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European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Dec 2023Evidence of alterations in emotion processing in maltreated youth has been hypothesized to reflect latent vulnerability for psychopathology. However, previous studies...
Evidence of alterations in emotion processing in maltreated youth has been hypothesized to reflect latent vulnerability for psychopathology. However, previous studies have not systematically examined the influence of psychopathology on the results. Here, we examined emotion recognition and learning in youth who differed in terms of presence vs. absence of maltreatment and psychopathology and tested for potential sex effects. Maltreatment and psychopathology were assessed in 828 youth (514 females) aged 9-18 years using diagnostic interviews and self- and parent-report questionnaires. Emotion recognition was assessed via identification of morphed facial expressions of six universal emotions. For emotion learning, reward and punishment values were assigned to novel stimuli and participants had to learn to correctly respond/withhold response to stimuli to maximize points. A three-way interaction of maltreatment by psychopathology by emotion indicated that when psychopathology was low, maltreated youth were less accurate than non-maltreated youth for happy, fear and disgust. A three-way interaction of sex, maltreatment and emotion indicated that maltreated girls and boys were impaired for fear, but girls showed an impairment for happy, while boys for disgust. There were no effects of maltreatment, psychopathology, or sex on reward learning. However, a two-way interaction between sex and maltreatment showed that maltreated girls were worse at learning from punishment relative to non-maltreated girls, while maltreated boys were better than non-maltreated boys. The study provides the first clear evidence of latent-vulnerability in emotion recognition in maltreated youth and suggests that girls and boys might be characterized by distinct profiles of emotion recognition and learning following maltreatment.
Topics: Male; Child; Female; Adolescent; Humans; Child Abuse; Emotions; Fear; Facial Expression; Psychopathology
PubMed: 36738328
DOI: 10.1007/s00787-022-02132-1 -
Women's Health Reports (New Rochelle,... 2024Colombia has a high teen pregnancy (TP) rate. In 2018, one in five pregnancies was from teen mothers between 10 and 19 years of age. While TP rates are declining...
BACKGROUND
Colombia has a high teen pregnancy (TP) rate. In 2018, one in five pregnancies was from teen mothers between 10 and 19 years of age. While TP rates are declining globally, Colombia's TP rate decline has been particularly low, despite sexual education and contraception campaigns. Other factors must be studied to prevent TP. Colombia has a long history of violence. We aim to assess whether there is a relationship between TP and exposure to violence in Colombia.
METHODS
Data from the Colombian Demographic and Health Survey 2015 and the Colombian National Department of Statistics were analyzed for association between TP and sexual violence, physical violence, physical punishment as a child, and community violence. Univariate, bivariate, multivariate, and multilevel binary logistic regression models were calculated using SPSS v.25 and HLM v.7.
RESULTS
Fifteen percent of teens were pregnant. Emotional violence was reported by 47%, sexual harassment by 27%, physical violence by 17%, physical punishment as a child by 7%, and unwanted sex by 2%. Unwanted sex (odds ratio [OR]: 3.18, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.96-5.16), sexual harassment (OR: 2.43, 95% CI: 1.89-3.14), and physical punishment (OR: 20.30, 95% CI: 7.96-22.81) were associated with adolescent pregnancy. In unadjusted models, emotional violence was associated (OR: 1.22, 95% CI 1.06-1.40) and community violence showed a tendency (OR: 1.24, 95% CI: 0.99-1.55). Physical violence was not associated.
CONCLUSIONS
Violence exposure and particularly physical punishment, unwanted sex and sexual harassment were associated with TP incidence and should be considered risk factors for TP.
PubMed: 38500846
DOI: 10.1089/whr.2021.0075 -
European Journal of Psychotraumatology 2024Maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may lead to increased behavioural problems in children. However, the mediating roles of psychological distress and...
Maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may lead to increased behavioural problems in children. However, the mediating roles of psychological distress and corporal punishment, two common mechanisms underlying the intergenerational transmission of maternal ACEs, in these relations have not been examined in Chinese samples. Multigenerational homes (MGH) are the dominate living arrangement in China; however, limited research focuses on the effects of MGHs on the intergenerational transmission of maternal ACEs. This study explored the parallel mediating effects of corporal punishment and psychological distress on the association between maternal ACEs and children's behaviour and whether MGHs can strengthen or weaken the relationship between maternal ACEs and corporal punishment or psychological distress. Participants were 643 three-year-old children and their mothers (mean age of 32.85 years, SD = 3.79) from Wuhu, China. Mothers completed online questionnaires measuring ACEs, psychological distress, corporal punishment, their family structure, and children's behavioural problems. This study used a moderated mediation model. The findings suggest that psychological distress and corporal punishment mediate the association between maternal ACEs and children's behavioural problems. The mediating role of corporal punishment was found depend on whether mothers and their children reside in MGHs. MGHs were not found to have a moderating role in the indirect relationship between maternal ACEs and children's behaviour problems via psychological distress. Our findings highlight the importance of addressing psychological distress and corporal punishment when designing interventions targeted Chinese mothers exposed to ACEs and their children, especially those living in MGHs.
Topics: Humans; Female; Adverse Childhood Experiences; Adult; China; Male; Punishment; Child, Preschool; Mothers; Surveys and Questionnaires; Intergenerational Relations; Mother-Child Relations; Psychological Distress
PubMed: 38809612
DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2024.2355757 -
PloS One 2023For the two emission reduction technologies of clean process (CT Mode) and end-of-pipe pollution control technology (ET Mode), this paper constructs production and...
For the two emission reduction technologies of clean process (CT Mode) and end-of-pipe pollution control technology (ET Mode), this paper constructs production and low-carbon R&D decision-making models considering consumers' green preference, and discusses the impact of social responsibility on firm's decision-making, profit and social welfare. Then, the difference of optimal decision, profit and social welfare is analyzed when the firm adopt two emission reduction technologies with or without reward-penalty policy. The main conclusions of this paper are as follows: (1) Whether using clean process technology or end-of-pipe pollution control technology, consumers' green preference behavior can increase corporate profit. When consumers' green preference is small, consumers' green preference is negatively correlated with social welfare. When consumers' green preference is large, consumers' green preference is positively correlated with social welfare. (2) Corporate social responsibility is conducive to improving the level of social welfare, not conducive to the increase of corporate profits. (3) When the reward and punishment intensity is small, the reward-penalty policy cannot effectively motivate the firm to assume social responsibility. Only when the reward and punishment reaches a certain level, the mechanism can have an incentive effect on the firm, and the government can actively implement the mechanism. (4) When the market scale is small, the adoption of end-of-pipe pollution control technology is more beneficial to the firm; When the market scale is large, it is beneficial for the firm to adopt clean technology. (5) If the efficiency of end-of-pipe pollution control and emission reduction is much higher than that of clean process, the firm should choose end-of-pipe pollution control technology, otherwise choose clean process.
Topics: Social Responsibility; Biological Products; Carbon; Policy; Reward
PubMed: 37432959
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285895 -
Psychological Reports Aug 2023Emerging non-Western studies indicate new patterns in the functionality of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) warranting further investigation in different cultures. The... (Review)
Review
Emerging non-Western studies indicate new patterns in the functionality of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) warranting further investigation in different cultures. The current study aims to investigate the function (etiology and underlying mechanism) of NSSI among a sample of university students in Tehran, Iran, using the Inventory of Statements About Self-Injury (ISAS). The ISAS was administered to 63 students who self-injured (52.4% female; = 22.15). An exploratory factor analysis using the Bayesian estimation method was conducted. A three-factor model of NSSI functions emerged including an intrapersonal factor representing within-self functions (e.g., self-punishment); a social identification factor consisting of functions establishing a sense of self/identity (e.g., peer bonding); and a communication factor representing an influencing/communicating functionality (e.g., marking distress). Intrapersonal and social identification factors were associated with greater severity of NSSI method and increased anxiety. Findings support the use of the ISAS among an Iranian sample and revealed additional patterns beyond the commonly referenced two-factor model (intrapersonal and interpersonal functions) in a culturally novel sample. The results are situated within the sample's sociocultural context.
PubMed: 37641520
DOI: 10.1177/00332941231197161 -
Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift... Aug 2023The rate of mistakes and near misses in clinical medicine remains staggering. The tendency to cover up mistakes is rampant in "name-blame-shame" cultures. The need for... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The rate of mistakes and near misses in clinical medicine remains staggering. The tendency to cover up mistakes is rampant in "name-blame-shame" cultures. The need for safe forums where mistakes can be openly discussed in the interest of patient safety is evident. Following a comprehensive review of the literature, a semi-structured weekly conference, named "mistake of the week" (MOTW), was introduced, enabling physicians to voluntarily discuss their mistakes and near-misses. The MOTW is intended to encourage cultural change in how physicians approach, process, accept and learn from their own and their peers' mistakes. This study seeks to assess if physicians appreciate, benefit from and are motivated to participate in MOTW.
METHODS
Physicians and medical students of the I. and II. at the Academic Teaching Hospital Klinikum Konstanz (Germany) were eligible to participate voluntarily. Four groups of physicians (n=3-6) and one group of medical students (n=5) volunteered to participate in focus group interviews, which were videotaped, transcribed and analyzed.
RESULTS
The following success factors are crucial for dealing with and voluntarily disclosing mistakes and near-misses: 1. Exemplification ("follow the boss's lead"), 2. Fixed time slots and a clear forum, 3. Reporting mistakes without fear of penalty or punishment, 4. A trusting working atmosphere. The key effects of the MOTW approach are: 1. People report their mistakes more, 2. Relief, 3. Psychological safety, 4. Lessons learned/errors (potentially) reduced.
DISCUSSION
The MOTW conference models an ideal forum to mitigate hierarchy and promote a sustainable organizational dynamic in which mistakes and near misses can be discussed in an environment free from "name-blame-shame", with the ultimate goal of potentially improving patient care and safety.
Topics: Humans; Patient Safety; Physicians; Fear; Surveys and Questionnaires; Academic Medical Centers; Medical Errors
PubMed: 37308082
DOI: 10.1055/a-2061-1554 -
Cureus Aug 2023Introduction Somatoform disorders (SFDs) are a spectrum of diseases mainly manifesting with physical symptoms of no recognizable etiology. These disorders are believed...
Introduction Somatoform disorders (SFDs) are a spectrum of diseases mainly manifesting with physical symptoms of no recognizable etiology. These disorders are believed to be primarily influenced and exacerbated by psychological factors. Given the connection between parental sociodemographics and psychological factors and SFDs, there is a pressing need to investigate this area further, particularly concerning parents and their children affected by somatoform disorders. Aims and objectives The aims and objectives of this study are as follows: i) study the determinants of SFDs, namely, parent handling of child, parent-child relationship, parenting with respect to attending to the needs of children, and intelligence quotient (IQ) of parents, and ii) compare host factors to the factors matched in control subjects. Materials and methods We adopted purposive sampling in our case-control study. The study sample was obtained from the psychiatry department of the Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial (GSVM) Medical College, Kanpur, India, from September 2020 to December 2022, once a week, every Monday. Children manifesting SFD manifestations that are among the chief complaints were included in our study. Results A total of 115 cases were included in our study based on inclusion criteria. The study compared sociodemographic characteristics, intelligence quotient (IQ), parental characteristics, parental handling, parent-child relationships, and parenting practices between a patient group and a control group. The results showed no significant differences in sex, religion, occupation, domicile, and socioeconomic status in both control and patient groups. However, significant differences were found in parental characteristics, such as lower mean age, education, and IQ, in the patient group. This difference between the patient and control groups with respect to the parental handling questionnaire was statistically significant for the domain of "praise," "talk," "feel better," "comes to you," "unduly strict" items, "frequently reprimanded," "tried to control everything," creative activities, protectiveness, education, neglecting, objective punishment, housing, medical care, demanding, symbolic reward, loving, objective reward, food, parent-to-child communication, clothing, support, routine, recreation, social activities, rules, managing problem behavior, guidance for career, and security. Conclusion Parents were deficient in terms of years of education, occupational status, IQ, parental handling, parent-child relationship, and parenting with respect to the children's needs. These findings offer insights into the sociodemographic and psychological factors contributing to the patient group's condition.
PubMed: 37692659
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.43238 -
Behaviour Research and Therapy Jul 2023The restriction of energy intake is a central and persistent symptom of anorexia nervosa. Recent models of the disorder suggest that food restrictions are learned... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
The restriction of energy intake is a central and persistent symptom of anorexia nervosa. Recent models of the disorder suggest that food restrictions are learned avoidance behaviours, which are acquired and maintained by classical and operant conditioning. The present study aims to test this learning model of food restriction. It investigates whether introducing negative consequences for the intake of tasty high-calorie food and introducing positive consequences for its avoidance can create food avoidance, increase fear of food, and decrease eating desires in healthy individuals. 104 women were randomly assigned to an experimental or control condition and completed an appetitive conditioning and avoidance learning task. While the experimental condition received money after avoiding the tasty high-calorie food item and heard an aversive sound after not avoiding food intake, the control condition never received these consequences. In the extinction phase, reward and punishment discontinued for both conditions. We measured avoidance frequency, mouse movements, fear, eating desires and stimulus liking. Participants in the experimental condition avoided the food more often than controls and showed increased fear, reduced eating desires and less liking for cues associated with food intake. These results support the notion that food avoidance behaviours, reduced eating desires and fear of food can be learned via classical and operant conditioning. Conditioning paradigms might be a useful tool to study the development and maintenance of food restriction in anorexia nervosa.
Topics: Female; Humans; Avoidance Learning; Conditioning, Classical; Conditioning, Operant; Cues; Food
PubMed: 37267783
DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2023.104340 -
BMJ Open Sep 2023We explored the experiences and perceptions of school staff and students with the EmpaTeach intervention to prevent teachers' violence against school students.
OBJECTIVE
We explored the experiences and perceptions of school staff and students with the EmpaTeach intervention to prevent teachers' violence against school students.
DESIGN
This qualitative study involved in-depth interviews with 58 and 39 participants at midline and endline, respectively, with Burundian and Congolese intervention schools in Nyarugusu refugee camp. They comprised three education coordinators of primary and secondary schools, 29 EmpaTeach intervention coordinators, 14 stakeholders including headteachers and discipline teachers, 25 classroom teachers and 26 students. Thematic analysis was used to develop codes by examining the content of quotes to capture key themes in line with the key elements of the programme theory.
RESULTS
Coordinators and teachers widely reported positive experiences with the EmpaTeach programme. The intervention sessions enabled teachers to reflect on their own values and experiences of corporal punishment and equipped them with useful and acceptable classroom management and alternative discipline strategies. Teachers adopted the use of counselling, praise and reward, and joint discussions with students and parents. On the other hand, several teachers reported persistent use of corporal punishment which they attributed to children's (mis)behaviours and strong beliefs that beating was a positive approach to disciplining students.
CONCLUSION
The majority of coordinators and teachers widely accepted the EmpaTeach intervention as it offered useful and relevant knowledge and skills on alternative disciplinary methods. Students noticed some positive changes on the way they were being disciplined by teachers, where non-violent methods were used. Further research is needed to understand how violence prevention interventions can successfully lead to reductions in violence in fragile settings.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
NCT03745573.
Topics: Child; Humans; Tanzania; Refugee Camps; Schools; Educational Status; Violence
PubMed: 37734883
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-069993 -
Cell Reports Dec 2023Learning to seek rewards and avoid punishments, based on positive and negative choice outcomes, is essential for human survival. Yet, the neural underpinnings of outcome...
Learning to seek rewards and avoid punishments, based on positive and negative choice outcomes, is essential for human survival. Yet, the neural underpinnings of outcome valence in the human brainstem and the extent to which they differ in reward and punishment learning contexts remain largely elusive. Here, using simultaneously acquired electroencephalography and functional magnetic resonance imaging data, we show that during reward learning the substantia nigra (SN)/ventral tegmental area (VTA) and locus coeruleus are initially activated following negative outcomes, while the VTA subsequently re-engages exhibiting greater responses for positive than negative outcomes, consistent with an early arousal/avoidance response and a later value-updating process, respectively. During punishment learning, we show that distinct raphe nucleus and SN subregions are activated only by negative outcomes with a sustained post-outcome activity across time, supporting the involvement of these brainstem subregions in avoidance behavior. Finally, we demonstrate that the coupling of these brainstem structures with other subcortical and cortical areas helps to shape participants' serial choice behavior in each context.
Topics: Humans; Punishment; Reward; Ventral Tegmental Area; Substantia Nigra; Avoidance Learning; Magnetic Resonance Imaging
PubMed: 38100353
DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113589