Jonas Bjärehed | Lund University (original) (raw)

Papers by Jonas Bjärehed

Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 2015

The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) is a widely-used, theoretically-driven, and p... more The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) is a widely-used, theoretically-driven, and psychometrically-sound self-report measure of emotion regulation difficulties. However, at 36-items, the DERS may be challenging to administer in some situations or settings (e.g., in the course of patient care or large-scale epidemiological studies). Consequently, there is a need a briefer version of the DERS. The goal of the present studies was to develop and evaluate a 16-item version of the DERS -the DERS-16. The reliability and validity of the DERS-16 were examined in a clinical sample (N = 96) and two large community samples (Ns = 102 and 482). The validity of the DERS-16 was evaluated comparing the relative strength of the association of the two versions of the DERS with measures of emotion regulation and related constructs, psychopathology, and clinically-relevant behaviors theorized to stem from emotion regulation deficits. Results demonstrate that the DERS-16 has retained excellent internal consistency, good test-retest reliability, and good convergent and discriminant validity. Further, the DERS-16 showed minimal differences in its convergent and discriminant validity with relevant measures when compared to the original DERS. In conclusion, the DERS-16 offers a valid and brief method for the assessment of overall emotion regulation difficulties.

Psychology, 2011

The aim of this study was to examine the association between autobiographical memory specificity ... more The aim of this study was to examine the association between autobiographical memory specificity and future thinking in a depressed sample. A total of 88 individuals who meet the DSM-IV criteria of major depression were included and completed the autobiographical memory test (AMT) and the future thinking task (FTT). The FTT was an index of number of future plausible events, rating of likelihood and emotional valence. The results showed that positive future thinking was significantly correlated with retrieval of specific positive autobiographical memories (r = 0.23). Moreover, correlational analyses showed that positive autobiographical memories were negatively correlated with extended autobiographical memories, repeated autobiographical memories, semantic associations and non-responses on the AMT. Self-report measures of depression and anxiety were not correlated with either the FTT or the AMT. The results of this cross-sectional study only give weak support for an association between autobiographical memory specificity and future thinking.

Depression research and treatment, 2011

The associations between depressive symptoms and deliberate self-harm were studied by means of a ... more The associations between depressive symptoms and deliberate self-harm were studied by means of a 2-wave longitudinal design in a community sample of 1052 young adolescents, with longitudinal data for 83.6% of the sample. Evidence was found for a bidirectional relationship in girls, with depressive symptoms being a risk factor for increased self-harm one year later and self-harm a risk factor for increased depressive symptoms. Cluster analysis of profiles of depressive symptoms led to the identification of two clusters with clear depressive profiles (one severe, the other mild/moderate) which were both characterized by an overrepresentation of girls and elevated levels of self-harm. Clusters with more circumscribed problems were also identified; of these, significantly increased levels of self-harm were found in a cluster characterized by negative self-image and in a cluster characterized by dysphoric relations to parents. It is suggested that self-harm serves more to regulate negati...

Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 2011

Lundh, L. G., Wångby-Lundh, M. & Bjärehed, J. (2011). Deliberate self-harm and psychological prob... more Lundh, L. G., Wångby-Lundh, M. & Bjärehed, J. (2011). Deliberate self-harm and psychological problems in young adolescents: Evidence of a bidirectional relationship in girls. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 52, 476-483.

The Journal of School Nursing, 2013

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescents is a significant problem that needs to be addressed... more Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescents is a significant problem that needs to be addressed, and in some cases managed, in school settings. The current feasibility study uses screening questionnaires and follow up-interviews on NSSI in a community sample of adolescents (N ¼ 1,052) in Sweden. Both adolescents reporting self-injury (n ¼ 66) and a comparison group (n ¼ 31) were interviewed, and information disclosed about self-injury, as well as the results from the interviewers assessments of the seriousness of these behaviors, were examined. Generally, adolescents reported positive feelings about being interviewed, and 52% of those who had reported self-injury in the questionnaire disclosed NSSI in the interviews. Further, a majority of these cases, 76%, were not assessed as very serious. When NSSI was reported in a questionnaire 1 year after the interview, there were no indications of iatrogenic effects from participating in the interview. The results support the feasibility of using NSSI screening questionnaires in combination with follow-up interviews in schools.

Effects of Two Forms of Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Depression on Future Thinking

Cognitive Therapy and Research, 2013

... Gerhard Andersson • Ali Sarkohi • Johan Karlsson • Jonas Bjärehed • Hugo Hesser ... 1979), an... more ... Gerhard Andersson • Ali Sarkohi • Johan Karlsson • Jonas Bjärehed • Hugo Hesser ... 1979), and future-directed cognitions have been studied in depressed samples showing that they tend to generate fewer plausible future events on a verbal fluency task (MacLeod et al. 1993). ...

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 2011

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) refers to the direct and deliberate destruction of one's own body ... more Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) refers to the direct and deliberate destruction of one's own body tissue in the absence of lethal intent. The Inventory of Statements about Self-Injury (ISAS) is a recently developed instrument that taps both the frequency of different forms of NSSI and the selfperceived functions of the behaviour. The purpose of the present pilot study was to use the ISAS to study the functions of self-injury in a group of women with severe forms of NSSI who were treated within Swedish residential care settings and also to compare the patients' views with their therapists' views concerning these functions. Consistent with previous research, the patients reported intrapersonal functions (e.g. affect regulation and self-punishment) as more relevant than interpersonal functions (e.g. interpersonal influence and peer bonding). The therapists' ratings differed little from the patients' self-reports, although significant differences were found for some functions: The patients rated self-care and toughness as more important than the therapists did; the therapists, on the other hand, rated interpersonal influence and the marking of distress as more relevant than the patients did. Although the present study did not contain a full validation of the Swedish version of the ISAS, the results showed good internal consistency for the interpersonal and intrapersonal factors of the Swedish version.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 2010

Depressed patients have been found to generate fewer anticipated positive future events, but most... more Depressed patients have been found to generate fewer anticipated positive future events, but most previous studies have included patients who have either been severely depressed or expressed suicidal thoughts and intents or both. The aim of this study was to compare positive and negative future-directed thinking in persons with mild to moderate depression who did not express suicidal thoughts or intents (n ¼ 20) with a matched group of nondepressed persons (n ¼ 20). The two groups completed the Future-Thinking Task (FTT), in which they were asked to generate positive and negative anticipated future events for three upcoming time periods (1 week, 1 year, and 5 -10 years). In the present version of the FTT, both quantitative and qualitative aspects were included (i.e. subjective likelihood and emotional valence). Results showed that depressed persons reported lower scores regarding anticipated future positive events but they did not differ in terms of future negative events. The results are consistent with previous research and further strengthen the notion that reduced anticipation of future positive events is a defining characteristic of depression, even in the absence of suicidal ideation.

Internet administered guided self-help versus individualized e-mail therapy: A randomized trial of two versions of CBT for major depression

Behaviour Research and Therapy, 2010

Internet-delivered psychological treatment of major depression has been investigated in several t... more Internet-delivered psychological treatment of major depression has been investigated in several trials, but the role of personalized treatment is less investigated. Studies suggest that guidance is important and that automated computerized programmes without therapist support are less effective. Individualized e-mail therapy for depression has not been studied in a controlled trial. Eighty-eight individuals with major depression were randomized to two different forms of Internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), or to a waiting-list control group. One form of Internet treatment consisted of guided self-help, with weekly modules and homework assignments. Standard CBT components were presented and brief support was provided during the treatment. The other group received e-mail therapy, which was tailored and did not use the self-help texts i.e., all e-mails were written for the unique patient. Both treatments lasted for 8 weeks. In the guided self-help 93% completed (27/29) and in the e-mail therapy 96% (29/30) completed the posttreatment assessment. Results showed significant symptom reductions in both treatment groups with moderate to large effect sizes. At posttreatment 34.5% of the guided self-help group and 30% of the e-mail therapy group reached the criteria of high-end-state functioning (Beck Depression Inventory score below 9). At six-month follow-up the corresponding figures were 47.4% and 43.3%. Overall, the difference between guided self-help and e-mail therapy was small, but in favour of the latter. These findings indicate that both guided self-help and individualized e-mail therapy can be effective.

Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 2008

Self-reported emotional and behavioral problems in Swedish 14 to 15-year-old adolescents: A study... more Self-reported emotional and behavioral problems in Swedish 14 to 15-year-old adolescents: A study with the self-report version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology.