A narrative review of cross-sectional and prospective associations between self-schemas and bipolar disorder

The role of self-concept in bipolar disorder (BD) has not been well understood. The present review utilizes the notion of self-schema and interrogates existing research concerning evidence for cross-sectional and prospective associations between four schema-like constructs (i.e. trait self-esteem, dysfunctional beliefs concerning contingent self-worth, early maladaptive schemas and implicit self-esteem) and various facets of BD. Existing findings demonstrate various types of involvement of self-schemas in BD. Of particular clinical relevance, the present review suggests that low trait self-esteem and dysfunctional beliefs concerning contingent self-worth are risk factors for ongoing BD symptoms and mood episodes. The present review also yields important yet unaddressed questions with respect to the evaluative content of self-schemas associated with the hypo/manic phase of BD.

Self in the Service: Self-Identification Moderates the Association between Perceived Drinking Norms and Own Drinking among Veterans

PURPOSE

Drinking is common among young adult veterans. Previous research has established that veterans' drinking is more strongly associated with veteran versus civilian drinking norms. The present research extends these findings by examining the influence of self-identification both with other veterans and with civilians as moderators of the association between perceived norms and drinking.

METHODS

Veterans aged 18-34 (N = 1015; 88.7% male; M = 28.23, SD = 3.44) were recruited via Facebook to participate. Measures included same-gender veterans/same-gender civilians self-identification, same-gender veterans/same gender-civilians perceived drinking norms, and own drinking.

RESULTS

Pairwise comparisons revealed both male and female veterans identified more with other veterans than civilians and perceived drinking to be more prevalent among other veterans than civilians. However, males overestimated male veteran drinking norms to a greater degree than male civilian norms whereas the opposite was true for females. Negative binomial analysis examining a three-way interaction between veteran identification, civilian identification, and civilian norms revealed civilian drinking norms were positively associated with drinking, particularly for veterans who strongly identified with both veterans and civilians. Conversely, civilian drinking norms were also found to be negatively associated with drinking, particularly for those who did not identify strongly with civilians but identified strongly with veterans.

IMPLICATIONS

This study represented a preliminary step for understanding how identity plays a role in terms of veterans' drinking. Given that veterans drank at differing levels of identification, it may be important to consider identities that are most salient when designing interventions targeting individual veterans.

Effect of a mentoring program for adolescents with physical disabilities attending a therapeutic camp

PURPOSE

Youth with physical disabilities are at an elevated risk for poor psychosocial health. Pediatric medical camps are one common intervention utilized to provide short-term psychosocial support. However, there is a growing criticism that the effects of such programs diminish as participants return to home and school settings post residential camp experience. A post camp support intervention, the first known in the literature, was tested for perceptions of mattering and self-esteem. Specifically, this study examined the psychosocial effect of a year-round mentoring and online support program as an adjunct to residential camp (intervention) as compared to peers that attended only the summer residential experience (comparison group).

METHODS

A quasi-experimental design using an intervention and comparison group was implemented. Data were analyzed using a repeated measures analysis of variance to test for within group and between group effect.

RESULTS

A small effect (partial η2= 0.096) between groups (p< 0.17) and a moderate effect (partial η2= 0.133) within groups (p< 0.10) was detected for the mattering construct. A positive effect for self-esteem was not detected between or within groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The online and mentoring support program appeared to improve perceptions of mattering three months into implementation. Future implications center on the refinement of the support program and suggestions for further longitudinal research.

Daily Disposable Contact Lens use in Adolescents and its Short-term Impact on Self-Concept

OBJECTIVE

To determine the short-term effect of contact lens (CL) wear on the self-concept of adolescents.

METHODS

In this open-label trial, first-time CL wearing adolescents were prescribed Delefilcon A (DAILIES TOTAL1,® Alcon, USA) daily disposable CL. To determine the self-concept level of the subjects at dispensing and after one month, the Turkish adapted version of the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale (PHCSCS) was used. The subject-reported outcomes included lens wettability, vision quality, comfort, and overall satisfaction. Self-concept was evaluated under six categories.

RESULTS

The mean age of the 21 subjects was 16.5 ± 1.5 years. All subjects had normal biomicroscopic assessments and best corrected visual acuity was 20/20. The mean spherical equivalent was -2.90 ± 1.18 (range, -4.75 to -1.75). Spectacle use was causing dissatisfaction with their appearance in 90% of subjects (n = 19), the others defined it as uncomfortable. Most subjects had acquired information about CLs from their peers and friends (57%, n = 12). Most of the subscales in the PHCSCS showed increased but statistically insignificant scores after one month. The mean overall satisfaction was 95%.

CONCLUSION

Prescription of CLs may be a good option in adolescents even if the self-concept did not show significant improvement in the short term.

What Goes on in This House Do Not Stay in This House: Family Variables Related to Adolescent-to-Parent Offenses

Research on adolescent-to-parent violence (APV) associates specific psychosocial characteristics with adolescents who assault their parents, whether they are within or outside the juvenile justice system, or whether these characteristics are shared by other adolescents convicted of other crimes. The aim of this paper is to compare three groups of adolescents. Those who have been sentenced for APV are compared with adolescents who have committed other crimes, and with a group who have not been involved in the justice system. The sample used consists of 148 male participants between the ages of 14 and 21. A comparison is made regarding type of self-reported behavior, frequency of drug use, academic performance, exposure to violence, self-concept, and parents’ conflict resolution tactics. The results obtained indicate that adolescents with judicial measures, regardless of the crime committed, differ from those who have not been in trouble with the justice system in terms of them having suffered violence in the street, the frequency with which they use drugs and in their academic achievement. Likewise, adolescents convicted of APV differ from the other two groups in the frequency with which they are victims of violence at home, in that their mothers use the tactic of asking somebody else for help as a way of solving marital conflicts, and in having a more negative family self-concept. The results are discussed highlighting the importance of taking into account whether a sample is judicial, clinical, or community, and the specific APV behaviors which are measured.

[Qualitative study on decision-making process in "voluntary" withdrawal of driver's license: Transitions in self-concept, body image, and social relationships due to aging]

Objectives　Although previous studies have discussed the "voluntary" withdrawal of older drivers' driving license to prevent traffic accidents, there is less evidence about the experience of giving up driving. The present study investigated the decision-making process in the "voluntary" withdrawal of the driver's license and the conceptual meaning of "voluntary" among individuals who have experienced or shortly plan the event, as well as the transitions in their social relationships, social interactions, and body image perceptions.Methods　Qualitative research was undertaken to examine the explanatory research question in City A, Ibaraki prefecture, Japan. A semi-structured interview was conducted with eight male participants. They were asked related questions, for example, the meaning of driving, lifestyle changes, and so on. Data were recorded and transcribed into transcripts to be analyzed using the grounded theory approach.Results　The qualitative data revealed that when participants perceived their "body" as alienated from their "self" during driving or daily living, they became confused because they needed to be conscious of the aroused existence of the "self" that operates their "body," which was previously integrated with their "self." This awareness led the individuals to the process of "voluntary" withdrawal from driving in coping with their reflected "self" while they gradually distrusted their "self" regarding their deteriorating "body." Some participants lost their "self" and felt that they were forced to stop driving "voluntarily" when their "self" was determined as belonging to a risky "body," whereas others could decide "voluntary" driving cessation and realize their "self" through social interactions when they "re-evaluated" their "self" in light of their life stories. Both types of participants had "difficulties" after driving cessation; however, the latter effectively emphasized the re-construction of the "self" and "self"-based decision-making process due to aging.Conclusion　The decision-making process in the withdrawal of a driver's license due to aging resembled the process of coping with disabilities. Previous relationships between "self," "body," and society might be affected by age- or illness-triggered events. Encouraging the re-construction of "self" and its relationships might alleviate the psychological impact on elderly people facing "voluntary" retirement from driving.

Suicidal Ideation, Psychological Distress and Child-To-Parent Violence: A Gender Analysis

Child-to-parent violence (CPV) is a growing public health problem with consequences for perpetrators and families. Most research has focused on individual and family risk factors. However, little is known about its links with individual outcomes. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationships between CPV and psychological distress, suicidal ideation, and self-concept in school-aged adolescents, taking into account the gender perspective. A study was conducted with a sample of 8,115 adolescents, aged between 11 and 16 years (M = 13.34; SD = 1.04) from the State of Nuevo León, Mexico. A MANOVA 3 × 2 was performed to analyze the data. The results revealed that adolescents involved in CPV showed higher levels of psychological distress and suicidal ideation and lower levels of family and social self-concept. It was also observed that girls with higher levels of CPV scored the lowest levels of psychological distress and suicidal ideation, as well as the lowest levels of family self-concept. The findings highlight that adolescents and especially girls involved in CPV also report internal maladjustment outcomes. Finally, the results and their implications for research and intervention with adolescents involved in CPV are discussed.

Exploring the after-hours social experiences of youth with disabilities in residential immersive life skills programs: a photo elicitation study

PURPOSE

This study explored the meaning of the after-hours social experiences of youth with disabilities in a residential life skills program. After-hours experiences occur outside of formal program hours, primarily in the evenings.

METHOD

Five youth with cerebral palsy (three females) participated in an exploratory photo elicitation study while attending one of two residential immersive life skills programs. Following an auto-driven photo elicitation method, youth took photos of their choosing and then were interviewed about photos they elected to share. Interview data were analyzed thematically.

RESULTS

Themes illustrated meaningful social experiences and their benefits. Two themes described the after-hours social experiences of most importance to youth: learning about strengths from working together, and having meaningful individual and group conversations. Three themes reflected benefits reported by youth: learning about differences among people, gaining new perspectives and new knowledge about oneself, and developing friendships and a sense of "family."

CONCLUSIONS

The findings illuminate the benefits of after-hours social experiences for youth who may have had little opportunity previously to informally interact with other youth with disabilities. The findings highlight the importance of the immersive, group nature of a residential, away-from-home youth transition program, particularly the value added by the after-hours program component.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThe findings support the value of an over-night residential aspect for life skills programs for youth with disabilities.Residential immersive life skills programs provide opportunities for youth to discuss common experiences and shared challenges, leading to the formation of social bonds.Residential immersive life skills programs provide opportunities for youth to interact with peers in the absence of adults, and to make choices about how to use their personal time.It is important to intentionally design transition programs to provide opportunities for after-hours social experiences, including working together and socializing.

The Use of Fear versus Hope in Health Advertisements: The Moderating Role of Individual Characteristics on Subsequent Health Decisions in Chile

No studies have addressed the way the effectiveness of fear and hope advertisements differs across differently characterized individuals. The present study aims to find out in which situations related to different individual characteristics do fear and hope advertisements work as tools in generating healthy eating intention and physical activity intention. This study conducted an experiment using 283 adults from Chile. The results suggest that fear versus hope appeals in health advertisements have a more positive influence on healthy eating intention. The results suggest that the effect of fear advertisements on healthy eating intention is positively moderated by the frequency of fast food consumption and is negatively moderated by self-efficacy. The results suggest that fear versus hope appeals in health advertisements have no main effect on physical activity intention. However, the results suggest that the effect of fear advertisements on physical activity intention is positively moderated by perceived body weight and past healthy eating behavior and is negatively moderated by subjective norms. The results indicate that when making health advertising, homogenous messages are not persuasive for heterogeneous audiences. The present study results suggest that fear and hope advertisements should be delivered considering the individual characteristics identified in the present study.

When self-prioritization crosses the senses: Crossmodal self-prioritization demonstrated between vision and touch

The investigation of self-prioritization via a simple matching paradigm represents a new way of enhancing our knowledge about the processing of self-relevant content and also increases our understanding of the self-concept itself. By associating formerly neutral material with the self, and assessing the resulting prioritization of these newly formed self-associations, conclusions can be drawn concerning the effects of self-relevance without the burden of highly overlearned materials such as one's own name. This approach was used to gain further insights into the structure and complexity of self-associations: a tactile pattern was associated with the self and thereafter, the prioritization of the exact same visual pattern was assessed - enabling the investigation of crossmodal self-associations. The results demonstrate a prioritization of self-associated material that rapidly extends beyond the borders of a sensory modality in which it was first established.

Predictors of treatment response durability in psychotherapy for binge-eating disorder: Examining the roles of self-discrepancy, self-directed style, and emotion dysregulation

OBJECTIVE

To examine changes in hypothesized maintenance mechanisms during treatment as predictors of treatment response durability in binge-eating disorder (BED) treatment, using data from a randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy of Integrative Cognitive-Affective Therapy for BED with cognitive-behavioral therapy delivered using guided self-help.

METHOD

Adults with BED (N = 112) received 17 weeks of treatment. Regression models were conducted to examine the extent to which changes in hypothesized maintenance mechanisms from baseline to end of treatment predicted treatment outcomes at 6-month follow-up, adjusting for demographics, study site, and baseline level of treatment outcome.

RESULTS

During-treatment reductions in negative self-directed style and emotion dysregulation predicted reductions in the primary treatment outcome (i.e., binge-eating episode frequency) at follow-up. During-treatment reductions in emotion dysregulation also predicted improvements at follow-up across all three secondary treatment outcomes examined (i.e., global eating disorder [ED] psychopathology, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms), as did during-treatment reductions in actual-ideal self-discrepancy and actual-ought self-discrepancy. Increases in positive self-directed style (e.g., self-affirmation) and reductions in negative self-directed style (e.g., self-blame) during treatment each predicted improvements in anxiety symptoms at follow-up. When predictors were examined simultaneously, the most salient predictors of treatment response durability identified were negative self-directed style for binge-eating episode frequency, actual-ought self-discrepancy and emotion dysregulation for depressive symptoms, and emotion dysregulation for anxiety symptoms. No predictors emerged as most salient for global ED psychopathology.

DISCUSSION

Results indicate that negative self-directed style and emotion dysregulation are particularly important treatment targets in relation to behavioral treatment outcomes in BED.

Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Among Italian Adolescents: The Role of Parental Rejection, Self-Concept, Anger Expression, and Body Investment

Objective

Parental rejection, poor self-concept, anger expression, and negative body investment have often been associated with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). However, research has investigated each factor separately. To address this shortcoming, the main aim of the study was to integrate these factors and test a hierarchical regression to examine the impact of each factor above and beyond the others.

Method

A cross-sectional sample of 481 Italian high school students aged 13-19 (M_age=15.48; SD=1.46) were screened by self-report measures that assess parental rejection, self-concept, anger expression, body emotional investment, and NSSI. A semi-structured interview was administered in order to assess the characteristics of self-injurious behaviors.

Results

After the interview, twenty-three (4.8%) students reported having engaged in NSSI (Mage =12.63; SD=1.58). Neither gender nor age differences were found. The hierarchical regression revealed the NSSI was associated with the inward expression of anger (ORs=1.1–1.7) and the negative body investment (ORs=.037–.281).

Conclusions

These findings point out that the expression of anger inwardly and the emotional investment in the body may be salient factors to consider in understanding the occurrence of NSSI among adolescents. The clinical relevance of these findings was discussed.

Epidemiologic assessment of self-concept and academic self-efficacy in Iranian high school students: Multilevel analysis

INTRODUCTION

In social cognitive theory, self-efficacy and self-concept (SC) have been introduced as important constructs that associate with adolescents' achievements. The aim of this study was to investigate the determinant factors of academic self-efficacy (ASE) and SC in Iranian high school students based on the multilevel analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, 1740 students from 53 high schools selected with stratified random sampling method in 2018 in Qazvin, Iran. Data collection tools were the Morgan and Jinks Self-Efficacy Scale and the Piers-Harris Children's SC Scale-Second Edition. The association between some of the students and school variables with ASE and SC was analyzed by hierarchical linear regression models.

RESULTS

The score of the students' standardized ASE was lower than SC. ASE and SC had a strong positive significant association with economic status, grade point average, and the educational period of high school. Sex had no association with any of them. Physical activity had a positive significant association with SC but was no found association by ASE.

CONCLUSION

These findings revealed that for improving the adolescents' ASE and SC should be attention to the adolescents' family condition and school-related factors. Proper educational, sports, and supportive programs can be effective on the adolescents' self-efficacy and SC.

Understanding Resilience Factors Among Caregivers of People with Alzheimer's Disease in Spain

INTRODUCTION

Alzheimer's disease (AD) caregivers resilience involves the interaction between different risk and protective factors. Context of care, objective stressors, perceived stressors caregiver assessment, mediators factors and consequences of care were associated with resilience. We have developed a more integrated and operational conceptual model of resilience and care than previous models in our sociocultural environment.

PURPOSE

To assess the resilience of caregivers of people with AD and the related factors grouped according to an established operational conceptual model of Alzheimer´s caregivers stress.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 120 primary informal caregivers of AD persons in Badajoz (Spain) were included in a cross-sectional design. The following variables have been measured on AD persons and caregivers: socio-demographic data, dependency level, cognitive decline, neuropsychiatric and behavioral symptoms, anxiety, depression, severity of somatic symptoms, level of burden, self-esteem, coping, social support, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and resilience.

RESULTS

Most of the caregivers reported symptoms of anxiety (63.3%) and depression (62.5%). We found out higher levels of resilience in caregivers with lower dependence caring (p=0.004). Higher resilience levels of caregivers were related to minor depressive (p=0.006) and anxiety symptoms (p=0.000), and higher HRQOL (p=0.000). Coping dimension mostly used was problem-based strategies such as active coping, positive reinterpretation and acceptance (p= 0.000).

CONCLUSION

Those caregivers reporting higher levels of resilience exhibited moderate to intense indicators of burden, fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety and fewer somatic symptoms. They also used adequate problem-focused coping strategies, showed higher levels of HRQOL and demonstrated an appropriate perception of social support. Despite the fact that the characteristics relating to the care context and to social support exert an undeniable influence on caregiver resilience, it would appear that the caregiver's own intra-psychic resources reveal stronger correlations.

RELEVANCE FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE

The early and accurate identification of caregivers with lower levels of resilience could enable the implementation of vital psychological and educative support interventions to help caregivers to improve their well-being.

Familial Risk Factors and Emotional Problems in Early Childhood: The Promotive and Protective Role of Children's Self-Efficacy and Self-Concept

The present study aimed to examine the promotive and protective role of general self-efficacy and positive self-concept in the context of the effects of early familial risk factors on children’s development of emotional problems from early to middle childhood. A total of 293 (T1; M_age = 2.81), 239 (T2; M_age = 3.76), and 189 (T3; M_age = 9.69) children from 25 childcare centers took part in the present study. Fourteen familial risk factors were assessed at T1 using an interview and a questionnaire that were administered to children’s primary caregivers. These 14 familial risk factors were used to compute a familial risk factors score. Primary caregivers also reported on their children’s emotional problems at T2 and T3 and on their children’s general self-efficacy at T2. Children reported on their positive self-concept at T2. Results showed that early familial risk factors were positively associated with emotional problems in the short and long term, although the long-term effect was small and non-significant. Further, the pattern of effect sizes of both promotive and protective effects of general self-efficacy as well as positive self-concept was found to be consistent in the short term. However, in the long term, no consistent support for either the promotive or the protective role of general self-efficacy or positive self-concept was found. These results suggest that general self-efficacy and positive self-concept might contribute to promote mental health and to protect from undesired effects of familial risk factors in the short term. Possible reasons for a lack of long-term effects are discussed along with practical implications.

Affective compatibility with the self modulates the self-prioritisation effect

The "self" shapes the way in which we process the world around us. It makes sense then, that self-related information is reliably prioritised over non self-related information in cognition. How might other factors such as self-compatibility shape the way self-relevant information is prioritised? The present work asks whether affective consistency between the self and arbitrarily self-associated stimuli influences the degree to which self-prioritisation can be observed. To this end, participants were asked to associate themselves with either a positive or a negative concept and to then indicate if a given stimulus (Experiment 1: Emotional faces; Experiment 2: Luminance cues) and an identity label matched. If affective consistency is key to self-prioritisation, negative constructs should dampen self-prioritisation and positive constructs should boost self-prioritisation because the self is universally construed as positive. Indeed, the results of the two experiments indicate that participants who made the negative association had more difficulty confirming whether the stimulus and the label matched than those who made the positive association. The implications of this finding are discussed in terms of "self" theories that span various levels of information processing. The data reveal that self-referential information processing goes beyond a default elevation of priority to the self.

Heightening our vigilance towards patient well-being

OBJECTIVE

Audiology patients frequently experience psychosocial difficulties created by their hearing loss or exacerbated by the loss. Clinicians are not always attuned to the unstated emotional undercurrents which may signal a need for further discussion or referral. This article aims to heighten audiologists' vigilance towards patient well-being.

DESIGN

A series of case vignettes with sample dialogue demonstrate the need for heightened clinical awareness of confounding consequences patients may grapple with and possible responses to these issues.

CONCLUSIONS

Beyond hearing loss, contributing detractors to patient well-being can be difficult to recognise for clinicians, and exploration and discussions may feel challenging to broach. A heightened vigilance within patient care calls upon audiologists to be alert for concerns or conditions beyond hearing loss that may be threatening our patients or further decreasing the quality of their lives and that of their families.

Self-Views and Positive Psychology Constructs Among Second Language Learners in Japan, Taiwan, and the United States

The present study is the first to empirically test a hierarchical, positive-oriented model of the self and its relationship to second language (L2) achievement motivation, and compare it in three different cultural contexts of Japan, the United States, and Taiwan. Based on the L2 self-model (Lake, 2016), three levels of constructs were developed: Global Self (i.e., Flourishing, Curiosity, and Hope); Positive L2 domain self (i.e., interested-in-L2 self, harmonious passion for L2 learning, and mastery L2 goal orientation); and L2 Motivational Variables (i.e., reading, speaking and listening self-efficacy). A total of 667 students participated in this study, including 181 first-year college students in Japan, 159 high school students in Taiwan, and 327 community college students in the United States. All the participants were learning L2 in school. Results showed that the measures of positive global self, L2 domain self, and L2 motivational self all had a stronger relationship within their respective levels, and progressively weaker relationships as level of generality/specificity became more distal. Furthermore, the relationships among measures varied in the differing cultural contexts with the Japan-based student participants relatively lower on all measures. Implications for teacher educators in the L2 context have been discussed.

Cybervictimization, Self-Concept, Aggressiveness, and School Anxiety in School Children: A Structural Equations Analysis

The rapid increase in cases of cybervictimization amongst children has led researchers to examine the psychoemotional factors related to cyberbullying behavior, in an attempt to prevent and minimize its impact. The objective of this study was to establish and contrast the fit of an explanatory model on cybervictimization based on its relationship with self-concept, aggressiveness, and school anxiety using a structural equations analysis. A total of 542 Spanish students aged 10-12 (M age = 10.97; SD = 0.74) completed a battery of questionnaires. An adjusted structural equations model was obtained (χ² = 512.23; df = 99; p < 0.001; CFI = 0.928; NFI = 0.91; IFI = 0.928; RMSEA = 0.078). A direct and negative relationship was obtained between cybervictimization and self-concept and between cybervictimization and school anxiety. In addition, a direct and positive relationship was found between aggressiveness and self-concept and between aggressiveness and school anxiety. Indirect relationships were not found between the variables. The study's findings demonstrate that the variables of self-concept and school anxiety are directly related to cybervictimization and that the improved psychoemotional adjustment of the youngest students may help to prevent the risk of being victimized over the Internet.

Preferred level of categorization as strategy to manage chronic illness-related identity among individuals with type 1 versus type 2 diabetes

The present investigation examined social identification management among individuals affected by chronic illness. Because diabetes is a chronic medical condition that consists of a broad superordinate group with two nested subgroups of differing relative status (type 1 versus type 2), it is well-suited to an examination of positive identity management strategies used by individuals with chronic illness. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on individuals with diabetes (N = 399) to assess diabetes-related identity. Results indicated that individuals with type 1 diabetes reported greater identity centrality and greater preference for subgroup self-categorization ("individual affected by type 1 diabetes") over superordinate group categorization ("individual affected by diabetes") than did individuals with type 2 diabetes. The relationship between diabetes type and preferred categorization level was moderated by perceived intractability of their condition and perceived stigmatization of the lower status subgroup (i.e., type 2), suggesting that categorization level functions to maintain a positive self-concept. Further, categorization level moderated the negative relationship between identity centrality and feelings of depression and anger, suggesting that self-categorization might function to protect against self-concept threat. The present findings highlight the roles of group status, group boundary permeability, and perceived stigma on identity management strategies used by individuals with a chronic illness.

Association Between Device-Measured Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity and Academic Performance in Adolescents

BACKGROUND

Although many studies found a positive association between physical activity (PA) and academic performance (AP), most did not consider important variables of school setting and students' self-concept.

AIMS

To analyze the association between moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and AP in adolescents, considering potential confounding variables of school setting and self-concept in adolescents.

METHOD

The final sample was composed of 394 students (186 boys) with a mean age of 11.3 (SD = 0.8) years. The school grades were used as an indicator of AP. Measurements of body mass and stature were collected, and the body mass index was calculated and converted into z-score values. Maternal education, socioeconomic status, self-concept, and variables of the school setting were self-reported. MVPA and sedentary behavior (SB) were measured through accelerometry (GT3X and GT3X+; ActiGraph, Pensacola, Florida). Multiple linear regression was used for the association analyses, adopting p < .05.

RESULTS

MVPA was inversely associated with global AP and mathematics only for girls: β = -.105 (95% CI [-0.205, -0.006]; p = .038); β = -.136 (95% CI [-0.261, -0.011]; p = .033). After adjusting for the school setting and self-concept, these significant associations disappear.

DISCUSSION

MVPA was inversely associated with global AP and mathematics only for girls regardless of age, z-score body mass index, maternal education, socioeconomic status, and SB. However, after adjusting for school setting and self-concept, theses association disappear in mathematics and global AP, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The device-measured MVPA was not associated with AP after controlling for important variables (school setting and self-concept).

Psychological Underpinnings of Brands

Research in psychology has shown that even routinely experienced everyday objects such as brands can trigger cognitively engaging, emotional, and socially meaningful experiences. In this article, we review three key areas where current advances reside: brands as passive objects with utilitarian and symbolic meanings, brands as relationship partners and regulators of personal relationships, and brands as creators of social identity with social group linking value. Research in these areas is grounded in a number of fundamental perspectives within cognitive, emotional, motivational, personality, interpersonal, and group psychology. We conclude by addressing emerging areas for research.

"Doll #135 with vitiligo": Are alopecia and vitiligo Barbie worth the hype?

Toy manufacturer Mattel released a new line of diverse Barbie dolls earlier this year, including dolls with alopecia and vitiligo. The new dolls have been widely celebrated, with both media and dermatologists proposing that the dolls could provide significant benefits for the low self-esteem and societal exclusion suffered by children with similar dermatoses. However, the reality may be very different. Here, we present existing research on the impact of diverse dolls on children's play and psychology to argue that the dolls' proposed benefits for children with alopecia and vitiligo are unlikely to materialize; rather, alopecia and vitiligo Barbie could prove more harmful than beneficial.

Associations between Motor Competence, Physical Self-Perception and Autonomous Motivation for Physical Activity in Children

Research indicates that children and adolescents gradually participate less in physical activity with age. Several factors are associated with children's physical activity levels, such as motor performance, self-perception of athletic competence and motivation to physical activity. To gain a better understanding of the factors of importance for behavior related to an active lifestyle, the purpose of this study was to investigate the association between motor competence, physical self-perception and autonomous motivation and to examine to what extent this association may vary by sex. The sample consisted of 101 children, whose average age was 11.7 years (SD = 0.57), 53 boys and 48 girls. All subjects were measured on motor competence, physical self-perception and autonomous motivation for physical activity. The results indicate a low positive relationship between motor competence and physical self-perception for the entire sample and among girls. There is also a significant correlation between autonomous motivation and physical self-perception. No significant correlations were found between autonomous motivation and motor competence. The association between physical self-perception and autonomous motivation suggests that psychological factors play an important role in children's participation in physical activity.

The experience of body image concerns in patients with persecutory delusions: 'People don't want to sit next to me'

OBJECTIVE

Persecutory delusions typically build on feelings of inter-personal vulnerability linked to negative views of the self. Negative body image is an overlooked aspect of this link between the self-concept and paranoia.

DESIGN

This study explores body image from the first-person perspective of patients with persecutory delusions.

METHOD

Semi-structured interviews, analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis, were conducted with twelve patients with persecutory delusions in the context of psychotic disorders.

RESULTS

Four super-ordinate themes emerged. First, appearance as a source of threat accounted for how negative body image increased feelings of vulnerability and fed into the content of paranoia and voices (e.g., 'I feel that everybody is noticing that I'm getting bigger and bigger and laughing at me'). Second, there was the negative impact of uncontrollable and unwanted weight gain, especially following antipsychotic medication (e.g., 'I ballooned up to 23 stone'). Third, feeling stuck captured the hopelessness and resignation in relation to appearance (e.g., 'I've become so accustomed to being overweight that I've accepted it as my lot'). Finally, looking well symbolises feeling well represented the importance of appearance in determining mental well-being (e.g., 'If I've got clean clothes and I put makeup on, at least I feel that I'm looking after myself').

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with persecutory delusions described appearance-related concerns making them feel negative towards themselves, inferior to other people, and vulnerable to harm. Appearance-related distress was broader than weight gain, including dissatisfaction with skin, clothing, and attractiveness. Negative body image may be a contributory factor in the occurrence of paranoia.

PRACTITIONER POINTS

Body image concerns may be of particular relevance in patients with persecutory delusions due to weight gain, inactivity, and medication side effects. Body image concerns include weight gain and broader aspects of appearance. Negative body image contributes to feelings of vulnerability, potentially worsening paranoid fears. It may be helpful for practitioners to explore the psychological impact of weight gain and body image concerns in patients with psychosis.