Research
Online attention training for depression: the development and implementation of a novel smartphone-based intervention tool to modify attention mechanisms underlying emotion regulation and depressive symptoms (Ivan Blanco)
Depression is a severe mental disorder associated with high levels of disability. Besides of the emotional symptoms of the disorder (i.e., sadness or lack of positivity), depression is also characterized by exaggerated attention for negative and decreased attention to positive information. These attention biases are causally involved in the origin and maintenance of depression. In recent years, methods to modify these attention biases (attention biases modification; ABM), have been developed, yet showing limited effectiveness. However, a novel procedure (Mouse-based (gaze)contingent attentional training - MCAT) has shown very promising results in modifying attention biases and emotional deficits. Therefore, the aim of this project is to ascertain the active components of this ABM procedure and test its efficacy as a novel smartphone-based intervention. I am developing a series of experimental studies to ascertain the active components of the training, as well as to determine the optimal dosage needed to maximize transfer outcomes in subclinically depressed individuals, including their emotional functioning in daily life. Also, I will run a randomized clinical trial to test the efficacy of the final training procedure as a treatment tool for clinically depressed patients. This project will shed light on the causal mechanisms involved in depression and allow us to develop an effective and easy deliverable smartphone app to modify attention biases and emotional symptoms.
Coping adjusted to the dynamics of experienced stress in unemployed people: Identification of cognitive-affective mechanisms of resilience (Angela Socastro)
In this project we carry out the study of the intra-individual dynamics of influence between cognitive, affective and behavioral processes in daily functioning, in response to major stressors (e.j., being fired). Furthermore, we are interested in analyzing the inter-individual differences that may influence the adequate functioning of these dynamic mechanisms. The purpose of the project is to understand the causal mechanisms of resilience and vulnerability in response to major stress in order to develop new intervention programs to promote adequate dynamics of adaptation to stress. The context in which these mechanisms are studied is through the application of a new method of online experiential sampling that will allow us to: a) Monitor individual dynamics in response to a major stressor, analyzing the real functioning of cognitive-affective dynamics over time; as well as b) clearly identify risk profiles that lead to a psychopathological outcome, as opposite to those predicting resilience against stress. Finally, the project is not only intended to study the dynamics of stress consequences after job loss but also in the months following layoff, when unemployment is prolonged, differentiating different stages that are known to increase the risk to the onset of depressive and anxious disorders. By this means, we aim to identify the best ways to promote resilience, increase motivation and encourage reintegration in the job market in future applied research.
Intra-individual dynamics of stress management in people with emotional disorders: Development of new tools for their evaluation and intervention (Teresa Boemo)
The purpose of this project is to advance in the understanding of the dynamics of psychopathological processes involved in the development and maintenance of emotional disorders, as well as those relevant to facilitate relapse prevention (resilience / protection against the development of new clinical episodes). The optimization and implementation of personalized evaluations and interventions are carried out through new technologies, mobile applications designed for its use with people suffering from this type of disorders. Through this procedures we aim to: a) study the intra- and inter-individual dynamics of emotion regulation strategies during and following emotional disorders, and how they interrelate with ongoing emotional states and the attention processes subserving them, and b) intervene on those dynamic to promote more effective treatment responses and lower relapse rates following clinical treatment. Our design will allow us to make predictions about the existence of inter-individual self-regulatory differences, which will be the basis for the final step of developing and implementing personalized interventions to promote adaptive stress regulation in clinical samples.
School vicitimization: Cognitive-affective mechanisms implicated and use of new technologies for its early detection (Fabiola Espinosa).
The aim of this project is to study the cognitive-affective dynamics of ecological functioning in adolescents so that this knowledge can be used to establish more accurate models for predicting the risk of experiencing different types of bullying (physical, verbal-relational, cyberbullying). For this purpose, we are implementing and optimizing the use of the ESM methodology (Experience Sampling Method) in the adolescent population through new technologies. This will allow us to: a) identify the dynamics of ecological functioning in processes of self-perception and support networks of the adolescent, the use of different regulation strategies to cope with stress, and the resulting affective levels, in order to establish how the dynamics between these processes can influence the risk of experiencing situations of bullying in general and in its different types (physical, verbal-relational, cyberbullying), b) develop and validate a predictive model, capable of discriminating the occurrence and risk of future bullying experiences in adolescents based on the protective and risk factors identified in these dynamics.
Executive functions and resilience: Identification of cognitive-affective functioning mechanisms for protection against stress derived from adverse situations (Patricia Mecha)
The purpose of this project is to study the role of executive functions (EFs, e.g., inhibition capacity, flexibility and working memory updating) and their relationship with different forms of resilience (e.g., trait, process and outcome), in contexts of exposure to adverse situations, understood as response processes against macrostressors (e.g., loss of a loved one, illness of one's own or others, exam period, etc.) and microstressors (e.g., induction of stress in the laboratory). In the first part of the project, it is intended to understand which components of the EFs are positively related to trait, process and/or outcome resilience. The results of this first part will be translated into the development of a second part of the project, which intends to apply these results in the design and development of a new form of intervention in stress-related mental disorders (e.g., depression and anxiety), using a new online training procedure known as Online Contingent Attention Training (OCAT) previous developed by this research team. This new tool aims to complement existing treatments, mainly based on treating factors of vulnerability to stress, providing a new perspective that is based on strengthening those protective factors that protect people from developing stress-related mental disorders (e.g., executive functioning). In this way, a new OCAT training will be designed and validated applying those components of the EFs that, in the results of the first study of the project, demonstrated a significant predictive power of the different forms of resilience studied.
Micro-level affect dynamics: understanding the role of emotion regulation strategies and motivational factors in (positive) affect fluctuations in affective symptomatology (Ana Mar Pacheco Romero)
The present project aims to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the temporal and intra-individual mechanisms implicated in daily fluctuations of affect in individuals with varying levels of affective symptomatology, especially on changes in positive affect in depression and anxiety symptomatology. To this end, we employ new technologies of daily-life monitoring (i.e., ESM) and sophisticated laboratory tasks that combine the use of psychophysiological variables (i.e., Eye Tracking) to investigate the existing dynamics among affect reactivity, emotion regulation strategies and motivational factors (e.g., emotional preferences). Ultimately, we seek to zoom into the microlevel of experience to give a better account of the smallest building blocks that explain the development and recurrence of affective symptoms, with a particular emphasis on positive affect dynamics and the promotion of well-being.