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Public Health Dec 2022Most research on the association between parental or family socio-economic status and psychological adjustment in children has been performed mainly in Western...
OBJECTIVES
Most research on the association between parental or family socio-economic status and psychological adjustment in children has been performed mainly in Western countries, while there is limited evidence of such research in Asian countries. We examined the association of parental occupation and educational levels and household income with children's psychological adjustment in Japan.
STUDY DESIGN
This was a cross-sectional study.
METHODS
Study subjects were 6329 children aged 3 years. Children's psychological adjustment was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.
RESULTS
Compared with having an unemployed father, having a father who worked in an administrative and managerial or clerical job was associated with a lower prevalence of peer problems. Compared with having an unemployed mother, having a mother who worked in the professional and engineering, sales, service, or manufacturing process area was associated with a lower prevalence of low prosocial behaviors, whereas having a mother who worked in the clerical, service, or manufacturing process area was associated with an increased prevalence of emotional problems. Having a mother who worked in a clerical area was associated with a higher prevalence of conduct problems. Higher paternal and maternal educational levels were inversely associated with the prevalence of conduct problems and hyperactivity but were positively associated with low prosocial behaviors. A higher household income was inversely associated with the prevalence of emotional problems, conduct problems, and hyperactivity.
CONCLUSION
Parental occupation, educational levels, and household income may affect children's psychological adjustment in Japan.
Topics: Child; Female; Humans; Emotional Adjustment; Cross-Sectional Studies; Japan; Mothers; Educational Status
PubMed: 36395682
DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2022.10.011 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jul 2022Previous research has established a strong relationship between family system functioning and child adjustment outcomes. However, within the context of Gaza, an...
Previous research has established a strong relationship between family system functioning and child adjustment outcomes. However, within the context of Gaza, an evaluation of both maternal and paternal factors associated with adolescent psychological adjustment has not yet been thoroughly evaluated. The current study examines how maternal and paternal trauma exposure, emotional security, and mental health are related to parent-reported scores of adolescent psychological adjustment, while controlling for adolescent trauma exposure and security in the family. The sample included N = 68 family units living in the Gaza Strip, with two parents and one adolescent surveyed within each unit (adolescent Mage = 14.03 years). The regression model examining maternal factors was significant overall (F = 7.44, R2 = 42.70%, p < 0.001), with increased maternal depression associated with greater adolescent adjustment difficulties (β = 0.31, p = 0.011) and greater maternal emotional security in the family associated with fewer adolescent adjustment difficulties (β = −0.36, p = 0.004). The regression model examining paternal factors was also significant (F = 4.57, R2 = 31.00%, p < 0.001), with increased paternal trauma exposure associated with greater adolescent adjustment difficulties (β = 0.32, p = 0.012). Understanding family-level factors associated with adolescent adjustment is an important step in conceptualizing the mental health needs of conflict-affected youth within the context of Gaza and more broadly.
Topics: Adolescent; Arabs; Child; Emotional Adjustment; Fathers; Humans; Male; Mental Health; Middle East
PubMed: 35954645
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159288 -
Journal of Religion and Health Aug 2019An outgrowth of research has established an association between attachment to God dimensions and psychosocial indices. There has been a dearth of studies, however,...
An outgrowth of research has established an association between attachment to God dimensions and psychosocial indices. There has been a dearth of studies, however, examining variables that mediate these relationships. This study examined three categories of coping strategies (emotion-focused, problem-focused, and dysfunctional) as mediators in the relationship between attachment to God dimensions and psychological adjustment. This study employed a cross-sectional design to examine the association among attachment to God dimensions, coping strategies, and psychological adjustment among 315 undergraduate students at a midsize southeastern university. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Attachment to God Inventory, the Brief COPE, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. Structural equation modeling was used to examine direct and indirect effects. Analyses revealed an indirect influence of secure God attachment on positive affect via emotion-focused coping, as well as an indirect influence of secure God attachment on all three mental health indices-positive and negative affect and depression-via dysfunctional coping. Analyses also revealed an indirect influence of avoidant God attachment on depression and both positive and negative affect via dysfunctional coping, as well as an indirect influence of ambivalent God attachment on depression and both positive and negative affect via dysfunctional coping. Although causality cannot be established, results suggest that attachment to God dimensions are associated with psychological adjustment through the use of specific coping strategies. Future research should employ longitudinal designs in order to identify temporal influences among attachment to God dimensions, coping styles, and psychological indices.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Adolescent; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Emotional Adjustment; Emotions; Female; Humans; Male; Object Attachment; Students; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
PubMed: 30701425
DOI: 10.1007/s10943-019-00765-2 -
Cellular and Molecular Biology... Jan 2023To explore the influence of separation from parents in childhood on suicide and self-injury behavior and psychological adjustment in adolescence. A total of 880 subjects...
Alpha-2-Macroglobulin (A2M) and Dopamine Receptor D2 (DRD2) expression analysis and Influence of Separation from Parents in Childhood on the Suicide and Self-injury Behavior and Psychological Adjustment in Adolescence.
To explore the influence of separation from parents in childhood on suicide and self-injury behavior and psychological adjustment in adolescence. A total of 880 subjects were selected, including 197 students who were separated from their parents in childhood and 683 students who were not separated from their parents in childhood. The scores of psychological resilience, self-compassion, forgiveness and suicide and self-injury were investigated and analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was made on the relationship between suicide and self-injury behavior and psychological adjustment in adolescence. The scores of psychological resilience, self-compassion, forgiveness and suicide and self-injury were statistically significant between children who were separated from their parents and those who were not separated. The students who were not separated had better psychological adjustment abilities and a lower rate of suicide and self-injury (P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between separation from parents in childhood and suicide and self-injury behavior and psychological adjustment in adolescence (P<0.05). The separation from parents in childhood is closely related to psychological resilience, forgiveness, self-compassion, and suicide-related psychological behavior and self-injury behavior in adolescence. Suicide and self-injury behavior can be reduced by reducing separation from parents in childhood and improving self-psychological adjustment ability in adolescence. During the past years, genetics, heritability, and genes' contribution to depression disorders have been well established. Alpha-2-Macroglobulin (A2M) and Dopamine Receptor D2 (DRD2) genes are very effective in behavioral and mood disorders. The results of this study showed the expression of these genes in different organs, especially in connection with the cerebrospinal system, so investigating the mechanism of their effect is very effective and promising, and it is hoped that they will be used in other research.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Female; Humans; Male; alpha-Macroglobulins; Emotional Adjustment; Pregnancy-Associated alpha 2-Macroglobulins; Receptors, Dopamine; Receptors, Dopamine D2; Self-Injurious Behavior; Suicide
PubMed: 37213155
DOI: 10.14715/cmb/2022.69.1.12 -
Daily gender expression is associated with psychological adjustment for some people, but mainly men.Scientific Reports Apr 2021To what extent does gender expression vary day-to-day? Are daily changes related to psychological adjustment in the same way for all individuals? A person-specific...
To what extent does gender expression vary day-to-day? Are daily changes related to psychological adjustment in the same way for all individuals? A person-specific approach was used to answer these questions in a 75-day intensive longitudinal study. Fifty-seven cisgender adults (27 women) provided over 4000 reports of daily masculinity and femininity and of three indices of internalizing problems. Results revealed: (a) substantial daily fluctuations in gender expression, especially in women; (b) sample-level links between daily increases in femininity or reductions in masculinity and heightened anxiety, depression, and self-reproach for men, but no apparent links for women; and (c) person-specific links between gender expression and psychological adjustment, such that some women reported internalizing problems with reduced masculinity (average male pattern) and some men reported problems with heightened masculinity (opposite the average male pattern). Findings highlight how intensive longitudinal research can illuminate the uniqueness of gender-related daily experiences, and their implications for the wellbeing of individuals.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Emotional Adjustment; Female; Femininity; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Masculinity; Young Adult
PubMed: 33907237
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88279-4 -
The Journal of Sexual Medicine Jul 2021Past research has revealed the detrimental effects of social isolation and physical distancing measures in health related outcomes. However, only recently COVID-19...
BACKGROUND
Past research has revealed the detrimental effects of social isolation and physical distancing measures in health related outcomes. However, only recently COVID-19 confinement measures provided a context to test whether such detrimental effects exist in the human sexuality domain.
AIM
This study was aimed at testing the relationship between COVID-19 confinement levels and sexual functioning domains in men and women, while accounting for the mediating role of psychological adjustment during lockdown.
METHODS
Two hundred and forty five men and 417 women completed a web survey on the effects of COVID-19 in sexual health. The reference period includes the first confinement in Portugal (March 19-June 1, 2020). Data were handled under Hays' procedures for simple mediation analysis.
OUTCOMES
Measurement outcomes included self-reported levels of confinement, IIEF and FSFI scores, and psychological adjustment during lockdown.
RESULTS
Psychological adjustment during lockdown mediated the relationship between confinement levels and most sexual functioning domains in men but not in women. Also, while confinement levels were not directly related with most sexual functioning domains, psychological adjustment during lockdown did predict lower sexual functioning in both genders.
CLINICAL TRANSLATION
Findings support that human sexual functioning should be framed within a contextual perspective, emphasizing how psychological adjustment and situational life stressors, such as lockdown situations, shape individuals' sexuality. Such perspective should be considered in treatment protocols implemented during current pandemic.
STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS
Data add to the literature on the effects of lockdown in the sexuality domain. However, the study precludes inference of causality and targets only a little proportion of all the dynamics involved in sexuality during the current historical moment.
CONCLUSION
Psychological adjustment during COVID-19 seems to have a role on human sexual functioning, over the single effects of confinement. Carvalho J, Campos P, Carrito M, et al. The Relationship Between COVID-19 Confinement, Psychological Adjustment, and Sexual Functioning, in a Sample of Portuguese Men and Women. J Sex Med 2021;18:1191-1197.
Topics: COVID-19; Communicable Disease Control; Emotional Adjustment; Female; Humans; Male; Portugal; SARS-CoV-2; Sexual Behavior; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 34116985
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.04.007 -
Journal of Research on Adolescence :... Jan 2020This study evaluated the predictive relationship between the communicative openness and psychological adjustment of adopted adolescents, controlling for preplacement...
This study evaluated the predictive relationship between the communicative openness and psychological adjustment of adopted adolescents, controlling for preplacement risk factors. One hundred Spanish international adoptees aged 12-18 took part in the study. Data were gathered with a structured interview, the Youth Self Report and the Adoption Communication Scale. A history of maltreatment prior to the adoption was associated with more closed communication between parents and children. Prenatal drug exposure shows a relationship with the presence of externalizing behaviors and attention problems in adolescents. Finally, a lower degree of communicative openness regarding the child's origins was significantly associated with the presence of all the adolescent behavioral problems studied.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Adoption; Child, Adopted; Emotional Adjustment; Female; Humans; Male; Parents; Self Report; Social Adjustment; Spain
PubMed: 30367705
DOI: 10.1111/jora.12464 -
BMC Psychiatry Nov 2020The transition out of military service and subsequent reintegration to civilian life has been established as a period associated with an increased risk of psychological...
Assessing psychological adjustment and cultural reintegration after military service: development and psychometric evaluation of the post-separation Military-Civilian Adjustment and Reintegration Measure (M-CARM).
BACKGROUND
The transition out of military service and subsequent reintegration to civilian life has been established as a period associated with an increased risk of psychological adjustment difficulties, psychiatric disorders and suicide risk, yet no tool exists to measure cultural and psychological adjustment following permanent separation from the military. This study describes the two-phase mixed-methods development and validation of the self-report Military-Civilian Adjustment and Reintegration Measure (M-CARM).
METHODS
In Phase I, four focus groups (n = 20) and semi-structured one-on-one interviews (n = 80) enabled thematic analysis and generation of 53 initial items that were reviewed by an expert multidisciplinary panel (n = 12) and piloted for clarity and relevance in an Australian service-veteran sample (n = 11). In Phase II, psychometric properties of the 47 items resulting from Phase I were evaluated with online assessment of a convenience sample of transitioned Australian Defence Force veterans (n = 725). Analyses included exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, as well as evaluation of test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and convergent, divergent and discriminant validity.
RESULTS
Exploratory factor analysis on a randomized split-half sample (n = 357), resulted in a 21-item, five-factor solution of Purpose and Connection, Help seeking, Beliefs about civilians, Resentment and regret, and Regimentation, explaining 53.22% of the variance. Confirmatory factor analysis (n = 368) verified this factor structure without modification (χ2 = 304.96, df = 160; CFI = .96, TLI = .94, NFI = .91, RMSEA = .05). Strong convergent, divergent and discriminant validity was demonstrated as M-CARM scores significantly correlated with related constructs assessed by standardised clinical measures as well as differentiated groups based on three binary reintegration items, with large effect sizes (d = > 1). Strong test-retest reliability for the total score (n = 186, r = .93) and excellent internal consistency (n = 725, a = .90) were also found.
CONCLUSIONS
Results provide promising evidence the M-CARM is a valid, reliable measure of psychological and cultural reintegration to civilian life, with potential for considerable clinical and research application.
Topics: Australia; Emotional Adjustment; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Humans; Psychometrics; Reproducibility of Results; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 33167907
DOI: 10.1186/s12888-020-02936-y -
The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine Sep 2017The used psychological defense styles among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) with adjustment disorders (AJD) have not yet been described. In the present... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
OBJECTIVES
The used psychological defense styles among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) with adjustment disorders (AJD) have not yet been described. In the present investigation, the prevalence of AJD among people with SCI has been estimated and the pattern of used defense styles has been identified.
DESIGN
Cross-sectional investigation.
SETTING
A tertiary rehabilitation center in Iran.
PARTICIPANTS
Individuals referred to Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Center were invited to participate in a screening interview. AJD was diagnosed based on DSM-V criteria. Those with AJD diagnosis were scheduled for another interview to assess defense mechanisms.
OUTCOME MEASURES
Demographic and injury-related variables were recorded. Defense mechanisms were assessed by the 40-item version of the Defense-Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40).
RESULTS
Among 114 participants, 32 (28%) were diagnosed with AJD among whom 23 subjects attended the second interview. Mean age and time since injury were 29.57 ± 9.29 years and 11.70 ± 6.34 months, respectively. The majority of patients were using idealization defense mechanism (91.3%). In the second and third place, passive aggression (87.0%) and somatization (82.6%) defense mechanisms were observed, respectively. Neurotic style was dominantly used (11.52 ± 2.26). Sex, marital status, educational level, cause of the injury and injury level were not related to defense style (P: 0.38, 0.69, 0.88, 0.73, and P: 0.32, respectively).
CONCLUSION
Prevalence of AJD is estimated to be 28% among individuals with SCI. The most prevalent defense style was neurotic and the dominant used defense mechanism was "idealization." The role of demographic and injury-related variables in determining the used defense mechanisms was insignificant.
Topics: Adjustment Disorders; Adult; Emotional Adjustment; Female; Humans; Male; Spinal Cord Injuries
PubMed: 27077569
DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2016.1140389 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2019The objective of the present study was to analyze the extent to which violent peer behavior and victimization, both traditional and cybernetic, and predict certain...
The objective of the present study was to analyze the extent to which violent peer behavior and victimization, both traditional and cybernetic, and predict certain indicators of psychological maladjustment in adolescents, such as self-concept, satisfaction with life, feeling of loneliness, depressive symptomatology, perceived stress, social anxiety, empathy, and emotional intelligence. Participants in the study were 1318 adolescents of both sexes, aged between 11 and 18 years and enrolled in Compulsory Secondary Education schools. The design of the study was cross-sectional. The results indicated that the victims generally present greater maladjustment than the aggressors. Both victims and cybervictims showed a greater decrease in all the dimensions of self-concept, compared with aggressors and cyberaggressors. However, the two types of aggressors showed a higher likelihood of presenting low levels of empathy. Feeling of loneliness, depressive symptomatology, perceived stress, and degree of life satisfaction was more probable to be present in all groups of aggressors and victims. Finally, with regard to emotional intelligence, victims had a higher probability of obtaining low scores in all the dimensions of this construct; this was the case for traditional aggressors only in the dimension of emotion regulation. These results contribute to our understanding of the consequences of harassment in the adaptation of the students involved, with relevant practical implications.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Adolescent; Bullying; Child; Crime Victims; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cyberbullying; Emotional Adjustment; Female; Humans; Male; Peer Group; Self Concept; Spain; Students
PubMed: 31212830
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16122080