European Federation Of Psychologists' Associations Research Articles

Telepsychology in Europe since COVID-19: How to Foster Social Telepresence?

All over the world, measures were taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Social distancing not only had a strong influence on mental health, but also on the organization of care systems. It changed existing practices, as we had to rapidly move from face-to-face contact to remote contact with patients. These changes have prompted research into the attitudes of mental healthcare professionals towards telepsychology. Several factors affect these attitudes: at the institutional and organizational level, but also the collective and personal experience of practitioners. This paper is based on an original European survey conducted by the EFPA (European Federation of Psychologists' Associations) Project Group on eHealth in 2020, which allowed to observe the variability in perceptions of telepsychology between countries and mental healthcare professionals. This study highlights different variables that contributed to the development of attitudes, such as motivations, acquired experience, or training. We found the "feeling of telepresence"-which consists of forgetting to some extent that we are at a distance, in feeling together-and social telepresence in particular as main determinants of the perception and the practice of telepsychology.

Meeting Calendar

Free AccessMeeting CalendarPublished Online:October 24, 2022https://doi.org/10.1027/2512-8442/a000120PDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInReddit SectionsMoreNovember 9–12, 202214th European Public Health Conference 2022Berlin, GermanyContact: European Public Health Association, https://ephconference.eu/June 14–17, 202317th Biennial Conference of the European Society for Traumatic Stress StudiesBelfast, IrelandContact: ESTSS 2023 Conference Secretariat, E-mail estss2022@abbey.ie, Web https://www.estss2023.com/July 3–6, 202318th European Congress of Psychology (ECP 2023)Brighton, UKContact: British Psychological Society (BPS), E-mail ecp2023@redactive.co.uk, Web https://ecp2023.eu/September 4–9, 202337th Annual Conference of the European Health Psychology SocietyBremen, GermanyContact: EHPS, Scientific matters: m.t.conner@leeds.ac.uk, gudrun.sproesser@uni-konstanz.de; Local organization matters: agschuez@uni-bremen.de, Registrations, submissions, technical support: info@easyconferences.eu, Web https://ehps.net/conferences/September 6–7, 2023ICP 2023: 17th International Conference on PsychologyPrague, Czech RepublicContact: Web https://waset.org/psychology-conference-in-september-2023-in-pragueJuly 202519th European Congress of PsychologyPaphos, GreeceContact: European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA), Web https://www.efpa.eu/activities/european-congress-psychologyFiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 29Issue 4October 2022ISSN: 2512-8442eISSN: 2512-8450 InformationEuropean Journal of Health Psychology (2022), 29, pp. 208-208 https://doi.org/10.1027/2512-8442/a000120.© 2022Hogrefe PublishingPDF download

Life and death of psychoanalytic societies – Lessons from history and new prospects for unions: Conference Report, Kyiv, Ukraine, 2021

The conference ‘Life and death of psychoanalytic societies: lessons from history and new prospects for unions’ was held on 23-24th January 2021 online via Zoom with the main location in Kyiv, Ukraine. It was the Ist conference initiated by the Division ‘Psychoanalytic Psychology and Psychotherapy’ of the National Psychological Association of Ukraine, a new valid member of the European Federation of Psychologists` Associations (EFPA). The organisers of the conference managed to involve 62 colleagues from different psychoanalytic societies from Ukraine, Italy, Japan, and Armenia. 6 institutions became the co-organizers of the conference. The conference created a place for psychoanalysts to reflect fruitfully on the history and the present functioning of psychoanalytic societies and to discuss current challenges and future prospects for the unions. The generous exchange of thoughts and the atmosphere of acceptance of otherness established a favourable platform for psychic investment in the future of psychoanalytic societies in Ukraine.

Psychological Science Into Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract. The public health outbreak of the COVID-19 virus has hit all aspects of life as we know it. We found ourselves trying to solve several concurrent crises that have afflicted us. The European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA) launched the Psychologists’ Support Hub to share resources among its members and beyond and promote the continuing adoption of psychological science to battle the pandemic. In the greater context of evidence-based practice (EBP), the best available evidence is what we turn to for help in our decision-making on how best to address different challenges. However, there are challenges in implementing EBP when the science is limited, and we are still expected to be effective and efficient as professionals. The article outlines the need for EBP during the pandemic. Three vignettes display how that can be done while identifying obstacles and recommending ways forward in the future. The first one relates to the development of e-mental health services in Belgium following the March 2020 lockdown. The second describes addressing the needs of older adults in Croatia when it was hit by two crises simultaneously – the March 2020 lockdown and a destructive earthquake. The third looks at how targeted community-based interventions in Norway directed at social change can positively impact times of crisis. Overall, the pandemic presents a unique opportunity for professional growth for researchers, trainers, practitioners, and policymakers alike. EFPA can play a pivotal role in EBP adoption.

Reflecting on Psychotherapy Practice for Psychologists: Towards Guidelines for Competencies and Practices.

In 2017, the European Federation of Psychologists Associations made a statement on psychotherapy. It recognizes that psychotherapy is a "special competence" practiced by psychologists, and that psychologists practicing psychotherapy receive specific education, including supervision. The statement also stresses that they have demonstrated competencies in scientifically validated or established theories on human emotions, cognitions, and behavior, and on processes of development, as well as the application of these methods to achieve change. Moreover, the declaration recognizes that they are trained in the scientific application of the methods of change based upon these theories. Within the Standing Committee of Psychology and Health in collaboration with the S-EAC, the group on Psychotherapy is presently working on a conceptual framework and on guidelines for psychotherapy practiced by psychologists. This document is starting to define the necessary skills and competencies for European psychologists practicing psychotherapy. It also makes recommendations for basic training, for the development of practical skills and competencies, for continuing professional development, and for ethical decision making. It especially puts forward psychologists' scientific approach to psychotherapy.

Routes for Specialization in Psychology throughout Europe.

The specialization of psychology helps to delineate fields in the practice of psychology. When establishing professional qualification criteria, associations seek to promote, in their members, scientific skills and knowledge considered fundamental for the practice of psychology in a given area. The present study reports on a survey of the member associations of the European Federation of Psychologists Associations (EFPA). The survey inquired about: (a) the initial requisites for entering the profession and (b) additional requisites for specialization. Of the 37 associations contacted, 14 replied and we retrieved the information of 12 associations from their official websites. The results indicate that specialization is widespread throughout Europe and is independent of the regulation of the profession. In almost half of the countries considered, the specialization process is completed in universities—it is frequently associated with the postgraduate level of the EuroPsy—and relies on conventional learning methods. The number of existing specialties in psychology is very high, but the traditional areas (clinical and health, education, and social/organizational) are more prevalent. The results are discussed in light of the advantages, but also the challenges posed by the specialization in psychology. A continuous model of the specialization of psychology is proposed with two stages: broad and advanced psychology areas.

“Understanding, Predicting and Preventing Violence”

Free Access“Understanding, Predicting and Preventing Violence”A Special Issue of European PsychologistCarlo Garofalo and Rannveig SigurvinsdóttirCarlo Garofalo Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands Search for more papers by this author and Rannveig Sigurvinsdóttir Reykjavík University, Reykjavík, Iceland Search for more papers by this authorPublished Online:August 31, 2018https://doi.org/10.1027/1016-9040/a000333PDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInReddit SectionsMoreViolence is a major public health threat that has long attracted the interest of psychological research and practice. This special issue of European Psychologist seeks to take stock of current knowledge and set the agenda for future research in this area. This is particularly timely in a phase in which psychology as a discipline is facing the challenge of critically (re-)examining the robustness of findings that have the potential for informing policy making, and thus impact on a societal level.To achieve this goal, this special issue aims to curate a collection of cutting-edge review and integrative articles to synthesize the state-of-the-art and shape the directions of future research, with the ultimate intent of increasing our ability to understand, prevent, and reduce violence and its impact on victims, survivors, perpetrators, and society at large.In order to provide a comprehensive synthesis, articles in the special issue will be selected to ensure a diversity of contributions, spanning across different forms of violence, various theoretical frameworks, and diverse populations and cultures.TopicsSample topics may include (but are not limited to): Intimate partner violence; sexual harassment and sexual violence (or gender-based violence more generally); environmental influences on violent behavior (e.g., parenting, peer relationships); personality traits and personality disorders related to violence (or more generally, psychopathology); development of aggression and violent behavior and their manifestation in different age groups; mass violence/terrorism; resilience after traumatic victimization; neurocognitive, biological, and psychophysiological perspectives on violence; violence in ethnic minorities; cross-cultural perspectives on violence and aggression; online violence; economic violence; suicide and self-harm; prevention and rehabilitation programs.DeadlinesThe call for papers follows a two-step procedure with the following deadlines:–September 16, 2018: deadline for extended abstract submissions.–November 16, 2018: notification of decision on abstract submissions.–March 16, 2019: deadline submission of full manuscripts.All manuscripts will undergo regular peer-review, with a target publication date in September/October 2019.Manuscript Preparation and SubmissionManuscripts should be prepared in accordance with the journal’s author guidelines available on the journal’s website athttps://www.hogrefe.com/j/epExtended AbstractsExtended abstracts should be sent by email toepviolence@gmail.comThey should consist of approximately 300 words (maximum 500 words) and should address the following:•What is the main topic of interest and why it is important/timely?•What type of contribution will it represent (e.g., theoretical/conceptual, systematic review, meta-analysis, etc.)?•What are the key messages that the article will convey?•Does the paper include an emphasis on prevention or rehabilitation programs (for those articles that are not exclusively focused on them)?Full SubmissionsFull submissions should be submitted exclusively via the online submission system:https://www.editorialmanager.com/epManuscripts should have a maximum of 6,000 words (including references, tables, and references). If the author(s) feel that they need more space, they should communicate this upon submission of the extended abstract, indicating what would ideally be the desired length for their article. The manuscript should follow the standard formatting of papers published in the European Psychologist, and include a conclusion/summary section that spells out the key take-home messages of the article. For articles that do not focus exclusively on prevention and rehabilitation programs for violence, a (sub-)section addressing these issues would be encouraged and appreciated. Likewise, while not all contributions should be necessarily authored by European-based scholars, each manuscript should ideally have some kind of European perspective, or highlight its relevance for the European context.European Psychologist is the official journal of EFPA (European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations), with over 200,000 members, and article summaries go out to members in regular newsletters. The journal has now an impact factor of 3.419 (2016) and showcases cutting edge developments in psychology from across Europe. European Psychologist now publishes solely review and integrative articles. Therefore, articles submitted to the special issue should take a broad, synthesizing view, which would illuminate the topic generally for our readers and give shape to the direction of further research.Contact DetailsQuestions regarding the special issue should be directed toCarlo Garofalo, c.garofalo@uvt.nl, or Rannveig Sigurvinsdóttir, rannveigssig@gmail.com.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 23Issue 3July 2018ISSN: 1016-9040eISSN: 1878-531X InformationEuropean Psychologist (2018), 23, pp. 251-252 https://doi.org/10.1027/1016-9040/a000333.© 2018Hogrefe PublishingPDF download

The EFPA Test-Review Model: When Good Intentions Meet a Methodological Thought Disorder.

The European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA) has issued sets of test standards and guidelines for psychometric test reviews without any attempt to address the critical content of many substantive publications by measurement experts such as Joel Michell. For example, he has argued that the psychometric test-theory which underpins classical and modern IRT psychometrics is “pathological”, with the entire profession of psychometricians suffering from a methodological thought disorder. With the advent of new kinds of assessment now being created by the “Next Generation” of psychologists which no longer conform to the item-based, statistical test theory generated last century, a new framework is set out for constructing evidence-bases suitable for these “Next Generation” of assessments, which avoids the illusory beliefs of equal-interval or quantitatively structured psychological attributes. Finally, with no systematic or substantive refutations of the logic, axioms, and evidence set out by Michell and others; it is concluded psychologists and their professional associations remain in denial. As with the eventual demise of a similar attempt to maintain the status quo of professional beliefs within forensic clinical psychology and psychiatry during the last century, those following certain EFPA guidelines might now find themselves required to justify their professional beliefs in legal rather than academic environments.

Notes about European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA) Meeting 18–19 July 2016 in Amsterdam

Notes about European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA) Meeting 18–19 July 2016 in Amsterdam

Towards a Human Rights Based and Oriented Psychology

Psychologists have a societal responsibility for promoting human rights and preventing human rights violations. In 2013 a Board Human Rights and Psychology was established by the European Federation of Psychologists Associations (EFPA), in order to raise awareness of the importance of human rights for psychologists, and of psychology for human rights. In the first section a brief history of human rights is described. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related conventions, as the most widely accepted standards for human rights today, are taken as the starting point. The second section shows how the principles of human rights are in tune with the ethical codes of conduct of psychological associations, and a plea is made for the explicit inclusion of human rights in these codes. The third section presents a social-behavioural science perspective on human rights anchored in the Capabilities Approach of Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum. The fourth section describes the involvement of psychologists in a human rights based-and-oriented psychology, through research and practice, but particularly through concrete actions. The final section emphasizes the importance of human rights education for psychologists.

Assessing the quality of tests: revision of the EFPA review model.

Diverse national and international organizations have been developing projects for many years to improve testing practices. The main goal of this paper is to present the revised model of the European Federation of Psychologists' Associations (EFPA) for the evaluation of the quality of tests. This model aims to provide test users with rigorous information about the theoretical, practical and psychometric characteristics of tests, in order to enhance their use. For the revision of the test review model, an EFPA task force was established, consisting of six European experts from different countries, who worked on the update of the previous European model, adapting it to the recent developments in the field of psychological and educational measurement. The updated EFPA model provides for the comprehensive evaluation of tests. The first part describes test characteristics exhaustively, and in the second part, a quantitative and narrative evaluation of the most relevant psychometric characteristics of tests is presented. A revision of the European model for the description and evaluation of psychological and educational tests is presented. The revised model is analyzed in light of recent developments in the field.

Gedrag & Organisatie: professionalisering van de A&O psychologie

Gedrag & Organisatie: Professionalization of Work and Organizational psychology Gedrag & Organisatie: Professionalization of Work and Organizational psychology A short history is presented of the journal Gedrag & Organisatie. Moreover, it is described how the journal and its editors may contribute to the professionalization of work and organizational psychology in the Netherlands and in Belgium. The proposed professionalization is partly based on the objectives of the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA).

Testing Practices in the 21st Century

The main goal of the European Federation of Psychologists’Associations (EFPA) Standing Committee on Tests and Testing (SCTT) is the improvement of testing practices in European countries. In order to reach this goal, the SCTT carries out various actions and projects, some of which are described in this paper. To better inform its work, it decided to survey the opinions of professional psychologists on testing practices. A questionnaire of 33 items was administered to a sample of 12,606 professional psychologists from 17 European countries. The questionnaire was based on, but not identical to, one used in 2000. The new data show that the positive attitude of the respondents toward the use of tests that was obtained in 2000 has increased in most countries, with a high percentage of the surveyed psychologists using tests regularly. Five main dimensions explained 43% of the total item variance. The dimensions involve items relating to: Concern over incorrect test use, regulations on tests and testing, Internet testing, appreciation of tests, and knowledge and training relating to tests and test use. Important differences between countries were found on these five dimensions. Differences were found according to gender for four of the five dimensions and in relation to field of specialization for all five dimensions. The most commonly used tests are the classic psychometric tests of intelligence and personality: WISC, WAIS, MMPI, RAVEN, 16PF, NEO-PI-R, BDI, SCL-90. Finally, some future perspectives are discussed.

South‐East European Regional Conference of Psychology, 2009, Sofia, Bulgaria

The first South‐East European Regional Conference of Psychology was held in Sofia, Bulgaria, from 30 October to 1 November 2009, under the Patronage of the President of Bulgaria and the auspices of the International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP), the International Union of Psychological Science (IUPsyS), and the International Association for Cross‐Cultural Psychology (IACCP), with further financial support provided by the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA) and the European Health Psychology Society (EHPS). The conference was hosted by the Bulgarian Psychological Society under the Conference Presidency of Dr Plamen Dimitrov, who was supported by Professor Sava Djonev as Chair of the Scientific Program Committee. It attracted over 350 participants from 25 countries, including 14 countries from the SEE region and its immediate neighbours. The Scientific Program explored ways and means to promote the role of psychology individually and institutionally at regional and international levels. Planning is already under way to organize a second regional conference in three years’ time.

Direction and Scope of the European Psychologist

Direction and Scope of the <i>European Psychologist</i>

The Development of Psychotherapy as a Specialism for Psychologists

The development of psychotherapy as an area of expertise for psychologists has occupied the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA) for many years. Differences in regulations and practice within Europe, as well as the absence of the discipline as an area of practice in some countries, have complicated the establishment of European standards. This paper describes the efforts of the EFPA Task Force, later Standing Committee, on Psychotherapy to establish a standard. The problems faced included differing traditions and the existence of other nonpsychologists within the field of practice. In addition, debates over the development of a basic standard for European psychology delayed implementation of the specialist standards. The eventual resolution included three routes to recognition: a national register accepted by EFPA; a national training program similarly recognized; or a process by which individual psychologists presented their credentials to the national committee for acceptance. In each case the national committees had to seek endorsement from the EFPA European Awarding Committee to approve the nationally adopted process as meeting the EFPA standards. The establishment of these EFPA standards has enabled national associations to use the standards as a basis for discussion with their own regulatory authorities as well as in discussion with other bodies operating in this area of practice.

Transnational Ethical Guidance and the Development of the EFPA Meta-Code of Ethics

Ethical practice is one of the fundamental characteristics of a profession. The development of common codes was an early aim of the European Federation of Professional Psychologists Associations (EFPPA), now the European Federation of Psychologists Associations (EFPA), which sought to develop common standards across Member Associations. This paper describes: the development of the Meta-Code of Ethics, approved in 1995; the subsequent review of its fitness for purpose, leading to the second edition in 2005; and other guidance on ethical practice, including procedures for the evaluation of alleged unethical practice and for determining corrective actions to be taken, including mediation. The success of the Meta-code is reviewed, including its contribution to current initiatives to develop universal ethical practice by psychologists, in the context of new challenges arising from developments within psychology and from changes within society, including concerns about national security.

The History and Organization of the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA)

In 1981, the European Federation of Professional Psychologists’ Associations (EFPPA) was formed with 13 member associations (one per country) and no centralized administrative support. Thirty years later, EFPPA has become EFPA with 35 member associations representing about 300,000 psychologists across Europe. EFPA is now based in offices in the center of Brussels, the administrative heart of Europe, with a Director and staff who support the work of the EFPA Executive Council and the various Standing Committees, Task Forces, and Working Groups. In this article, the development of EFPA and the challenges faced, and mostly overcome, are outlined.

EuroPsy: The Development of Standards for High-Quality Professional Education in Psychology

The paper presents a brief history of the EuroPsy initiative which began in 1998 and is now in the process of implementation across European countries in the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA). EuroPsy defines a standard of professional education that aims to promote a high quality of education and professional practice for psychologists. The initiative was substantially supported by developments within the European Union (EU) and more widely in Europe, in particular the so-called Bologna process. This process, however, had a major political focus with an explicit commitment to facilitate mobility. Concerns for quality and a high level of professional education and an implied focus on consumer or client protection may not always sit easily with a commitment to facilitating professional mobility. This paper presents some of the challenges and potential tensions inherent in the EuroPsy.

25 Years of EFPA

Free AccessEditorial25 Years of EFPARainer K. SilbereisenRainer K. SilbereisenSearch for more papers by this authorPublished OnlineJuly 16, 2007https://doi.org/10.1027/1016-9040.12.2.79PDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInReddit SectionsMoreAs you will know, the European Psychologist is the official organ of the European Federation of Psychologists' Associations (EFPA). The journal, founded by Kurt Pawlik in 1996, received this status in 2001. As the official organ of EFPA, although completely independent in scientific scope and content, the European Psychologist has an important, mutually beneficial relationship with the Federation. I therefore want to take this opportunity, as Editor-in-Chief of the European Psychologist, to offer our congratulations to EFPA as it celebrates the 25th anniversary of its foundation. To mark the occasion, on page 156 of this issue you will find a review of the last 25 years of EFPA by the current President, Tuomo Tikkanen, which gives an overview of the aims and scope of the work of the Federation. As you will read, and as the title, “From Exchanging Information to Making Policy,” suggests, EFPA has come a long way since the very first General Assembly in Heidelberg in 1981. Figure 1. Tuomo Tikkanen, President, EFPAThere will of course be other celebrations. In particular, the event will be marked at the 10th European Congress of Psychology that will be held in Prague in July (see www.ecp2007.com). EFPA holds its General Assembly at these biennial congresses.In addition, there will be a Meet-the-Editor session when the editorial team and I hope to meet many of our readers, reviewers, and authors, and anyone else who is interested in the journal. So, do make sure you are there, and if you are, check out all the journal-related events - details can be found at the Hogrefe & Huber stand.Finally, congratulations once again to EFPA, and from all of the editorial team, both in Jena and further afield, here's wishing the Federation another 25 years of success.Rainer K. SilbereisenFigure 2. Rainer K. Silbereisen, Editor-in-Chief, European PsychologistEditor-in-Chief References Tikkanen, T. (2007). 25 years of EFPA - From exchanging information to making policy. European Psychologist, 12, 156– 160. First citation in articleLink, Google ScholarFiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited byEFPA’s Support for Psychology as a ScienceVeronika A. Polišenská6 May 2011 | European Psychologist, Vol. 16, No. 2 Volume 12Issue 2June 2007ISSN: 1016-9040eISSN: 1878-531X tabs.informationEuropean Psychologist (2007), 12, pp. 79-79 https://doi.org/10.1027/1016-9040.12.2.79.© 2007Hogrefe & Huber PublishersPDF download