RESUMEN
Depersonalization (DP) is a dissociative phenomenon, characterized by feeling "unreal" or detached from one's own emotions, thoughts, and behavior (APA, 2013). It is considered to be a defense mechanism, employed in response to overwhelming events, whereby thoughts and emotions are suppressed in order to enhance the individual's capacity to function in traumatic environments. DP has been found to co-occur with anxiety and depressive disorders, and childhood emotional maltreatment (EM) has been identified as an important predisposing factor. The study's primary aim was to investigate the mediating role of DP in the relationship between childhood EM and psychological distress in young adults. Additionally, it aimed to confirm that a history of childhood EM (emotional abuse and emotional neglect) predicted current levels of DP and to explore how both a person's attitude towards experiencing and expressing emotions (with an emphasis on the affect phobia model) and their current attachment security are related to current DP. A cross-sectional design was employed, which included young adults (N = 761) aged between 18 and 25 years. Participants completed an online survey that comprised of several self-report measures. Regression and mediation analyses were conducted. The results indicated that: (1) DP significantly mediated the relationship between childhood EM and current psychological distress; (2) that a history of EM, but no other forms of childhood abuse, significantly predicted current DP experiences; and (3) EM, attachment-related anxiety, and negative attitudes toward emotions predicted clinical cutoff levels of DP. The results are discussed in detail, including clinical implications and direction for future research.
Asunto(s)
Adultos Sobrevivientes del Maltrato a los Niños/psicología , Despersonalización/psicología , Adolescente , Adulto , Ansiedad/psicología , Estudios Transversales , Trastorno Depresivo/psicología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
This study is a first-level evaluation of an intervention targeted at adolescents with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties in Irish post-primary schools. It is a combined implementation of the Working Things Out adolescent programme and the Parents Plus Adolescent Programme (WTOPPAP). Overall, 47 parents and their children (mean age: 13.81 years) took part in the study. The study used a repeated measures design to assess change at pre- and post-intervention and 5-month follow-up using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, McMaster General Functioning Scale, Goal Attainment (parent- and adolescent-rated), Parent Stress Scale and Kansas Parenting Satisfaction Scale (parent-rated) as assessment measures. This study found that parent-rated child total difficulties and adolescent-rated emotional difficulties significantly improved from pre-test to 5-month follow-up. Parent- and adolescent-rated goals, and parent-rated child conduct difficulties, parental stress and satisfaction with parenting also significantly improved from pre- to post-test. These gains were largely maintained at 5-month follow-up. These findings indicate that the WTOPPAP may be an effective intervention for adolescents with emotional and behavioural difficulties and their parents. It was demonstrated that a manualised family intervention could be effectively rolled out at a number of school locations, with delivery and evaluation being conducted by school staff. Further implications are also discussed.