O impacto das experiências emocionais positivas precoces e das competências autocompassivas na sintomatologia depressiva: O papel mediador de diferentes processos de regulação emocional

Maria João Varela; Cláudia Ferreira

doi:10.31211/rpics.2019.5.1.101

Authors

Maria João Varela Centro de Investigação em Neuropsicologia e Intervenção Cognitivo-Comportamental, Coimbra, Portugal http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5514-0209
Cláudia Ferreira Centro de Investigação do Núcleo de Estudos e Intervenção Cognitivo-Comportamental, Faculdade de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação, Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7020-9606

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31211/rpics.2019.5.1.101

Keywords:

Self-compassionate abilities, Experiential avoidance, Early experiences, Social safeness, Depressive symptomatology

Abstract

Background: The scientific literature supports that early emotional memories of warmth and safeness and self-compassionate abilities play a central role in adaptive emotion regulation and mental health. Further, it is pointed out that distinct mechanisms may mediate the association between emotional experiences and depressive symptoms. Method and Aim: Participants were 389 men and women from the general population, aged between 18 and 50 years old (M = 31.84; SD= 10.97), who completed a set of self-report measures of early memories of warmth and safeness, self-compassion, social safeness, experiential avoidance, and depression symptoms. The current study examined an integrative model that hypothesized that the association between early affiliative memories and self-compassionate abilities with depressive symptomatology is mediated by social closeness and experiential avoidance. Results: Results confirmed the adequacy of the tested model, which accounted for 34% of the depressive symptoms variance. Results revealed that early emotional memories of warmth and safeness and self-compassionate abilities were associated with increased depressive symptoms, through higher feelings of safeness and closeness within the social arena and lower adoption of maladaptive experiential avoidance strategies. Conclusions: These findings contribute to the clarification of the effect of early positive emotional memories and self-compassionate abilities on mental health. Moreover, present data highlight the importance of affiliative and acceptance competences as emotion regulation mediational mechanisms to promote mental health.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Akin, A., & Akin, U. (2015). The mediating role of social safeness on the relationship between Facebook® use and life satisfaction. Psychological Reports, 117(2), 341–353. https://doi.org/10.2466/18.07.pr0.117c20z9

Arbuckle, J. L. (2014). Amos (Version 23.0) [Computer Program]. Chicago: IBM SPSS.

Batten, S. V., Follette, V. M., & Aban, I. B. (2002). Experiential avoidance and high-risk sexual behavior in survivors of child sexual abuse. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 10(2), 101–120. https://doi.org/10.1300/J070v10n02_06

Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1995). The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 497–529. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.117.3.497

Beck, A. T., & Bredemeier, K. (2016). A unified model of depression: Integrating clinical, cognitive, biological, and evolutionary perspectives. Clinical Psychological Science, 4(4), 596–619. https://doi.org/10.1177/2167702616628523

Bond, F. W., Hayes, S. C., Baer, R. A., Carpenter, K. M., Guenole, N., Orcutt, H. K., … & Zettle, R. D. (2011). Preliminary psychometric properties of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II: A revised measure of psychological flexibility and experiential avoidance. Behavior Therapy, 42(4), 676–688. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2011.03.007

Cacioppo, J. T., & Patrick, W. (2008). Loneliness: Human nature and the need for social connection. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Co.

Carvalho, S., Dinis, A., Pinto‐Gouveia, J., & Estanqueiro, C. (2015). Memories of shame experiences with others and depression symptoms: The mediating role of experiential avoidance. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 22(1), 32–44. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.1862

Chapman, A. L., Gratz, K. L., & Brown, M. Z. (2006). Solving the puzzle of deliberate self-harm: The experiential avoidance model. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44(3), 371–394. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2005.03.005

Chawla, N., & Ostafin, B. (2007). Experiential avoidance as a functional dimensional approach to psychopathology: An empirical review. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 63(9), 871–890. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.20400

Cohen, J., Cohen, P., West, S. G., & Aiken, L. S. (2003). Applied multiple regression/correlation analysis for the behavioral sciences (3rd ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.

Dalai Lama. (2001). The compassionate life. Boston: Wisdom Publications.

DeHart, T., Pelham, B. W., & Tennen, H. (2006). What lies beneath: Parenting style and implicit self-esteem. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 42(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2004.12.005

Depue, R. A., & Morrone-Strupinsky, J. V. (2005). A neurobehavioral model of affiliative bonding: Implications for conceptualizing a human trait of affiliation. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 28(3), 313–395. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0140525x05000063

Gilbert, P. (2001). Evolutionary approaches to psychopathology: The role of natural defences. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 35(1), 17–27. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1614.2001.00856.x

Gilbert, P. (2005). Compassion and cruelty: A biopsychosocial approach. In P. Gilbert (Ed.), Compassion: Conceptualization, research and use in psychotherapy (pp. 9–74). London: Routledge.

Gilbert, P. (2007). The evolution of shame as a marker for relationship security. In J. Tracy, R. Robins, & J. Tangney (Eds.), The self-conscious emotions: Theory and research (pp. 283–309). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Gilbert, P. (2009). Introducing compassion-focused therapy. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 15(3), 199–208. https://doi.org/10.1192/apt.bp.107.005264

Gilbert, P. (2010). The compassionate mind: A new approach to life's challenges. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications.

Gilbert, P. (2015). The evolution and social dynamics of compassion. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 9(6), 239–254. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12176

Gilbert, P., Baldwin, M. W., Irons, C., Baccus, J. R., & Palmer, M. (2006). Self-criticism and self-warmth: An imagery study exploring their relation to depression. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 20(2), 183–200. https://doi.org/10.1891/088983906780639817

Gilbert, P., Catarino F., Duarte C., Matos M., Kolts R., Stubbs J., … Basran, J. (2017). The development of compassionate engagement and action scales for self and others. Journal of Compassionate Health Care, 4(1), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40639-017-0033-3

Gilbert, P., Cheung, M. S-P., Grandfield, T., Campey, F., & Irons, C. (2003). Recall of threat and submissiveness in childhood: Development of a new scale and its relationship with depression, social comparison and shame. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 10(2), 108–115. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.359

Gilbert, P., McEwan, K., Matos, M., & Rivis, A. (2011). Fears of compassion: Development of three self-report measures. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 84(3), 239–255. https://doi.org/10.1348/147608310X526511

Gilbert, P., McEwan, K., Mitra, R., Richter, A., Franks, L., Mills, A., … Gale, C. (2009). An exploration of different types of positive affect in students and in patients with bipolar disorder. Clinical Neuropsychiatry: Journal of Treatment Evaluation, 6(4), 135–143. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2009-22495-001

Gratz, K. L., Bornovalova, M. A., Delany-Brumsey, A., Nick, B., & Lejuez, C. W. (2007). A laboratory-based study of the relationship between childhood abuse and experiential avoidance among inner-city substance users: The role of emotional nonacceptance. Behavior Therapy, 38(3), 256–268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2006.08.006

Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (1999). Acceptance and commitment therapy: An experiential approach to behavior change. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Hayes, S. C., Wilson, K. G., Gifford, E. V., Follette, V. M., & Strosahl, K. (1996). Experiential avoidance and behavioral disorders: A functional dimensional approach to diagnosis and treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64(6), 1152–1168. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006x.64.6.1152

Hu, L., & Bentler, P. (1999). Cut-off criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 6(1), 1–55. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705519909540118

Irons, C., Gilbert, P., Baldwin, M. W., Baccus, J. R., & Palmer, M. (2006). Parental recall, attachment relating and self-attacking/self-reassurance: Their relationship with depression. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 45(3), 297–308. https://doi.org/10.1348/014466505X68230

Kashdan, T. B., Barrios, V., Forsyth, J. P., & Steger, M. F. (2006). Experiential avoidance as a generalized psychological vulnerability: Comparisons with coping and emotion regulation strategies. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44(9), 1301–1320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2005.10.003

Kashdan, T. B., Goodman, F. R., Machell, K. A., Kleiman, E. M., Monfort, S. S., Ciarrochi, J., & Nezlek, J. B. (2014). A contextual approach to experiential avoidance and social anxiety: Evidence from an experimental interaction and daily interactions of people with social anxiety disorder. Emotion, 14(4), 769–781. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0035935

Kelly, A. C., & Dupasquier, J. (2016). Social safeness mediates the relationship between recalled parental warmth and the capacity for self-compassion and receiving compassion. Personality and Individual Differences, 89, 157–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2015.10.017

Kelly, A. C., Zuroff, D. C., Leybman, M. J., & Gilbert, P. (2012). Social safeness, received social support, and maladjustment: Testing a tripartite model of affect regulation. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 36(6), 815–826. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-011-9432-5

Kline, R. B. (2005). Principles and practice of structural equation modeling (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Leary, M. R. (2004). Bringing out the best in the self. In M. Leary (Ed.), The curse of the self: Self-awareness, egotism, and the quality of human life (pp. 185–197). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Lovibond, S. H., & Lovibond, P. F. (1995). Manual for the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (2nd ed.). Sydney: Psychology Foundation.

MacBeth, A., & Gumley, A. (2012). Exploring compassion: A meta-analysis of the association between self-compassion and psychopathology. Clinical Psychology Review, 32(6), 545–552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2012.06.003

MacKinnon, D. P. (2008). Introduction to statistical mediation analysis. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.

Marta-Simões, J., Ferreira, C., & Mendes, A. L. (2018). Self-compassion: An adaptive link between early memories and women’s quality of life. Journal of Health Psychology, 23(7), 929–938. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105316656771

Matos, M., Pinto-Gouveia, J., & Duarte, C. (2014). Psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Early Memories of Warmth and Safeness Scale. Manuscript submitted for publication.

Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2005). Attachment security, compassion, and altruism. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 14(1), 34–38. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0963-7214.2005.00330.x

Neff, K. D. (2003). Self-compassion: An alternative conceptualization of a healthy attitude toward oneself. Self and Identity, 2(2), 85–101. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860309032

Neff, K. D. (2012). The science of self-compassion. In C. Germer & R. Siegel (Eds.), Compassion and wisdom in psychotherapy (pp. 79–92). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Pais-Ribeiro, J. L., Honrado, A., & Leal, I. (2004). Contribuição para o estudo da adaptação portuguesa das escalas de ansiedade, depressão e stress (EADS) de 21 itens de Lovibond e Lovibond [Contribution to the adaptation study of the Portuguese adaptation of the Lovibond and Lovibond Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (EADS) with 21 items]. Psicologia, Saúde & Doenças, 5(2), 229–239. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.12/1058

Pinto-Gouveia, J., Gregório, S., Dinis, A., & Xavier, A. (2012). Experiential avoidance in clinical and non-clinical samples: AAQ-II Portuguese version. International Journal of Psychology & Psychological Therapy, 12(2), 139–156. https://www.ijpsy.com/volumen12/num2/323.html

Pinto-Gouveia, J., Matos, M., & Dinis, A. (2008). Portuguese version of the Social Safeness and Pleasure Scale. Unpublished manuscript, Faculdade de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação, Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal.

Richter, A., Gilbert, P., & McEwan, K. (2009). Development of an early memories of warmth and safeness scale and its relationship to psychopathology. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 82(2), 171–184. https://doi.org/10.1348/147608308x395213

Rothstein, B., & Uslaner, E. M. (2005). All for all: Equality, corruption, and social trust. World Politics, 58(1), 41–72. https://doi.org/10.1353/wp.2006.0022

Schore, A. N. (2001). Effects of a secure attachment relationship on right brain development, affect regulation, and infant mental health. Infant Mental Health Journal, 22(1-2), 7–66. https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-0355(200101/04)22:1<7::aid-imhj2>3.0.co;2-n

Spinhoven, P., Drost, J., De Rooij, M., Van Hemert, A. M., & Penninx, B. W. (2016). Is experiential avoidance a mediating, moderating, independent, overlapping, or proxy risk factor in the onset, relapse and maintenance of depressive disorders? Cognitive Therapy and Research, 40(2), 150–163. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-015-9747-8

Yadavaia, J. E., Hayes, S. C., & Vilardaga, R. (2014). Using acceptance and commitment therapy to increase self-compassion: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 3(4), 248–257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2014.09.002