Scientific Publications
Here you can find most of the academic publications by Dr. Francisco J. Ruiz
Showing 1-12 of 133 publications
Page 1 of 12
Beyond emotions: Social cognitive predictors of COVID-19 vaccination intentions before and after vaccine roll-out
Manoli, A., Kteily, N., y 38 coautores de 33 países, Ruiz, F. J.
PLOS Global Public Health
Multinational longitudinal study (33 countries, n=586) examining psychosocial predictors of COVID-19 vaccination intention at two time points: pre-rollout (April-June 2020) and post-rollout (January-February 2021). Self-efficacy and perceived severity were consistent predictors of vaccination intention at both time points. Perceived susceptibility was negatively associated with intention only before rollout. After vaccine rollout, declines were observed in self-efficacy, prosociality, psychological flexibility, and positive affect. General psychological variables did not significantly predict vaccination intention.
Rule-based insensitivity to contingencies according to self-reported generalized pliance/tracking and the instruction functions
Martinez-Carrillo, E., Ruiz, F. J.
Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science
Experimental study with 90 Colombian undergraduates selected for high generalized pliance or high generalized tracking. Participants completed a matching-to-sample task under two instruction conditions: General Instructions (GI) and General Instructions plus Responding Criteria (GI+RC). Results confirmed the rule-based insensitivity effect: participants with explicit responding criteria showed lower contingency sensitivity. About one-third of GI participants falsely believed they had received explicit criteria, behaving similarly to the instructed group. No differences in contingency sensitivity were found between high pliance and high tracking participants, but high pliance participants reported greater motivation to follow instructions and earn points, suggesting pliance may have competing effects on insensitivity to contingencies.
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.
Automatic Thought Systems: A Multinational Network Analysis Study
Ramos-Vera, C., Basauri-Delgado, M., Lian, S.-L., Yang, C., Ruiz, F. J., Caycho-Rodríguez, T., Torales, J., El Keshky, M. E. S., Martskvishvili, K., Ozbiler, S., Hualparuca-Olivera, L.
International Journal of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Multinational cross-sectional study using network analysis (Gaussian graphical models) to examine the structure of negative automatic thoughts measured by the ATQ-8 in 3,964 participants from six countries (Saudi Arabia, China, Spain, Georgia, Turkey, and Peru). CFA confirmed the unidimensional structure across all samples. The item 'I am worthless' (ATQ4) showed the highest strength centrality overall and in most countries, acting as a cognitive hub reinforcing other negative thoughts. Gender comparisons revealed stronger interconnections among automatic thoughts in women than men, particularly between worthlessness and future hopelessness, consistent with higher depression rates in women. The overall network structure was largely consistent across countries, with some cross-cultural variation in node centrality.
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.
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.