The association of affective temperaments and bipolar spectrum psychopathology: An experience sampling study

Affective temperaments are trait-like expressions of affect that underlie mood psychopathology. Numerous studies have examined affective temperaments in laboratory-based studies; however, few have examined the expression of these temperaments in daily life. The present study examined affective temperaments and their associations with the expression of bipolar spectrum characteristics in daily life using experience sampling methodology. Young adults (n?=?290) completed the TEMPS-A and were signaled eight times daily for 1 week to complete smartphone surveys assessing affect, cognition, and behavior. Hyperthymic temperament was associated with positive affect, sense of self, and success. In contrast, cyclothymic/irritable temperament was associated with negative affect, impulsivity, negative sense of self, and difficulty concentrating. Those high in cyclothymic/irritable temperament were especially reactive to the experience of stress. Affective temperaments were differentially associated with the expression of bipolar spectrum psychopathology in daily life. The findings offer validation of the TEMPS-A, as well as the adaptive and maladaptive characteristics of hyperthymic and cyclothymic/irritable temperaments.     

Sexual Identity Management Strategies: An Exploration of Antecedents and Consequences

Unlike many minority members, lesbian and gay employees often make conscious decisions about revealing their minority status at work. Past research suggests that lesbian and gay employees utilize different strategies (i.e., counterfeiting, avoidance, integrating) to manage a stigmatized sexual identity. This study explored the relationship between each strategy and predicted antecedents (i.e., sexual identity achievement, perceived organizational climate) and consequences (i.e., open group process). Results demonstrated that lesbian and gay employees are more likely to adopt an integrating strategy when they have higher sexual identity achievement and perceive an affirming organizational climate. Open group process was found to have a negative relationship with avoidance. A significant positive relationship was found between counterfeiting and open group process, suggesting that maintaining a false identity may facilitate some work group interactions. Implications for work group relationships and future research are discussed.     

Dialogical journal writing as ‘self‐therapy’: ‘I matter’

Aim: This case study of one woman's (Jane's) experience of dialogical journal writing presents a way of finding a ‘compassionate image’ for self‐therapy. Various theoretical analyses are indicated with Mindfulness‐based conceptualisations at the forefront. Methodology: Based on three recorded interviews, the narrative inquiry took place over a year. Methodologically, this paper is also one contribution to an ongoing debate about different research approaches in therapeutic writing research. Participants: This study took place in Aotearoa New Zealand, where both Jane and I are migrants. Discussion: This account draws on a report of self‐directed writing for well‐being, seen as an alternative to counselling or medication for depression and anxiety. It focuses on how a particular style of writing evolved and how the motivation to write continues.     

Comparing static and dynamic measures of affect intensity and affective lability: do they measure the same thing?

This was the first study to our knowledge to examine whether dispositional scales of affect intensity and affective lability map on to corresponding momentary affective dynamics. Specifically, we assessed whether the Affect Intensity Measure (AIM) and Affective Lability Scale (ALS) are differentially associated with mean, variability, and instability of negative affect (NA) and positive affect (PA). Young adults (n?=?135) completed the AIM, ALS, and 7 days of experience sampling assessments. Higher scores on the AIM were associated with variability and instability of NA and PA whereas the ALS was associated with mean levels of NA and PA. Neither the AIM nor the ALS were associated with reactivity to stressful, negative, or positive experiences in the moment. The AIM and ALS accounted for little variance in momentary affective dynamics and effects were generally small. Findings highlighted that static measures of dynamic phenomena poorly map onto momentary measures of affect in daily life. Theoretical and methodological implications are discussed.

     

Writing About Clients: Ethical Considerations and Options

Today, the decision to prepare clinical case material for publication is a decision that cannot be taken lightly. The decision involves reviewing ethical considerations and choosing among various options to safeguard client privacy. Such options include seeking the client's permission, disguising case material, and developing composite case material. These considerations are discussed and options are described along with guidelines and a case example illustrating these points.     

Effects of a motivating operation manipulation on the maintenance of mands

We assessed the maintenance of newly acquired mands under presession reinforcer access (reinforcer efficacy abolished) and no presession reinforcer access (reinforcer efficacy established) conditions with 3 children with autism spectrum disorder. Results suggested that the no presession access condition established the value of the reinforcer and evoked responding relative to the presession access condition. Results are discussed in the context of implications for assessing maintenance of previously acquired skills.