Sylwia Michałowska

Dr. Sylwia Michałowska

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

8Years (2019-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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PPPiotr Podwalski
Piotr Podwalski
ETErnest Tyburski
Ernest Tyburski
KSKrzysztof Szczygieł
Krzysztof Szczygieł
KWKatarzyna Waszczuk
Katarzyna Waszczuk
KRKatarzyna Izabela Rek-Owodziń
Katarzyna Izabela Rek-Owodziń
JSJerzy Sanochowiec
Jerzy Sanochowiec
Deficit syndrome (DS) is a subtype of schizophrenia characterized by primary persistent negative symptoms. The corpus callosum (CC) appears to be related to psychopathology in schizophrenia. This study assessed white matter integrity in the CC using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in deficit and non-deficit schizophrenia (NDS) patients. We also investigated the psychopathological dimensions of schizophrenia and their relationship to CC integrity. Fifteen DS patients, 40 NDS patients, and 30 healthy controls (HC) underwent psychiatric evaluation and neuroimaging. We divided the CC into five regions and assessed their fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD). Psychopathology was assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. DS patients had lower FA than NDS patients and HC, and higher MD in Region 5 of the CC than did HC. NDS patients had higher MD in Region 4 of the CC. The patient groups differed in terms of negative symptoms. After differentiating clinical groups and HC, no significant correlations were observed between DTI measures and psychopathological symptoms. Our results suggest that DS and NDS are characterized by minor impairments of the posterior CC. We confirmed that DS patients have greater negative psychopathology than NDS patients. Our results are preliminary, and further studies are needed.

19 January 2025 in Brain Sciences
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MCMagdalena Chęć
Magdalena Chęć
KKKrystian Konieczny
Krystian Konieczny
SMSylwia Michałowska
Sylwia Michałowska
KRKarolina Rachubińska
Karolina Rachubińska
Background: Perfectionism in adolescents can have both adaptive and maladaptive forms, with implications for mental health and school performance. This study aimed to investigate the relationships among perfectionism, mental health factors, and emotional regulation in adolescents and to evaluate the efficacy of psychoeducational interventions. Methods: Two studies were conducted: (1) A cross-sectional study (n = 261) examined the correlations among perfectionism, mental health factors, and emotional regulation. (2) An experimental study (n = 115) evaluated the effects of psychoeducation on perfectionism and healthy habits compared with a control group. The measures included questionnaires on perfectionism, depression, anxiety, stress, and emotional regulation. Results: Study 1 found that maladaptive perfectionism was positively correlated with depression (r = 0.52, p < 0.001), anxiety (r = 0.48, p < 0.001), stress (r = 0.45, p < 0.001), and difficulties in emotional regulation (r = 0.39, p < 0.001). Adaptive perfectionism was negatively correlated with deficits in emotional understanding (r = −0.31, p < 0.05). Study 2 showed that psychoeducational interventions reduced maladaptive perfectionism (mean difference = −5.7, p < 0.05, Cohen’s d = 0.62) and depression levels (mean difference = −3.2, p < 0.05, Cohen’s d = 0.38) but increased stress in the experimental groups. No significant changes were observed in adaptive perfectionism or the anxiety level. Conclusions: These findings highlight the complex relationships among perfectionism, mental health, and emotional regulation in adolescents. Targeted interventions can reduce maladaptive perfectionism and its associated negative effects. Further research is needed on the long-term outcomes and refinement of interventional strategies.

SMSylwia Michałowska
Sylwia Michałowska
KRKarolina Rachubińska
Karolina Rachubińska
KKKrystian Konieczny
Krystian Konieczny
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced the area of education, in terms of both teaching and learning effectiveness. The aim of the study was to compare groups of high school graduates and graduate students. The Coping Inventory in Stressful Situations (CISS), State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Hope for Success Questionnaire (KNS), and our own questionnaire were used in the study. The results of the research show that the group of high school graduates, compared to the graduate students, was characterized by a higher level of anxiety, a style focused on emotions and a lower level of hope for success. People who passed the exam in the online form were characterized by a higher level of anxiety compared to the respondents who passed the exam in the stationary form. According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that the styles of coping and the level of hope for success may be both protective and risk factors related to the level of anxiety during distance learning.

25 May 2025 in Scientific Reports
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SMSylwia Michałowska
Sylwia Michałowska
MCMagdalena Chęć
Magdalena Chęć
PPPiotr Podwalski
Piotr Podwalski
Childhood trauma resulting from violence, abuse, and neglect has long-term effects on health and is linked to the development of diseases and mental disorders, including depression. It turns out that traumatic experiences in childhood can also foster traits of perfectionism, whose maladaptive form may further increase the risk of developing depression. The aim of this study was to assess the role of perfectionism in the relationship between childhood trauma and depression in adulthood. The analysis involved 308 participants (73 with depression and 235 healthy controls). The study used questionnaires assessing childhood traumatic experiences (MACE-58) and perfectionism levels (KPAD). The results showed that individuals with depression exhibited higher maladaptive perfectionism and a greater severity of trauma, particularly physical violence and sexual abuse. Traumatic experiences, especially sexual abuse and physical violence from peers, were significant predictors of depression. It was found that maladaptive perfectionism mediated the relationship between trauma and depression, eliminating the direct link in the case of some traumas, such as sexual abuse. The study highlights the significant role of maladaptive perfectionism in the development of depression in individuals who experienced traumatic events in childhood, suggesting that interventions aimed at reducing this type of perfectionism may positively impact depression treatment.

1 April 2024 in Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
SMSylwia Michałowska
Sylwia Michałowska
MCMagdalena Chęć
Magdalena Chęć
The study aims to introduce Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) as a viable approach to treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as its comorbidity with borderline personality disorder (BPD). The paper refers to current studies conducted between 2017 and 2023 relating to DBT's efficacy in managing complex and relational early childhood trauma, including sexual abuse and violence. Analyses indicate that DBT helps to reduce PTSD symptoms in various age groups. An integrative approach, which combines DBT and methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), appears to enhance therapeutic effects. Therefore, it is recommended to implement programs based on DBT and evaluate their effectiveness in a group of Polish patients who have co-occurring symptoms of PTSD and BPD or PTSD alone.

14 November 2024 in Brain Sciences
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Journal Article
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MCMagdalena Chęć
Magdalena Chęć
SMSylwia Michałowska
Sylwia Michałowska
AGAlicja Gnych-Pietrzak
Alicja Gnych-Pietrzak
ARAlbina Rybarska
Albina Rybarska
KSKlaudia Strochalska
Klaudia Strochalska
Background: Adolescence is an important point in the emotional development of young people. It is a time when young people are characterised by a high degree of emotional instability and seek effective ways to regulate their emotions. One of the frequent methods they use to cope with emotional tension is self-injurious behaviour. Methods: In the context of the rising incidence of self-harm among adolescents, this study aims to understand the association of temperament with the experience of tension and self-injurious behaviour along with the mediating role of perfectionism among 366 adolescents aged 15 to 20 years (Mage = 17.98, SD = 1.302, 52.7% female). Participants completed questionnaires on temperament traits, level of perfectionism, and experience of tension and self-injurious behaviour. Results: The results show that traits such as perfectionism, sensory sensitivity and emotional reactivity increase the risk of self-injurious behaviour. Maladaptive perfectionism partially mediates the relationship between these traits and the tendency to experience emotional tension. A temperament profile with a protective role was also identified. Conclusions: The results of the study highlight the importance of innate traits as well as environmental and cognitive influences, and may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms leading to self-injurious behaviour and strategies aimed at its prevention.