The role of temperament and parenting on anxiety problems among toddlers: Moderating role of parenting and mediating role of attachment

Shame, fear of compassion, self-criticism, and self-reassurance mediate the effect of early life events on emotional disorders among male prisoners: A structural equation modeling analysis

BACKGROUND

Early negative experiences in childhood are potent predictors of criminal behavior in youth and adulthood. This study aimed to identify the mediation effects of Shame, Fear of Compassion, Self-criticism, and Self-reassurance on the effect of Early Life Events on Emotional Disorders.

METHOD

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 368 male prisoners (Mean age: 33.26 ± 8.41 years) with convenient sampling method, from Ilam, Iran. A set of self-reported instruments were used for data collection. The ultimate model was constructed using structural equation modeling after confirming the construct validity of the measures via confirmatory factor analysis.

RESULTS

Shame, fear of compassion, self-criticism, and self-reassurance significantly mediated the relationship between Early Life Events and emotional disorders. The mediating effect accounted for 77 % of the total effect in the mediating model. According to Pearson's correlation, a positive and significant relationship existed between early life events and self-criticism, shame, fear of compassion and emotional disorders (P < .001). In conclusion, the presented model has an appropriate and acceptable fit, as evidenced by the results of the chi-square test (χ2 = 48.067, p < .001) and other relevant fit indices. However, self-reassurance's mediating role was insignificant (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The present results showed that shame, fear of compassion, and self-criticism are important mediators in the relationship between early life events and emotional disorders among male prisoners. So, it is necessary to develop related protocols to increase the mental health of prisoners.

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes at Two Years' Corrected Age of Very Preterm Infants After Implementation of a Post-discharge Responsive Parenting Intervention Program (TOP program)

OBJECTIVE

To compare neurodevelopmental outcomes at two years corrected age (CA) between infants born very preterm (VP) who did or did not receive a post-discharge responsive parenting intervention (TOP program) between discharge home and 12 months CA.

STUDY DESIGN

The Systemic Hydrocortisone to Prevent Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (SToP-BPD) study showed no differences between treatment groups in motor and cognitive development using the Dutch Bayley Scales of Infant Development, and behavior using the Child Behavior Check List at two years CA. During its study period, the TOP program was gradually scaled up nationwide in the same population, providing an opportunity to evaluate the effect of this program on neurodevelopmental outcome, after adjusting for baseline differences.

RESULTS

Among 262 surviving VP infants in the SToP-BPD study, 35% received the TOP program. Infants in the TOP group had a significantly lower incidence of a cognitive score <85 (20.3% vs. 35.2%; adjusted absolute risk reduction -14.1% [95% CI -27.2 to -1.1]; p=0.03), and a significantly higher mean cognitive score (96.7 ±13.8), compared with the non-TOP group (92.0 ±17.5; crude mean difference 4.7 [95% CI 0.3 to 9.2]; p=0.03). No significant differences were found on motor scores. For behavior problems, a small but statistically significant effect for anxious/depressive problems was found in the TOP group (50.5 vs. 51.2; p=0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

VP infants supported by the TOP program from discharge until 12 months CA had better cognitive function at two years CA. This study demonstrates a sustained positive effect of the TOP program in VP infants.