A feasibility study of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for emotional dysfunction following psychosis

The experience of psychosis can lead to depression, anxiety and fear. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) facilitates individuals to accept difficult mental experiences and behave in ways that are consistent with personally held values. This study was a single (rater) blind pilot randomised controlled trial of ACT for emotional dysfunction following psychosis. Twenty-seven participants with psychosis were randomised to either: ten sessions of ACT plus treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU alone. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills and Working Alliance Inventory were used. Individuals were assessed at baseline and 3 months post-baseline. The individuals randomised to receive ACT found the intervention acceptable. A significantly greater proportion of the ACT group changed from being depressed at time of entry into the study to not being depressed at follow-up. The ACT group showed a significantly greater increase in mindfulness skills and reduction in negative symptoms. Results indicated that individuals randomised to ACT had significantly fewer crisis contacts over the study. Changes in mindfulness skills correlated positively with changes in depression. ACT appears to offer promise in reducing negative symptoms, depression and crisis contacts in psychosis.     

Perfectionism, anger, and anger rumination

Anger and anger rumination are considered to be detrimental to both physical and psychological well being. Furthermore, perfectionism, as a personality construct, seems to be related to various types of maladjustment. Whereas perfectionism has been characterized as being positive when an individual derives pleasure from striving for excellence yet recognizes and accepts individual limitations, it is deemed negative when the individual has unrealistic expectations and is never satisfied with his or her performance. The present study examined whether positive and negative perfectionism was associated with anger and anger rumination. The Farsi version of the Positive and Negative Perfectionism Scale and the Farsi version of the Anger Rumination Scale, as well as Spielberger's State-Trait Anger Scale were completed by 384 Iranian students. Results showed that anger and anger rumination were, as expected, associated negatively with positive perfectionism and associated positively with negative perfectionism. Positive perfectionism enables individuals to strive for success in a flexible manner and, thus, to experience satisfaction and pleasure rather than dissatisfaction, frustration, and anger. Conversely, negative perfectionism makes individuals vulnerable to emotional distress such as predisposition to experience anger and anger rumination through setting high standards for performance, overgeneralization of perceived failures, negative self-evaluation, self-blame, and measuring self-worth in terms of unachievable goals of accomplishment and productivity. Hence, perfectionism may be regarded as having both adaptive and maladaptive aspects with regard to health.     

Social exclusion affects aggressive driving behaviour: The mediating effect of prosocial tendencies and driving anger

Social exclusion—being rejected or ignored by individuals or groups—is a common and adverse experience in social life. As a social activity, driving behaviour can be influenced by many factors. Whether social exclusion is one of these factors is an open question. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the impact of the social exclusion experience on individuals and their driving behaviours and the mediating effect of prosocial tendencies and driving anger. A total of 240 (104 males and 136 females) participants from China completed a questionnaire including the Ostracism Experiences Scale (OES), the prosocial tendencies measure (PTM), the Driving Anger Scale (DAS) and the Driver Behaviour Questionnaire (DBQ). The hierarchical multiple regression analysis and pathway analysis results showed that social exclusion experience and driving anger positively predicted aberrant driving behaviours (including aggressive violations, ordinary violations, lapses and errors), while prosocial tendencies had a negative impact on aberrant driving behaviour. Moreover, prosocial tendencies and driving anger mediated the relationship between social exclusion and driver behaviour, accounting for 11.18% and 46.71% of the total effect, respectively. The chain-mediated effect of prosocial tendencies and driving anger was also significant, accounting for 5.26% of the total effect of social exclusion on driver behaviour. This study examines the mechanisms underlying social exclusion experiences that positively predict individuals' unsafe driving behaviours, thereby filling a gap in social exclusion research and suggesting new avenues of exploration into the personal and social influences that affect driving behaviours.     

老年人夫妻依恋稳定性及其与配偶支持的关系

通过追踪研究,考察了老年人夫妻依恋的稳定性及配偶支持情况对夫妻依恋稳定性的影响.共有75名配偶健在的老年人参与了间隔3年的两次调查,第一次参与研究时的年龄范围为60~84岁.老年人夫妻依恋问卷和配偶支持问卷分别用来测量夫妻依恋和经历生活事件时夫妻间的支持情况.结果表明:(1)老年人夫妻依恋安全、依恋焦虑和依恋回避的跨时间稳定性较低;(2)对于依恋的变化,配偶支持是较生活事件发生数量更有效的预测指标,觉知到的配偶支持水平和支持满意度能够显著预测依恋安全、依恋焦虑和依恋回避分数的改变.     

Do Some People Need Autonomy More Than Others? Implicit Dispositions Toward Autonomy Moderate the Effects of Felt Autonomy on Well‐Being

The present studies examined whether implicit or explicit autonomy dispositions moderate the relationship between felt autonomy and well‐being. Study 1 (N = 187 undergraduate students) presents an initial test of the moderator hypothesis by predicting flow experience from the interaction of autonomy need satisfaction and autonomy dispositions. Study 2 (N = 127 physically inactive persons) used vignettes involving an autonomy (un)supportive coach to test a moderated mediation model in which perceived coach autonomy support leads to well‐being through basic need satisfaction. Again, the effects of need satisfaction on well‐being were hypothesized to be moderated by an implicit autonomy disposition. Study 1 showed that individuals with a strong implicit autonomy (but not power or achievement) motive disposition derived more flow experience from felt autonomy than individuals with a weak implicit autonomy disposition. Study 2 revealed that perceived autonomy support from sports coaches, which we experimentally induced with a vignette method, leads to autonomy satisfaction, leading in turn to positive effects on well‐being. This indirect effect held at high and average but not low implicit autonomy disposition. The results indicate that the degree to which people benefit from autonomy need satisfaction depends on their implicit disposition toward autonomy.     

Research off the couch: Re-visiting the transsexual conundrum

This paper outlines the findings of a qualitative study involving interviews with eight transsexual individuals who had volunteered to take part in a television (TV) documentary about transsexuality. The participants were interviewed before taking part in the documentary and after its screening on national TV. The author proposes that for either biological and/or psychological reasons, some transsexual individuals experience early on a profound and disturbing incongruence at the level of the bodily self. In turn, this experience of incongruity is not contingently mirrored by primary attachment figures and remains unmentalized, thus disrupting self-coherence. In an attempt to restore self-coherence, the individual searches for the ‘right’ body that is anticipated to relieve the felt incongruity. The way this modified body relieves the incongruity is through the certainty it imparts that the image in the ‘mirror’ will match the subjective experience of the body. In this study, the experience of being mirrored through the group process during filming and the audience's response to the TV series, which was very positive, appeared to be associated with an attenuation in the urgency with which planned body modifications were being discussed post-TV screenings.     

Dissociative Experiences and Vividness of Auditory Imagery

The relationship between dissociation and auditory imagery were assessed, 2 variables that sometime influence on artistic creativity. A total of 170 fine arts undergraduates (94 women and 76 men) received 2 dissociation questionnaires—the Dissociative Ability Scale (DAS), and the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES)—and 2 auditory imagery questionnaires—the Auditory Imagery Questionnaire (AIQ) and the Clarity of Auditory Imagery Scale (CAIS). Significant differences on the auditory imagery (CAIS) have been found between individuals scoring high or low on the DES and DAS. In this study, however, significant differences were only observed on the Auditory Imagery Questionnaire (AIQ) between individuals scoring high or low on the DAS. Moreover, conflicting results have been obtained on the influence of dissociative experiences on dissociative skills in 2 auditory imagery tests. The discrepancies in the results only lead to more questions being asked than answered. Several lines of research are proposed.     

The revised transliminality scale: reliability and validity data from a Rasch top-down purification procedure

The concept of transliminality ("a hypothesized tendency for psychological material to cross thresholds into or out of consciousness") was anticipated by William James (1902/1982), but it was only recently given an empirical definition by Thalbourne in terms of a 29-item Transliminality Scale. This article presents the 17-item Revised Transliminality Scale (or RTS) that corrects age and gender biases, is unidimensional by a Rasch criterion, and has a reliability of.82. The scale defines a probabilistic hierarchy of items that address magical ideation, mystical experience, absorption, hyperaesthesia, manic experience, dream interpretation, and fantasy proneness. These findings validate the suggestions by James and Thalbourne that some mental phenomena share a common underlying dimension with selected sensory experiences (such being overwhelmed by smells, bright lights, sights, and sounds). Low scores on transliminality remain correlated with "tough mindedness" in on Cattell 16PF test, as well as "self-control" and "rule consciousness," whereas high scores are associated with "abstractedness" and an "openness to change" on that test. An independent validation study confirmed the predictions implied by our definition of transliminality. Implications for test construction are discussed.     

Validation of the Narrative Emplotment Scale and its correlations with well‐being and psychological adjustment

Two studies examined correlates of the Narrative Emplotment Scale (NES), which measures the extent to which individuals perceive chance events and unchosen experiences as meaningfully connected. In Study 1 (N=99), the NES demonstrated adequate test–retest stability and good internal reliability. The scale was positively related to paranormal beliefs, mystical experiences, and absorption. In Study 2 (N=342), personality measures indicative of external locus of control, intrinsic religiosity, well‐being, satisfaction with life, and a measure of frequency of coincidence experience were all positively correlated with narrative emplotment, providing further support for the construct validity of the scale. In terms of the question of whether meaning making is predictive of better or worse psychological adjustment, analyses indicated that the relationship between narrative emplotment and psychological adjustment was moderated by individual differences in coping strategies. Path analysis indicated that emplotment was a mediator of the pathway between religiosity and well‐being. Emplotment had a negative effect on well‐being through chance locus of control. These analyses suggest that this type of meaning‐making is an important variable for understanding religious/spiritual beliefs and their influence on psychological adjustment.     

闯入性思维对网络成瘾的影响:一个有调节的中介模型

本研究基于有限自制力理论考察闯入性思维对网络成瘾的影响及自我控制的中介作用和认知重评的调节作用。以371名大学生为被试,采用闯入性思维量表、自我控制量表、认知重评量表和网络成瘾量表进行测试,结果发现:(1)闯入性思维和自我控制呈显著负相关,与网络成瘾呈显著正相关;自我控制与网络成瘾呈显著负相关。(2)闯入性思维通过自我控制的中介作用对网络成瘾产生影响。(3)“闯入性思维—自我控制—网络成瘾”这一中介效应的前半段受到认知重评的影响;与低认知重评的个体相比,闯入性思维对高认知重评个体自我控制的影响更小。表达抑制不能调节闯入性思维对自我控制的影响。本研究的结果表明,闯入性思维会通过降低自我控制来增加网络成瘾的风险,而且认知重评会削弱闯入性思维对自我控制的影响。     

The effect of high and low assertiveness on locus of control and health problems

The effect of high and low assertiveness on locus of control and health problems was examined with 78 direct-service workers in mental health and mental retardation settings in northeastern Pennsylvania. The direct-service workers completed the Rathus (1973) Assertiveness Schedule, the Rotter (1966) Internal-External Locus of Control Scale, and a health-problems inventory. Highly assertive individuals were found to be more internally controlled and to experience fewer health problems than were individuals low in assertiveness.     

Cancer Problems in Living and Quality of Life After Bone Marrow Transplantation

This study was conducted to develop an objective problems-in-living scale to identify the needs of cancer survivors after a demanding treatment such as bone marrow transplantation (BMT). A total of 99 adult BMT survivors completed questionnaires containing the 29 items included in the Cancer Problems-In-Living Scale (CPILS). These BMT survivors were most concerned about return of their illness or relapsing, the future, fatigue, not physically being able to have sexual intercourse, changes in their physical appearance, being concerned about infection and crowds, difficulty in obtaining adequate insurance, losing health insurance by changing jobs, and difficulty in meeting medical expenses. The CPILS showed a good level of internal consistency ( = .91). The hypothesis that BMT survivors who had lower levels of physical functioning would experience more problems with living was supported by correlation (.48, p < .001) of the CPILS with the Self-Rated Karnofsky Performance Scale. The construct validity of the CPILS was further supported by a significant negative correlation (–.66, p < .002) with the scores of BMT survivors on a quality-of-life measure, the Satisfaction with Life Domains Scale for BMT.     

Weight discrimination in helping behavior

IntroductionAlthough obesity stigma is pervasive, relatively little research has examined the extent to which the discrimination obese individuals experience extends to helping behavior.ObjectivesThe purpose of the current set of experiments was to determine whether strangers help heavy individuals less than non-heavy individuals, and to examine the impact that moderating cues (e.g., justifying or suppressing prejudice, Crandall & Eshleman, 2003) of weight-based discrimination and gender might have on helping behavior.Study 1The first study was an experiment conducted online through MTurk. Participants rated their willingness to support a proposed charity event and their perceptions of the event organizer, whose picture was manipulated to be heavy or non-heavy. We found evidence that people were less willing to help and held more negative perceptions of heavy (than non-heavy) individuals.Study 2The second study was a field experiment in which confederates either wearing or not wearing obesity prosthetics solicited help from others on a college campus. Relative to the non-heavy, heavy individuals again were less likely to be helped and received more impolite interpersonal treatment, as rated by observers. Additionally, women were denigrated more than men for being heavy, but cues that suppressed discrimination helped increase the amount of help received and the politeness of strangers.ConclusionThe overt and subtle discrimination overweight individuals experience extends to situations when they are asking for help, and this is especially the case for heavy women. However, displaying stereotype-inconsistent cues benefit overweight individuals by increasing the likelihood of them being helped and treated well.     

Parasocial Interaction and Parasocial Relationship: Conceptual Clarification and a Critical Assessment of Measures

Parasocial interaction and parasocial relationship are often conflated conceptually and methodologically, leaving researchers unclear as to which concept is being tapped. This research clarifies these concepts and experimentally compares the most common measure of parasocial interaction, the Parasocial Interaction Scale (PSI‐Scale), with a newer measure, the Experience of Parasocial Interaction Scale (EPSI‐Scale). Participants (N = 383) viewed a brief videorecording of a woman who either bodily addressed the viewer or not, then completed a questionnaire. The EPSI‐Scale was a better measure of parasocial interaction, understood as a within‐viewing experience of mutual awareness, whereas the PSI‐Scale may measure short‐ or long‐term liking, or something else. To avoid conceptual and empirical confusion, researchers must choose measures with greater care.     

Religious and spiritual struggle: prevalence and correlates among older adults with depression in the BRIGHTEN Program

Older adults (OA) are more religious and/or spiritual (R/S) than younger adults, but some experience R/S struggle which is associated with poorer quality of life. Little is known about R/S struggle in community dwelling OA. This study examines prevalence, correlates, the association with depression for R/S struggle, and a desire for spiritual care in community dwelling OA with depression. In a programme for integrating care for these OA, 188 participants provided demographic information along with the Geriatric Depression Scale and a tool screening for potential R/S struggle. Prevalence of potential R/S struggle was 50%. The younger OA and Caucasian individuals vs. Hispanic individuals were more likely to experience potential R/S struggle. A relationship of potential R/S struggle with depression persisted with the inclusion of controls. Of those with potential struggle, 52% wanted to see a chaplain. Screening for potential R/S struggle can play an important role in choosing specific interventions for OA with depression.     

Influence of IQ in interpreting MMSE scores in patients with multiple sclerosis

The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) were administered to 46 outpatients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). MMSE total raw score was significantly and positively correlated with all WAIS-IV indexes, even when controlling for the effects of participant educational level, with the strongest relationship being with Full Scale IQ. These results suggest that clinicians consider patient intellectual functioning, in particular Full Scale IQ, when diagnosing neurocognitive impairment based on screening with the MMSE in individuals with MS.     

青少年网络受欺负与自伤的关系:友谊质量与反刍思维的调节作用

为探讨青少年网络受欺负与自伤行为的关系,以及友谊质量和反刍思维在二者关系中的调节作用,采用青少年自我伤害问卷、网络受欺负问卷、友谊质量问卷等对1805名青少年进行调查。结果表明,网络受欺负对自伤行为有正向预测作用,且友谊质量和反刍思维共同调节二者的关系,即在低友谊质量高反刍思维的情况下,网络受欺负对青少年自伤行为有明显影响。提示心理干预者要注意帮助网络受欺负者寻找同伴友谊情感支持和构建理性健康认知模式。     

Aesthetic preference and DSM-IIIR personality disorders

This report tested whether those individuals with a cluster B DSM-IIIR personality disorder (narcissistic, borderline, antisocial or histrionic) had higher scores for aesthetic preference for visually complex drawings using the Barron-Welch Art Scale. In a sample of 141 patients and controls, the 56 subjects who met the criteria for one of the cluster B personality disorder diagnoses displayed higher Barron-Welch Art Scale Scores. A multiple regression analysis showed that narcissistic and borderline personality disorder contributed positively, while dependent personality disorder, negatively to preference for complexity. The findings support the notion that aesthetic choices and values reflected through the dimension of openness to experience may contribute to the behavioral manifestations of the personality disorders.     

Personal Control in Chronic Pain Sufferers During Acute Interpersonal Stress

Among individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), pain-associated stress can severely impact wellbeing. Psychological attributes, such as a sense of personal mastery, may attenuate the effects of chronic pain on life quality. We tested the hypothesis that a high sense of mastery would predict lower pain, perceived stress, fatigue, and mean arterial pressure (MAP) than would a low sense of mastery during an acute, interpersonal stressor.Seventy-four individuals with RA completed a psychophysiological laboratory session involving MAP measurements, as well as self-ratings of stress, joint pain, and fatigue. Measurements were collected before, during, and after an interpersonal stressor. To assess personal mastery, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on the Pearlin Mastery Scale based on recommendations by Reich and Zautra (1991)The Pearlin Mastery Scale yielded two distinct factors: fatalism and control. Both fatalism and control were significant predictors of the wellbeing variables. Individuals with a highly fatalistic style demonstrated higher general levels of mean arterial pressure (F(1) = 3.41, p<.1) and reported greater joint pain (F(1) = 4.72, p<.05) across all periods. Individuals with a high sense of control also evidenced lower MAP (F(1) = 3.73, p<.1) and reported less stress (F(1) = 7.44, p<.01) and fatigue (F(1) = 5.16, p<.05). Neither fatalism nor control were related to objective measures of disease severity (r's = -.10, p=NS and -.02, p=NS, respectively).RA patients with a high level of personal mastery, as evidenced by scores on two distinct indices, experience lower MAP, and report less pain, stress and fatigue. Although fatalism and control were not related to objective disease state, they seem to play an important role in the experience of wellbeing for people with RA.     

儿童期创伤与有留守经历大学生负性情绪：心理韧性的调节作用

本研究旨在考察有留守经历的大学生儿童期创伤与负性情绪关系,以及心理韧性在其间的调节作用。对391名有留守经历的大学生进行间隔3个月的两次问卷调查。结果:(1)相较于没有儿童期创伤的个体,有儿童期创伤的个体心理韧性更低,抑郁、焦虑、压力水平更高;(2)在控制性别、城乡来源、是否独生、年龄与T1时间点负性情绪的作用后,T1时间点的儿童期创伤、心理韧性均能显著预测T2时间点的负性情绪;(3)低心理韧性水平下,儿童期创伤显著预测留守经历大学生的负性情绪;高心理韧性水平下,预测作用不再显著。表明儿童期创伤是有留守经历的大学生负性情绪的风险因素,心理韧性可以调节儿童期创伤对有留守经历大学生的负性情绪的预测。