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Abstract Background Adolescence is a crucial stage for the development of OCD symptoms that, in most cases, persist into adulthood. This requires designing preventive strategies tailored to this population. Therefore, we aim to describe the study protocol that will be used to examine the effectiveness of a mobile health application to challenge obsessional beliefs in adolescents. Methods A two-armed randomized controlled trial will be conducted on an adolescent sample from the general population. The experimental group will use the intervention module (GGOC-AD) of a mobile app on the GGtude platform for 14 days whereas the control group will use a non-active module (GGN-AD) of said app. Primary outcome measures will be obsessional beliefs and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and secondary measures will be self-esteem and emotional symptoms. Three assessment points will be conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and one-month follow-up. A linear multiple regression model with an intention to treat approach will be used. The expected total sample size will be 55 participants. Discussion We expect that the intervention group will show a reduction in obsessional beliefs and OCD-symptoms at post and follow-up in comparison with the control group. Additionally, we expect that the app will improve participants’ self-esteem. This study could provide an accessible mobile health tool to prevent OCD-related symptoms in adolescents. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06033391 . Registered September 4, 2023. Graphical Abstract

Background: Adolescence is a crucial stage for the development of OCD symptoms that, in most cases, persist into adulthood. This requires designing preventive strategies tailored to this population. Therefore, we aim to describe the study protocol that will be used to examine the effectiveness of a mobile health application to challenge obsessional beliefs in adolescents. Methods: A two-armed randomized controlled trial will be conducted on an adolescent sample from the general population. The experimental group will use the intervention module (GGOC-AD) of a mobile app on the GGtude platform for 14 days whereas the control group will use a non-active module (GGN-AD) of said app. Primary outcome measures will be obsessional beliefs and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and secondary measures will be self-esteem and emotional symptoms. Three assessment points will be conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and one-month follow-up. A linear multiple regression model with an intention to treat approach will be used. The expected total sample size will be 55 participants. Discussion: We expect that the intervention group will show a reduction in obsessional beliefs and OCD-symptoms at post and follow-up in comparison with the control group. Additionally, we expect that the app will improve participants' self-esteem. This study could provide an accessible mobile health tool to prevent OCD-related symptoms in adolescents. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06033391. Registered September 4, 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Internet addiction is currently considered a worldwide problem, with a possible impact on mental health. Young adults are recognized to be at high risk of developing Internet gaming disorder (IGD). According to a recent clinical model, young adults with IGD may endorse a distinct set of maladaptive beliefs that underlie persistent and excessive engagement in Internet gaming activities. The objective of this study was to examine the incidence of problematic gaming beliefs and psychological distress in a sample of “Indian Young Adults” with and without IGD. Methods: The research is descriptive in nature, conducted during the month of April 2022–May 2022 on a sample of 306 young adults (185 males and 121 females) recruited from multiple universities. A Google form survey that included validated measures of IGDs, Internet gaming cognition, and psychological distress were distributed on various online platforms for collecting the data. Results: According to the findings, young adults with IGD report significantly higher maladaptive gaming beliefs (t = 16.199, P < 0.001) and psychological distress (depression - t = 12.11. P = < 0.001 and anxiety/stress - t = 10.95, P = < 0.001) than young adults without IGD. The size of observed effects was large for cognition (Cohen's d = 2.14), depression (Cohen's d = 2.14), and anxiety/stress (Cohen's d = 1.96). The sample also reported strong correlation between IGD symptoms and gaming cognitions (P =

Beliefs that are too rigid and misadjusted may legitimize interpersonal relationships marked by verbal, physical, or sexual violence. A systematic literature review was performed to identify the existence of maladaptive beliefs (MBs) in interpersonal relationships of young adults and their association with problematic behaviors. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, studies were obtained through a search in multiple databases: EBSCOhost, PubMed, and Web of Science. Of the 1,280 articles retrieved, 42 were retained for further analysis and 15 were considered eligible for inclusion. In addition, seven studies were added through manual search, leading to a final sample of 15 articles, published between 1964 and 2021. Only empirical studies with quantitative methodologies were included. Objectives, sample (age in years), sample type, country of origin of studies, instruments, control group, and results and main conclusions were extracted from each study. Results suggest the existence of MBs that may legitimize antisocial behavior and violence, whether physical, sexual, gender, domestic, or in intimate relationships. Some intervention programs were also identified, with different approaches with a reasonable degree of efficacy in changing these beliefs or in reducing the rates of recidivism by the aggressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Internet addiction is currently considered a worldwide problem, with a possible impact on mental health. Young adults are recognized to be at high risk of developing Internet gaming disorder (IGD). According to a recent clinical model, young adults with IGD may endorse a distinct set of maladaptive beliefs that underlie persistent and excessive engagement in Internet gaming activities. The objective of this study was to examine the incidence of problematic gaming beliefs and psychological distress in a sample of "Indian Young Adults" with and without IGD. Methods: The research is descriptive in nature, conducted during the month of April 2022–May 2022 on a sample of 306 young adults (185 males and 121 females) recruited from multiple universities. A Google form survey that included validated measures of IGDs, Internet gaming cognition, and psychological distress were distributed on various online platforms for collecting the data. Results: According to the findings, young adults with IGD report significantly higher maladaptive gaming beliefs (t = 16.199, P < 0.001) and psychological distress (depression - t = 12.11. P = < 0.001 and anxiety/stress - t = 10.95, P = < 0.001) than young adults without IGD. The size of observed effects was large for cognition (Cohen's d = 2.14), depression (Cohen's d = 2.14), and anxiety/stress (Cohen's d = 1.96). The sample also reported strong correlation between IGD symptoms and gaming cognitions (P = <0.001). Further hierarchical regression analysis revealed depression variables as a significant predictors in the final model (β = 0.212, P = 0.002, confidence interval [CI] = 0.219–0.944) and overvaluation (β = 0.196, P = 0.020, CI = 0.048–0.545), maladaptive rules (β = 0.334, P = 0.003, CI = 0.117–0.551), and gaming social acceptance (β = 0.272, P = 0.001, CI = 0.190–0.693) as the three strongest cognition predictors of IGD symptoms. Conclusion: These findings indicate that young adults with IGD have distinct problematic thoughts about gaming and highlight the importance of addressing these cognitions in therapeutic interventions for the disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many individuals with coronary heart disease (CHD) have maladaptive beliefs which might increase anxiety and depression. This study investigates the impact of using video information to convey facts and correct misconceptions about CHD in individuals. 150 individuals with CHD were assigned to either the control group or one of two experimental groups. The participants completed the York Cardiac Beliefs Questionnaire in the baseline measure immediately after first viewing the video (time 1), and after viewing the video for six times within two weeks (time 2). The Beck Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory II were completed in the baseline and at time 2. Multiple repeated measures anova shows that after the intervention, participants’ maladaptive beliefs, anxiety and depression were reduced in both experimental groups. Yet, it did not happen in the control group. It indicates that the video information corrects maladaptive beliefs, and reduces anxiety and depression levels in individuals with CHD.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a widely used evidence-based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The mental processes underlying both PTSD and EMDR treatment effects are often explained by drawing on processes that involve the automatic formation and change of mental associations. Recent evidence that contrasts with these explanations is discussed and a new perspective to PTSD and EMDR treatment effects is proposed that draws on automatic inferential processes and can be readily integrated with the dominant (Adaptive Information Processing) model. This new perspective incorporates insights from cognitive theories that draw on predictive processing and goal-directed processes to elucidate (changes in) automatic inferences that underlie PTSD symptoms and EMDR treatment effects. Recommendations for clinical practice are provided based on this new perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Imagery Rescripting (ImR) has proved to be effective in the treatment of different mental disorders as an integral part of broader clinical protocols or as a standalone technique. ImR has also been successfully incorporated as part of group Schema Therapy treatment; however, to the best of our knowledge, it has never been assessed as a standalone technique in a group setting. Aim: In this study, we focused on ImR delivered via telehealth in groups and we aimed to assess whether group ImR is effective in responding to basic emotional needs, in changing participants' affective state, and in reducing dysfunctional beliefs. We also wanted to assess whether memory realism is associated with a greater effectiveness of the technique. Methods: A total of 52 participants were presented with 3 ImR sessions on childhood memories related to the current dysfunctional belief that elicited more suffering. Results: The technique was effective in facilitating the retrieval of a memory in almost the entire sample (in the range of 92.3-100%). Overall, memory realism values (level of vividness, ability to immerse, and participants' distance from the images) were high in all three sessions. Almost all participants were reported having their needs met during ImR (89.7%). Importantly, need satisfaction was associated with the ability to immerse in the image. In addition, the intensity of the dysfunctional belief decreased significantly from pre-test to Session 3. The technique also changed the affective state, reducing arousal. Importantly, we also observed a general reduction in shame levels from the first to the third session. Conclusion: A telehealth delivered ImR group intervention on childhood memories provides cognitive and emotional improvement. Along with the ability to satisfy the patient's basic emotional needs, the technique seems to be effective in modifying maladaptive beliefs encapsulated in memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundImagery Rescripting (ImR) has proved to be effective in the treatment of different mental disorders as an integral part of broader clinical protocols or as a standalone technique. ImR has also been successfully incorporated as part of group Schema Therapy treatment; however, to the best of our knowledge, it has never been assessed as a standalone technique in a group setting.AimIn this study, we focused on ImR delivered via telehealth in groups and we aimed to assess whether group ImR is effective in responding to basic emotional needs, in changing participants’ affective state, and in reducing dysfunctional beliefs. We also wanted to assess whether memory realism is associated with a greater effectiveness of the technique.MethodsA total of 52 participants were presented with 3 ImR sessions on childhood memories related to the current dysfunctional belief that elicited more suffering.ResultsThe technique was effective in facilitating the retrieval of a memory in almost the entire sample (in the range of 92.3–100%). Overall, memory realism values (level of vividness, ability to immerse, and participants’ distance from the images) were high in all three sessions. Almost all participants were reported having their needs met during ImR (89.7%). Importantly, need satisfaction was associated with the ability to immerse in the image. In addition, the intensity of the dysfunctional belief decreased significantly from pre-test to Session 3. The technique also changed the affective state, reducing arousal. Importantly, we also observed a general reduction in shame levels from the first to the third session.ConclusionA telehealth delivered ImR group intervention on childhood memories provides cognitive and emotional improvement. Along with the ability to satisfy the patient’s basic emotional needs, the technique seems to be effective in modifying maladaptive beliefs encapsulated in memory.

Substantial evidence exists that personality traits may impact the onset, course, symptom presentation, treatment outcome, and maintenance of eating disorders (Cassin & Vonranson, 2005). Despite a strong link between personality traits and eating disorders, research to understand the mediators of this relationship is lacking to date. Both disordered eating and personality dysfunction are thought to be perpetuated by a cycle of maladaptive beliefs (Cooper & Hunt, 1998; Dweck 2008). We believe that personality pathology may lead to disordered eating because personality pathology comes with maladaptive beliefs that promote pathological eating behaviors. Additionally, maladaptive beliefs may be responsible for the link between personality and eating disorders, and it follows that holistic eating disorder treatment encompasses both factors. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate general maladaptive beliefs as mediators for the relationship between personality dysfunction and disordered eating within a sample of 304 college students. Results showed that maladaptive beliefs may partially mediate the relationship between personality dysfunction and disordered eating; using the Baron and Kenny method of mediation, we found the indirect effect of maladaptive beliefs on disordered eating was significant, β = .22 (p < .001). These findings suggest that maladaptive beliefs may constitute a common risk factor or experience in both disordered eating and personality pathology. We conclude that treatment for eating disorders should address maladaptive beliefs and personality dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using real world data, we examined the associations between self‐esteem ratings and the short, daily use of a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)‐based mobile application targeting self‐esteem related beliefs. The effects of using this application on mood ratings were also assessed. Real world data of GG Self‐esteem users were collected from January 2019 until August 2019. Participants' self‐esteem and mood scores were evaluated at three‐time points corresponding to Levels 1, 20 and 46 of the mobile application. Significant increases in self‐esteem ratings were found across all three‐time points. Increased mood ratings were only found at Level 20, compared to baseline. Dropout rates across assessment points were associated with younger age, and males showed significantly higher self‐esteem scores than women at baseline and the second assessment point. Our findings are consistent with previous controlled trials indicating that using CBT‐based mHealth applications targeting maladaptive beliefs may be useful for increasing user's wellness and reducing distress. KEY POINTS (1) App use was associated with increased self‐esteem and mood. (2) The higher the level participants used the app the more their self‐esteem increased. (3) Real world data is consistent with findings from previous controlled studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Mobile health apps increase the accessibility of cognitive-behavioral–based interventions before, during, or following treatment. GGOC is a mobile app designed to challenge maladaptive beliefs in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This single-case study assesses the usefulness of GGOC as a relapse prevention tool for OCD. The patient was a 26-year-old woman with severe contamination and washing/cleaning OCD symptoms (Y-BOCS = 33). GGOC was used for relapse prevention following CBT treatment. The patient completed 47 levels dedicated to OCD-relevant maladaptive beliefs. Before and after GGOC, the Y-BOCS, Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (OCI-R), Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire (OBQ-20), and Depression subscale of the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale were completed. The OBQ-20 and OCI-R scores decreased from pre- to post-GGOC. The Y-BOCS decreased from 7 pre-GGOC to 2 post-GGOC. Findings support the efficacy of GGOC as a relapse prevention tool for individuals with OCD, and its contribution to maintaining gains after CBT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: According to cognitive models, obsessive compulsive symptoms result from catastrophic misinterpretations of commonly occurring intrusive experiences and the use of counterproductive strategies to manage them. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) related beliefs such as inflated responsibility, importance of thoughts and perfectionism increases the likelihood of such misinterpretations. Consistent with a growing body of literature supporting the usefulness of mobile delivered technologies in fostering cognitive behavior change, the present study assessed the effectiveness of a novel cognitive training exercise designed to challenge OCD-related beliefs. This mobile app training exercise consists of users having to pull statements challenging OCD beliefs towards themselves (downwards) and to throw away (push upwards) contra-productive self-statements.Methods: 36 third-year BA students started the trial. Twenty completed pre and post measures of OCD-beliefs, mood and OCD symptoms including relationship-obsessions. Participants were instructed to complete 3 min of daily training for a period of 15 days.Results: No significant differences were found between completers and non-completers on demographic and most symptom related measures at Time 1. Repeated-measures MANOVA of the 20 completers showed a significant reduction on all OCD symptoms measures and on OCD-beliefs. No significant reduction was found in depression symptoms. Regression analysis showed change in levels of OCD-beliefs was associated with reduction in OCD symptoms at Time 2 over and above OCD symptoms at Time 1.Limitations: The study is an open trial with non-clinical participants.Conclusions: This mobile delivered training exercise may be useful for the reduction and relapse prevention of OCD-related beliefs and symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Most individuals with hoarding disorder (HD) are prone to excessively acquiring new possessions. Understanding the factors that contribute to this collecting behavior will allow us to develop better treatment approaches for HD. The aim of this study was to test our assumption that an anxious attachment style is associated with a tendency to anthropomorphize comforting objects and an inability to tolerate distress, which in turn leads to excessive acquisition. Methods: A total of 361 participants with subclinical to clinical acquisition problems (77.8% female) completed a series of self-report measures. Results: As expected, greater anxious attachment was related to greater distress intolerance and stronger tendencies to anthropomorphize inanimate objects. In turn, greater distress intolerance and anthropomorphism were related to more excessive buying and greater acquisition of free items. Examination of the pathways and indirect effects showed support for double mediation rather than serial mediation, as distress intolerance did not predict anthropomorphism. Discussion and conclusion: These novel findings, if replicated, suggest that adding treatment modules that target improving distress tolerance and reducing anthropomorphism to standard treatment for HD may lead to further reductions in excessive acquiring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cult of Cybele and Attis was an ancient cult disseminated throughout the entire Roman Empire. Among the rites held by its followers, there were the so-called Day of Blood (dies sanguinis) which, according to the Calendar (or Chronography) of Philocalus (354 CE), was celebrated on 24 March. On this day the worshipers and priests (galli) of Cybele/Attis flagellated themselves until they bled profusely, and with their blood they sprinkled Cybele's effigy as well as the altars of the temple, while the initiates castrated themselves and offered their testes to the goddess as a real-life imitation of what happened mythologically to the goddess' consort Attis. The present contribution offers a preliminary systemization of this glaringly maladaptive and quite puzzling belief-behaviour complex in the anthropological and neurocognitive frame of the so-called extreme rituals, highlighting the specific in-group benefit reaped by worshipers and initiates (e.g., community cohesion through costly signalling and credibilityenhancing displays). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Obsessive preoccupation, doubts, and compulsive behaviors focusing on one's romantic relationship and partner are receiving increasing clinical, theoretical and empirical attention. Commonly referred to as relationship obsessive-compulsive disorder (ROCD), such symptoms have been linked with decreased relational and sexual functioning and lower mood, even after controlling for other obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms. To date, however, these symptoms have been studied in community sample alone. In the present study, we compared levels of interference, OCD and mood symptom between clinical participants with ROCD, OCD and community controls. We also examined group differences in maladaptive beliefs previously linked with OCD and ROCD. Method. Participants included 22 ROCD clients, 22 OCD clients, and 28 community controls. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview was used to attain clinical diagnoses of OCD and ROCD. The Yale Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale was used to evaluate primary-symptoms severity. All participants completed measures of symptoms and dysfunctional beliefs. Results. ROCD clients reported more severe ROCD symptoms than the OCD and control groups. ROCD and OCD clients did not differ in severity of their primary-symptoms. ROCD clients scored higher than the other groups on maladaptive OCD-related and relationship-related beliefs. Finally, ROCD clients showed more severe depression symptoms than community controls. Conclusions. ROCD is a disabling presentation of OCD that warrants research attention. Maladaptive OCD-related and relationship-related beliefs may be implicated in the development and maintenance of ROCD.

Background: Obsessive preoccupation, doubts, and compulsive behaviors focusing on one's romantic relationship and partner are receiving increasing clinical, theoretical, and empirical attention. Commonly referred to as relationship obsessive-compulsive disorder (ROCD), such symptoms have been linked with decreased relational and sexual functioning and lower mood, even after controlling for other obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms. To date, however, these symptoms have been studied in community samples alone. In the present study, we compared levels of interference, OCD, and mood symptoms between clinical participants with ROCD, OCD, and community controls. We also examined group differences in maladaptive beliefs previously linked with OCD and ROCD. Method: Participants included 22 ROCD clients, 22 OCD clients, and 28 community controls. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview was used to attain clinical diagnoses of OCD and ROCD. The Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale was used to evaluate primary-symptoms severity. All participants completed measures of symptoms and dysfunctional beliefs. results: ROCD clients reported more severe ROCD symptoms than the OCD and control groups. ROCD and OCD clients did not differ in severity of their primary-symptoms. ROCD clients scored higher than the other groups on maladaptive OCD-related and relationship-related beliefs. Finally, ROCD clients showed more severe depression symptoms than community controls. conclusion: ROCD is a disabling presentation of OCD that warrants research attention. Maladaptive OCD-related and relationship-related beliefs may be implicated in the development and maintenance of ROCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maladaptive/irrational beliefs are significant cognitive vulnerability mechanisms in psychopathology. They are more likely to be associated with a genetic vulnerability marker under conditions of emotional distress when irrational beliefs are more salient. Therefore, in the current study we investigated the COMT Val(158)Met gene variation in relation to irrational beliefs, assuming this relationship depended on the level of emotional distress. Two hundred and sixty-seven genotyped volunteers were assessed for core/general maladaptive beliefs, as well as trait emotional distress. We focused on context-independent measures of irrational beliefs and emotional distress in the absence of a stressor. As expected, the relationship between COMT Val(158)Met and irrational beliefs depended on the level of emotional distress (f(2)=.314). The COMT Val(158)Met-irrationality association was significant only when individuals fell in the average to above average range of emotional distress. Furthermore, within this range the Met allele seemed to relate to higher irrational beliefs. These results were significant for overall irrational beliefs and its subtypes, but not for rational beliefs, the functional counterpart of irrationality. In light of the study's limitations, the results should be considered as preliminary. If replicable, these findings have potential implications for therapygenetics, changing the view that COMT Val(158)Met might be of greater relevance when treatment modality does not rely on cognitive variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research indicates that maladaptive or irrational beliefs underlie the development of depression. However, there are a limited number of studies on what boosts the "cognitive immunity" of irrational individuals against psychopathology. The present exploratory study examined self-compassion and its components (i.e., self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness) as potential buffers of the irrationality-depression relationship. A hundred and eighty seven volunteers were assessed for core/general irrationality, self-compassion, and depression levels. The results obtained were largely consistent with the hypotheses. As expected, under high levels of self-compassion there was no longer a significant relationship between irrational beliefs and depression (B =-.001, SE =.028, t = -.043, p = .965). No such buffering effects were found for the low and mean levels of self-compassion. Secondly, the present findings showed that it is especially the self-kindness component of self-compassion that moderated the irrational belief-depression relationship (B =-.012, SE =.004, β = - .185, p < .001), whereas the common humanity and mindfulness components were not found to be significant moderators of this relationship. This differential buffering effect underscores the importance of discerning between the subtypes of self-compassion. Proximal and distal clinical suggestions are discussed along with theoretical advancements on self-compassion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined effortful cognitive skills and underlying maladaptive beliefs among patients treated with cognitive therapy (CT) for depression. Depressed patients ( n = 44) completed cognitive measures before and after 16 weeks of CT. Measures included an assessment of CT skills (Ways of Responding Scale; WOR), an implicit test of maladaptive beliefs (Implicit Association Test; IAT), and a self-report questionnaire of maladaptive beliefs (Dysfunctional Attitude Scale; DAS). A matched sample of never-depressed participants ( n = 44) also completed study measures. Prior to treatment, depressed patients endorsed significantly more undesirable cognitions on the WOR, IAT, and DAS compared with never-depressed participants. Patients displayed improvement on the WOR and DAS over the course of treatment, but showed no change on the IAT. Additionally, improvements on the WOR and DAS were each related to greater reductions in depressive symptoms. Results suggest that the degree of symptom reduction among patients participating in CT is related to changes in patients’ acquisition of coping skills requiring deliberate efforts and reflective thought, but not related to reduced endorsement of implicitly assessed maladaptive beliefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the personal and social context of young female sex offenders, probing their risk profiles for prospective treatment interventions. A convenience sample of eight young South African female sexual offenders participated in the study (black = 88%, Indian = 12%, age range = 14–20 years). They completed semi-structured interviews on their perceptions of the influences to commit a sexual offence. The data were thematically analysed. Emergent themes on factors associated with sexual offending included: peer influence, poor child monitoring, parental neglect, unproductive sexual health education, as well as insight into the participants’ maladaptive beliefs and distorted thinking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of a study whose aim was adapt and validate the Sociotropy- Autonomy Scale (SAS) Clark & Beck. This scale assesses two dimensions of cognitive personality: interpersonal orientation and attitudes of achievement and personal goals. The sample consisted of 460 participants between 15 and 71 years enrolled from different socioeconomic levels. The results showed internal consistency in SAS Scale: Total (.85), SAS Sociotropy (.82) and lower for SAS Autonomy (.61). These results are relevant to research on this instrument. It is considered a reliable and valid instrument for socio-cultural context; could also support research in cognitive psychotherapy and clinical processes based on the diathesis stress model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Cognitive bias modification (CBM) protocols have been developed to help establish the causal role of biased cognitive processing in maintaining psychopathology and have demonstrated therapeutic benefits in a range of disorders. The current study evaluated a cognitive bias modification training paradigm designed to target interpretation biases (CBM- I) associated with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Methods We evaluated the impact of CBM-I on measures of interpretation bias, distress, and on responses to three OC stressor tasks designed to tap the core belief domains of Importance of Thoughts/Control, Perfectionism/Intolerance of Uncertainty, and Contamination/Estimation of Threat in a selected sample of community members reporting obsessive compulsive (OC) symptoms (N = 89). Results Participants randomly assigned to the Positive condition evidenced a change in interpretation bias towards more positive and less negative OC-relevant interpretations following CBM-I compared to participants assigned to the Control condition. Importantly, a positivity bias was not observed for foil scenarios unrelated to the core OC belief domains. Further, participants in the Positive condition reported less distress and urge to neutralize following an OC stressor task designed to tap Importance of Thoughts/Control. No significant difference emerged on the indices of behavioural response to the OC stressor tasks. Severity of OC symptoms did not moderate the effects of positive CBM-I training. Conclusions CBM-I appears effective in selectively targeting OC beliefs. Results need to be replicated in clinical samples in order for potential therapeutic benefit to be demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Posttraumatic Maladaptive Beliefs Scale (PMBS) was developed to measure maladaptive beliefs about current life circumstances that may occur following trauma exposure. This scale assesses maladaptive beliefs within three domains: (a) Threat of Harm, (b) Self-Worth and Judgment, and (c) Reliability and Trustworthiness of Others. Items for the PMBS were drawn from a larger preexisting measure that assesses a wide range of personal beliefs and reactions associated with trauma exposure. The construct validity of the PMBS was assessed in two independent samples of interpersonal trauma survivors. This article provides data to support the reliability and validity of the PMBS as an instrument to assess general, rather than trauma-specific, maladaptive beliefs that have relevance for functioning in the aftermath of a traumatic event. Moreover, the measure is sensitive to changes that occur in treatment, and the length of the measure (15 items) is practical for use in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Beliefs that are negatively biased, inaccurate, and rigid are thought to play a key role in the mood and anxiety disorders. Our goal in this study was to examine whether a change in maladaptive beliefs mediated the outcome of individual cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for social anxiety disorder (SAD). In a sample of 47 individuals with SAD receiving CBT, we measured maladaptive interpersonal beliefs as well as emotional and behavioral components of social anxiety, both at baseline and after treatment completion. We found that (a) maladaptive interpersonal beliefs were associated with social anxiety at baseline and treatment completion; (b) maladaptive interpersonal beliefs were significantly reduced from baseline to treatment completion; and (c) treatment-related reductions in maladaptive interpersonal beliefs fully accounted for reductions in social anxiety after CBT. These results extend the literature by providing support for cognitive models of mental disorders, broadly, and SAD, specifically. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Psychometrically evaluated Self-Beliefs related to Social Anxiety (SBSA) scale. • In a sample with social anxiety disorder (SAD), the SBSA exhibited three factors. • The SBSA had good internal consistency. • The SBSA had good construct validity and discriminative validity. • SBSA can be used with individuals with SAD in research and clinical contexts. The Self-Beliefs related to Social Anxiety (SBSA) scale assesses maladaptive social-evaluative beliefs, a key aspect in models of social anxiety disorder (SAD) that is frequently measured in research and clinical contexts. The SBSA has been evaluated psychometrically in student samples, but not in a large sample of individuals diagnosed with SAD. The current study tested the psychometric properties of the SBSA in a sample of individuals with SAD pooled from several studies (total N = 284). Results showed that the optimal factor structure for the SBSA was a correlated three-factor model (high standard beliefs factor, conditional beliefs factor, unconditional beliefs factor). The SBSA total and its subscales (formed based on the factors) exhibited good internal consistency. In terms of construct validity, the SBSA total, the high standard beliefs subscale, and conditional beliefs subscale had stronger associations with a measure of social anxiety than with a measure of depression, although the unconditional beliefs subscale was similarly related to both measures of social anxiety and depression. In terms of discriminative validity, the sample of individuals with SAD had higher SBSA total and subscale scores compared with a sample of individuals without SAD (N = 32). These findings provide a psychometric evidence base justifying the use of the SBSA for the assessment of maladaptive social-evaluative beliefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cognitive-behavioural model of hoarding posits that maladaptive beliefs play a causal role in saving behaviours. These beliefs may operate as interpretive biases to save in ambiguous situations in which hoarding individuals must decide whether to discard an item. We used a novel interpretative cognitive bias modification paradigm (CBM-I) to modify hoarding-related interpretive biases in a sample of undergraduates with high hoarding symptoms (N = 95). Participants were randomly allocated to either a positive CBM-I training condition, which was designed to reduce hoarding-related biases, or a neutral (control) CBM-I training condition. They completed self-report measures of hoarding symptoms and beliefs, and behavioural measures of discarding before and after training. Although there were no differences between conditions on post-training behavioural tasks, the positive condition reported reduced hoarding symptoms and beliefs one week after CBM-I training compared to the neutral condition. We review these findings in light of previous research and consider potential clinical implications. • Maladaptive beliefs are proposed to underpin hoarding symptoms and behaviour. • We applied a novel computerised training to target hoarding beliefs and biases. • High-hoarding participants were allocated to positive or control training conditions. • Participants in the positive condition reported reduced hoarding symptoms and beliefs. • There were no differences between conditions on behavioural discarding tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]