| 1. |
- Hallin, Nathalie, 1990-
(författare)
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Perceptions of and behaviour toward religious people and atheists in Sweden and the USA
- 2024
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Religiosity has been present in societies throughout history and several theories hold that religion serves to foster trust and a sense of community within the religious ingroup. In many societies today, it is not uncommon to lack religious beliefs and religion is no longer a natural part of everyday life. The studies included in this thesis investigated how religious groups perceive each other or how generous they are to each other, both in the more secular Sweden and in the more religious USA. Paper 1 examined Swedes’ perceptions of atheists and religious people. Specifically, how often they associated atheists or religious people with extreme immoral behaviour by making a conjunction error. Previous studies using the same methodological paradigm have found that more people associate atheists, rather than religious people, with immoral behaviour. We found no significant association between target (atheist or religious person) and conjunction errors, indicating that Swedes do not associate immoral behaviour with atheists to a greater degree than they associate immoral behaviour with religious people. We compared the results to those presented in a previous study and found that the Swedish participants in our study made significantly fewer conjunction errors when the target was an atheist than a sample from the USA. They also made significantly more conjunction errors when the target was a religious person than a Finnish sample and the American sample. The results suggests that anti-atheist bias is lower in Sweden compared to the USA, but anti-religious bias is higher than in both Finland and the USA. However, it is also possible that the type of sample used affected the results – we recruited participants from social media while the other two samples were solely or mainly student samples. The study shows that the clear anti-atheist bias found in similar studies is not universal. Paper 2 investigated Christians’ and atheists’ perceptions of Christian, Muslim, and atheist job applicants in four studies, two with Swedish samples (studies 1 and 3) and two with samples from the USA (studies 2 and 4). Participants rated the perceived competence and likeability of a target applicant (Christian, Muslim, or atheist) and a control applicant (with no information about religious affiliation). In the last two studies, participants also specified if they would have hired the target or control applicant. Participants generally rated the control applicant as being more competent (USA) and more likeable (Sweden and USA) than the target applicant. Both Christian and atheist participants rated targets with the same religious affiliation higher in likeability than targets from one or both religious outgroups in two of the studies. The only significant difference in competence ratings between the targets were in study 3, where Christians rated Muslims as less competent than Christians. However, Christians’ likeability ratings in study 3 did not differ between targets. More atheists in study 3 hired the control applicant than the Christian applicant, but no other group differed in which applicant they hired. In conclusion, when people perceived one religious group to be more likeable, it was their ingroup. However, these results do not translate to perceptions of competence and seldom to hiring decisions. Paper 3 investigated generosity toward religious ingroup and outgroup members in three studies conducted in Sweden (study 1), the USA (study 2), and Egypt and Lebanon (study 3), using an adapted Dictator Game. Participants allocated a sum of money between themselves and three potential recipients. In the most relevant round, these were a Christian, a Muslim, and an atheist. We found that in studies 1 and 2, there was no significant difference in overall generosity between religious people, agnostics, and atheists in the rounds where they did not know the religious affiliation of the recipients. In the round where they knew the affiliation of recipients, religious people gave significantly more than atheists (studies 1 and 2) and agnostics (study 2). Study 3 had too few agnostics and atheists to compare their generosity to that of religious people. Christians, Muslims, and atheists in all three studies gave significantly more money to their respective religious ingroups than to the outgroup that was given the largest amount. This ingroup generosity was found in the other rounds as well. However, the ingroup minus outgroup amount was larger in the religion round compared to most other rounds. The exceptions were the ideology round in study 1 and 2, which did not differ significantly from the religion round. In study 2, the difference between ingroup and outgroup generosity was larger for Muslim participants than for Christians and atheists. In conclusion, religious people seem to be more generous only when they know the religious affiliation of recipients, but atheists, Muslims, and Christians are all more generous toward religious ingroup members than toward outgroup members. The papers together show that religious affiliation is an important group category that affects perceived likeability and generosity in several contexts.
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| 2. |
- Andersson, Gerhard, Professor, 1988-, et al.
(författare)
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Individually tailored Internet-delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy for survivors of intimate partner violence : A randomized controlled pilot trial
- 2021
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Ingår i: Internet Interventions. - : Elsevier BV. - 2214-7829. ; 26
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health concern worldwide and defined as behavior performed by spouses or other intimate partners that causes physical, sexual, or psychological harm. Internet-delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy (ICBT) may be particularly useful for survivors of IPV for several reasons, including barriers pertaining to limited community recourses and treatment availability, safety concerns, and issues of stigma, guilt and shame, which may prevent members of this population from seeking help via face-to-face interactions. However, Internet interventions are lacking. The primary aim of the present randomized controlled pilot trial was to explore the feasibility of ICBT as guided self-help individually tailored to the predominant symptomatology of PTSD or depression in survivors of IPV. A second aim was to conduct a preliminary evaluation exploring the short- and long-term effects of the treatment in comparison to a waitlist control condition. Results showed that the treatment was feasible. Attrition rate was low (9.4%), and participants were satisfied with treatment. However, treatment adherence was moderate in terms of completed modules (62.5%). Results of the preliminary evaluation of treatment effects showed large and statistically significant between-group effect sizes (Cohen's d = 0.86–1.08) on some measures of PTSD and depression at post assessment, favoring the treatment condition. However, there were no effects on other measures. At follow-up assessment, when the control condition had received delayed treatment, there were large and statistically significant within-group effect sizes (d = 0.96–1.48) on measures of PTSD, depression and anxiety, and small effects (d = 0.48) on a measure of quality of life. The results of the present pilot study are promising and warrant further research on ICBT for this population.
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| 3. |
- Bendelin, Nina, 1980-
(författare)
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Internet-Delivered Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Chronic Pain : Feasibility, patients’ experiences and implementation process
- 2023
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Chronic pain represents a major burden for individuals and society. Internet-delivered psychological interventions are evidence-based treatments that enable patients to access qualified care at a time and place convenient for them. Internet-delivered Acceptance and commitment therapy (IACT) has shown promising treatment effects for chronic pain patients on pain-related outcomes such as disability, pain intensity, and interference, and on psychological outcomes such as catastrophizing, fear-avoidance and acceptance. Interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programs (IPRP) are multimodal interventions given by synchronized teams of health care professionals from different disciplines. With moderate treatment effects on many outcomes, IPRP is the best evidence treatment for chronic pain to date. IACT may add to IPRP’s effectiveness by providing individual psychological treatment via the internet. However, IACT has not yet been implemented in routine care in a larger scale. In this thesis, the aim was to study if IACT may be acceptable for chronic pain patients and if it is feasible and effective as an addition to IPRP. Three methodological approaches were used: qualitative analysis, implementation science and a controlled trial of effectiveness in a clinical context. Study I showed that an internet-delivered aftercare intervention enabled chronic pain patients to change their perception of their body and pain and their attitude about their future and self. Furthermore, self-motivating goals and acceptance strategies appeared to influence autonomy. The results gave promise to the feasibility of IACT as aftercare following IPRP. Study II showed that chronic pain patients’ experiences of IACT vary, with respect to being in treatment and the consequences of treatment. Specifically, e-therapist feedback and deadlines for homework may have an impact on autonomy and change. Patients’ expectations, motivations, and restraints could explain treatment engagement and experiences. In Study III, IACT added during IPRP enhanced the treatment effects on pain acceptance and affective distress. Furthermore, IACT added as aftercare strengthened the long-term effect of IPRP on psychological flexibility and self-efficacy. However, unsatisfactory completion rates complicated the interpretation of the findings. Study IV showed that implementing IACT in an IPRP setting may be facilitated by contextual alinement and modifications based on patients’ needs. Thorough testing of the application and matching the intervention’s aim with the host’s needs are important not to challenge the process. An implementation framework may ease planning and evaluation of implementation processes. In conclusion, IACT could be feasible as an addition to IPRP. IACT can help chronic pain patients self-manage their pain and improve pain acceptance and self-efficacy. However, chronic pain patients’ varying experiences may need to be considered to improve treatment engagement and help patients benefit from treatment. In addition, implementation of IACT in IPRP settings is likely to depend on both flexibility to changing host needs and continuity of known pivotal components in IACT.
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| 4. |
- Bergvall, Hillevi, et al.
(författare)
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Development of competence in cognitive behavioural therapy and the role of metacognition among clinical psychology and psychotherapy students
- 2023
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Ingår i: Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy. - : CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS. - 1352-4658 .- 1469-1833. ; 51:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background:There is a paucity of research on therapist competence development following extensive training in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). In addition, metacognitive ability (the knowledge and regulation of ones cognitive processes) has been associated with learning in various domains but its role in learning CBT is unknown. Aims:To investigate to what extent psychology and psychotherapy students acquired competence in CBT following extensive training, and the role of metacognition. Method:CBT competence and metacognitive activity were assessed in 73 psychology and psychotherapy students before and after 1.5 years of CBT training, using role-plays with a standardised patient. Results:Using linear mixed modelling, we found large improvements of CBT competence from pre- to post-assessment. At post-assessment, 72% performed above the competence threshold (36 points on the Cognitive Therapy Scale-Revised). Higher competence was correlated with lower accuracy in self-assessment, a measure of metacognitive ability. The more competent therapists tended to under-estimate their performance, while less competent therapists made more accurate self-assessments. Metacognitive activity did not predict CBT competence development. Participant characteristics (e.g. age, clinical experience) did not moderate competence development. Conclusions:Competence improved over time and most students performed over the threshold post-assessment. The more competent therapists tended to under-rate their competence. In contrast to what has been found in other learning domains, metacognitive ability was not associated with competence development in our study. Hence, metacognition and competence may be unrelated in CBT or perhaps other methods are required to measure metacognition.
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| 5. |
- Johansson, Peter, 1962-, et al.
(författare)
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The impact of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy and depressive symptoms on self-care behavior in patients with heart failure : A secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial
- 2021
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Ingår i: International Journal of Nursing Studies. - : Elsevier. - 0020-7489 .- 1873-491X. ; 116
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic heart failure may require treatment of depressive symptoms to improve self-care behaviour.OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on self-care behaviour in heart failure patients, and to study the association between changes in depressive symptoms and changes in self-care behaviour.DESIGN: A secondary analysis of data collected in a pilot randomized controlled study.SETTING: 50 heart failure patients with depressive symptoms were recruited from four hospitals in Sweden.METHODS: Patients were randomized to nine weeks of internet-based CBT (n = 25) or to an active control group participating in an online discussion forum (n = 25). In week two and three, those in the internet-based CBT group worked with psychoeducation about heart failure and depression, emphasizing heart failure self-care. During the same weeks those in the on-line discussion forum specifically discussed heart failure self-care. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used to measure depressive symptoms at baseline and at the nine-week follow-up. The European Heart Failure Self-care Behaviour Scale-9 was used to measure self-care behaviour (i.e., the summary score and the subscales autonomous based, provider based and consulting behaviour) at baseline, and at the three-week and nine-week follow-ups.RESULTS: No significant differences were found in self-care between the patients in the internet-based CBT and the patients in the online discussion group at the three- and nine-week follow-up. Within-group analysis of the changes in the European Heart Failure Self-care Behaviour Scale showed that from baseline to week three, the summary score increased significantly for the online discussion group (p = 0.04), but not for the internet-based CBT group (p = 0.15). At the nine-week follow-up, these scores had decreased. Similarly, consulting behaviour improved at week three for the online discussion group (p = 0.04), but not for the internet-based CBT group (p = 0.22). Provider-based adherence at the nine-week follow-up had increased from baseline in the internet-based CBT group (p = 0.05) whereas it had decreased in the on-line discussion group. Improvement in symptoms of depression was significantly associated with improvement in autonomy-based self-care (r = 0.34, p = 0.03).CONCLUSION: Improvement in depressive symptoms was associated with improved autonomous-based self-care. ICBT for depression in HF may benefit aspects of self-care that are vital to improve symptoms and prognosis.
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| 8. |
- Asbrand, Julia, et al.
(författare)
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Clinical Psychology and the COVID-19 Pandemic : A Mixed Methods Survey Among Members of the European Association of Clinical Psychology and Psychological Treatment (EACLIPT).
- 2023
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Ingår i: Clinical Psychology in Europe. - : PsychOpen. - 2625-3410. ; 5:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected people globally both physically and psychologically. The increased demands for mental health interventions provided by clinical psychologists, psychotherapists and mental health care professionals, as well as the rapid change in work setting (e.g., from face-to-face to video therapy) has proven challenging. The current study investigates European clinical psychologists and psychotherapists' views on the changes and impact on mental health care that occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It further aims to explore individual and organizational processes that assist clinical psychologists' and psychotherapists' in their new working conditions, and understand their needs and priorities.METHOD: Members of the European Association of Clinical Psychology and Psychological Treatment (EACLIPT) were invited (N = 698) to participate in a survey with closed and open questions covering their experiences during the first wave of the pandemic from June to September 2020. Participants (n = 92) from 19 European countries, mostly employed in universities or hospitals, completed the online survey.RESULTS: Results of qualitative and quantitative analyses showed that clinical psychologists and psychotherapists throughout the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic managed to continue to provide treatments for patients who were experiencing emotional distress. The challenges (e.g., maintaining a working relationship through video treatment) and opportunities (e.g., more flexible working hours) of working through this time were identified.CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations for mental health policies and professional organizations are identified, such as clear guidelines regarding data security and workshops on conducting video therapy.
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| 9. |
- Bendelin, Nina, et al.
(författare)
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Internet-Delivered Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Added to Multimodal Pain Rehabilitation : A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Medicine. - : MDPI. - 2077-0383. ; 10:24
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Internet-delivered interventions hold the possibility to make pain rehabilitation more accessible and adaptable by providing qualified individualized psychological care to chronic pain patients in their homes. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has shown promising results on psychological functioning and pain acceptance. Internet-delivered ACT (IACT) added to multimodal pain rehabilitation program (MMRP) in primary care has, so far, not shown better results than MMRP alone. The aim of this cluster randomized controlled study was to investigate the effects of adding IACT during and after MMRP in specialist care on psychological outcomes. In total, 122 patients who enrolled in a specialist pain clinic were cluster randomized groupwise to either MMRP (n = 12 groups) or to MMRP with added IACT (n = 12 groups). The IACT addition included 6 weeks of treatment during MMRP and 11 weeks of aftercare following MMRP. Online and paper-and-pencil self-report measures of pain acceptance, psychological inflexibility, self-efficacy, and psychosocial consequences of pain, were collected at four occasions: prior to and post MMRP, post aftercare intervention and at 1 year follow-up. Dropout was extensive with 25% dropping out at post treatment, an additional 35% at post aftercare, and 29% at 1 year follow-up. Medium treatment between-group effects were found on pain acceptance in favor of the group who received IACT added to MMRP, at post treatment and at post aftercare. Large effects were seen on psychological inflexibility and self-efficacy at post aftercare. A medium effect size was seen on affective distress at post aftercare. Moreover, a medium effect on self-efficacy was found at 1 year follow-up. The results indicate that IACT added during MMRP may enhance the treatment effects on pain-related psychological outcomes. Results also suggest that IACT as aftercare may strengthen the long-term effect of MMRP. However, adding a second pain treatment, IACT, to an already extensive pain treatment, MMRP, could be perceived as too comprehensive and might hence influence completion negatively. Further research on adverse events and negative effects could be helpful to improve adherence. Next step of implementation trials could focus on adding IACT before MMRP to improve psychological functioning and after MMRP to prolong its effect.
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| 10. |
- Berg, Matilda, 1989-, et al.
(författare)
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Internet-based CBT for adolescents with low self-esteem : a pilot randomized controlled trial
- 2022
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Ingår i: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. - : Routledge. - 1650-6073 .- 1651-2316. ; 51:5, s. 388-407
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Low self-esteem is a common problem among adolescents and is related to psychiatric problems such as depression and anxiety. However, effective and available interventions primarily targeting low self-esteem are scarce, in particular for youths. To address this gap, the aim of this pilot study was to evaluate a novel internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) program for low self-esteem in adolescents using a randomized controlled design. Fifty-two participants (15-19 years) were recruited and randomly allocated to seven weeks of therapist-supported ICBT (n=26) or to a waitlist control condition (n=26). The primary outcome was the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Secondary outcomes measured domain-specific aspects of self-esteem, self-compassion, quality of life, depression and anxiety. The treatment group showed significantly higher levels of self-rated self-esteem compared to the control group at post-treatment, with a large between-group effect-size (RSES, d = 1.18). Further, the treatment had significant positive impact on secondary measures of self-esteem, self-compassion, quality of life, depression and anxiety. The results of this pilot-RCT suggest that ICBT can be effective for treating low self-esteem in adolescents, decrease depression and anxiety levels, and increasing quality of life. Replication of the results in larger samples is needed.
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