Trajectories of Big Five Personality Traits: A Coordinated Analysis of 16 Longitudinal Samples

This study assessed change in self-reported Big Five personality traits. We conducted a coordinated integrative data analysis using data from 16 longitudinal samples, comprising a total sample of over 60 000 participants. We coordinated models across multiple datasets and fit identical multi-level growth models to assess and compare the extent of trait change over time. Quadratic change was assessed in a subset of samples with four or more measurement occasions. Across studies, the linear trajectory models revealed declines in conscientiousness, extraversion, and openness. Non-linear models suggested late-life increases in neuroticism. Meta-analytic summaries indicated that the fixed effects of personality change are somewhat heterogeneous and that the variability in trait change is partially explained by sample age, country of origin, and personality measurement method. We also found mixed evidence for predictors of change, specifically for sex and baseline age. This study demonstrates the importance of coordinated conceptual replications for accelerating the accumulation of robust and reliable findings in the lifespan developmental psychological sciences. © 2020 European Association of Personality Psychology     

The use of multitreatment modalities in early intervention: A quantitative case study

A quantitative single case study is presented to illustrate how an early intervention program used two therapeutic modalities to treat a depressed mother and her 2-month-old son. Drawing upon an ecological, transactional model of development, the case study utilized a multimethod, longitudinal approach to assess the infant's developmental competence and attachment status, the mother's history and current psychosocial functioning, patterns of mother-infant interaction, and components of the family's social ecology. Measures were administered during a baseline period to assess pre-intervention functioning and were systematically repeated throughout the 2-year period of intervention. The treatment modalities included psychodynamically oriented individual therapy and Parent-Infant Relationship Treatment (PIRT) in which the dyad was also seen by a second therapist to foster more adaptive mother-infant transactional patterns. The findings indicated increased infant developmental competence and a shift from an insecure to a secure attachment classification, improved maternal psychosocial functioning, and a decline in the dyadic interactional pattern of maternal intrusiveness and infant withdrawal. The advantages of using two treatment modalities and a single case approach to evaluation are discussed.     

Does binge eating play a role in the self-regulation of moods?

Self-reported emotional experiences and eating behaviors were studied in college students in an attempt to determine what types of emotional experiences precede and follow binge eating and how specific types of compensatory behaviors modify these experiences. First-year male and female students (N=390) were surveyed for depression, anxiety, health status, life satisfaction, and eating attitudes (EAT-26). Those reporting recurrent binge eating episodes were asked to describe their emotional feelings before and after bingeing and before and after compensatory activities. EAT-26 scores corresponding to scores previously reported for eating disordered patients were found in 9.7% of students. Binge eating was nearly twice as frequent among females (16.4%) as males (8.6%) Among females, positive relationships were found between specific EAT-26 factors scores and both anxiety and depression scores. The emotional antecedents and consequences of binge eating and of compensatory activities were compared in three sub-groups of individuals who reported recurrent bingeing with loss of self-control during binges. The three sub-groups consisted of individuals who reported, 1) bingeing without engaging in compensatory activities, 2) bingeing and compensating by means other than vomiting (fasting, exercising, or use of laxatives or diuretics), and 3) bingeing and compensating by vomiting. Regardless of the type of activity, those individuals who engaged in compensatory activities reported greater negative affect preceding binge episodes than those who did not compensate. In addition, contrary to expectations, negative affect did not decrease, but instead increased significantly, following binge episodes and decreased immediately before and after compensatory activities.     

Correlates of Collective Efficacy in the Italian Air Force

Military technicians (N= 202) of the Telecommunication Maintenance Unit (TMU), as well as military staff (N= 185) in the Italian Air Force (IAF), were administered a questionnaire measuring self‐ and collective efficacy, perceptions of context (colleagues, direct superior, and top management), organisational commitment, and job satisfaction. Structural equation models support the hypothesised relationship among variables. Self‐efficacy and perceptions of context were related to collective efficacy which in turn was related to organisational commitment and job satisfaction. Collective efficacy was explained by self‐efficacy and by perceptions of context. In addition, organisational commitment was explained by collective efficacy, more so than job satisfaction. Perceptions of colleagues, direct superior, and top management were mainly related to job satisfaction. 202 techniciens militaires de l'Unité de Maintenance des Télécommunications ainsi que 185 militaires des Forces Aériennes Italiennes ont rempli un questionnaire portant sur l'efficience personnelle et collective, la perception de l'environnement (les collègues, le supérieur immédiat et le haut de la hiérarchie), l'implication organisationnelle et la satisfaction professionnelle. Des modèles en équations structurales ont confirmé les relations supposées entre les variables. L'efficience personnelle et la perception de l'environnement étaient liées à l'efficience collective qui était elle‐même en relation avec l'implication organisationnelle et la satisfaction professionnelle. L'efficience collective procédait de l'efficience personnelle et de la perception de l'environnement. En outre, l'implication organisationnelle dépendait de l'efficience collective, plus que de la satisfaction professionnelle. La perception des collègues, du supérieur immédiat et du haut de la hiérarchie étaient principalement en rapport avec la satisfaction professionnelle.