Multiple Group IRT Measurement Invariance Analysis of the Forms of Self-Criticising/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale in Thirteen International Samples Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the measurement invariance of the Forms of Self-Criticising/Attacking & Self-Reassuring Scale (FSCRS) in terms of Item Response Theory differential test functioning in thirteen distinct samples (N = 7714) from twelve different countries. We assessed differential test functioning for the three FSCRS subscales, Inadequate-Self, Hated-Self and Reassured-Self separately. 32 of the 78 pairwise comparisons between samples for Inadequate-Self, 42 of the 78 pairwise comparisons for Reassured-Self and 54 of the 78 pairwise comparisons for Hated-Self demonstrated no differential test functioning, i.e. measurement invariance. Hated-Self was the most invariant of the three subscales, suggesting that self-hatred is similarly perceived across different cultures. Nonetheless, all three subscales of FSCRS are sensitive to cross-cultural differences. Considering the possible cultural and linguistic differences in the expression of self-criticism and self-reassurance, future analyses of the meanings and connotations of these constructs across the world are necessary in order to develop or tailor a scale which allows cross-cultural comparisons of various treatment outcomes related to self-criticism.

The Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy on Infertility Stress, General Health, and Negative Cognitions: A Randomized Controlled Trial Abstract This study determined the effect of a cognitive behavioral group therapy (CBGT) program administered to infertile women on infertility-related stress, depressive and anxious thoughts, and general health state. A randomized controlled design was used for this study. The study was conducted with 107 infertile women: 55 in the experimental group and 52 in the control group. The CBGT was administered to the experimental group for 11 weeks. The pretest, posttest, and trimester follow-up results of this group were compared with those of the control group. The experimental group’s Fertility Problem Inventory pretest mean score was 188.47 ± 30.699, posttest mean score was 135.84 ± 22.571, and follow-up mean score was 140.61 ± 20.16. A statistically significant difference was found between the experimental and control groups’ pretest, posttest, and follow-up mean scores on depressive and anxious cognitions (CCL), FPI and its subscales, and the General Health Questionnaire-28 and its subscales (p < 0.05). The CBGT intervention reduced the infertility-related psychosocial problems experienced by infertile women and promoted improvement in their depressive and anxious cognitions, and their mental health.

Dysfunctional Beliefs and Personality Traits Abstract This study examined the pattern of associations between dimensions of personality dysfunction, dysfunctional beliefs, and adverse emotional outcomes. We recruited two samples of undergraduates (n = 167; n = 104). Dysfunctional beliefs showed positive correlations with pathological personality dimensions Negative Emotionality, Introversion, and Psychoticism, and negative correlations with Big Five dimensions of Emotional Stability, Conscientiousness, Openness, and Conscientiousness. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that dysfunctional beliefs are predictive of adverse emotional outcomes above and beyond dimensions of personality dysfunction. Dysfunctional beliefs also mediated the relationship between personality traits (Negative Emotionality, Emotional Stability) and important emotional outcomes like depression, anxiety, anger, demoralization and cynicism. The implication of the mediation analyses is that dimensions of personality (i.e., Negative Emotionality, Emotional Stability) have their effect on a variety of affective outcomes by operating through the mechanism of dysfunctional beliefs.

Self-Reported Dysfunctional Anger in Men and Women at a Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic Abstract Gender differences in anger and aggression are disputed in the literature. This study examined self-reported gender differences in a clinical sample of individuals referred for concerns about dysfunctional anger on measures of anger and aggression. The sample consisted of adults aged 18 years or over (N = 543; 90 [17%] women and 453 [83%] men) who presented at an outpatient anger clinic for treatment of their dysfunctional anger between 2003 and 2014. We found that women in the psychiatric outpatient sample significantly outscored men on many of the anger variables and reported similar levels of aggression, which contradicts previous reports in nonclinical populations. These results are of clinical importance because women’s dysfunctional anger may be under-reported. Dysfunctional anger screening and treatment may need to be adjusted accordingly based on gender.

Conceptual Confusion in Psychological Therapy: Towards a Taxonomy of Therapies Abstract This paper addresses confusion apparent in the discussion of psychological therapies. Such confusion relates to the differentiation, or lack of, of therapy constructs across categorical levels. Conceptual confusion is identified in terms of an apparent failure to differentiate theoretical frameworks of human functioning, specific therapy packages, and individual techniques from one another. Confusing to which level various concepts belong results in misunderstandings in psychological research, practice and education. The paper further sets out to provide a framework to help delineate these conceptual levels and to highlight the problems arising from confusing them.

Rational Emotive Digital Storytelling Therapy for Improving HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Risk Perception Among Schoolchildren: A Group Randomized Trial Abstract HIV/AIDS has remained a public health issue affecting both children and adults. Children including those in school settings are known to be at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS from numerous avenues which they may not have the knowledge. This study examined the effectiveness of rational emotive digital storytelling therapy (REDStory) on HIV/AIDS knowledge and risk perception among Nigerian schoolchildren. The design of the study was a group randomized trial design. A total of eighty schoolchildren participated in the study. For the collection of data, we utilized the HIV Knowledge Questionnaire (Carey and Schroder in AIDS Educ Prev 14:174–184, 2002) and the Perceived Risk of HIV Scale (Napper et al. in AIDS Behav 16(40):1075–1083, 2012). To analyze the collected data, we employed ANOVA with repeated-measures and t test statistics. The study post-treatment results showed that the REDStory intervention significantly improved the degree of knowledge and perception of risk of HIV/AIDS among the schoolchildren in the treatment group in comparison to those in the waitlisted control group. In addition, follow-up results showed that the schoolchildren in the treatment group maintained the significant effect which the REDStory intervention had on them with regard to improved knowledge and risk perception of HIV/AIDS. The study outcomes implies that the application of REDStory for improving knowledge and perception of risk of HIV/AIDS among Nigerian schoolchildren is beneficial and therefore warrants further clinical utility and adaptation.

Interconnections Among Perceived Stress, Social Problem Solving, and Gastrointestinal Symptom Severity Abstract Maladaptive social problem-solving (SPS) plays a significant mediating role in the negative impact of stressful life events on wellbeing. With a basis in D’Zurilla and Nezu’s (Problem-solving therapies, 2nd ed., The Guilford Press, New York, pp. 211–245, 2001) relational/problem-solving model of stress and wellbeing, we examined interrelations amongst stress, SPS, and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and tested several mediational models: maladaptive forms of SPS as mediators of the relationship between stress and GI symptoms, and stress as a mediator of maladaptive forms of SPS and GI symptoms. Undergraduates (N = 345) completed the Perceived Stress Scale, the Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised, and the Birmingham IBS Symptom Questionnaire. Pearson correlation coefficients revealed that all measures were significantly related in the expected directions. Stress was a significant mediator in the models with maladaptive SPS dimensions as independent variables, but SPS did not mediate the stress/GI symptom relationship. Results demonstrate links amongst stress, SPS, and GI symptoms, and suggest that poorer SPS leads to higher levels of stress, which, in turn, increases GI symptom severity.

How Can Stoic Philosophy Inspire Psychosocial Genetic Counseling Practice? An Introduction and Exploration Abstract Stoicism is an ancient philosophical tradition with the goal of teaching individuals how to live virtuously and attain tranquility. Stoicism was built upon the concept of fate and the limits of an individual’s power to change their fate (i.e. external circumstances). Many Stoic practices aim to remind oneself of the limits of their power and to shift one’s attention and concern to phenomena in which they have control. The goal is to cultivate a rational, healthy internal locus of control. There is minimal exploration of philosophical traditions in the genetic counseling literature, and Stoic practices may lend themselves to psychosocial genetic counseling work. Themes and applications of Stoic philosophy are explored here, and these practices may aid patients in developing an internal locus of control. The theme of reorienting one’s perception of control over their diagnosis, health, or situation may have benefit in patient psychosocial adaptation. This work serves to introduce genetic counselors to therapeutic applications of Stoic philosophy which may aid advanced counseling practice. We hope to stimulate future exploration and discussion regarding this and similar approaches in clinical genetic counseling.

Our Memories of Maxie C. Maultsby Jr. 1932–2016 Abstract In this article, the authors present the life and work of Dr. Maxie C. Maultsby, Jr, the most distinguished and influential black psychiatrist, as well as the founder of Rational Behavior Therapy (RBT), a comprehensive cognitive-behavioral therapeutic model. We document the pioneering ideas and concepts formulated by Dr. Maultsby and present RBT as a distinct form of theory-driven cognitive-behavior therapy, grounded in neurophysiology, its singular learning theory, unique concepts, and specific therapeutic techniques. His exceptional idealism of making mass mental health prevention and therapeutic interventions accessible to the underserved populations produced the unparalleled self-help features of RBT, allowing for its effectiveness and lasting results to be attainable to the average person. Dr. Maultsby was innovative in identifying clear criteria for healthy thinking that were empowering, patient-centered, and applicable to all forms of beliefs including spiritual, religious, existential, and deeply philosophical. His thorough knowledge of cognitive neuroscience and its underlying mechanisms of learning and re-learning of emotional habits gave rise to a radical reformulation of existing concepts like the traditional ABC model of emotions. This article is the first in a series about RBT and its founder.

Procrastination and Rational/Irrational Beliefs: A Moderated Mediation Model Abstract The present study focuses on the integrated effect of self-doubt, rational and irrational beliefs, and fear of failure on procrastination in a sample of Turkish undergraduate students (N = 293). The results confirm prior evidence indicating that self-doubt, fear of failure, and rational/irrational beliefs were important predictors of procrastination. The results show that (a) both self-doubt and irrational beliefs have direct and interactive effects on fear of failure, (b) fear of failure mediates the relationship between self-doubt and procrastination, (c) rational beliefs moderated the predictive effect of fear of failure on procrastination, and (d) the indirect effect of self-doubt on procrastination via fear of failure may vary depending on the level of rational and irrational beliefs. These findings suggest that future intervention attempts should focus on modifying irrational beliefs and enhancing rational beliefs to cope with procrastination.