Margareth da Silva Oliveira

Digital tools have become increasingly integrated into contemporary psychological practice, responding to the growing demand for accessible, scalable, and experiential mental health interventions. Within this evolving landscape, Schema Therapy represents a promising field for technological enhancement due to its emphasis on experiential techniques, mode work, and the restructuring of deeply rooted cognitive-emotional patterns. Objectives: This study aimed to map and characterize how Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence technologies are currently being used or proposed to support innovation in the application of Schema Therapy. Methods: A scoping review was conducted with searches performed across five major databases. Search strategies were adapted to each database, and records were screened according to inclusion/exclusion criteria. Results: Four records met eligibility criteria, revealing an emerging yet limited body of work dedicated to theoretical and experimental innovation in this area. Virtual Reality and metaverse-based interventions were proposed to create immersive, ecologically valid environments that facilitate emotional reprocessing, mode restructuring, and reductions in self-criticism, key mechanisms within ST. AI tools have demonstrated potential for large-scale identification of Early Maladaptive Schemas, enabling new forms of assessment and case conceptualization within online mental health contexts. Conclusions: No current evidence is sufficient to establish the efficacy of combining digital technologies such as Virtual Reality or Artificial Intelligence with Schema Therapy. The available literature remains limited and includes different stages of research development, from conceptual proposals and protocols to empirical studies. The identified applications primarily use these technologies as tools to support established Schema Therapy procedures rather than to modify its theoretical concepts or techniques. Although the findings indicate possible directions for technologically supported interventions, the current evidence is insufficient to establish their clinical effectiveness. Further empirical research is needed to evaluate their effects, feasibility, and clinical use within Schema Therapy.

O estudo da personalidade é necessário na tentativa de analisar diferenças de traços psicológicos e características entre os sexos. A Terapia do Esquema (TE) é uma teoria desenvolvida para transtornos psicológicos crônicos, considerados até então difíceis de se tratar. Um dos principais conceitos é o de Esquemas Iniciais Desadaptativos (EIDs), que são 18 padrões disfuncionais de pensamentos, sentimentos e comportamentos. Para a avaliação dos EIDs foi produzido o Questionário de Esquemas de Young – Versão Longa (YSQ-L3), um instrumento de autorrelato com 232 itens, em uma escala Likert de 1 a 6 pontos. O objetivo do estudo é comparar os EIDs de homens e mulheres de acordo com o YSQ-L3 provenientes da população geral. Participaram da pesquisa 810 indivíduos, sendo 302 do sexo masculino e 508 do feminino com média de 30,66 anos (DP = 10,65). Para tanto, foram aplicados a ficha de dados sociodemográficos e o YSQ-S3. Os resultados demonstraram que há diferença significativa entre os grupos do sexo masculino e do sexo feminino nos EIDs de Privação Emocional, Emaranhamento e Autossacrifício. Conclui-se que os resultados são positivos, estão de acordo com a literatura e podem contribuir para a avaliação e intervenção de determinados EIDS para o tratamento de indivíduos da população geral.

O estudo da personalidade é necessário na tentativa de analisar diferenças de traços psicológicos e características entre os sexos. A Terapia do Esquema (TE) é uma teoria desenvolvida para transtornos psicológicos crônicos, considerados até então difíceis de se tratar. Um dos principais conceitos é o de Esquemas Iniciais Desadaptativos (EIDs), que são 18 padrões disfuncionais de pensamentos, sentimentos e comportamentos. Para a avaliação dos EIDs foi produzido o Questionário de Esquemas de Young – Versão Longa (YSQ-L3), um instrumento de autorrelato com 232 itens, em uma escala Likert de 1 a 6 pontos. O objetivo do estudo é comparar os EIDs de homens e mulheres de acordo com o YSQ-L3 provenientes da população geral. Participaram da pesquisa 810 indivíduos, sendo 302 do sexo masculino e 508 do feminino com média de 30,66 anos (DP = 10,65). Para tanto, foram aplicados a ficha de dados sociodemográficos e o YSQ-S3. Os resultados demonstraram que há diferença significativa entre os grupos do sexo masculino e do sexo feminino nos EIDs de Privação Emocional, Emaranhamento e Autossacrifício. Conclui-se que os resultados são positivos, estão de acordo com a literatura e podem contribuir para a avaliação e intervenção de determinados EIDS para o tratamento de indivíduos da população geral.

A terapia do esquema (TE) vem obtendo evidências para além dos transtornos de personalidade, mas as pesquisas para condições como a depressão ainda estão em estágios iniciais. Esta revisão tem como objetivo indicar na literatura os principais resultados de pesquisas primárias para o tratamento da depressão sob enfoque da TE. Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática nas bases de dados PubMed, ScienceDirect e APA PsycInfo, abrangendo artigos até 7 de outubro de 2023. Sete estudos foram selecionados para análise, demonstrando a eficácia da TE no tratamento da depressão. A TE apresentou resultados comparáveis à Terapia Cognitivo-Comportamental e à Terapia de Aceitação e Compromisso. Esses resultados ressaltam a importância de desenvolver protocolos específicos para a depressão crônica por meio da TE, em busca de tratamentos eficazes e estáveis ao longo do tempo para um grupo amplo de pacientes.

Negative experiences and unmet needs during childhood are related to the development of several disorders, including substance use disorder (SUD). The objective was to identify the relationship between parenting styles, initial maladaptive schemas (EIDs), and schematic modes (MEs) of individuals with SUD. 202 individuals (11 women and 191 men) participated in the research, diagnosed with SUD, aged between 18 and 65 years old, and undergoing treatment in Therapeutic Communities. The following instruments were used: a sociodemographic data sheet, an inventory of schematic modes, Young's schema questionnaire (version YSQ-S3), and Young's inventory of parenting styles, with the data being treated by Multiple Linear Regression. The schematic domains disconnection and rejection, impaired autonomy and performance, impaired limits, orientation towards the other, overvigilance and inhibition, active in the studied sample, are associated with the ME's dysfunctional parents, child modes and maladaptive coping, and the parenting styles overvigilance and inhibition, impaired autonomy and performance, impaired limits and orientation towards others. It is concluded that traumatic experiences and unmet childhood needs can trigger problems in adult life, including SUD. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the relationship between parenting styles, EIDs, and MEs of individuals with SUD for a practical therapeutic approach.

Schema Therapy is an integrative therapeutic approach used successfully in various clinical populations, including those affected by various mental disorders, such as Substance Use Disorder, with positive results documented in a variety of studies. In this context, two concepts are fundamental: Initial Maladaptive Schemas and Schematic Modes. Thus, the objective of this study was to identify the Initial Maladaptive Schemas and Schematic Modes of users undergoing treatment for Substance Use Disorder. The study involved 202 individuals, aged between 18 and 65, hospitalized for treatment for the use of psychoactive substances. The instruments used included a sociodemographic data sheet, the Alcohol Smoking And Substance Involvement Screening Test, the Young Schema Questionnaire in reduced form, and the Schematic Modes Inventory. The results showed that 38.1% of individuals were over 40 years old, mostly men (94.6%), single (85.6%), from Class D-E (53%) with elementary education (52%) . The most significant schema means were: Inflexible Standards (4.37±0.90), Emotional Inhibition (4.24±0.88), Social Isolation/Alienation (4.14±0.92), Distrust/Abuse ( 4.16±0.94), Abandonment/Instability (4.00±1.11), and Emotional Deprivation (4.04±1.01). As for Schematic Modes, there was a greater predominance of Disconnected Protective (4.70±0.77), Hypercompensatory (4.46±0.98), Impulsive Child (4.14±0.71), Critical and Punitive Parents ( 4.06±0.76), and Vulnerable Child (4.02±0.83). Given these results, it is possible to conclude that identifying Initial Maladaptive Schemas and Schematic Modes is fundamental to understanding the dynamics of these constructs and ensuring more effective future interventions for the treatment of individuals with Substance Use Disorder. Keywords: Abuse of Psychoactive Substances; Coping Strategies; Schema Therapy. A Terapia do Esquema é uma abordagem terapêutica integrativa utilizada com sucesso em várias populações clínicas, incluindo aquelas afetadas por diversos transtornos mentais, como o Transtorno por Uso de Substâncias, com resultados positivos documentados em estudos variados. Nesse contexto, dois conceitos são fundamentais: Esquemas Iniciais Desadaptativos e Modos Esquemáticos. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi identificar os Esquemas Iniciais Desadaptativos e os Modos Esquemáticos de usuários em tratamento por Transtorno por Uso de Substâncias. Do estudo participaram 202 indivíduos, com idades entre 18 e 65 anos, internados para tratamento de uso de substâncias psicoativas. Os instrumentos utilizados incluíram uma ficha de dados sociodemográficos, o Alcohol Smoking And Substance Involvement Screening Test, o Questionário de Esquemas de Young na forma reduzida, e o Inventário de Modos Esquemáticos. Os resultados demonstraram que 38,1% dos indivíduos apresentavam idades acima de 40 anos, em sua maioria homens (94,6%), solteiros (85,6%), da Classe D-E (53%) com Ensino Fundamental (52%). As médias mais significativas de esquemas foram: Padrões Inflexíveis (4,37±0,90), Inibição Emocional (4,24±0,88), Isolamento Social/Alienação (4,14±0,92), Desconfiança/Abuso (4,16±0,94), Abandono/Instabilidade (4,00±1,11), e Privação Emocional (4,04±1,01). Quanto aos Modos Esquemáticos, houve maior predominância dos modos Protetor Desligado (4,70±0,77), Hipercompensador (4,46±0,98), Criança Impulsiva (4,14±0,71), Pais Críticos e Punitivos (4,06±0,76), e Criança Vulnerável (4,02±0,83). Perante estes resultados é possível concluir que identificar Esquemas Iniciais Desadaptativos e Modos Esquemáticos é fundamental para compreender a dinâmica destes construtos e garantir intervenções futuras mais eficazes para o tratamento de indivíduos com Transtorno por Uso de Substâncias.

Introdução: egundo evidências recentes, os programas baseados em mindfulness (PBM) melhoram o bem-estar geral e a capacidade de lidar com a insuficiência renal e os fatores de estresse na hemodiálise. Entretanto, PBM intradialíticos são pouco investigados.

Introduction: Recent evidence indicates that mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) improve overall well-being and the ability to cope with kidney failure and hemodialysis stressors. However, intradialytic MBPs are poorly investigated.

Background/Objectives: The use of scientific evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders is crucial for achieving optimal clinical outcomes and providing high-quality care. This study investigates the knowledge, sources of evidence, and attitudes of Brazilian clinical psychologists regarding evidence-based practice in psychology (EBPP) and discusses barriers to its implementation. Methods: A total of 696 Brazilian clinical psychologists participated in an online questionnaire designed to assess their understanding of EBPP, their familiarity with scientific platforms/databases, and their professional development investments. Latent class analysis (LCA) was conducted, which can be used to identify subgroups of psychologists with similar patterns of professional and training characteristics. Results: The results indicate that while psychologists recognized the importance of EBPP for effective patient care, there was a significant gap in understanding its fundamental principles and concepts. Many participants reported the limited use of scientific databases, missing opportunities to access the latest research advancements. A lower percentage of psychologists consistently implemented EBPP in their clinical practice, highlighting a gap between knowledge and application. Four latent classes emerged from the LCA: I—experienced/established professional psychologist; II—academic psychologist; III—supervised traditional psychologist; and IV—young professional psychologist. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the need for better integration of EBPP into psychology curricula and continuing education programs. Enhancing clinical psychologists’ understanding and proficiency in EBPP can promote evidence-based decision-making and improve the quality of mental health care in Brazil. Efforts should be made to familiarize psychologists with reliable scientific databases, equip them with skills to critically appraise research, and foster a culture of lifelong learning and professional development. Additionally, it is essential to develop strategies tailored to the distinct profiles of professionals identified in this study, considering their training sources, reference usage, and knowledge of EBPP.

Purpose Adapting and validating the Portuguese version of Br-YFAS 2.0-Obes to allow it to be used by the Brazilian candidates for bariatric surgery. Materials and Methods This study included 329 individuals with body mass indexes (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m², candidates for bariatric surgery at a reference hospital in Brazil. They were given a questionnaire that identified sociodemographic data, and the YFAS 2.0 scale, Portuguese version (BR-YFAS2.0-Obes), was applied to assess their food dependence levels. The Food Craving Questionnaire – Trait: The FCQ-T-reduced was subsequently used for a correlation analysis. Results The patients’ average BMI was 41.6 ± 8.8 kg/m². Br-YFAS2.0-Obes presented an average of 4.9 ± 3.1 for the FA diagnostic criteria. The resulting values of the Comparative Fit Index, Tucker Lewis Index, and Standardized Root Mean Square Residual were 0.990, 0.986, and 0.074, respectively. The internal consistency analysis of the 11 domains presented a Kuder–Richardson α of 0.82. The convergent validity, obtained through an analysis of the Pearson correlation coefficient, was r = 0.43 (p < 0.001). It was found that an increase in the number of Br-YFAS 2.0-Obes symptoms is associated with an increase in the FCQ-T-r mean. Conclusion Much like the YFAS 2.0 in other languages, the BR-YFAS 2.0-Obes presented adequate convergent validity, reliability, and one-factor structure results, which makes it suitable for Brazilian candidates for bariatric surgery or any individual who is within BMI > = 30 kg/m². Graphical Abstract