En este artículo, se sostiene que, además del modelo de 1937, existen otras formas de construcción en análisis, concebidas a partir de la relación entre el dúo analista-analizado y decurrentes del vínculo transferencial. Estas construcciones repercuten en el simbolismo primario y en la elaboración de nuevas narrativas sobre el vacío psíquico. Se propone que, en los casos de vacío psíquico, tedio y apatía, el analista se envolverá en un trabajo de construcción para revitalizar la escena analítica, propiciar una ruta de simbolismo del material escindido del analizado y contribuir para que el análisis funcione como un espacio potencial para esa finalidad. Se ejemplifica tal manejo con un caso clínico de la llamada síndrome de la resignación.

RÉSUMÉ Dans le texte Constructions en analyse, Freud (1937/2018) affirme que la tâche de l'analyste implique une activité de construction, qui découle de la «complémentation¼ et de « l'intégration de vestiges conservés ¼ de l'histoire de l'analysant. Dans cet article, on soutient que, outre ce modèle de 1937, il existe aussi d'autres formes de constructions en cours d'analyse, conçues à partir de la relation entre l'analyste et l'analysant et résultant du lien transfert / contre-transfert, constructions qui ont des répercussions sur la symbolisation primaire et l'élaboration de nouveaux récits concernant le vide psychique. Il est proposé que, dans les cas de vide psychique, d'ennui et d'apathie, l'analyste s'engage dans un travail de construction visant à revitaliser la scène analytique, à fournir une voie de symbolisation du matériel scindé de l'analysant et à contribuer au fonctionnement de l'analyse en tant qu'un espace potentiel à cet effet. Une telle gestion est illustrée par la mention d'un cas clinique du syndrome dit de résignation.

"When something like a ladybug lands on you": Origins and development of the concept of luck.

In Study 1, 103 children ages 4 through 10 answered questions about their concept of and belief in luck, and completed a story task assessing their use of luck as an explanation for events. The interview captured a curvilinear trajectory of children's belief in luck from tentative belief at age 4 to full belief at age 6, weakening belief at age 8, and significant skepticism by age 10. The youngest children appeared to think of luck simply as a positive outcome; with age, children increasingly considered the unexpected nature of lucky outcomes and many came to view luck as synonymous with chance. On the story task, younger children attributed a stronger role to luck in explaining events than did older children. Studies 2 and 3 explored 2 potential sources of children's concepts. Study 2 explored adult use of the words luck and lucky, and found that most of this input consisted in using lucky to refer to positive outcomes, although the nature of use changed with the ages of the children. In Study 3, we examined children's storybooks about luck and found them to be rich potential sources of children's concepts. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

The Role of Personal Identity on Positive and Negative Symptoms in Psychosis: A Study Using the Repertory Grid Technique.

BACKGROUND: People with psychosis experience disruptions in personal identity that affect positive and negative symptoms, but the complexity of these phenomena needs to be addressed in an in-depth manner. Using the Personal Construct Theory, we examined whether distinct dimensions of personal identity, as measured with the Repertory Grid Technique along with other cognitive factors, might influence psychotic symptomatology. METHOD: Eighty-five outpatients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders completed a repertory grid, an observed-rated interview of psychotic symptoms, and measures of cognitive insight, depressive symptoms, neurocognition, and theory of mind. RESULTS: Structural equation models revealed that interpersonal dichotomous thinking directly affected positive symptoms. Self-discrepancies influenced positive symptoms by mediation of depressive symptoms. Interpersonal cognitive differentiation and interpersonal cognitive richness mediated the impact of self-reflectivity and neurocognitive deficits in negative symptomatology. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first of its kind to examine the structure of personal identity in relation to positive and negative symptoms of psychosis. Results suggest interventions targeted to improving interpersonal dichotomous thinking, self-discrepancies, interpersonal cognitive differentiation, and interpersonal cognitive richness may be useful in improving psychotic symptoms.

Exploring identity and personal meanings in psychosis using the repertory grid technique: A systematic review.

Current research and clinical practice in person-centred approaches highlight the importance of self, identity, and personal meanings in psychosis. Previous research has focused on dimensions of self, but less attention has been paid to the personal meanings involved in identity. The personal construct theory framework and the repertory grid technique (RGT) allow the study of identity and personal meanings within person-centred approaches of psychopathology and treatment in psychosis, as suggested by studies that began more than 40 years ago. However, their contributions have not yet been reviewed. We aimed to systematically review the evidence for the role of identity and personal meanings in psychotic disorders. We performed a systematic search using personal construct and RGT terms in PsycINFO, Web of Science, PubMed, EBSCO, Scopus, and Google Scholar. After identifying 2,574 articles, 15 were included. Nine studies followed an idiographic assessment, and six were nomothetic. Patients reported their subjective experience of isolation in terms of high self-ideal discrepancy and high perceived discrepancy with their significant others, which some studies associated with a lower degree of recovery or with the way in which positive symptoms were construed. Self-fragmentation either decreased with interventions or was associated with recovery. Evidence regarding interpersonal construing was less consistent, but there was a tendency for patients to show a more rigid cognitive structure than controls. To conclude, we found some evidence that self-discrepancies, fragmentation of self, and interpersonal construing are affected in psychosis and potentially modifiable through psychotherapy.

Validez discriminante, predictiva e incremental de la escala de comportamientos laborales proactivos de Belschak y Den Hartog* / Discriminant, Predictive and Incremental Validity of Belschak & Den Hartog´s Proactive Work Behaviors Scale

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio fue establecer la validez discriminante, predictiva e incremental de la Escala de Comportamientos Laborales Proactivos de Belschak y Den Hartog. Se realizó un estudio empírico-instrumental con una muestra no probabilística (510 trabajadores, 53 por ciento varones). Análisis de ecuaciones estructurales exploratorios (ESEM) mostraron saturaciones cruzadas inferiores a .30 y un adecuado ajuste de un modelo hexafactorial oblicuo. Los valores de varianza media extraída, de su raíz cuadrada y de la proporción heterorrasgo-monorrasgo proporcionaron evidencia de validez discriminante. Análisis de regresión con SEM confirmaron la contribución significativa de los comportamientos proactivos en la explicación de la satisfacción y de la implicación en el trabajo. Del mismo modo, la personalidad proactiva mostró ser un antecedente significativo de los comportamientos proactivos. Los resultados brindan evidencia favorable a la validez del instrumento analizado.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to establish the discriminant, predictive and incremental validity of Belschak & Den Hartog´s Proactive Work Behaviors Scale. An empirical-instrumental study was carried out with a non-probabilistic sample (510 workers, 53 por ciento males). Analysis of exploratory structural equations (ESEM) showed cross-saturations lower than .30 and an adequate adjustment of an oblique hexa-factorial model. The values of average variance extracted, of its square root and of the heterotrait-monotrait ratio provided evidence of discriminant validity. SEM regression analysis confi rmed the signifi cant contribution of proactive behaviors in the explanation of job satisfaction and job involvement. Proactive personality showed itself to be a signifi cant predictor of proactive behaviors. These results obtained provide favorable evidence for the validity of the instrument analyzed.

Resiliencia y constructos personales de victimización en individuos vulnerados por el conflicto armado / Resilience and personal constructions in individual victims in the armed conflict

El presente trabajo investigativo parte de la postura de que ahondar sobre el conflicto armado y sus efectos en la población colombiana, es referirse a un tema que durante años ha evolucionado en diferentes periodos trascendentales generando diversas posturas, pero que indudablemente solo se puede describir de manera particular por quien ha vivido el rigor de la lucha por el poder económico y político, teniendo en cuenta esto, se desarrolla un estudio mediante un paradigma explicativo e interpretativo que contempla una metodología mixta, dirigida a indagar la relación entre el nivel de resiliencia y los constructos personales de aquellos individuos vulnerados por el conflicto armado, evidenciándose una disonancia entre el análisis de los resultados, al hallarse habilidades resilientes en los sujetos desde lo cuantitativo, las cuales no estaban representadas, desde un foco cualitativo, en el discurso de la mayoría de individuos, pues su subjetividad refería constructos poco ligados a la resiliencia. En tanto, se devela la relevancia de ejecutar acciones no solo inclinadas en hacer una reparación desde lo legal, sino que traigan a colación las significaciones individuales de las víctimas, para que estas puedan trascender y superar las secuelas que dificultan el desarrollo en las dimensiones psicológicas, sociales y emocionales que de alguna manera prolongan el flagelo y perpetúan el asistencialismo.

This paper is part of an effort to try to go deeper into the armed conflict and its effect on the Colombian people, it refers to a topic that has evolved into transcendental periods creating diverse postures that can only be described by those who have lived the political and economic struggle. Taking this perspective into account, this study was carried out under an explanatory and interpretative paradigm using a mixed methodo- logy looking to analyze the relationship between the level of resilience and the personal construction of those individuals victims of the armed conflict, displaying a dissonance between the result analysis of the results in finding the resilient abilities in subjects using a quantitative perspective, since their subjectivity referred constructions that were not very resilient. Therefore, there is the relevance of carrying out actions not only meant to repair forma legal perspective but that bring meaning to individual victims so that they may transcend and overcome the aftermath that hinder the development of psychological, social and emotional dimensions that in some way or another elongate the pain and extend assistance.

Psicoterapia de constructos personales: intervención centrada en dilemas en un caso de ansiedad generalizada / Psychotherapy of personal constructs: intervention focused on dilemmas in a case of generalized anxiety

Esta presentación de caso, expone una intervención de Constructos Personales centrada en dilemas implicativos en una adolescente de 16 años de la ciudad de Medellín diagnosticada con Porfiria Aguda Intermitente de acuerdo con la Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades (CIE 10) y con Trastorno De Ansiedad Generalizada (TAG) acorde a los criterios del Manual Diagnóstico y Estadístico de los Trastornos Mentales, quinta edición (DSM 5). El proceso terapéutico se desarrolló en deciseís sesiones, teniendo como punto de referencia los parámetros propuestos por Senra, Feixas y Fernandes (2005), quienes plantean un protocolo general para el abordaje de estructuras dilemáticas, igualmente se consideró la elaboración posterior de Feixas y Compañ (2015) para el diseño del proceso terapéutico. Se definieron los dilemas implicativos a partir de la entrevista, la técnica de rejilla y la autocaracterización (Kelly, 1955). Durante la psicoterapia se abordaron dos de las configuraciones dilemáticas, las cuales se relacionaban con competencia personal e interacción social. En la etapa de finalización del tratamiento se evidenciaron cambios significativos a nivel del sistema de construcciones personales tales como el aumento de la autoestima, mayor percepción de cercanía con las personas significativas, así como una mayor adecuación de éstos a sus construcciones valoradas, transformaciones cuantificadas gracias a la Técnica de Rejilla de Kelly. Igualmente, a nivel sintomático se lograron cambios notables, partiendo de la comparación de las mediciones pre-post tratamiento obtenidas con el inventario de ansiedad y depresión de Beck (BAI, BDI II). Estos resultados aportan evidencia a la Psicología de Constructos Personales, confirmando hallazgos anteriormente expuestos en la literatura científica.

This case presentation exposes an intervention of personal constructs, focused on implicative dilemmas in a 16-year-old girl from Medellin diagnosed with intermittent acute porphyria (AIP) according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD 10) and with disorder of generalized anxiety (DGA) according to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM 5). The therapeutic process was developed in sixteen sessions, having as reference the parameters proposed by Senra, Feixas, and Fernandes (2005), who propose a general protocol for the approach of dilemmatic structures, the subsequent elaboration of Feixas and Compañ was also considered (2015) for the design of the therapeutic process. The implicative dilemmas were defined from the interview, the grid technique and the self-characterization (Kelly, 1955). During psychotherapy, two of the dilemmatic configurations were addressed, which related to personal competence and social interaction. In the stage of completion of the treatment, significant changes were evidenced at the level of the personal construction system such as the increase of self-esteem, greater perception of closeness with significant people, as well as, a greater adaptation of these to their value constructions; quantified transformations thanks to Kelly's Grid Technique. Similarly, significant changes were achieved at the symptomatic level, based on the comparison of pre-post treatment measurements obtained with Beck's anxiety and depression inventory (BAI, BDI II). These results provide evidence to the psychology of personal constructs, which confirms findings previously exposed in the scientific literature.

Early Gender Differences in Core Values Predict Anticipated Family Versus Career Orientation.

Communion and agency are often described as core human values. In adults, these values predict gendered role preferences. Yet little work has examined the extent to which young boys and girls explicitly endorse communal and agentic values and whether early gender differences in values predict boys' and girls' different role expectations. In a sample of 411 children between the ages of 6 and 14 years, we found consistent gender differences in endorsement of communal and agentic values. Across this age range, boys endorsed communal values less and agentic values more than did girls. Moreover, gender differences in values partially accounted for boys' relatively lower family versus career orientation, predicting their orientation over and above gender identification and parent reports of children's gender expression. These findings suggest that gender differences in core values emerge surprisingly early in development and predict children's expectations well before they make decisions about adopting adult roles in their own families.

The Impact of Social Exclusion on "Reading the Mind in the Eyes" Performance in Relation to Borderline Personality Disorder Features.

In this study we used the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET) to explore facial emotion recognition in borderline personality disorder (BPD). We also used Cyberball, a computerized task designed to mimic social ostracism, to examine the response of BPD-feature participants to social exclusion. Seventeen individuals with BPD features were compared to 16 healthy controls on RMET performance pre- and post-exclusion via Cyberball. Our results revealed a significant interaction between BPD-feature status and RMET performance in relation to neutral stimuli following a social exclusion experience. BPD participants' ability to correctly identify neutral faces significantly decreased following exclusion. This finding suggests that once an individual with BPD features experiences a social exclusion event, his or her objectivity decreases and affective valence is ascribed to stimuli previously perceived as neutral. Our results may help to explain, in part, the social instability seen in BPD.

Assessment of motivational interviewing: a qualitative study of response process validity, content validity and feasibility of the motivational interviewing target scheme (MITS) in general practice.

BACKGROUND: The Motivational Interviewing target Scheme (MITS) is an instrument to assess competency in Motivational Interviewing (MI) and can be used to assess MI in long and brief consultations. In this qualitative study we examined two sources of the Unified Model of Validity, the current standard of assessment validation, in the context of General Practice. We collected evidence concerning response process validity and content validity of the MITS in general practice. Furthermore, we investigated its feasibility. METHODS: Assessing consultations of General Practitioners and GP-trainees (GPs), the assessors systematically noted down their considerations concerning the scoring process and the content of the MITS in a semi-structured questionnaire. Sampling of the GPs was based on maximum variation and data saturation was used as a stopping criterion. An inductive approach was used to analyse the data. In response to scoring problems the score options were adjusted and all consultations were assessed using the original and the adjusted score options. RESULTS: Twenty seven assessments were needed to reach data saturation. In most consultations, the health behaviour was not the reason for encounter but was discussed on top of discussing physical problems. The topic that was most discussed in the consultations was smoking cigarettes. The adjusted score options increased the response process validity; they were more in agreement with theoretical constructs and the observed quality of MI in the consultations. Concerning content validity, we found that the MITS represents the broad spectrum and the current understanding of MI. Furthermore, the MITS proved to be feasible to assess MI in brief consultations in general practice. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the collected evidence the MITS seems a promising instrument to measure MI interviewing in brief consultations. The evidence gathered in this study lays the foundation for research into other aspects of validation.

Use of Theoretical Models in Family Therapy: Focus on Social Constructionism / A Utilização de Modelos Teóricos na Terapia Familiar: Foco no Construcionismo Social / El Uso de Modelos Teóricos en la Terapia Familiar: Foco en el Construccionismo Social

Abstract: In the field of family therapy (FT), theoretical and methodological perspectives coexist. This article aims to comprehend how family therapists use different theories, especially social constructionism. We describe a qualitative study, carried out through semi-structured and individual interviews with 14 Brazilian family therapists, men and women. Our analysis and discussion present four types of discourse by which the participants combine theoretical perspectives: conciliatory-constructionist, conciliatory-reflexive, conciliatory-descriptive and eclectic. The analysis presents features that characterize and differentiate each discourse, and implications they have on the participants' practice. We conclude that the combination of theories is an effort to enhance clinical practice, at the same time as it creates tensions in the FT field. This article invites family therapists to construct practices based on an epistemological investigation, by which they will be able to identify theoretical premises that guide their actions, as an effort to achieve congruence between practices and the theories behind them.

Resumo: No campo da terapia familiar (TF) coexistem perspectivas teóricas e metodológicas. O objetivo deste artigo é compreender como terapeutas familiares utilizam diferentes teorias da TF, especialmente, o construcionismo social. Este estudo possui natureza qualitativa, e foi realizado a partir de entrevistas individuais semi-estruturadas, com 14 terapeutas familiares brasileiros, homens e mulheres. A análise e discussão apresentam quatro discursos pelos quais os terapeutas combinam perspectivas teóricas: conciliatório-construcionista, conciliatório-reflexivo, conciliatório-explicativo e eclético. A análise apresenta aspectos que os caracterizam e diferenciam, e implicações que possuem na prática dos terapeutas. Concluímos que a combinação de teorias busca enriquecer a prática clínica, ao mesmo tempo em que gera tensões no campo da TF. O artigo convida os terapeutas a construírem práticas orientadas por uma investigação epistemológica, por meio das quais podem identificar os pressupostos teóricos que norteiam suas ações, em busca de congruência entre as práticas empregadas e as teorias que as embasam.

Resumen: En el campo de la terapia familiar (TF) coexisten perspectivas teóricas y metodológicas. El objetivo de este artículo es comprender cómo los terapeutas familiares utilizan teorías de la TF, especialmente, el construccionismo social. Es un estudio cualitativo, realizado a partir de entrevistas semiestructuradas, con 14 terapeutas familiares brasileños, hombres y mujeres. El análisis y discusión presentan cuatro discursos en que terapeutas combinan teorías: conciliatorio-construccionista, conciliatorio-reflexivo, conciliatorio-explicativo e ecléctico. El análisis presenta aspectos que los caracterizan y diferencian, e implicaciones en la práctica de los terapeutas. Concluimos que la combinación de teorías busca enriquecer la práctica clínica y genera tensiones en el campo de la TF. El artículo invita terapeutas a la construcción de prácticas orientadas por una investigación epistemológica, a través de las cuales puedan identificar presupuestos teóricos que guían sus acciones, buscando congruencia entre las prácticas adoptadas y las teorías que las fundamentan.

Terapia familiar como um espaço de ressignificação das relações / Family therapy as a redefinition of space relations

Pretende-se, neste artigo, destacar as possibilidades de diálogos ente duas teorias, contribuindo assim para a prática clínica. Abordaremos o socioconstrucionismo e as afinidades com a teoria da aprendizagem na perspectiva da autoria do pensamento. Entendendo o socioconstrucionismo como uma abordagem teórico-clínica que enfatiza os processos relacionais e estimula as pessoas a serem capazes de construír a si mesmas e o mundo em que vivem, entendendo a aprendizagem como processo de produção de sentido onde o sujeito é protagonista e tem papel ativo, podemos pensar a terapia familiar como um espaço de aprendizagem e ressignificação das relações. O terapeuta pode operar na terapia, tal qual o ensinante opera na relação de aprendizagem: sendo um facilitador das competências. Além disso, o processo terapêutico pode se configurar numa troca onde família e terapeuta se enriquecem. Tanto o ensinante quanto o terapeuta, nestas abordagens, precisam reconhecer a legitimidade do outro e possibilitar a autoria. Dessa forma, a terapia torna-se uma construção conjunta e não um processo linear onde o terapeuta detém o conhecimento e vai transmitir à família. Nesta perspectiva, o terapeuta precisa estar sempre curioso e assumir uma postura de questionamento e reflexão a respeito do que está estabelecido, abrindo assim, espaço para o novo e para a criação.(AU)

It is intended in this article highlight the possibilities of dialogues between two theories, thus contributing to the clinical practice. We discuss the social constructionism and the affinities with learning theory in view of the authorship of thought. Understanding social constructionism as a clinical theoretical approach that emphasizes the relational processes and encourages people to be able to build themselves and the world they live in; understanding learning as meaning production process where the subject is the protagonist and has active role, we may think family therapy as a space for learning and redefinition of relations. The therapist can operate in therapy, like the teaching being active in learning relationship: being a facilitator skills. Moreover, the therapeutic process may be set on an exchange where family and enrich therapist. Both the teaching being as the therapist, these approaches must recognize the legitimacy of the other and enable the authorship. Thus, the therapy becomes a joint construction and not a linear process where the therapist has the knowledge and will convey to the family. In this perspective, the therapist must always be curious and take a questioning attitude and reflection as to what is established, thus opening space for the new and create.(AU)

Assessment of Caregiving Constructs: Toward a Personal, Familial, Group, and Cultural Construction of Dementia Care through the Eyes of Personal Construct Psychology.

Conditions that cause cognitive impairment and behavioural and personality changes, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementia, have global impact across cultures. However, the experience of dementia care can vary between individuals, families, formal caregivers, and social groups from various cultures. Self-reported measures, caregiving stress models, and conceptual theories have been developed to address the physical, financial, psychological, and social factors associated with the experience of dementia care. Given the cross-cultural variability in the experience of dementia care, it is important for such methodologies to take individual and cultural construct systems into account. We contend that personal and group constructs associated with dementia care should be explored in both the formal and informal caregiving contexts. Therefore, in this paper we introduce the theory of Personal Construct Psychology (PCP) with its explicit philosophy, well-elaborated theory, and derived assessment methods as a potential constructivist research approach to examine the personal, familial, group, and cultural construct systems that determine the experience of dementia caregiving. These concepts and assessment procedures are illustrated in this paper through case study examples and scenarios from the context of dementia care with a focus on family home caregivers. This paper elaborates the assessment and therapeutic approaches of personal construct theory (PCT) to further expand alternatives for support services and program interventions and to amplify policies for dementia care within and across cultures.

Racism in digital era: Development and initial validation of the Perceived Online Racism Scale (PORS v1.0).

The purpose of this study was to develop the Perceived Online Racism Scale (PORS) to assess perceived online racist interpersonal interactions and exposure to online racist content among people of color. Items were developed through a multistage process involving a comprehensive literature review, focus-groups, qualitative data collection, and survey of online racism experiences. Based on a sample of 1,023 racial minority participants, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses provided support for a 30-item bifactor model accounted by the general factor and the following 3 specific factors: (a) personal experience of racial cyber-aggression, (b) vicarious exposure to racial cyber-aggression, and (c) online-mediated exposure to racist reality. The PORS demonstrated measurement invariance across racial/ethnic groups in our sample. Internal reliability estimates for the total and subscale scores of the PORS were above .88 and the 4-week test-retest reliability was adequate. Limitations and future directions for research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record