Attributional Style Research Articles

Pessimistic cognitive biases mediate socioeconomic status and children’s mental health problems

Low socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with higher rates of emotional disorders in childhood and beyond. Here we assessed one possible contributor to this disparity, a cognitive bias in the interpretation of negative events, in a group of 341 9-year-olds (49% female, 94% White) ranging widely in SES. This cognitive bias, known as pessimism in the attributional style literature, is the tendency to interpret negative events as persistent (Stable) and pervasive (Global). It was found to be more common among lower SES children (effect sizes = 0.18–0.24 depending on SES measures: income to needs ratio, proportion of poverty from birth to age 9, and parental educational attainment). Moreover, persistent, pervasive adversity in children’s lives predicted this bias and mediated the SES—pessimism link. Pessimistic attributional style, in turn, was related to childhood emotional problems and mediated the relation between SES and these problems. Finally, evidence for serial mediation of the SES-mental health problems relationship was found via persistent, pervasive adversity and pessimism, respectively.

Impact of Attributional Style of Behavior Outcome on the Sustainable Development of Residents’ Energy-Saving Behavior: Differences in Policy Responses of Residents

In the context of promoting the construction of an energy-saving and environment-friendly society, it is crucial to promote the sustainable development of residents’ energy-saving behaviors, determine how attributional styles of behavior outcome affect residents’ energy-saving behaviors, and examine how different residents respond to intervention policies. Based on the attribution theory, this study constructs a theoretical model of the impact mechanism of the attributional style of behavior outcome on residents’ energy-saving behaviors. Regression analysis and the quadratic response model were used to test all 1254 valid questionnaires. The results show that the residents’ degrees of understanding, support, and implementation of the energy-saving policies presented inconsistent situations. Residents’ degrees of understanding and support of energy-saving policies positively promote the degree of implementation of energy-saving policies. The consistency of understanding and support has a non-linear influence on the degree of implementation of energy-saving policies. Additionally, the public’s understanding, support, and implementation of energy-saving policies have significant differences in the attribution style of behavioral outcomes. Finally, some relevant policy recommendations are put forward.

Explanatory Style in Asian Populations: A Scoping Review

IntroductionCultural upbringing is an important factor that affects how one perceives the world and determines how blame is assigned when facing unfavorable outcomes. Governed by explanatory style, which refers to one’s pattern of causal explanations towards positive and negative situations, pessimism is defined as classifying bad events as internal, stable, and global within the personalization, permanence, and pervasiveness dimensions respectively (Peterson, 1992). This indicates that a pessimistic person would attribute a bad event as their own fault, as lasting, and as having great impact across all domains of their lives (Peterson, 1992).ObjectivesPrevious research has shown that when comparing the levels of pessimism between Mainland Chinese individuals, Chinese American individuals, and White American individuals, the Mainland Chinese group is found to be the most pessimistic (Lee & Seligman, 1997). However, much of the existing research to date assessing pessimism and optimism in Asian samples do not define these concepts within the realms of the explanatory style. Instead, a broader and more generalized understanding is usually used. This review therefore seeks to investigate whether Asians are more pessimistic compared to people of other races as defined by the explanatory style (Peterson, 1992).MethodsA search was conducted in two bibliographic databases (Medline OVID and PsycINFO) to identify articles for inclusion. Two reviewers screened the search independently through Covidence and performed a result analysis.ResultsA total of 20 peer-reviewed articles published between 1972 and 2022 are included that broadly compare the explanatory styles of Asians to other racial groups. Of the 20 studies, 3 papers specifically compare optimism versus pessimism in Asian groups, 4 papers mention coping strategies for “bad events”, 2 papers mention self-esteem, and 2 papers each mention causal attributions for success and failure respectively. When compared to other races, Asians were found to be more pessimistic, turn to faith and religion as a coping mechanism, have lower self-esteem, attribute success to external factors and internalize failure.ConclusionsIt is concluded that Asian groups internalize bad events, and view good events as external, which aligns with Asian groups being more pessimistic on the personalization dimension as defined by the explanatory style (Spencer-Rodgers et al., 2004; Anderson, 1999; Park & Kim, 1998). By understanding the cultural implications of the explanatory style, one can recognize why and in what way people behave and cope differently across cultures when facing adversity.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Factors Favorable for the Learned Optimism in Preadolescence

Prior research suggested that the learned optimistic explanatory style is positively associated with greater satisfaction in interpersonal relationships, a more effective approach of life stressors, better physical health and work productivity, less vulnerability to depression and also higher academic and athletic performances. Our research deals with how are learned optimism and learned pessimism predicted by academic, social and emotional self-efficacy, perceived autonomy-based parenting style, perceived control-based parenting style and proactive coping. Participants were 760 students (467 girls) - 12-year-old (20.5%), 13-year-old (31.8%) and 14-year-old (47.6%) – who voluntarily participated. They answered the questionnaires with which the research variables were operationalized. The present study contributes with its large number of participants to an overview of the factors that predict learned optimism and learned pessimism. Results indicated the importance of social self-efficacy, proactive coping and perceived control-based parental support in predicting learned optimism. Also, this paper shows that high learned pessimism coincides with high levels of difficult family situation (e.g. single-parent family) and reduced strength of social self-efficacy and academic self-efficacy, proactive coping and perceived control-based parental support. Important implications of this empirical research should be considered by social emotional learning programs for students, parents and teachers.

Dispositional Optimism in Christian Populations Compared to other Religious Groups: a Scoping Review

IntroductionThere are various ways people cope with life events. One can expect generalized positive or negative outcomes across various life domains, called dispositional optimism. This can be explained by attribution theory: how people explain past events, their causations, and outcomes. Understanding attribution styles is important to help people reframe current circumstances and improve mental wellbeing. Our hypothesis is that people of different religious groups may exhibit various levels of optimism and pessimism based on their values, teachings, and practices. Previous research has found that people of Christian faith, or those with a religious faith in general, look to their religion as a way of coping during life adversities. Certain religious practices such as prayers and Church gatherings have been found to improve mental health through increasing dispositional optimism. While the relationship between religiosity and mental health has been previously examined in different religious populations, there are few studies that focused on comparing this relationship across religions.ObjectivesThe objective of this scoping review is to understand the link between religiosity and mental health, focusing primarily on how people of the Christian religion demonstrate dispositional optimism or pessimism when coping with adverse life events, compared to other religious groups or atheists.MethodsThis scoping review included original peer reviewed study articles that studied mental health in terms of dispositional optimism or pessimism in people of Christian religion compared to other religious groups. This review used online databases, Ovid MEDLINE and PsycInfo, and used extraction tables to analyze the results of past research.ResultsThe results of this scoping review revealed that people of Christian religion, especially those high in religiosity, use their religion as a method of coping. This population also showed higher dispositional optimism compared to atheists or those that believe in other religions. However, when compared to other religions such as Buddhism and Muslim, Christian populations showed lower dispositional optimism.ConclusionsIt is evident that religious involvement is linked to aspects of mental health, but comparing the effects of different religions is still a topic of exploration that can be investigated further to allow deeper understanding of their similarities and differences, as well as the mechanisms by which religion can affect mental health. In this review, a gap in the body of knowledge regarding the relationship between religion and pessimism was revealed. Future research directions could include examining whether dispositional pessimism varies across religious groups, as it does not necessarily have a perfectly inverse relationship with optimism.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

The relationship between negative attributional style and psychological well-being among LGB individuals: the role of concealment behavior

The relationship between negative attributional style and psychological well-being among LGB individuals: the role of concealment behavior

Hope is a Mediator Between Enhancing Attributional Style and Depressive Symptoms in Early Adolescence.

This study added to understanding of the recovery model of depression in adolescents by testing whether hope mediates the link between enhancing attributional style (EAS) and depression using two independent samples. Study 1 used cross-sectional data from 378 students (51% female) in fifth through seventh grade students. Study 2 used data from 546 (50% female) seventh and eighth grade students at two time points: January and May within the same year. Cross-sectional analyses indicated that EAS indirectly predicted depression. Cross-sectional and prospective analyses indicated that stable attributions, in particular, were associated with lower levels of depression through higher levels of hope. Notably, contrary to expectations, global attributions consistently predicted higher levels of depression. Results suggest that hope mediates the association between attributional stability for positive events and reductions in depression over time. The importance of investigating attributional dimensions is emphasized as implications and future research directions are discussed.

The relationship between perceived teacher support and student engagement among higher vocational students: A moderated mediation model.

Student engagement is a best predictor variable of student' development and success. It can be highly influenced by internal and external environmental factors, such as perceived teacher support. In order to explore the influence of perceived teacher support on student engagement among higher vocational students, this study conducted a questionnaire on 1,136 Chinese higher vocational students using perceived teacher support, basic psychological needs satisfaction, learning drive, student engagement and Optimistic attributional styles for explaining positive events (OAS_P) five scales. The results show that: (1) Perceived teacher support can't indirectly predict the student engagement among higher vocational students through basic psychological needs satisfaction; (2) Perceived teacher support can indirectly predict student engagement through learning drive; (3) Perceived teacher support can indirectly predict student engagement through basic psychological needs satisfaction and learning drive; (4) OAS_P has a significant moderation effect on both learning drive and student engagement. The finding of this study stated that perceived teacher support has a significant influence on student engagement. So in the teaching process, teachers should pay attention to their learning psychology, provide them with various support and encouragement and beneficial guidance, stimulate their learning drive, help them form a positive and optimistic attribution style, and make them actively participate in learning and school life.

Internal and external locus of control in college students indulging in substance use in a northern state of India

ABSTRACT Background/objective Substance use and willingness to quit is determined by internal attribution (i.e., attribution of the cause to oneself) and external attribution (i.e., attribution of the cause to external factors). Methods It is an ex-post-facto study among 300 colleges students who were using substances and those who were not using any substances (100 male & 50 females in each group) in the age group of 18–24 years. Attribution of Success and Failure (ASUFA) Inventory was used and dimensions of internal and external locus of control were analyzed for both the groups. Statistical techniques of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Post hoc Duncan multiple range test using LSD method were applied to the collected data. Results The results of four components of the internal attribution style were found to be significant (F = 830.818, p < .01). Females using substances and free from use of substances scored higher on internal attribution as compared to males of the same attribute. In external attribution males using substances and free from use of substances scored significantly higher as comped to females in comparative groups (F = 6.384, p < .01). Conclusion Students scored significantly low on internal attribution style but high on external locus of control in comparison to students not using any substances.

Optimism and pessimism as predictors of seizure group among patients with intractable seizure disorders

The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity of the Revised Optimism-Pessimism Scale (PSM-R) as a measure of attributional style, and the incremental utility of optimism and pessimism as predictors of seizure group, in an intractable seizure disorder sample. Participants included adult patients with epileptic seizures (ES; n = 151) and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES; n = 173) whose diagnoses were confirmed by prolonged video/EEG monitoring (PVEM). Optimism and pessimism scores were computed from abbreviated versions of the MMPI for all participants. Analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between optimism, pessimism, and MMPI clinical scale scores. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to generate a model for the prediction of seizure group. Results supported the validity of the PSM-R as a measure of attributional style in an intractable seizure disorder sample. Both optimism and pessimism provided significant incremental predictive utility over and above other predictors of seizure group. There are advantages of using the proposed prediction model over other alternative differential diagnostic procedures, including lower cost, greater availability, and increased standardization. Overall, results indicated that attributional style is a clinically relevant index of personality and cognitive response to stress among an intractable seizure disorder sample.

Student Athletes’ Causal Attributions for Sport and School Achievement in Relation to Sport Dropout and Grade Point Average

The present study longitudinally examined stability and change in the attributional profiles of Finnish student athletes (n = 391) in upper secondary sport schools. Moreover, it examined the extent to which these profiles, and changes in them, were associated with athletes' level of sport competition and school achievements and dropouts at the end of upper secondary sport school. Using latent profile analysis, five different and highly stable attributional profiles were identified for student athletes: (a)depressive (6.9%), (b)athletic self-serving (23.0%), (c)average (16.4%), (d)learned helplessness (30.9%), and (e)responsible (22.8%). The results further showed that over the 3-year study period, the responsible attributional style, wherein individuals take responsibility for successes and failures, predicted student athletes' subsequent high grade point average and low sport dropout rates even after controlling for the impacts of their earlier grade point average, gender, and type of sport.

Psychometric Analysis of an Academic Self-Attribution Questionnaire in Middle and High School Students in Italy: Implications of Gender and Age.

This research aimed to validate the Academic Success and Failure Attribution Questionnaire (ASFAQ) and analyze gender and age differences in middle and high school students in Italy. Methods: From the ASFAQ questionnaire validated with Spanish students, an analysis of the psychometric characteristics of the scale was carried out using a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). To compare ASFAQ scores by gender and school year, the independent samples parametric t-test and Pearson's coincidence test were used. (3) Results: in total, 976 students participated in the research, of which 515 were middle school students and 461 were high school students. The results showed a validity of the ASFAQ for Italian students, in addition to statistically significant differences between males and females, and school year. (4) Conclusions: The ASFAQ is reliable and valid to assess the attributional styles of academic success and failure in an Italian context. There are significant differences in sex and school year, and a consequence with age.

Relationship between cognition and suicidal behavior in recent-onset psychosis

Suicidal behavior (SB) is common in first-episode psychosis (FEP), and cognitive impairment has also been described in psychosis. Despite well-established risk factors for SB in psychosis, the role of cognition and insight remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the relationship between history of SB and cognition in recent-onset FEP, distinguishing between neurocognition, social cognition, and metacognition, and including cognitive insight (CI) as a metacognitive variable. The sample consisted of 190 participants with recent-onset FEP recruited from two multicentric studies. Two groups were formed based on presence/absence of a history of SB. Demographic, clinical, and cognitive data were compared by group, including significance level adjustments and size effect calculation. No differences were found regarding demographic, clinical, neurocognitive, social cognition, and metacognitive variables except for CI (18.18 ± 4.87; t = −3.16; p = 0.0020; d = −0.635), which showed a medium effect size. Small to medium effect size were found for attributional style (externalizing bias) (1.15 ± 3.94; t = 2.07; d = 0.482), theory of mind (ToM) (1.73 ± 0.22; t = 2.04; d = −0.403), jumping to conclusions bias (JTC) (23.3 %; X2 = 0.94; V = 0.178). In recent-onset psychosis, neurocognitive functioning was not related to the history of SB. As novelty, individuals with previous SB showed higher CI. Also, regarding social cognition and metacognition, individuals with prior SB tended to present extremely low externalizing bias, better ToM, and presence of JTC.

Attributional styles and self-concept as predictors of group spiritual care in group of alcoholics anonymous (AA)

BackgroundOne of the most common types of addiction after narcotic or stimulant materials is the alcohol addiction. This study investigated the relationship between self-concept and attributional styles with group spiritual care in the Alcoholics anonymous (AA) group in Mashhad city. MethodsThis correlation study was conducted on 300 persons of AA of Mashhad which were selected by the simple random sampling method. The data collection tools were Attributional Styles Questionnaire (ASQ) of Seligman & Singh, Self-concept Questionnaire (SCQ) of Raj Kumar Saraswat and Spirituality and Spiritual Care Rating Scale (SSCRS) Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 22) and Pearson's correlation statistic tests and multivariate regression analysis. ResultsThe results of regression variance analysis of attributional style and self-concept components with group spiritual care in the studied persons showed that the attributional styles and the self-concept components can explain together about 27 % of the group spiritual care in the studied persons, which was statistically significant (P <0.001 and 20/15 = F).Also, there is a positive and significant relationship between the attributional style and the self-concept component with group spiritual care in the studied persons. ConclusionsAccording to the results, it is suggested that the members of AA Association should be aware of the attributional styles, the self-concept components, and group spiritual care in order to discover their own suitable attributional styles and self-concept components and benefit from them to strengthen the group spiritual care.

Research on the Relationship between Social Support, Attribution Style and Frustration Tolerance of College Students

Research on the Relationship between Social Support, Attribution Style and Frustration Tolerance of College Students

The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Attributional Styles and Academic Optimism of Students

The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Attributional Styles and Academic Optimism of Students

The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Schema Therapy on Cognitive Distortions and Causal Attributions in Nursing and Midwifery Students with Health Anxiety

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based schema therapy on cognitive distortions and causal attribution in nursing and midwifery students with health anxiety. Method: The research design is quasi-experimental with pre-test-post-test design and three-month follow-up with the control group. The statistical population included all nursing and midwifery students with health anxiety in Guilan Branch of Azad University in 2021. Among them, 30 people were selected by available sampling method and were randomly replaced in the experimental group (mentality-based schema therapy) and the control group (15 people in each group). Mentally based schema therapy was performed in 10 sessions of 90 minutes based on Young et al. (2003) training package in the experimental group. Data were collected using Ellis's Cognitive Distortion Questionnaire (1986) and the Attribution Style Questionnaire of Peterson et al. (1982). Data were collected using cognitive distortions by Ellis, Peterson et al. Data were analyzed using SPSS-22 software and repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: The results showed that mentally based schema therapy was effective on cognitive distortions (F= 3.59, P= 0.035) and causal attributions (F=40.30, P&lt;0.001) of nursing and midwifery students with health anxiety. Conclusion: Considering the role of beliefs and thoughts in health anxiety, it is suggested that therapists consider mindfulness-based therapeutic schemas in reducing the symptoms of cognitive distortions and causal attributions.

The relationship between parenting style and depressive symptoms during adolescence

This review explores the effects of parenting styles and attachment on adolescent mental health. Parents are key to shaping the lives of adolescents, and different parenting styles can affect different outcomes. Psychologist Baumrind’s typology of parenting, which includes authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and uninvolved parenting styles, is the focus of the research. Adolescence is a pivotal phase, marked by major transitions such as the onset of puberty, and is both vulnerable and potentially amenable to interventions. Negative parenting styles, excessive parental expectations, and maladaptive attributional styles are associated with depressive symptoms. Positive parenting styles, including attentive parenting and self-compassion, are protective of adolescent development. The role of parental expectations and self-esteem in adolescent mental health is emphasised. It recognised the influence of culture on these dynamics and the need for targeted interventions. Furthermore, the way parents and adolescents perceive parenting styles, as well as the disparities between these perceptions, may have an impact on the mental health outcomes of adolescents. The influence of attachment styles, notably towards parents, significantly impacts depressive symptoms during adolescence and emerging adulthood. This review can contribute to future intervention efforts and prevention strategies in adolescent mental health with this review paper.

开放性对创造力的影响：归因风格的中介作用

开放性对创造力的影响：归因风格的中介作用

Development of a suicidal tendency model in borderline personality disorder patients based on perceived burden and suicidal acquisition capacity through pessimistic attribution style

Background and Aim: Borderline personality disorder is specifically separated from other mental disorders by its emphasis on successful suicide, non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors, and suicidal behavior as a diagnostic criterion. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop a model for suicide tendency in individuals with borderline personality disorder based on perceived burdensomeness and acquired capability for suicide through the use of deceitful documents. Methods: The research method was of correlation type with structural relationship path analysis plan, or modeling. The statistical population of the current study included all female and male adults aged 18 to 40 who referred to the psychiatric department of hospitals and psychiatric offices in Tehran during the year 2021, who received a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder and had a history of attempted suicide, suicidal tendencies, and There were suicidal thoughts. Sample get the method It was done purposefully through the screening of patients. The sample size was equal to 500 people, which was chosen according to Kline's theory to design structural equations. In this research, Beck's (1961) suicidal ideation questionnaires, suicidal behavior capacity (revised) by Osman et al. (2001), and Patterson et al.'s (1981) documentary styles and perceived burden with Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ) were measured. Data analysis in SPSS software AMOS It was done using the structural equation modeling method. Results: The results showed that the proposed research model had an acceptable fit. Therefore, the research model based on modeling the relationship between perceived burden and the acquired capacity of suicide with the desire to commit suicide through pessimistic attribution style was confirmed by using structural equation analysis. Also, the secondary results showed that there is a significant correlation between the predictor variables of the research with the tendency to commit suicide. In this way, the effect of perceived burden and acquired capacity of suicide with pessimistic attribution style was 0.25 and 0.30 respectively, which increased to 0.46 due to the facilitating role of pessimistic attribution style. Conclusion: Based on this, it can be concluded that the positive effect of the perceived burden and the acquired capacity of suicide on the desire to commit suicide is increased and facilitated by the style of pessimistic attributions. According to this result, the mediating role of pessimistic attributional style to facilitate the positive effect of predictor variables (perceived burden, and acquired suicidal capacity) on suicidal tendency in patients with borderline personality disorder was confirmed. This result indicates the possibility of combining Abramson's cognitive theory and Joyner's interpersonal relationships in explaining suicidal tendencies.