Kristof Vansteelandt

Yoga in schizophrenia: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials

Vancampfort D, Vansteelandt K, Scheewe T, Probst M, Knapen J, De Herdt A, De Hert M. Yoga in schizophrenia: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials.

Process and outcome in psychodynamic hospitalization-based treatment for patients with a personality disorder.

This study examined the relationship between the psychotherapeutic process and outcome in 44 patients who completed hospitalization-based psychodynamic treatment for personality disorders. Using self-report and interview ratings, outcome was assessed in terms of symptoms and personality functioning, and the psychotherapeutic process in terms of self and object relations, felt safety, and reflective functioning. Symptom and process measures were administered at intake, every 3 months during treatment, and at 3 and 12 months follow-up. Personality measures were collected at intake, the end of treatment, and at 3 and 12 months follow-up. Using Piecewise Linear Growth Curve Analysis results showed improvement in symptoms, personality functioning, self and object relations and felt safety, but not in reflective functioning. Linear changes in self and object representation and felt safety, but not in reflective functioning, predicted improvement in outcome.

Latent Class Models for Diary Method Data: Parameter Estimation by Local Computations

Abstract The increasing use of diary methods calls for the development of appropriate statistical methods. For the resulting panel data, latent Markov models can be used to model both individual differences and temporal dynamics. The computational burden associated with these models can be overcome by exploiting the conditional independence relations implied by the model. This is done by associating a probabilistic model with a directed acyclic graph, and applying transformations to the graph. The structure of the transformed graph provides a factorization of the joint probability function of the manifest and latent variables, which is the basis of a modified and more efficient E-step of the EM algorithm. The usefulness of the approach is illustrated by estimating a latent Markov model involving a large number of measurement occasions and, subsequently, a hierarchical extension of the latent Markov model that allows for transitions at different levels. Furthermore, logistic regression techniques are used to incorporate restrictions on the conditional probabilities and to account for the effect of covariates. Throughout, models are illustrated with an experience sampling methodology study on the course of emotions among anorectic patients.

Clusterwise Simultaneous Component Analysis for Analyzing Structural Differences in Multivariate Multiblock Data

Many studies yield multivariate multiblock data, that is, multiple data blocks that all involve the same set of variables (e.g., the scores of different groups of subjects on the same set of variables). The question then rises whether the same processes underlie the different data blocks. To explore the structure of such multivariate multiblock data, component analysis can be very useful. Specifically, 2 approaches are often applied: principal component analysis (PCA) on each data block separately and different variants of simultaneous component analysis (SCA) on all data blocks simultaneously. The PCA approach yields a different loading matrix for each data block and is thus not useful for discovering structural similarities. The SCA approach may fail to yield insight into structural differences, since the obtained loading matrix is identical for all data blocks. We introduce a new generic modeling strategy, called clusterwise SCA, that comprises the separate PCA approach and SCA as special cases. The key idea behind clusterwise SCA is that the data blocks form a few clusters, where data blocks that belong to the same cluster are modeled with SCA and thus have the same structure, and different clusters have different underlying structures. In this article, we use the SCA variant that imposes equal average cross-products constraints (ECP). An algorithm for fitting clusterwise SCA-ECP solutions is proposed and evaluated in a simulation study. Finally, the usefulness of clusterwise SCA is illustrated by empirical examples from eating disorder research and social psychology.

DNA methylation in imprinted genes IGF2 and GNASXL is associated with prenatal maternal stress

Epigenetic regulation of imprinted genes during embryonic development is influenced by the prenatal environment. Our aim was to examine the effect of maternal emotional stress and cortisol levels during pregnancy on methylation of imprinted genes, insulin‐like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and guanine nucleotide‐binding protein, alpha stimulating extra‐large (GNASXL), using umbilical cord blood DNA. Maternal depressed mood (Edinburgh Depression Scale; EDS), pregnancy‐related anxiety questionnaire (PRAQ) and cortisol day profiles were assessed throughout pregnancy. At birth, a cord blood sample (n = 80) was taken to study DNA methylation of IGF2 DMR0 (differentially methylated region), IGF2 anti‐sense (IGF2AS) and GNASXL using Sequenom EpiTYPER. Linear mixed models were used to examine the relationship between DNA methylation and maternal stress, while correcting for confounders. We also studied the association of DNA methylation with the child ponderal index at birth. We found a cytosine–guanine dinucleotide (CpG)‐specific association of PRAQ subscales with IGF2 DMR0 (CpG5, P < 0.0001) and GNASXL (CpG11, P = 0.0003), while IGF2AS was associated with maternal EDS scores (CpG33, P = 0.0003) and cortisol levels (CpG33, P = 0.0006; CpG37‐38, P = 0.0005). However, there was no association of methylation with ponderal index at birth. In conclusion, maternal stress during pregnancy, as defined by cortisol measurements, EDS and PRAQ scores, is associated with DNA methylation of imprinted genes IGF2 and GNASXL. Our results provide further evidence that prenatal adversity can influence imprinted gene methylation, although future studies are needed to unravel the exact mechanisms.

Variability in Affective Activation Predicts Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Eating Disorders

We examined whether affective variability can predict non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in eating disorders. Affect was represented by valence (positive versus negative) and activation (high versus low). Twenty-one patients with anorexia nervosa-restricting type, 18 patients with anorexia nervosa-binge-purging type and 20 patients with bulimia nervosa reported their momentary affect at nine random times a day during a one week period using a hand-held computer. Affective variability was calculated as the within-person standard deviation of valence and activation over time. Results indicate that patients displaying greater variability in activation and using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have a higher probability to engage in lifetime NSSI after adjustment for depression and borderline personality disorder. Neither variability of valence nor mean level of valence and activation had any predictive association with engaging in NSSI. It is suggested that the treatment of NSSI should focus on affect stabilization rather than reducing negative affect.

The inhibition of verbally aggressive behaviour

We studied the inhibition of verbal aggression, defined as not displaying verbal aggression when one would want to. The approach we used was based on a situation–response questionnaire containing 15 anger provoking situations and three verbally aggressive responses. Two questions were asked for each combination of a situation and a response: one about wanting to react in a verbally aggressive way and one about actually displaying the reaction. This questionnaire was administered to 316 participants. Based on different theories about inhibition, several logistic mixed models were constructed and tested against each other. In the best fitting model, inhibition was conceptualized as a trait. Trait inhibition was negatively correlated with external measures of Anger Out and positively with Control of Anger Out. Copyright

A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapeutic Program for Patients With Obesity and Binge Eating Disorder: Short- and Long-Term Follow-Up Data of a Prospective Study

The goal of this study is to investigate the efficacy of a manualized cognitive-behavioral therapeutic (CBT) approach for patients with obesity and binge eating disorder (BED) on the short and longer term. A prospective study without a control group consisting of three measurements (a baseline measurement and two follow-up assessments up to 5 years after the start of the CBT treatment) was used. A total of 56 patients with obesity and BED (age = 39.7 ± 10-9 years; body mass index [BMI] = 38.5 ± 8.3 kg/m2) participated in the study. BMI, number of binges per week, general psychological well-being, mood, attitude toward one’s body, and loss of control over the eating behavior were evaluated by means of mixed models. Results indicate that a CBT approach offered 1 day a week during an average 7 months produces benefits on eating behaviors, weight, and psychological parameters that are durable up to 3.5 years post treatment.

Hyperactivity in anorexia nervosa: A case study using experience sampling methodology

Hyperactivity is frequently observed in eating disorders, and several biopsychological mechanisms have been proposed to explain its pathogenetic role. In view of the lack of a reliable method to study hyperactive behavior, we did an experiment with experience sampling methodology (ESM). During 1 week, an anorexia nervosa (AN) patient was asked at nine random times a day to report her momentary tendency to be physically active, her emotions and several other variables including calorie expenditure, drive for thinness, attractiveness, obsessions, compulsions, and attitudes towards hyperactivity. Results indicate that the patients tendency to be hyperactive was (a) positively related to her weight preoccupation and her negative emotions, and (b) negatively related to her positive emotions and the absence of depression. In this patient, obsessions and compulsions were not related to hyperactivity. The usefulness of ESM for studying the role of hyperactivity in AN is discussed.

A formal model for the competency–demand hypothesis

The goal of contextualized approaches to personality is twofold: (a) to describe individual differences in situation–response profiles in a parsimonious way and (b) to grasp the psychological mechanisms at the basis of these individual differences. In this paper, it is argued that formal models can be useful to reach this goal. In particular, an item response theory (IRT) model is proposed that formalizes the competency–demand hypothesis, a possible psychological mechanism at the basis of failure behaviour (Wright and Mischel, 1987). The latter hypothesis implies that a person will display a failure response (e.g. aggression) in a situation whenever the demands of the situation are larger than the competency of the person to such an extent that the threshold of the failure response is exceeded. In an empirical study on self‐reported hostility in frustrating situations, it is illustrated how the proposed model can be estimated and tested. Copyright