Romantic relationship configurations and their correlates among LGBTQ+ persons: A latent class analysis

Research comparing monogamous and non-monogamous relationships on well-being indicators across diverse populations have yielded inconsistent findings. The present study investigates sociodemographic characteristics, as well as personal and relational outcomes, across different relationship configurations. Data were drawn from an online community-based sample of 1,528 LGBTQ+ persons aged 18 years and older in Quebec, Canada. A latent class analysis was performed based on legal relationship status, relationship agreement, cohabitation status, and the seeking of extradyadic sexual and romantic partners on the internet. Class differences on sociodemographic characteristics and well-being and relationship quality indicators were examined. A five-class solution best fit the data, highlighting five distinct relationship configurations: Formalized monogamy (59%), Free monogamy (20%), Formalized open relationship (11%), Monogamous considering alternatives (7%) and Free consensual non-monogamies (3%). Cisgender women were more likely to engage in monogamous relationships than cisgender men, who were overrepresented in open relationships. Lower levels of perceived partner support were observed in both free monogamous and consensually non-monogamous relationships, the latter of which also showed lower levels of well-being. Consensual non-monogamy researchers exploring relationship outcomes should examine relationship facets that go beyond relationship structure or agreement. Variations in monogamies and non-monogamies, both consensual and non-consensual, may be present within each broad relationship configuration, as reflected in different personal and relational needs, which can then translate to better or poorer outcomes.

Social media ostracism and creativity: moderating role of emotional intelligence

The goal of this study is to learn more about social media ostracism, a stressor associated with online social networks, defined by feelings of rejection, exclusion, or ignoring. We investigate the connection between social media ostracism and worker creativity. We suggest that psychological safety and psychological rumination serve as intermediaries in this relationship. Furthermore, we investigate emotional intelligence as a relationship regulator. To verify our hypothesis, we gathered data with the help of the HR department from 244 workers of nine Chinese organizations. Our research shows that psychological rumination and social media exclusion are significantly correlated, but only in workers with low emotional intelligence. Furthermore, for individuals with strong emotional intelligence, we did not discover a statistically negative association between psychological safety and social media exclusion. Findings suggest that psychological safety and psychological rumination serve as mediating factors in the relationship between employee creativity and social media exclusion. This study illuminates the negative aspects of social media ostracism and reveals how it might hinder creativity. It also emphasizes how emotional intelligence functions as a moderator. Organizations may learn a lot from this study on how to lessen the negative impacts of social media exclusion on employee creativity.

Assessing Affective Dimensions of the Interpersonal Circumplex: Development and Validation of the Interpersonal Emotion Inventory

Interpersonal emotions are feelings distinctively associated with real or imagined interpersonal situations. We propose that interpersonal emotions can be organized within the same circumplex used by contemporary integrative interpersonal theory to organize other aspects of interpersonal functioning. Our research explores the affective dimensions underpinning the interpersonal circumplex (IPC) and maps distinct emotional dispositions using coordinates for agentic and communal affect. Our aim is to provide a better differentiated and more comprehensive taxonomy of interpersonal emotions consistent with the IPC framework. In an initial development study (N = 1223 undergraduates) we used circumplex and psychometric criteria to create a 64-item Interpersonal Emotion Inventory (IEI), a novel self-report measure of interpersonal emotions reflecting each IPC octant. We then tested the structural properties and utility of the IEI in a preregistered validation study (N = 278 community participants). Across both studies, the IEI scales exhibited good fit to a two-dimensional circular model. The IEI demonstrated robust convergent, discriminant, and incremental validity in relation to measures of interpersonal values and problems, positive and negative affect, adult attachment, self-conscious emotions, self-esteem, and facets of narcissism. By complementing existing measures of affect and interpersonal phenomena, the IEI should prove useful in both research and clinical contexts.

Evaluation of an integration community project for asylum seekers in Sweden: physical activity adherence and changes in character traits and life satisfaction

Asylum seekers' traumatic experiences in combination with discrimination, social isolation, and exclusion in the host country leads to low adherence from health and integration initiatives. Along with their inability to seek health care and physical inactivity, this situation increases their mental illness and, most importantly, decreases their well-being. In fact, the lack of well-being (e.g., life satisfaction) is a better marker of mortality and morbidity than the presence of mental illness. In this context, one of the major single determinants of well-being is character, a dimension of personality that stands for self-regulation, adaptation, and intentional conscious behavior (i.e., goals and values). Host countries often implement integration initiatives including activities aiming to attenuate mental illness, but only a handful are evaluated and reported, with even fewer addressing character development, increases in life satisfaction, or adherence. Our aim was to evaluate the integration initiative "Health for Everyone-Sport, Culture, and Integration", a 10-week physical activity community project. Specifically, we investigated changes in life satisfaction and character traits (i.e., Self-Directedness, Cooperativeness, and Self-Transcendence) and if these variables, at baseline, predicted adherence and changes in physiological health (i.e., cardiorespiratory fitness, skeletal muscle mass, body fat mass, and visceral fat). Participants (n = 269) answered (pre and post measurements) the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Short Character Inventory, and undertook physiological tests. In addition, their attendance to the physical activity sessions was registered throughout the project (i.e., adherence). Participants showed no significant increases in Self-Directedness, Cooperativeness, or life satisfaction, but significant decreases in Self-Transcendence. Moreover, higher life satisfaction and lower Self-Transcendence at baseline predicted higher adherence to the activity. However, neither character traits nor life satisfaction predicted changes in physiological health. We argue that low frequency physical activity initiatives may improve this population's physical health because participants probably have a sedentary life and low levels of physical health due to their asylum conditions (e.g., unemployment, low income, poor housing and social network). Furthermore, physical activity per se may not improve the well-being of asylum seekers. Hence, promoting well-being and character development might require person-centered initiatives focusing on the whole individual in order to fit programmes to the needs and life situation of this population.

Associations between parents' adult attachment, Co-parenting and parent-child relationships: an actor-partner interdependence model

This study used the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model to examine how parents' adult attachment influences their their own and the partners' co-parenting and parent-child relationships. Participants were from a cross-sectional sample of 1313 Chinese heterosexual married couples (fathers' Mage = 39.74, SD = 5.61; mothers' Mage = 37.55, SD = 5.04) whose biological children were pupils (Mage = 10.25, SD = 2.35). Results revealed that: (a) Couple members' actor effects from adult attachment avoidance to positive and negative co-parenting and parent-child closeness and conflict were found both significant; (b) The actor effects from adult attachment anxiety to negative co-parenting and parent-child conflict were found significant, whereas only partner effect from attachment avoidance to positive co-parenting and from attachment anxiety to parent-child conflict were significant. The results highlight the negative effects of parents' attachment avoidance and anxiety on their partners' parenting function.

Types of Social Support Predicting Physical Activity and Quality of Life in Group Exercise Programs for Adults Living with Cancer

Social support (SS) and physical activity (PA) can improve quality of life (QoL) in cancer, meaning group PA programs are important for rehabilitation. However, there are many types of SS, and few studies have compared which SS concepts are more strongly associated with PA and QoL. This exploratory cross-sectional study examined the association between several types of SS provided by other people in group exercise oncology classes and PA and QoL among adults living with cancer. It was hypothesized all types of SS would be positively associated with PA and QoL. Participants (N = 72) completed a questionnaire assessing 11 SS predictors, five QoL outcomes, and one self-reported PA outcome, and wore a Fitbit to assess step count for 1 week. Hypotheses were tested using multiple regression. Reassurance of worth support predicted self-reported moderate-to-vigorous PA (R2 = .07, p = .03). Relatedness thwarting negatively predicted general (R2 = .07, p = .03) and social well-being (R2 = .10, p = .01). Social network predicted physical well-being (R2 = .07, F(1, 66) = 4.93, p = .03). There were no significant SS predictors of the other outcomes. Group exercise oncology programs should train instructors to promote reassurance of worth by recognizing or facilitating other participants to recognize participants' PA competence and skills, encourage developing social relationships by creating opportunities to connect over time, and minimize relatedness thwarting by promoting belonging and inclusion. Future research should compare different types of SS in larger samples and diverse populations of adults living with cancer.

The Prioritization of Women's Orgasms During Heterosex: A Critical Feminist Review of the Implications for Women's Sexual Liberation

Orgasm is considered by many to be an essential part of women's ideal sexual experiences. As a result, sexual liberation narratives have often advocated for the prioritization of women's orgasms - particularly during heterosex - framing them as a central indicator of "good," healthy, liberated sex. However, scholars have increasingly critiqued these narratives, arguing that they result in an orgasm imperative that has negatively impacted women's sexual lives. Perspectives that promote the prioritization of women's orgasm and those that warn against the negative repercussions strive for the same thing - to draw attention to women's sexuality in ways that will lead to more pleasurable, enjoyable, and equitable sex for women overall. Yet, together, they offer contradictory messages about the role that women's orgasms can or should play in women's sexual liberation. For example, one could argue that it perhaps makes sense to prioritize women's orgasms given that they often are highly pleasurable for women, center a unique form of embodied pleasure, and offer a supposedly clear objective for women and their men partners. On the other hand, such narratives frame women's orgasm absence as abnormal, concede to men's sexuality in problematic ways, and constrain more comprehensive possibilities for women's sexual pleasure. In this critical feminist review, I offer a summative outline of these and other contradictions, focusing on how narratives prioritizing women's orgasms can have simultaneous benefits and negative repercussions when it comes to (1) women's sexual pleasure, (2) the medicalization/pathologization of women's orgasms, and (3) heterosex norms.

Parent-child interaction at age 5 months: genetic and environmental contributions and associations with later socio-communicative development

BACKGROUND

Characteristics of parent-child interaction (PCI) early in life have been associated with later development in the child. Twin studies can help to disentangle child contributions to parent-child interaction, for example, by assessing the influence of the child's genetics on his/her social environment, which includes parental behaviour.

METHODS

Infant twins from a community sample [354 monozygotic (MZ), 268 same-sex dizygotic (DZ)] were assessed in terms of PCI at age 5 months. We used the classical twin design to map the aetiology of several parent and child PCI scales and their covariation. We investigated the relations between PCI and later parent-rated child's social communication, language, and autistic traits at ages 2 and 3.

RESULTS

Heritability was below 20% for all the included PCI traits. Unique (nonshared) environmental influences substantially overlapped across several PCI scales, suggesting that idiosyncrasies linked to each session shaped the scoring of several traits in a systematic way. Factor analysis revealed three uncorrelated latent factors, which were conceptualized as 'child negative affect', 'positive affective interaction', and 'parent's supportive strategies'. Parents who were rated highly on 'sensitive responsiveness' at 5 months tended to rate their offspring higher in terms of socio-communicative and language development and lower in terms of autistic traits in the second and third years of life.

CONCLUSIONS

This study maps the phenotypic and aetiological structure of PCI in early infancy and supports the view that parents' sensitive responsiveness towards their infant is associated with later developmental gains in several domains. We did not find strong evidence of any so-called evocative genetic effects on parents' behaviour. We discuss the results considering the general challenge for lab-based observational PCI measures to capture the richness of parent-child interaction.

Comparing cognitive behavioral therapy and social prescribing in patients with loneliness on long-term opioid therapy to reduce opioid misuse: protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic pain on opioids frequently experience loneliness, which is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher risk for opioid misuse and opioid use disorder. Given that almost half of opioids are prescribed in primary care, a critical need exists for the development and testing of interventions to reduce loneliness in primary care patients at risk for opioid misuse. Cognitive behavioral therapy and social prescribing have been shown to be efficacious in reducing loneliness and improving outcomes in other populations but have not been tested in patients at risk for substance use disorder. The overall objective of our study is to reduce opioid misuse and opioid use disorder by addressing loneliness in patients on long-term opioid therapy in real-world primary care settings.

METHODS

We will conduct a 3-arm pragmatic, randomized controlled trial to compare the effectiveness of two group-based, telehealth-delivered interventions with treatment as usual: (1) cognitive behavioral therapy to address maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors around social connection and (2) a social prescribing intervention to connect participants with social opportunities and develop supportive social networks. Our primary outcome is loneliness as measured by the UCLA Loneliness Scale and our dependent secondary outcome is opioid misuse as measured by the Common Opioid Misuse Measure. We will recruit 102 patients on long-term opioid therapy who screen positive for loneliness from 2 health care systems in Washington State. Implementation outcomes will be assessed using the RE-AIM framework.

DISCUSSION

Our study is innovative because we are targeting loneliness, an under-addressed but critical social risk factor that may prevent opioid misuse and use disorder in the setting where most patients are receiving their opioid prescriptions for chronic pain. If successful, the project will have a positive impact in reducing loneliness, reducing opioid misuse, improving function and preventing substance use disorder.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT06285032, issue date: February 28, 2024, original.

The negative effects of ego-depletion in junior high school students on displaced aggressive behavior and the counteraction of the natural environment

The current study investigated the effects of ego-depletion in junior high school students on displaced aggressive behavior and the counteraction of the nature. Study 1 investigated the effects of ego-depletion on displaced aggressive behavior in junior high school students using a within-subject design, comparing the differences in displaced aggressive behavior between the induced ego-depletion condition and the non-induced ego-depletion condition. Results showed that junior high school students exhibited significantly higher levels of displaced aggressive behavior under the induced ego-depletion condition compared to the non-induced ego-depletion condition. Study 2 examined the role of the nature in the process of ego-depletion influencing displaced aggressive behavior. A 2 (ego-depletion: induced ego-depletion vs. non-induced ego-depletion) × 2 (picture type: blank picture vs. natural picture) mixed design was used. A picture-viewing task was inserted between the ego-depletion task and the displaced aggressive behavior task to compare the differences in displaced aggressive behavior between the group that viewed blank pictures and the group that viewed natural pictures. The results showed that under the induced ego-depletion condition, there was no significant difference in displaced aggressive behavior between viewing natural pictures and viewing blank pictures. However, after viewing blank pictures, displaced aggressive behavior under induced ego-depletion condition was significantly higher than under non-induced ego-depletion condition; after viewing natural pictures, there was no significant difference in displaced aggressive behavior between induced ego-depletion condition and non-induced ego-depletion condition. These results suggest that ego-depletion can increase displaced aggressive behavior in junior high school students, but this phenomenon is not observed after exposure to nature. The current study provides empirical evidence for investigating the effects of ego-depletion on displaced aggressive behavior.

When Fears Come True: An Experimental Approximation of Patient Comprehension During Initial Cancer Diagnoses

An experiment (N = 624 U.S. adults) was designed to approximate how well patients attend to information during a cancer-related doctor visit. To make this assessment, we manipulated mortality salience (present, absent) and language complexity (simple words, complex words) to understand whether these factors impact newly diagnosed patients' ability to attend to relevant treatment information. Message attention was measured through a comprehension quiz and a signal detection task. We found that a state of heightened mortality salience slightly improved message comprehension. We also found that language simplicity in an article about skin cancer treatment improved comprehension and attention, particularly under conditions of high mortality salience. These findings suggest that practitioners should use simple language when discussing health care options with their patients.

Scene effects on disgusted facial expression detection in individuals with social anxiety: The role of emotional intensity

Individuals exhibiting high social anxiety (HSA) typically encounter challenges in identifying threatening stimuli with varying levels of intensity in different social scenes, ultimately affecting their social interactions. However, it is not well understood how social scenes, emotional intensity, and interaction influence the recognition of threat stimuli among HSA individuals (HSAs). To address this issue, a face recognition task was administered to 20 HSA participants and 22 individuals exhibiting low social anxiety (LSA) in this study. Results indicated that during the social scene presentation stage, HSAs produced larger P2 amplitude than LSA individuals (LSAs) no matter the valence of the scenes. During the face recognition stage, HSAs had smaller N170 amplitude than LSAs and exhibited lower recognition time for 2 % disgusted faces compared to LSAs. Furthermore, the consistency between scenes and faces led to faster recognition of disgusted faces in HSAs, but not in LSAs. Consequently, our findings suggested that HSAs exhibited unique cognitive processing patterns in social scenes, manifested by increased attention to scenes and decreased attention to faces. In addition, the emotional congruence between the scene and the faces could facilitate the recognition of faces by HSAs.

Causal role of frontocentral beta oscillation in comprehending linguistic communicative functions

Linguistic communication is often considered as an action serving the function of conveying the speaker's goal to the addressee. Although neuroimaging studies have suggested a role of the motor system in comprehending communicative functions, the underlying mechanism is yet to be specified. Here, by two EEG experiments and a tACS experiment, we demonstrate that the frontocentral beta oscillation, which represents action states, plays a crucial part in linguistic communication understanding. Participants read scripts involving two interlocutors and rated the interlocutors' attitudes. Each script included a critical sentence said by the speaker expressing a context-dependent function of either promise, request, or reply to the addressee's query. These functions were behaviorally discriminated, with higher addressee's will rating for the promise than for the reply and higher speaker's will rating for the request than for the reply. EEG multivariate analyses showed that different communicative functions were represented by different patterns of the frontocentral beta activity but not by patterns of alpha activity. Further tACS results showed that, relative to alpha tACS and sham stimulation, beta tACS improved the predictability of communicative functions of request or reply, as measured by the speaker's will rating. These results convergently suggest a causal role of the frontocentral beta activities in comprehending linguistic communications.

Relationship power attenuated the effects of gratitude on perceived partner responsiveness and satisfaction in romantic relationships

There is a gap in whether relationship power affects the association between gratitude and relationship satisfaction in romantic relationships. Based on the relationship maintenance model and the social distance theory of power, the present study adopted a digital questionnaire design on an online platform to test the mediating role of perceived partner responsiveness between gratitude and satisfaction as well as the moderating role of relationship power. A total of 825 subjects (Mage = 27.2, SD = 10.6; female 46.9%) who had been in romantic relationships for more than six months participated in this study. Overall, the results of the moderator-mediator model indicated that, compared to individuals with low levels of relationship power, the relationship between gratitude and perceived partner responsiveness as well as that between perceived partner responsiveness and relationship satisfaction was weaker among those with high levels of power. These findings are revealing for interventions designed to promote satisfaction between couples with power imbalances.

How can community music shape individual and collective well-being? A case study of a place-based initiative

ISSUE ADDRESSED

There is an urgent need to investigate innovative and creative approaches in health promotion that support work towards health equity. In response, this study explores the potential for arts, and community music specifically, to strengthen individual and collective well-being.

METHODS

This study used a qualitative case study methodology that involved interviews, focus groups and ethnographic observation with participants (N = 13), facilitator (N = 1) and support staff (N = 2) of an established community music initiative conducted in an urban community. Data collection was conducted across 2023 and data analysis drew on a socioecological framework to explore potential individual and collective outcomes from the perspective of those involved in the initiative.

RESULTS

Findings point to outcomes across socioecological levels with researchers identifying positive health and well-being implications for participants including joy, healing and a sense of purpose, creative self-expression, confidence, social connection and contribution. Positive outcomes for the wider community were also identified including developing community ties, promoting safety and shaping and sharing of collective identity. Findings suggest community-led opportunities for engagement can support healing and empowerment for people who are marginalised, and this can enable active community participation related to challenging the status quo and developing a shared set of values. Potential implications of these outcomes in relation to broader societal transformations are discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights how community music, and the arts more broadly are working in communities in ways that support potential personal, community and societal transformations towards health equity. SO WHAT?: By developing coalitions and collaborating with diverse sectors, including the arts and social sectors, health promotion practitioners and researchers can harness the creative strengths and resources that exist within a community to support positive individual and collective well-being.

One Profession, Multiple Identities: On the Implications of Intersectionality in Veterinary Medicine

It is a well-known fact in veterinary medicine that the field has struggled to diversify the profession and is one of the most homogenous careers in the United States. Discrimination is still quite common in the United States, despite decades of policy changes and implementation of DEI practices. This study discusses how veterinary medicine can benefit from an intersectional approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion. It discusses the need of intersectional data to better understand the disparities that exist within veterinary medicine to make a more significant impact.

Unraveling Perceived Ostracism: The Role of Antagonistic Traits and Attachment Orientation

Perceived ostracism (e.g., feeling ignored and excluded) can lead to psychological distress. There has been little empirical research into the types (profiles) of people more likely to perceive ostracism. The present study (N = 604) used latent class analysis (LCA) to (a) explore classes based on antagonistic traits (narcissism, machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism)while controlling for attachment orientation (attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance) and (b) examine whether such classes could reliably differentiate levels of self-reported perceived ostracism. We extracted five classes: (a) Average Low, (b) the Non-Antagonisers, (c) Average High, (d) Spiteful Manipulators, and (e) the High Antagonisers. Those in the High Antagonisers class reported significantly higher levels of perceived ostracism compared to all other classes. No other differences between classes were observed. There were also significant positive relationships for avoidant and anxious attachment on perceived ostracism, respectively. This study provides new insight into the profiles of individuals who may be more likely to perceive ostracism. However, further research is needed to explore the association between personality and perceived ostracism. Researchers may consider measuring the potential outcomes following perceived ostracism for such groups and/or design potential interventions for those at risk of such experiences.

Psychometric characteristics of the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire (NARQ): Arabic version

Narcissists are characterized by confidence, fragility, a desire for social approval without showing interest in others, charm, self-assurance, arrogance, and aggression. This study assesses the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire (NARQ) among Algerian students (N = 714). Confirmatory factor and Rasch analyses were used. The NARQ consists of 18 items addressing six narcissism subscales under two main dimensions: rivalry and admiration. The results showed good saturation of the items on the six subscales and the three sub-scales on each of the two main dimensions, revealing a modest but positive correlation between rivalry and admiration. Moreover, the results of the Rasch model demonstrated that the scale aligns with the data, confirming the validity of the scale. This study offers valuable perspectives on assessing narcissism among Arabic populations and enhances our comprehension of the traits linked to narcissistic personalities.

Revisiting the English Short Measure for Adult Playfulness (SMAP): An Investigation of Reliability, Validity, and Cross-Cultural Comparisons

Adult playfulness describes the personality of the quick initiation and strong intensity of enjoyable experiences coupled with the frequency of engaging in playful behaviors. In addition to examining the reliability and validity of the Short Measure for Adult Playfulness (SMAP), we compared the psychometric properties of the SMAP across (a) 4- and 7-point answer formats; (b) German and English language versions; and (c) gender. The SMAP and criterion validity measures were distributed across three independent samples from Canada (Ntotal = 1,177) and a German sample (N = 660). Results supported a unidimensional solution with strong factor loadings for all items (>.50 across all samples) and high test-retest reliability (r = .67, BF10>100). In item response theory analyses, high discrimination parameters were found across the latent continuum. Although both the four-point and seven-point Likert scale versions showed robust item properties, the seven-point Likert scale version yielded more precise measurement of higher playfulness (θ > 1.50). No significant differential item functioning was located across gender or language. Finally, results supported external construct validity via associations with broad personality traits, humor, and orientations to happiness. The present investigation provides support for the reliability and validity of the English SMAP for concise adult playfulness measurement.

The promoting effect of the absence of second-party's punishment power on third-party punishment in maintaining social fairness norms: An EEG hyper-scanning study

Third-party punishment (TPP) plays an irreplaceable role in maintaining social fairness. Punishment power is a significant area of study within economic games. However, the impact of whether or not the second-party possesses punishment power on TPP remains unexplored. The present study utilizes the high temporal resolution of EEG and time-frequency analysis, intra-barin functional connectivity analysis, inter-brain synchronization (IBS) analysis, and granger causality analysis(GCA) to comprehensively explore the neural mechanism of TPP from the perspective of third-party individual's decision-making and IBS in the real-time social interaction. Time-frequency results found that, the absence of the punishment power activated more theta-band and alpha-band power compare to when second-party has punishment power. When second-party has no punishment power, functional connection results observed stronger functional connectivity in theta band for medium unfair offers between rTPJ and PFC. Dual-brain analysis revealed that when the second-party has no punishment power, there is a significantly higher IBS in the alpha band between the frontal and frontal-central lobes of the second-party and the parietal and parietal occipital lobes of the third-party. GCA results further showed that the direction of IBS from third-party to second-party was significantly stronger than from second-party to third-party. This study demonstrates that the absence of the second-party's punishment power promote TPP, and similar cognitive process of thinking on how to maintain social fairness enhances IBS. The current study emphasizes the influence of punishment power on TPP, broadens the research perspective and contributes crucial insights into maintain social fairness.

Patient perspectives on adverse event investigations in health care

BACKGROUND

Over the last decade attention has grown to give patients and next of kin (P/N) more substantial roles in adverse event investigations. Adverse event investigations occur after adverse events that resulted in death or severe injury. Few studies have focused on patient perspectives on their involvement in such investigations. The present study sets out to investigate how P/N and patient representatives (client councils and the Patient Federation Netherlands) view the involvement of P/N in adverse event investigations, particularly whether and why they want to involved, and how they want to shape their involvement.

METHODS

The study features qualitative data on three levels: interviews with P/N (personal), focus groups with representatives of client councils (institutional), and an interview with the Patient Federation Netherlands (national). Researchers used inductive, thematic analysis and validated the results through data source triangulation.

RESULTS

The initiative taken by the hospitals in this study provided P/N with the space to feel heard and a position as legitimate stakeholder. P/N appreciated the opportunity to choose whether and how they wanted to be involved in the investigation as stakeholders. P/N emphasized the need for hospitals to learn from the investigations, but for them the investigation was also part of a more encompassing relationship. P/N's views showed the inextricable link between the first conversation with the health care professional and the investigation, and the ongoing care after the investigation was finalized. Hence, an adverse event investigation is part of a broader experience when understood from a patient perspective.

CONCLUSIONS

An adverse event investigation should be considered as part of an existing relationship between P/N and hospital that starts before the investigation and continues during follow up care. It is crucial for hospitals to take the initiative in the investigation and in the involvement of P/N. P/N motivations for involvement can be understood as driven by agency or communion. Agentic motivations include being an active participant by choice, while communion motivations include the need to be heard.

Adult attachment, social anxiety, and problematic social media use: A meta-analysis and meta-analytic structural equation model

The relationship between adult attachment (anxious attachment and avoidant attachment) and problematic social media use is controversial and contradictory. Hence, the present study clarified the relationship between adult attachment dimensions and problematic social media use through meta-analysis. To better explain the relationship, this study also established meta-analytic structural equation modeling to examine the mediating role of social anxiety in the relationship. This study used CMA and R software for data analysis. Forty-five effect sizes were included in the study, including 11,746 individuals. Results showed that anxious attachment was strongly correlated with problematic social media use (r = 0.319, 95 %CI[0.271, 0.366]), whereas avoidant attachment was weakly correlated with problematic social media use (r = 0.091, 95 %CI[0.011,0.170]). Moderating effects showed that the relationship between anxious attachment and problematic social media use was moderated by the measurement instrument. Meta-analytic structural equation modeling showed that anxious attachment had a significant positive effect on PSMU through social anxiety, anxious attachment had a significant positive effect on PSMU through social anxiety. This study clarifies inconsistencies in the existing literature through meta-analysis, providing reliable conclusions and novel perspectives. It assists clinical practitioners in developing tailored treatment programs for practical interventions. It is suggested that treatment for problematic social media use requires attention to individuals with insecure adult attachment and social anxiety. For individuals with high anxious attachment and social anxiety, it is essential to help them manage their social media use effectively and reduce their dependence on it. Concurrently, interventions for attachment avoidant individuals should focus on enhancing their social self-confidence to reduce the influence of social anxiety on their social media use.

Associations of quality of social support and accurate beliefs about curability among older adults with advanced cancer

INTRODUCTION

Supporting older adults with advanced cancer to better understand their disease and its prognosis is important for shared decision-making. Social support is a potentially modifiable factor that may influence disease understanding. In this study, we examined the associations of quantity and quality of social support with patients' beliefs about the curability of their advanced cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a secondary analysis of a cluster-randomized trial that recruited older adults aged ≥70 with advanced incurable cancer. At enrollment, patients completed the Older Americans Resources and Services (OARS) Medical Social Support form that measures both quantity (number of close friends and relatives) and quality of social support. Quality of social support was measured using 12 questions in instrumental and emotional support, each ranging from 1 (none of the time) to 5 (all of the time). Higher cumulative scores indicated greater quality of support. For beliefs about curability, patients were asked, "What do you believe are the chances that your cancer will go away and never come back with treatment?" Responses were 0 %, <50 %, 50/50, >50 %, and 100 %. Ordinal logistic regression was used to investigate the association of quantity and quality of social support with beliefs about curability, adjusting for potential confounders.

RESULTS

We included 347 patients; mean age was 76.4 years and 91 % were white. Quantity of social support was not associated with belief in curability [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.03, 95 % confidence interval (CI) (0.92, 1.16)]. For every unit increase in the quality of social support (OARS Medical Social Support score), the odds of believing in curability decreased by 26.7 % [AOR 0.73, 95 % CI (0.56, 0.97)].

DISCUSSION

Our study demonstrated that the quality, but not the quantity, of social support was associated with patients' beliefs about curability. These findings suggest that bolstering social support may directly enhance disease understanding. This insight informs supportive care interventions that specifically address disease comprehension among patients.

Preventing Trauma and Grief in Emergency and Critical Care Units: A Mixed Methods Study on a Psycho-Educational Defusing Intervention

Emergency and critical care services inevitably expose their staff to potential work stressors and traumatic events, which can cause emotional, behavioral, and physical reactions. The literature presents a wide range of evidence-based knowledge on the effectiveness of interventions to promote mental health after traumatic events. However, little is known about the effectiveness of prevention programs. In this study, we sought to improve the empirical understanding of the potential of a combination of psycho-educational-defusing training for trauma prevention. We employed a mixed methods approach using statistical modeling and content/focus group analysis to describe the sample of investigation and the effectiveness of the prevention training. A retrospective quantitative chart measured and evaluated the psychological state of physicians, nurses, and registered nurses (N = 222). A retrospective qualitative chart examined staff accounts of traumas and their coping strategies via autobiographies (n = 26). Prospective focus groups examined participants of the psycho-educational defusing intervention administered (n = 61). Findings revealed different forms of experiencing grief and trauma. Prospective analysis of the training effectiveness revealed favorable perceptions by participants. Results support the formal implementation of continuous prevention, building relational support, and coping strategies as keys to recovery and preventing traumas.

Climate Change Challenge Faced by Italian Children: A Nationwide Study

Climate change threatens environmental stability and human health, with limited research on younger children's perceptions. This study examines Italian primary school children's views on climate change to guide educational and policy strategies. Surveying 973 children (5-11 years) from different regions, findings showed high awareness (93%) and concern (63%) about climate change. Regional differences indicated greater concern in the south. Gender disparities revealed females were more concerned and experienced more sleep difficulties. Younger children had stronger emotional responses, while older ones showed increased pro-environmental behaviors. Despite moderate self-confidence in effecting change, a strong sense of responsibility and trust in adults was prevalent. These results highlight the need for early, continuous climate education tailored to regional, age, and gender-specific needs. Addressing children's views on climate change can help educators and policymakers foster resilience and proactive attitudes, supporting the development of informed and engaged future stewards of the planet.

Information Support or Emotional Support? Social Support in Online Health Information Seeking among Chinese Older Adults

Online Health Information Seeking (OHIS) serves as an alternative form of social capital that can help older adults alleviate offline medical-related stress. This study collected and analyzed user interaction data from Patient-to-Doctor and Patient-to-Peer platforms and compared the roles of social support between them. Significant differences were identified in the dimensions of social support (information, emotional, and companion) on the Patient-to-Peer platforms compared with Patient-to-Doctor platforms (p < 0.05). The overall and core-core network density values for social support on Patient-to-Peer platforms were higher than those on Patient-to-Doctor platforms. Patient-to-Doctor interactions focused on information support, displaying a more centralized and efficient network with structural holes pertaining to treatment effects. By contrast, Patient-to-Peer interactions provided more emotional support, with a dispersed and redundant network containing structural holes related to individual information. Companion support was found to be weaker on both platforms. Additionally, digital literacy, surrogate seeking, and altruistic information significantly explained the variances between the two platforms (p < 0.01), with surrogate seeking playing a crucial role. These findings enhance our understanding of OHIS disparities among older adults and their surrogates, offering valuable insights for developing effective support systems and regulatory frameworks for health information platforms.

Time in hand: Temporal focus in risk discourse and audience emotions on knowledge-sharing platforms

Online knowledge-sharing platforms construct risk knowledge and provide the audience with risk-related scientific facts. We study how speakers organize narratives in past, present, and future foci to influence the audience's emotions through the audience's appraisal of motive congruency and coping potential. Empirical evidence from 210 Technology, Entertainment, Design talks about disasters from 2002 to 2018 demonstrates that emphasizing the past, present, and future in risk narrative leads to the audience's comments with more negative, less positive, and more positive emotions, respectively. Concrete (vs. abstract) portrayal of the risk narrative improves the audience's situational awareness, enhances their risk appraisal, and intensifies the impact of temporal focus on emotions, providing evidence of how temporal focus impacts. These findings demonstrate that temporal focus can effectively reduce risk overreaction or ignorance and facilitate emotion regulation in risk communication.

Military-bereaved siblings' growth and distress - Interplays between interpersonal factors and commemoration

Sibling bereavement due to military casualties can produce psychological distress but can also elicit personal growth. This research explored the association between psychological distress and post-traumatic growth (PTG) among military-bereaved siblings via a moderated mediation model. Israeli military-bereaved siblings were recruited through a nonprofit organization devoted to bereaved siblings of military casualties. Participants (N = 155) completed questionnaires of posttraumatic growth, distress, commemoration, social support. Results supported the moderated mediation study model. Specifically, higher psychological distress was associated with lower social support, which was subsequently associated with lower self-disclosure, for the entire sample. This association was strongest for bereaved siblings with high relief-related commemoration, which was then associated with lower PTG. Pursuant to our findings, mental health professionals need to guide bereaved siblings toward involvement in commemoration activities that bring them relief, thus further enabling social support that facilitates personal disclosure and, subsequently, PTG.

The structure of pathological personality traits and temperament in a Persian community sample

The present study examined the extent to which the currently established factor structure of the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5; Krueger et al., 2013) generalizes to a large Persian community sample, as well as relations between the resulting PID-5 factors and two temperament measures. Cross-sectional data came from 946 adults (65% female) from western Iran. With the use of exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) with target rotation, we found factor loadings that showed fairly similar patterns to those found in two previous meta-analytic PID-5 studies with predominantly North American and European samples (Watters & Bagby, 2018; Somma et al., 2019). Despite slight differences in each of the target rotations, there were moderate congruence coefficients (~0.85) between loadings for the five PID-5 domains, with the weakest evidence supporting the Disinhibition factor. The resulting PID-5 factors showed meaningful associations with temperament domains assessed via the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI; Cloninger, 1994) and Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego-Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A; Akiskal et al., 2005). Overall, our findings suggest that the documented structure of personality pathology assessed by the PID-5 generalizes somewhat to this sample of Persian participants, and pathological personality traits show important overlap with temperament, although these constructs are meaningfully distinct.

Relationships between sensory processing patterns and metabolic risk factors among community dwelling people with metabolic syndrome: A cross-sectional and correlational research design

BACKGROUND

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) increases the risk of other serious health problems, particularly cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Sensory processing patterns (SPPs) are internal factors shaping behaviors and emotions, both healthy and unhealthy. There is a lack of studies directly examining the relationship between the SPPs and metabolic risk factors.

METHOD

This study aimed to investigate SPPs and their association with metabolic risk factors in individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS). One hundred and seventeen individuals with MetS completed questionnaires on demographic characteristics and the Thai Sensory Patterns Assessment-adult version. Data on metabolic risk factors, including fasting blood glucose, blood pressure, and waist circumference, were collected.

RESULTS

The findings revealed high arousal levels in proprioceptive and auditory senses among the participants. The fasting blood glucose was significantly correlated with a preference in the tactile sense (r = -0.150, P<0.05), while waist circumference was associated with arousal level in the auditory and smell-taste senses (r = 0.140, -0.160, P<0.05). Moreover, the GLMM revealed that fasting blood glucose was associated with preferences in tactile, vestibular, and proprioceptive senses (r = -0.481, 0.726, -0.386, P<0.05). Furthermore, diastolic blood pressure was associated with preferences in vestibular sense (r = 0.099; P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The SPPs might be related to metabolic risk factors, so it is important to recognize how individual SPPs relate to metabolic risk factors. However, further studies using a larger sample may be needed to deeply explore the mechanisms underlying these associations.

The story of 'us' is the story of 'me': A cross-sectional test of the influence of insecure attachment on narratives of romantic transgressions and high points

Narratives play an important role in the development of the self-identity. Romantic relationships offer a powerful context in which to develop these narratives about the self through the good and the bad experiences people have with their partners. However, the stories we tell can also be colored by how we already see ourselves. In a secondary analysis, using a prospective longitudinal study of people in established romantic relationships (N = 402), we tested pre-registered hypotheses regarding how attachment anxiety and avoidance lead people to develop narratives about their relationship high-points and transgressions, and whether these narratives influence their relationship satisfaction over time. Relatively higher avoidance, but not anxiety, was related to narrative construction. Those relatively higher in avoidance made more negative event connections about themselves in their transgression narratives, and more positive event connections about themselves in their relationship high-point narratives. Narrative content, however, did not mediate the association between attachment anxiety and avoidance and relationship satisfaction. Despite the lack of support for some of our pre-registered hypotheses, these findings provide valuable insights into how insecure attachment influences the stories people tell about their relationships, and how they link these events back to the self.

Understanding the relationships among adolescents' internet dependence, reward, cognitive control processing, and learning burnout: a network perspective in China

Alterations in the reward and cognitive control systems are commonly observed among adolescents with internet dependence (ID), and this impairment is often accompanied by social dysfunctions, such as academic burnout. However, the intercorrelations among ID, reward, cognitive control processing, and learning burnout remain unclear. We recruited 1074 Chinese adolescents to investigate the complex interrelationships among these variables using network analysis. The resulting network revealed patterns that connected ID to the behavioral inhibition/activation system (BIS/BAS), self-control, and learning burnout; these results exhibited reasonable stability and test-retest consistency. Throughout the network, the node of BAS-drive was the critical influencing factor, and the node of self-control was the protection factor. In addition, several symptoms of learning burnout and ID were positively associated with sensitivity to punishment. As revealed by the network comparison test, the network constructed among internet dependent (ID) group differed from the network constructed among internet nondependent (IND) group not only in the edges between BIS and learning burnout but also in terms of the edges associated with learning burnout. In conclusion, this study provides insights into the complex mechanisms underlying ID among adolescents from the perspective of the network relationships between core influencing factors and negative consequences. It validates the dual-system model of risky behavior among adolescents and offers a foundation for early warning and interventions for ID in this context.

Trait self-control as a determinant of health behavior: Recent advances on mechanisms and future directions for research

We summarize theory and research testing a mechanistic explanation for the trait self-control-health behavior relationship. Specifically, social cognition constructs summarizing individuals' utility, normative, risk, and capacity beliefs with respect to future health behavior performance are proposed to mediate the self-control-health behavior relationship. The effect represents the informational function of self-control in decision making. We also specify a mechanism wherein trait self-control moderates the intention-behavior relationship such that 'good' self-control affords effective intention-to-action translation. Both effects have pervasive support in the extent literature. We propose ongoing meta-analyses expected to provide further robust support for these mechanistic effects and the need for research employing designs enabling better directional and causal inferences in the effects, including experimental or types of cross-lagged panel design.

Self-control and limited willpower: Current status of ego depletion theory and research

Ego depletion theory proposes that self-regulation depends on a limited energy resource (willpower). The simple initial theory has been refined to emphasize conservation rather than resource exhaustion, extended to encompass decision making, planning, and initiative, and linked to physical bodily energy (glucose). Recent challenges offered alternative explanations (which have largely failed) and questioned replicability (which has now been well established). Methods have improved, particularly with emphasis on longer, stronger manipulations to ensure fatigue. New work extends ego depletion into workplace settings and sports. Interpersonal conflict may be both a major cause and consequence. New questions include the possibility of chronic ego depletion (e.g., in burnout), protective factors and coping strategies, individual differences, and recovery processes.

A multi-level examination of impulsivity and links to suicide ideation among Native American youth

BACKGROUND

Despite preliminary evidence that links impulsivity to suicide risk among Native American youth, impulsivity has not been directly studied in relation to suicide ideation (SI) or behaviors in this population. We examined indexes of rapid-response impulsivity (RRI) across multiple levels of analysis (self-report, behavioral, neurobiological) and associations with SI among Native American youth ages 9-10 in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study.

METHODS

Data from the sample (n = 284) included self-report (UPPS-P), behavioral (Stop Signal Task), and neurobiological (right inferior frontal gyrus activation) indicators of RRI. RRI indicators were modeled using variable-centered (i.e., traditional multivariable regression) and person-centered (i.e., clustering analyses) approaches in measuring their association with SI.

RESULTS

Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that higher negative urgency was associated with higher odds of SI (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 1.23, p = 0.015). Latent profile analysis clustered youth into five profiles based on within-individual variation in RRI indicators. Youth with an elevated self-reported negative and positive urgency profile were at higher odds of reporting SI than "normative" youth (AOR = 2.38, p = 0.019).

LIMITATIONS

Limitations of this study include the modest sample size particularly regarding SI (14.1 %), potential bias in estimates of lifetime SI, and generalizability to youth from specific Native American communities.

CONCLUSIONS

Negative urgency may increase risk for SI among Native American youth in late childhood. Clinical implications, including the potential for person-centered RRI profiles to act as candidate markers of suicide risk and resilience in adolescence and inform safety assessments and planning, are discussed.

A genome-wide association study of occupational creativity and its relations with well-being and career success

Creativity is one defining characteristic of human species. There have been mixed findings on how creativity relates to well-being, and little is known about its relationship with career success. We conduct a large-scale genome-wide association study to examine the genetic architecture of occupational creativity, and its genetic correlations with well-being and career success. The SNP-h2 estimates range from 0.08 (for managerial creativity) to 0.22 (for artistic creativity). We record positive genetic correlations between occupational creativity with autism, and positive traits and well-being variables (e.g., physical height, and low levels of neuroticism, BMI, and non-cancer illness). While creativity share positive genetic overlaps with indicators of high career success (i.e., income, occupational status, and job satisfaction), it also has a positive genetic correlation with age at first birth and a negative genetic correlation with number of children, indicating creativity-related genes may reduce reproductive success.

National Benchmarks to Understand How Doctor of Physical Therapy Learners From Minoritized Race and Ethnicity Groups Perceive Their Physical Therapist Education Program

OBJECTIVE

The demographic homogeneity of the physical therapist workforce and its educational pathway may undermine the profession's potential to improve the health of society. Building academic environments that support the development of all learners is fundamental to building a workforce to meet societal health care needs. The Benchmarking in Physical Therapy Education study uses the Physical Therapy Graduation Questionnaire to comprehensively assess learner perceptions of the physical therapist academic environment. The present report examined whether racial and ethnic minoritized (REM) physical therapist learners perceive their doctor of physical therapy education differently from their non-REM peers.

METHODS

Five thousand and eighty graduating doctor of physical therapy learners in 89 institutions provided demographic data and perceptions of a range of learning environment domains. Analyses included REM versus non-REM comparisons as well as comparisons among individual race and ethnicity groups.

RESULTS

Compared with their non-minoritized peers, REM respondents expressed less satisfaction with their education and lower confidence in their preparedness for entry-level practice. REM respondents observed more faculty professionalism disconnects and demonstrated less agreement that their program had fostered their overall psychological well-being. REM respondents experienced higher rates of mistreatment than their peers and reported higher rates of exhaustion and disengagement, the 2 axes of academic burnout. Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino/a/x (Hispanic, Latino, Latina, and/or Latinx) respondents incurred significantly more educational debt than Asian and White respondents. REM respondents reported greater empathy and greater interest in working in underserved communities.

CONCLUSION

REM respondents perceived the physical therapist learning environment more negatively than their non-minoritized peers but expressed strong interest in serving people from underserved communities. These national benchmarks offer academic institutions the opportunity to self-assess their own environment and to work to improve the quality of the educational experience for all learners.

IMPACT

In a nationwide benchmarking study, learners from minoritized race and ethnicity backgrounds reported more negative experiences and outcomes during physical therapist education than their non-minoritized peers. These same learners demonstrated high empathy and interest in serving people from underserved (under-resourced) communities. Learning environments that permit all individuals to thrive may be an essential avenue to improve the health of a rapidly diversifying society.

Impact of NGOs' undercover videos on citizens' emotions and pro-social behaviors

Undercover videos have become a popular tool among NGOs to influence public opinion and generate engagement for the NGO's cause. These videos are seen as a powerful and cost-effective way of bringing about social change, as they provide first-hand evidence and generate a strong emotional response among those who see them. In this paper, we empirically assess the impact of undercover videos on support for the cause. We in addition analyze whether the increased engagement among viewers is driven by the negative emotional reactions produced by the video. To do so, we design an online experiment that enables us to estimate both the total and emotion-mediated treatment effects on engagement by randomly exposing participants to an undercover video (of animal abuse) and randomly introducing a cooling-off period. Using a representative sample of the French population (N=3,310), we find that the video successfully increases actions in favor of animals (i.e., donations to NGOs and petitions), but we fail to prove that this effect is due to the presence of primary emotions induced by the video. Last, we investigate whether activists correctly anticipate their undercover videos' (emotional) impact via a prediction study involving activists (exploratory analysis). PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: This manuscript is a Stage-2 working paper of a Registered Report that received In-Principle-Acceptance from Scientific Reports on November 20th, 2023 [ Link to Stage-1 ]. The Stage-1 that received In-Principal-Acceptance can be found here: https://osf.io/8cg2d .

The importance of highlighting culturally relevant factors in the DEEP analysis when using IBCT with African American couples

Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT) posits that couple distress can, in part, be attributed to four factors labeled with the acronym DEEP: natural Uifferences between partners in their perspectives, beliefs, interests, and personalities, partner's Emotional sensitivities related to these differences, the External, contextual stressors that often exacerbate their differences and sensitivities, and the resultant Patterns of distressed interaction. Although an extensive assessment process captures these four components and thus tailors targets for intervention based on the unique characteristics of each couple, it does not explicitly consider the uniqueness of African American couples. Given the historical and contemporary realities that African American couples face (e.g., anti-Black racism), the purpose of this article is to help clinicians use IBCT with African American couples in a culturally responsive way. We begin this article by highlighting the unique needs of African American couples. We then provide a broad overview of the benefits of adopting a multicultural lens of awareness, knowledge, and skills in clinical work, present an atheoretical overview of IBCT, and offer specific recommendations to attend to the unique cultural experiences of African American couples. Finally, we present a case study to exemplify our suggestions and highlight implications of using IBCT with African American couples in a culturally responsible way.

Physiological and communicative emotional disconcordance in children on the autism spectrum

BACKGROUND

Individuals on the autism spectrum commonly have differences from non-autistic people in expressing their emotions using communicative behaviors, such as facial expressions. However, it is not yet clear if this reduced expressivity stems from reduced physiological reactivity in emotional contexts or if individuals react internally, but do not show these reactions externally to others. We hypothesized that autism is characterized by a discordance between in-the-moment internal psychophysiological arousal and external communicative expressions of emotion.

METHODS

Forty-one children on the autism spectrum and 39 non-autistic, typically developing (TD) children of two age groups (2-4 and 8-12 years) participated in a low-level stress task whilst wearing a wireless electrocardiogram. Children's negative emotional expressions (facial, vocal, bodily) were coded following standardized protocols. Alexithymia traits were assessed using the Children's Alexithymia Measure with school-aged children only. Data analyses involved ANOVAs, correlations, and sensitivity analyses.

RESULTS

There were no group differences in physiological arousal (heart rate) or in communicative expressions of stress to the stress task. For TD preschoolers, physiological arousal during the stress task was associated with vocal expressions and for TD school-aged children, they were associated with facial and bodily expressions. By contrast, for children on the autism spectrum, physiological arousal during the stress tasks was not associated with communicative expressions across age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that children on the autism spectrum might experience emotional disconcordance, in that their physiological arousal does not align with their communicative expressions. Therefore, the internally experienced stress of children on the autism spectrum may be inadvertently missed by teachers and caregivers and, consequently, learning opportunities for teaching emotional communication and regulation may be also missed. Our results support the use of wearable biosensors to facilitate such interventions in children on the autism spectrum.

Farm-Level Risk Factors for Lameness in 659 German Dairy Herds Kept in Loose Housing Systems

Six hundred fifty-nine farms in three regions of Germany (North: n = 240, East: n = 247, and South: n = 172) were included in the study, which aims at determining the association of management-related risk factors with farm-level lameness in German dairy herds. For each risk factor, a generalised linear regression model with negative binomial distribution and logit link was built. Results showed that cows housed in deep-bedded cubicles had a lower risk of being lame than cows housed in other cubicle types. A larger cubicle width was associated with a lower risk of being lame. Feeding a total mixed ration was associated with lower lameness prevalence (compared to feeding a partial mixed ration or single components). For first lactation cows, lameness assessment performed daily (compared to less than daily) and during other work tasks (compared to lameness assessment as a separate work task) were associated with lower risk for lameness. Finally, the present study provided evidence for crucial associations of management-related risk factors with lameness in German dairy cows, especially in the fields of cubicle design, feeding management, and lameness assessment.

An integrated dual process model in predicting e-cigarette use in undergraduate students

The use of e-cigarette or vape devices is a growing concern on an international scale, given the devices' addictive nature and questions regarding their short- and long-term health impacts. Their use is especially an issue in young people, many of whom have little or no previous nicotine use experience. This study tested an integrated dual process model in 363 young Australian undergraduates where prospectively measured e-cigarette use was predicted by the psychological constructs of the theory of planned behavior, supplemented with risk perception, e-cigarette dependence, habit, and implicit attitude. Intention to use an e-cigarette was predicted by affective attitude, subjective norm, and e-cigarette dependance, but not instrumental attitude, perceived behavioral control, or risk perception. E-cigarette use was predicted by e-cigarette dependance, intention, habit, implicit attitude, and previous nicotine use, although perceived behavioral control did not directly predict behavior nor moderate the intention-behavior relationship. Current findings provide evidence for important psychological predictors of e-cigarette use, signposting potential intervention targets. Specifically, interventions may benefit from using strategies that tap affective or normative beliefs alongside automatic constructs and dependence, while focusing less on beliefs about the health impacts of e-cigarettes or control over using.

Anatomo-functional basis of emotional and motor resonance elicited by facial expressions

Simulation theories predict that the observation of other's expressions modulates neural activity in the same centres controlling their production. This hypothesis has been developed by two models, postulating that the visual input is directly projected either to the motor system for action recognition (motor resonance) or to emotional/interoceptive regions for emotional contagion and social synchronization (emotional resonance). Here we investigated the role of frontal/insular regions in the processing of observed emotional expressions by combining intracranial recording, electrical stimulation and effective connectivity. First, we intracranially recorded from prefrontal, premotor or anterior insular regions of 44 patients during the passive observation of emotional expressions, finding widespread modulations in prefrontal/insular regions (anterior cingulate cortex, anterior insula, orbitofrontal cortex and inferior frontal gyrus) and motor territories (Rolandic operculum and inferior frontal junction). Subsequently, we electrically stimulated the activated sites, finding that (i) in the anterior cingulate cortex and anterior insula, the stimulation elicited emotional/interoceptive responses, as predicted by the 'emotional resonance model'; (ii) in the Rolandic operculum it evoked face/mouth sensorimotor responses, in line with the 'motor resonance' model; and (iii) all other regions were unresponsive or revealed functions unrelated to the processing of facial expressions. Finally, we traced the effective connectivity to sketch a network-level description of these regions, finding that the anterior cingulate cortex and the anterior insula are reciprocally interconnected while the Rolandic operculum is part of the parieto-frontal circuits and poorly connected with the former. These results support the hypothesis that the pathways hypothesized by the 'emotional resonance' and the 'motor resonance' models work in parallel, differing in terms of spatio-temporal fingerprints, reactivity to electrical stimulation and connectivity patterns.

Relationship Between Growth Mindset and Self-Control Amongst Chinese Primary School Students: A Longitudinal Study

Purpose

Growth mindset and self-control, both recognized as pivotal qualities with significant impacts on personal success, possess respective robust predictive power for academic achievement and broader life outcomes. However, the bidirectional relationship between them remains largely unexplored. This study aims to investigate whether growth mindset, conceptualized as the belief that abilities can be developed through effort and support, prospectively predicts the development of self-control over time. Additionally, it endeavors to explore whether self-control, a crucial positive psychological trait, exerts an influence on the fostering of growth mindset. In summary, our research focuses on elucidating the bidirectional relationship between growth mindset and self-control among Chinese primary school students.

Participants and Methods

The current research recruited a sample of 428 primary school students, aged 9-12, from China (214 females, mean age = 9.64 ± 1.21) to participate in a longitudinal study. Participants underwent two follow-up assessments of growth mindset and self-control over a six-month period.

Results

The correlation analysis revealed significant associations between growth mindset at T1 and self-control at T2, as well as between self-control at T1 and growth mindset at T2(r = 0.23 to 0.25, ps < 0.01). Cross-lagged analysis found that growth mindset at T1 positively predicted self-control at T2 (β = 0.11, p = 0.04), while self-control at T1 did not significantly predict growth mindset at T2.

Conclusion

The results suggest that growth mindset exerts a direct impact on self-control among primary school students. This finding extends the scope of research concerning growth mindset and provides important theoretical inspiration and practical guidance for educators, parents and counselling professionals in assisting students to enhance self-control.

Associations Between Sexualized Media Consumption, Sexual Double Standards, and Sexual Coercion Perpetration and Victimization in Late Adolescent Sexually Active Boys and Girls from The Netherlands

This study examined associations between sexualized media consumption, sexual double standard (SDS) norms, and sexual coercion perpetration and victimization in late adolescence and whether these associations were moderated by gender. Participants were sexually active Dutch secondary school students aged 16-20 years (N = 255, 58.4% girls). Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire at a single time-point. Overall, more sexualized media consumption was associated with higher odds of both sexual coercion perpetration and victimization. These associations did not differ by gender. Specifically, viewing online pornography and sexually oriented reality television more frequently were associated with higher odds of sexual coercion perpetration, whereas viewing others' sexy social media posts more frequently was associated with higher odds of sexual coercion victimization. Finally, stronger endorsement of SDS norms was associated with lower odds of sexual coercion perpetration in girls, but with comparatively higher odds of sexual coercion perpetration in boys. Results indicate that consuming sexualized media and societal sexual double standards is associated with an increased risk of sexual coercion experiences in adolescence.

Religious scrupulosity and early maladaptive schemas: a network analysis

Scrupulosity is treated as a particular presentation of the symptomatology characteristic for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, typical treatment of OCD (e.g. cognitive-behavioral therapy) is less effective in the case of religious scruples. Recently, schema therapy has appeared as an alternative effective treatment in obsessive-compulsive symptomatology. The present study investigated the associations between early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) and scrupulosity in a non-clinical sample of 376 poles. The participants assessed their EMSs with the Young Schema Questionnaire 3 - Short Form and their scrupulosity with the Pennsylvania Inventory of Scrupulosity. We used network analysis to control for the EMS interconnectivity. We showed that accounting for the interactions within the EMSs, three schemas, namely, Punitiveness, Subjugation, and Enmeshment/Undeveloped Self, were positively correlated with scrupulosity. Given the central position of the Negativity/Pessimism schema in the examined network, we suggested that activation of this schema could be indirectly correlated to scruples via an escalation of activation to the Punitiveness, Subjugation, and Enmeshment schemas. The findings suggest that dependency and fear of rejection problems (present in Subjugation and Enmeshment EMSs) and over-compensation by perfectionism (present in Punitiveness EMS) could be addressed in the treatment of scruples.

The impact of family climate on problematic internet use: Findings from one nationwide study in China

BACKGROUND

With the growing attention paid to problematic internet use (PIU), this study aims to i) explore the prevalence of PIU based on a nationally representative sample and ii) propose and validate the theoretical model that correlates family climate with PIU.

METHODS

One national cross-sectional study was conducted with probability sampling and stratified sampling. Overall, 21,854 sample were included and analyzed. Validated measures of family climate, loneliness, and PIU was distributed and collected from June 2022 to August 2022.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of PIU in the sample population is approximately 30.86 %. The model findings showed that family communication and family health had indirect effects of -0.12 and - 0.05 on PIU by the mediating effects of loneliness. The indirect effect explained 80.0 % of the total effect of family communication on PIU and 38.5 % of family health on PIU, highlighting the dominance effects of path family communication and PIU via loneliness. Extended family type (-0.047, p = 0.050), low family income (income≤3000 group, -0.127, p < 0.001) were identified as protective factors against PIU, while not living with family members (0.034, p = 0.021) was identified as risk factors of PIU.

LIMITATIONS

The nature of cross-sectional data have the limitation of preventing examining the casual relationships of PIU and the loneliness and family climate, in which future longitudinal study design is needed.

CONCLUSIONS

The high prevalence of PIU should be given adequate attention. Optimizing the family climate or family atmosphere by improving positive communication skills, providing family support and family health external resources can be served as effective strategies for controlling PIU.

Developmental trajectories of loneliness in Chinese children: Environmental and personality predictors

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to identify the developmental trajectories of loneliness in Chinese children and examine the predictive roles of domain-specific environmental factors (i.e., family dysfunction and satisfaction of relatedness needs at school), personality factors (i.e., neuroticism and extraversion), and their interactions in these developmental trajectories.

METHODS

A total of 702 Chinese children (Mage = 8.95, SD = 0.76; 54.1 % boys) participated in assessments at six time points over three years at six-month intervals. Growth mixture modeling (GMM) was used to estimate trajectory classes for loneliness, followed by multivariate logistic regression analyses exploring associations between these classes and predictors.

RESULTS

GMM analyses identified three distinct trajectories of loneliness: "low-stable" (81.5 %), "moderate-increasing" (9.4 %), and "high-decreasing" (9.1 %). Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that family dysfunction and neuroticism served as risk factors for adverse loneliness trajectories, while satisfaction of relatedness needs at school and extraversion acted as protective factors. Furthermore, the interaction between family dysfunction and extraversion indicated that extraversion did not mitigate the adverse effects of high family dysfunction on children's loneliness, emphasizing the vital need to support positive family functioning among all children.

LIMITATIONS

This study did not incorporate biological variables (e.g., genetics), which are crucial in the evolutionary theory of loneliness.

CONCLUSIONS

The identification of three distinct trajectory groups of children's loneliness, along with key environmental and personality predictors, suggests that interventions should be tailored to each group's unique characteristics.

Volition and control in law and in brain science: neurolegal translation of a foundational concept

The law assumes that healthy adults are generally responsible for their actions and have the ability to control their behavior based on rational and moral principles. This contrasts with some recent neuroscientific accounts of action control. Nevertheless, both law and neuroscience acknowledge that strong emotions including fear and anger may "trigger" loss of normal voluntary control over action. Thus, "Loss of Control" is a partial defense for murder under English law, paralleling similar defenses in other legal systems. Here we consider the neuroscientific evidence for such legal classifications of responsibility, particularly focussing on how emotional states modulate voluntary motor control and sense of agency. First, we investigate whether neuroscience could contribute an evidence-base for law in this area. Second, we consider the societal impact of some areas where legal thinking regarding responsibility for action diverges from neuroscientific evidence: should we be guided by normative legal traditions, or by modern understanding of brain functions? In addressing these objectives, we propose a translation exercise between neuroscientific and legal terms, which may assist future interdisciplinary research.

Masking the truth: the impact of face masks on deception detection

Because of the pandemic, face masks have become ubiquitous in social interactions, but it remains unclear how face masks influence the ability to discriminate between truthful and deceptive statements. The current study manipulated the presence of face masks, statement veracity, statement valence (positive or negative), and whether the statements had been practiced or not. Despite participants' expectations, face masks generally did not impair detection accuracy. However, participants were more accurate when judging negatively valenced statements when the speaker was not wearing a face mask. Participants were also more likely to believe positively rather than negatively valenced statements.