American Psychological Association Research Articles

Embracing the interdisciplinary nature of psychology: Challenging the increasing dismissiveness of high school psychology as a social studies course

ABSTRACT Despite psychology’s position within the National Council for the Social Studies' definition of social studies, the American Psychological Association is advocating the rebranding of psychology as a science course. This study interviews six high school psychology teachers and employs a Foucauldian framework to understand different perspectives on this rebranding, what makes teachers position their psychology course as science or social studies, and how that rebranding has impacted teachers’ perceived ability to make psychology content relevant to students’ lived experiences. We find significant disagreement among psychology teachers about the degree to which they should embrace the “psychology-as-science” paradigm. We also find that most professional development for high school psychology teachers is rooted in the science paradigm and that many teachers feel limited by their ability to connect psychology content to students’ lived experiences under the science paradigm. We conclude with recommendations for teachers, curriculum leaders, researchers, and teacher preparation programs for upholding psychology as an interdisciplinary social studies course.

Communication within families of individuals with disabilities: a comprehensive literature review

Family communication is a construct that has been extensively explored in the literature from a systemic perspective. This Integrative Review aims to characterize and identify the instruments used in the context of communication within families of individuals with disabilities. The research was conducted by searching the following databases: CAPES Journal Portal, Medline/Pubmed, Virtual Health Library, Scielo-Scientific Electronic Library Online, Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences, Educational Research Information Center, and the American Psychological Association. The search process and refinements led to the construction of a database comprising 20 studies. The analysis revealed that 60% (n=12) of the studies were published from 2016 to 2018. In 85% (n=17) of the studies, the participants were caregivers of individuals with disabilities. 30% (n=6) of the research was conducted in North America, and 90% (n=18) of the studies were quantitative. The most commonly used instruments included the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evolution Scale; Family Assessment Device Agreement scale about cohesion, communication and Family relationships and the Family Problem Solving Communication.

The role of available resources to identify and treat low-income women with postpartum depression during Covid-19✰

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a frequent complication that occurs during the postpartum period. New mothers are at risk of developing psychiatric disorders including depression. Depression leads to impairments in social functioning, quality of life, and increased risk of health problems. In the United States, PPD is experienced by up to one in seven women (American Psychological Association, 2008) with a range of 8 % to 20 % (Webber & Benedict, 2019). Global responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020 made prevalent existing sexual, reproductive health, and justice inequities among women, girls, and vulnerable populations. Efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic have affected the sexual and reproductive health of women with increased cases of domestic violence, deaths among women, and depression. This study aimed to uncover the role of available resources in identifying and treating low-income women with PPD. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to interview low-income women of childbearing age (18–51), pregnant, or with children aged 2 or younger to learn from their experiences accessing resources to report symptoms and get treated for PPD during the COVID-19 pandemic. All 8 participants were Latinas between the age of 18–51; with low income defined by their family annual household income and by being a beneficiary of a financial assistance program like WIC and Medicaid; had a baby since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020; had been diagnosed with PPD or with at least five clinical symptoms of PPD (inability to sleep or sleeping much, mood swings, change in appetite, fear of harming herself or the baby, extreme concern and worry about the baby, sadness or excessive crying, feelings of doubt, guilt and helplessness, difficulty concentrating and remembering, loss of interest in hobbies, and thoughts of death) lasting more than 4 weeks. Participants with English or Spanish as their primary language were interviewed. Five themes emerged from the interviews including 1. Fear, anxiety, and loss of interest; 2. Social support; 3. Barriers to screening; 4. Lack of resources for PPD; and 5. The COVID-19 pandemic. Their experiences reflect the lack of communication between patients and health care providers as well as the absence of resources offered to low-income women. There are limitations to this study, including being limited to the experiences of low-income women living in Dallas, Texas. This study is also limited to the perceptions of low-income women who self-identified to be between the ages of 25 to 44 years and Latinas who completed a demographic survey and a one-on-one interview to share their experiences with PPD symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was also narrowed by 10 semi-structured questions that the eight study participants were asked.

Mentorship in rehabilitation psychology: Attitudes and perspectives.

To characterize how mentorship has been perceived, received, and practiced by individuals in the field of rehabilitation psychology across the career lifespan. Current members of the American Psychological Association Division 22 (Rehabilitation Psychology) were invited to complete an electronic survey via REDCap assessing individual experiences and perspectives on mentorship. Thematic analysis was used to identify key constructs and themes. 39 participants (n = 25 mentors) completed the survey with valid responses. Participants spanned the career lifespan, ranging from predoctoral trainees to late-senior psychologists. Mentorship was generally perceived as helpful for both mentors and mentees. Several important qualities of mentors (e.g., availability, communication skills, self-disclosure, and emotional support) and mentees (e.g., flexibility, motivation, and openness to feedback) were identified. Among both groups, mentorship was viewed as especially beneficial for obtaining American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) board certification, which may reflect an aspect of mentoring unique to Division 22. Existing gaps in mentorship and key areas for improvement were also identified; access to mid- to late-career mentorship emerged as a notable gap in mentorship. Increased program structure, networking opportunities, and research mentorship were also identified as possible areas of growth. This study provides meaningful insights into mentorship within the field of rehabilitation psychology. Our findings demonstrate the value of mentorship across the career lifespan, and the beneficial role of mentorship in obtaining ABPP board certification. In addition, we identify key areas of growth that can inform and improve mentorship within the field. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

APA names Guillermo Corea first chief business innovation and growth officer

The American Psychological Association (APA) has named Guillermo Corea as its first chief business innovation and growth officer, responsible for developing and leading new revenue generation strategies for the association and its affiliated APA Services Inc. Corea has more than 25 years of experience in business development, marketing, partnerships and strategic management. “APA welcomes Guillermo to this critical new position, which will involve identifying and diversifying revenue for the association, alliance building and business development,” APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., Ph.D., said in announcing the appointment. “He brings a stellar record that includes launching new operations and expanding revenue streams in his prior positions.” Corea most recently served nine years with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), first as director of digital media and business devel‐opment and later as managing di‐rector, workplace innovation lab and venture capital. While there he launched an impact investment vehicle, new business lines and products, and he expanded SHRM's e‐commerce revenue.

APA, Cambridge University Press expand partnership to include PsycLearn courseware

The American Psychological Association has partnered with Cambridge University Press to market and sell PsycLearn, APA's all‐digital instructional resource for the undergraduate psychology curriculum, an APA news release announced Jan. 30. PsycLearn employs evidence‐based‐learning science principles to make challenging concepts more engaging and approachable, helping students deepen their understanding of course material and build learning skills. APA will continue to work closely with psychology professors and professionals with extensive teaching experience to develop PsycLearn content. Available PsycLearn courses include Research Methods, Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences, Introduction to Social Psychology and A Combined Approach to Research Methods & Statistics. To learn more about PsycLearn, visit https://www.cambridge.org/highereducation/apa‐psyclearn.

William R. Safarjan (1943-2023).

This article memorializes William R. Safarjan (1943-2023). Dr. Safarjan spent much of his career working as a clinical psychologist for the California Department of State Hospitals at Atascadero State Hospital, 1984-2009. During his professional career, Dr. Safarjan served in many roles with the California Psychological Association, including president in 1998, liaison to the California Psychological Association, and membership chair and chair of the research political action committee. He served as vice chair of the American Psychological Association (APA) membership committee, chair of the APA committee of state leaders, council of representatives from California. In addition to his work in psychology, Dr. Safarjan served in several professional organizations including Rotary International where he was recognized as an outstanding club president (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Exploring Care and Recovery for Individuals With Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: A Scoping Review.

Most people experience trauma at some point in their lives. The sources of trauma can include accidents, natural disasters, physical or sexual assault, combat, torture, or the death of a loved one. Experiencing or witnessing any of these, or other terrifying events, may make one susceptible to developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a trauma- and stressor-related mental health condition. The common symptoms and consequences of PTSD include intrusive and distressing thoughts, memories, or flashbacks related to the traumatic event; avoidance of situations, people, or activities that remind one of the traumatic event; irritability, sleep difficulties, or hypervigilance; feelings of guilt, shame, or fear; substance use; strains on relationships; and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. These consequences can have devastating effects on the individual and their family members, friends, co-workers, peers, and communities. Effectively treating PTSD, therefore, is critical not only for the individual but also for the well-being of families, communities, and society at large. However, while treatments for PTSD exist, effectively treating patients with PTSD remains elusive. Further, despite the recognition that people's experiences are essential in understanding PTSD and provide valuable insights into what interventions are effective and how they impact recovery, patient perspectives and experiences of care and recovery have not been well-explored. We conducted a scoping review to address the following question: what is known about the experiences and perspectives of care and recovery for individuals with PTSD? We searched the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Embase, American Psychological Association's (APA) PsycInfo, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PTSDPubs, and Google Scholarfor peer-reviewed and grey literature that used qualitative methods to report on the recovery or care experiences of adults with lived experiences of PTSD. We extracted information about study objectives, study characteristics, and key findings; reported summary statistics; and performed content and thematic analyses. We identified 14 relevant studies that provide insight into the participants' lived experiences and perspectives of PTSD care and recovery. Though limited, the body of literature sheds light on critical themes and processes in the journey of care of PTSD, which we organized into four overarching categories: pre-treatment understanding and experiences of PTSD, the experience of care or treatment, the importance of relationships and social support, and expanding the understandings of recovery. Living with and healing from PTSD are a unique and individualized human experience of developing and redeveloping relationships with oneself, with others, and with society. The recommendations for practice include educating and establishing well-informed support networks for individuals with PTSD, training healthcare practitioners in all aspects of formal and informal PTSD treatment and care needs, ensuring a continuum of care, and understanding the human experience of PTSD.

Moving forward while looking back: Reflections on the history and future of the journal Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology.

In this editorial, the incoming editor for Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology (ECP) reflects on the history and future of the journal. The author looks forward to working together with the American Psychological Association publishing community and ECP authors, reviewers, and board members as they navigate changes to their publishing policies and procedures. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Patient experiences during the planned perioperative care pathway: An integrative review.

This integrative review aimed to synthesize evidence about the patients' experiences during the planned perioperative care pathway. Integrative review. Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Medline Ovid, Scopus, and American Psychological Association (APA) PsychINFO. Original, peer-reviewed studies published in English between 2012 and 2023 exploring patient experiences during the planned perioperative care pathway were reviewed. This review was guided by the Whittemore and Knafl method and followed PRISMA guidelines to search the literature. Twenty-two articles were selected for the final study. Three themes emerged: Sharing of information is empowering; interpersonal relationships are valued by patients, and hospital systems and care co-ordination influence the patient experience. The quality and consistency of the information patients receive can both support and undermine patient confidence in health professionals. The quality of relationships that participants experience and effective communication with health professionals can support or compromise the quality of the patients' perioperative experience. The nature of the hospital systems and care co-ordination in hospital has implications for the quality of recovery from surgery. This review evaluates whether national and international health services and organizations, adhering to the WHO guidelines, have developed and implemented intentionally focused perioperative care with the aims to achieving effective and sustainable surgical outcomes through increased patient satisfaction. This article is an integrative review and does not include patient or public contribution.

Genotype-Environment Interaction in ADHD: Genetic Predisposition Determines the Extent to Which Environmental Influences Explain Variability in the Symptom Dimensions Hyperactivity and Inattention

Although earlier research has shown that individual differences on the spectrum of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are highly heritable, emerging evidence suggests that symptoms are associated with complex interactions between genes and environmental influences. This study investigated whether a genetic predisposition [Note that the term ‘genetic predisposition’ was used in this manuscript to refer to an estimate based on twin modeling (an individual’s score on the latent trait that resembles additive genetic influences) in the particular population being examined.] for the symptom dimensions hyperactivity and inattention determines the extent to which unique-environmental influences explain variability in these symptoms. To this purpose, we analysed a sample drawn from the Twins Early Development Study (TEDS) that consisted of item-level scores of 2168 16-year-old twin pairs who completed both the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ; Goodman, in J Child Psychol Psychiatry 38:581–586, 1997) and the Strength and Weaknesses of ADHD Symptoms and Normal Behavior (SWAN; Swanson, in Paper presented at the meeting of the American Psychological Association, Los Angeles, 1981) questionnaire. To maximize the psychometric information to measure ADHD symptoms, psychometric analyses were performed to investigate whether the items from the two questionnaires could be combined to form two longer subscales. In the estimation of genotype-environment interaction, we corrected for error variance heterogeneity in the measurement of ADHD symptoms through the application of item response theory (IRT) measurement models. A positive interaction was found for both hyperactivity (e.g., β1\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${\\beta }_{1}$$\\end{document} = 2.20 with 95% highest posterior density interval equal to [1.79;2.65] and effect size equal to 3.00) and inattention (e.g., β1\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${\\beta }_{1}$$\\end{document} = 2.16 with 95% highest posterior density interval equal to [1.56;2.79] and effect size equal to 3.07). These results indicate that unique-environmental influences were more important in creating individual differences in both hyperactivity and inattention for twins with a genetic predisposition for these symptoms than for twins without such a predisposition.

Passive social network usage and life satisfaction among Vietnamese university students: a moderated mediation model of self-esteem and gender

Purpose This study aims to investigate the role of self-esteem in mediating the relationship between passive social networking usage (PSNU) and life satisfaction, as well as whether the relationships between PSNU and self-esteem/life satisfaction as well as self-esteem and life satisfaction vary by gender. Design/methodology/approach This research is conducted in compliance with the ethical standards of the American Psychological Association’s study on a subject of 304 students. Study participants are invited to participate in the survey by completing the anonymous questionnaire regarding passive social network usage, self-esteem and life satisfaction. Findings The findings indicate that self-esteem mediated the relationship between PSNU and life satisfaction. Furthermore, gender moderated the self-esteem and life satisfaction relationship, and such an effect was stronger for females than males. Research limitations/implications This study, adopting a cross-sectional design and self-report scale, examined the relationship between PSNU and life satisfaction. However, the short study duration hindered establishing a cause-and-effect relationship. Credibility concerns arose from participant-induced noise variables in the self-report scale. Future research should use diverse methods to validate underlying mechanisms. Despite limitations, the study revealed self-esteem as a mediating factor, alleviating the negative impact of PSNU on life satisfaction. Both male and female users are encouraged to engage in self-education, valuing their self-esteem for heightened life satisfaction. Originality/value These findings contribute to the understanding of how passive social network usage predicts life satisfaction (mediating effect of self-esteem) based on social comparison theory and when self-esteem increases life satisfaction (moderating effect of gender) based on social role theory of gender differences.

Terapi Relaksasi Nafas Dalam Pada ODGJ Yang Mengalami Perilaku Kekerasan Di Kota Bengkulu

Mental disorders are health conditions in which the individual experiences changes in thought patterns, emotions, or behavior or a combination of these three changes (American Psychological Association. 2015). Keliat (2012), states that violent behavior is a person who is ambiguous, always anxious, has a negative assessment of himself and others, is unable to solve problems well, so that violent behavior is one of the methods used by patients to solve problems. Violent behavior is a situation where a person carries out actions that can cause physical harm, both to himself and others, characterized by uncontrolled rage and restless noise (Dermawan, 2018). The method used by the author in this case study is the interview technique. The sample taken in this case study was one person with a mental disorder at risk of violent behavior in the Bengkulu City area. The results of research that has been carried out show that teaching deep breathing relaxation techniques can reduce violent behavior towards ODGJ patients.

An Intelligence Emotions, Behavior and Cognition

The American Psychological Association defines "any transient emotional state, typically characterized by moderate intensity." Moods are differentiated from emotions by their non-provocative nature and their potential to emerge spontaneously. Anger can be triggered by various factors, such as insults or even arise without any discernible cause. The complete definition of emotions remains elusive. The investigation of our emotional constitution remains a subject of considerable scholarly interest, as numerous academics propose divergent theories to account for this phenomenon. However, there exists a significant amount of data to analyze when examining the topic. There has been a growing interest within the field of neuroscience regarding the neurological foundations of human emotion, which has been largely driven by advancements in functional neuroimaging techniques. The investigation into the interplay between emotions and other cognitive processes in the brain, such as attention, memory, and reasoning, is gaining increasing significance. The primary focus of this article pertains to the psychological consequences and strategies employed for regulating cognitive processes associated with emotions.

Statement by Division 16 of the American Psychological Association: Safety of Schools (SOS) Task Force.

This is an official statement of School Psychology, Division 16 of the American Psychological Association, and does not represent the position of the American Psychological Association or any of its other divisions or subunits. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Navigating ethical challenges in psychological research involving digital remote technologies and people who use alcohol or drugs.

Digital and remote technologies (DRT) are increasingly being used in scientific investigations to objectively measure human behavior during day-to-day activities. Using these devices, psychologists and other behavioral scientists can investigate health risk behaviors, such as drug and alcohol use, by closely examining the causes and consequences of monitored behaviors as they occur naturalistically. There are, however, complex ethical issues that emerge when using DRT methodologies in research with people who use substances. These issues must be identified and addressed so DRT devices can be incorporated into psychological research with this population in a manner that comports the ethical standards of the American Psychological Association. In this article, we discuss the ethical ramifications of using DRT in behavioral studies with people who use substances. Drawing on allied fields with similar ethical issues, we make recommendations to researchers who wish to incorporate DRT into their own research. Major topics include (a) threats to and methods for protecting participant and nonparticipant privacy, (b) shortcomings of traditional informed consent in DRT research, (c) researcher liabilities introduced by real-time continuous data collection, (d) threats to distributive justice arising from computational tools often used to manage and analyze DRT data, and (e) ethical implications of the "digital divide." We conclude with a more optimistic discussion of how DRT may provide safer alternatives to gold standard paradigms in substance use research, allowing researchers to test hypotheses that were previously prohibited on ethical grounds. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Using Participatory Research Methods to Foster an Anti-Racist Graduate Learning Environment

Only within the last few years has the American Psychological Association (APA) acknowledged the impact that the racist history of psychology training, research, and practice has had on people of color (APA, October 2021). As the primary governing organization of psychology, the field looks to the APA to model the possibility of an anti-racist approach to psychology. Training competencies, such as “professionalism,” have persisted as a core foundational skill, yet there is no consensus regarding the definition or essential elements of the competency (Elman et al., 2005; Grus et al., 2018). The lack of clarity in definition and essential elements has left supervising health service psychologists to form more subjective assessments that may be rooted within the field’s racist history. It is therefore unsurprising that professionalism is a concept that has long been weaponized against Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color (BIPOC) in medical and educational settings (Marom, 2019). To address this problem in a School Psychology doctoral program, participatory action research (PAR) methods were utilized to take action towards the creation of an equitable, inclusive, experiential definition of professionalism to reduce opportunities for racist and other discriminatory evaluation. Students and faculty were involved in every phase of the project, from the inception through multiple rounds of analysis and member checking. The result was a programmatic Essence Statement of professionalism, core beliefs about professionalism, and a table of professionalism competencies with definitions and behavioral exemplars, all of which are now codified in the School Psychology Program Handbook and available to all current and prospective students and faculty. The outlined methods can be implemented by professionals across disciplines and systems to actively reduce inequalities in settings where individuals with diverse and intersection identities evaluated by these systems have traditionally been excluded from the processes that impact them.

The Therapy Progress Scale: Evaluating Psychometric Properties in an Outpatient Sample of Clients in Private Practice

Measurement-based care, an evidence-based practice endorsed by the American Psychological Association, is underpinned by routine assessment supporting a data-driven approach to clinical decision making. Nonetheless, there is a need for brief, nonproprietary measures assessing non-symptom-based outcomes. The present study examined the psychometric properties of the Therapy Progress Scale (TPS), a four-item measure assessing clients’ perceived treatment progress in multiple life functioning domains. The sample included 36,420 clients (66% female, 55.5% White, 31.5% Racial/Ethnic Minority) receiving outpatient psychotherapy from a practice-research group of private practitioners. The TPS demonstrated a one-factor solution (χ 2 (2) = 362.08, RMSEA = .076, CFI = .999, TLI = .996) with high reliability estimate (coefficient α = .87). Additionally, the factor structure was consistent across client gender and race/ethnicity. There were moderate negative correlations with symptom-based measures (i.e. PHQ-9 and GAD-7). Test-retest correlation was also strong. Implications for research and practice are provided.

APA poll: Demand for care, worker burnout, putting strain on psychologists

Patients presenting with worsening symptoms, increased length of treatment course and longer wait lists are some of the challenges many psychologists are facing, according to a new survey conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA). Additionally, more than one‐third of psychologists report that they are burned out, despite engaging in self‐care.

Investigative competencies in medicine students: research skills in medical students, questioning abilities in medicine students

The development of competences in scientific and documentary research in the medical professional practice is of great importance since these will allow you to obtain the necessary data for the realization of consultations, as well as to check and / or develop new scientific theories, treatment of diseases, prevention satisfying the needs of society. A survey will be applied to 100 students of the Medicine career and interviews with 10 professors of the different levels in the Medicine Career (Basic, Intermediate and Advanced), where it is addressed from the perspectives of both on the current situation of scientific – documentary research in the students of the Medicine career of the Franz Tamayo Private University, of how is the evaluation to know the scope achieved in the research competences, if they have the necessary tools to develop scientific and documentary research following the APA (American Psychological Association) or Vancouver regulations, what they consider should be done to improve the situation in research during the teaching-learning process and if all teachers should use the same technological and motivational strategies.