Practice Of Clinical Psychology Research Articles

Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology: Looking to the future.

Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology: Looking to the future.

Психометрические тесты: новые исследования

The selection of foreign publications we offer touches upon the use of psychometric tests in the practice of counseling and clinical psychology and in scientific studies. The presented papers reflect the state of the art knowledge, recent findings and developments and some new challenges in the field of psychological diagnostics. Noteworthy, English papers use the term “psychological assessment” in a more general and less medicalized sense. The materials are ordered by publication date. (Translated by Elena Mozhaeva).

The conceptualization of depression among Filipino seafarers

The Center for Epidemiological Studies – Depression (CES-D) scale is a well-validated and frequently used measure for assessing symptoms associated with depression. This scale was developed primarily on the basis of American populations, however, and previous research has suggested that the original factor structure may not be appropriate for all populations. One such population is the Filipino population. This study represents the first study we are aware of to examine the factor structure of the CES-D scale in a sample of Filipino seafarers. Seafaring is considered a high stress and high risk occupation. Based on data collected from 135 Filipino seafarers, we conducted factor analyses to identify the appropriate factor structure for the CES-D in this population. We found that a three-factor structure better described the responses of Filipinos in our sample than the standard four-factor structure. The Filipino factor structure appears to collapse depressive affect and somatic factors found in previous research, while including a specific factor of social-focused symptoms of depression. This structure maintains the positive affect factor found in previous work. Implications of this for clinical psychology assessment and practice in the Philippines are discussed.

Individual Semantics Building for HFLTS Possibility Distribution With Applications in Domain-Specific Collaborative Decision Making

Collaborative decision making (CDM) with linguistic computational techniques has recently achieved significant advancements. Due to the widespread use of sophisticated linguistic constructions, such as generalized comparative linguistic expressions (GCLEs), additional information associated with subjective appraisals has been exploited with the aim of addressing accuracy improvements in multifarious CDM, given that partial information loss is almost inevitable while dealing with complex linguistic comprehension. This paper brings an innovative perspective into CDM from COmponent ANalysis with GCLEs (COANG) to formalize problems involved in making optimal choices, mainly in CDM problems with participants who are usually characterized by domain specificity. Consequently, the focus of this paper is on the domain-specific CDM (DSCDM) in which individual semantics should be built predominantly to model various implications of their decision appraisals with heterogeneity in the knowledgeable domain for the effort of computational reinforcements. The attitude orientation and strength are crucial decompositions to incorporate COANG into DSCDM to establish an elastic paradigm that puts forward individual perception comprehension ahead of exerting collective efforts. The DSCDM based on COANG model enables agents to turn complex challenges of sophisticated linguistic constructions into substantial opportunities by translating them into customized individual semantics (CIS), and CIS into useful insights for making better decisions and improving results. The potential advantages of the proposed COANG-based DSCDM framework are validated with a clinical psychological practice related to the severity assessment of symptoms of schizophrenia.

The pragmatic practice in Clinical Psychology

The pragmatic practice in Clinical Psychology

The bizarreness and reality of dreams

Dreams are one of the most common experience in our lives. The vivid and bizarre features of dreams have fascinated humankind throughout history. Dreaming is an ancient physiological and psychological phenomenon, and whether it fulfils an adaptive function has inspired varied theories. Some theories take a perspective that dreaming serves no adaptive function but rather a biologically epiphenomena. Some theories claim that dreaming fulfill various neurophysiological functions. However, the dream contents are viewed as random noise generated by the sleeping brain. Other theories believe that what appears in dreams is important since it serves functions which relate to psychological adjustment. More recent theories tend to relate dreaming to intellectual or cognitive functions, such as learning, memory consolidation, problem solving or simulating of threats in real life. The enigma of dreams is extensively studied with the development of science technology. Although the dream science was initiated from the REM (rapid eye movement sleep) sleep dreams, the equation ″REM=dreaming″ is an oversimplification. Dream-like mentation may occur during all stages of sleep. The controversy now is whether dreams reported from REM and NREM (non-rapid eye movement sleep) sleep are equivalent or different from each other. Three different theoretical models about the REM/NREM mentation have been proposed: (1) An one-generator model, which claims that regardless of the sleep stage in which the mention occurs, it only stems from a single set of process; (2) a two-generator model, which holds a perspective that REM and NREM mentions have differentiated generation systems; (3) a covert REM sleep model, which assumes that the NREM sleep dream is generated from the covert activity that occurs in REM sleep. Since there are experimental evidences supported both the similarities and differentiation in phenomenological aspects and the underlying brain activities of REM and NREM sleep dream, it is still controversial which model is the most optimal interpretation for the two mentation. The dream is a special state of consciousness. The continuity and discontinuity between waking and dreaming has been a controversy in dream science. The similarities and differences in both phenomenon and brain activity between dreaming and waking provide important knowledge of human consciousness, especially lucid dreaming, a hybrid state of consciousness with features of both waking and dreaming, which provides an unique chance to reveal the neural basis of consciousness. Moreover, dream studies are significant in the clinical practice in psychiatry and psychology. Although advances in neurophysiological and neuroimaging methods have offered new insight into the brain correlates of dreaming, the private nature of dreaming has made it a formidable study object. The studies of dreaming are still confronted with methodological challenges. To reveal the mystery of dreaming, integration of the designs and methods from multiple fields (such as phenomenology, neuroscience, clinical practice, etc) is necessary.

Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology: Looking back at the inaugural years.

Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology: Looking back at the inaugural years.

A systematic review of team formulation in clinical psychology practice: Definition, implementation, and outcomes.

Team formulation is promoted by professional practice guidelines for clinical psychologists. However, it is unclear whether team formulation is understood/implemented in consistent ways - or whether there is outcome evidence to support the promotion of this practice. This systematic review aimed to (1) synthesize how team formulation practice is defined and implemented by practitioner psychologists and (2) analyse the range of team formulation outcomes in the peer-reviewed literature. Seven electronic bibliographic databases were searched in June 2016. Eleven articles met inclusion criteria and were quality assessed. Extracted data were synthesized using content analysis. Descriptions of team formulation revealed three main forms of instantiation: (1) a structured, consultation approach; (2) semi-structured, reflective practice meetings; and (3) unstructured/informal sharing of ideas through routine interactions. Outcome evidence linked team formulation to a range of outcomes for staff teams and service users, including some negative outcomes. Quality appraisal identified significant issues with evaluation methods; such that, overall, outcomes were not well-supported. There is weak evidence to support the claimed beneficial outcomes of team formulation in practice. There is a need for greater specification and standardization of 'team formulation' practices, to enable a clearer understanding of any relationships with outcomes and implications for best-practice implementations. Under the umbrella term of 'team formulation', three types of practice are reported: (1) highly structured consultation; (2) reflective practice meetings; and (3) informal sharing of ideas. Outcomes linked to team formulation, including some negative outcomes, were not well evidenced. Research using robust study designs is required to investigate the process and outcomes of team formulation practice.

Evidence-based assessment in a transtheoretical and paradigmatic approach

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a defined proposal for how to integrate science and clinical practice that treats scientific evidence, particularly the results of empirical research, as a source of clinically useful and highly objective knowledge. We assume that the principles and standards of clinical practice defined in EBP have resulted in the emergence of many trans-theoretical models, but have also significantly influenced the credibility of practice derived from paradigmatic approaches. <br /> The aim of the article is to share our reflections on two issues: 1) What clinical problems arise in non-standard situations in the application of evidence-based practice for the best clinical outcomes for a patient with mental health problems? 2) What methods of integrating patient data are used by clinical psychologists in a transtheoretical and paradigmatic approach in differential (assessment), structural-functional and epigenetic (case formulation) diagnosis? In connection with developed standards for diagnosis and the effectiveness of psychotherapy, we consider EBP particularly relevant for the theory and practice of clinical psychology.

Wise Additions Bridge the Gap between Social Psychology and Clinical Practice: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy as an Exemplar.

Progress in clinical science, theory, and practice requires the integration of advances from multiple fields of psychology, but much integration remains to be done. The current article seeks to address the specific gap that exists between basic social psychological theories and the implementation of related therapeutic techniques. We propose several "wise additions," based upon the principles outlined by Walton (2014), intended to bridge current social psychological research with clinical psychological therapeutic practice using cognitive behavioral therapy as an example. We consider how recent advances in social psychological theories can inform the development and implementation of wise additions in clinical case conceptualization and interventions. We specifically focus on self and identity, self-affirmation, transference, social identity, and embodied cognition, five dominant areas of interest in the field that have clear clinical applications.

Role of event centrality and emotion regulation in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among internally displaced persons

ABSTRACTBackground: Event centrality and emotion regulation in relation to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been documented in various global samples especially in Western cultures; but internally displaced persons (IDPs) still constitute an underrepresented population in psychotraumatology literature. This study tested the roles of event centrality and emotion regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression) in PTSD symptoms among IDPs in Nigeria.Design: The multi-group cross-sectional design was adopted.Methods: Tiv language versions of the Centrality of Events Scale, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and Harvard Trauma Questionnaire were completed by 859 IDPs in two camps located in Benue State, North-central region of Nigeria.Results: Hierarchical multiple linear regression results indicated that event centrality positively predicted PTSD symptoms. Cognitive reappraisal was a negative predictor of PTSD symptoms while expressive suppression was a positive predictor of PTSD symptoms. Bonferroni corrections indicated that expressive suppression was the strongest predictor of total PTSD symptoms, avoidance/numbing symptoms, and hyper-arousal symptoms; but event centrality was the most robust predictor of PTSD intrusion/re-experiencing symptoms.Conclusion: The findings underscore recent developments in psychotraumatology indicating that the extent to which individual differences impact the development of PTSD is essential in clinical psychology research and practice.

Sistemas de acreditación, certificación y regulación del ejercicio de la psicología clínica en Argentina

Argentina has an important tradition in psychology and although university careers began in the mid 50’s, the process of voluntary evaluation and accreditation, was initiated after the approval of the standards in 2009. In this article different aspects of this process both for the undergraduate and graduate careers are presented and analyzed. Relevant aspects of professional practice are also outlined. Current legal regulations of the professional practice of clinical psychology are reviewed. This is the first area having official recognition as a specialty awarded by the National Ministry of Health.

The impact of problem-based learning on training and practice in clinical psychology

This study investigated the impact of problem-based learning (PBL) on the training and professional practice of clinical psychologists, using a mixed method design. The findings suggest that PBL is experienced by trainees as an effective method of learning in clinical psychology.

Conducting research in clinical psychology practice: Barriers, facilitators, and recommendations.

ObjectivesThe combination of clinical psychologists’ therapeutic expertise and research training means that they are in an ideal position to be conducting high‐quality research projects. However, despite these skills and the documented benefits of research to services and service users, research activity in practice remains low. This article aims to give an overview of the advantages of, and difficulties in conducting research in clinical practice.MethodWe reviewed the relevant literature on barriers to research and reflected on our clinical and research experiences in a range of contexts to offer practical recommendations.ResultsWe considered factors involved in the planning, sourcing support, implementation, and dissemination phases of research, and outline suggestions to improve the feasibility of research projects in post‐qualification roles.ConclusionsWe suggest that research leadership is particularly important within clinical psychology to ensure the profession's continued visibility and influence within health settings.Practitioner points Clinical implications Emerging evidence suggests that clinical settings that foster research are associated with better patient outcomes.Suggestions to increase the feasibility of research projects in clinical settings are detailed. Limitations The present recommendations are drawn from the authors’ practical experience and may need adaptation to individual practitioners’ settings.This study does not attempt to assess the efficacy of the strategies suggested.

Introduction: Applying Clinical Psychological Science to Practice.

Mental illness is a prevalent and extraordinarily complex phenomenon. Psychologists have developed distinct approaches toward understanding and treating mental illness, rooted in divergent epistemology. This introduction to the Special Issue on Clinical Psychological Science and Practice provides a brief overview of the scientist-practitioner gap, and explores one step (of many) toward bridging this divide. Seven compelling case illustrations featured in this Special Issue apply empirical findings to case formulation, treatment selection, and assessment across complex and varied clinical presentations. This issue thereby demonstrates the feasibility of integrating research and clinical expertise in mental healthcare.

Facets of integration in the theory and practice of clinical psychology

1. American Psychiatric Associations. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. Google Scholar

Data integration levels. Between scientific research and professional practice in clinical psychology

The article deals with the question of linking two spheres: research practice (psychology as empirical science) and professional practice1 (psychology as a scientifically and ethically meaningful practical action: diagnostic and therapeutic). The author assumes that the most important task of psychologists is to create testable (in Popper’s sense) empirical theories. Only based on these can professional practice be built (here: clinical – diagnostic and therapeutic). The effectiveness of clinicians’ professional actions in the sphere of social practice is a derivative of the method of practical action: diagnostic and therapeutic, built on this knowledge. The author formulates a strong thesis that beyond the context of proven empirical theory, there is no sensible, and yet ethical, professional practice. The article consists of two parts. The first part deals with the methodological aspects of the relationship: empirical theory – testing of the theory – professional practice. It also applies to evidence-based assessment (EBA) and evidence-based practice in psychology (EBPP). The clinician uses a variety of data in his/her (scientific and practical) work, which raises the problem of how to integrate these data. This is the second part of the article. The author distinguishes four levels of data integration: (1) construction of variables and the building of hypothetical relationships between them; (2) operationalisation of variables, i.e. the transmission of variables from level I of the empirical sense; (3) quantitative interpretation of empirical research – here the interpretative framework is the psychological test theory (or another tool used in the operationalisation procedure); (4) qualitative (clinical) interpretation developed on level III data – the psychological empirical theory here provides the interpretative framework. At each level, we are dealing with theories. The empirical data that emerge are indirectly brought forward and justified by these theories. These levels are somewhat dependent on each other. In other words, we are dealing with integration within each level and between levels.

The Need for Clearance in Relaxation Therapy: Development of the Relaxation Clearance Tool for Practitioners

Relaxation therapy is one of the widely used therapies conducted in clinical psychology practice. The purpose of relaxation is to reduce tension in the various muscles in the body system. Relaxation therapy is considered a noninvasive intervention and is effective in treating a number of stress-related conditions. Both young people and adults benefit from relaxation therapies. Though this intervention is non-invasive, there is a need for proper screening of patients especially elderly clients and people with special conditions before relaxation therapies are conducted. Failure to screen individuals may result in some complications for the client in treatment. A clinical tool has therefore been developed to guide and help practitioners adequately screen their clients for relaxation therapy. At the end of the tool is an agreement section to be signed by the client and therapist before the relaxation therapy procedure.

Culturally Competent Practice: Experiences of Students, Academics, and Alumni of Clinical Psychology Degrees in Singapore

This is the first research in Singapore into preparation for culturally competent practice in professional clinical psychology training programmes. It analyses experiences of multicultural clinical psychology training and practice and asks how well current programmes are meeting the needs for cultural competency. These questions were explored with qualitative data from interviews about multicultural practice with five students, five academics and five alumni of clinical psychology. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis revealed four themes: highlighting the culture of clinical psychology, the cultural context of training and practice, cultural competencies, and pathways for developing cultural competency. These outcomes demonstrate that the training programmes are considered valuable for improving psychological service provision in Singapore, although improvements to these programmes are desired for cultural competency development. These findings point to the need for particular competencies to be developed, as well as at directions for further research that may benefit clinical psychology training.

Progress of health psychology regulation: A comparison between countries

The independent practice of clinical psychology has experimented recent changes. Spain has achieved to regulate the current professional situation of the different figures of clinical psychologists mainly in three arms: 1) by authorizing those psychologists who met the required legal criteria to continue with their clinical practice, 2) by creating the Master in General Health Psychology (MGHP) and 3) by maintaining the tasks and public scope for Psychologist Specialized in Clinical Psychology (PSCP) This manuscript aims to summarize the process for the regulation of clinical and health psychology in Spain and to compare it to other European and North American countries. Discussion about the quality, benefits and future ambitions of the MGHP programs have been made.