You Are What You Eat and So Is Our Planet: Identifying Dietary Groups Based on Personality and Environmentalism.

Behavioral change interventions promoting the reduction of animal product consumption are valuable tools to improve ecological sustainability as well as public health and help the mitigation of climate change. Recent findings revealed improved efficacy of interventions targeted at barriers (e.g., self-efficacy) of three different types of meat consumers over non-targeted interventions (e.g., completion of unrelated surveys). However, such interventions have yet to factor in the role of individual differences in personality. Therefore, in a first step, we performed segmentation analysis on barriers and benefits of reducing animal product consumption (e.g., meat attachment, environmentalism) with the inclusion of personality. In an online sample of N=1135 participants, latent profile analysis revealed five distinct dietary groups: "plant-based eaters", "meat-reducers", "medium-hindrance meat eaters", "medium strong-hindrance meat eaters, and "strong-hindrance meat eaters", based on inhibitors and facilitators of meat reduction. Groups differed in terms of consumption of different animal products (η2=0.08 to η2=0.80) as well as the Big Five (η2=0.08 to η2=0.80) and Dark Triad (η2=0.08 to η2=0.80). Strong-hindrance meat eaters were characterized by low Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, and Openness as well as high dark trait expression, implying new targets for future intervention design.

Shedding Light onto the City Blues Myth-The Potential of Stimulating and Activating Effects of Urban Public Spaces and the Role of City Relatedness.

The present study aims to investigate whether a sense of relatedness to a city helps to broaden understanding of the restorative potential of urban public spaces. Findings based on a sample of German adults (n = 249) confirm that people experience relatedness to a city. The study's 3 × 3 (built, mixed, natural environment) × (average, livability environment, bird's-eye view) design revealed disordinal interactions for being away, fascination, preference, mental fatigue, and stimulating and activating effects associated with cities. This implies that humans' place perceptions are more complex than previously assumed. Both city and nature relatedness were relevant covariates of these findings. Surprisingly, the construct 'activating effects', was found to be mostly perceived as more positive for mixed and built environments compared to natural environments. Thus, complementing restorative environments research by introducing a measure for city relatedness significantly enhances understanding of the potential of urban public spaces for promoting human health and well-being.

Bringing Light Into the Dark: Associations of Fire Interest and Fire Setting With the Dark Tetrad.

Fire setting is a significant problem for society, costing many human lives and causing great property damage. One important risk factor of fire setting observed in forensic samples is fire interest. However, less is known about the relationship of fire interest and fire setting to other variables such as personality traits in subclinical samples. In this study, we observed the relationship of potentially important personality traits with fire interest and fire setting in a sample of N = 222 students. In addition to zero-order correlations, we calculated path models and a logistic regression including all predictor variables. From the Dark Tetrad, consisting of psychopathy, narcissism, Machiavellianism, and three facets of sadism, psychopathy, and physical sadism were found to be associated with fire interest and fire setting. Furthermore, vicarious sadism was associated with fire interest. The other Dark Tetrad traits and four sensation seeking facets did not substantially add to the predictions. This confirms the results of previous studies with clinical and forensic samples with psychopathy and sadism as relevant predictors for fire interest and fire setting. Our results also provide evidence for viewing sadism as the multidimensional construct discriminating between vicarious and other forms of sadism, for the distinction of psychopathy and Machiavellianism, and for the Dark Tetrad being linked to object related violence.

Our Vulnerable Dark Side-Two Laboratory Approaches.

The Dark Triad of personality has been associated with aggression against others as a reaction to perceived provocations. However, previous work has also shown that such responsive aggression even occurs if it means harming oneself. The first of two laboratory studies aimed to investigate whether this relation between the Dark Triad and self-harming behavior also occurs in situations where no others are affected but self-harm is likely. The second laboratory study considered two different settings in a within-participants design in order to analyze the stability of self-harming behavior and to what extent the Dark Triad constructs influence this behavior. The sample for study 1 consisted of 151 students (45.7% female) with a mean age of 21.40 years (SD = 2.19); the sample for study 2 consisted of 251 students (76.0% female) with a mean age of 22.21 years (SD = 3.90). Aside from the Dark Triad's common core, depending on how self-harm was triggered (ego-threat (mainly narcissism), being alone with one's own thoughts (mainly psychopathy), or reward condition (mainly Machiavellianism)), the Dark Triad traits differed in their responsiveness but were stable over the last two conditions, thereby suggesting a vulnerable side of the Dark Triad.

Hello from the Other Side: Can We Perceive Others' Darkness? Observers' Accuracy of the Dark Triad.

The current study builds on research concerning self-other agreement, specifically the Trait-Reputation-Identity (TRI) Model, and combines this theoretical approach and recent advances from multitrait-multimethod research, specifically the CTC(M-1) and the latent difference model. This combination was applied to avoid statistical problems associated with latent trait models of the type previously used in TRI Model research. A further aim was to fully exploit the TRI Model's potential by simultaneously modeling more than one trait in one psychometric model. This makes it possible to explore whether raters use similar information to assess different traits or whether this information is observer-specific, as well as whether the traits themselves can shape an individual's Reputation. All analyses were based on a data set capturing the Dark Triad. As the Dark Triad has only rarely been examined from different rater perspectives before, the study also provides new insights into this network of maladaptive traits. A sample of 290 students, their best friends, and one parent were asked to fill out the NPI, Mach IV, and SRP-III. The results suggest that accuracy is high only for narcissism. Moreover, a dark halo could be observed among each of the other-raters for Machiavellianism and psychopathy; target's standings on these two traits were also underestimated by the other-raters. The study's combined use of the TRI Model and modern structural equation methods highlights the usefulness of the TRI Model and adds to the debate about the specific nature of Dark Triad traits.

Health-related quality of life after open-wedge high tibial osteotomy.

PURPOSE: (1) To monitor longitudinal changes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL), pain, knee function, and return to work (RtW) following high tibial osteotomy (HTO) for medial compartment osteoarthritis (OA), and (2) to investigate the influences of psychopathological comorbidities on preoperative impairment and post-operative course. METHODS: Sixty-four patients were prospectively followed for 24 months after HTO to determine HRQOL, pain, functional outcome, and RtW. Psychopathological comorbidities (e.g. depression) were determined preoperatively. Patients with no psychological distress (ND) were compared to patients with psychological distress (PD) in order to investigate the influence of psychopathological comorbidities on outcome. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in HRQOL and decrease in pain from 6 month follow-up on. Functional outcomes increased significantly from 12 month follow-up on. In general, there was a steady state of outcomes from 6- to 12-month follow-up on. At final follow-up, 90 % returned to their previous occupation without limitations. Mental component summary (MCS) and functional outcome showed a positive correlation with RtW, while depression had a negative one. A significantly inferior outcome of group PD versus ND was observed at baseline and early follow-up. RtW was significantly prolonged in group PD (8.9 ± 7.6 vs. 3.9 ± 3 months; p < 0.001). At final follow-up, both groups presented with comparable outcomes. CONCLUSION: HTO for medial compartment OA significantly improves HRQOL, pain, and knee function. Time to RtW is high and critically depends on PD. Further, extend of preoperative impairments, an initially inferior course, and inferior MCS outcome was influenced by PD. However, otherwise no significant differences were observed between groups PD and ND at final follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prospective case series, II.

Narcissists of a Feather Flock Together: Narcissism and the Similarity of Friends.

Who is willing to expose himself or herself to narcissists on a long-term basis? Studies that address the interactions of narcissists focus mainly on their interactions with strangers. Hence, the aim of the present study was to investigate the extent to which two best friends' similarity in narcissism would influence their similarities in other personality profiles. A total of 290 best friends' dyads filled out measurements of the whole Dark Triad as well as the Big Five. For each personality domain, profile similarity and its dependence on the similarity in the Dark Triad were determined. Results showed that the friends' similarity in narcissism significantly predicted similarity in all Big Five domains. For the general Big Five similarity as well as extraversion, the effect of narcissism similarity was stronger for male than female or mixed friends. Similarity in psychopathy and Machiavellianism significantly predicted all domains except for openness and extraversion, respectively.

Does current behaviour predict the course of children's physical fitness?

The secular trend of reduced physical fitness (PF) leads to increased health risks. The aim of the present paper is to analyse various current factors that affect health behaviour with respect to the course of PF over 2 years. A path analysis combined with a latent growth curve analysis was based on a study that was conducted between June 2008 and June 2010 with 145 primary German school children (52.1% male, average age at baseline 7.95 years ± 0.95). PF was tested with the German Motor Test 6-18. For the mean PF and the course of PF, direct and indirect influences were shown over three levels, including migration background on the first level and physical activity (PA) on the second level. Body mass index (BMI) impacted the mean PF but not the course of PF. The influence of sedentary behaviour on the mean PF was diminished (compared to bivariate analysis) due to its common variance mainly with BMI. PA affected not only current PF in children but also the course of PF (a(intercept) = .28, P = .001; a(slope) = .27, P = .21). Consequently, preventive measures should focus on early adoption and maintenance of PA.

Distal and proximal factors of health behaviors and their associations with health in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present paper was to analyze factors affecting distal and proximal health behavior within a biopsychosocial model for examining their interactions and associations with respect to health. METHODS: Path analysis was based on the nationwide, cross-sectional German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (2003 to 2006). The data was collected from 4,529 participants with an average age of 9.45 years (SD = 4.01). Socio-demographic data, psychosocial factors and health behavior were assessed via questionnaire. Participants also underwent physical fitness tests and a medical examination. RESULTS: Over the five levels of the model analyzed with socioeconomic status, immigration background, and rural-urban differences on the first level; physical activity of relatives and peers, intrinsic motivation, and quality of life on the second level; eating patterns, sedentary behavior, and physical activity on the third level; physical fitness and objective health on the fourth level; and health complaints and subjective health on the fifth level; direct, moderation, and mediation effects could be shown. CONCLUSIONS: Several distal and proximal factors are needed to take account of the multivariate complexity of health: e.g., immigration background affected health behaviors only indirectly and the effect of physical activity on objective health was mediated by physical fitness.

Four classes of physical fitness in German children and adolescents: only differences in performance or at-risk groups?

OBJECTIVES: Regarding children's and adolescents' development of physical fitness (PF), information about whether there are different performance classes in PF would potentially be helpful. If such classes also differ in related health parameters, this might indicate 'at-risk' groups requiring different support measures. METHODS: Factor mixture modeling was used to investigate whether participants of the German "Motorik"-Module (2003-2006) aged 6-17 years (N = 4,529) differ in their PF as described by endurance, strength, coordination, and flexibility. RESULTS: Four different classes of PF emerged after controlling for age and gender. Participants in classes 1 and 2 either performed well in all coordination or in all strength tests. Participants in class 3 and class 4 performed poorly in all coordination and in the push up (strength) tasks. Only participants in class 4 revealed significantly higher BMI values and less physical activity suggesting they are, in fact, an 'at-risk' group. CONCLUSIONS: Different support measures are needed to enable adequate development. There might be a risk group demonstrating comparably low coordination that cannot be spotted by looking at BMI or activity level.

Predictors of differences in vitamin D levels in children and adolescents and their relation to endurance performance.

AIMS: The present study investigated whether sociodemographic factors and physical activity (PA) are associated with differences in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and whether these differences are associated with varying levels of endurance performance and body mass index (BMI) in children and adolescents. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Path analyses were based on data of a nationwide, cross-sectional German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children (KiGGS; 2003 until 2006) for 25(OH)D and the embedded 'motor function module' for PA and endurance performance. The data were collected from 3,437 children and adolescents aged 6-17 years clustered in three age groups: 6-10, 11-13 and 14-17 years. RESULTS: PA is affected by socioeconomic status and (non-)immigration background, 25(OH)D is only affected by (non-)immigration background and only in childhood. PA and 25(OH)D were not associated in those aged 11-13 years. In adolescence, lower 25(OH)D levels are associated with lower endurance performance and a higher BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Our results did not reveal a universally significant effect of sociodemographic factors on 25(OH)D. The association between 25(OH)D and endurance performance might reflect the effects of 25(OH)D on muscle function. Predictors of 25(OH)D status other than sunlight exposure and its health effects in the pediatric age group should be explored further.

Socio-demographic correlates of physical activity and physical fitness in German children and adolescents.

AIM: Identifying factors that influence children's and adolescents' participation in physical activity (PA), as well as their physical fitness (PF), is essential for the development of effective intervention strategies. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare influential socio-demographic factors that affect PA such as socio-economic status (SES), rural-urban differences, immigration and age, as well as the effects of age and PA on PF as differentiated by gender. Subjects and METHODS: German children between 6 and 9 years and adolescents between 10 and 17 years of age (n = 2574) participated in the representative, nationwide, cross-sectional 'Motorik'-Module study between 2003 and 2006. RESULTS: Results revealed that immigrant children and children with a lower SES background were less physically active and that this inactivity subsequently resulted in lower levels of PF as compared with non-immigrant children and children with a higher SES background. PA was further positively associated with age for children. All of these three socio-demographic factors were comparably meaningful for PA. In adolescents, the only PA-relevant socio-demographic parameter was SES with lower PA again resulting in lower PF levels observed in adolescents from lower income families. PF in childhood as well as adolescence was mostly positively affected by age, followed by PA, except for in female adolescents for whom PA and age were nearly equally significant. CONCLUSIONS: An intervention aiming to improve PA levels, and consequently PF levels, must, with respect to age and gender, refer to SES, as well as immigration background, but not to rural-urban differences.

Sports activity after osteochondral transplantation of the talus.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data regarding activity after osteochondral transplantation of the talus in orthopaedic publications. HYPOTHESIS: Osteochondral transplantation of the talus is a clinically successful treatment and enables patients to pursue regular and ongoing recreational sporting activities. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: One hundred thirty-one patients were retrospectively analyzed to determine their sporting and recreational activities at an average of 60 ± 28.4 months postoperatively (range, 24-141 months). The clinical evaluation included the Tegner activity scale, the Activity Rating Scale (ARS), and a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain. RESULTS: The VAS illustrated significant preoperative to postoperative improvements (6.3 to 2.7; P < .001). Regarding sporting activity, 96.9% of the patients were engaged in sports during their lifetimes compared with 83.8% the year before surgery and 89.3% at the time of survey. The Tegner score dropped from 5.9 preoperatively to 5.0 after surgery (P = .001), and the ARS decreased from 8.9 preoperatively to 6.8 postoperatively (P = .003). The sports frequency and the duration of activities did not significantly change after surgery: 1.7 ± 2.0 (range, 0-8; P = .053) and 4.2 ± 3.8 hours (range, 0-30 hours; P = .052), respectively. The number of actual reported different sports disciplines was unchanged in comparison to the year before surgery (3.7 ± 2.9; range, 0-12). The top 10 cited sports activities did not change for the lifetime, preoperative, and postoperative periods but illustrated an altered order. Although the overall satisfaction with the surgery was good, 15% of our patients were only partially satisfied, and 14% were not satisfied with the procedure. CONCLUSION: Patients engage in fewer, less frequent sporting activities when a symptomatic osteochondral lesion (OCL) at the talus is present. Talar osteochondral transplantation shows good clinical midterm results and allows patients to return to sporting activity. However, we found patients modify their postoperative sporting activities, and we noted a reduction of participation in high-impact and contact sports.

Osteochondral transplantation of the talus: long-term clinical and magnetic resonance imaging evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Osteochondral lesions of the ankle are a common injury after ankle sprains, especially in young and active patients. The Osteochondral Autograft Transfer System (OATS) is the only 1-step surgical technique designed to replace the entire osteochondral unit. PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of the OATS procedure for the talus and compare the results of patients who have had prior surgical interventions with patients for whom OATS represents the primary surgical treatment. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: The authors retrospectively analyzed 26 talus OATS procedures (25 patients) with an average follow-up of 84 months (range, 53-124 months); 9 patients had OATS as a second surgical intervention. The patients completed the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) and Tegner scores plus the visual analog scale (VAS) preoperatively and at follow-up. Magnetic resonance imaging examinations were conducted on a 1.5-T whole-body magnet that assessed transplant congruency, adjacent surface of the talus, the corresponding distal tibia, and joint effusion. RESULTS: The authors found significant increases for the AOFAS score (50 to 78 points, P < .01) and the Tegner score (3.1 to 3.7, P < .05) and a significant decrease for the VAS (7.8 to 1.5, P < .01) from preoperative to postoperative. Patients with normal integration or minor incongruity of the transplant on magnetic resonance imaging (81%) had significantly better AOFAS scores (P = .03). Other magnetic resonance imaging criteria did not predict clinical results. Patients for whom OATS represented a second procedure had significantly worse clinical AOFAS and Tegner scores plus a higher VAS. CONCLUSION: Long-term clinical and magnetic resonance imaging results after osteochondral transplantation are good and patients significantly benefit from this surgery. Magnetic resonance imaging should not be a routine control but appears to be indicated when clinical symptoms persist after osteochondral transplantation.

A biopsychosocial process model of health and complaints in children and adolescents.

The purpose of the study was to test a biopsychosocial process model based on theoretically and empirically supported factors previously found to influence health and complaints in children and adolescents. Participants (N = 823) of the ages of nine, 14 or 18 were administered parts of the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children Questionnaire and a physical activity questionnaire. They subsequently underwent physical fitness tests and a medical examination. For complaints, direct and indirect influences over four levels (socioeconomic status, physical activity of relatives and peers, physical activity and physical fitness) were shown, but the findings did not hold for health. The interpretation of expected and unexpected results is discussed.