Browsing by Author "Sousa, Marlene"
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- Brief assessment of depression: Psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)Publication . Ferreira, Tiago; Sousa, Marlene; Salgado, João: The lack of knowledge regarding psychometric characteristics of brief scales for assessing the severity of symptoms of depression for the Portuguese population limits the ability of health professionals to signal clinically relevant situations, as well as the implementation of alternative forms of mental health care. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is a scale whose usefulness in various professional contexts has been amply demonstrated by research. However, some of its psychometric qualities remain unknown for the Portuguese version.
- Flexibility between immersion and distancing: A dynamic pattern with effect on depressive symptomsPublication . Barbosa, Eunice; Sousa, Marlene; Montanha, Cristina Cavadas; Pinto-Gouveia, José; Salgado, JoãoObjective: Recent studies on immersion (first-person perspective) and distancing (third-person perspective) in psychotherapy have shown the potential of both perspectives in the treatment of depression. High levels of change were associated with transitions between immersion and distancing, suggesting that a dynamic pattern between them may result in a more adaptive view of reality. This study aimed to assess if higher flexibility between these perspectives, during clientś reflection on negative experiences in the intermediate phase, is associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms at the end of treatment. Method: We analyzed the flexibility through frequency and magnitude of transitions between immersion and distancing, in representative sessions of the intermediate phase of therapy in 17 cases with depression. Results: The results showed that the higher frequency and lower magnitude in the intermediate phase predicted lower levels of depressive symptoms at the end of treatment. Conclusion: Immersion and distancing seem to work as dynamic processes, and greater flexibility between them in intermediate phase of therapy, characterized by frequent and fast transitions between the two perspectives, may be an adaptive pattern due to its effect on post treatment depressive symptoms.
- Screening and Evaluation Platform for Depression and Suicidality in Primary HealthcarePublication . Salgado, João; Cunha, Carla; Ferreira, Tiago; Gomes, Pedro; Sousa, Marlene; Rocha, Artur; Henriques, Ricardo; Costa, Alexandre; Cassola, FernandoThis work presents a screening and evaluation platform for depression and suicidality that has been tested in the scope of primary healthcare. The main objective is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of screening processes. A web-based, decision support platform was provided for qualified healthcare professionals. The platform provides several assessment tools for patient evaluation and monitoring of their treatment, along with follow up appointment management. A preliminary evaluation process was carried out to understand the health professional’s satisfaction. This revealed there was general satisfaction with its integrated functions and all the provided methods of assessment. In conclusion, the project sustains the goal of improving the treatment outcomes for clinical depression by refining the screening methods and consequently increase the screening effectiveness and efficiency.