Papers by Nicole Geschwind
Hogrefe Publishing eBooks, 2021
Positive CBT integrates positive psychology and solution-focused brief therapy within a cognitive... more Positive CBT integrates positive psychology and solution-focused brief therapy within a cognitive-behavioral framework. It focuses not on reducing what is wrong, but on building what's right. This fourth wave CBT, developed by Fredrike Bannink, is now being applied worldwide for various psychological disorders. An introductory chapter explores the three approaches incorporated in positive CBT. Next, the book presents research into the individual treatment protocol for use with clients with major depressive disorder by Nicole Geschwind and colleagues at Maastricht University. The last chapters describe two 8-session treatment protocols for positive CBT, one for use with individuals and one for use with groups. The treatment protocols provide therapists with a step-by-step guide on how to apply positive CBT with individual clients and in group therapy. This approach goes beyond symptom reduction and instead focuses on the client’s preferred future, on finding exceptions to problems and identifying competencies. Topics such as self-compassion, optimism, gratitude, and behavior maintenance are explored. In addition to the protocols, two workbooks for clients are available online for download by therapists.
European Journal of Personality, Jul 1, 2012
In one currently dominant view on personality, personality dimensions (e.g. extraversion) are cau... more In one currently dominant view on personality, personality dimensions (e.g. extraversion) are causes of human behaviour, and personality inventory items (e.g. 'I like to go to parties' and 'I like people') are measurements of these dimensions. In this view, responses to extraversion items correlate because they measure the same latent dimension. In this paper, we challenge this way of thinking and offer an alternative perspective on personality as a system of connected affective, cognitive and behavioural components. We hypothesize that these components do not hang together because they measure the same underlying dimension; they do so because they depend on one another directly for causal, homeostatic or logical reasons (e.g. if one does not like people and it is harder to enjoy parties). From this 'network perspective', personality dimensions emerge out of the connectivity structure that exists between the various components of personality. After outlining the network theory, we illustrate how it applies to personality research in four domains: (i) the overall organization of personality components; (ii) the distinction between state and trait; (iii) the genetic architecture of personality; and (iv) the relation between personality and psychopathology.
Psychotherapy, Sep 1, 2020
People interested in the research are advised to contact the author for the final version of the ... more People interested in the research are advised to contact the author for the final version of the publication, or visit the DOI to the publisher's website. • The final author version and the galley proof are versions of the publication after peer review. • The final published version features the final layout of the paper including the volume, issue and page numbers. Link to publication General rights Copyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. • Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the public portal for the purpose of private study or research. • You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain • You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the public portal. If the publication is distributed under the terms of Article 25fa of the Dutch Copyright Act, indicated by the "Taverne" license above, please follow below link for the End User Agreement:
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
Background Engagement is a complex construct consisting of behavioral, cognitive, and affective d... more Background Engagement is a complex construct consisting of behavioral, cognitive, and affective dimensions, making engagement a difficult construct to measure. This integrative review aims to (1) present a multidisciplinary overview of measurement methods that are currently used to measure engagement with adult mental health and behavior change interventions, delivered in-person, blended, or digitally, and (2) provide a set of recommendations and considerations for researchers wishing to study engagement. Methods We used an integrative approach and identified original studies and reviews on engagement with mental health or behavior change interventions that were delivered in-person, digitally, or blended. Results Forty articles were analyzed in this review. Common methods to assess engagement were through objective usage data, questionnaire-based data, and qualitative data, with objective usage data being used most frequently. Based on the synthesis of engagement measures, we advise...
Supporting Information, Appendices for Dimensions of Normal Personality as Networks in Search of ... more Supporting Information, Appendices for Dimensions of Normal Personality as Networks in Search of Equilibrium: You Can't like Parties if you Don't like People by Cramer Angélique O. J., Van Der Sluis Sophie, Noordhof Arjen, Wichers Marieke, Geschwind Nicole, Aggen Steven H., Kendler Kenneth S. and Borsboom Denny in European Journal of Personality
SPIRIT checklist (DOC 121 kb)
ADepT SPIRIT figure (DOCX 25 kb)
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy
Background:Intake assessments vary in their focus on strengths and solutions compared with proble... more Background:Intake assessments vary in their focus on strengths and solutions compared with problems. They provide therapists with first impressions of their clients. Research shows that first impressions may have strong and lasting effects.Aims:To compare how solution- versus problem-focused case descriptions influence therapists’ emotions and initial expectations for successfully working with a client.Methods:Vignettes describing clients were manipulated to focus either on solutions and strengths, or on problems. In a within-subject experimental design, 33 (Sample 1) and 29 (Sample 2) trainee therapists each read four case descriptions (two solution-focused and two problem-focused vignettes; order fully counterbalanced). After each vignette, participants rated their affect and expectations for successfully working with the client.Results:In both samples, solution-focused vignettes were associated with significantly higher levels of positive affect and positive expectations for trea...
Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
Psychopathic traits come with high levels of anger and aggression. Since previous studies showed ... more Psychopathic traits come with high levels of anger and aggression. Since previous studies showed that compassion can mitigate both anger and aggression, the current research puts compassion forward as a possible target to alleviate psychopathy’s destructive patterns. Specifically, the present study explored the influence of subclinical psychopathic traits–as well as their three subcomponents egocentricity, callousness, and antisociality–on the efficacy of experimentally induced self-compassion (SC) and other-compassion (OC). This manuscript is part of a larger study in which student and community participants (N = 230, Mage = 27.41, 65.2% female) completed a psychopathic trait questionnaire to assess their dimensional level of psychopathy, filled out state SC and OC questionnaires, and were randomized to participate in an experimental self- or other-compassion induction. It was expected that psychopathic traits would positively relate to increases in SC but negatively relate to incr...
Oxford University Press eBooks, Jul 1, 2009
Unlike Mendelian diseases, depression is not caused by a single gene alteration but is the produc... more Unlike Mendelian diseases, depression is not caused by a single gene alteration but is the product of multiple interacting causes (Cannon and Keller, 2005; van Praag et al. 2004). Recent findings underscore just how complex these interactions can be. Genes may interact with the environment (eg the serotonin transporter polymorphism has been found to interact with stress)(Caspi et al. 2003) or increase the risk of exposure to certain environments (eg through mediation of such personality traits as neuroticism or sensation-seeking)(van ...
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, Mar 14, 2013
Resilience in mental health: linking psychological and neurobiological perspectives. Objective: T... more Resilience in mental health: linking psychological and neurobiological perspectives. Objective: To review the literature on psychological and biological findings on resilience (i.e. the successful adaptation and swift recovery after experiencing life adversities) at the level of the individual, and to integrate findings from animal and human studies. Method: Electronic and manual literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and PSYCHINFO, using a range of search terms around biological and psychological factors influencing resilience as observed in human and experimental animal studies, complemented by review articles and cross-references. Results: The term resilience is used in the literature for different phenomena ranging from prevention of mental health disturbance to successful adaptation and swift recovery after experiencing life adversities, and may also include post-traumatic psychological growth. Secure attachment, experiencing positive emotions and having a purpose in life are three important psychological building blocks of resilience. Overlap between psychological and biological findings on resilience in the literature is most apparent for the topic of stress sensitivity, although recent results suggest a crucial role for reward experience in resilience. Conclusion: Improving the understanding of the links between genetic endowment, environmental impact and gene-environment interactions with developmental psychology and biology is crucial for elucidating the neurobiological and psychological underpinnings of resilience.
Scientific Reports, Apr 20, 2017
Evidence is growing that vulnerability to depression may be characterized by strong negative feed... more Evidence is growing that vulnerability to depression may be characterized by strong negative feedback loops between mental states. It is unknown whether such dynamics between mental states can be altered by treatment. This study examined whether treatment with imipramine or treatment with Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) reduces the connectivity within dynamic networks of mental states in individuals with depressive symptoms. In the Imipramine trial, individuals diagnosed with major depression were randomized to imipramine treatment or placebo-pill treatment (n = 50). In the Mind-Maastricht trial, individuals with residual depressive symptoms were randomized to Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) or to a waiting-list control condition (n = 119). Lagged associations among mental states, as assessed with the Experience Sampling Method (ESM), were estimated at baseline and post-intervention. The results show that few of the dynamic network connections changed significantly over time and few of the changes after MBCT and imipramine treatment differed significantly from the control groups. The decrease in average node connectivity after MBCT did not differ from the decrease observed in the waiting-list control group. Our findings suggest that imipramine treatment and MBCT do not greatly change the dynamic network structure of mental states, even though they do reduce depressive symptomatology.
Comprehensive Psychiatry, Nov 1, 2014
Introduction: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of mindfulness-based co... more Introduction: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on suicidal ideation in an open-label randomised controlled trial of patients with residual depressive symptoms. Furthermore, this study aimed at examining whether an effect of MBCT on suicidal ideation was dependent on a reduction in depression severity, worry and rumination, or an increase in mindfulness. Methods: One hundred and thirty participants were randomised to a treatment arm (treatment as usual plus MBCT) or a wait list arm. Change in depression, change in worry, change in rumination and change in mindfulness were entered as covariates in a repeated measures ANOVA in order to assess to what degree MBCT-induced changes in suicidal ideation were independent from changes in these parameters. Results: There was a significant group × time (pre vs. post) interaction on suicidal ideation indicating a significant reduction of suicidal ideation in the MBCT group, but not in the control group. The interaction remained significant after addition of the above covariates. Change in worry was the only covariate associated with change in suicidal ideation, causing a moderate reduction in the interaction effect size. Conclusions: The results suggest that MBCT may affect suicidal ideation in patients with residual depressive symptoms and that this effect may be mediated, in part, by participants' enhanced capacity to distance themselves from worrying thoughts.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Oct 1, 2011
People interested in the research are advised to contact the author for the final version of the ... more People interested in the research are advised to contact the author for the final version of the publication, or visit the DOI to the publisher's website. • The final author version and the galley proof are versions of the publication after peer review. • The final published version features the final layout of the paper including the volume, issue and page numbers. Link to publication General rights Copyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. • Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the public portal for the purpose of private study or research. • You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain • You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the public portal. If the publication is distributed under the terms of Article 25fa of the Dutch Copyright Act, indicated by the "Taverne" license above, please follow below link for the End User Agreement:
PLOS ONE, Apr 4, 2013
In the network approach to psychopathology, disorders are conceptualized as networks of mutually ... more In the network approach to psychopathology, disorders are conceptualized as networks of mutually interacting symptoms (e.g., depressed mood) and transdiagnostic factors (e.g., rumination). This suggests that it is necessary to study how symptoms dynamically interact over time in a network architecture. In the present paper, we show how such an architecture can be constructed on the basis of time-series data obtained through Experience Sampling Methodology (ESM). The proposed methodology determines the parameters for the interaction between nodes in the network by estimating a multilevel vector autoregression (VAR) model on the data. The methodology allows combining between-subject and withinsubject information in a multilevel framework. The resulting network architecture can subsequently be analyzed through network analysis techniques. In the present study, we apply the method to a set of items that assess mood-related factors. We show that the analysis generates a plausible and replicable network architecture, the structure of which is related to variables such as neuroticism; that is, for subjects who score high on neuroticism, worrying plays a more central role in the network. Implications and extensions of the methodology are discussed.
Mindfulness, Dec 26, 2022
Objectives Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression (MBCT-D) has been shown to be effec... more Objectives Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression (MBCT-D) has been shown to be effective at repairing positive affect deficits in depressed individuals, but the mechanism of action underpinning these changes has not been empirically examined. To address this issue, secondary analyses of two randomised controlled trials in individuals with residual depression were conducted. Method Study 1 was a cross-sectional mediation analysis of a trial reporting superior effects of MBCT-D to a waitlist control in bolstering momentary positive affect in individuals with residual depression symptoms (n = 130). Study 2 replicated this analysis in the subset of individuals with residual depression symptoms (n = 117) from a second, larger trial comparing MBCT-D to maintenance antidepressants (M-ADM) to prevent depressive relapse that also included a positive affect outcome. Results In Study 1, an increase in external sensory observing uniquely mediated the superiority of MBCT-D over the control in repairing momentary positive affect. Replicating these findings, in Study 2, MBCT-D was superior to M-ADM at repairing positive affect and this was cross-sectionally mediated by changes in external sensory observing. Conclusions These findings suggest that one way in which MBCT-D enhances positive affect in individuals with residual depression may be by training the capacity to attend to external sensory experience.
European Journal of Personality, Jul 1, 2012
Some commentators wholeheartedly disagreed with the central tenet of the network perspective on p... more Some commentators wholeheartedly disagreed with the central tenet of the network perspective on personality, namely that traits are the result of mutual interactions between thoughts, feelings and behaviours. In this rejoinder, we primarily focus on these commentaries by (i) clarifying the main differences between the latent versus the network view on traits; (ii) discussing some of the arguments in favour of the latent trait views that were put forward by these commentators; and by (iii) comparing the capacity of both views to explain thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Some commentators were by and large positive about the network perspective, and we discuss their excellent suggestions for defining components and linking these to genes and other biological mechanisms. We conclude that no doors should be closed in the study of personality and that, as such, alternative theories such as the network perspective should be welcomed, formalised and tested.
PLOS ONE, Aug 23, 2013
Mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a non-pharmacological intervention to reduce curren... more Mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a non-pharmacological intervention to reduce current symptoms and to prevent recurrence of major depressive disorder. At present, it is not well understood which underlying mechanisms during MBCT are associated with its efficacy. The current study (n = 130) was designed to examine the roles of mindfulness skills, rumination, worry and affect, and the interplay between those factors, in the mechanisms of change in MBCT for residual depressive symptoms. An exploratory but systematic approach was chosen using Sobel-Goodman mediation analyses to identify mediators on the pathway from MBCT to reduction in depressive symptoms. We replicated earlier findings that therapeutic effects of MBCT are mediated by changes in mindfulness skills and worry. Second, results showed that changes in momentary positive and negative affect significantly mediated the efficacy of MBCT, and also mediated the effect of worry on depressive symptoms. Third, within the group of patients with a prior history of ≤ 2 episodes of MDD, predominantly changes in cognitive and to a lesser extent affective processes mediated the effect of MBCT. However, within the group of patients with a prior history of ≥ 3 episodes of MDD, only changes in affect were significant mediators for the effect of MBCT.
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Papers by Nicole Geschwind