Biomedical subjects

Yves Rosseel

Publications and source records attributed to Yves Rosseel.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

The role of gender differences and other client characteristics in the prevalence of DSM-IV affective disorders among a European therapeutic community population.

There is a lack of research illustrating the extent of psychiatric problems in European TCs. Furthermore, there is a need to obtain more insight into gender differences concerning comorbidity in the TC population. In an attempt to respond to previous shortcomings, three specific goals were formulated for the current study. The primary aim was to explore the lifetime prevalence of affective disorders in European TC clients. The second aim was to focus on related gender differences. And finally, client characteristics measured by the EuropASI were related to mood and anxiety disorders measured by the SCID-I. Nine out of ten substance abusers treated in a European TC program have an affective disorder. Gender differences are noted for two anxiety disorders: men have more obsessive-compulsive disorders; women have more post-traumatic stress disorders. The study illustrates that not only gender but also other client characteristics should be taken into account when organizing treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Relationship patterns in alexithymia: a study using the core conflictual relationship theme method.

BACKGROUND: Alexithymia is a disturbance in regulating affective states. Clinical observations suggest that alexithymic patients relate to others in a specific way. This paper explores whether specific relationship or transference patterns are typical of alexithymia. SAMPLING AND METHODS: Relationship patterns were assessed by means of the Core Conflictual Relationship Theme method, standard categories version. This method examines transference patterns and was applied to clinical interview data collected from a sample (n = 31) of mental health outpatients. Alexithymia was assessed by means of a score on the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale corrected for the degree of depression (measured by the Beck Depression Inventory-II). Data were analysed by means of the leaps and bounds regression algorithm for selecting optimal subsets of indicators and by bootstrapping to determine 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: First, we observed that alexithymia can be meaningfully explained by typical wishes, typical subjective perceptions of how others respond and one's own typical responses to others. This result indicates that the more marked a patient's alexithymic traits are, the more probable it is that specific transference themes come to the fore. Second, a set of three core indicators of trait alexithymia was mapped: little concern about being good to others, a strong perception of others as cooperative, and weak levels of reacting to others and to conflict by means of somatic symptoms. CONCLUSION: Alexithymia is related to a double interpersonal indifference: not much is expected from others, nor is there a personal urge to fulfill the expectations of others. Moreover, in alexithymia somatic symptoms proved to be non-reactive to interpersonal situations. Implications for diagnosis and treatment are highlighted. Limitations of our study are that alexithymia was only assessed with a self-report measure and that conclusions are based only upon data from a heterogeneous mental health sample.

Adjustment Disorders↗

PubMed2006

Core transference themes in depression.

BACKGROUND: Psychodynamic and psychoanalytic theories assume that depression is concomitant with typical transference patterns. We tested whether depression can indeed be understood in these terms, and determined a parsimonious set of transference themes that are most typical of depression. METHOD: Transference patterns were assessed with the Core Conflictual Relationship Theme (CCRT) method, which examines transference patterns (wishes, responses of the other, and responses of the self), and which was applied to clinical interview data from mental health outpatients. Depression was assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Data were analyzed by means of the leaps and bounds regression algorithm and bootstrapping. RESULTS: Depression can significantly be explained by typical wishes, typical subjective perceptions of how the other responds, and typical responses of the self to the other. We mapped a set of four transference themes that are most representative of depression: (1) a strong wish to feel happy guides interactions, (2) the perception that others dislike one is typical, (3) one's own reactions of disliking others are apparent, and (4) one experiences feelings of helplessness. LIMITATIONS: No control group was used. The limited amount of research in the field and the various methodological approaches in different studies make it difficult to compare our findings. CONCLUSION: Linking depression to transference patterns is valid. The set of transference themes that were selected cohere in a meaningful way. These themes can be expected when clinically treating depressed patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Motivation and readiness for therapeutic community treatment: psychometric evaluation of the Dutch translation of the Circumstances, Motivation, Readiness, and Suitability scales.

There is empirical evidence that treatment motivation and readiness are closely linked to retention. Several instruments have been developed to measure these concepts; such instruments can reliably assess the stages of motivation and readiness, and predict treatment retention and outcome. However, limited efforts have been undertaken in Europe to translate those instruments and to determine their reliability and validity. In this study, the psychometric properties of a Dutch translation of the Circumstances, Motivation, Readiness, and Suitability (CMRS) scales by De Leon and Jainchill and the shortened CMR Intake Version are illustrated in a Flemish sample of therapeutic community residents (n = 207). Exploratory factor analyses confirm three CMR subscales, although confirmatory factor analysis reveals only a moderate fit for both the CMRS and the CMR. In contrast, the predictive power of the instrument is strong, specifically for 1-year retention. Significant correlations were found between CMRS measures and age, drug severity, legal referral, and social problems. It is concluded that the Dutch translation of the CMRS and the CMR can be employed as a valid indicator of treatment motivation and readiness, although additional research concerning factorial structures is needed.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

The factorial structure of the Dutch translation of the inventory of interpersonal problems: a test of the long and short versions.

In this article, the authors study the factorial structure of 2 versions (64 items and 32 items) of the Dutch translation of the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP; L. M. Horowitz, L. E. Alden, J. S. Wiggins, & A. L. Pincus, 2000) in both a clinical sample (n = 382) and a student sample (n = 287). First, the authors test whether both inventories are constituted by correlated uni-dimensional subscales, and they conclude that this is true only for the short version. Second, the authors study whether the correlations between the subscales follow a circumplex pattern. This proves to be true for both versions. Coefficients alpha and correlations between the IIP-64 and IIP-32 subscales are discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Confirming the three-factor structure of the quality of relationships inventory within couples.

The current study further validates the Quality of Relationships Inventory (QRI; G. R. Pierce, I. G. Sarason, & B. R. Sarason, 1991) by evaluating its factor structure in a sample of 572 partners from 286 couples. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to compare 3 different models of the QRI and to investigate the invariance of the factor structure of the QRI across gender and across relationship satisfaction. Analyses revealed that a 3-factor solution--consisting of 3 different but interrelated factors (a 7-item support factor, a 12-item conflict factor, and a 6-item depth factor)--best accounted for the data. The authors' findings suggest that full metric invariance holds across gender and across relationship satisfaction in the female subsample, whereas only partial metric invariance could be established for relationship satisfaction in the male subsample.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

The impact of a social network intervention on retention in Belgian therapeutic communities: a quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Although numerous studies recognize the importance of social network support in engaging substance abusers into treatment, there is only limited knowledge of the impact of network involvement and support during treatment. The primary objective of this research was to enhance retention in Therapeutic Community treatment utilizing a social network intervention. AIMS: The specific goals of this study were (1) to determine whether different pre-treatment factors predicted treatment retention in a Therapeutic Community; and (2) to determine whether participation of significant others in a social network intervention predicted treatment retention. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive admissions to four long-term residential Therapeutic Communities were assessed at intake (n = 207); the study comprised a mainly male (84.9%) sample of polydrug (41.1%) and opiate (20.8%) abusers, of whom 64.4% had ever injected drugs. Assessment involved the European version of the Addiction Severity Index (EuropASI), the Circumstances, Motivation, Readiness scales (CMR), the Dutch version of the family environment scale (GKS/FES) and an in-depth interview on social network structure and perceived social support. Network members of different cohorts were assigned to a social network intervention, which consisted of three elements (a video, participation at an induction day and participation in a discussion session). FINDINGS: Hierarchical regression analyses showed that client-perceived social support (F1,198 = 10.9, P = 0.001) and treatment motivation and readiness (F1,198 = 8.8; P = 0.003) explained a significant proportion of the variance in treatment retention (model fit: F7,197 = 4.4; P = 0.000). By including the variable 'significant others' participation in network intervention' (network involvement) in the model, the fit clearly improved (F1,197 = 6.2; P = 0.013). At the same time, the impact of perceived social support decreased (F1,197 = 2.9; P = 0.091). CONCLUSIONS: Participation in the social network intervention was associated with improved treatment retention controlling for other client characteristics. This suggests that the intervention may be of benefit in the treatment of addicted individuals.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Problem severity profiles of clients in European therapeutic communities: gender differences in various areas of functioning.

The BIOMED II 'Improving Psychiatric Treatment in Residential Programmes for Emerging Dependency Groups' project provided a relatively large sample (n = 863) of men (77%) and women (23%) in therapeutic community treatment in nine European countries. This paper's aim is to search for gender differences in profiles of therapeutic community clients on the basis of the different areas of functioning of the EuropASI. A binary logistic regression model was used to avoid the confounding effects of country and age. Our findings confirm what is found in the American literature: compared to men, women have a much worse profile in various areas of functioning when entering treatment. In response, they may require a gender-adapted set of therapeutic interventions at the moment they enter treatment.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2006

Can the Children's Communication Checklist differentiate autism spectrum subtypes?

The study explored whether children with high functioning autism (HFA), Asperger syndrome (AS), and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) can be differentiated on the Children's Communication Checklist (CCC). The study also investigated whether empirically derived autistic subgroups can be identified with a cluster analytic method based on the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised. Fifty-seven children with HFA, 47 with AS, 31 with PDD-NOS, and a normal control group of 47 children between 6 and 13 years participated. Children with HFA, AS, and PDD-NOS showed pragmatic communication deficits in comparison to the controls. Little difference was found between the three subtypes with respect to their CCC profile. A three-cluster solution explained the data best. The HFA cluster showed most autism characteristics, followed by the combined HFA + AS cluster, and then the PDD-NOS cluster. The findings support the autism spectrum concept based on severity of symptom impairment rather than distinct categories.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

[Which core conflictual relationship themes are consistent with depressive symptoms? An exploratory study].

OBJECTIVES: We study the pattern of interpersonal alliances typical of depressive symptoms by means of the Core Conflictual Relationship Theme (CCRT) method. In an exploratory manner we examine which CCRT-coded wishes, perceived responses from the other and associated responses of the self predict the magnitude of a score on the Beck Depression Inventory-II. METHODS: Interview data from 31 mental health patients were coded (CCRT expanded standard categories system). Relations between the CCRT categories and the dependent variable were examined by combining 1000-fold forward stepwise regression analyses, and multiple regression analyses in which confidence intervals were estimated with the bootstrap technique. RESULTS: Three CCRT categories that jointly explain more than half of the variance were selected: diminished levels of the wish to be understood, and elevated levels of disliking others and of feeling helpless. CONCLUSIONS: The results and implications for psychotherapy are discussed within a psychoanalytic context. Suggestions for further research are indicated.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Problem severity profiles of substance abusing women in European Therapeutic Communities: influence of psychiatric problems.

This article aims to search for a specific female, psychiatric profile based on a large European sample of substance dependent clients (828) entering therapeutic communities. First, all six areas of functioning of the EuropASI were included, using the composite scores to search for gender differences. Next, the 'psychiatric' status section was selected for further study. A binary logistic regression was performed with gender as the dependent variable, and nine individual psychiatric items, country, and age as predictors. According to this model a number of problem variables could be identified as being reported more often by women than by men in therapeutic community treatment. Women are more likely to report serious depression, problems in understanding, concentrating or remembering, being prescribed medication, and serious thoughts about suicide; they have also attempted suicide more often than men. Women find treatment for these psychological problems more important than their male counterparts. They also have a more severe history of abuse. Women in therapeutic communities may need specific treatment interventions for their more severe psychiatric needs.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Inpatient treatment for children with obesity: weight loss, psychological well-being, and eating behavior.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluated the effects of a 10-month inpatient treatment program and implemented as a nondiet healthy lifestyle approach. In addition, the effects of two extended treatment programs were compared to a standard cognitive-behavioral treatment program for maintenance of the treatment gains. METHODS: A within-subjects design was employed to evaluate treatment outcome, including a 14-month follow-up. Children (N = 122) ranged in age from 7 to 17 years (M = 12.7 years) with a mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of 32.5, expressed as a percentage of overweight (M = 77.4%). RESULTS: The children lost 49.0% of their weight during the course of treatment. Comparing baseline with the 14-month follow-up, a weight loss of 31.7% was maintained. The children continued to show healthy eating behavior at follow-up, and their psychological well-being had improved. No significant interaction effects were found for the extended coping programs. CONCLUSION: An inpatient cognitive-behavioral nondiet approach is a promising treatment option for childhood obesity, with lasting effects throughout the 14-month posttreatment.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Fruits and vegetables categorized: an application of the generalized context model.

In the study reported in this paper, we investigated the categorization of well-known and novel food items in the categories fruits and vegetables. Predictions based on Nosofsky's (1984,1986) generalized context model (GCM), on a multiplicative-similarity prototype model, and on an instantiation model as applied in Storms, De Boeck, and Ruts (2001) were compared. Despite suggestions in the literature that prototype models predict categorization from large categories better than exemplar models do, our results showed that the exemplar-based GCM yielded clearly better predictions than did a (multiplicative-similarity) prototype model.

Adult↗