The Peer Relationships of Those Who Have Experienced Adoption or Foster Care: A Meta-Analysis.

This meta-analytic review examines the presence and quality of close peer relationships for adoptees and individuals with foster care experience. Results indicate that adoptees show difficulty forming close peer relationships compared with biologically reared individuals, but they do not differ in the quality of these relationships. In contrast, those with foster care experience report lower quality peer relationships than biologically reared individuals. Additionally, this meta-analysis includes prevalence rates of close peer relationships that illustrate most adoptees and foster youth report having high-quality peer relationships. These findings have important implications for intervention and prevention efforts and offer directions for future research on peer relationships among adoptees and foster youth, but should be considered in light of the presence of some publication bias.

Dyadic invariance of the Adult Self-Report and Adult Behavior Checklist: Evidence from young adult romantic couples.

The current paper investigated the invariance of the behavior problem scales of two measures from the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment, the Adult Self Report (ASR) and the Adult Behavior Checklist (ABCL), across members of young adult romantic couples. Data were derived from three studies examining romantic relationships in young adulthood (total N = 672). Using a series of confirmatory factor analysis models, we tested levels of invariance of the behavior problem subscales of the ASR/ABCL across self- and partner-reports. All behavior problem subscales demonstrated invariant factor structures across self- and partner-reports. However, only the attention problems, aggressive behavior, and rule-breaking subscales achieved full metric invariance for both men and women. The intrusiveness (for men) and somatic complaints (for women) subscales also met full metric invariance. The remaining subscales only met partial metric invariance for both men (withdrawn, anxious/depressed, somatic complaints) and women (withdrawn, anxious/depressed, intrusiveness). All subscales only met partial scalar invariance. The current study extends the literature on cross-informant assessments by moving beyond studies of mean differences or correlations between informant reports. Moreover, our findings indicate that understanding agreement between informants should include multiple levels of measurement, such as factor structure, factor loadings, and item means. We recommend careful consideration of these issues when using the ASR/ABCL in a cross-informant framework. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Positive parental engagement: Investigating the role of the mother-father relationship.

Promoting positive parental engagement (e.g., reading to the child, practicing nursery rhymes with the child, playing with the child) is beneficial for children. Previous research has largely been limited to only maternal reports and relatively affluent families. The current study longitudinally investigated spillover between positive experiences in the mother-father relationship and positive parental engagement using an ethnically and economically diverse sample of parents. Using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 3,780 mother-father dyads)-and guided by family systems theory-we tested a series of path analysis models. Positive relationship experiences predicted positive parental engagement over time (from child's birth-5 years of age) for both mothers and fathers. Furthermore, strength of associations between positive relationship experiences and positive parental engagement largely did not differ based on family structure, poverty, or race. These findings highlight the importance of investigating the mother-father relationship using a family systems framework to better understand positive parental engagement. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Pet Dogs: Does their presence influence preadolescents' emotional responses to a social stressor?

Despite interest in human-animal interaction, few studies have tested whether the presence of a dog facilitates children's emotional responding. Preadolescents (n = 99) were randomly assigned to complete the Trier Social Stress Test either with or without their pet dog. Children rated their positive and negative affect, and high frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV) was assessed throughout the session. Children reported higher positive affect when they completed the task with their pet dog, although there were no differences for negative affect or HF-HRV. Children who had more physical contact with their dog at baseline reported higher positive affect. The findings suggest contact with pets is associated with enhanced positive affect.

Evaluations and Future Plans After Casual Sexual Experiences: Differences Across Partner Type.

Casual sexual relationships and experiences (CSREs) are common among emerging adults, and their diversity may contribute to variability in their associations with mental health and future romantic relationship development. The present research used multiple regression analyses to examine how CSRE type (casual dating, friends with benefits [FWB], or booty call/one-night stand) is associated with short-term outcomes of these experiences, including positive and negative evaluations, plans to start a romantic relationship with a CSRE partner, and general plans for future CSREs. College students and non-college-attending emerging adults (N = 192, 80% female, mean age = 22.09 years) reported on recent sexual encounters through daily diaries collected around an alcohol consumption holiday. Individuals with casual dating partners evaluated their experiences more positively and/or less negatively than individuals with booty calls/one-night stands; these associations were moderated by gender and sexual behavior type. Individuals with casual dating partners were more oriented toward pursuing a romantic relationship with their partners than individuals with FWB or booty calls/one-night stands. However, no association was found between CSRE type and plans for future CSREs in general. Results highlight the diversity of CSREs and suggest that casual dating may be more rewarding than FWB and booty calls/one-night stands, particularly for women.

Self-Control and Emotional and Verbal Aggression in Dating Relationships: A Dyadic Understanding.

Guided by the dynamic developmental systems perspective, this study extends past research by examining the association between self-control and emotional and verbal aggression (EVA) using a dyadic multi-method design. Guided by empirical research and the dynamic developmental systems perspective, we hypothesized that (a) there would be a negative association between one's own self-control and one's own perpetration of EVA and (b) there would also be a negative association between one's partner's self-control and one's own perpetration of EVA. One hundred twenty heterosexual dating couples (ages 18-25 years) provided data on self-control (Grasmick et al.'s Low Self-Control Scale; reverse scored for ease of interpretation), self-reported perpetration of EVA (Emotional and Verbal Abuse subscale of the Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationships Inventory), and observationally assessed perpetration of EVA. Data were analyzed using path analyses within the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) framework. Consistent with previous findings, we found that self-control was negatively associated with the perpetration of EVA. Furthermore, we found partner effects, such that female-but not male-self-control predicted partner-observed perpetration of EVA. These findings highlight the importance of examining risk factors for EVA of both partners. Our findings also suggest that the association between self-control and EVA is partially a function of whether EVA is assessed through self-report or observational methodology. This highlights the need to conduct multi-method assessments in future research. As discussed in the article, our findings have implications for theories on intimate partner violence, study designs, and couple interventions.

The occurrence of earlier changes in family dynamics and friendship conflict predicting adolescent functional somatic symptoms: A large-scale prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To better understand the role earlier stressful environments have in predicting functional somatic symptoms (FSS) in late adolescence, this study explores the effect the occurrence of earlier changes in family dynamics and friendship conflict have on FSS. METHOD: We used data from the Consortium for Longitudinal Studies on Child Abuse and Neglect (N = 1,314), a large, prospective study of children at risk for maltreatment and their parent/caregiver from approximately 4 to 18 years of age. RESULTS: We found a significant, small (Effect Size = .10), positive association between the frequency of family dynamic change during middle childhood (ages 6-12 years) and FSS at age 18 but not during middle adolescence (ages 14 and 16). Conflict with a same-sex best friend at age 16 moderated the association between the frequency of change and FSS. The frequency of family dynamic change in middle childhood and middle adolescence was associated with greater FSS among those who reported greater conflict but not for those who reported experiencing lower conflict. Overall, these effects were specific to friendship conflict and remained when other friendship processes (intimacy and companionship) were included, did not generalize to anxiety/depressive symptoms, and predicted FSS without comorbid anxiety/depressive symptoms. No gender differences were found. The change-conflict interaction differed according to type of family dynamic change (parental vs. residential). CONCLUSION: Findings emphasize how earlier exposure to frequent changes in family dynamics in middle childhood is particularly associated with late-adolescent health, especially in the context of greater friendship conflict. (PsycINFO Database Record

Preadolescents' Relationships with Pet Dogs: Relationship Continuity and Associations with Adjustment.

Research on human-animal interaction in children has been studied in isolation rather than integrated with core theories of children's relationships. This study is one of the first to examine how children's relationships with pet dogs are related to their human relationships (parent-child attachments, friendships) and to child adjustment, and to include observational assessment of children's interactions with their pet dog. Children (9 to 11 years old, n = 99) completed questionnaires regarding relationships with pet dogs, parents, and friends. Half the children were observed interacting with their pet dog. Children and teachers reported children's adjustment. Children who felt closer to their dogs were more securely attached to mothers and fathers, and reported more positive qualities and less conflict with friends. Children with more secure attachments to mothers, and greater companionship with dogs, interacted more with their dogs. Parental attachment and friendship quality, but not the pet dog relationship, were related to child adjustment.

The Association of Attachment Anxiety and Avoidance With Emotional Dating Abuse Perpetration Using Multimethod, Dyadic Data.

This study examined the relationship between emotional dating abuse perpetration and attachment anxiety and avoidance using multimethod, multi-informant dyadic data. Data were derived from a sample of young adult heterosexual dating couples (N = 113 couples). We measured attachment through self-report survey data and emotional dating abuse through self-report surveys, partner-report surveys, and ratings by independent observers of a videotaped couple interaction. Both female and male anxiety were related to female emotional abuse across each method. Male anxiety was related to male emotional abuse in survey data, but female anxiety was related to male emotional abuse in observed data. Neither male nor female avoidance was related to emotional abuse. Dating abuse prevention should focus on attachment anxiety factors (e.g., jealousy, anger) to reduce emotional abuse in young adult romantic relationships.

Premature termination from psychotherapy and internalizing psychopathology: the role of demoralization.

BACKGROUND: Some research suggests that higher levels of depression and anxiety-related symptoms at intake are associated with premature termination from psychotherapy, but findings are mixed. However, theoretical and measurement considerations - introduced by a common mood factor - might complicate literature synthesis. Tellegen (1985) demonstrated that demoralization causes multicollinearity between measures of depression and anxiety, and other lines of research have converged to indicate that this construct is an important non-specific factor to consider when assessing mood pathology. METHODS: We utilized a sample of 557 community mental health center outpatients (188 males, 265 females; 80% Caucasian) with an average age of 32.2 years (SD=10.2). We used self-report indicators to model latent low positive emotionality and negative emotionality constructs, which are temperament markers of core depressive and anxiety symptoms. We further specified a latent demoralization bifactor from these indicators. RESULTS: As hypothesized, the bifactor model yielded significantly better fit than competing one-factor and two-factor models. Furthermore, the bifactor was substantially correlated with a demoralization measure (r=.96). As expected, low positive emotionality and negative emotionality were significant predictors of therapist ratings of premature termination. Though demoralization was a non-significant predictor, the structural paths from the other two internalizing constructs markedly increased in the bifactor model relative to the two-factor model. LIMITATIONS: Replications with other, more diverse clinical populations using multi-method indicators of premature termination are needed. CONCLUSIONS: This research indicates that after accounting for demoralization patients presenting with core mood disorder symptoms are at substantially increased risk for premature termination.

The association between alcohol use and engagement in casual sexual relationships and experiences: a meta-analytic review of non-experimental studies.

The present study provides a meta-analytic review of the association between alcohol use and engagement in casual sexual relationships and experiences (CSREs). Specifically, the meta-analysis focused on non-experimental studies of community and college samples. Results from the meta-analysis, which included 29 relevant studies (34 effect sizes), indicated that alcohol use was significantly associated with engaging in CSREs, r = .34, 95 % CI [.29-.38], but that this link showed considerable variability. Subsequent analyses examined moderators that may explain this heterogeneity. Results revealed that age and method of assessment significantly moderated the effect of alcohol use on CSRE engagement such that the association was greater for emerging adults (18-24 year olds) than older adults and online assessments produced greater effect sizes than paper-and-pencil assessments. These results have implications for future research and intervention development. In particular, this meta-analysis emphasizes the need for studies that utilize consistent measurements of CSRE engagement, include diverse methodology, and expand upon sampling.

Interpersonal aggression victimization within casual sexual relationships and experiences.

The frequent occurrence of aggression within committed romantic relationships is well documented. However, little is known about experiences of interpersonal aggression within casual sexual relationships and experiences. This study aimed to describe the occurrence of emotional, physical, and sexual aggression victimization within committed romantic relationships, casual dating relationships, friends-with-benefit relationships, booty-calls, and one-night stands. College students (N = 172) provided data regarding the lifetime occurrence of emotional, physical, and sexual aggression across different forms of casual sexual relationships and experiences (friends-with-benefits, booty-call, casual dating, one-night stands, committed relationships). Emotional, physical, and sexual subtypes of aggression were reported across all casual sexual relationships and experiences. While a higher percentage of individuals who had been involved in committed relationships reported experiencing at least one form of aggression (approximately 69%), prevalence of at least one form of aggression ranged from approximately 31% to 36% for the various casual sexual relationships/experiences. Across relationships/experiences, emotional and sexual aggression were more common than physical aggression. The findings from this study indicate that emotional, physical, and sexual aggression occur across types of relationships and experiences. Thus, the current study underscores the importance of considering casual dating, friends-with-benefits, booty-calls, and one-night stands when assessing interpersonal aggression.

Randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction for prehypertension.

OBJECTIVE: Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is an increasingly popular practice demonstrated to alleviate stress and treat certain health conditions. MBSR may reduce elevated blood pressure (BP). Treatment guidelines recommend life-style modifications for BP in the prehypertensive range (systolic BP [SBP] 120-139 mm Hg or diastolic BP [DBP] 80-89 mm Hg), followed by antihypertensives if BP reaches hypertensive levels. MBSR has not been thoroughly evaluated as a treatment of prehypertension. A randomized clinical trial of MBSR for high BP was conducted to determine whether BP reductions associated with MBSR exceed those observed for an active control condition consisting of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) training. METHODS: Fifty-six men (43%) and women (57%) averaging (standard deviation) 50.3 (6.5) years of age (91% white) with unmedicated BP in the prehypertensive range were randomized to 8 weeks of MBSR or PMR delivered in a group format. Treatment sessions were administered by one treatment provider and lasted approximately 2.5 hours each week. Clinic BP was the primary outcome measure. Ambulatory BP was a secondary outcome measure. RESULTS: Analyses were based on intent to treat. Patients randomized to MBSR exhibited a 4.8-mm Hg reduction in clinic SBP, which was larger than the 0.7-mm Hg reduction observed for PMR (p = .016). Those randomized to MBSR exhibited a 1.9-mm Hg reduction in DBP compared with a 1.2-mm Hg increase for PMR (p = .008). MBSR did not result in larger decreases in ambulatory BP than in PMR. CONCLUSIONS: MBSR resulted in a reduction in clinic SBP and DBP compared with PMR. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00440596.

Psychosocial predictors and outcomes of loneliness trajectories from childhood to early adolescence.

Using latent class growth analysis, we were interested in investigating how experiences of loneliness emerge in distinct developmental patterns over the course of middle childhood and adolescence (NICHD Study of Early Child Care, N = 832). Second, we examined the role of demographic, mental health, and behavioral variables in association with these discrete patterns of loneliness. Loneliness was measured at 3 time points: age 9, age 11, and age 15. Results indicated five discrete trajectories of loneliness from middle childhood to adolescence. Most children exhibited a stable and low level of loneliness over time. The remaining children were split among moderate increasing, high increasing, decreasing, and chronic loneliness groups. Ethnicity, income, age 7 social skills, age 7 depression, and age 7 aggression were associated with trajectory membership. In addition, the loneliness trajectories predicted self-reports of social skills deficits, depression, aggression, and suicidal ideation at age 15.

Loneliness trajectories.

This special section brings together five studies using group-based modeling to capture developmental trajectories of loneliness from age 7 through age 20. Together, the findings from these studies provide further evidence that developmental trajectories of loneliness are likely not best understood at a continuum but reflect distinct subpopulations that differ both where they start out and how they change over time in terms of mean levels of loneliness. Furthermore, adolescents who show chronically high loneliness or increasing loneliness over time exhibit poorer psychological and physical health, including greater incidence of depressive symptoms and more frequent suicide attempts. The findings from these studies also suggest that individuals experiencing increases in loneliness with age fare worse as well in terms of both physical and psychological health.

Thinking meta-theoretically about the role of internalization in the development of body dissatisfaction and body change behaviors.

Internalization of societal standards of physical attractiveness (i.e., internalization of the thin ideal for women and internalization of the mesomorphic ideal for men) is a widely studied and robust risk factor for body dissatisfaction and maladaptive body change behaviors. Substantial empirical research supports internalization as both a mediator and a moderator of the relation between societal influences and body dissatisfaction. In this paper, a primer on mediation and moderation is followed by a review of literature and discussion of the extent to which internalization can theoretically fulfill the roles of both mediation and moderation. The literature review revealed a stark contrast in research design (experimental versus non-experimental design) when alternate conceptualizations of internalization are adopted. A meta-theoretical, moderated mediation model is presented. This model integrates previous research and can inform future empirical and clinical endeavors.

A new measure of interpersonal exploitativeness.

Measures of exploitativeness evidence problems with validity and reliability. The present set of studies assessed a new measure [the Interpersonal Exploitativeness Scale (IES)] that defines exploitativeness in terms of reciprocity. In Studies 1 and 2, 33 items were administered to participants. Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis demonstrated that a single factor consisting of six items adequately assess interpersonal exploitativeness. Study 3 results revealed that the IES was positively associated with "normal" narcissism, pathological narcissism, psychological entitlement, and negative reciprocity and negatively correlated with positive reciprocity. In Study 4, participants competed in a commons dilemma. Those who scored higher on the IES were more likely to harvest a greater share of resources over time, even while controlling for other relevant variables, such as entitlement. Together, these studies show the IES to be a valid and reliable measure of interpersonal exploitativeness. The authors discuss the implications of these studies.

Psychosocial characteristics associated with frequent physical fighting: findings from the 2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

The goal of the current study was to determine the prevalence and psychosocial correlates associated with frequent fighting among US high school students. Cross-sectional analyses were conducted using the 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (N=16 410). Multivariate logistic regression analyses determined associations between demographic and psychosocial correlates of frequent fighting. Among students, 13.6% reported fighting once, 15.3% reported fighting 2-11 times and 2.6% reported fighting 12 or more times in the past year. Risk factors associated with frequent fighting were weapon carrying (adjusted OR=10.55; 95% CI 7.40 to 15.05), suicide attempt (adjusted OR=6.16; 95% CI 3.70 to 10.28), binge drinking (adjusted OR=3.15; 95% CI 2.16 to 4.59) and feeling too unsafe to go to school (adjusted OR=3.09; 95% CI 2.00 to 4.77). There is a clear need to better understand the patterns and psychosocial characteristics of frequent physical fighting and the prevention and interventions strategies that may be most relevant for these vulnerable youth.

Cross-lagged effects between intimate partner violence victimization and suicidality from adolescence into adulthood.

PURPOSE: The current article extended previous research on the association between intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization and suicidality by longitudinally investigating their mutual impact from adolescence into early adulthood. METHODS: We analyzed data from a subsample (N= 4,675) of individuals with complete data on IPV victimization from Waves II (mean age = 16.41 years), III (mean age = 22.36 years), and IV (mean age = 28.85 years) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Suicidality was measured through questions assessing suicidal thoughts and suicidal attempts during the past 12 months. IPV victimization was measured through a construct assessing whether individuals had experienced threat of violence, being pushed/shoved, or had something thrown at them during the past 12 (Waves III and IV) or 18 (Wave II) months. RESULTS: Using a path analysis framework, we found that IPV victimization and suicidality were highly stable across time. Suicidality was associated with IPV victimization prospectively, but IPV victimization did not predict suicidality prospectively. This longitudinal effect was limited to adolescent suicidality predicting IPV in early adulthood, and this effect was not qualified by gender. CONCLUSIONS: Although the findings from this study confirm the importance of considering concurrent IPV victimization in evaluating risk for suicidality, they also highlight the importance of considering a history of adolescent suicidality as an important risk marker for IPV victimization.