Illustrating a mixed-method approach for validating culturally specific constructs

The purpose of this article is to illustrate a mixed-method approach (i.e., combining qualitative and quantitative methods) for advancing the study of construct validation in cross-cultural research. The article offers a detailed illustration of the approach using the responses 612 Sri Lankan adolescents provided to an ethnographic survey. Such surveys offer a connection between the primary methodologies used (i.e., ethnographic and factor analytic approaches) as they are predicated on qualitative inquiry and allow for the application of factor analysis. If the qualitatively derived constructs are comparable to factor analytic results, then triangulation across methods is achieved and a survey can be developed that is sensitive to culturally specific phenomena. The illustration of this approach uses data from an ethnographic survey of self-concept, as defined by Harter (1999) [Harter, S. (1999). The construction of the self: A developmental perspective. New York: The Guilford Press]. The construction of the self: A developmental perspective. New York: The Guilford Press]. The overall finding is that three constructs emerged from the factor analysis and were reconciled with the ethnographic data.     

从循证医学的角度探索建立新型医患关系的新途径

分析医患纠纷产生的原因,主要是患者的高质量的医疗水平、高质量的医疗服务、合理的医疗消费三个需求得不到满足.循证医学为满足广大患者三个方面需求,建立新型医患关系,提供了最佳途径.     

Developing a model of the treatment for eating disorder: Using neuroscience research to examine the how rather than the what of change

Treatments for eating disorders, in particular for people with anorexia nervosa, have often been adaptations of therapies designed for other conditions. Indeed, there is a move advocating the use of a transdiagnostic treatment approach in which general module based treatments are mixed together as needed rather than using a specific anorexia nervosa targeted strategy. The outcome of treatment is relatively poor, especially for those who for some reason do not have the benefit of an expert form of early intervention for anorexia nervosa. Technological advances in the neurosciences and genetics have radically altered how eating disorders and in particular anorexia nervosa have been conceptualised. In this paper we describe evidence that suggests that key aspects of the social information processing network both the cognitive and affective elements may be anomalous in people with anorexia nervosa. This has implications for models of treatment which can be tailored more directly to these causal and or maintaining factors. We describe the Maudsley method of working with adults with anorexia nervosa which has integrated these elements. This treatment approach includes working with the individual to develop a more flexible and holistic cognitive style with greater emotional intelligence. This is supplemented with work with the families to interrupt interactions that either accommodate to or aggravate the symptoms. Thus we are now in the position to understand and work to change how people with anorexia nervosa think and behave rather than focusing on what people think and say they do. Our prediction is that treatments that focus more directly on aetiology such as the intrapersonal and interpersonal maintaining factors will improve outcome.     

Doing cognitive neuroscience: a third way

The “top-down” and “bottom-up” approaches have been thought to exhaust the possibilities for doing cognitive neuroscience. We argue that neither approach is likely to succeed in providing a theory that enables us to understand how cognition is achieved in biological creatures like ourselves. We consider a promising third way of doing cognitive neuroscience, what might be called the “neural dynamic systems” approach, that construes cognitive neuroscience as an autonomous explanatory endeavor, aiming to characterize in its own terms the states and processes responsible for brain-based cognition. We sketch the basic motivation for the approach, describe a particular version of the approach, so-called ‘Dynamic Causal Modeling’ (DCM), and consider a concrete example of DCM. This third way, we argue, has the potential to avoid the problems that afflict the other two approaches.     

Economic inequality and the rise of far‐right populism: A social psychological analysis

It is argued that far‐right (FR) populism in the West is fuelled by inequality. In this paper, we argue that three social psychological processes are central to explaining these phenomena. We suggest that these processes are recursive although we do not specify their temporal order. Drawing on the social identity tradition, we first examine how inequality is linked to reduced social trust and cohesion, which has consequences for both low‐ and high‐income groups. We examine the known effects of perceived threat in amplifying tensions between groups and consolidating identity positions. Second, we argue that national identity consolidation is a particularly likely response to inequality, which, in turn, reduces tolerance of cultural diversity as an associated consequence. Finally, we consider the value of these strengthened national identities to those who harness them effectively to gain political ground. In this way, those who offer FR populist rhetoric aligned with nationalism can blame immigrants, “foreign” powers, and mainstream politics for both the lack of social cohesion and reduced economic circumstances of many. We conclude that FR populist leaders not only tap into the negative social consequences of inequality, their policy positions also fail to address and may even compound the situation.     

Impulsivity and Behavior-Dependent Life Events Mediate the Relationship of Reward Sensitivity and Depression,but Not Hypomania,Among at-Risk Adolescents

Both reward sensitivity and impulsivity are related to the development and course of bipolar spectrum disorders (BSDs) and have been implicated in other disorders and negative functional outcomes such as substance abuse, obesity, suicidal behaviors, and risk-taking. Furthermore, according to the transactional component of the Behavioral Approach System (BAS)/reward hypersensitivity theory of BSDs, people with reward hypersensitivity should experience more BAS-relevant events, and thus, are more vulnerable to mood symptoms and episodes via stress generation. Impulsivity may exacerbate stress generation in individuals at risk for BSDs based on exhibiting reward hypersensitivity. The current study examined whether impulsivity explained the generation of stress and subsequent mood symptoms beyond what is explained by reward sensitivity alone. Participants were 131 Moderate BAS and 216 High BAS sensitivity adolescents (M = 18.43 years, SD = 1.40), who completed baseline measures of reward sensitivity and impulsivity, as well as follow-up measures of life events and mood symptoms. Results from linear regression analyses indicated that higher baseline impulsivity predicted behavior-dependent, but not behavior-independent, life events. Furthermore, path analyses suggested that the effect of BAS group on depression symptoms at next follow-up was partly explained via the indirect effect of impulsivity and negative behavior-dependent life events. We did not find these effects for behavior-independent or positive-dependent events or for prediction of hypomanic symptoms. The findings suggest that impulsivity may account for stress generation of negative events that precede depression.     

Profiles of competence and adaptation in preschoolers as related to the quality of parent–child interaction

In a sample of 107 five-year-olds, cluster analysis was used to identify groups of children with similar profiles of competence and adaptation. A comprehensive set of child characteristics was included in the analysis, together covering the most important aspects of five-year-olds’ development and functioning. Three groups of children emerged, which were labeled Well-adapted/Competent, Underachieving/Internalizing, and Maladapted/Externalizing. Well-adapted/Competent children (59%) were competent and well-adjusted in all domains. The Maladapted/Externalizing children (22%) scored low in almost all domains of competence and functioning, and the Underachieving/Internalizing children (22%) showed a mixed profile of competence and adaptation. The differences in the quality of parent–child interaction that were observed between the groups provide clues as to how the different profiles of competence and adaptation are shaped and maintained in the interactions with parents.