Psychology
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://repository.aab-edu.net/handle/123456789/56
The Psychology community showcases scholarly publications and research outputs authored by faculty and researchers in the Faculty of Psychology. This collection includes journal articles, working papers, conference proceedings, and other academic works that contribute to the understanding of theory, policy, and practice. It aims to promote open access to high-quality economic research conducted within the institution.
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Item Treating major depression using internal cohesion psychotherapy: A case report(AAB College, 2025-07-10) Gashi, ArlindaMajor depression is the most prevalent mental illness, often treated using different psychotherapy approaches. In this case study, we present a comprehensive account of the intervention process based on the principles of internal cohesion psychotherapy (ICP). We describe the case of a 26-year-old woman from Kosovo who was diagnosed with severe major depression and subsequently engaged in 11 ICP sessions. The ICP intervention mainly focused on the client’s relationship with four systems, corresponding to the core elements of ICP: Intrapersonal, interpersonal, professional, and spiritual, considering three time points – the past, the present, and the future. The second evaluation, conducted during the eleventh session of ICP, found minimal depressive symptoms in the patient. This case study contributes to the ongoing discourse on the effectiveness of ICP as an eclectic approach in the treatment of major depression.Item Psychometric properties of the dissociative subtype of posttraumatic stress disorder scale: replication and extension in two Germanspeaking samples(AAB College, 2025-07-10) Gashi, ArlindaBackground: The fifth version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) introduced the dissociative subtype of posttraumatic stress disorder (D-PTSD). To assess this subtype, the Dissociative Subtype of PTSD Scale (DSPS), a 15-item self-report measure to identify lifetime and current dissociative symptoms of D-PTSD, was developed. However, so far, the scale has only been validated in war veterans. Moreover, criterion validity and diagnostic utility have not been examined yet. Objective: We aimed to validate the DSPS in two samples of civilian trauma-exposed Germanspeaking participants. Methods: In Study 1, a pre-registered online study, participants with and without PTSD symptoms (N = 558) answered questionnaires about traumatic experiences, dissociation, PTSD, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, somatic symptom disorder, alcohol use disorder, absorption, and dissociative responding to trauma-related questionnaires. In Study 2, which used secondary data of a pre-registered clinical study, participants with a PTSD diagnosis (N = 71) answered questionnaires about traumatic experiences, dissociation, PTSD, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, somatic symptom disorder, and dissociative responding to standardized trauma exposure. Moreover, PTSD, D-PTSD, and other diagnoses were assessed with structured clinical interviews. Results: Analyses confirmed a three-factor structure as well as high internal consistency, and high convergent, discriminant, and criterion validity of the DSPS. Moreover, the scale was able to identify a latent D-PTSD group and individuals with D-PTSD diagnosis. Conclusions: The DSPS constitutes a reliable and valid tool to assess D-PTSD symptoms in clinical practice and research and thereby may contribute to a better understanding of these debilitating symptoms.Item The effectiveness of internal cohesion psychotherapy in treating young clients with depression and anxiety disorders: The role of developmental assets in Kosovo context(AAB College, 2025-07-10) Gashi, ArlindaThe positive youth development approach (PYD) is widely used as a meaningful framework to guide research, policy, and intervention, to support young people to develop their full potential. Psychotherapy, on the other hand, is a verbal and psychological procedure that can be a suitable solution to mental health concerns, which are prevalent among youth. This study aimed to explore the potential role of developmental assets in treating clients with depression and anxiety disorders using Internal Cohesion Psychotherapy (ICP). In total, 10 young people who took at least five sessions of ICP were part of this study. Indepth semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather information about clients’ experiences with ICP and their perception/opinions on the presence of developmental assets in their lives. The results confirm the effectiveness of ICP in treating depression and anxiety, while clients acknowledge the role of developmental assets in their psychotherapeutic process. The current study has important theoretical, practical, and research implications. It provides evidence on how clients use their developmental assets in maximizing the effectiveness of the ICP process. The usage of developmental assets to enhance the effectiveness of psychotherapy opens a new path for further research and can serve as a foundation ground for intervention on mental health among youth.