Sara Liebana Puado

@portalcientifico.universidadeuropea.com

Profesora Doctora Adjunta/Psicología/Facultad de Ciencias Biomédicas y de la Salud
Universidad Europea de Madrid

Sara Liebana Puado


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https://researchid.co/sliebana

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Clinical Psychology, Applied Psychology
12

Scopus Publications

Scopus Publications

  • The Road Towards PTSD Symptomatology. The Role of Personality, Uncertainty and Anxiety Sensitivity. A Two-Wave Prospective Mediation Study
    Pedro Altungy, Sara Liébana, Ashley Navarro-McCarthy, María Paz García-Vera, Jesús Sanz
    Revista Iberoamericana De Psicologia Y Salud, 2026
    <title>ABSTRACT</title> <sec> <title>Introduction:</title> <p> There is significant amount of scientific literature regarding psychological variables that account as vulnerability/protective variables for the onset and maintenance of PTSD symptomatology. Among them, Big Five personality traits (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism). However, there is still little evidence regarding the underlying mechanisms that may explain that relationship. </p> </sec> <sec> <title>Method:</title> <p> A sample of 300 participants from Spanish general population (M<sub>age</sub> = 38.72; 54.7% women) completed an on-line survey in two separated moments: personality traits, intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety sensitivity at T1, and PTSD symptomatology at T2, three months later. </p> </sec> <sec> <title>Results:</title> <p> Neuroticism (β<sub>standarised</sub> = .144), intolerance of uncertainty (β<sub>standarised</sub> = .195) and anxiety sensitivity (β<sub>standarised</sub> = .269) at T1 predicted 25.5% of PTSD symptomatology at T2. Moreover, intolerance of uncertainty (a<sub>1</sub>a<sub>2</sub> = .129) and anxiety sensitivity (b<sub>1</sub>b<sub>2</sub> = .119) partially and complementary mediated the relationship between neuroticism at T1 and PTSD symptomatology at T2 (c’ = .144). </p> </sec> <sec> <title>Discussion:</title> <p> This study is the first to analyse together, in a two-wave prospective study, the predictive capacity of personality traits, intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety sensitivity, over PTSD symptoms. These results have significant implications for future development of targeted prevention and intervention programs aimed to traumatic events survivors. </p> </sec>
  • Understanding extremist personality: the mediating influence of Regulatory Modes and the need for cognitive closure in the Quest for Significance
    Luis Carlos Jaume, Marcelo Agustin Roca, Nahuel Hugo Ezequiel Duhalde, Hugo Simkin, Sara Liebana, Pedro Altungy Labrador
    Frontiers in Social Psychology, 2026
    Introduction Understanding the psychological mechanisms underlying extremist personality helps explain why some individuals endorse rigid or polarized positions. Extremist personality is conceptualized as a self-regulatory tendency characterized by motivational imbalance, cognitive inflexibility, and strong commitment to salient goals. This study examined how the quest for significance, regulatory modes (Locomotion and Assessment), and the need for cognitive closure relate to extremist personality. Methods A sample of 693 Argentine adults (M age = 41.9, SD = 15.42, range: 18–85; 61.4% women) completed an online questionnaire assessing quest for significance, regulatory modes, need for cognitive closure, and extremist personality. Structural equation modeling was conducted to test direct and indirect effects. Results Quest for significance positively predicted extremist personality both directly (β = 0.232, p < 0.001) and indirectly through Locomotion (β = 0.190, p = 0.001). Locomotion strongly predicted extremism (β = 0.464, p < 0.001; total effect = 0.576). Assessment was not significantly related to extremism (β = −0.048, p = 0.516). Cognitive closure weakly predicted extremism (β = 0.083–0.084, p > 0.05) and did not mediate the relationship between significance and extremism, despite being strongly predicted by significance (β = 0.160–0.385, p < 0.001). Discussion Findings suggest that motivational urgency and action-oriented self-regulation are key mechanisms associated with extremist personality, highlighting the central role of locomotion rather than evaluative orientation or cognitive closure in explaining extremist tendencies.
  • How personal significance, collective narcissism, and willingness to sacrifice shape extreme personalities
    Pedro Altungy, Ashley Navarro-McCarthy, Rocío Lana-Blond, Sara Liébana, Luis Carlos Jaume, Ewa Szumowska, Erica Molinario, Ángel Gómez, Arie W. Kruglanski
    Frontiers in Social Psychology, 2026
    Introduction Extreme feelings, behaviors, and cognitions, although often considered outside the bounds of normality, are part of human nature. This study examined whether variables proven to be related to extremism, including personal significance, collective narcissism, and willingness to make sacrifices, are related to, and could incipiently explain, extreme personality. Methods Data was collected from the Spanish general population ( n = 328, 92.4% males) and individuals from a Spanish prison ( n = 222, 95.5% males). Multiple linear regression and mediation analyses were conducted, with extreme personality being the outcome variable. Results For the general population, two regression analyses showed that collective narcissism, sacrifice for values, sacrifice for group, and either quest for significance ( R adjusted 2 = 0.071; F = 5.61; p = 0.004) or loss of significance ( R adjusted 2 = 0.077; F = 4.73; p = 0.009) predicted extreme personality. For the prison sample, only collective narcissism along with quest for significance ( R adjusted 2 = 0.252; F = 10.84; p = 0.001) or loss of significance ( R adjusted 2 = 0.170; F = 7.53; p = 0.007) predicted extreme personality. Mediation analysis showed that collective narcissism and willingness to sacrifice for one's highest values partially mediated the relationship between personal significance and extreme personality in the general population, while only collective narcissism did so for the prison sample. Discussion These results underscore the role that personal significance has in explaining extreme personality and could also indicate that in-group superiority and self-sacrifice (for those in the general population) act as partial psychological pathways, linking personal significance to extreme personality.
  • Extremism and Radicalisation. A Systematic Review of Empirical Evidence for Personality, Quest for Significance, Spirituality and Intolerance of Uncertainty
    Pedro Altungy, Alicia González-Luque, Sara Liébana, Ashley Navarro-McCarthy, Luís Carlos Jaume, Marcelo Agustín Roca, Rocío Lana
    Papeles Del Psicologo, 2025
    <title>Abstract</title> <p>Extremism and radicalisation pose significant threats to national security and socio-political stability, particularly in Western countries. Despite the extensive scientific literature addressing these phenomena from various perspectives, existing empirical research lacks cohesion due to differing theoretical models. This systematic review aims to unify recent empirical research on psychological factors associated with extremism and radicalisation, focusing on empirical studies across diverse cultural and socio-political contexts. Key findings indicate that certain personality traits—specifically, low openness to experience and high conscientiousness—may increase susceptibility to extremist beliefs. Additionally, quest for significance seems to stand out as a powerful motivator for radicalisation. Spirituality seems to play a complex role: it may mitigate or, conversely, amplify extremist tendencies, depending on interpretative frameworks and group dynamics. Intolerance of uncertainty is another critical factor, as individuals with low tolerance for ambiguity may be drawn to extremist ideologies that offer rigid, black-and-white perspectives. This review emphasises the importance of a comprehensive understanding of these psychological variables, which, altogether, suggest that both individual traits and contextual factors contribute to radicalisation pathways and extremism. The findings highlight opportunities for targeted interventions, suggesting directions for future research to develop more effective strategies for preventing radicalisation in clinical and community environments.</p>
  • To Cancel or Not to Cancel. That Is the Question. The Role of Quest for Significance and Significance Loss in Cancel Culture
    Pedro Altungy, Margarida Ribeiro, Sara Liébana, Ashley Navarro‐McCarthy, Luis Carlos Jaume, Marcelo Agustin Roca
    Social Science Quarterly, 2025
    OBJECTIVEThe phenomenon of cancellation is gaining in social impact and significance in the last decade. There is significant research from political science about this topic, but little is yet known from a psychological perspective. The aim of the present research was to analyze how significance loss and personality traits might influence people's attitudes in supporting or rejecting cancel culture attitudes and behaviors.METHODIn an experimental study with 122 Portuguese people (70.5% women, mean age: 28.59 years), significance levels were manipulated to test their impact on cancel culture support, controlling the influence of personality traits (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeability, neuroticism), and political orientation.RESULTSAnalyses showed that those identifying themselves are more left‐wing oriented (β = ‐0.43; p < 0.001) and who experienced a higher quest for significance (β = 0.19; p = 0.017) were those more prone to support cancel culture attitudes and behaviors (R2adjusted = 0.313; p = 0.005). Personality traits showed no significant impact on cancel culture, and neuroticism showed a significant one when considered alone (β = 0.18; p = 0.049; R2adjusted = 0.024; p = 0.049).CONCLUSIONThese findings provide an initial conceptualization of cancel culture from a psychological perspective, opening the door to socio‐clinical intervention and prevention programs.
  • What Lies Beyond Personality Traits? The Role of Intolerance of Uncertainty, Anxiety Sensitivity, and Metacognition
    Ana Sanz-García, Sara Liébana, María Paz García-Vera, Jesús Sanz, Pedro Altungy, Andrea García de Marina, Ashley Navarro-McCarthy, José Manuel Sánchez-Marqueses
    Psicothema, 2025
    Background: Although personality trait models have become consolidated as the hegemonic taxonomical models for describing personality and provide excellent capacity for predicting variables of psychological interest (i.e., mental disorders), there are still important gaps in our knowledge about personality traits predict those variables. We hypothesised that intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety sensitivity and metacognition may partially give an answer to that . why why Method: We analysed: (1) the relationship between those three variables and the five dimensions of the Big Five model ( = 914; 51.7% women) in Study 1, and (2) the relationship between those variables and neuroticism facets ( = 656; 55.7% women) in Study 2. n n Results: Intolerance of uncertainty was statistically related to the dimensions of neuroticism, extraversion, and agreeableness, while anxiety sensitivity also proved to be related to neuroticism. Both variables were related to the six facets of the neuroticism dimension (with the exception of the impulsivity facet for intolerance of uncertainty). Metacognition showed no significant relationship with any of the personality dimensions. Conclusions: The current work sheds some light on the underlying the potential relationships between personality traits and relevant behaviours, with intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety sensitivity being particularly important, especially concerning the neuroticism dimension. why
  • Health equity, mental health, and partnerships to build back after COVID-19: Multistakeholder perspectives at a United Nations event
    Judy Kuriansky, Pedro Altungy, Gabe Twose, Sara Liébana, Stéphanie Racine Maurice, Carlos Velo, Rayna Sadia, Marija Davcheva, Monique Arantes Guimarães
    Resilient Health Leveraging Technology and Social Innovations to Transform Healthcare for Covid 19 Recovery and Beyond, 2024
  • Psychometric Properties of the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3) in Spanish Population
    Pedro Altungy, Sara Liébana, J. M. Sánchez-Marqueses, A. Sanz-García, M. P. García-Vera, Jesús Sanz
    Psicothema, 2023
    BACKGROUND The Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3) is the reference instrument for measuring anxiety sensitivity. The psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the ASI-3 have been examined in university students but not in adults from the general population. Whether the ASI-3 subscales provide relevant information has not yet been examined either. METHOD The ASI-3’s factor structure, internal consistency, temporal stability, and relationship with neuroticism were examined in a Spanish community sample of 919 adults. RESULTS In two subsamples of participants, the ASI-3 presented a structure of three correlated factors (physical, cognitive, and social concerns) that loaded on a higher-order factor, but the three factors did not explain much item variance. The total scale and subscales of the ASI-3 showed excellent or good indices of internal consistency (alphas and omegas = .81 – .91), and adequate indices of test-retest reliability at two months ( r = .57 – .73) and the relationship with neuroticism and its facets ( r = .19 – .52). CONCLUSIONS The ASI-3 provides reliable, valid measures of anxiety sensitivity in Spanish adults, but its subscales are not very useful beyond the information provided by the total scale.
  • Depressive Dysfunctional Attitudes and Post-Traumatic Stress in Victims of Terrorist Attacks
    Rocío Fausor, María Paz García-Vera, Noelia Morán, Beatriz Cobos, Roberto Navarro, José Manuel Sánchez-Marqueses, Clara Gesteira, Sara Liébana, Jesús Sanz
    Journal of Aggression Maltreatment and Trauma, 2023
    The DSM-5ʹs new conception of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) includes, as a diagnostic criterion, the presence of persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs, thoughts, or expectations about oneself, others, the world, and one’s guilt. These symptoms increase the symptomatic similarity with major depressive disorder (MDD) and with the negative cognitive triad of Beck’s cognitive theory of depression and allow us to assume that the dysfunctional attitudes that this theory proposes as a vulnerability factor for MDD could also refer to PTSD. This study aims to examine the relationship between depressive dysfunctional attitudes and the symptoms and diagnosis of PTSD. A sample of 378 adult victims of terrorism completed measures of depressive dysfunctional attitudes (DAS-A), DSM-IV post-traumatic stress symptoms (PCL-S), depressive symptoms (BDI-II), and DSM-IV diagnosis of emotional disorders (SCID-I). A significant relationship was found between depressive dysfunctional attitudes and PTSD symptomatology, even after controlling for the effect of depression, sex, age, education level, anxiety, and previous depressive episodes. It was also found that victims with PTSD, with or without MDD, had more depressive dysfunctional attitudes than those without emotional disorders and more achievement-perfectionism attitudes than victims with emotional disorders other than PTSD or MDD. The results suggest that depressive dysfunctional attitudes could be a vulnerability factor for PTSD. The results also suggest the need to refine Beck's cognitive theory proposals about dysfunctional attitudes common and specific to each emotional disorder and identify potential therapeutic targets of cognitive therapies for these disorders.
  • Relationships of the Big Five facets and dysfunctional attitudes with depression
    Rocío Fausor, Noelia Morán, Clara Gesteira, Beatriz Cobos, Ana Sanz‐García, Sara Liébana, Pedro Altungy, María Paz García‐Vera, Jesús Sanz
    Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 2022
    There are two parallel lines of research on the relationship between personality and depression, one based on the Big Five personality model and one on Beck's cognitive theory of depression. However, no study has jointly examined the dimensions and facets of the Big Five and the dysfunctional attitudes of Beck's theory. This was the objective of the present study. The Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI‐R), the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS‐A), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI‐IA) were applied to 221 adults from the Spanish general population (53.7% females; mean age: 38.3 years). Various multiple linear regression analyses revealed that only the facet of depression was significantly related to depressive symptomatology. The different associations of the broad and specific personality traits and the need to control as many third variables as possible to prevent the finding of spurious relationships are discussed.
  • An Exploratory Study on Mental Health and Burnout in Social Care Workers of an Emergency Shelter for Homeless Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic
    Pedro Altungy, Raúl Torres, Sara Liébana, Jesús Saiz, José M. Sánchez-Marqueses
    Clinica Y Salud, 2022
  • Dysfunctional Attitudes and Long-Term Posttraumatic Growth in Victims of Terrorist Attacks
    Sara Liébana, Ana Sanz-García, Rocío Fausor, María Paz García-Vera, Jesús Sanz
    Ansiedad Y Estres, 2022