The application of a new psychotherapeutic strategy for enhancing eudaimonic well-being in children with mood and anxiety disorders

Albieri, Elisa (2014) The application of a new psychotherapeutic strategy for enhancing eudaimonic well-being in children with mood and anxiety disorders, [Dissertation thesis], Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna. Dottorato di ricerca in Scienze psicologiche, 26 Ciclo. DOI 10.6092/unibo/amsdottorato/6405.
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Abstract

The aim of the dissertation was to test the feasibility of a new psychotherapeutic protocol for treating children and adolescents with mood and anxiety disorders: Child-Well-Being Therapy (CWBT). It originates from adult Well-Being Therapy protocol (WBT) and represents a conceptual innovation for treating affective disorders. WBT is based on the multidimensional model of well-being postulated by Ryff (eudaimonic perspective), in sequential combination with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Results showed that eudaimonic well-being was impaired in children with affective disorders in comparison with matched healthy students. A first open investigation aimed at exploring the feasibility of a 8-session CWBT protocol in a group of children with emotional and behavioural disorders has been implemented. Data showed how CWBT resulted associated to symptoms reduction, together with the decrease of externalizing problems, maintained at 1-year follow-up. CWBT triggered also an improvement in psychological well-being as well as an increasing flourishing trajectory over time. Subsequently, a modified and extended version of CWBT (12-sessions) has been developed and then tested in a controlled study with 34 patients (8 to 16 years) affected by mood and anxiety disorders. They were consecutively randomized into 3 different groups: CWBT, CBT, 6-month waiting list (WL). Both treatments resulted effective in decreasing distress and in improving well-being. Moreover, CWBT was associated with higher improvement in anxiety and showed a greater recovery rate (83%) than CBT (54%). Both groups maintained beneficial effects and CWBT group displayed a lower level of distress as well as a higher positive trend in well-being scores over time. Findings need to be interpret with caution, because of study limitations, however important clinical implications emerged. Further investigations should determine whether the sequential integration of well-being and symptom-oriented strategies could play an important role in children and adolescents’ psychotherapeutic options, fostering a successful adaptation to adversities during the growth process.

Abstract
Tipologia del documento
Tesi di dottorato
Autore
Albieri, Elisa
Supervisore
Dottorato di ricerca
Scuola di dottorato
Scienze umanistiche
Ciclo
26
Coordinatore
Settore disciplinare
Settore concorsuale
Parole chiave
children, adolescents, psychological well-being,affective disorders, anxiety, depression, psychotherapy, well-being therapy
URN:NBN
DOI
10.6092/unibo/amsdottorato/6405
Data di discussione
28 Aprile 2014
URI

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