Psychological Mindedness Scale Research Articles

Внутриличностная эмоциональная компетентность и эмпатия: факторы и профили связи на мультикультурной выборке

<p><strong>Relevance</strong>. Intrapersonal emotional competence - the ability to recognize, understand and regulate one's own emotional states - is traditionally considered as a factor in both the ontogenetic development of empathy and its situational manifestation. However, there is a question of different levels and nature of the sources of emotional competence and empathy deficits and, accordingly, different ways to compensate for them, which is of particular importance for the practice of developing empathy, including the professional context of psychological counseling and psychotherapy. <strong>Goal.</strong> The purpose of this study was to analyze the diversity of connections between empathy, alexithymia as an indicator of the deficit of emotional competence in relation to one's own feelings and psychological mindedness as an indicator of intentionality in relation to feelings and experiences. <strong>Materials and methods.</strong> On a combined sample of 1,123 people, including representatives of three cultures - Russia, Belarus, Armenia - data from the IRI questionnaire (empathy), TAS–20 (alexithymia) and «The psychological mindedness scale» were collected and analyzed. <strong>Results.</strong> The absence of significant negative connections of empathy with difficulties of awareness and identification of feelings, a stable significant positive connection with them of empathic personal distress, as well as externally oriented thinking with low empathy were found. 5 clusters have been identified, reflecting different variants of the connection between emotional competence and empathy. <strong>Conclusions.</strong> The conclusion is made about the relative independence of the influence of intentionality and competence/lack of emotional competence on empathy, as well as the need for further analysis of intentionality in the field of experiences and emotions.</p>

Efficacy of Intellect's self-guided anxiety and worry mobile health programme: A randomized controlled trial with an active control and a 2-week follow-up.

Digital self-guided mobile health [mHealth] applications are cost-effective, accessible, and well-suited to improve mental health at scale. This randomized controlled trial [RCT] evaluated the efficacy of a recently developed mHealth programme based on cognitive-behavioral therapy [CBT] principles in improving worry and anxiety. We also examined psychological mindedness [PM] as a mediator by which app engagement is thought to improve outcomes. The Intervention group completed a 2-week "Anxiety and Worry" programme with daily CBT-informed activities, while the active waitlist-control completed a matched 2-week mHealth programme on procrastination. Participants filled out the Generalized Anxiety Disorder [GAD-7], Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9], and Psychological Mindedness Scale [PMS] at baseline, post-intervention, and 2-week follow-up. App engagement was measured at post-intervention only. Contrary to prediction, the Intervention group did not perform better than the Active Control group; both groups showed significant improvements on anxiety and depressive symptoms from baseline to follow-up. From post-intervention to follow-up, only the Intervention group showed further improvements for anxiety symptoms. Higher engagement with the mHealth app predicted lower anxiety and depressive symptoms at follow-up, and this relationship was fully mediated by psychological mindedness. This study provides evidence that [a] engaging in a CBT mHealth programme can reduce anxiety and worry, and [b] Psychological mindedness is a potential pathway by which engaging with a mHealth app improves anxiety and depressive symptoms. While overall effect sizes were small, at the population level, these can make significant contributions to public mental health.

The Role of Cognitive Distortions in Young Women’s Body Image Perception

The analysis of modern psychological research and the practice of psychological assistance indicates the relevance of the problem of body image, especially for girls and young women. Therewith, most of the available papers focus on the study of the body image of adolescent girls, which makes it necessary to clarify the predictors of body image in other age periods. The purpose of the study is to highlight the results of a theoretical and empirical study of the role of cognitive distortions in the perception of the body image of adolescent girls. The methodological basis of the research was T. Cash’s cognitive-behavioural concept of understanding body image, the interpretation of psychological mindedness by H. Conte, and A. Freeman’s theory of cognitive errors. The role of various factors in the perception of body image is considered: 1) cognitive distortions as one of the predictors of an irrational strategy of human behaviour and thinking; 2) interest in one’s own personality and understanding of one’s own experiences as a factor of full self-acceptance. A Multidimensional Body-Self Relations QuestionnaireAppearance Scales by T. Cash, Cognitive error questionnaire by A. Freeman and R. DeWolf, psychological mindedness scale by H. Conte, and the author’s questionnaire were used. The study confirmed the influence of social stereotypes on the perception of young women’s own body image. In particular, it is identified that a substantial number of respondents (78.3%) emphasise the existence of social standards and express a desire to lose weight or change the shape of their bodies. It was determined that 71% of respondents have a normal body weight, which does not require changes in terms of health. Correlation analysis showed weak to moderate associations between women’s psychological mindedness indicators and how they perceive their own bodies. A comparison of groups of women who expressed a desire to change their own bodies with women who did not have such a desire identified substantial differences between these groups in the severity of cognitive distortions, such as catastrophisation (p ≤ 0.01) and trust in criticism (p ≤ 0.05). The use of regression analysis confirmed the substantial impact of catastrophisation on how respondents perceive their own body image. There is also a moderate association between catastrophisation and the desire and willingness to discuss their own experiences, which should be considered when creating methods of psychological assistance for women with an irrational perception of their own body image

SERBIAN ADAPTATION OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL MINDEDNESS SCALE - PSYCHOLOGY STUDENTS SAMPLE

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the quality criteria and the factor structure of the Serbian translation of the Psychological Mindedness Scale (PMS) (Shill and Lumley, 2002). In this paper we offer the detailed description of the translation and validation procedures we fallowed. Psychological Mindedness outlines the interest as well as the ability of an individual to introspectively reflect on emotions and conflicts. The sample consisted of 166 university students. Results indicate good psychometric propperties. Internal consitancy is good. Explorative factor analysis suggested that a four factor solution is better that the original five factor, because of fewer cross-loadings and better content validity of the factors. Good convergent validity was demonstrated by a strong negative correlation between the whole PMS, and all four factors separately, and Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Perspectives for further improvement of the instrument and its application in therapeutic process are discussed in the conclusion.

Factor Structure, Validity, and Reliability of the Japanese Version of the Balanced Index of Psychological Mindedness (BIPM)

AbstractThis study examined the measurement properties of the Balanced Index of Psychological Mindedness (BIPM) among the Japanese population. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to examine the factor structure of the BIPM (Study 1) among 464 university students, and confirmatory factor analysis examined the validity and reliability of the BIPM (Study 2) among 321 university students. Additionally, the mitigation effect of psychological mindedness (PM) for depressive symptoms was examined. The results showed a two‐factor structure (Interest and Insight) similar to the original BIPM. The BIPM was negatively correlated with the alexithymia score and positively correlated with the Psychological Mindedness Scale and Openness. It was also significantly correlated with future depressive symptoms. The BIPM is useful for measuring PM in the Japanese population. Additionally, this study suggests clinical applications of PM in psychotherapy and the treatment effect mechanism of cognitive behavioral therapy.

Эмоциональная дисрегуляция в структуре самоповреждающего поведения

We present the results of the research of the link between emotion regulation and self-injurious behavior. The sample consisted of 706 respondents aged 14—35 (467 female). Methods: Emotion Dysregulation Questionnaire (Polskaya, Razvaliaeva, 2017), Reasons for Self-Injury Scale (Polskaya, 2017), Coping Behavior Strategies Questionnaire (Vasserman et al., 2008), Psychological Mindedness Scale (Novikova, Kornilova, 2014), Positive and Negative Affect Scale (Osin, 2012). Results: we found out that self-injury is more frequent in females, self-injury risk is most severe at 14—21 years. Significant relationships were yielded for self-injurious behavior, emotion dysregulation, hindered awareness and access to emotions, and coping strategies — confrontation, avoidance, self-control, and responsibility. Regression analysis showed that avoidance as a strategy of emotion dysregulation mediates the influence of negative affect on self-injurious behavior; another form of emotion dysregulation — rumination — predicts the increase of negative and the decrease of positive affect. Conclusions: emotion dysregulation underlies the cycle of negative affect aggravation that leads to self-injury. Adolescence and youth are the most dangerous ages when self-injury is used for negative affect regulation.

Psychotherapy Training on Psychological Mindedness in a Japanese Nurse Population: Effects and Personality Correlates.

Aims and objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether the training would influence the psychological mindedness of nurses and midwives. In addition, we explored the relationship of the change of psychological mindedness before and after the training and the correlation with their personality traits. Background: It is important for perinatal health professionals such as nurses and midwives to acquire intervention skills such as psychotherapy and counselling techniques. We think that one of the essential requisites is psychological mindedness. Method: A total of 45 perinatal health professionals who participated in the postpartum depression prevention programme were distributed a set of questionnaires including the Psychological Mindedness Scale (PMS) and Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) at the beginning and end of the training. Results: The PMS scores increased significantly after the training. A structured equation modelling suggested that PMS and self-directedness predicted each other whereas PMS predicted low harm avoidance. Conclusion: These findings indicate that the psychological mindedness of nurses and midwives could be advanced by a course of training and that this could be supported by high self-directedness. The harm avoidance trait may be reduced by increased psychological mindedness. Relevance to clinical practice: Nurses and nursing students are apt to psychological skill training in the advancement of psychological mindedness.

Psychological Mindedness and Procrastination among University Students

This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between psychological mindedness and procrastination among university students and to determine gender differences in psychological mindedness and procrastination. The sample consisted of 200 university students (100 male and 100 female) aged 18 to 25 years from different faculties of Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Psychological mindedness scale (PMS) by Conte et al., (1986) and Tuckman procrastination scale by Tuckman (1991) along with personal data sheet were used to assess the level of psychological mindedness and procrastination among university students. Psychological mindedness is the ability to psychological understanding of the self and other’s behaviour, thought and feelings. It is openness to new ideas whereas procrastination is known as the irrational tendency of delaying the tasks until an individual experiences discomfort (Solomon & Rothblum 1984). Results showed that there were no significant gender differences in psychological mindedness and procrastination. Correlational analysis indicated that the psychological mindedness was significantly negatively correlated with the level of procrastination; i.e., the higher the level of psychological mindedness the lower the level of procrastination. Thus, it can be concluded that psychological mindedness play an important role in procrastination among university students. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Профессионализация эмпатии и предикторы выгорания помогающих специалистов

The article presents the results of a study of empathy in connection with the severity of symptoms of burnout among nurses. To assess empathy we used Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) by M. Davis, to measure burnout level — Maslach Burnout Test (MBT). As a result of the regression analysis of the data, the main hypothesis of the study was confirmed: it is the level of personal distress as a phenomenon of empathy dysregulation that contributes to the development of symptoms of helping professionals’ burnout. “Positive” empathic processes (perspective taking, fantasy and empathic concern) could serve as a means of burnout prevention. Personal distress is seen in its relationship with alexithymia (measured by Toronto Alexithymia Scale TAS-20-R) and psychological mindedness (propensity to psychological thinking, measured by Psychological Mindedness Scale by H. Conte) as the characteris- tics that reflect emotional regulation and coping strategies. The work experience of nurses did not act as a predictor of burnout indicators. This article was prepared with the financial support of the Russian Foundation of Hu- manities (project № 15-26-01007) and Belarusian Republican Foundation for Fundamental Research (project №Г15Р-028), international project “Empathy development in socionomic (“helping”) professions”.

The Impact of the Polarity of Questionnaire Items on Factor Structure and Measurement of the Underlying Trait: The Case of the Psychological Mindedness Scale

The Impact of the Polarity of Questionnaire Items on Factor Structure and Measurement of the Underlying Trait: The Case of the Psychological Mindedness Scale

Humanistic experience and psychodynamic understanding: empirical associations among facets of self-actualization and psychological mindedness

The aim of this study was to investigate empirical connections between humanistic psychology and psychoanalysis by exploring a single measurable construct from each discipline. Specifically, we examined the relationship between self-actualization (SA) and psychological mindedness (PM). A cross-sectional design was selected to explore interrelations among study variables at a single timepoint. The participants were 204 students enrolled at midsize Eastern (Fordham) and Western (Boise State) US universities. Participant volunteers filled out the following measures: the Psychological Mindedness Scale (PM Scale), the Balanced Index of Psychological Mindedness (BPIM), the Brief Index of Self-Actualization – Revised (BISA-R), and the Short Index of Self-Actualization (SISA) along with a demographic form. SA and PM were not affected by demographic variables of age, gender, or ethnicity/race but were strongly and positively associated with one another. This study establishes empirical connections between humanistic psychology and psychoanalysis at the construct level. These connections have disciplinary and interdisciplinary implications.

Examining the factor structure of the Psychological Mindedness Scale in the Japanese population through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses

Psychological mindedness (PM) is a psychological construct that represents the tendency and ability to understand the relationships between thoughts, feelings, and behavior. This study examined the statistical properties, particularly the factor structure, of the Psychological Mindedness Scale (PMS) in a non-clinical Japanese sample through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The relationship between PMS and depression was also examined for predictive validity. The results suggested that the PMS tested on a Japanese sample contains the following four factors: (a) belief in the benefits of discussing one's problems; (b) access to feelings; (c) openness to new ideas and capacity to change; and (d) interest in the meaning and motivation of own and others' behavior. Whereas the total PM score and Factors 2 and 3 had negative correlations with depression, there was a positive correlation between Factor 4 and depression. The 4-factor structure of the scale is deemed to be applicable to the Japanese population.

Do psychologically‐minded clients expect more from counselling?

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between psychological mindedness and clients' expectations about counselling. A cross-sectional design was employed to assess correlations among study variables. Participants were 104 counselling-centre clients at a mid-size, Southwestern US university. Participant volunteers filled out the Psychological Mindedness Scale, life orientation test-revised (LOT-R), and the expectations-about-counselling questionnaire. Clients who reported higher levels of psychological mindedness (PM) reported greater expectations of self-involvement in counselling and greater expectations of positive outcome. In contrast, PM was not significantly related to clients' expectations about their counsellors' in-session behaviour or to expectations about their counsellors' general personality style. Dispositional optimism (LOT-R) did not play a major role in the relationship between PM and expectations about counselling. High PM clients do seem to expect more from counselling than low PM clients, particularly in terms of self-involvement in the process and with respect to positive outcome. Consequently, therapists should consider assessing clients' PM, expectations, and the relationship between PM and expectations.

Does defense style or psychological mindedness predict treatement response in major depression?

The aim of this study was to define the impact of defense style and psychological mindedness (PM) on the prognosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) in patients treated with either fluoxetine (FLX) or short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP) in a randomized comparative study. 50 patients with MDD received either STPP or FLX treatment for 16 weeks. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) was the outcome measure completed at baseline and in the follow-ups at 4- and 12-months. Patients completed the Psychological Mindedness Scale (PMS) and the Defense Style Questionnaire at the baseline. In the FLX group recovery measured by the decrease in the HDRS during the 4-month follow-up associated with baseline mature defense style (r=-.59, P=.015). There were no correlations between the PMS-scores and the outcome measures in either treatment groups nor defense status and the outcome in the STPP group. Mature defense style predicts good response to FLX therapy in major depression. This association was not found in the psychotherapy group. The results may imply that patients with immature defenses benefit relatively more from brief psychotherapy than medication. PM measured by the PMS was not useful in predicting recovery in MDD.

Exploring the relationships among early maladaptive schemas, psychological mindedness and self‐reported college adjustment

The primary aim of this research was to study the statistical effects of psychological mindedness (PM) upon the relationship between early maladaptive schemas (EMS) and self-reported college adjustment. A cross-sectional design was employed to assess correlations among study variables and to assess the role of PM as moderator or mediator in the relationship between EMS and adjustment. Into this study, 264 undergraduate students were recruited in partial fulfilment of research requirements in introductory psychology class. Participants completed the Young Schema Questionnaire, the Psychological Mindedness Scale and the Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire. At the level of bivariate correlations, EMS were inversely associated with college adjustment and with PM, and PM was positively associated with adjustment. In a multiple regression equation with PM and EMS entered separately and then as an interaction term as predictors of adjustment, PM was not a significant moderator. However, in a path analysis, the indirect effect of EMS on adjustment through PM was significant, suggesting that PM is a significant mediator. These findings suggest that the assessment of EMS and PM may enhance an understanding of problems with college adjustment and that interventions to reduce the negative effects of EMS may indeed benefit from efforts to improve PM and its correlates.

The Psychological Mindedness Scale: factor structure, convergent validity and gender in a non-psychiatric sample.

Although the concept of psychological mindedness (PM) originated in the psychoanalytic literature, its use has been expanding beyond the realm of assessing suitability for, or psychic change following, psychotherapy or psychoanalysis. For example, since PM bespeaks a capacity to tolerate psychological conflict and stress intrapsychically rather than by regressive means of conflict management or resolution such as somatization, its role, like that of alexithymia, in the genesis of psychosomatic illness is becoming evident. The Psychological Mindedness Scale (PMS), a 45-item self-report instrument intended to measure PM, was administered to a non-clinical sample of 397 undergraduates to assess the stability of its previously reported item-factor loadings and factor structure. Two main factors emerged, viz. Belief in the benefits of discussing one's problems and Access to feelings. Lower-order factors were Willingness to discuss problems with others, Interest in meaning and motivation of own and others' behaviour and Openness to change. Convergent validity of the PMS was also demonstrated by the negative correlations obtained between its total and factor/subscale scores with those of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale. The PMS needs further development to increase the congruence between its factor structure and the concept of PM. Females were also found to be more psychologically minded than males. The implications of these findings and the potential uses of this scale are discussed.

Correlates of psychological mindedness

Levels of psychological mindedness, mental well-being, and self-consciousness of 89 students of a small liberal arts college were examined. Psychological mindedness, the awareness of one's and others' thoughts, feelings, and motives, is a recently studied phenomenon. The main hypothesis was that there is a positive linear correlation between psychological mindedness, as measured by the Psychological Mindedness Scale (Conte, Plutchik, Jung & Picard, Comprehensive Psychiatry, 31, 426–431, 1990), and mental well-being, as measured by the Happy Scale (Ryff, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57, 1069–1081, 1989). This hypothesis was supported ( P < 0.01). As expected, there was also a positive linear correlation between self-consciousness, as measured by the Private Self-Consciousness Scale (Fenigstein, Scheier & Buss, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 43, 522–527, 1975), and psychological mindedness ( P < 0.01). A multiple regression indicated that as psychological mindedness increases, the level of mental well-being increases, and the level of self-consciousness decreases. In addition, psychology students were found to be significantly more psychologically minded than other social science students ( P = 0.05) and more self-conscious than humanities students and science students ( P < 0.01). Though psychological mindedness varied with major, it was found to transcend both class year and gender.

Relationships between psychological mindedness and personality traits and ego functioning: Validity studies

Two studies further investigated the psychometric properties of the self-report Psychological Mindedness Scale (PMS), which has been shown to have good internal consistency and evidence of predictive and divergent validity. Its construct validity was investigated by assessing (1) whether total scores on the PMS of a group of medical students attending a personnel clinic in a psychiatric outpatient setting would be related in theoretically expected ways to their scores on a personality test; and (2) whether total scores on the PMS of a group of regular clinic patients would have the expected theoretical relationships to scores on a measure of ego functions. The findings of both studies provided support for the construct validity of the PMS.