A latent class distance association model for cross‐classified data with a categorical response variable

In this paper we propose a latent class distance association model for clustering in the predictor space of large contingency tables with a categorical response variable. The rows of such a table are characterized as profiles of a set of explanatory variables, while the columns represent a single outcome variable. In many cases such tables are sparse, with many zero entries, which makes traditional models problematic. By clustering the row profiles into a few specific classes and representing these together with the categories of the response variable in a low‐dimensional Euclidean space using a distance association model, a parsimonious prediction model can be obtained. A generalized EM algorithm is proposed to estimate the model parameters and the adjusted Bayesian information criterion statistic is employed to test the number of mixture components and the dimensionality of the representation. An empirical example highlighting the advantages of the new approach and comparing it with traditional approaches is presented.     

Patterns of engagement: the relationship between efficacy beliefs and task engagement at the individual versus collective level

This study examines the relationship between efficacy beliefs and task engagement in and over time, at both the individual and collective levels. We conducted latent growth curve analyses using data from 372 university students (individual level) who were assigned to one of 79 e‐work groups (collective level). The participants carried out three collaborative tasks in a laboratory setting. Results reveal, at both levels, that the level of task engagement of participants and groups with high initial levels of efficacy beliefs remained stable, whereas the level of task engagement of participants and groups with low initial levels of efficacy beliefs decreased significantly over time. Moreover, the relationships linking the parallel constructs were functionally equivalent across levels. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed from the perspective of Bandura's social cognitive theory.     

Cell phone usage relational regulation strategies of older South Africans

This study explored older South Africans’ relational regulation strategies in using their cell phones to address their social goals and psychosocial needs. Nineteen older South Africans (17 female; 2 male), aged 60 and older, who had access to a cell phone and represented different socio-economic levels based on the Living Standard Measurement (LSM) scale, participated in the Mmogo-method®, a visual data-collection method. Thematic and visual analysis revealed that the subjective assessment of cell phone users’ competence determined the type of relational regulation strategy they apply. Findings revealed older persons to adopt three relational regulation strategies in their cell phone use: (i) postponement of need satisfaction; (ii) asking directly; or (iii) negotiating for needs satisfaction. The findings might facilitate programmes that promote cell phone use in older persons to address their social needs and promote healthy intergenerational interactions.     

Impairment of Cognitive Function in Different Domains Early After Lung Transplantation

Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings - In this prospective observational pilot study patients with the diagnosis of end-stage lung disease and listed for lung transplantation...     

Situated Action: A Symbolic Interpretation

The congeries of theoretical views collectively referred to as “situated action” (SA) claim that humans and their interactions with the world cannot be understood using symbol-system models and methodology, but only by observing them within real-world contexts or building nonsymbolic models of them. SA claims also that rapid, real-time interaction with a dynamically changing environment is not amenable to symbolic interpretation of the sort espoused by the cognitive science of recent decades. Planning and representation, central to symbolic theories, are claimed to be irrelevant in everyday human activity. We will contest these claims, as well as their proponents' characterizations of the symbol-system viewpoint. We will show that a number of existing symbolic systems perform well in temporally demanding tasks embedded in complex environments, whereas the systems usually regarded as exemplifying SA are thoroughly symbolic (and representational), and, to the extent that they are limited in these respects, have doubtful prospects for extension to complex tasks. As our title suggests, we propose that the goals set forth by the proponents of SA can be attained only within the framework of symbolic systems. The main body of empirical evidence supporting our view resides in the numerous symbol systems constructed in the past 35 years that have successfully simulated broad areas of human cognition.     

“R U Mad?”: Computerized text analysis of affect in social media relates to stress and substance use among ethnic minority emerging adult males

Objective: This study examined the interactive role of affectivity and stress in substance use severity among ethnic minority, emerging adult males, using linguistic indicators of affect obtained through social media.

Method: Participants were 119 emerging adult, ethnic minority males (ages 18–25) who provided access to their mobile phone text messaging and Facebook activity for 6-months. Computerized text analysis (LIWC2015) was used to obtain linguistic indices of positive and negative affect from texts and Facebook posts. The Perceived Stress Scale was used to measure stress, and items from the Drug Abuse Screening Test were used to measure substance use severity.

Results: Generalized estimating equations showed that higher negative affect in texts was associated with greater substance use severity. Stress moderated the relationship between positive affect expressed in Facebook posts and substance use such that higher positive affect in Facebook posts was associated with less substance use at higher stress and greater substance use at lower stress.

Conclusions: Findings highlight the complexities of interactions between stress and affectivity. Findings could inform development of substance use interventions for young males that employ social technologies.     

A Latent Block Distance-Association Model for Profile by Profile Cross-Classified Categorical Data

Abstract

Distance association models constitute a useful tool for the analysis and graphical representation of cross-classified data in which distances between points inversely describe the association between two categorical variables. When the number of cells is large and the data counts result in sparse tables, the combination of clustering and representation reduces the number of parameters to be estimated and facilitates interpretation. In this article, a latent block distance-association model is proposed to apply block clustering to the outcomes of two categorical variables while the cluster centers are represented in a low dimensional space in terms of a distance-association model. This model is particularly useful for contingency tables in which both the rows and the columns are characterized as profiles of sets of response variables. The parameters are estimated under a Poisson sampling scheme using a generalized EM algorithm. The performance of the model is tested in a Monte Carlo experiment, and an empirical data set is analyzed to illustrate the model.     

Student Agency in Literacy: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Abstract

Scholars contend that agency is at the heart of cultivating equitable learning spaces for all learners. While it is intuitive that literacy educators support agency during instruction, there is diverse terminology surrounding the concept of agency in the field. As a result, aligning the construct to instructional practices and developing a conceptual understanding of agency in practice has been challenging. Our research team completed a systematic literature review of agency during literacy instruction. In this article, we describe findings of this review of empirical research on agency in literacy spanning from 1975–2017. Findings highlight the complexities associated with defining agency as well as the need for diverse methodological approaches to examining agency in literacy contexts.