Psychological Practice Research Articles

Precarious and vulnerable work: The experiences of applied sport psychologists

This article analyzes the vulnerable and precarious nature of applied sport psychology practice. Adopting a longitudinal approach over an 18-month period, data were collected through 41 semi-structured interviews with six applied sport psychologists working across soccer, swimming, and athletics. Interviews took place at 6–8 week intervals, and transcripts were iteratively analyzed with Kalleberg’s theorization of precarity and Kelchtermans’ writings around vulnerability adopted as the primary heuristic devices. Four themes were identified, highlighting how: (a) “precarious employment conditions”; (b) “constrained decision making”; (c) “challenges to demonstrating impact”; and (d) “contrasting beliefs of appropriate practice” typified practitioners’ applied experiences. Our findings and analysis advance discussions about the precarious nature of applied sport psychology work by recognizing some of the inherent structural vulnerabilities that characterize the role. Insights developed from this research have important implications for the profession, including the preparation, development, employment and ongoing support of its workforce.

Does psychology fail in the face of genocide? Insights about Gaza before and after October 7, 2023

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of psychologists working with a community mental health center in the Gaza Strip, using Freirean pedagogical and Fanonian post-colonial theories as a framework. The study aims to highlight how political injustice contributes significantly to psychological distress in the region. It emphasizes the importance of collective well-being, liberatory practices and agency in therapeutic work. This research seeks to demonstrate that psychology and science cannot remain politically neutral, as they are inherently imbued with values that can either uphold oppressive systems or promote resistance and advocacy for change. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a theoretical and qualitative approach, drawing from Freirean pedagogical and Fanonian post-colonial frameworks. It involves reflective analysis of the authors’ experiences as psychologists from Italy and South Africa working with a community mental health center in Gaza. The research includes a critical examination of political and social contexts that affect mental health in the region. Through the roles of trainers, clinical supervisors and researchers, the authors integrate liberatory psychological practices and emphasize solidarity with the people of Gaza, providing insights into the interplay between political contexts and psychological well-being. Findings The findings indicate that political injustice is a primary cause of psychological distress in Gaza. The research underscores the dual role of mental health professionals: while they might inadvertently promote adjustment to oppressive systems, they also have the potential to enhance resistance, advocacy and activism. The study reveals that liberatory psychological practices can empower individuals and communities, fostering agency and collective well-being. Furthermore, the mental health needs of the population, alongside humanitarian aid and physical safety, are critical for the current crisis and future rebuilding efforts in Gaza. Research limitations/implications This paper is limited by its qualitative nature and the specific context of the Gaza Strip, which may not be generalizable to other settings. However, it provides valuable insights into the role of psychology in politically charged environments. The implications for further research include the need to explore liberatory practices in other conflict-affected areas and to examine the impact of psychologists’ roles as advocates for change. The study highlights the importance of integrating political awareness into psychological practice and research, encouraging professionals to engage actively in addressing systemic injustices. Practical implications The practical implications of this work emphasize the need for mental health professionals to incorporate political awareness and advocacy into their practice. By doing so, they can support communities in resisting oppressive systems and promote collective well-being. The research suggests training programs for psychologists that focus on liberatory practices and agency, equipping them to work effectively in conflict zones. Additionally, the study advocates for strengthening psychological services in Gaza, both during and after crises, to address the population’s mental health needs and support rebuilding efforts. Social implications The social implications of this paper highlight the critical role of psychology in addressing the political and social determinants of mental health. By aligning psychological practice with liberatory principles, mental health professionals can contribute to social justice and empower communities to resist oppression. The study advocates for a shift in the perception of psychology as a politically neutral discipline, urging professionals to engage actively in social change. It underscores the importance of solidarity with marginalized populations and the need for mental health support that is responsive to the broader socio-political context. Originality/value This essay offers original insights into the application of Freirean and Fanonian theories in the context of mental health work in Gaza. It provides a unique perspective on the role of psychologists as agents of change and solidarity in politically oppressive environments. The research contributes to the growing body of literature on the intersection of psychology and social justice, highlighting the potential of liberatory practices to empower communities. By challenging the notion of political neutrality in psychology, this study adds value to the discourse on the ethical responsibilities of mental health professionals.

Training, practice, and career considerations in forensic psychology: results from a field survey of clinical and non-clinical professionals in the United States

The current field survey describes the identities, training, practices, and careers of 351 U.S. forensic psychologists. Findings are presented for clinical forensic psychologists (n = 323) with additional consideration for those working in institutions (n = 119), private practice (n = 107), or both (n = 90), and separately for non-clinical forensic psychologists (n = 35). The sample was predominantly middle-aged, White, and female. Participants reported various training paths to the field, and professional settings and activities in the field. Student loan debt was common and significant in clinical Forensic psychologists. Income was generally high, with trends in higher incomes for private practice, board certification, urban areas, and certain geographic regions. Gendered income disparities were common, particularly among those later in their careers and in private practice, with relative parity only observed among early-career clinical forensic psychologists in institutions. Career satisfaction was generally high, with some important barriers noted. Overall, the limited representation of those with historically marginalized cultural identities restricted further consideration and understanding of these important factors in the field. Additional data and discussion are provided for these and other areas of demographics and lived experiences, training and related financial considerations, professional practices (including settings, activities, and clinical test use), and career considerations (including income, benefits, retirement planning, and satisfaction). Together, these data and related discussions offer important insights for prospective and current trainees entering the field, professionals seeking to navigate and advance their careers, and field leaders aiming to contribute to the ongoing development of forensic psychology.

Study on the Emotional Expression and Playing Skills of Mozart's Piano Trio in B Flat Major

This paper focuses on the study of the emotional expression and playing skills of Mozart's piano trio in B flat Major (K.502), aiming to deeply analyze the artistic connotation and performance practice of this classical music masterpiece. Mozart played a role in establishing the "template" in the piano trio music genre. In his creation, the three instruments in the piano trio were truly independent and unique, and the theme of the three voices began to resonate and depend on each other, one after another. He also established the three-movement pattern of piano trio writing and the musical structure of the first and last movements. Through the detailed analysis of the emotional level and performance skills of the work, it provides a more abundant understanding and deductive perspective for music scholars, performers and lovers. The purpose of this study is to systematically explore the ways of emotional expression and the subtleties of performance skills through literature review, music score analysis and field performance experiments. The research process integrates the multi-disciplinary methods of music theory, emotional psychology and performance practice. The conclusion is that Mozart's piano trio in B flat major not only shows his outstanding creative talent, but also provides a broad stage for players to show their personal emotional understanding and technical level.

HOW FRANKL’S MAN’S SEARCH FOR MEANING SHAPES OUR UNDERSTANDING OF LOGOTHERAPY

Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning is a major book in existential psychology, which offers a deep understanding of the human search for meaning during suffering. In this article, I will delve into how and where contemporary psychological practices are greatly impacted by Frankl's logotherapy. The paper commences with an analysis of Frankl’s life and his work within the historical context showing how the experiences he went through in Nazi concentration camps influenced his theoretical perceptions. Furthermore, it looks at some principles of logotherapy such as personal voids and desire for meaning in order to discuss their role in treating trauma and building up people’s resistance power. Lastly, it underscores logotherapy’s amalgamation with other therapeutic modalities, its influence on positive psychology as well as its wider applications within healthcare systems and schools among others. This paper provides a detailed examination of Frankl’s principles that remain very useful in promoting mental healthiness and self-improvement thus affirming how meaningfulness can be used to respond to human pain.

Inside the Mind of the Self-Deceiver: Foundational Issues in Relation to Human Defences and “the Unconscious”

AbstractThere are many foundational questions involved in understanding our defences. Are these manoeuvres unconscious processes to which we fall prey, as psychoanalytic metapsychology suggests? Or are they the product of a conscious and motivated strategy initiated by the individual? I argue for the latter. The concept of “unconscious defence” lacks explanatory power as it initiates an endless cycle of defence mechanisms. Alternatively, focus is directed towards consciousness and the pre-reflective moment when the ego evades addressing troubling content of consciousness. Existential philosophers such as Sartre (Being and nothingness, Methuen & Co, 1943) and Fingarette (Self-deception, Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1969) are used as stepping stones in making this “Copernican” shift in perspective, and core affective processes are introduced as the organismic centre of rotation behind our defences. Core affective processes play an important role in the toning of our emotions and moods, and I argue that they also play a leading role in the activation of our defences. Finally, ethical issues raised by self-deception in psychological practice are touched upon. Should the truth always be revealed, or should psychologists occasionally engage in cost-benefit analysis?

Clinical Work with Athletes in Transitions Based on the Conservation of Resources (COR) Theory

Although the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory is an influential theory of stress and human motivation, it has seen scant use in sports psychology. Nonetheless, as a broad psychological theory, COR theory can be useful in the theory-driven sport psychology practice. By focusing on the dynamic interplay between resource gain and loss, COR theory illuminates the processes that underlie effective coping and adaptation during athletes’ transitions. Its terminology can be translated into structured, pragmatic, and goal-oriented language that resonates with athletes undergoing transitions. This article aims to present the key concepts of COR theory, explore how it may be a suitable addition to the existing literature on athletes’ transitions, and demonstrate its relevance and applicability through a brief clinical example.

Introduction to the Tenetehar-Tembé psychology through the rites of construction of women leaders

The article discusses psychological practices and knowledge from the Tenetehar-Tembé (an Indigenous people who live on many riverside regions in the states of Pará and Maranhão, Brazil) tradition. Their rites and narratives carry processes of construction of women as leaders. We argue that, through the community processes of construction of the person, Tenetehar-Tembé women effectively become references for decision-making inside each community and in the articulation between their communities. That is, through the rites and narratives, women become more deeply engaged in caring for the people in their communities. Women are progressively recognized for these practices among families and villages, where they actively participate in productive and political activities. Indigenous psychology, therefore, broadens the understanding of the processes of construction of the woman leader devoting attention to how participating in rites and sharing Indigenous narratives constitute the experiential basis for people’s feelings, thoughts, and actions reflexively oriented in the communities.

‘Well, our goal is to achieve sustainable quiet and security for our people’: Negotiating calls for ceasefires in the Gaza war of 2014 in mainstream English news media by Israeli spokespersons

In this study, we examined how calls for ceasefires were negotiated by Israeli spokespersons in mainstream English news media during one instance of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: the Gaza War of 2014. Recent scholarship in peace studies has begun to examine how ‘peace’ and ‘violence’ are variously constructed to advance vested positions. We extend this focus through a discursive psychological examination of another ostensibly desirable outcome in conflicts, namely ‘ceasefire’. Findings show that the desirability of ceasefires and their negotiation is closely bound to the management of stake and interest by both media persons and Israeli spokespersons. The latter neither explicitly rejected nor accepted calls for ceasefires. Instead, they downgraded ceasefires in favour of other versions of cessation of conflict, framed as ‘sustainable peace’. This allowed for the non-acceptance of ceasefires while, paradoxically, justifying ongoing and further military actions in Gaza. Together, these findings point to the relevance of psychological practices of justifying, managing stake, and avoiding seeming committed to violence in talking about conflict and peace. Findings are discussed in relation to research in peace and political psychology, and implications for the ongoing attacks on Gaza.

Online interaction of teachers in the system of formation of research skills of students with special educational needs

The article describes the features of creating and using an electronic educational environment for online interaction of teachers. The well-founded importance of online experience exchange between teaching staff for the organization of research activities of students involved in inclusive education. The content of electronic educational modules for teacher collaboration in Google Class is described. The stages of the "World Cafe" as a modern form of interaction between teachers and a practical psychologist in an educational institution, which involves taking into account the educational opportunities of students with different nosologies, are revealed. Based on the results of diagnosing the professional competencies of the teachers of the control and experimental groups, the effectiveness of the proposed online interaction of pedagogical workers with the psychological service of the educational institution was determined.

Mental health disorders before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationwide study.

The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns prompted a major concern for mental health effects. Comprehensive nationwide studies are lacking on the indirect effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the population's mental health. We aimed to determine whether the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns affected mental health service usage, suicide attempts, and suicides. This comprehensive nationwide register-linked study followed all individuals in Denmark from 1990. The main outcomes were rates of psychiatric admissions, use of psychotropic medication, suicide attempts, suicides, patients in community-based private psychiatry or psychology practices, and referrals to psychiatric hospitals. The impact of the pandemic (March 11, 2020-June 30, 2023) and lockdowns was assessed with log-normal models adjusted for pre-pandemic trends (January 1, 2017-March 10, 2020). We reported Rate Ratios (RR) of the observed and counterfactual rates. We identified the 5 807 714 (50.3% females) individuals living in Denmark on March 1, 2020. The rates of psychiatric admissions (RR: 0.95, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.91 to 0.99, p-value: 0.017) and suicide attempts (RR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.76 to 0.95, p-value: 0.007) were lower during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic trend. The rates of suicides (RR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.75-1.05, p-value: 0.173), patients in private practices (RR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.96-1.04, p-value: 0.986), and referrals (RR: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.95-1.18, p-value: 0.307) were not significantly different during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic trend. During the first lockdown, rates were lower for psychiatric admissions (RR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.80 to 0.90, p-value <0.001), suicide attempts (RR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.69 to 0.94, p-value: 0.007), suicides (RR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.52 to 0.86, p-value: 0.002), patients in private practices (RR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.82 to 0.93, p-value <0.001), and referrals (RR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.60 to 0.81, p-value < 0.001) compared to the pre-pandemic trend. However, during the pandemic, the rate of psychotropic medication users increased by 6% compared to the pre-pandemic trend (RR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.06, p-value < 0.001). The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns did not severely influence pre-pandemic trends of the mental health burden in Denmark's population on a nationwide level.

WORK RELATIONS AND CHALLENGES FOR INCLUSION OF PEOPLE COMPLYING WITH SOCIO-EDUCATIONAL MEASURES: A theoretical essay based on national literature

Socio-educational measures (SEM) are the State's stance in response to a juvenile's criminal act. The effectiveness of SEM is constantly under attack, and the possibility of more severe punitive measures, especially institutionalization, is often brought up, since juvenile offenders are considered "maladjusted" or "irredeemable". It is noted that such negative conceptions are perpetuated in various sectors of society, and that, in addition, stigmas also appear among the management teams of socio-educational institutions, with a view that corroborates the perspective that these young people do not deserve trust. Our objective was to analyze, through a systematic literature review, national scientific publications about young men, aged between 16 and 20 years, serving MSE in a detention regime, aiming to build a theoretical-reflective foundation to support the analyses of their situation regarding the prospects of entering the job market and the practice of Organizational and Work Psychology, whether in professional guidance or in working in organizations, contributing to the reduction of prejudices that act on this public, promoting their exclusion in the formal job market. Our postulation, which goes in the direction that stigmas and prejudices need to be the target of a process of deconstruction, so that citizens can have equal rights and possibilities of social inclusion and in the job market, is weakened when we realize that a science and profession such as Psychology, objectively Organizational and Work Psychology, has not made this phenomenon the object of its attention.

Remembering Donna Rockwell in Her Own Words

The late Donna Rockwell had an outsize influence on the Society for Humanistic Psychology. In addition to recounting two important interactions that reflected the personal impact she had, several powerful quotes from Donna are shared to convey her commitment to the principles and practices of humanistic psychology.

A ATUAÇÃO DO PSICÓLOGO NAS PRÁTICAS MULTIPROFISSIONAIS DA GESTÃO DA SAÚDE PÚBLICA

The psychologist’s role in public health management has become essential in providing comprehensive care to users of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). Through a multidisciplinary approach, psychology contributes to understanding the psychological and social demands of individuals, while promoting mental health care strategies that complement medical and social practices. This chapter explores the role of the psychologist in public health, emphasizing their integration into multidisciplinary teams, especially in Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPS) and Primary Health Care. The challenges and potentialities of psychological practice in a context of shared management focused on promoting biopsychosocial well-being will be discussed.

Exploring risk and resilience in school environments for students in kinship care

ABSTRACT Kinship care is provided by members of a child’s extended family or friend network when they can no longer live with their parents. This study explores risk and resilience in UK school environments for students in kinship care. Eight professionals experienced in working with students in kinship care and their schools took part in individual, semi-structured interviews. Interviews focussed on kinship students’ needs and how professionals perceive schools respond to those needs. Reflexive thematic analysis generated over-arching themes indicating that: children in kinship care have multiple needs and are looked after by kinship carers who find themselves “between a rock and a hard place”; in some schools kinship care is “under the radar”; other schools respond to kinship families with the attitude of “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”; and in some schools kinship care is “on the agenda”. A model is presented that integrates risk and protective factors within schools, generated from this study, with risk and protective factors for kinship students within families, identified by previous literature. Implications for educational psychology (EP) practice are presented, and further research needs discussed.

Language as a Medium of Transformation in Narrative Therapy: A View from Clinical Psychology Practice

Language as a Medium of Transformation in Narrative Therapy: A View from Clinical Psychology Practice

“If-then”-scenarios in the care of pregnant women with diabetes in socially vulnerable positions

Abstract Background Pregnant women with diabetes in socially vulnerable positions face a multiplicity of medical, social, and psychological risks during pregnancy and birth and are susceptible to health inequities. This presentation explores the tentative nature of care provided to these women. Methods We base our findings on ethnographic fieldwork among health professionals at an obstetric outpatient clinic in Denmark. Results The unpredictability of diabetes during pregnancy calls for a flexible approach to treatment, placing significant demands on health professionals, pregnant women, and their partners and their ability to adjust to new scenarios. Our initial findings underscore that care is not static; it is dynamically adjusted to meet the medical, social, and psychological needs of the women. The adjustments in care encompass the negotiation and monitoring of insulin dosages, fetal weight, appointment frequencies, and additional consultations and impromptu phone consultations to follow up. An example of the tentativeness in care could be that if there is a sudden decrease in insulin requirements close to the due date then the birth might be induced. Beyond medical monitoring and treatment, the care extends to social initiatives that the health professionals must coordinate with various municipalities, depending on where the pregnant women live. This could include a joint meeting after the delivery between the woman, her partner, a health professional from the obstetric ward, and a social worker from the municipality. Often, this meeting is mentioned during consultations and intersectional meetings before the birth but is not formally arranged. Instead, it is tentative - if the pregnant woman would like a meeting upon discharge, then the health professional will set up a meeting. Conclusions Medical, social, and psychological care practices for women with diabetes in socially vulnerable positions are replete with “if-then” scenarios. Key messages • Care for pregnant women with diabetes in socially vulnerable positions is characterized by its fluidity and flexibility adjusting to the interplay of medical, social, and psychological needs. • The “if-then” scenarios that characterize the care for pregnant women with diabetes in socially vulnerable positions put high demands on the ability to adapt and adjust continuously.

Psychologists' Opportunities for Fostering Leadership Skills in Academic Medicine: The Rothenberger Leadership Academy.

Healthcare leaders must increasingly attend to the monumental challenges facing their organizations (Angood and Falcone, American Association for Physician Leadership, 2023). As such, leadership in healthcare settings demands new skills sets amongst healthcare professionals that transcend the technical skills of any given profession. Academic health center psychologists are well-positioned to contribute to the leadership of academic health centers due to knowledge, skills, and attitudes fostered in doctoral psychology education, practice, and research through the focus on Profession-Wide Competencies. This article calls for psychologists to pursue more leadership opportunities within academic health centers.The article starts by identifying parallels between psychology's Profession-Wide Competencies and needed leadership skills/concepts for healthcare leaders. An example of an academic health center psychologist's leadership in a cohort-based physician leadership program illustrates how Profession-Wide Competencies were used in three structural elements of the leadership program. The article identifies particular leadership opportunities for psychologists within academic health centers.

Integrating Social Development and Clinical Psychology: Implications for Enhancing Mental Health Interventions

This study investigates integrating social development theories and clinical psychology practices to enhance mental health interventions. The research underscores the importance of considering socio-cultural contexts in clinical settings by critically examining the interplay between social determinants and psychological processes. This interdisciplinary approach provides a nuanced understanding of how community dynamics, socio-economic conditions, and cultural norms impact mental health outcomes. The findings advocate for a comprehensive framework incorporating social development insights into clinical psychology to create more effective, culturally sensitive, and sustainable mental health interventions. This integration is posited to improve therapeutic efficacy and contribute to the broader goal of mental health equity across diverse populations.

Session frequency in routine psychology practice and perspectives on session scheduling: a mixed-methods study of clinician attitudes and practices

ABSTRACT Objective Some research suggests treatment outcome can be improved through more frequent therapy session scheduling. It is unknown how frequently Australian psychologists see their clients in routine practice. The present study investigated psychologists’ self-reported session-scheduling, attitudes, and perceived barriers towards more frequent scheduling. Method Using mixed methods, 246 psychologists completed an online survey, and 16 psychologists participated in qualitative interviews. Results Most psychologists had positive attitudes towards greater session frequency and perceived increased frequency to be associated with better outcomes, but a significant proportion scheduled sessions at suboptimal frequencies. Various barriers found confirmed previous literature findings, and enablers such as flexible scheduling and funding solutions were identified. Conclusion Psychologists were willing to schedule sessions more frequently if sessions were more affordable to clients, and if they had a schedule able to accommodate more frequent sessions.