Effects of Brief Immersive Training on the Metacognitive Capacities and Self-knowledge of Young People

INTRODUCTION

Metacognitive abilities and self-knowledge are necessary for psychological maturation and good mental functioning of individuals. Self-knowledge is a central element in cognitive and personality development that begins to be structured during adolescence and evolves during youth and even later stages. It can be considered as the "mental map" or theory people use to construe themselves, and others based on their personal experiences. Self-knowledge consists of the schemas or constructs people use to interpret events, organize their responses and actions, and for anticipating the future. The variables that reflect metacognitive abilities and self-knowledge are diverse in the scientific literature. The investigators highlight the following:

1. Self-concept clarity is understood as the degree to which the contents of the person's self-concept are clearly defined, with certainty, with consistency, and are experienced as internally and temporally stable (Campbell et al., 1996).
2. Metacognition refers to the ability to identify, understand and reflect on one's own and others' mental states (e.g., thoughts, desires, emotions) (Pedone et al, 2017).
3. Reflective Function (RF) refers to the operationalization of the mental processes underlying mentalizing (Katznelson, 2014), which is defined as the ability to understand or interpret one's own and others' mental states, either implicitly or explicitly (Fonagy & Bateman, 2008).
4. Self-knowledge is a broad term used in several studies (e.g., Carapeto & Feixas, 2020) and is understood as the construction of one's personality characteristics in relation to the constructs they perceive in others and to their own "ideal self".
5. Self-esteem is a classic concept, often related to the previous terms, referring to the person's evaluation of their self and their capabilities.

Given that a good development of metacognitive capacities and self-knowledge is considered fundamental for the optimal functioning of individuals and society, the investigators consider the need to generate tools and/or interventions that can improve and enhance their development to be essential. In accordance, several approaches are considered. Personal Construct Theory (Kelly, 1955) focuses on the study of personal identity, understood as the core constructs of a person, and offers valid instruments to enhance metacognitive abilities and transformative self-knowledge. Based on the repertory grid technique (RGT), our research team has developed a brief immersive training to enhance the described metacognitive capacities.

This intervention allows participants to explore their personal identity in a safe environment. Specifically, it is an immersion in the person's own world of meanings through Virtual Reality (VR), with the Explore Your Meanings (EYME) tool, a technological platform created to help mental health professionals to enhance the personal development and therapeutic change of their clients.