Phenomena Journal - International Journal of Psychopathology, Neuroscience and Psychotherapy

Between Neuropsychology and Gestalt

2024-03-21T11:29:35+00:00

The hypothesis of integrating the Gestalt methodology with cognitive stimulation techniques arose from clinical observation compared with the results of neuropsychological tests in patients diagnosed with psychosis between the ages of 35 and 60. The aim of the integrated intervention aims to combine the stimulation in particular of the frontal and prefrontal functions involved in the hypofrontality typical of the functioning of this pathology in order to promote better social integration by mitigating the symptoms and the use of drugs where possible. In particular, intervene on the control of intrusive thoughts, on cognitive flexibility and on attentional skills. The intervention methodology is similar to the principles of Gestalt psychology, bringing the patient back to the here and now of the relationship and using the therapeutic relationship as a secure base to remodulate the sensation of being in the world. It is essential to identify the environmental and genetic factors that characterized the patient's growth. Therefore the research team has structured a protocol in which the relationship between cognitive stimulation and therapeutic relationship, through the shared brain principle, tends to neuroanatomically modulate the patient's brain, resulting in actual improvements.

Inventory of motivations for volunteering - preliminary validation

2024-05-02T08:45:02+00:00

Theoretical models identify various reasons why people choose to volunteer: multiple identities including the prosocial role, dispositional socio-educational factors, personal and organizational drives. Questionnaires are administered both for theoretical research and for the selection and accompaniment of volunteers. This study proposes the preliminary validation of an Inventory of motivations for volunteering, divided into two classes, other-directed and self-directed. The Inventory, self-produced also considering tools in use, is administered to 55 subjects who access volunteer work at two local associations. Although there are limits related to the sample representativeness, the validation of the instrument presents acceptable values: the reliability with the Cronbach's alpha statistic returns 0.772 for the other-directed dimensions, 0.603 for the self-directed dimensions and 0.749 for the set of dimensions; the fidelity tested with the Guttman split half coefficient reports 0.614 in the other-directed dimensions and 0.786 in the self-directed dimensions; the factor analysis clusters the variables into 4 components, which explain 69.6% of the total variance and which can be entitled as a coping: psycho-balancing, reparative, collaborative and solidarity. The results support the applicability of the Inventory, which can be confirmed by further studies.

Defining vigoroxia: a review of the literature

2024-05-29T10:07:49+00:00

Vigorexia, sometimes also known as muscle dysmorphia or bigorexia, is a complex nosological construct characterised by an intense preoccupation with the body and obsessive behaviours related to exercise and diet. This disorder, although often associated with the male fitness and bodybuilding universe, is also emerging among women and adolescents, reflecting the growing impact of the image cult and social media on body perception. This literature review aims to identify risk factors, diagnostic criteria, epidemiology and the relationship with eating disorders and addictions, as well as to examine the role of vigorexia in relationships and adolescence. The data analysis revealed that vigorexia is associated with a number of health risks, including the use of anabolic androgenic steroids and eating disorders. Furthermore, individuals with vigorexia often experience social anxiety related to others' judgement of their physical appearance, which can lead to social isolation and impaired interpersonal relationships. In conclusion, this analysis of vigorexia provides a comprehensive overview of its risks, associated disorders and implications for mental health and social relationships, emphasising the importance of early intervention and targeted preventive strategies to address this emerging phenomenon especially among younger people.

A Gestalt approach at couples psychotherapy

2024-05-06T16:50:54+00:00

Couple’s formation is an ever-changing process, requests for help from couples to therapists are increasing in recent years. Reasons, although apparently current, are linked to a malaise rooted in time. The discomfort experienced by the two partners is not having been able to process the changes in the personal and life cycle of the couple creating new ways of living together. Through the lens of the Gestalt psychotherapist we have mainly analyzed the studies of attachment theory related to working with couples through an integration of approaches, theories and practices, particularly emotionally focused couples therapy. According to attachment theory, the relational styles of adults with their partners are parallel to the child-caregiver relationships, thus characterizing themselves by the search for certain characteristics in the other person. Psychotherapeutic work with couples has among its objectives to modify patients’ internal operating models of attachment. Emotional-focused couples therapy’s based on emotional response and what the partners feel within a supportive relationship. It allows a healing emotional experience, transforming the cycles of negative interaction present in the relationship and experienced with primary caregivers. Gestalt psychotherapy invites us to look at how the partners of the couple realize or block their intentionality to reach and be reached by the other. It works to facilitate the change of punctuation in the sequence of events, to open them the possibility for a new way of living in pairs, free to choose if and how to be in relationship with him/her. The aim of research was to examine the correlates among the attachment theory, emotion focused therapy and Gestalt therapy, considering further studies which allow for greater in-depth analysis of couple dynamics in therapy.