Search

La utilización de tecnologías digitales y aplicaciones móviles se encuentra en marcado crecimiento en todo el mundo. La reducción de costos de atención y el mayor acceso a la salud por parte de la población son algunas de sus ventajas. El objetivo del presente estudio fue conocer la percepción y la perspectiva de los potenciales usuarios de aplicaciones móviles de Argentina. El estudio fue exploratorio, de metodología mixta, de predominio cuantitativo. La muestra se encuentra compuesta por 209 adultos y residentes de Argentina (Medad = 32.66 años, DE = 8.36, 50.7% mujeres, 48.8% hombres). El 73.7% no tenía conocimiento de las aplicaciones en salud mental y el 75.1% las utilizaría. Las ventajas mencionadas por los encuestados son la accesibilidad, la rapidez y el acceso a información confiable. Estos datos permiten pensar que la población sería receptiva al uso de aplicaciones en salud mental.

El objetivo del presente estudio fue aportar evidencia sobre la utilidad clínica preliminar y la satisfacción con el tratamiento del Protocolo Unificado (PU) de Barlow et al. (2011), aplicado en formato grupal y online en adultos con trastornos emocionales en Argentina. Para tal fin se realizó un estudio no controlado con medidas pre y post-tratamiento. El grupo estuvo formado por siete participantes con sintomatología del espectro ansioso-depresiva. La intervención consistió en 11 sesiones semanales sincrónicos de 90 minutos realizados en una plataforma virtual. Los resultados mostraron una reducción significativa en los niveles de depresión, desesperanza, dificultades en la regulación emocional y afecto negativo, y un aumento significativo en la calidad de vida. A su vez, se observaron tamaños del efecto grandes para depresión, ansiedad, desesperanza, dificultades en la regulación emocional y afecto negativo. Los resultados preliminares del presente estudio sobre la utilidad clínica y aceptabilidad del uso del PU en formato grupal y online en población argentina son prometedores

espanolEl incremento del uso de los telefonos moviles inteligentes y aplicaciones para los mismos ha llevado a su utilizacion para la prevencion y tratamiento de problemas de salud. Dada la elevada prevalencia de los trastornos de ansiedad, el objetivo de este articulo es realizar una revision de las aplicaciones disponibles en Argentina para este problema clinico. Se realizo una busqueda de las aplicaciones que incluyeran “ansiedad” o “estres” en su descripcion. Se incluyeron aquellas creadas por profesionales de la salud, basadas en un modelo psicologico, y accesibles en espanol. Se hallaron cinco aplicaciones, ninguna desarrollada en Argentina. Dos aplicaciones se presentaron como meras plataformas de conversacion (chat) con psicologos. Se describen las tres aplicaciones moviles propiamente dichas y se discuten sus caracteristicas. En concordancia con otros estudios, las aplicaciones no poseen estudios de eficacia. Se destaca la necesidad de desarrollar aplicaciones moviles argentinas para personas afectadas por trastornos de ansiedad. EnglishThe use of smartphones for the prevention and treatment of health problems is based on its increasing use and the development of apps. Given the high prevalence of anxiety disorders, the aim of this paper is to review the available apps in Argentina for this clinical problem. It was made a search of apps with the terms “anxiety” and “stress” in its description. It was included apps developed by mental health professionals, based on a psychological model and available in Spanish. It has found five apps, none of them made in Argentina. Two apps were presented merely chats with psychologists. The true three mobile applications are described and their characteristics are discussed. According to other studies, the apps aren’t based on efficacy studies. It emphasizes the need of Argentinean apps for the people affected by anxiety disorders.

Objective This paper reports on a focus-group discussion of four expert psychotherapy researchers facilitated at an international conference from the Society of Psychotherapy Research. A discussion was facilitated to explore their perspectives on psychotherapy practices of personal growth (intentionally working towards a strengthened sense of autonomy, mastery, and self-acceptance) in different countries (United States, Canada, Argentina, and Chile) and different modalities (psychoanalysis, humanistic therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy). Methods Following the conference, the audio recording of this discussion was transcribed and analyzed using consensual qualitative research methods. Results Six domains were identified; definition of personal growth, mental health care systems, psychotherapy practice, psychotherapy research, client and therapist characteristics, and social stigma. Results Six domains were identified; definition of personal growth, mental health care systems, psychotherapy practice, psychotherapy research, client and therapist characteristics, and social stigma. Conclusion Future research examining the cost-effectiveness and benefits of psychotherapy for personal growth is warranted. Building on the six domains, specific future research projects on the evidence-based practice of psychotherapy for personal growth are suggested.

The present study consists of the adaptation and validation of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS; Gratz and Roemer, 2004) for its use in the general population of the Buenos Aires metropolitan area. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 315 subjects between 18 and 65 years old. The scale consists of 30 items which, after a confirmatory factor analysis, were found to fit the six original dimensions. Internal consistency was adequate (α = .936; ω = .938). There is also evidence of convergent and discriminant validity, items discrimination ability, differences by sex and age, and normative values for adults in the AMBA. The Spanish adaptation of the DERS represents a valid and reliable tool to measure different aspects of the emotional regulation process.

The functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGD), are characterized by the absence of anatomical or physiological abnormalities, and present a chronic and recurrent course. Their worldwide prevalence is approximately 40%. Psychological factors play an important role in the development and maintenance of FGD. Although the relationship between FGD and anxiety and depression has been studied, there is no data at the local level. The aim of the present study was to explore the levels of anxiety and depression in patients diagnosed with FGD in a local sample. Forty-six patients diagnosed with FGD were studied. The Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI II) was used to evaluate the level of depression, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to evaluate the level of anxiety. 17.78% had mild depression, 26.67% moderate depression and 22.22% severe depression. 33.33% did not present depression. The median reported in state anxiety was 87 (IQR = 23.75) and in the trait anxiety was 93 (IQR = 16). Significant direct associations were found between depression and state anxiety (r(44) = .54, p

Introduction: There are few published empirical data on the effects of COVID-19 on mental health, and until now, there is no large international study. ----- Material and methods: During the COVID-19 pandemic, an online questionnaire gathered data from 55,589 participants from 40 countries (64.85% females aged 35.80 ± 13.61; 34.05% males aged 34.90±13.29 and 1.10% other aged 31.64±13.15). Distress and probable depression were identified with the use of a previously developed cut-off and algorithm respectively. ----- Statistical analysis: Descriptive statistics were calculated. Chi-square tests, multiple forward stepwise linear regression analyses and Factorial Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) tested relations among variables. ----- Results: Probable depression was detected in 17.80% and distress in 16.71%. A significant percentage reported a deterioration in mental state, family dynamics and everyday lifestyle. Persons with a history of mental disorders had higher rates of current depression (31.82% vs. 13.07%). At least half of participants were accepting (at least to a moderate degree) a non-bizarre conspiracy. The highest Relative Risk (RR) to develop depression was associated with history of Bipolar disorder and self-harm/attempts (RR = 5.88). Suicidality was not increased in persons without a history of any mental disorder. Based on these results a model was developed. ----- Conclusions: The final model revealed multiple vulnerabilities and an interplay leading from simple anxiety to probable depression and suicidality through distress. This could be of practical utility since many of these factors are modifiable. Future research and interventions should specifically focus on them.

Background Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Argentina has been under mandatory quarantine. We have aimed to investigate the state of mental health of the Argentine population and the behaviours adopted to cope with mental distress during quarantine. Method An online survey was conducted using a probabilistic sampling technique and stratified according to the geographic regions of the country. The survey covered days 7-11 (n = 2,631) and days 50-55 (n = 2,068) after compulsory quarantine. The psychological impact was measured using the 27-item Symptom CheckList (SCL-27), which provides a Global Severity Index (GSI). An ad hoc questionnaire registered problematic, healthy and other behaviours. Two network models were estimated using a Mixed Graphical Model. Data from the two periods were compared and analysed. Outcomes Higher GSI scores and greater risk of experiencing mental disorder were found in Period 2 as compared with Period 1. The lowest GSI scores were associated with physical activity in both periods, and meditation and yoga in Period 1. Drug users reported the highest GSI scores in both periods. The Network Comparison Test confirmed a significant change in symptomatology structure over the two quarantine periods. Conclusion This study showed that psychological symptoms and the risk of experiencing mental disorder increased significantly from Period 1 to Period 2. Network analysis suggested that the quarantine might have brought about changes in the relationships between symptoms. Overall results revealed the relevance of mental health and the need to take mental health actions upon imposing quarantine during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The growing popularity of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has helped reshape the mental health scene in the city of Buenos Aires, historically the stronghold of psychoanalysis. In the early 1980s, CBT was infrequently used and sometimes overtly resisted in the field of mental health. Almost three decades later, the impact of CBT has increased dramatically in Argentina, not only in private practice, but also in the health system and in everyday life. This paper aims to describe the process by which Argentine psychotherapists first adopted this new theoretical framework. Fil: Korman, Guido Pablo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Psicología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Viotti, Nicolas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Garay, Cristian Javier. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Psicología; Argentina

Los autores exploran la relación entre la psicoterapia y la religión. En primer lugar, examinan el fenómeno religioso en la práctica clínica. En segundo término, indaga el lugar de lo religioso en el Manual Diagnóstico y Estadístico de los Trastornos Mentales (DSM-IV). En tercer lugar, describe la relación entre desconocimiento y patologización de las creencias religiosas. En cuarto término, refiere el acercamiento entre la terapia cognitiva y la religión. En quinto lugar, describe la creciente importancia de la incorporación dentro de los modelos cognitivos de distintos sistemas de creencias a la práctica clínica y relaciona esta situación con el eclecticismo técnico propio de la terapia cognitiva. Por último, describe las distintas religiones existentes en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires y el conurbano bonaerense a fi n de manifestar la diversidad religiosa en nuestro medio.

The paper presents the reasons that led to the incorporation of mindfulness as part of a cognitive therapy approach to the prevention of relapse of recurrent depressive disorders. It describes the context in which models focused on the contents of cognition gave way to models focused on cognitive processes. We highlight the problems encountered by the standard cognitive model when trying to account for the cognitive vulnerability of individuals who, having experienced a depressive episode, are in remission. We briefly describe the theoretical foundations of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and its therapeutic approach.

Cognitive-behaviour therapy is one of the evidence-based psychotherapies that have been successfully applied to the treatment of patients with psychotic symptoms. The article presents the core principles and objectives of cognitive models and interventions, and describes the generic steps of treatment. The results of the most methodologically-sound outcome studies are presented.