Cognitive Control Moderates Associations Between Domains of Temperamental Reactivity and Preschoolers' Social Behaviors.

Temperamental characteristics and emerging cognitive control are meaningful predictors of children's development of adaptive and maladaptive social behaviors during the preschool period. However, knowledge of the interplay of these pathways, when examined concurrently to highlight their individual contributions, is limited. Using a cross-sectional sample of 3-year-old children, we examined parent-reported discrete traits of negative (anger, fear, sadness, and shyness) and positive (low- and high-intensity pleasure) temperamental reactivity as predictors of children's prosociality and physical aggression. Further, we tested whether the effects of discrete temperament were moderated by cognitive control, as indexed by the N2 event-related potential, during a go/no-go task. Analyses focus on a subsample of children with an observable N2 (n = 66). When controlling for other relative temperament traits, several significant main effects emerged. Moreover, at low cognitive control (smaller N2), fear was negatively associated with aggression, whereas at high cognitive control, sadness was positively associated with aggression. Heightened anger was linked to reduced prosocial behavior when cognitive control was low but linked to greater prosocial behavior when cognitive control was high. The results highlight that discrete temperament traits predict individual differences in child outcomes but that associations depend on concurrent levels of cognitive control.

Temperament in Early Childhood Is Associated With Gut Microbiota Composition and Diversity.

Temperament is a key predictor of human mental health and cognitive and emotional development. Although human fear behavior is reportedly associated with gut microbiome in infancy, infant gut microbiota changes dramatically during the first 5 years, when the diversity and composition of gut microbiome are established. This period is crucial for the development of the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in emotion regulation. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between temperament and gut microbiota in 284 preschool children aged 3-4 years. Child temperament was assessed by maternal reports of the Children's Behavior Questionnaire. Gut microbiota (alpha/beta diversity and genera abundance) was evaluated using 16S rRNA sequencing of stool samples. A low abundance of anti-inflammatory bacteria (e.g., Faecalibacterium) and a high abundance of pro-inflammatory bacteria (e.g., Eggerthella, Flavonifractor) were associated with higher negative emotionality and stress response (i.e., negative affectivity, ß = -0.17, p = 0.004) and lower positive emotionality and reward-seeking (i.e., surgency/extraversion, ß = 0.15, p = 0.013). Additionally, gut microbiota diversity was associated with speed of response initiation (i.e., impulsivity, a specific aspect of surgency/extraversion, ß = 0.16, p = 0.008). This study provides insight into the biological mechanisms of temperament and takes important steps toward identifying predictive markers of psychological/emotional risk.

Cyclothymic affective temperament and low positive attitude coping strategies as predictors of comorbid depressive symptomatology in adult ADHD patients.

INTRODUCTION: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults could be frequently underdiagnosed due to concomitant psychiatric disorders, including depressive symptomatology, which could determine inappropriate treatments. Our study aims at clinically characterizing adult ADHD with or without depressive symptomatology in order to identify the relationship with specific affective temperamental profiles and coping strategies. METHODS: A total of 225 outpatients consecutively afferent to our outpatient adult ADHD service since September 2019 were retrospectively screened for eligibility and administered Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (COPE-NV) and Temperament Evaluation of the Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego (TEMPS-M). RESULTS: 64.7 % of patients displayed a significant comorbid depressive symptomatology. According to the multivariate linear regression model, depressive levels were positively predicted by TEMPS-M cyclothymic subscale (B = 0.567, p = 0.004) and negatively predicted by COPE-NVI "positive attitude" subscale (B = -0.438, p = 0.024) (R = 0.496, R2 = 0.246, F(2,66) = 10.747, p < 0.001). LIMITATION: While considering the results, it should be taken in consideration that: the assessment was carried out only at baseline, our sample is constituted only by adult ADHD patients and mostly without a previous ADHD diagnosis, the presence of a discrepancy between the rates of ADHD subtypes, the absence of a healthy control group and emotional dysregulation was not directly assessed. CONCLUSION: Affective temperamental profiles and coping strategies could help in clinically characterizing and personalizing treatment in adult comorbid ADHD-depressive symptomatology patients. Further research is warranted to explore the efficacy of targeted psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions within this ADHD sub-sample.

Basal plasma oxytocin & fecal cortisol concentrations are highly heritable and associated with individual differences in behavior & cognition in dog puppies.

Oxytocin and cortisol are hormones that can influence cognition and behavior, but the relationships between endogenous concentrations and individual differences in cognitive and behavioral phenotypes remain poorly understood. Across mammals, oxytocin has important roles in diverse social behaviors, and in dogs, it has been implicated in human-oriented behaviors such as social gaze and point-following. Cortisol, an end-product of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, is often studied in relation to temperament and emotional reactivity, but it is also known to modulate executive functions. In this study, we measured basal fecal cortisol (n = 247) and plasma oxytocin (n = 249) in dog puppies from a pedigreed population (Canine Companions ®). We collected cognitive and behavioral data from these subjects (n = 247), including measures of human-oriented social cognition, memory, inhibitory control, perceptual discriminations, and temperament. Oxytocin concentrations were estimated to be very highly heritable (h2 = 0.90-0.99) and cortisol concentrations were estimated to be moderately-highly heritable (h2 = 0.43-0.47). Bayesian mixed models controlling for relatedness revealed that oxytocin concentrations were positively associated with spatial working memory and displayed a negative quadratic relationship with behavioral laterality, but no credible associations were seen for social measures. Cortisol concentrations exhibited a negative linear relationship with performance on an inhibitory control task and a negative quadratic relationship with bold behavioral reactions to a novel object. Collectively, our results suggest that individual differences in oxytocin and cortisol concentrations are under strong genetic control in dogs and are associated with phenotypic variation in aspects of temperament, behavioral laterality, and executive function.

A Comprehensive Systematic Review Coupled with an Interacting Network Analysis Identified Candidate Genes and Biological Pathways Related to Bovine Temperament.

Comprehension of the genetic basis of temperament has been improved by recent advances in the identification of genes and genetic variants. However, due to the complexity of the temperament traits, the elucidation of the genetic architecture of temperament is incomplete. A systematic review was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement to analyze candidate genes related to bovine temperament, using bovine as the population, SNPs and genes as the exposure, and temperament test as the outcome, as principal search terms for population, exposure, and outcome (PEO) categories to define the scope of the search. The search results allowed the selection of 36 articles after removing duplicates and filtering by relevance. One hundred-two candidate genes associated with temperament traits were identified. The genes were further analyzed to construct an interaction network using the STRING database, resulting in 113 nodes and 346 interactions and the identification of 31 new candidate genes for temperament. Notably, the main genes identified were SST and members of the Kelch family. The candidate genes displayed interactions with pathways associated with different functions such as AMPA receptors, hormones, neuronal maintenance, protein signaling, neuronal regulation, serotonin synthesis, splicing, and ubiquitination activities. These new findings demonstrate the complexity of interconnected biological processes that regulate behavior and stress response in mammals. This insight now enables our targeted analysis of these newly identified temperament candidate genes in bovines.

The role of affective temperaments as a factor of vulnerability to seasonal affective disorder.

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence suggests the relevance of affective temperaments in the development of mood disorders. This study aims to assess their potential role as a vulnerability factor for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and subsyndromal SAD (S-SAD) in a sample of young individuals without a history of clinical diagnosis. METHODS: Eight hundred and forty-six university students were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Participants were evaluated for exclusion and inclusion criteria and divided into Control, S-SAD, and SAD groups. They filled out two self-administered questionnaires to assess the degree of seasonality problems and the predominant type of affective temperaments, the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ), and the Temperament Evaluation Instrument of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego-Auto-questionnaire version scale (briefTEMPS-M version). We conducted a multinomial logistic regression model to explore the relationship between affective temperaments and seasonality. RESULTS: Our results evidenced that cyclothymic [χ2 (2) = 33.486, p < 0.001] and anxious [χ2 (2) = 86.991, p < 0.001] temperaments were significant predictors in the model, suggesting that individuals with cyclothymic and anxious temperaments are at increased risk of developing SAD, due to heightened seasonal changes in mood and behavior. In contrast, people with hyperthymic temperament appear less susceptible to experiencing seasonal problems. LIMITATIONS: The homogeneity of the sample; only retrospective self-reported data were considered; measures of temperament and seasonality were simultaneously assessed. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding which affective temperaments may constitute a potential predisposing factor for vulnerability to seasonal changes can aid in better assessing SAD and predicting its outcome.

[Risk factors of suicide attempt in adults: childhood trauma, adult attachment, temperament, and character].

INTRODUCTION: Suicide is a severe public health problem. Impacts of childhood traumas, unsecure adult attachment styles and personality traits have been suggested as possible risk factors for suicide attempts. The aim of this cross-sectional, case-controlled study is to investigate the impact of childhood traumas, adult attachment styles and personality traits on suicide attempt. METHODS: The sample consisted of psychiatric patients who attempted suicide (n=101) on the one hand and those who did not attempt suicide (n=114) on the other. The questionnaires used were the Hungarian validated versions of Adult Attachment Scale (AAS), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and a demographic questionnaire. RESULTS: Results indicated that Novelty Seeking (NS) temperament trait [EH=1.043; 95% C.I.=(0.950-1.145)] p=0.376; emotional abuse [EH=1.034; 95% C.I.=(0.966-1.107)] p=0.336; emotional neglect [EH=1.022; 95% C.I.=(0.936-1.116)] p=0.626; and sexual abuse [EH=1.047; 95% C.I.=(0.959-1.142)] p=0.305 were associated with nonsignificant increases in the odds of suicide attempts. Whereas secure attachment style [EH=0.908; 95% C.I.=(0.842-0.980)] p=0.013 appeared to be a significantly protective factor (c2(1)=6.515 p=0.011). Furthermore, when examining the connection between childhood traumas and adult attachment styles it was found that the anxious attachment style had a positive significant correlation with emotional abuse (rs(197)=0.293) p<0.001, avoidant attachment style with emotional neglect (rs(197)= 0.273) p<0.001. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that individuals with avoidant attachment style and childhood traumas are likely to present a higher suicide risk. However secure attachment style likely to present a lower risk for suicide.

Is life going too fast? Exploring the unique and joint contributions of mindfulness, temperament, task load, and metacognitions about time.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has shown that mindfulness is associated with slower passage of time in everyday life, and with lower self-reported time pressure. This study investigates some of the potential mechanisms behind these relationships. METHODS: 318 participants submitted their responses to an online survey which collected data regarding passage of time judgments, time pressure, trait mindfulness, temperament, task load, and metacognitions about time. Using commonality and dominance analyses, we explored how these variables contributed, either alone or jointly, to predicting how fast (or slow) time seems to pass for participants, or how pressed for time they felt. RESULTS: Mindfulness and temperament had some overlaps in their ability to predict passage of time judgments and time pressure for durations at the month and 2-month scales. The temperamental trait of extraversion/surgency, as well as the Non-judging and Non-reacting facets of mindfulness were among the best predictors of passage of time judgments and time pressure. Attention-related variables were mainly related to time perception via their involvement in joint effects with other variables. Results also suggested that metacognitions about time interacted with other variables in predicting passage of time judgments, but only at the month scale. Finally, among all the variables included in this study, task load had the highest degree of involvement in predictions of self-reported time pressure at the week and month scales, but it contributed relatively little to predicting passage of time judgments. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that mindfulness relates to passage of time through its involvement in inferential processes. The data also shows how different factors are related to PoTJ at different time scales. Finally, results suggest the existence of both similarities and differences in how passage of time and time pressure relate to the other included variables.

Bidirectional Relations Among Maternal Positive Emotion, Infant Positive Emotionality, and Infant Physiological Regulation Across the First 18 Months of Life.

Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), a marker of self-regulation, has been linked to developmental outcomes in young children. Although positive emotions may have the potential to facilitate physiological self-regulation, and enhanced self-regulation could underlie the development of positive emotions in early childhood, the relation between positive emotions and physiological self-regulation in infancy has been relatively overlooked. The current study examined the bidirectional associations among maternal positive emotion, infant positive emotionality, and infant resting RSA across the first 18 months of life. We used data from the Longitudinal Attention and Temperament Study (LanTs; N = 309 in the current analysis) to test the within- and between-person relations of study variables over time using a random-intercepts cross-lagged panel model. We found that infants with higher overall levels of positive emotionality also displayed greater resting RSA, and their mothers exhibited higher levels of positive emotion. However, there were negative cross-lagged associations within-person; higher than average infant positive emotionality predicted lower levels of infant resting RSA at the subsequent timepoint during early infancy, whereas higher than average infant RSA subsequently predicted decreased levels of infant positive emotionality later in infancy. Results highlight the importance of considering transactional relations between positive emotion and physiological self-regulation in infancy.

Trait mindfulness during pregnancy and maternal-infant bonding: Longitudinal associations with infant temperament and social-emotional development.

Maternal love and caregiving are pillars for optimal child development and may affect infant outcomes from pregnancy onwards. The present study aimed to examine whether maternal trait mindfulness during pregnancy and pre- and postnatal maternal-infant bonding were associated with maternal perceptions of infant temperament and social-emotional development. In total, 408 Dutch women (Mage = 31.33, SD = 3.59) participated in a prospective perinatal cohort study and completed questionnaires on trait mindfulness, prenatal bonding, postnatal bonding, infant temperament, and infant social-emotional development at 20 and 28 weeks of gestation, and 10 weeks, 6 and 12 months postpartum, respectively. Path analyses demonstrated that higher levels of the trait mindfulness facet non-judging (i.e., refraining from judgments about own feelings and thoughts) were associated with more pre- and postnatal maternal bonding and fewer social-emotional problems as perceived by the mother. Adopting an accepting and non-judgmental attitude may promote positive feelings of bonding and benefit the infant in terms of having fewer social-emotional problems in the first year of life. Mindfulness interventions may be offered to pregnant women in order to enhance maternal bonding and improve infant outcomes after birth.

New insights into recalled parental behavior in social anxiety disorder: A cluster analytic approach.

BACKGROUND: Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is a highly heterogeneous disorder. To enlighten its heterogeneity, this study focused on recalled parental behavior and aimed to empirically identify if there are subgroups of SAD based on recalled parental behavior by means of cluster analysis. Further, the study investigated whether those subgroups differed on clinical, trauma, and personality variables. METHODS: This study included 505 individuals diagnosed with SAD and 98 adult controls who were asked to fill out the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE), and the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Cluster analysis determined whether there are meaningful SAD subgroups based on PBI. The clusters obtained were compared with each other and with the control group with regard to clinical, ACE, and TCI variables. RESULTS: The cluster analysis revealed two SAD clusters based on recalled parental behavior. SAD individuals in the first cluster (49.3 %) perceived their parents as intermediately caring, but not as overcontrolling. SAD individuals in the second cluster (50.7 %) perceived their parents as less caring and overcontrolling, reported more severe clinical symptoms and trauma, and had lower values in Self-Directedness and Cooperativeness. LIMITATIONS: The present study is cross-sectional, therefore unable to confirm causal interpretations. CONCLUSION: Parenting is meaningful to enlighten the heterogeneity of SAD symptomatology and to specify treatment approaches as there are two meaningful subgroups in individuals with SAD corresponding to differences in clinical presentation, trauma, and personality.

Association between affective temperaments and the severity and the extent of coronary artery disease as obtained by coronary CT angiography.

BACKGROUND: Affective temperaments are documented predictors of psychopathology, but cumulating data suggest their relationship with coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to evaluate their role in relation to surrogate semiquantitative markers of coronary plaque burden, as assessed by coronary CT angiography (CCTA). METHODS: We included 351 patients who were referred for CCTA due to suspected CAD. All patients completed the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A). The severity and extent of CAD was evaluated by CCTA, applying semiquantitative plaque burden scores, notably Segment Involvement Score (SIS) and Segment Stenosis Score (SSS). Logistic regression analyses were performed to define the predictors of CAD severity and extent. RESULTS: Regarding the scores evaluated by TEMPS-A that consists of 110 questions, in men, significant inverse association was found between hyperthymic temperament score and SSS (ß = -0.143, (95%CI: -0.091 to -0.004), p = 0.034). Compared to the TEMPS-A form, applying the abbreviated version - containing 40 questions - significant relationship between affective temperaments and SSS or SIS was found in case of both sexes. Concerning men, hyperthymic temperament was demonstrated to be independent predictor of both SSS (ß = -0.193, (95%CI: -0.224 to -0.048), p = 0.004) and SIS (ß = -0.194, (95%CI: -0.202 to -0.038), p = 0.004). Additionally, we proved, that significant positive association between irritable temperament and SSS (ß = 0.152, (95%CI: 0.002 to 0.269), p = 0.047) and SIS (ß = 0.155, (95%CI: 0.004 to 0.221), p = 0.042) exists among women. LIMITATIONS: Cross-sectional analysis of a single center study with self-reported questionnaires. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of affective temperaments could offer added value in stratifying cardiovascular risk for patients beyond traditional risk factors.

Synthesising 30 years of clinical experience and scientific insight on affective temperaments in psychiatric disorders: State of the art.

The concept of affective temperament has been extensively discussed throughout the history of psychopathology and represents a cornerstone in the study of mood disorders. This review aims to trace the evolution of the concept of affective temperaments (ATs) from Kraepelin's seminal work to the present day. In the 1980s, Akiskal redefined Kraepelin's concept of affective temperaments (ATs) by integrating the five recognized ATs into the broader framework of the soft bipolar spectrum. This conceptualization viewed ATs as non-pathological predispositions underlying psychiatric disorders, particularly mood disorders. Epidemiological and clinical studies have validated the existence of the five ATs. Furthermore, evidence suggests that ATs may serve as precursors to various psychiatric disorders and influence clinical dimensions such as disease course, psychopathology, and treatment adherence. Additionally, ATs appear to play a significant role in moderating phenomena such as suicide risk and stress coping. Incorporating an evaluation of temperamental bases of disorders into the multidimensional psychiatric diagnostic process could enhance treatment optimization and prognosis estimation.

Longitudinal relations among temperament, cognitive control, and anxiety: From toddlerhood to late adolescence.

Children with a history of behaviorally inhibited (BI) temperament face a heightened risk for anxiety disorders and often use control strategies that are less planful. Although these relations have been observed concurrently in early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence, few studies leverage longitudinal data to examine long-term prospective relations between cognitive control and anxiety. Using longitudinal data from 149 adolescents (55% female; from predominantly White middle-class families), we assessed temperament in toddlerhood and cognitive control and anxiety at 4, 12, 15, and 18 years of age. At age 4, separate measures of task switching and inhibitory control were obtained via the Dimensional Change Card Sort and Stroop tasks, respectively. At 12, 15, and 18 years of age, planful control was assessed with the AX-Continuous Performance Test, and anxiety symptoms were assessed via self-report. Growth curve models revealed that children with greater inhibitory control at age 4, regardless of BI status, experienced a sharper increase in anxiety symptoms across adolescence. Children with heightened BI during early childhood displayed lower levels of planful control at age 12, but experienced a more rapid improvement in these skills across adolescence. Children with greater task switching ability at age 4 displayed higher levels of planful control at age 12, but experienced a smaller increase in these skills across adolescence. Finally, children's growth rate for anxiety was unrelated to their growth rate for planful control. These findings reveal that early-life temperament, cognitive control, and anxiety remain interconnected across development, from toddlerhood to at least late adolescence. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

High plasticity of temperament as a marker of flexible autonomic regulation of the cardiovascular system in urgent adaptive response to cold in young people.

The properties of temperament are due to differences in the excitability of brain systems that integrate the behavior of an individual, his emotions and autonomic functions and play an important role in the adaptation of the body to the environment. The mechanisms of the relationship between individual characteristics of temperament properties and regulation of the cardiovascular system have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study to assess the relationship between expression of temperament traits and the autonomic regulation of the cardiovascular system in the baseline condition and in response to exposure to cold. The study involved 25 healthy male volunteers aged between 18 and 21 years. Temperament traits were measured using the Structure of Temperament Questionnaire. During the study, heart rate variability (HRV) parameters (5 min), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) were recorded at room temperature. In the period from 5 to 10 min of exposure in an UShZ-25 N cold chamber (-20 °C), HRV were assessed. Immediately after the subjects came out from the cold chamber, blood pressure was measured. Then, 5 min after they left the cold chamber, SBP, DBP, HRV were recorded. The results showed that in young people with different expressions of temperamental properties, no differences were found in the regulation of heart rhythm by the autonomic nervous system in the baseline condition. The high object-related plasticity, i.e. the ease of switching from one type of activity to another, linked with autonomic flexibility and blood pressure control, which restrains a significant increase in blood pressure when exposed to short-term cold, and contributes to the preservation of health.

Association between irritable temperament and glucose metabolism in the left insula and the right cerebellum.

INTRODUCTION: Affective temperaments are assumed to have biological and neural bases. In the present study, we analyzed 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) images of healthy participants to explore the neural basis of affective temperaments. METHOD: We utilized data of affective temperament measured by the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego-Autoquestionnaire and 18F-FDG PET images of healthy participants from two of our previous studies. A multiple regression analysis was performed to assess the association between 18F-FDG uptake and temperament scores using Statistical Parametric Mapping 12. RESULTS: The final sample included 62 healthy participants. Whole-brain analysis revealed a cluster of 18F-FDG uptake that was significantly and positively associated with irritable temperament scores in the right cerebellum (Crus II, VIII, and IX). After further adjustment for the other four temperament scores, whole-brain analysis revealed a cluster of 18F-FDG uptake significantly and positively associated with irritable temperament scores in the left insula and right cerebellum (Crus II, VIII, and IX). However, no significant association was found between 18F-FDG uptake and the other four temperaments (depressive, cyclothymic, hyperthymic, and anxious). CONCLUSIONS: The left insula and right cerebellum of the cerebrocerebellar circuit may be one of the neural bases of irritable temperament.

Prevalence and Correlates of Self-Reported ADHD Symptoms in Bariatric Patients: Focus on Mood and Anxiety Comorbidity, Disordered Eating, and Temperamental Traits.

PURPOSE: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. A positive association between ADHD and obesity has been observed, especially in adult samples. In this study, prevalence and correlates of self-reported symptoms indicative of a positive screening for ADHD were examined in patients seeking bariatric treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study sample was composed of 260 adult patients with obesity referred for bariatric surgery to the Obesity Center of the Endocrinology Unit in Pisa University Hospital between January 2006 and November 2016 (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2; mean ± standard deviation = 46.27 ± 7.45 kg/m2). ADHD symptoms were identified using ADHD Symptom Check-List-90-R Screening Scale. Night-eating, binge-eating/purging behaviors, and temperamental and character traits were assessed in a subsample of 95 patients. RESULTS: Thirty participants had a positive screening for ADHD (11.5%, 95% CI = 7.9-16.1%). Patients with a positive screening showed significantly higher rates of anxiety disorders (40% vs. 16.5%, χ2 = 7.97, p = 0.005) panic disorder (40% vs. 14.3%, χ2 = 10.48, p = 0.001), and a higher severity of psychopathological symptoms and sleep disturbances than those without. In subsample analyses, ADHD symptoms severity was associated with more bulimic behaviors (r = 0.31-0.46), greater harm avoidance (r = 0.45-0.66), less self-directedness (r = - 0.44-0.63), and cooperativeness (r = - 0.26-0.42). CONCLUSION: ADHD symptoms may be common in patients with obesity seeking bariatric treatment and are positively associated with disordered eating, internalizing features, and maladaptive character traits. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V, cross sectional descriptive study.

Biological and social cascades of prenatal contextual risk and maternal psychological distress to early-childhood adjustment.

In the peripartum, putative mechanisms in the transmission of prenatal contextual risk and maternal psychological distress include biological and social processes. In this study, path analyses were used to test unique, cascading pathways of prenatal contextual risk and pre- and postnatal maternal psychological distress through social mediators (parenting) and biological mediators (infant stress physiology) on infant temperament and toddler adjustment. The sample is comprised of racially and ethnically diverse first-time mothers (N = 200) living in low-income contexts (< 200% poverty) who were followed from pregnancy to 18-36 months postpartum. In pregnancy, mothers reported contextual risk and psychological distress (anxiety, depression). In the postpartum, mothers reported their psychological distress. At 2-4 months postpartum, observed mother-infant interactions were coded for sensitive responsiveness. Infant cortisol baseline and reactivity to a lab stressor were collected when infants were 4-6 months old. Mothers reported on infant's temperament (negative affect, effortful control) at 10-12 months and on child adjustment (internalizing, externalizing symptoms) at 18-36 months. Prenatal contextual risk predicted infant cortisol reactivity. Prenatal psychological distress predicted postnatal distress but, when accounting for postnatal distress, did not predict putative mediators or indicators of child adjustment. In contrast, maternal postnatal depression predicted subsequent maternal sensitive responsiveness, which in turn predicted later infant baseline cortisol and cortisol reactivity. Baseline cortisol predicted infant negative affectivity, which predicted toddler internalizing and externalizing symptoms. There was no evidence of mediated effects of prenatal variables on child adjustment outcomes, whereas contextual risk, postnatal psychological distress, and parenting were more salient predictors of child adjustment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

"Nobody Here Likes Her"-The Impact of Parental Verbal Threat Information on Children's Fear of Strangers.

Parental verbal threat (vs. safety) information about strangers may induce fears of these strangers in adolescents. In this multi-method experimental study, utilizing a within-subject design, parents provided standardized verbal threat or safety information to their offspring (N = 77, Mage = 11.62 years, 42 girls) regarding two strangers in the lab. We also explored whether the impact of parental verbal threat information differs depending on the social anxiety levels of parents or fearful temperaments of adolescents. Adolescent's fear of strangers during social interaction tasks was assessed using cognitive (fear beliefs, attention bias), behavioral (observed avoidance and anxiety), and physiological (heart rate) indices. We also explored whether the impact of parental verbal threat information differs depending on the social anxiety levels of parents or fearful temperaments of adolescents. The findings suggest that a single exposure to parental verbal threat (vs. safety) information increased adolescent's self-reported fears about the strangers but did not increase their fearful behaviors, heart rate, or attentional bias. Furthermore, adolescents of parents with higher social anxiety levels or adolescents with fearful temperaments were not more strongly impacted by parental verbal threat information. Longitudinal research and studies investigating parents' naturalistic verbal expressions of threat are needed to expand our understanding of this potential verbal fear-learning pathway.

Sensory Processing Sensitivity as a trait of temperament - evolutionary, socio-cultural, biological context and relation to mental disorders. / Wrazliwosc Przetwarzania Sensorycznego jako cecha temperamentu ­ kontekst ewolucyjny, spoleczno-kulturowy, biologiczny oraz zwiazek z zaburzeniami psychicznymi.

This article presents the trait of sensory processing sensitivity (SPS), its characteristics, assessment tool and association with psychiatric disorders based on an analysis of the literature on SPS since 1997. An overview of research on SPS in several relevant contexts is presented: evolutionary/adaptive, socio-cultural, temperamental/personality, and biological, taking into account the influence of genetic factors and the activity of specific areas of the central nervous system involved in processing emotional and cognitive stimuli. High sensitivity of sensory processing is an innate trait, biologically determined and modulating developmental processes, occurring in 20-35% of the general population regardless of gender. It is characterized by deeper processing of stimuli, ease of overstimulation, strong emotional reactions and empathic bonds, as well as sensitivity to subtleties in the surrounding world. SPS can be associated with susceptibility to the development of a wide range of psychiatric symptoms and disorders, including depressive and anxiety disorders, social phobia, alexithymia, burnout, internalizing and externalizing disorders and selective mutism in children.