Adult Adjustment Research Articles

Factors Associated With Psychological Adjustment in Adults With Cleft Lip and/or Palate: Findings From a National Survey in the United Kingdom.

Research has identified adults born with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) to be at risk of poorer psychological outcomes compared to the general population. This study investigated factors that may contribute to positive and negative adjustment in adults born with CL/P. A survey was designed and distributed by the Cleft Lip and Palate Association in collaboration with the Centre for Appearance Research CAR at the University of the West of England (UWE). There were 207 eligible responses (95% completed online) received between July and October 2018. Dependent variables included the Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults, Harter's Self Perception Profile for Adults (Global Self-Worth, Social Competence, and Intimacy subscales), the Fear of Negative Appearance Evaluation Scale, and the Revised Adult Attachment Scale. Independent variables were the Revised Life Orientation Test, biodemographic data, and self-reported single-item questions. Factors associated with positive adjustment included reports of a happy childhood, talking about CL/P with family, close friendships, comfort in public spaces, satisfaction with appearance, and a positive life orientation. Psychological distress was associated with a desire for further surgery to improve appearance and/or function. Several factors were identified that may influence psychological adjustment in adults with CL/P. Throughout childhood, family-centered practice to support family cohesion and an open dialogue about CL/P is indicated, as is support for young people to develop social confidence. For adults returning to the cleft service, treatment options for appearance and/or functional concerns should be explored, with access to psychological support when indicated. Interventions to increase optimism, resilience, and self-acceptance may also be warranted throughout the life span.

Influence of Birth Order on Personality and Adjustment in Young Adults

Birth order refers to the order in which a child is born in the family. This order differs within families and affects an individual’s life. The present study aims to assess the influence of birth order on personality and adjustment in young adults. Two psychological tools NEO-FFI and Adjustment Inventory for College Students (AICS) were used to measure the variables. 120-college going students (60 first born and 60 second born) in the age group of 18-25 years were selected from different colleges of Delhi-NCR. The results showed that first born and second born have no difference in terms of personality traits. The study also found that there is no difference in adjustment of first born and second born. Gender differences were found in first born male and female in personality and adjustment. Whereas in second born male and female only slight differences were seen.

Relations Between Bicultural Attitudes, Paternal Versus Maternal Acceptance, and Psychological Adjustment of Ethnic Minority Youth in Bangladesh

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of perceived paternal and maternal acceptance on the bicultural orientations and psychological adjustment of ethnic-minority young adults in Bangladesh. The study was based on a sample of 412 young adults (mean age 22 years), consisting of 40% women and 60% men from 18 tribal subgroups in Bangladesh. Measures used were Parental Acceptance–Rejection Questionnaire (PARQ), Bicultural Attitude Scale (BAS) and Personality Assessment Questionnaire (PAQ). Results showed that there are significant positive correlations between perceived parental (paternal and maternal) acceptance, heritage culture, and psychological adjustment of the respondents. Results further showed that perceived paternal acceptance has independent and stronger effect than perceived maternal acceptance on the bicultural orientations and psychological adjustment of the minority young adults in Bangladesh.

Effect of COVID-19 disruptions on young adults' affect and substance use in daily life.

Guided by accounts of adjustment in daily life as a key indicator of health, the current study examined prospective changes in young adults' emotions and substance behaviors assessed during a normative baseline period and during the acute COVID-19 disruption period in late March/early April 2020. The COVID-19 assessment also collected psychosocial risk factors expected to moderate changes in adjustment across time. Participants included 295 young adults (70.8% female; ages 18-21 at baseline), drawn from an ongoing study of daily behaviors and health in college life that oversampled for recent substance behaviors, who completed both the baseline and COVID-19 assessments. Hypotheses were tested using analyses of repeated-measures data that included covariates of length of time between assessments and sampling group status. Direct tests in support of hypotheses indicated an increase in negative affect (d = .67, p < .001), and greater alcohol use (d = .75, p < .001) and marijuana use (d = .58, p < .001), in daily life across time. Levels of positive affect (d = .08, p > .05), nicotine use (d = .01, p > .05), and prescription drug misuse (d = .003, p > .05) did not reliably change in tests of direct models. Moderation tests indicated several risk factors for experiencing steeper increases in negative affect, and increased likelihood of marijuana and nicotine use, in daily life across time. Findings offer implications for future research and clinical efforts to improve young adult adjustment in response to the pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Relations between Perceptions of Parental Acceptance-Rejection, Forgiveness, Vengeance, and Psychological Adjustment in Kuwaiti Youth and Adults

The current research is aimed at investigating the relations between forgiveness, vengeance, perceptions of parental acceptance-rejection, and psychological adjustment in 528 Kuwaiti males and females (mean age =30.92, and SD= 7.72 years) by using Arabic versions of the following four measures and questionnaires 1) The Heartland Scale, 2) The Vengeance Scale, 3)The Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire (PARQ), and 4) The Personality Assessment Questionnaire (PAQ). The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Results revealed that forgiveness correlated significantly negative with vengeance, and significantly positive with both the perceptions of parental acceptance and healthier psychological adjustment. Vengeance correlated significantly positive with perception of parental rejection and unhealthier psychological adjustment. No significant differences were found between males and females in perception of mother warmth. Males, compared with females, were significantly higher in perceiving maternal and paternal rejection. Females, compared with males, perceived their fathers as having more warmth, Older and married participants reported significantly higher levels of healthier adjustment and forgiveness, compared with younger and unmarried participants. Males and younger participants reported significantly higher levels of vengeance, compared with females and older participants. Significant influence of education or work on the perception of parental acceptance-rejection, psychological adjustment, forgiveness No and vengeance, was found. A Multiple Mediator Model "MMM" showed that forgiveness and vengeance fully mediated and moderated the relation between perceptions of parental acceptance-rejection and psychological adjustment. Moreover, the M. M. M. analysis showed that perceptions of parental acceptance-rejection and psychological adjustment were effective predictors of the relationship between forgiveness and vengeance. Limitations of the study were considered and the significance of the results is discussed. In consideration of results, some suggestions were made for the implementation and for further research.

Worldwide Implications of Multiple Acceptance and Rejection on the Psychological Adjustment and Maladjustment of Children and Adults: A Global Multi-Cultural Study

The objectives of this study were to explore the combine effects on children’s psychological adjustment and maladjustment of perceived acceptance or rejection by mothers, fathers, and teachers; and also to examine the combine effects on adults’ current psychological adjustment and maladjustment of perceived acceptance or rejection by mothers and fathers in childhood and by intimate partners in adulthood. The samples consisted of 586 children (47% boys and 53% girls) and 1,709 adults (35% males and 65% females). Among the children 573 were in the multiple acceptance group and 13 were in the multiple rejection group, and among the adults 1,645 were in the multiple acceptance group and 64 were in the multiple rejection group. The samples were selected from 11 countries in four continents. Results showed that significantly more girls than boys, and more women than men experienced multiple acceptance. Regardless of age, gender, and culture, the majority of sample in the multiple acceptance group reported healthy psychological adjustment, and the majority of respondents in the multiple rejection group reported moderate to severe psychological maladjustment. Results also showed a significant tendency for adults to experience more rejection by all attachment figures than did children regardless of culture and gender.

Vancomycin dosing and therapeutic drug monitoring practices: guidelines versus real-life.

Background Correct dosing and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) practices are essential when aiming for optimal vancomycin treatment. Objective To assess target attainment after initial dosing and dose adjustments, and to determine compliance to dosing and TDM guidelines. Setting Tertiary care university hospital in Belgium. Method A chart review was performed in 150 patients, ranging from preterm infants to adults, treated intravenously with vancomycin. Patient characteristics, dosing and TDM data were compared to evidence-based hospital guidelines. Main outcome measures Target attainment of vancomycin after initial dosing and dose adjustments. Results Subtherapeutic concentrations were measured in 68% of adults, in 76% of children and in 52% of neonates after treatment initiation. Multiple dose adaptations (median 2, Q1 1-Q3 2) were required for target attainment, whilst more than 20% of children and neonates never reached targeted concentrations. Regarding compliance to the hospital guideline, some points of improvement were identified: omitted dose adjustment in adults with decreased renal function (53%), delayed sampling (16% in adults, 31% in children) and redundant sampling (34% of all samples in adults, 12% in children, 13% in neonates). Conclusion Target attainment for vancomycin with current dosing regimens and TDM is poor in all age groups. Besides, human factors should not be ignored when aiming for optimal treatment. This study reflects an ongoing challenge in clinical practice and highlights the need for optimization of vancomycin dosing strategies and improvement of awareness of all health care professionals involved.

Enlarged Lateral Ventricles and Smaller Subcortical Volumes are Associated With Better Premorbid Adjustment in Young Adults With 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome With Prodromal Symptoms of Schizophrenia

The sizes of lateral ventricles and subcortical structures are abnormal in schizophrenia, and in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS), a developmental genetic syndrome associated with a 30% risk for developing schizophrenia. Here we investigated whether lateral ventricles and subcortical volumes are related in young adults with 22q11DS with and without prodromal symptoms (PS) of schizophrenia and whether abnormalities in volumes are associated with premorbid adjustment.

Identifying the Links Between Trauma and Social Adjustment: Implications for More Effective Psychotherapy With Traumatized Youth.

Background: Past research has highlighted the role of trauma in social adjustment problems, but little is known about the underlying process. This is a barrier to developing effective interventions for social adjustment of traumatized individuals. The present study addressed this research gap through a cognitive model.Methods: A total of 604 young adults (aged 18–24; living in Australia) from different backgrounds (refugee, non-refugee immigrant, and Australian) were assessed through self-report questionnaires. The data were analyzed through path analysis and multivariate analysis of variance. Two path analyses were conducted separately for migrant (including non-refugee and refugee immigrants) and Australian groups.Results: Analyses indicated that cognitive avoidance and social problem solving can significantly mediate the relation between trauma and social adjustment (p < 0.05). The model explaining this process statistically fit the data (e.g., NFI, TLI, CFI > 0.95). According to the model, reacting to trauma by cognitive avoidance (i.e., chronic thought suppression and over-general autobiographical memory) can disturb the cognitive capacities that are required for social problem solving. Consequently, a lack of effective social problem solving significantly hinders social adjustment. There were no significant differences among the Australian, non-refugee immigrant and refugee participants on the dependent variables. Moreover, the hypothesized links between the variables was confirmed similarly for both migrant (including refugee and non-refugee immigrants) and Australian groups.Conclusion: The findings have important implications for interventions targeting the social adjustment of young individuals. We assert that overlooking the processes identified in this study, can hinder the improvement of social adjustment in young adults with a history of trauma. Recommendations for future research and practice are discussed.

Early childhood educators' beliefs about child behavior and adult outcomes related to gender and play

AbstractThis study explored the beliefs of early childhood educators about a child's current behavior and potential adult adjustment based on a description of the child's gender and play interests. There were 451 early childhood educators from a US sample who, after reading a brief vignette describing a child's play and behavior, responded to questions related to the child's current and future behavior. Respondents also provided demographic information as well as ratings of their gender role beliefs. Results indicated that (a) educators believe strongly masculine or feminine play in early childhood predicts similar displays of masculinity or femininity in adulthood, (b) educator ratings of externalizing problem behaviors were significantly higher in the masculine play vignettes, irrespective of the child's gender, (c) ratings of internalizing problem behaviors were higher in the feminine play vignettes, also independent of child's gender, and (d) there were few differences in ratings between gender role conforming and gender role nonconforming children. However, the gender role nonconforming boy was rated as more likely to contemplate suicide as an adult compared to the gender role nonconforming girl and the gender role conforming boy and girl. Educators' beliefs about gender‐related constructs and recommendations for future practice and research were discussed.

The role of perceived negative childhood experiences in the context of recent stress: Testing competing theoretical models

The present study evaluated the assumptions of stress sensitization and stress immunization hypotheses about the role of perceived negative childhood experiences on adult adjustment. The study used a longitudinal design with three waves spaced six months apart. The final sample consisted of 293 undergraduate students aged 19 to 30 years. We examined the linear and nonlinear main and moderating effects of perceived negative childhood experiences in the relationship between recent stressful events and both ability to bounce back and subjective well-being. The results yielded nonlinear moderating effects of negative childhood experiences on life satisfaction and the ability to bounce back, whereas a main effect was found for negative affect. A significant drop in the ability to bounce back in the context of high recent life stress was found only among individuals with a very high level of negative childhood experiences. We also found that an increase in the number of negative life events leads to a decrease in life satisfaction among individuals with both low- and high-intensity levels of negative childhood experiences. The present study offers the possibility of integrating different models of additive and interactive effects of perceived negative childhood experiences in the relationship between recent stressors and psychological adjustment.

Response Behavior, Emotional and Psychosocial Adjustment of Adults to Covid-19 Pandemic Health Protocols in Western Region of Kenya

Purpose: Covid-19 has caused more than 700 deaths with more than 40 thousand infections in Kenya, by end mid October 2020. Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic contributes to unprecedented spread response behavior and emotional distress among people. The introduction of new health protocols has been a key factor in shaping new norm and psychological behavior, emotional response and adjustment. However, new behavior norms meant to curb spread of COVID-19 has not been without uncertainty. Therefore, the study seeks to establish Adults’ response behavior, emotional and psychological adjustment to COVID19 pandemic global health protocols as emphasized by health subsector in Kenya.Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, 251 adults living in Western region of Kenya completed a survey questionnaire to evaluate the response behavior, emotional response and psychosocial adjustment of adults to covid-19 pandemic health protocols in Western region of Kenya. The survey Questionnaires were districted to target adult participants using WhatsApp and e-mail address during the pandemic. Descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, and one-way ANOVA were employed to analyze data.Findings: Three tests were conducted and overall, the findings revealed insignificant difference between categorical variables (gender, level of education and occupation category and dependent variables (response behavior, emotional response and psychosocial adjustment of adults to COVID-19 health protocols. The results revealed statistically insignificant differences between; gender and response behavior (t (249) =.583, p ˃0.05), occupation categories and psychosocial adjustment to COVID-19 pandemic (F (3,247) = .516, p ˃0.05), and level of education and emotional responses to COVID-19 health protocols (F (3, 247) = 1.974, p ˃0.05).Unique Contribution to theory, practice and policy: These findings suggest that response behavior response, emotional response and psychosocial adjustment to COVID-19 health protocols do not differ with categorical variables of the adults. The focus therefore should be to work on response behavior, emotional response and psychosocial adjustment indiscriminately in order to help people adapt to the new behavior and norm to curb spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

Dual Cognitive Tasks Provoke Temporo-Spatial Gait and Anticipatory Postural Adjustments in Healthy Young Adults

Usually, dual cognitive tasks require additional attention to maintain postural control during standing and walking. In certain pathologies or injuries, dual cognitive tasks, such as walking and speaking, can challenge the balance system, making certain gait deficiencies more apparent. The issue is identifying normal gait changes compared to gait impairments to understand better the impact cognitive tasks have on gait mechanics. Purpose: To identify changes in temporospatial gait parameters in healthy young adults while walking and performing a cognitive task. Methods: Thirty-four healthy young adults participated in this study. We collected gait parameters with six gyroscopes and accelerometers (distributed on all limbs and trunk) during the 7-meter walk test. Two trials were performed with just walking at a self-selected pace (single task). Then, the participant was asked to perform a cognitive task by counting backward by three from 100 while walking for 7m for two more trials (dual cognitive task). Results: Dual cognitive tasks provoked significant adaptations (p&lt;.05) in gait parameters, such as increased double limb support time and stance phase with a reduction in single limb support time and swing phase. Increase the length of the walking cycle by decreasing the cadence and speed of walking speed. In addition, an increase in mediolateral postural sway, first-step initiation time, and trunk range of motion was observed. Conclusion: Dual cognitive tasks can cause normal alterations in the gait's dynamic component and variations in walking initiation. We recommend studying neuromuscular modification, such as changes in muscle activation, during dual cognitive tasks.

The Effectiveness of Emotional Intelligence as a Mediator between Perceptions of Parental Acceptance/Rejection and Psychological Adjustment in Kuwaiti Adolescents, Youth, and Young Adults

The Effectiveness of Emotional Intelligence as a Mediator between Perceptions of Parental Acceptance/Rejection and Psychological Adjustment in Kuwaiti Adolescents, Youth, and Young Adults

Institutional Environment of Old Age Homes and Its Relation to Adjustment of Older Adults: Evidence from Pakistan

The study investigated the role of institutional environment in adjustment of older adults living in old age homes of Punjab, Pakistan. The study was conducted on a sample of 270 residents, living in 18 old age facilities across Punjab. The data was collected through a structured interview questionnaire and was analyzed through SPSS (v. 22). The multiple regression analyses suggested that institutional environment along with number of children and number of visitors was a significant predictor of adjustment of older adults. Interventions such as higher support from staff and residents, autonomy, and engagement can help older adults to adjust better in old age homes.

Interventions for Improving Psychosocial Adjustment in Nursing Home Residents: A Network Meta-Analysis

This study aimed to identify the evidence of interventions for improving psychosocial adjustment in older adults relocating to nursing homes. We followed PRISMA-NMA guidelines to conduct a network meta-analysis. 12 electric databases were used to search for eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and clinical trials (CCTs) from inception to August 27th, 2019. Two reviewers independently conducted article screening, data extraction, and risk of bias appraisal with the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for RCT and Risk Of Bias for CCT. The network plots were plotted to provide a visual representation of the evidence base. Bayesian fixed-effects pairwise and network meta-analysis were exhibited in the forest plot. A Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed on 30 eligible RCTs with 2119 participants, and 12 eligible CCTs with 491 participants. The quality of the most included studies was rated as moderate in RCTs and low in CCTs. Treatment effects showed that compared to conventional treatment, group reminiscence and group counseling resulted in significant improvements in loneliness (MD: 11, 95%, CI: 2.7–17, SUCRA: 99.5%; MD: 7.7, 95%, CI: 0.53–15, SUCRA: 53.9%, respectively). Similar results were obtained for art therapy (MD: 5.5, 95%CI: 0.8–10, SUCRA: 97.3%) in self-esteem. The model fit was good, and the inconsistency was low. Group reminiscence, group counseling, and art therapy are recommended for reducing loneliness and enhance self-esteem in nursing practice.

Childhood Trauma and Adult Psychological Adjustment: Resilience in Older Adult Survivors of Institutional Abuse

Several international cohorts of older adults share past experiences of welfare-related adversity. In Ireland, reports of childhood maltreatment, neglect, and abuse within institutional welfare settings included a harsh regime, childhood labour, and physical and sexual assault. Preliminary research with these Irish survivors revealed a high prevalence of psychological disorders in adulthood. A pathological perspective of aging is often applied to such older adults, due to the long-term health consequences associated with childhood trauma. However, little is known about later life resilience or resilience mechanisms in this population. Therefore, using conceptual models of resilience, this qualitative study aimed to investigate factors associated with resilience in older adult survivors of childhood institutional abuse. Participants were 17 Irish older adults, 50-77 years of age, with experiences of childhood abuse in institutional care settings. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, lasting 60-120 minutes. Transcribed interviews were analysed using the Framework Analysis method. Nine themes were derived from the data, including core, internal, and external resilience factors: Individual characteristics, personality characteristics, support systems, goal attainment, adaptive belief systems, processing, influential events and experiences, recognition and collective identity, and access to services. Results suggest that resilience can be understood not only as an inherent trait, but also as a learnable set of behaviours, thoughts, and attitudes, which can be supported by external resources in an older adults’ environment. The identification of personal and contextual factors underpinning resilience in older adults with trauma experiences may help foster a more positive, strengths-based approach to aging in psychological research and practice.

Adherence to growth hormone therapy guidelines in a real-world French cohort of adult patients with growth hormone deficiency

ObjectiveUsing real-world data from patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD), we evaluated whether clinical practice in France adheres to international guidelines regarding somatropin dose adjustment, and assessed the long-term effectiveness and safety of somatropin. MethodsData were obtained from a national prospective systematic longitudinal routine follow-up programme of naive/non-naive adults with childhood-onset (CO) or adult-onset (AO) GHD treated with Norditropin® (Novo Nordisk A/S). ResultsBetween 2003 and 2006, 331 treatment-naive and non-naive adults with severe GHD were enrolled and followed for a median duration of approximately 5 years; 328 patients were available for analysis. At baseline, mean patient age was 39.2 years; median standard deviation score (SDS) for insulin-like growth factor−1 (IGF-1) level was −2.2 in naive patients, subsequently fluctuating between −0.1 and +0.3 SDS during the study period. Mean GH doses ranged between 0.25 and 0.51mg/day (naive patients) and 0.39 and 0.46mg/day (non-naive patients). Despite generally receiving a higher somatropin dose, women (naive/non-naive) tended to have lower IGF-1 levels than men. Median somatropin dose was consistently higher in patients with CO-GHD than patients with AO-GHD. Extreme IGF-1 values (<–2 or >+2 SDS) were not systematically accompanied by somatropin dose adjustments. Waist circumference improved in approximately one third of patients, at a mean 3.5 years. Somatropin was well tolerated; there were no cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events during the 5-year analysis period. ConclusionCurrent clinical practice of physicians in France follows international guidelines regarding somatropin dose adjustment in adults with GHD. However, dose adjustments are not always sufficient, notably in women, and treatment effects may have been delayed due to low somatropin dose (Clinical trial registration NCT01580605).

Rural place attachment and urban community integration of Chinese older adults in rural-to-urban relocation

AbstractWith China's rapid urbanisation, many residents, especially older adults, are suffering from psychological problems induced by rural-to-urban relocation. This study examines the association between older adults’ rural place attachment and their depression after relocation, as well as the protective roles of neighbourhood social cohesion and sense of community in the relocation place. Chinese older adults (N = 224) who relocated from rural villages to urban communities completed a survey for this study. The results showed that older adults with stronger rural place attachment experienced more depressive symptoms and a lesser sense of community in the relocation place. In addition, the association between rural place attachment and depression was weakened by neighbourhood social cohesion. That is, compared with older adults perceiving low neighbourhood social cohesion, the positive association between rural place attachment and depression was weaker for older adults perceiving high neighbourhood social cohesion. Furthermore, neighbourhood social cohesion's protective role depended on sense of community. In particular, neighbourhood social cohesion buffered the association between rural place attachment and depression for older adults with a strong sense of community but not for older adults with a weak sense of community. These results have implications for developing resources within neighbourhoods and communities to promote relocation adjustment for older adults.

Parenting Warmth and Strictness across Three Generations: Parenting Styles and Psychosocial Adjustment.

Recent emergent research is seriously questioning whether parental strictness contributes to children’s psychosocial adjustment in all cultural contexts. We examined cross-generational differences in parental practices characterized by warmth and practices characterized by strictness, as well as the relationship between parenting styles (authoritative, indulgent, authoritarian, and neglectful) and psychosocial adjustment in adulthood. Parenting practices characterized by warmth (affection, reasoning, indifference, and detachment) and strictness (revoking privileges, verbal scolding, and physical punishment) were examined. Psychosocial adjustment was captured with multidimensional self-concept and well-being (life satisfaction and happiness). Participants were 871 individuals who were members of three generations of Spanish families: College students (G3), their parents (G2), and their grandparents (G1). Results showed two different cross-generational patterns in parenting practices, with an increased tendency toward parental warmth (parents use more affection and reasoning but less indifference across generations) and a decreased tendency toward parental strictness (parents use revoking privileges, verbal scolding, and physical punishment less across generations). Interestingly, despite cross-generational differences in parenting practices, a common pattern between parenting styles and psychosocial adjustment was found: indulgent parenting was related to equal or even better self-concept and well-being than authoritative parenting, whereas parenting characterized by non-warmth (authoritarian and neglectful) was related to poor scores.