Does being defiant and irritable take a toll on physical health? Examining the covariation between symptoms of physical health and oppositional defiance across adolescence to young adulthood.

Objectives. While oppositional defiance is often considered a childhood behavioural problem, the negative impact of symptoms on relationships and emotional wellbeing may endure well into young adulthood and can affect overall physical health. However, little is known about the co - occurrence of oppositional defiance symptoms (ODS) and changes in physical health functioning, particularly during the transition to young adulthood. This study examines the coupled change between ODS and physical health symptoms during this critical developmental period to inform the long - term somatic manifestations of ODS.Methods. Participants (N = 662; 52% female) from the Victoria Healthy Youth Survey (V-HYS) were assessed for ten years across six biennial occasions from ages 12-18 to ages 22-30. A multilevel time -varying covariation model, disaggregating within- and between - person variability, examined whether change in ODS was systematically associated with change in physical health symptoms.Results. On average, individuals with higher ODS reported more physical health symptoms. Moreover, ODS also shared a significant within - person time - varying association with physical health, suggesting that the two symptom domains fluctuated together within - individuals across time, irrespective of between - person differences.Conclusion. This study provides a novel within- and between - person demonstration of the link between ODS and physical health symptoms from youth to young adulthood.

Do Self-Regulated Learning Practices and Intervention Mitigate the Impact of Academic Challenges and COVID-19 Distress on Academic Performance During Online Learning?

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced significant disruptions and challenges to the learning environment for many post-secondary students with many shifting entirely to remote online learning. Barriers to academic success already experienced in traditional face-to-face classes may be compounded in the online environment and exacerbated by stressors related to the pandemic. In 2020-2021, post-secondary institutions were faced with the reality of rolling out fully online instruction with limited access to resources for assisting students in this transition. Instructional interventions that target students' ability to self-regulate their learning have been shown to improve academic performance and self-regulated learning (SRL) competencies have also been found to mediate the effect of SRL interventions on higher education. However, few studies have examined the efficacy of fully online SRL intervention on mitigating the impact of psychological distress and academic challenges on academic success. This study examined the moderating roles of self-regulatory practices and SRL intervention in buffering the influence of COVID-related psychological distress and academic challenges on academic outcomes (self-reported grade point average (GPA) and academic challenges) in a Canadian sample of undergraduate students (n = 496). We found (a) levels of metacognitive and motivational challenges fully mediated the impact of COVID distress on GPA, (b) SRL adapting practices moderated the impact of metacognitive challenges on GPA, and (c) semester-long SRL intervention buffered the impact of COVID distress on academic challenges and resulted in lower levels of social-emotional, cognitive, and metacognitive challenges for first year undergraduate students.

Examining the Effectiveness of the WITS Programs in the Context of Variability in Trajectories of Child Development.

This study has two objectives: (1) to report the results of a large-scale, longitudinal evaluation of the WITS Programs that included a large sample of elementary school children (n = 1967) from 27 rural schools (including 16 program schools) and (2) to examine and discuss the effects of average developmental trajectories and of heterogeneity in children's development on intervention outcomes. Data comprise baseline (spring) and four follow-up assessments (5 Waves) from children (N = 1967) and their parents and teachers. WITS stands for Walk away Ignore, Talk it out, and Seek Help ( www.witsprograms.com ). The children in the intervention schools declined more slowly than those in the control schools in their reports of relational victimization. Children in the intervention schools also declined faster in aggression and emotional problems relative to children in control schools. Moderation analyses showed that intervention group children with higher baseline levels of emotional problems declined faster in emotional problems than those with lower problems at baseline. In addition, children in grades 3 and over completed school climate questionnaire and children in control schools who had more negative perceptions of school climate at baseline showed greater increases in these negative perceptions compared to children in the intervention schools. We discuss the potential impact of average trajectories of child development and the within-child heterogeneity in assessments for the interpretation of the findings. We also conclude by highlighting evaluation design modifications that may improve our future ability to examine the effects of preventive interventions for elementary school children.

Psychotherapeutic Interventions for Dementia: a Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: While a range of psychotherapeutic interventions is available to support individuals with dementia, comprehensive reviews of interventions are limited, particularly with regard to outcomes related to adjustment and acceptance. The current review assesses studies that evaluated the impact of various forms of psychotherapeutic interventions on acceptance and adjustment to changing life circumstances for older adults with cognitive impairment. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases was conducted, restricted to articles published in English within the last 16 years (from 2003 to 2019). Twenty-four articles were identified that examined the effects of psychotherapeutic interventions on outcomes related to acceptance and adjustment which included internalizing symptoms, quality of life, self-esteem, and well-being. Fifteen studies examined interventions targeted towards individuals with cognitive impairment, while nine studies also targeted their caregivers. RESULTS: Interventions that impacted outcomes related to acceptance and adjustment (e.g., adaptation, depressive symptoms, helplessness, self-esteem, and quality of life) varied in their theoretical approach, which incorporated elements of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), problem-solving therapy, psychotherapy, reminiscence therapy, interpersonal therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, and meaning-based, compassion-focused therapy. Among all interventions, reductions in depression were the most commonly reported treatment outcome particularly among interventions that incorporated problem-focused and meaning-based therapies. Mixed findings were reported with regard to outcomes related to helplessness, quality of life, self-esteem, and life satisfaction indices for individuals with cognitive impairment. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: There is some support for the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic interventions on improving acceptance and adjustment in older adults with cognitive impairment, particularly with regard to reducing depressive symptoms.

Trajectories of peer victimization in elementary school children: Associations with changes in internalizing, externalizing, social competence, and school climate.

The current study examines the developmental changes (internalizing and externalizing symptoms, social competence, and experiences of school climate) in children who follow distinct trajectories of peer victimization in a sample of elementary school children across 2 years. Data were from children, and their parents and teachers, in Grades 1-3 followed across five waves. Latent class analyses revealed four distinct victimization trajectory groups characterized by chronically high, increasing, decreasing, or low-stable levels across time. Multilevel analyses showed that children in the chronically high peer victimization group had higher initials levels of internalizing and externalizing symptoms, lower levels of social competence, and poorer experiences of school climate compared to children in the low-stable group. Over time, children in the increasing group had slower rates of increases in social competence than children in the low-stable group and had worsening experiences of school climate compared to children in the low-stable peer victimization group. Findings suggest children who are chronically victimized may be at a developmental disadvantage compared to children who report little or declining peer victimization over time.

Marijuana trajectories and associations with driving risk behaviors in Canadian youth.

Objective: Research on risky driving practices involving marijuana use among youth and young adults often relies on cross-sectional data, which fail to account for longitudinal changes in substance use patterns. A better understanding of the longitudinal patterns of marijuana use and its effect on risky driving practices during young adulthood is needed in order to better inform prevention efforts. The current study examined whether different longitudinal patterns of marijuana use across the transition from adolescence to young adulthood are associated with impaired driving risks in young adulthood. Methods: Data were from the longitudinal Victoria Healthy Youth Survey, which interviewed youth biennially on 6 occasions across 10 years (2003 to 2013). Results: Youth who reported consistently high levels of marijuana use from adolescence to young adulthood (chronic users) and youth who reported increasing levels of use across this period (increasers) were more likely to engage in risky impaired driving behaviors compared to the other 3 user groups (occasional users, decreasers, and abstainers). Frequency of marijuana use was also predictive of impaired driving risks in young adulthood after controlling for individual characteristics (age, sex, socioeconomic status, age of onset of marijuana use), frequency of other substance use (heavy episodic drinking and illicit drug use), and simultaneous use of marijuana and other substances (alcohol and illicit drugs). By young adulthood, youth who use marijuana more than once a week are more likely to simultaneously use alcohol and engage in heavy episodic drinking. They are also more likely take driving risks. Conclusions: Harm reduction strategies and legislative approaches targeting impaired driving risks associated with marijuana use should include approaches to target these high-risk groups and to reduce simultaneous use of alcohol.

How Program Users Enhance Fidelity: Implementing the WITS Programs in Rural Canadian Elementary Schools.

Research on the processes that enhance implementation fidelity is needed to increase understanding of ways to advance the uptake and sustainability of evidence-based programs (Berkel et al. in Prevention Science, 12, 23-33, 2011; Berkel et al. 2017). We propose and test a theoretical model of interrelations among implementation fidelity (i.e., adherence to program components), and rarely investigated activities of program users that may enhance fidelity; namely integration of program strategies into daily activities and children's use of program strategies (CUoPS). These were assessed across the initial 2 years of the implementation of the WITS peer victimization prevention programs in 16 Canadian rural schools. WITS stands for Walk away, Ignore, Talk it out, and Seek help. All schools were implementing the program. We examined the interrelations among these implementation indicators and their effects on child outcomes targeted by the WITS Programs (i.e., social responsibility, prosocial leadership, peer victimization, emotional symptoms, and aggression). Four implementation assessments were collected from children (n = 1326), their parents, and teachers in the fall and spring of two academic years. The within-time correlations among fidelity, integration, and CUoPS were significant at each assessment. Cross-lagged models showed fidelity and integration, and CUoPS and integration were reciprocally related during each academic year. CUoPS predicted higher subsequent levels of fidelity during and across academic years. Suggestions are given for training and coaching to enhance teachers' integration of program strategies into daily life and for creating opportunities for school staff to observe children using program strategies in order to enhance implementation fidelity.

Associations Between Internet Attachment, Cyber Victimization, and Internalizing Symptoms Among Adolescents.

With increasing frequency of Internet use among adolescents, there are growing concerns about their risk for becoming attached to these forms of communication and increased vulnerability for negative online experiences, including cyber victimization. The effect of these experiences on adolescent mental health is not well understood. In this study, we examine how Internet attachment is related to anxiety and depression and assess the mediating effect of cyber victimization on these associations. Participants included 1,151 middle school students (51.4 percent males) aged 10 to 16 (M = 12.7, SD = 0.93). Structural equation models show that greater Internet attachment was associated with more cyber victimization and greater symptoms of anxiety and depression. Cyber victimization mediated the associations between Internet attachment and anxiety and between Internet attachment and depression. Implications for online awareness efforts are discussed.

The Effects of Continuities in Parent and Peer Aggression on Relational Intimate Partner Violence in the Transition to Young Adulthood.

Past research suggests that exposure to parent psychological control and peer relational aggression and victimization experienced during adolescence is associated with relational intimate partner violence (IPV) in young adults (ages 22 to 29). However, the effects of continuities in these concerns across young adulthood have not been assessed. Relational IPV is characterized by behaviors intended to damage partner's emotional well-being and security in a romantic relationship (e.g., threatening to break up, purposefully ignoring, or causing jealousy). Six waves of data were collected biennially across 10 years from 662 participants (342 females) who were 12 to 18 years old in 2003. The 334 youth who were in a current romantic relationship at the sixth wave (T6, 10 years later) are the focus of this research. Tests of hypothesized structural equation models indicated that adolescent experiences of psychological control with fathers (but not mothers) predicted relational IPV at T6, but this association was no longer significant after accounting for continuity in father psychological control in young adulthood. Adolescent experiences of relational aggression and victimization with peers also predicted relational IPV at T6. This association remained significant for males, only, after continuity in experiences of relational aggression and victimization with peers in young adulthood was included in the model. Implications for the prevention of relational IPV in adolescence and young adults are discussed.

Frequent marijuana use and driving risk behaviours in Canadian youth.

BACKGROUND: A better understanding of the relations between patterns of marijuana use and driving risks in young adulthood is needed. METHODS: Secondary analyses of self-report data from the Victoria Healthy Youth Survey. Youth (baseline ages 12 to 18; N=662; 52% females) were interviewed biannually (on six occasions) from 2003 to 2013 and classified as abstainers (i.e., used no marijuana in past 12 months), occasional users (i.e., used at most once per week), and frequent users (i.e., used more than once a week). RESULTS: In the frequent user group, 80% of males and 75% of females reported 'being in a car driven by driver (including themselves) using marijuana or other drugs in the last 30 days', 64% of males and 33% of females reported that they were 'intoxicated' with marijuana while operating a vehicle and 50% of males and 42% of females reported being in a car driven by a driver using alcohol. In addition, 28% of occasional users and also a small proportion of abstainers reported 'being in a car driven by a driver using marijuana or other drugs in the last 30 days'. INTERPRETATION: The high frequency of driving risk behaviours, particularly for frequent users, suggest that plans for legalization of recreational use should anticipate the costs of preventive education efforts that present an accurate picture of potential risks for driving. Youth also need to understand risks for dependence, and screening for and treatment of marijuana use disorders is needed.

HISTORIQUE: Il est nécessaire de mieux comprendre les liens entre les habitudes de consommation de marijuana et la conduite à risque chez les jeunes adultes. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Les auteurs ont procédé à des analyses secondaires de données autodéclarées tirées du sondage sur la santé des jeunes de Victoria. Dans ce sondage, les jeunes (de 12 à 18 ans en début d'étude, n=662; 52 % de filles) ont participé à une entrevue tous les deux ans (à six reprises) entre 2003 et 2013. Ils ont été classés comme abstinents (aucune consommation de marijuana dans les 12 mois précédents), consommateurs occasionnels (consommation maximale d'une fois par semaine) et consommateurs fréquents (consommation plus d'une fois par semaine). RÉSULTATS: Dans le groupe des consommateurs fréquents, 80 % des garçons et 75 % des filles ont déclaré « avoir été dans une voiture conduite par une personne (y compris eux-mêmes) qui avait consommé de la marijuana ou d'autres drogues dans les 30 jours précédents ¼, 64 % des garçons et 33 % des filles ont affirmé avoir déjà été « intoxiqués ¼ par la marijuana lorsqu'ils conduisaient une voiture et 50 % des garçons et 42 % des filles ont indiqué avoir été dans une voiture conduite par quelqu'un qui consommait de l'alcool. De plus, 28 % des consommateurs occasionnels et une petite proportion d'abstinents ont déclaré « avoir été dans une voiture conduite par une personne qui avait consommé de la marijuana ou d'autres drogues dans les 30 jours précédents. ¼. INTERPRÉTATION: Compte tenu de la forte fréquence de conduite à risque, notamment chez les consommateurs fréquents, le projet de légaliser la consommation récréative devrait tenir compte des coûts de mesures d'éducation préventive qui présenteront un portrait précis des risques potentiels liés à la conduite. Les jeunes doivent également comprendre les risques de dépendance. Enfin, il est important de procéder au dépistage et au traitement des troubles liés à la consommation de marijuana.

Enhancing Social Responsibility and Prosocial Leadership to Prevent Aggression, Peer Victimization, and Emotional Problems in Elementary School Children.

Testing the theories that form the basis of prevention programs can enhance our understanding of behavioral change and inform the development, coordination, and adaptation of prevention programs. However, theories of change showing the linkages from intervention program components to risk or protective factors to desired outcomes across time are rarely specified or tested. In this 2-year longitudinal study, we test the theory that increases in two protective factors (i.e., children's prosocial leadership and their teachers' expectations of social responsibility) targeted by the WITS Programs (Walk Away, Ignore, Talk it Out, and Seek Help) would be associated with declines in peer victimization, aggression, and emotional problems. Participants included Canadian students, in grades 1-4 at baseline (n = 1329) and their parents and teachers. Consistent with our theory of change, variability in program implementation (adherence and integration) and in children's use of program skills (child responsiveness) are related to increases in both protective factors. Increases in these protective factors are associated with subsequent declines in children's aggression, victimization, and emotional problems. We discuss how enhancement of these protective factors may operate to improve child outcomes and the need for theory-based research to refine and improve the effectiveness of intervention strategies and to improve program scale-up.

Attitudes: Mediators of the Relation between Health and Driving in Older Adults.

We examined the relations between perceived health (e.g., self-perceived health status) and driving self-regulatory practices (e.g., frequency of driving, avoiding challenging driving situations) as mediated by driving attitudes and perceptions (i.e., driving comfort, positive and negative attitudes towards driving) in data collected for 928 drivers aged 70 and older enrolled in the Candrive II study. We observed that specific attitudes towards driving (e.g., driving comfort, negative attitudes towards driving) mediate the relations between health symptoms and self-regulatory driving behaviours at baseline and over time. Only negative attitudes towards driving fully mediated the relationships between changes in perceived health symptoms and changes in driving behavior. Perceived health symptoms apparently influence the likelihood of avoiding challenging driving situations through both initial negative attitudes towards driving as well as changes in negative attitudes over time. Understanding influences on self-regulatory driving behaviours will be of benefit when designing interventions to enhance the safety of older drivers.

Psychosocial Constructs as Possible Moderators of Self-Reported Driving Restrictions.

To date, associations between psychosocial driving variables and behaviour have been examined only cross-sectionally. Using three waves of data collected annually from 928 older drivers (mean age = 76.21 years; 62% male) enrolled in the Candrive II cohort, we examined in this study whether changes in attitudes and perceptions towards driving (decisional balance and day and night driving comfort) were associated with changes in older adults' reported restrictions in driving practices and perceived driving abilities. Multi-level models revealed that older adults who showed an increase in negative attitudes towards driving over time were more likely to report more-restricted practices (greater avoidance of challenging driving situations) and perceived declines in driving abilities compared to individuals whose attitudes towards driving remained stable across two years. This work supports previous findings and offers a new understanding of how attitudes relate to driving perceptions (e.g., comfort) and self-regulation in older adults over time.

Cognitive Performance, Driving Behavior, and Attitudes over Time in Older Adults.

We hypothesized that changes over time in cognitive performance are associated with changes in driver perceptions, attitudes, and self-regulatory behaviors among older adults. Healthy older adults (n = 928) underwent cognitive assessments at baseline with two subsequent annual follow-ups, and completed scales regarding their perceptions, attitudes, and driving behaviours. Multivariate analysis showed small but statistically significant relationships between the cognitive tests and self-report measures, with the largest magnitudes between scores on the Trails B cognitive task (seconds), perceptions of driving abilities (ß = -0.32), and situational driving avoidance (ß = 0.55) (p < 0.05). Cognitive slowing and executive dysfunction appear to be associated with modestly lower perceived driving abilities and more avoidance of driving situations over time in this exploratory analysis.

Pathways to romantic relational aggression through adolescent peer aggression and heavy episodic drinking.

Adolescent peer aggression is a well-established correlate of romantic relational aggression; however, the mechanisms underlying this association are unclear. Heavy episodic drinking (or "binge" alcohol use) was examined as both a prior and concurrent mediator of this link in a sample of 282 12-18 year old interviewed four times over 6 years. Path analyses indicated that early peer relational and physical aggression each uniquely predicted later romantic relational aggression. Concurrent heavy episodic drinking fully mediated this effect for peer physical aggression only. These findings highlight two important mechanisms by which peer aggression may increase the risk of later romantic relational aggression: a direct pathway from peer relational aggression to romantic relational aggression and an indirect pathway through peer physical aggression and concurrent heavy episodic drinking. Prevention programs targeting romantic relational aggression in adolescence and young adulthood may benefit from interventions that target multiple domains of risky behavior, including the heavy concurrent use of alcohol. Aggr. Behav. 42:563-576, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Measuring Driving-Related Attitudes Among Older Adults: Psychometric Evidence for the Decisional Balance Scale Across Time and Gender.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The Decisional Balance Scale (DBS) was developed to assess older adults' attitudes related to driving and includes both intrapersonal and interpersonal motivations for driving. This study examined the psychometric properties of the DBS ratings across 3 time points in a sample of 928 older drivers who participated in the Canadian Driving Research Initiative for Vehicular Safety in the Elderly (Candrive). DESIGN AND METHODS: Measurement invariance of the DBS was assessed longitudinally and across gender. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analyses revealed that a two-factor model (positive and negative attitudes) for both driving beliefs related to the self and other provided a good fit to the data at each time point. Measurement invariance was supported across time and gender. Significant associations between the DBS factor scores and other driving measures (e.g., perceived driving ability and self-regulatory driving practices) provided evidence of convergent validity. IMPLICATIONS: The DBS appears to be a robust instrument for measuring attitudes toward driving and is recommended for continued use in future research on driving behaviors with older adults.

Planning for Sustainability of an Evidence-Based Mental Health Promotion Program in Canadian Elementary Schools.

Substantial research illuminates many factors effecting the implementation of evidence-based mental health promotion programs in schools; however, research on how schools plan for sustaining their investments in these programs is limited. In this qualitative study, we elicited descriptions of opportunities and challenges for sustainability. We interviewed 24 individuals from schools involved in a longitudinal, qualitative research project that followed uptake and implementation of the evidence-based WITS Programs across 2 years (Leadbeater et al. 2012). WITS stands for Walk away, Ignore, Talk it out and Seek help and the online WITS Programs focus on preventing peer victimization ( www.witsprograms.ca ). Our findings suggest that sustainability planning in schools is not merely a next step following high quality implementation, but rather involves multiple ongoing processes that need to be anticipated and supported by school leadership and program champions and developers in order to realize investments in evidence-based programs.

Reciprocal associations between interpersonal and values dimensions of school climate and peer victimization in elementary school children.

We examine longitudinal relations among children's and parents' reports of peer victimization and their perceptions of school climate dimensions reflecting school interpersonal relationships (relationships among children and their teachers and peers, and of parents and principals) and values (fairness and equity of access to resources). Children were in Grades 3 and 4 at Time 1 (Mage = 9.32, SDage = .74; 49% boys). Bidirectional influences of school climate and reports of peer victimization were investigated in path models across grade (Time 1 to Time 2) and within a grade (Time 2 to Time 3). Child and parent reports of school climate dimensions showed considerable stability. Hypothesized reciprocal relationships between each of the school climate dimensions and peer victimization were significant. Child-reported frequency of parent involvement in school activities was associated with lower levels of peer victimization within a school year. Parent perceptions of involvement in school activities and the schools' connection with the community were unrelated to the children's reports of peer victimization. Children's negative cognitions or "worldviews" coupled with peer victimization may fuel problems with school connectedness, safety, and help seeking. Findings shed light on possible pathways for reducing peer victimization by leveraging specific aspects of the social climate within schools.

It gets better or does it? Peer victimization and internalizing problems in the transition to young adulthood.

Consistent research shows that peer victimization predicts internalizing symptoms in childhood and adolescence, but the extent to which peer victimization and its harmful effects on mental health persists into young adulthood is unclear. The current study describes patterns of physical and relational victimization during and after high school, and examines concurrent and prospective associations between internalizing symptoms (depressive and anxious symptoms) and peer victimization (physical and relational) from adolescence to young adulthood (ages 12-27). Data were collected from the Victoria Healthy Youth Survey, a five-wave multicohort study conducted biennially between 2003 and 2011 (N = 662). Physical victimization was consistently low and stable over time. Relational victimization increased for males after high school. Both types of victimization were associated concurrently with internalizing symptoms across young adulthood for males and for females. Although sex differences were important, victimization in high school also predicted increases in internalizing problems over time.

Factor structure of the Social Experience Questionnaire across time, sex, and grade among early elementary school children.

Ample research suggests that peer victimization predicts social and psychological maladjustment, including emotional (e.g., anxiety, low self-esteem, and depression) and behavioral (e.g., aggression) problems among children. Thus, a reliable measure of peer victimization for research with young children is needed. The Social Experience Questionnaire-Self-Report (SEQ-S) has been widely used in existing research to assess children's victimization (Crick & Grotpeter, 1996). However, empirical support for the psychometric properties of the SEQ-S is limited by the methods used to evaluate it (i.e., exploratory as opposed to confirmatory analyses), by the lack of longitudinal data, and by the limited age ranges studied. This study examined the underlying factor structure of SEQ-S ratings across 3 time points in a sample of 830 early elementary school children using confirmatory factor analysis. The hypothesized model included 3 latent factors: overt victimization, relational victimization, and receipt of prosocial acts from peers. This model provided a good fit to the data at each time point. Although it is not clear that there is invariance, results indicate that invariance across time, sex, and grade could be present. Recommendations for continued use of the SEQ-S in future research on peer victimization with young children are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved).