STRESS-RELATED DISORDERS

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this line of research is the use of ICTs (Virtual Reality, Internet, Apps) for the assessment and treatment of stress-related disorders, specifically, adjustment disorders (AD) and Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD)..

AD is one of the most frequently diagnosed problems in clinical settings, it generates a high level of interference and impact on the quality of life of the people who suffer from it, it has been related to suicidal ideation and behaviors and to an increase in the probability of developing other psychiatric disorders such as major depression and anxiety disorders. Despite this, it has been an under-researched problem and there are few validated assessment instruments for AD, and empirical studies demonstrating the efficacy of evidence-based psychological treatments (EBPT) are also scarce.

Also, when faced with the loss of a loved one, 1/10 people experience a worsening of their symptomatology and develop PGD. This problem has been related to a greater probability of developing other psychological problems and to a worsening in the quality of sleep and general health. And, although there are EBTs for this problem, the difficulties in accessing them remain an unresolved issue.

The advantages offered by ICTs can make EBTs perceived as less aversive and reach the people who need them, through the use of the Internet and mobile apps, or through the use of blended treatments that combine self-application of an Internet-based program with face-to-face or videoconference sessions with a therapist. This alternative aims to increase adherence to Internet-based treatments.

SINCE

2011

RELEVANT MILESTONES AND APPLICATIONS
  • Validation of a cognitive-behavioral treatment program (CBT) for ADs supported with virtual reality techniques (the World of EMMA) and positive psychology strategies.
  • Development and validation of a homework session protocol for ADs to be self-applied through the Internet (TEO).
  • Development and validation of a CBT protocol adapted to Web format (CAT) for the treatment of AD.
  • Validation of an instrument to measure stress and loss reactions to a stressful event (IEP).
  • Development and validation of a CBT protocol adapted to Web format for the treatment of Prolonged Grief Disorder (GROw).
PUBLICATIONS, AWARDS AND OTHER RELEVANT ASPECTS TO BE HIGHLIGHTED

Publications:

  1. Quero, S., Molés, M., Campos, D., Andreu-Mateu, S., Baños, R. M. y Botella, C. (2019). An adaptive virtual reality system for the treatment of adjustment disorder and complicated grief: 1‐year follow‐up efficacy data. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 26, 204-217. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2342
  2. Quero, S., Mor, S., Molés, M., Rachyla, I., Baños, R. M. y Botella, C. (2019). Exploring the assessment of Adjustment Disorders : Differences between a general and a clinical sample, Psicothema, 31, 17–23. https://doi.org/10.7334/psicothema2018.159
  3. Quero, S., Rachyla, I., Molés, M., Mor, S., Tur, C., Cuijpers, P., López-Montoyo, A. y Botella, C. (2019). Can between-session homework be delivered digitally? A pilot randomized clinical trial of CBT for adjustment disorders. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16, 3842.  doi: 10.3390/ijerph16203842
  4. Rachyla, I., Pérez-Ara, M.A., Molés, M., Campos, D., Mira, A., Botella, C. & Quero, S. (2018). An internet-based intervention for adjustment disorder (TAO): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. BMC Psychiatry, 18 -161, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-018-1751-6
  5. Rachyla, I., Mor, S., Cuijpers, P., Botella, C., Castilla, D. y Quero, S. (2020). A guided Internet-delivered intervention for adjustment disorders: A randomized controlled trial. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 1-12. DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2518
  6. Quero, S., Palau-Batet, M., Tur, C., Mor, S., Campos, D., Rachyla, I., Grimaldos, J. &  Marco, J.H. (2022). Effect of an Internet-based intervention for adjustment disorder on meaning in life and enjoyment. Current Psychology, 1-3. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03177-w
  7. Tur, C., Campos, D. y Quero, S. (2019). Tratamientos psicológicos basados en internet para el duelo: revisión de la literatura. Revista Argentina de Clínica Psicológica, 28, 884-900
  8. Tur, C., Campos, D., Herrero, R., Mor, S., López-Montoyo, A., Castilla, D. & Quero, S. (2021). Internet-delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy (iCBT) for Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) in adult population: A study protocol for a randomized feasibility trial. BMJ Open 2021, 2021;11:e046477. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046477
  9. Tur, C., Campos, D., Suso-Ribera, C., Kazlauskas, E., Castilla, D., Zaragoza, I., … & Quero, S. (2022). An Internet-delivered Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (iCBT) for Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) in adults: A multiple-baseline single-case experimental design study. Internet Interventions, 29, 100558. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2022.100558
  10. Soledad Quero, Sara Fernández-Buendía, Rosa M. Baños & Cristina Botella (2023). Cognitive behavioral therapy and adjustment disorder. In C.R. Martin, V.B. Patel & V.R. Preedy (eds.). Handbook of Cognitive behavioral therapy by disorder. Case Studies and Applications for Adults. Burlington: Academic Press, pp. 65-77 ISBN: 978-0-323-85726-0

Awards:

Prize for the best oral communication awarded to Quero, S., Rachyla, I., Molés, M. and Botella, C. for the paper “Expectations of treatment as a predictor variable of clinical change and satisfaction with treatment in patients with adaptive disorder”, presented at the IX Congress of the Spanish Association of Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology, (AEPCP), Valencia, 22-24 October 2015.

Prize for the best communication of the Psychology Degree awarded to Fuentes, S., Rachyla, I., Mor, S., Molés, M. and Quero, S., for the paper “The predictive role of positive psychological variables and their relationship with clinical change after intervention in adaptive disorders” presented at the III Research Conference for students of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Universitat Jaume I, 5-6 April 2017.