Third-Generation Behavioural Therapies in the Context of Neurodevelopmental Problems and Intellectual Disabilities: A Randomised Clinical Trial with Parents.

The purpose of this study was to examine how 14 parents of children with autism and intellectual impairments responded to an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based psychological flexibility intervention programme. A randomised clinical trial was conducted. Parents were randomly assigned to the training programme group (n = 8) or waiting list group (n = 6). The treatment effect was measured using the 6-PAQ, PSS-14, GHQ-12, and WBSI questionnaires. Changes in interactions were assessed through self-recording, including a baseline to observe the previous functioning. Measures were taken before and after the application of the intervention programme and three months later. After that, the control group was switched to the psychological flexibility programme condition. After the programme's implementation, we could see a reduction in stress and the tendency to suppress unwanted private events. The impacts also appeared to apply to family interactions, resulting in a rise in positive interactions and a decrease in unfavourable ones. The results led us to think about the importance of psychological flexibility for the parents of children with chronic conditions, facilitating a reduction in the emotional impact derived from parenting and the emission of behaviours that promote the harmonious development of the diagnosed child.

Acceptance and Commitment Training Focused on Psychological Flexibility for Family Members of Children with Intellectual Disabilities.

The objective of the study was to analyse the effect of a psychological flexibility intervention programme based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on 36 family members of children with intellectual disabilities. The 6-PAQ (parental psychological flexibility), PSS-14 (perceived stress), GHQ-12 (psychological health), and WBSI (suppression of unwanted thoughts) were used as measurement instruments before the programme (pre), after (post), and at follow-up (after two months). Possible change in family interactions due to the family intervention was also assessed through self-monitoring. A decrease in psychological inflexibility, a reduction in stress, an improvement in psychological well-being, and a reduction in the tendency to suppress thoughts and emotions were observed after the programme. Furthermore, the effects seem to extend to family interactions, with an increase in positive interactions and a decrease in negative ones. The study leads us to think about the importance of psychological flexibility in children with chronic conditions as a process that mediates the impact of stress and family well-being.

Terapia de conducta: raíces, evolución y reflexión sobre la vigencia delconductismo en el contexto clínico / Behavior therapy: roots, evolution, and reflection on the relevance of behaviorism in the clinical context

La Terapia de Conducta, así como sus tres generaciones, ha mostrado ser la tecnología psicoterapéutica con mayor evidencia empírica en psicología clínica y de la salud. Sin embargo, cada una de estas generaciones parte de unas bases filosóficas diferentes. En este trabajo se presenta brevemente su recorrido histórico, sus puntos fuertes y los posibles inconvenientes que nos encontramos en cada una. En primer lugar, el Conductismo (metodológico y radical) y sus diversas técnicas basadas en los principios del aprendizaje, seguido por el surgir de las Terapias Cognitivo-Conductuales en un contexto histórico marcado por el cognitivismo y siendo, a día de hoy, las más eficaces para una amplia variedad de casuísticas. Por último, las denominadas Terapias de Tercera Generación (o Contextuales), tecnología derivada del contextualismo funcional que sienta la base de estas. Como conclusiones, se recoge la relevancia del debate sobre cuál es el objeto de estudio de la psicología y se remarca la adherencia a los Tratamientos Psicológicos Basados en la Evidencia.(AU)

Behavior Therapy—as well as its three generations—has been shown to be the psychotherapeutic technology with the most empirical evidence in clinical and health psychology. However, each of its generations is based on different philosophical foundations. In this paper, we briefly present their historical background, their strengths, and the possible drawbacks that we find in each one. First, behaviorism (methodological and radical) and its various techniques based on the principles of learning, followed by the emergence of cognitive-behavioral therapies in a historical context marked by cognitivism and, today, the most effective technique for a wide variety of cases. Finally, those known as third generation (or contextual) therapies, a technology derived from functional contextualism that is the basis of these therapies. As conclusions, the relevance of the debate surrounding the object of study of psychology and the adherence to evidence-based psychological treatments is highlighted.(AU)

Psychological Flexibility Is Associated with Parental Stress in Relatives of People with Intellectual Disabilities.

The objective of the study was to examine the relationship between psychological flexibility, perceived stress, and psychological heath in relatives of people with a disability diagnosis. 151 relatives completed an online questionnaire that included 6-PAQ (parental psychological flexibility), PSS (perceived stress), GHQ-12 (psychological health) and WBSI (suppression of unwanted thoughts). The results showed significant relationships between the four measured variables. A bimodal distribution was observed in the variables related to psychological flexibility. The multiple regression showed that difficulties in self as context, committed actions and defusion explain a high percentage of the variance of parental stress and general psychological health. The study provides new evidence to consider psychological flexibility as a mediating variable in psychological well-being. The presented data served as the basis for the development of an ACT-based intervention protocol and the implementation of a clinical trial for relatives of children with disabilities.

Empirically supported psychological treatments: The challenges of comorbid psychiatric and behavioral disorders in people with intellectual disability.

This paper reviews the current state of knowledge on psychological interventions with empirical evidence of efficacy in treating common psychiatric and behavioral disorders in people with intellectual disability (ID) at all stages of their life. We begin with a brief presentation of what is meant by psychiatric and behavioral disorders in this population, along with an explanation of some of the factors that contribute to the increased psychosocial vulnerability of this group to present with these problems. We then conduct a review of empirically supported psychological therapies used to treat psychiatric and behavioral disorders in people with ID. The review is structured around the three generations of therapies: Applied behavior analysis (e.g., positive behavior support), cognitive behavioral therapies (e.g., mindfulness-based cognitive therapy), and contextual therapies (e.g., dialectical behavior therapy). We conclude with some recommendations for professional practice in the fields of ID and psychiatry.

Programa de intervención breve basado en las terapias contextuales para mejorar el bienestar psicológico en el entorno organizacional / Brief intervention programme based on contextual therapies to improve psychological well-being at the workplace

Introducción y objetivos: Este estudio examina la eficiencia y efectividad de un programa breve, basado en las dos terapias contextuales más representativa, para mejorar la salud general, y el bienestar laboral de los empleados/as de una cooperativa agrícola. La evaluación pretest se realizó con 25 empleados de la misma empresa, de los cuales 15 cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión; estableciendo como punto de corte puntuaciones moderadas de malestar psicológico. Los empleados recibieron una intervención basada en un programa breve con la combinación de la Terapia de Aceptación y Compromiso junto con la Psicoterapia Analítica-Funcional (FACT). Material y Métodos: Los participantes recibieron 3 sesiones, 2 individuales y 1 grupal. Se evaluaron con el Cuestionario de Salud General (GHQ-12); la Escala de Observación de Recompensa Ambiental (EROS); y la satisfacción laboral, que se evaluó con la subescala de bienestar laboral de la Escala de Bienestar Psicológico (EBP). Se utilizó un diseño intra-grupos con evaluación pre y post intervención. Resultados: Los participantes mejoraron en las variables analizadas, siendo estadísticamente significativos para las variables: GHQ-12 (W = -3.34, gl = 14, p = .001), EROS (W = -3.05, gl = 14, p = .002) y EBP (W = -3.08, gl = 14, p = .002). Conclusiones: Se discuten las implicaciones de la combinación de ambas aproximaciones que comparten las raíces filosóficas y analíticas basadas en el contextualismo funcional. Esta intervención se plantea como un modelo efectivo para producir cambios en la salud de los trabajadores/as en breves periodos de tiempo, de forma rápida y no invasiva para empleados y empresas.(AU)

Introduction and aims: This study examines the efficiency and effectiveness of a brief program based on the two most representative contextual therapies in order to improve the general health and well-being at the workplace with employees of an agricultural cooperative. The pre-test evaluation was carried out with 25 employees from the same company, of whom 15 met the inclusion criteria with moderate scores for psychological distress as the cut-off point. The employees received an intervention based on a brief program combining of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and also Analytical-Functional Psychotherapy. Material and Methods: The employees received 3 sessions, 2 individual and 1 group session. They were assessed with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12); the Environmental Reward Observation Scale (EROS); and job satisfaction, which was evaluated with the job well-being subscale of the Psychological Well-being Scale (EBP). An intra-group design with pre and post intervention assessment was used. Results: Participants improved statistically in the variables analyzed: GHQ-12 (W = -3.34, gl = 14, p = .001), EROS (W = -3.05, gl = 14, p = .002) and EBP (W = -3.08, gl = 14, p = .002). Conclusions: The implications of the combination of both approaches that share philosophical and analytical roots based on functional contextualism are discussed. This treatment is proposed as an effective model to produce changes in workers' health in short periods of time, in a fast and non-invasive way for employees and companies.(AU)

Effectiveness of a Web-Based Intervention on Parental Psychological Flexibility and Emotion Regulation: A Pilot Open Trial.

"Parenting Forest" is an informed contextual therapy parenting program for improving parental emotion regulation strategies and psychological flexibility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preliminary effectiveness of a self-guided web-based intervention of the Parenting Forest program. The intervention program consists of six self-applied sequential modules that use strategies from contextual therapies for providing a parenting style open to experience, mindful and committed to its actions. A pilot controlled open trial was conducted. Eligible parents (n = 12) enrolled in the web-based intervention completed baseline (T1) and post-intervention (T2) assessment instruments. Parental psychological flexibility, avoidance, emotional regulation, parental stress, satisfaction with life, children's psychological adjustment and client satisfaction were measured to assess the effects of the intervention. Mood, coping, and value-related actions were assessed as measures of progress. The results showed positive effects on the parents' psychological flexibility and emotion regulation. Parents' mood and coping skills improved throughout the intervention program. These results provide preliminary evidence of the web-based Parenting Forest's efficacy, although further research is needed to assess its effectiveness for prevention and in clinical populations.

Spanish Validation of the "Life Snapshot Inventory".

INTRODUCTION: The Life Snapshot Inventory (LSI) is a self-report instrument to measure the meaningful vital, personal, and social directions. It was created in the Functional Analytic Psychotherapy as a continuous evaluation of vital changes in areas of life (family, work, love, spirituality, sexuality, health, etc.). OBJECTIVE: The aim was to validate its psychometric characteristics for the first time. METHOD: This study involved 530 participants (average age 33 years), in a Spanish sample. The questionnaire has been compared with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) to obtain convergent validity. RESULTS: The results showed a high internal consistency (α = .93) and a correlation of .61, both statistically significant. The factorial analysis showed only one factor (43.56% of variance). In addition, it was sensitive to changes due to interventions, and made it possible to differentiate those people with vital problems. CONCLUSION: This questionnaire could be a helpful measure for healthcare and clinical contexts.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El Inventario de Instantánea Vital (Life Snapshot Inventory; LSI) es un instrumento de autoinforme para medir las direcciones sociales, personales y vitales significativas para el individuo. Se ha creado desde la Psicoterapia Analítica Funcional (FAP) como una evaluación continua de los cambios en diversas áreas de la vida de un individuo (familia, trabajo, amor, espiritualidad, sexualidad, salud, etc.). Objetivo: Validar por primera vez las características psicométricas de este instrumento. METODOLOGÍA: Este estudio implicó una muestra española donde participaron 530 personas (edad media 33 años). El cuestionario se ha comparado con la Escala de Autoestima de Rosenberg (RSES) para obtener validez convergente. RESULTADOS: Los resultados mostraron una alta fiabilidad como consistencia interna (α = .93) y una correlación de .61, ambas estadísticamente significativas. El análisis factorial mostró un único factor (43.56% de la varianza). Además, el instrumento fue sensible a los cambios originados por la intervención, y permitió diferenciar aquellas personas con problemas vitales. CONCLUSIÓN: Este cuestionario podría ser una medida de gran ayuda para utilizar en contextos clínicos y sanitarios.

Aplicaciones de FACT en el contexto académico para mejorar la salud en estudiantes de bachillerato / Applications of FACT in the academic context to improve health in high school students

Las terapias contextuales o de tercera generación cada vez acumulan más evidencia sobre su eficacia en diferentes contextos y condiciones clínicas. Este estudio compara en estudiantes de primero y segundo de bachillerato (n= 112), la eficacia de un programa basado en la terapia de aceptación y compromiso (ACT) frente a un programa combinado añadiendo estrategias de la psicoterapia analítica funcional (FAP) y resultando en una aproximación denominada terapia funcional de aceptación y compromiso (FACT). El propósito de esta intervención consistió en extraer los procesos más relevantes para el cambio, con el objetivo de diseñar programas de formación basados en la ciencia conductual contextual para mejorar la salud de los estudiantes. Los resultados indicaron que ambas intervenciones produjeron cambios estadísticamente significativos mejorando la salud de los estudiantes. El programa combinado con FACT fue superior en la variable autoconcepto. Se discuten las implicaciones y diferencias de ambos programas breves para mejorar la salud de los estudiantes en breves periodos de tiempo, desde una metodología conductual adaptada al contexto académico (AU)

There is growing evidence showing the efficacy of contextual or third generation therapies in various contexts and clinical conditions. In large groups of first- and second-year high school students (n= 112), the present study compares the efficacy of applying a program based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) versus a combined program using strategies from Functional-Analytical Psychotherapy (FAP), resulting in a so-called FACT approach. The purpose of this intervention was to extract the most relevant processes underpinning clinical changes to design training programs based on contextual behavioral science to improve students' health. The results indicated that both interventions produced statistically significant improvement in the health of the students. The program combined with FACT was superior in the self-concept variable. The implications of both brief programs to improve students' health in short periods are discussed on the basis of a behavioral methodology adapted to the academic context (AU)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Cancer: Review of Applications and Findings.

This study aimed to analyze published studies regarding the usefulness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the treatment of oncological patients. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using the Web of Science, Google Scholar and Dialnet (2000-2016). Nineteen articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Those patients who received interventions based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy showed a better emotional state and quality of life and greater psychological flexibility. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy proved to be useful in the psychological treatment of oncological patients. However, the heterogeneity and limitations of the studies, principally with regard to sample characteristics, study design and manner in which mechanisms responsible for changes are evaluated, make further studies necessary with a view to ascertaining what patient and/or intervention characteristics might improve results. Randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with no treatment, with treatment with placebo and with other efficacious therapies, including a study of medium- and long-term results, would be of particular interest.