FRUITFUL INTEGRATIONS
Proposer: Ruini Chiara (1)
Discussant: Fulcheri Mario (2)
(2) Dipartimento di Psicologia, Salute e Scienze del Territorio, Università “G. d’Annunzio” di Chieti-Pescara
Positive psychology is a relatively new field of research and intervention aimed at studying and promoting positive emotions and personal resources. It is rapidly growing all over the world, and, despite many criticisms, it has been applied in many areas of psychological research and interventions. The aim of this symposium is to present possible lines of integration between clinical and positive psychology. The important role of positive emotions, creativity, and well-being for the clinical work will be emphasized, by adopting a life-span appraoach. New treatment strategies that integrate the promotion of positivity with symptom reduction (i.e., Mindfulness, Positive Psychotherapy, Well-being therapy) will be illustrated, with their specific applications in the Italian clinical settings. The first presentation will illustrate the role of well-being and mindfulnesss in managing psychological distress in patients with chronic renal disorders. The second presentation will descibe the application of mindfulness meditation in patients with multiple sclerosis and its effect over a six month follow-up. The third presentation will describe varius therapeutic strategies aimed at promoting well-being in populations with affective disorders, from children to adults and older adults. The promotion of various dimensions of well-being by using different therapeutic techniques (from CBT to narrative strategies) resulted to be associated with a significant reduction of psychological distress. The forth presentation will emphasize the important role of well- being and creativity in older age. The focus on positive aging represents a fruitful innovative integration between clinical psychogerontology and positive psychology. The symposium will provide clinical psychology research with new instruments of assessment and strategies of intervention derived from positive psychology, and it will emphasize the beneficial effects of this integration in the Italian clinical setting.
EMOTION MANAGEMENT AS REGULATORY PROCESS IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MINDFULNESS AND HEALTH IN CHRONIC RENAL PATIENTS
Iani Luca (1), Lauriola Marco (2), Angeramo René (1), Malinconico Elena (1)
(1) Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome,
(2) Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome
Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are confronted every day with problems related to physical and psychosocial issues, and they frequently experience significant emotional problems. They have to adapt to changes in their lives by facing a long-lasting illness, related to a treatment that is palliative in nature. Mindfullness skills (e.g., nonreactivity) might influence emotion management processes of ESRD patients and, in turn, influence their health. 69 patients with ESRD completed measures of mindfulness, emotional intelligence, emotion regulation, and health (i.e., spiritual well- being, physical symptoms, mental and physical health). Multiple mediation models were carried out for both emotional intelligence and emotion regulation as mediators of the relationships between mindfulness and each health measure. Patients high on describing and nonreactivity reported more mood repair, which in turn was associated with greater spiritual well-being and better mental health. Moreover, patients high on nonreactivity reported more reappraisal, which in turn was related to greater spiritual well-being. The same patients high on nonreactivity did report more mood repair, and those who reported more mood repair, also reported less physical symptoms. Last, patients high in observing did report less emotional suppression, which in turn was associated with better physical health. The tendency to allow emotions, cognitions, and sensations to come and go, without getting carried away by them - which is a core mindfulness skill - is particularly important for the health of patients with ESRD. In fact,
nonreactivity resulted as the most consistent significant independent variable in the mediating models we tested through different emotional processes (repair and reappraisal). The finding that the emotional processes were differential mediators suggests that different potential targets for clinical interventions might be identified.
IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF PEOPLE WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS WITH A TELEMEDICINE MINDFULNESS-BASED INTERVENTION
Pagnini Francesco (1), Cavalera Cesare (1), Rovaris Marco (2), Mendozzi Laura (2), Molinari Enrico (1)
(1) Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
(2) Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS S. Maria Nascente, Fondazione Don Gnocchi, Milan
Mindfulness-Based Interventions, modified and shortened versions of meditation teachings, proved to be efficacy in the improvement of quality of life in many clinical conditions, including chronic diseases. Preliminary results available in the literature and in the clinical experience indicate a high potential for this treatment for the reduction of psychological suffering in people with chronic diseases. The aim of the project is to investigate the impact of a MS-specific Telemedicine Mindfulness-Based Intervention on the quality of life of people with MS and their caregivers. The mindfulness protocol was modified according to MS clinical peculiarities and implemented with a multimedia web-based software. One-hundred and thirty-nine MS patients-caregivers couples were randomly assigned to the online mindfulness group, or to an active control group (psycho-education). At baseline, post-treatment and at a 6-month follow-up, participants were assessed for quality of life, and for several secondary outcome, including
anxiety and depression. Quality of life, measured with the MSQOL-54, was significantly higher in the mindfulness group at the post-intervention assessment (F[1,110]=4.68, p=.033, ηp2=.042), but no difference was found after 6 months (F[1,95]=.018, p=.894, ηp2=.000). Similarly, anxiety and depression resulted significantly lower, at the post-intervention, in the mindfulness group, compared to the psycho-education one (respectively: F[1,111]=3.96, p=.049, ηp2=.035; F[1,111]=5.56, p=.020, ηp2=.049), but failed to maintain a group difference at the follow-up (respectively: F[1,95]=1.033, p=.312, ηp2=.011; F[1,95]=.169, p=.682, ηp2=.002). Results indicate that, compared to the psycho-educational group, those in the mindfulness group experienced a modest improvement in QoL, together with a reduction of anxiety and depression. The registered effects, assessed after the intervention duration (about 2 months), did not remain stable. After 6 months, it was as if all these effects were gone, wiping out the differences with the controls.
THERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES TO PROMOTE PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING ACROSS THE LIFESPAN
Ruini Chiara (1), Albieri Elisa (1), Cesetti Giulia (1) (1) Department of Psychology, University of Bologna
Psychological well-being is receiving increasing attention for its protective role for physical and mental health. Its promotion is thus crucial, particularly in vulnerable stages of life. The aim of this presentation is to provide an overview of interventions for the promotion of psychological well-being using a life span perspective. Beginning with school children who received a class protocol based on narrative techniques, presentation will move to teenagers and adults with affective disorders treated with Well- being therapy, to conclude with a positive narrative intervention designed for aging populations living in nursing homes. The presentation will
highlight the characteristics of psychological well-being according to the specific life stages, and the different techniques adopted to promote it, from standard CBT to behavioral activation and narrative strategies. Empirical results derived from these Italian experiences highlight that psychological well-being may be improved by brief, multidimensional interventions. Their beneficial effects are extended also to the abatement of symptomatology. These interventions may represent a fruitful integration of positive psychology within the clinical practice. They may be applicable in different settings (educational, clinical, aging communities) and represent cost – effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of psychological distress across the life span.
POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY IN AGING
Cristini Carlo (1), Cesa-Bianchi Giovanni (2), Cesa-Bianchi Marcello (2) (1) Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia
(2) University of Milan
In psychogerontology, positive psychology highlights the role that creativity plays in the aging process. In last years, many investigations have documented that creativity is potentially present in every person, regardless of the age; it is expressed in different ways, in various fields - not just the artistic one - but also in the most common ones, which are accessible to many people. Positive and creative aging is a prospect for many people and it is witnessed by an increasing number of individuals who reach the old age in good psychophysical health. Aging creates a different path for everyone in relation to health conditions, adaptability and resilience, expression of creativity, environment, and affective relationships. In elderly patients, creative skills do not exhaust their strength, rather they may promote better physical and mental health. In old age, creativity may help people not to get
lost in the existential void, it may stimulate cognitive skills and preserve them from age-related decline. The creative process may promote re- activating of activities and functions, giving more sense to a period of life often overlooked by the modern world. As many important characters in the field of art, culture and science have demonstated, being active and creative in old age may consolidate or improve feelings of well-being and self- realization, especially when creative activities maintain active the functions of the body and the mind. Every older adult may be creative, has resources to discover and activate, and may value his/her own positive aspects, even those who are disadvantaged in terms of physical and mental health, or in terms of family and social conditions. According to positive aging perspective, there is always hope and chance to find serenity and well-being in later life. Individuals may find motivation to be protagonist and witnesses of their own existential misadventures, and of what they have learned, suffered and loved.