ABSTRACT
This study explored the profiles of Longitudinal Life Environmental Satisfaction (LLES) during the COVID-19 pandemic, evaluating their predicting role in social-emotional adjustment in children and early adolescents. 488 children (Mage = 8.54;SD = 0.63), and 129 early adolescents (Mage = 11.08, SD = 0.48) completed two questionnaires, pre-COVID-19 (T1) and in June 2021 (T2). Results showed two profiles, the risk profile characterized by a decrease in LLES and the second profile with stable, high levels of satisfaction. LLES profiles moderated the impact of time on children and adolescents' social-emotional adjustment. Specifically, children prosocial behaviour decreased in the risk profile, while independent participation remained stable. Self-efficacy decreased in both profiles for early adolescents, but only in the risk profile for children. Findings suggested that only children were able to benefit from systems wellbeing stability during the pandemic, improving their social-emotional adjustment. Findings supported the impact of the pandemic on social-emotional adjustment, especially for those who showed a disruption of systems satisfaction. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of European Journal of Developmental Psychology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)
ABSTRACT
Acute medical events and health-related stressors are complex life events, impacting both body and mind, challenging one's concept of physical safety, and requiring ongoing psychological adaptation and adjustment. Anxiety sensitivity is an established transdiagnostic risk factor for mental illness;in the context of health-related stressors, physical anxiety sensitivity, or the tendency to interpret somatic sensations as catastrophic and threatening cues, may represent a meaningful mechanism informing longitudinal psychological adjustment and clinical course. This dissertation examines physical anxiety sensitivity and other key mechanisms influencing psychological adjustment following acute health-related events with three empirical studies. Study 1 sheds light on the role of perceived threat and heightened interoceptive threat bias in the development of posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms following a suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Studies 2 and 3 share a common computational approach, latent growth mixture modeling (LGMM), allowing for the mapping of trajectory classes of psychological adjustment and highlighting distinct symptom profiles. Using LGGM, Study 2 investigates the role of peritraumatic threat and ongoing cardiac-related anxiety sensitivity on the clinical course of PTS, identifying trajectories of psychological adjustment in the 12-months following a suspected ACS. Study 3 seeks to apply these findings within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, exploring the impact of worry and physical anxiety sensitivity on trajectories of depression and anxiety during the first 12-months of the pandemic. Together, these studies provide valuable insights into the naturalistic, heterogeneous course of psychological adjustment to health-related stressors, with particular attention to physical anxiety sensitivity as a potent mechanism driving symptom patterns over time. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
Within luxury hotels targeting multinational segments, frontline service staff are essential to creating unique, personalized experiences for high-value, discerning clientele. Performing emotional labor and utilizing cultural intelligence are key to ensuring exceptional cross-cultural service encounters, but which also create additional pressures for frontline staff. This study aims to assess the impacts of a comprehensive range of emotional labor and cultural intelligence (CQ) on employees' job satisfaction. Cognitive CQ, motivational CQ, emotive dissonance, and expression of naturally felt emotions were shown to influence job satisfaction. Moreover, the study engaged senior executives from luxury hotels to further discuss the survey results. This approach helped the researchers and practitioners to (re)contextualize the study's key findings, which were used to reflect on managers' understanding of cultural intelligence, emotional labor and job satisfaction. The discussions highlighted how these issues were incorporated in luxury hotels' human resource practices in general and especially during the COVID-19 crisis. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
Objective: The 2020 coronavirus pandemic required many psychologists to rapidly transition to telehealth services to reduce virus exposure. Telepsychology services expanded quickly in Australia. This article seeks to provide simple and practical recommendations for clinicians who are changing their practice. Method: A narrative literature review focusing on psychologists' concerns regarding telehealth-facilitated psychology or telepsychology was undertaken. Results: Research literature and guidelines from peak professional bodies such as The Australian Psychological Society and the American Psychological Association, inform two sections of the article: Common Concerns about Videoconsultations and;Practical Considerations for Effective Videoconsultations. Telepsychology, has numerous benefits, especially during emergency situations. However, concerns regarding efficacy, therapeutic alliance, and the digital divide have contributed to psychologists' unwillingness to use telepsychology. Evidence suggests that efficacy and therapeutic alliance is comparable between telepsychology and in-person services. Simple evidence-based adjustments to therapeutic practice can optimise videoconsultations and increase the effectiveness of telepsychology. Despite the rapid change to videoconsultations, evidence suggests that Australian psychologists need not be concerned about clinical efficacy or therapeutic alliance related to telepsychology. However, it is acknowledged that transitioning to telehealth models of care is disruptive. Conclusion: This paper can assist clinicians in selecting appropriate clients for telepsychology, increase effectiveness and mitigate risks. Key Points: What is already known about this topic: (1) Research supports the clinical efficacy and establishment of therapeutic alliance related to telepsychology services and highlights that concerns regarding the digital divide need to be evidence-based, not based on assumptions. (2) As outlined in this paper, it is important to consider client suitability and ethical considerations prior to delivering telepsychology services. (3) The adaptations to psychological techniques, as highlighted in this paper, can increase the effectiveness of videoconsultations. What this topic adds: (1) An examination of common concerns related to videoconsultations including: efficacy, therapeutic alliance and the digital divide. (2) A practical evidence-based checklist for pre-therapy videoconsultation considerations. (3) An evidence-based checklist of practice adaptations that can increase effectiveness in videoconsultation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic created significant challenges for college students and for the clinicians and college administrators who work with students. To better understand the challenges, we evaluated the impact of pandemic disruptions on the psychological adjustment of 1,062 undergraduate students during the first academic year of the pandemic (fall semester 2020, spring semester 2021). Adjustment (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB;Ajzen, 1985, 1991) were used as conceptual references for the study. Students completed an online survey with items reflecting their concerns about the pandemic (The Healthy Minds Network [HMN], 2020);items comparing their prepandemic mental status to their current mental status (HMN, 2020);and standardized assessments of anxiety, depression, and personality (APA, n.d.). Comparisons were made between students living (a) on the college campus in a dormitory;(b) off campus within commuting distance to the college;and (c) away from the college in another city, state, or country. Consistent with other peer-reviewed studies, our students showed adjustment challenges and a decline in functional behavior (e.g., Chirikov et al., 2020). Two principal components reflecting adjustment and the TPB were identified: internalized concerns about the pandemic, and externalized responses to the pandemic. Students, regardless of living situation, reported higher levels of internalized psychological distress. Students living on campus showed more externalized adjustment challenges including an increase in alcohol and substance use, and a decline in academic performance. Recommendations focused on reducing risk factors and increasing protective and healthy lifestyle practices at college administration and clinical levels. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement Undergraduate college students had difficulty adjusting to pandemic disruptions as measured by changes in anxiety, depression, loneliness, psychological distress, alcohol and substance use, and academic performance. Younger students, living on campus, were more challenged than their peers who were not living on campus. Recommendations focused on reducing risk factors and increasing protective and healthy lifestyle practices at college administration and clinical levels. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
The coronavirus pandemic has changed retailers' proceedings, consumers' buying behavior, and the perception of space within the aisles. In a grounded theory-building procedure, the study questions the relationships of consumers' perceived risk, adapted behaviors, and emotional self-regulation. Only a few studies have focused on customer behavior in such disruptive situations. They generally take a unidirectional perspective and explain panic buying and stockpiling by considering buying behavior as only a reaction to panic and uncertainty. We conducted 18 qualitative interviews in Brazil and Germany to gain insight into changes in buying behavior and consumers' feelings on the changed circumstances, which provided a bidirectional perspective on perceived risk, adapted buying behavior, and emotional self-regulation. We attempt to explain changed buying behavior as well as differing behaviors and motives in Brazil and Germany during the crisis. Critical reflection on media reports about panic buying and hoarding as well as on self-observed situations in local stores affords a better assessment of the overall situation and risk. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
Objective: The aim of the study was to understand Chinese university students' psychological development during the COVID-19 outbreak. Method: Four online surveys, i.e., emotional adjustment, perceived social support, self-efficacy belief, and anxiety in English learning, were administered to 585 university students in China. The data were analyzed through a latent profile analysis. Results: Three profiles were identified: high adaptation, moderate adaptation, and low adaptation. The students with high adaptation (n = 276, 47.1%) possessed a more positive self-efficacy belief and demonstrated lower levels of anxiety. In contrast, the students with low adaptation (n = 82, 14%) possessed a less positive self-efficacy belief and demonstrated higher levels of anxiety. Conclusion: The findings highlight the need of psychological interventions to support the psychological development of vulnerable groups of learners within and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. KEY POINTS: What is already known about this topic: (1) Anxiety is an important factor that influences the learning of foreign languages. (2) Self-efficacy and perceived social support help students cope with stress. (3) Emotional adjustment helps to reduce foreign language anxiety. What this paper adds: (1) Students with low adaptation possessed lower levels of self-efficacy belief and demonstrated higher levels of anxiety. (2) Teachers need to pay special attention to the psychological development of vulnerable groups of learners within and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. (3) Teachers are advised to develop interventions that enhance students' self-efficacy beliefs and offer tailored interventions on emotional adjustment strategies. © 2021 Australian Psychological Society.
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This study aims to cross-culturally identify the parental socialization strategies in response to a child's happiness and their associations with youth academic and socio-emotional adjustment, controlling for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were a convenient sample of Italian (N = 606, 81.9% mothers) and Azerbaijanis (N = 227, 61.4% mothers) parents of youths (Mage = 12.89, SD = 4.06; 51% girls). Parents filled out an online survey to assess their socialization strategies in response to their children's happiness, their children's negative emotion regulation and dysregulation, academic performance, and prosocial behavior. Exploratory factorial analysis showed the presence of two factors that enclosed supportive and unsupportive parental socialization strategies. A multiple-group path analysis model showed that similarly across countries, supportive parental strategies were positively related to youths' prosocial behavior and that unsupportive parental strategies were positively related to youths' negative emotion dysregulation, and negatively related to youths' academic performance and negative emotion regulation. Those results emerged controlling for parents' and adolescents' gender and age, parents' educational level, social desirability, and Covid-related problems. This study advances cross-cultural knowledge about the impact of the strategies that parents use to socialize their children's happiness in the unique context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Socialization , Child , Female , Humans , Adolescent , Male , Happiness , Azerbaijan , Pandemics , Emotions/physiology , Parent-Child RelationsABSTRACT
Background: The worldwide spread of COVID-19 infection and its preventive measures has resulted in global disruption of overall functioning of the individuals. In the post-COVID period, several stressors associated with the pandemic have exacerbated adjustment problems in students and impacted their mental health. Purpose(s): The study aims to assess the Academic Stress and Emotional Adjustment of male and female secondary school students in Uttar Pradesh, post-COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Method(s): A sample of 500 students from various schools in Uttar Pradesh pursuing high school were included in the study. A purposive sampling technique was employed for data collection based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Scale for Assessing Academic Stress and the Adolescents Emotional Adjustment Inventory were used to assess the academic stress and emotional adjustment of secondary school students post-COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Result(s): The results of the study revealed that there was a significant difference in academic stress and emotional adjustment between male and female secondary school students. A significant positive relationship between academic stress and emotional adjustment was found, which indicates a high level of academic stress perpetuates emotional maladjustment. Furthermore, it was found that the level of academic stress and emotional adjustment were higher among females as compared to males. Conclusion(s): It can be concluded that the extended impact of COVID-19 has led to a surfeited level of distress propounding that females are more predisposed to academic stress and tend to have poor emotional adjustment than their male counterparts. Copyright © 2022 Indian Academy of Neurosciences (IAN).
ABSTRACT
Acute medical events and health-related stressors are complex life events, impacting both body and mind, challenging one's concept of physical safety, and requiring ongoing psychological adaptation and adjustment. Anxiety sensitivity is an established transdiagnostic risk factor for mental illness;in the context of health-related stressors, physical anxiety sensitivity, or the tendency to interpret somatic sensations as catastrophic and threatening cues, may represent a meaningful mechanism informing longitudinal psychological adjustment and clinical course. This dissertation examines physical anxiety sensitivity and other key mechanisms influencing psychological adjustment following acute health-related events with three empirical studies. Study 1 sheds light on the role of perceived threat and heightened interoceptive threat bias in the development of posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms following a suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Studies 2 and 3 share a common computational approach, latent growth mixture modeling (LGMM), allowing for the mapping of trajectory classes of psychological adjustment and highlighting distinct symptom profiles. Using LGGM, Study 2 investigates the role of peritraumatic threat and ongoing cardiac-related anxiety sensitivity on the clinical course of PTS, identifying trajectories of psychological adjustment in the 12-months following a suspected ACS. Study 3 seeks to apply these findings within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, exploring the impact of worry and physical anxiety sensitivity on trajectories of depression and anxiety during the first 12-months of the pandemic. Together, these studies provide valuable insights into the naturalistic, heterogeneous course of psychological adjustment to health-related stressors, with particular attention to physical anxiety sensitivity as a potent mechanism driving symptom patterns over time. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is an ongoing issue (WHO, 2017) with 1 in 20 children annually reported as being abused in the UK (NSPCC, 2019;Radford et al, 2011). Many child survivors are of adolescent or young adult age before they request help from relevant services (HAVOCA, 2021;NSPCC, 2018;Noel, Dogaru, and Ellis, 2015;Flatley, 2017). The aim of this study was to investigate the perceived experiences of six young adult female survivors of CSA of their EMDR treatment as well as an assessment of the changes in the individual trauma stress response. This case series analysis explored (a) neuropsychological, emotional (namely low selfesteem, anxiety and depression), behavioural functioning and quality of life issues using descriptive statistics via outcome measures conducted before, during and after treatment and (b) client perspectives through qualitative interviewing at one-month follow-up to ensure adequate time was allowed to monitor changes using Thematic Analysis [TA]. The study setting was within the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) program framework, established to ensure service users accessing NHS treatment are presented with choice in their treatment.The triangulation of data in this study allowed for a deeper analysis of the experiences of adult CSA survivors undergoing EMDR treatment beyond an examination of differences in pre and post outcome measures. The descriptive statistics suggested overall positive changes in participant functioning in all measured domains (three positive, two moderate outcome cases and one sceptical no-improvement case;based on independent research rater feedback) however variable differences in neuropsychological processing from pre- to post-treatment. The descriptive statistics were limited in their generalisability because of certain limitations in data collection as inhibited by COVID-19 restrictions and because of the small sample size. Three key themes were identified in the qualitative analysis which contributed to the literature on treatment of adult CSA survivors by identifying which factors the clients identified as helpful and unhelpful to their treatment. These themes were identified as being an 'Unhelpful' process (service time restrictions, fear of the lack of confidentiality, fear of emotional reprocessing), 'Helpful' aspects of therapy (client choice in treatment, therapist interpersonal and professional skills, psychological resourcing, idiosyncratic approaches) and 'Mixed Responses' due to COVID-19 (face-to-face vs remote working). Overall, this study contributed to the literature about EMDR treatment for adult CSA survivors by shedding insight into the perceived experiences of clients and providing further evidence for the efficacy of this treatment.Importantly, further research could investigate a potentially larger sample, emphasis on neuropsychological functioning, and within differing settings, to understand deficits within the current study. A qualitative study of the perceptions and experiences of childhood sexual abuse survivors who opt for CBT over EMDR might lead to recommendations for changes in protocol that would make EMDR more acceptable. There is scope to further investigate EMDR as a reliable and valid treatment option within NHS IAPT settings, alongside essential service development in therapist training programmes to support the growing need for treatment of multiple-trauma and/or Complex-PTSD (ICD-11, International Classification of Diseases-11, 2018). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
Covid-19 generated an important impact on the mental health of university students. In this context, a double need arises: to analyse the effects of this impact and to work on emotional education with this educational sector. This study is part of a broader educational innovation project focused on working on the emotional education of university students. In this case, our purpose was to analyse the experiences of university students (N=6) during the pandemic through Digital Storytellings. The results showed revealing aspects regarding the influence that the pandemic had on students: the shortcomings of virtuality in teaching, the development of coping strategies, the lessons learned from the pandemic, etc. Finally, it was set out a number of implications for higher education, like the promotion of emotional education plans, the optimisation of online educational resources, and increased teacher training in digital issues and emotional support. © 2022, Universidad Compultense Madrid. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Studies have demonstrated parent involvement as an important predictor of academic achievement, social emotional skill development, and overall psychological adjustment. Much of the previous work on parent involvement has focused on mother involvement, leaving the role of father involvement in adolescents' adjustment understudied. Further, this study was conducted during the COVID-19 global pandemic, which makes it unique in that some parents and adolescents were likely spending a significant amount of time with one another during the stay-at-home orders. Adolescents' perspectives are important as they are a critical part of the family and at a critical transitional stage in which they are becoming independent and making decisions about their future. The goal of this study was to identify whether there are differences in the rates of involvement among mothers and fathers, if involvement is associated with adolescents' school and wellbeing outcomes, and whether mother vs. father involvement has differential implications for adolescents' outcomes. The second goal of the study was to determine if contextual factors (e.g., parent relationship quality, teacher-adolescent relationships, community belonging, social support) moderate the associations between parent involvement and adolescent adjustment. Adolescents (N = 116: mean age = 13.2) reported on their perceived rates of mother and father involvement, and their academic and socioemotional adjustment. Findings demonstrated significant differences in the levels of mother and father involvement, such that mothers were found to have higher rates of involvement than fathers. Although there were differences in the rates of parent involvement among mothers and fathers, the implications of their involvement were similar for adolescents' outcomes. Parent-adolescent relationship quality significantly moderated the association between parenting involvement, both mother and father involvement, and adolescents' socioemotional skills. In a similar vein, community belonging was found to moderate the associations between parent involvement and adolescent academic achievement (e.g., grades). Herein, while parent involvement generally plays a positive role in adolescent outcomes, other contexts, and the social capital gained within them, can reinforce, these contributions to adolescents' academic and socioemotional adjustment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
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Loneliness is a serious risk factor for healthy development and flourishing. Although loneliness has been revealed to play an important role in psychological health and well-being, little is known about moderating and mitigating mechanisms underlying this association, especially during adverse experiences (e.g., COVID-19 pandemic). The current study purposed to explore whether subjective vitality mediated the association of loneliness with psychological adjustment and whether college belongingness moderated the mediating effect of subjective vitality on students' adjustment in the context of loneliness. The study sample comprised 333 undergraduate students (69% female) from a public university in Turkey. They ranged in age between 19 and 41 years (M = 21.94, SD = 4.15). Findings from mediation analysis revealed that loneliness had a significant predictive effect on subjective vitality and psychological adjustment challenges. Subjective vitality also mediated the effect of loneliness on the psychological adjustment of college students. Further, college belongingness moderated the mediating effect of subjective vitality on adjustment and had a protective effect on the association between loneliness and subjective vitality in college students. These results indicate that subjective vitality and college belongingness are important mechanisms that may help develop prevention and intervention strategies to foster students' psychological health and well-being in university settings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
Adolescence is a prime developmental period to explore human-pet relationships, particularly given that teens are often relying less on their families, and more on other attachment figures such as peers and pets. However, most research on pet companionship is conducted with adults and young children. Moreover, lived experiences around having pets in households with adolescents are underexplored, particularly from parents' perspectives. This qualitative interview study of 31 parents/guardians in the Northeast U.S. explored perceptions of the benefits and challenges of having pets for their adolescent's well-being as well as how adolescents affected their pet's well-being. Our three main themes for perceived benefits of pets included social (e.g., reducing anxiety), physical (e.g., screen time companionship), and emotional (e.g., regulation of difficult emotions such as anger, loneliness). Challenges to adolescent well-being included such social topics as family tension around unevenly shared responsibilities, physical themes such as problematic animal behaviors, and emotional themes related to grieving the passing of pets. We offer a developmental systems approach to understanding pets within adolescent families, noting future directions for developing family interventions to improve pet-adolescent interactions given the demands of child and pet upbringing during adolescence.
ABSTRACT
Health-care volunteers (HCVs) have been vital to the COVID-19 pandemic response efforts, working to deliver medical and psychological aid to vulnerable patient populations. Intense demands placed on HCVs during previous disasters have been associated with increased risk of psychological distress. Recent COVID-19 studies highlight risks to psychological well-being among health-care workers such as prolonged exposure, long shift hours, shortages of personal protective equipment, treating fellow health-care workers, and distancing from family members. In this study, we conducted surveys (N = 57) among HCVs at a field hospital in New York City during the spring of 2020. Results of multiple regression analyses indicated working more than 70 hr per week and avoidant emotional coping were associated with greater psychological distress, whereas social support and adaptive coping were associated with fewer symptoms. This study is unique in that few, if any, studies examine the role of volunteer health-care providers deployed to field hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study demonstrates the need for services and interventions to reduce psychological distress among HCVs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
Using data collected from two provinces in China through an online survey, the current study aimed to investigate left-behind children's emotional and academic adjustment during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. The participants included 1780 left-behind (960 boys) and 1500 non-left-behind (811 boys) children in elementary and junior high school with a mean age of 11.23. Self-reported questionnaires concerning children's depression, loneliness, anxiety, and academic adjustment, and parents' coping with children's negative emotions were completed. The results suggested that compared with non-left-behind children, left-behind children's depression and anxiety symptoms were more severe and their academic adjustment was poorer. However, left-behind children had lower levels of loneliness than non-left-behind children. Additionally, supportive coping types, especially emotion-focused and problem-focused reactions, were significantly negatively correlated with children's depression and anxiety. Unsupportive coping types, especially distress and punitive reactions, were significantly positively correlated with children's depression and anxiety symptoms. Moreover, the relationships between punitive reactions and depression, ignoring and loneliness and problem-focused reactions and academic adjustment were significantly stronger in left-behind children. Hence, during the pandemic, left-behind children were still at a disadvantage even with their parents' company. However, parents' coping style towards left-behind children's negative emotions played a significant role in their adjustment.