Scientific Publications
Here you can find most of the academic publications by Dr. Francisco J. Ruiz
Showing 1-12 of 130 publications
Page 1 of 11
Effect of a brief, focal ACT protocol to accelerate repetitive TMS with theta-burst stimulation for elderly patients with depression: A randomized, blinded, controlled trial
Bariani, B., Pinto, B. S., Santos, L. A., Benatti, R. G., Lessa, M. M. P., Loureiro, J. C., Silva, J. F., Silva, V. A., Cardeal, H. B., Pereira, J. L., Miranda, C. S., Forlenza, O. V., Leão, C. S., Ruiz, F. J., Brunoni, A. R., Valiengo, L.
Journal of Affective Disorders
In older adults with MDD, we evaluated whether adding 4 ACT sessions to TBS (theta-burst rTMS) accelerates clinical response. In a double-blind, controlled RCT, ACT+TBS combination reduced depression (HDRS) faster at week 6 and showed higher remission than control with support sessions; differences did not persist at weeks 8–12. Integrating ACT could accelerate early TBS benefits in geriatric depression.
Relatório da Força‑Tarefa da ACBS sobre as Estratégias e Táticas de Pesquisa em Ciências Comportamentais Contextuais (tradução portuguesa)
Hayes, S. C., Merwin, R. M., McHugh, L., Sandoz, E. K., A‑Tjak, J. G. L., Ruiz, F. J., Barnes‑Holmes, D., Bricker, J. B., Ciarrochi, J., Dixon, M. R., Fung, K. P., Gloster, A. T., Gobin, R. L., Gould, E. R., Hofmann, S. G., Kasujja, R., Karekla, M., Luciano, C., McCracken, L. M.
Perspectivas em Análise do Comportamento (Vol. especial: Terapia de Aceitação e Compromisso)
Consensus document (2.5 years) proposing an agenda for contextual behavioral science. It defines that research should be multilevel, process-based, multidimensional, prosocial, and pragmatic, and presents 33 recommendations on design, measurement, and dissemination (e.g., idiographic analysis, high temporal density measures, adaptive trials, and open science). The goal is to maximize the applied and scientific impact of CBS on public health and social problems.
Explorando pensamentos negativos repetitivos (PNR) na população brasileira: uma análise correlacional
Leão, C. S., Ruiz, F. J., Kovac, R., McHugh, L.
Perspectivas em Análise do Comportamento (Vol. especial: Terapia de Aceitação e Compromisso)
Correlational study with Brazilian adults (n=225) examining the relationship between repetitive negative thinking (RNT), psychological inflexibility (PI), cognitive fusion (CF), and psychological distress. RNT was strongly associated with PI and CF. Mediation showed that CF explains a substantial part of the PI→RNT link, raising the explained variance from ~64% to ~74%. Correlations with depression, anxiety, and stress were weaker. Findings support ACT interventions focused on defusion to reduce RNT.
Measurement invariance and discriminant validity of the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire across five Spanish‑speaking countries
Rosales‑Sarabia, R. M., Moore, C., Montoya, C. E., Peña‑Tomás, B., Ortiz, S., Santamaría, C., Odriozola‑González, P., Ruiz, F. J.
Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science
With samples from Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Chile, and Spain (N=3389), the study confirmed the unidimensional structure of the CFQ and its measurement invariance across countries. The instrument showed excellent internal consistency and discriminant validity regarding emotional symptoms (DASS-21), supporting that cognitive fusion is a distinct construct. Results endorse the use of CFQ in cross-cultural comparisons and its utility for assessing key ACT processes.
Validity evidence of the Penn State Worry Questionnaire-Children in Colombian Children
Barajas, H. N., Ruiz, F. J.
Revista de Psicología Clínica con Niños y Adolescentes
The PSWQ-C was translated and validated in 585 Colombian children (8–12 years). The 3 reverse-scored items were removed, resulting in an 11-item version with high internal consistency (α/ω = .88). The unidimensional model showed excellent fit and scalar invariance by sex, age, and school. It showed convergent and discriminant validity against measures of repetitive negative thinking and anxiety. Girls scored higher than boys. The Spanish version facilitates the detection of pathological worry in child populations.
An idiographic comparison of ACT focused on repetitive negative thinking versus non-directive therapy in child generalized anxiety
Barajas, H. N., Farfán, N., Rodríguez, L. J., Peña-Tomás, B., Larrea-Rivera, Y. A., Gutiérrez, Y., Iriarte-Becerra, S., Rodríguez, P. A., Moreno-Méndez, J. H., Ruiz, F. J.
Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science
Trial with multiple baseline design (17 children, 8–12 years) compared RNT-focused ACT vs. non-directive therapy (NDT), in 3 videoconference sessions. ACT showed greater improvements in emotional symptoms and worry, reported by parents and children. Worry reduction mediated treatment effects. Findings support the utility of a brief, RNT-focused intervention for childhood GAD, outperforming a common control intervention like NDT.
Efficacy of applet-based ACT focused on repetitive negative thinking for adults with comorbid anxiety and depression: A randomized controlled trial with mediation analysis
Cao, Q., Du, X., Ruiz, F. J., Sierra, M. A., Yu, X., Ren, Z.
General Hospital Psychiatry
RCT (N=94) with a 14-day mobile intervention based on RNT-focused ACT for adults with elevated and comorbid anxiety and depression symptoms. Compared to waitlist, the program significantly reduced RNT, anxiety, and depression; changes were maintained at one month. Longitudinal analysis showed that RNT reduction mediated improvements in anxiety and depression. Evidence supports brief, digital transdiagnostic interventions.
Psychometric Properties of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire Short Version (FFMQ-SF) in the Colombian Population
Castañeda, D. F., Bianchi, J. M., Villalba-Garzón, J. A., Ruiz, F. J.
Mindfulness
With 582 Colombian adults, the five-factor structure of the FFMQ-SF-24 and its invariance by sex and meditation practice were confirmed. Reliabilities ranged from adequate to good; 20/24 items showed good Rasch fit. Theoretically coherent correlations were observed with emotional symptoms, mindfulness, and transdiagnostic variables. Caution is recommended when interpreting the "Observe" facet, and DIF was detected in items 10 and 13.
Cross-national measurement invariance of the Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire for clinical psychology professionals and trainees
Ccoyllo-Gonzalez, L., Blancas-Guillen, J., Salazar-Alvarez, G., Valencia, P. D., Ruiz, F. J.
Revista Latinoamericana de Psicología
Sample of 475 clinical psychology professionals and trainees from Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. The PTQ-CPT (9 items) showed unidimensional structure with correlated errors, metric invariance across countries, and validity evidence: it correlated positively with depression and anxiety and negatively with confidence in clinical skills. It is a reliable and valid measure of RNT for cross-cultural research and practice.
Efficacy of a Brief ACT Intervention in Reducing Interpersonal Problems and Fostering Interpersonal Flourishing: A Randomized Multiple-Baseline Evaluation
González-Cifuentes, C. E., Ruiz, F. J., Bernal-Manrique, K. N., Hernández-Bernal, X., Otálora, D. M., Peña-Vargas, A., Toquica-Orjuela, D. J., Pérez-Nieves, K. T.
The Psychological Record
Randomized multiple baseline evaluation (15 adults) of a brief ACT protocol (4 sessions) focused on RNT for interpersonal problems, via teleconference. Most showed effects on daily measures: reduction of problematic interpersonal behaviors (d≈0.97) and increase in interpersonal flourishing (d≈0.94). There were clinically significant changes in depression and, in those with GAD, relevant improvements. Promising protocol for interpersonal relationships.
Effectiveness of a process-based approach to farmer wellbeing: A randomized multiple-baseline single-case experimental design
Stynes, G., Stapleton, A., Moore, B., Russell, T., O'Connor, M., Richardson, N., Ruiz, F. J., McHugh, L.
Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science
Six-session online ACT intervention with 6 Irish farmers in a single-case multiple baseline design. There was significant and large increase in psychological flexibility (across cases) and reliable improvements in depression and internal shame in at least three participants; stress barely changed and burnout increased. Mixed results, with good feasibility and recommendations to optimize future interventions.
Validity evidence of the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale-30 in Colombian children
Barajas, H. N., Ruiz, F. J.
International Journal of Psychology & Psychological Therapy
Psychometric study of the RCADS-30 in Colombian children (8–12 years). The six-factor model showed adequate fit and scalar invariance by sex and age. Internal consistency was acceptable to good across subscales, with OCD being lowest. Convergent and discriminant validity was found with related measures. Girls scored higher; age was associated with more Depression and Social Phobia and less Separation Anxiety. The RCADS-30 is valid and reliable for school/clinical use.
Note: This page shows a selection of featured publications. To access the complete list of over 100 publications, please visit Dr. Ruiz's profile on Google Scholar or ResearchGate.