Emotional processing difficulties scale-revised: preliminary psychometric study

ABSTRACT

Emotional Processing Difficulties are a core construct from Emotion-Focused Therapy and a clinical target for differentiated psychotherapeutic tasks. The identification of these emotional difficulties is largely based on observation and clinical judgment. This study describes the first psychometric analysis of the Emotional Processing Difficulties Scale-Revised (EPDS-R). Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), reliability, and validity procedures were conducted in a sample of 260 participants. EPDS-R matched adequate EFA criteria (KMO = .89; Bartlett’s sphericity test p < .001), suggesting a five-dimensional structure. Cronbach Alphas ranged from .87 to .70. Convergent validity was found between EPDS-R and difficulties in emotional regulation (DERS), and concurrent validity was found in two sub-samples based on > 1.7 clinical criteria from the Brief Symptom Index (BSI). According to this preliminary psychometric study, EPDS-R may be a valid tool to assess emotional processing difficulties in the general population.

Les difficultés de traitement des émotions constituent un construct fondamental de la Thérapie centrée sur les émotions et sont une cible clinique pour des tâches psychothérapeutiques différenciées. L’identification des difficultés émotionnelles repose en grande partie sur l’observation et le jugement clinique. Cette étude détaille la première analyze psychométrique de l’échelle révisée des difficultés de traitement des émotions (Emotional Processing Difficulties Scale-Revised/EPDS-R). Analyze factorielle exploratoire (AFE), procédures de fiabilité et de validité ont été mesurées sur base d’un échantillon de 260 participants. L’EPDS-R rencontrait adéquatement les critères de l’analyze factorielle exploratoire - AFE (KMO = .89; test de sphéricité de Bartlett p < .01), suggérant une structure comprenant cinq dimensions. Le coefficient alpha de Cronbach se mesurait de 0,87 à 0,70. Une validité convergente a été trouvée entre l’EPDS-R et l’échelle des difficultés de régulation émotionnelle (Difficulties in emotion regulation scale/DERS), et la validité concourante se retrouvait dans deux sous-échantillons sur la base des critères cliniques du Brief Symptom Index (BSI; > 1,7). Selon cette étude psychométrique préliminaire, l’EPDS-R peut être un outil valable pour évaluer les difficultés de traitement émotionnel dans la population générale.

Emotionale Verarbeitungsschwierigkeiten sind ein Kernkonzept der Emotionsfokussierten Therapie und ein klinisches Ziel für differenzierte psychotherapeutische Aufgaben. Die Identifikation dieser emotionalen Schwierigkeiten basiert im Wesentlichen auf Beobachtung und klinischer Beurteilung. Diese Studie beschreibt die erste psychometrische Analyze zur Skala der emotionalen Verarbeitungsschwierigkeiten (Emotional Processing Difficulties

Scale-Revised (EPDS-R)). Eine explorative Faktorenanalyse (EFA), Reliabilitäts- und Validitätsprüfungen wurden mit einer Stichprobe von 260 Teilnehmenden durchgeführt. EPDS-R stimmte mit den entsprechenden EFA Kriterien überein (KMO = .89; Bartlett’s Sphärizitätstest p < .01), was eine fünf-dimensionale Struktur nahelegt. Cronbach Alphas reichten von .87 bis .70. Konvergenzvalidität fand sich zwischen EPDS-R und den Schwierigkeiten zur Affektregulation (DERS) und eine Übereinstimmungsvalidität wurden in zwei Untergruppen gefunden, die auf den klinischen Kriterien des ‘Brief Symptom Index’ (BSI; > 1.7) basierten. Gemäss dieser psychometrischen Vorstudie könnte EPDS-R ein valides Werkzeug sein, um emotionale Verarbeitungsschwierigkeiten in der Allgemeinbevölkerung erfassen zu können.

Las dificultades de procesamiento emocional son un constructo central de la terapia centrada en las emociones y un objetivo clínico para las tareas psicoterapéuticas diferenciadas. La identificación de estas dificultades emocionales se basa en gran medida en la observación y el juicio clínico. Este estudio describe el primer análisis psicométrico de la Escala revisada de dificultades de procesamiento emocional (EPDS-R). El Análisis Factorial Exploratorio (AFE), los procedimientos de confiabilidad y validez se llevaron a cabo en una muestra de 260 participantes. EPDS-R coincidió con los criterios de EFA adecuados (KMO = .89; prueba de esfericidad de Bartlett p < .001), lo que sugiere una estructura de cinco dimensiones. Los alfa de Cronbach variaron de .87 a .70. Se encontró validez convergente entre EPDS-R y dificultades en la regulación emocional (DERS), y se encontró validez concurrente en dos submuestras basadas en> 1,7 criterios clínicos del Índice Breve de Síntomas (BSI). Según este estudio psicométrico preliminar, EPDS-R puede ser una herramienta válida para evaluar las dificultades de procesamiento emocional en la población general.

As dificuldades de processamento emocional são um constructo central na Terapia Focada nas Emoções e um alvo clinico para diversas tarefas psicoterapêuticas. A identificação de dificuldades emocionais é maioritariamente baseada na observação clínica. Este estudo descreve a primeira? análise psicométrica da Escala de Dificuldades de Processamento Emocional- Revista (EDPE-R). Análise Fatorial Exploratória (AFE), estudos de precisão e validade foram efetuados numa amostra de 260 participantes. A EDPE-R apresentou critérios de EFA apropriados (KMO = 0,89; teste de esfericidade de Bartlett p < 0,01), sugerindo uma estrutura dimensional com cinco fatores. Os alfas de Cronbach variaram de 0,87 a 0,70. A validade convergente foi encontrada entre a EDPE-R e as dificuldades de regulação emocional e a validade concorrente foi encontrada em duas subamostras, com base no critério clínico do Inventário de Sintomas Psicopatológicos (ISP> 1,7). De acordo com este estudo psicométrico preliminar, EDPE-R apresenta-se como um instrumento válido para avaliar as dificuldades de processamento emocional na população em geral.

KEYWORDS:

• Emotional processing difficulties
• psychometrics
• assessment
• emotion focused-therapy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Bruno Faustino

Bruno Faustino, PhD, is Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Psychology and Life Sciences at Universidade Lusófona and invited lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Lisbon, Portugal. Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist in private practice. His research is focused on the development of a transtheoretical, metatheoretical and integrative model of psychotherapy informed by interpersonal and affective neuroscience.

António Branco Vasco

António Branco Vasco, PhD, is a Full Professor at the Department of Cognitive Behavioral and Integrative Psychotherapy of the Faculty of Psychology of the University of Lisbon, Portugal. Psychotherapist, researcher and supervisor. His research is focused on psychological needs and he is the author of the Paradigmatic Complementarity Metamodel.

Ana Nunes Da Silva

Ana Nunes da Silva, PhD, C.Psych, is a Guest Assistant at the Department of Cognitive Behavioral and Integrative Psychotherapy of the Faculty of Psychology of the University of Lisbon, Portugal. Psychotherapist, researcher and supervisor. Her interests are in process research in psychotherapy, emotional processing, alexithymia, alcohol related problems and self-care of psychotherapists. Dr. Silva maintains a part-time private practice in Lisbon.

João Barreira

João Barreira, Msc, is a Clinical Psychologist at private practice. He is currently working with vulnerable populations at risk of poverty. His research interests are complex trauma, emotional processing and dysfunctional emotional experiences.