Emotional Benefits Research Articles

Impact of care–recipient relationship type on quality of life in caregivers of older adults with dementia over time

Abstract Background Dementia caregiving is a dynamic and multidimensional process. To gain a comprehensive understanding of informal caregiving for people living with dementia (PLWD), it is pivotal to assess the quality of life (QoL) of informal caregivers. Objective To evaluate whether the care–recipient relationship type predicts changes in the QoL of informal caregivers of PLWD over a two-year period. Methods This was a secondary analysis of longitudinal data. The data were drawn from two waves of linked data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) and the National Study of Caregiving (NSOC) (2015: NHATS R5 & NSOC II; 2017: NHATS R7 & NSOC III). Caregivers were categorized into spousal, adult–child, “other” caregiver and “multiple” caregivers. QoL was assessed through negative emotional burden (NEB), positive emotional benefits and social strain (SS). Generalized estimating equation modelling was used to examine changes in caregivers’ QoL outcomes across types of relationship over time. Results About, 882 caregivers were included who linked to 601 PLWD. After adjusting caregivers’ socio-demographics, “other” caregivers had lower risk of NEB and SS than spousal caregivers (OR = 0.34, P = 0.003, 95%CI [0.17, 0.70]; OR = 0.37, P = 0.019, 95%CI 0.16, 0.85], respectively), and PLWD’s dementia status would not change these significance (OR = 0.33, P = 0.003, 95%CI [0.16, 0.68]; OR = 0.31, P = 0.005, 95%CI [0.14, 0.71], respectively). Conclusions The study demonstrates that spousal caregivers face a higher risk of NEB and SS over time, underscoring the pressing need to offer accessible and effective support for informal caregivers of PLWD, especially those caring for their spouses.

Understanding Consumer Perceptions And Attitudes Towards The Implementation Of Augmented Reality Marketing For High Involvement Products

Augmented Reality (AR) enhances an individual's perception of reality by adding digital elements to the physical world. Augmented Reality Marketing (ARM) occurs when AR is used to support branding or sales. This research aims to bridge the gap in the literature regarding ARM, particularly in the context of High Involvement Products (HIP). Through interviews and observations, this study highlights consumer views on ARM in the context of HIP. The results show that consumers see ARM as a valuable tool that provides informative and emotional benefits, increasing their interest in purchasing HIP. However, ARM is not seen as a replacement for other sources of information but rather as a complement. Despite being perceived as time-consuming and difficult to use, ARM has great potential as a standard practice in the future. Consumers find ARM especially useful when product design is a primary focus in the purchase decision. Therefore, the application of ARM may not be essential for all companies, as its main advantage lies in its ability to visualize products in real-life situations before purchase.

Dual Representation of the Auditory Space.

Auditory spatial cues contribute to two distinct functions, of which one leads to explicit localization of sound sources and the other provides a location-linked representation of sound objects. Behavioral and imaging studies demonstrated right-hemispheric dominance for explicit sound localization. An early clinical case study documented the dissociation between the explicit sound localizations, which was heavily impaired, and fully preserved use of spatial cues for sound object segregation. The latter involves location-linked encoding of sound objects. We review here evidence pertaining to brain regions involved in location-linked representation of sound objects. Auditory evoked potential (AEP) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies investigated this aspect by comparing encoding of individual sound objects, which changed their locations or remained stationary. Systematic search identified 1 AEP and 12 fMRI studies. Together with studies of anatomical correlates of impaired of spatial-cue-based sound object segregation after focal brain lesions, the present evidence indicates that the location-linked representation of sound objects involves strongly the left hemisphere and to a lesser degree the right hemisphere. Location-linked encoding of sound objects is present in several early-stage auditory areas and in the specialized temporal voice area. In these regions, emotional valence benefits from location-linked encoding as well.

Resident Representation in Parks: Identifying Gaps and Promoting Equitable Engagement

Parks, greenspaces, and other outdoor recreation resources provide a range of physical, social, and emotional benefits to users, thus providing a highly valued community service. While park managers’ commitment to inclusive excellence is genuine, the fact remains that visitors are not always collectively representative of the local communities served, meaning that the benefits available through engagement in parks are seldom equitably distributed. The purpose of this study is to analyze resident representation in four parks with diverse recreational opportunities and to set forth management strategies that address areas of underrepresentation. Four parks located in Montgomery County, Maryland (US) were selected for this study. Twelve days of onsite data collection allowed for the documentation of park visitor activities and select demographics. Results indicated statistically significant overrepresentation and underrepresentation based on age at three parks and race/ethnicity at all four parks. Some parks had usership that was predominantly oriented toward one racial/ethnic or age group meaning that other groups were moderately to severely underrepresented. Management implications specific to leveraging data, diversifying park amenities, and offering how-to programming are explored.

Sympathetic arousal among depressed college students: Examining the interplay between psychopathology and social activity.

Depressed individuals exhibit altered sensitivity to both positive and negative social contact, and may not reap the same psychological and emotional benefits to socializing as non-depressed individuals. Although depressive symptoms and loneliness predict social withdrawal and decreased pleasure, little is currently understood about immediate affective arousal dynamics during real-time socializing. Using a novel ambulatory protocol that tracked both objective features of affective arousal (electrodermal activity) and subjective valence (self-reported) during college students' social interactions, we evaluated the moderating role of depression and loneliness symptoms on the associations between socializing with others (specifically, with a romantic partner, a close friend, or a group of friends) and the arousal and valence dimensions of affect. Among a racially and ethnically diverse sample of 118 college students (64% African American/Black/Continental African, 20% Latinx, 8% Asian, and 8% White) recruited from a large, predominantly White Midwestern university, those lower in depression and loneliness symptomatology evinced decreased average arousal (Β = -0.10, SE = 0.04, p < .01) when in relaxed and intimate socializing contexts (e.g., with a romantic partner and a close friend), consistent with the idea that these contexts facilitate important opportunities for psychological rest and recovery. Those lower in depression and loneliness symptoms also showed higher average arousal when socializing in the energizing context of being with a group of friends. Overall, the results suggest psychopathology is reflected in patterns of sympathetic arousal when socializing, with more depressed and lonely individuals generally feeling worse while receiving fewer psychophysiological rewards in multiple socializing contexts.

A Study of the Emotional and Cognitive Effects of Long-Term Exposure to Nature Virtual Reality (VR) Videos on Mobile Terminals

Research Highlights: This study examined the emotional and cognitive health benefits of nature in comparison with working memory training. It considered the long-term effects, the application of mobile terminal technology, and routine-based approaches with the aim of integrating nature’s health benefits into people’s daily lives. Background and Objectives: Infectious diseases and aging may limit people’s activities indoors; the recovery effect of nature has been widely recognized, and terminal technology is developing rapidly. In this context, we want to explore the emotional and cognitive effects of viewing nature (VR) videos on mobile devices for a long time. Materials and Methods: The experiment employed a between-subjects design, with participants being randomly assigned to one of four groups: a forest VR video group, a water VR group, a working memory training group, and a control group. The participants watched the video three times a week for 20 min each for four weeks. The number of valid participants for compliance, preference, and willingness was 136, and the number of valid participants for the study of emotional and cognitive effects was 62. Brief Profile of Mood States (BPOMS) scales, running memory accuracy, shifting cost, etc., were used as indicators to reflect emotions and cognition. A repeated measures analysis of variance was performed on these indicators at four groups × two time points (pretest/post-test). Results: ① There were no significant differences in the participants’ adherence, preferences, and willingness to watch different natural videos and perform working memory training. ② Long-term home training (e.g., watching VR nature videos or working memory training) may have had a minimal effect on emotional responses to mobile terminals. However, home training may be more conducive to the stabilization of anger. ③ Watching forest VR videos had a positive effect on the updating function of the brain; watching water VR videos was beneficial for the shifting function and automatic processing speed; and working memory training had a positive effect on the updating and shifting functions. Conclusions: There were no significant differences in adherence, preference, willingness, and effects on emotion and cognition between long-term forest VR video viewing, water VR video viewing, and working memory training on mobile terminals. All three types of home training may be beneficial for the stabilization of emotion (especially anger), and all can have some positive effects on cognition.

The Influence of Perceived Economic Benefits on Single Parenting among Unmarried Mothers in Nigeria

This study, with a specific emphasis on the lived experiences of single mothers, explored the perceived economic advantages of single parenting among Nigerian single women. The study tackled the growing apprehensions over the financial difficulties encountered by families headed by single mothers, highlighting the growing number of low-income families in Africa, particularly in Nigeria. The study employed a combination of qualitative (Key Informant Interview) and quantitative (Survey) methods to investigate their viewpoints on the financial benefits of being a single parent. The theoretical framework explained the intricate relationship between socioeconomic issues and single parenting by integrating social exchange theory and rational adaptation theory. 450 respondents participated in the quantitative study, while 30 respondents were selected for the qualitative study. According to data collected, single mothers frequently enter into several partnerships to obtain a variety of financial support for both themselves and their children. The study emphasized asset accumulation and emotional benefits as ways that single mothers can reduce poverty in addition to financial rewards. The study further highlighted the significance of social protection frameworks and all-encompassing initiatives aimed at tackling the distinct obstacles encountered by single mothers, eventually promoting the welfare of mothers and their offspring in an emerging country such as Nigeria. Keywords: Single Mothers, Economic Benefits, Low-income Families, Social Protection

As Youth Sport Coaches Take to the Sidelines, Important Pedagogical Practices to Remember

School-age children receive a myriad of physical, social, emotional, and cognitive benefits from being involved in sport, as well as several academic benefits. Children who participate in sport are more likely to have a higher GPA, increased daily attendance, and greater high school graduation rates than their non-sport participating peers. Unfortunately, participation in sport is in decline. Although several factors are to blame for the downward trend, the overwhelming research consensus is that children do not perceive sport to be fun due to coach behaviors. To facilitate positive outcomes from participating in sport, practice settings need to include developmentally appropriate skill progressions and ample opportunities for all players to participate and contribute, as well as a team atmosphere that fosters player self-actualization. Sport coaches should utilize best practices for developing the motor skills (sport-related skills) of their athletes. Pedagogical topics covered in this article include: (1) task presentations of skills, (2) designing appropriate practice tasks, and (3) applying skills into the tactical setting.

Considering sociocultural contexts of racism in psychological research on black forgiveness

AbstractIn this paper, we argue that a cultural context of racism in the United States influences the representation and outcomes of Black forgiveness. Previous research in psychology has focused on the positive social and emotional benefits of forgiveness; however, the consequences of Black forgiveness are not always straightforward. We review prior research and highlight real‐world examples that suggest Black people are often pressured and expected to forgive racism. This pressure to forgive overshadows calls for justice and encourages forgiveness as a more palatable, less antagonistic response to racism. Furthermore, we argue that this expectation suppresses Black emotions by stigmatizing negative emotional reactions to racism in favor of forgiveness. We conclude by proposing future lines of research in social psychology that do not reinforce a pressure for Black forgiveness, that foster a study of forgiveness that incorporates social justice, and that considers new lines of forgiveness research that are culturally sensitive to Black experiences.

The role of digital status in adult child–parent relationships in European comparative perspective

The increasing significance of technology-mediated social interactions gives rise to optimistic expectations that digitalisation leads to various overwhelmingly positive outcomes in all walks of life. Our study relies on the European Social Survey 10th wave data (2020–22) to investigate the role of digital status in the relationship between adult children and parents in 30 countries. We found media multiplexity in adult child–parent relationships to be coupled in interesting and partly counterintuitive ways with our novel measure of digital status that captures digital skills and the outcomes of ICT use. The country-specific binary logistic regression models revealed that digital skills and the emotional benefits of ICT use have a central role in using new and old technologies, whereas a positive practical outcome of ICT use decreased the frequency of adult child–parent contact. By shaping the opportunities of doing family digitally, the skills and outcomes aspects of digital status have independent roles in a key segment of intergenerational relationships of adult family members.

Does working memory training improve emotion regulation and reduce internalizing symptoms? A pair of three-level meta-analyses

BackgroundEmotional dysfunction is a core feature of many mental disorders. Working memory training (WM-T) is promising to improve emotion regulation and reduce internalizing symptoms (anxiety and depressive symptoms), but the results are mixed. Therefore, we conducted meta-analyses to clarify these mixed results. MethodsWe searched Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and EBSCO to identify relevant studies and screened the references. The effect size was calculated using Hedges’ g. Three-level, random-effects models were run using metafor in R. ResultsThe current study included 44 articles, of which 29 were involved with emotion regulation, and 30 were involved with internalizing symptoms. The results showed that WM-T could yield emotional benefits, but the benefits were confined to enhancing explicit emotional regulation capacity and reducing anxiety symptoms. For the meta-analysis regarding the effect of WM-T on emotion regulation, there was no significant moderator. For the meta-analysis regarding the effect of WM-T on internalizing symptoms, the emotional valence of the material and control group were statistically significant moderators. ConclusionWM-T could yield certain emotional effects, but only to improve explicit emotion regulation capacity and reduce anxiety symptoms. In addition, some measures could enhance the effect, such as targeting specific populations, increasing the number of training sessions (≥15) or duration (>450 minutes), using negative material, and using n-back training tasks.

Compassion Fatigue, Resilience, and Endurance of Special Educators in Rural P–12 and Higher Education

The effects of mental health challenges in the United States are growing and affect both Grades P–12 special education teachers and faculty at institutions of higher education (IHE). Educators struggle with compassion fatigue and associated burnout. With educators leaving the field for a plethora of reasons, it is vital to examine factors that support those who remain in education. Thus, we analyzed factors that support the retention of educators at both levels of instruction. In a qualitative analysis of data from survey respondents ( N = 200), we examined the resiliency and endurance of practicing rural P–12 special educators and faculty at IHEs. Results from inductive content analysis indicate that factors leading to persistence in education begin with educators finding meaning in their teaching. Educators who demonstrate career endurance have a strong sense of self-efficacy in their teaching abilities, receive emotional benefits from their students, and have quality opportunities to mentor and collaborate with others. By contrast, some educators indicate burnout is a key factor for leaving the field, and reported reasons include low pay, paperwork, poor work/life balance, lack of respect, and the mental health of themselves and their students. Based on these findings, we offer recommendations for research and practice.

“Too hot to handle”: Making lost and stolen pets present in virtual space

Pets are socially, culturally, emotionally, and economically entangled in human lives. For humans, pets are loved, and the bond between human and pet extends beyond companionship to incorporate emotional and mental health benefits. Pet theft is a crime that exploits these emotional relationships with pets being stolen for ransom, reward, resale, and breeding. In this paper we explore the emotional geographies of online search/ing for missing and stolen pets. To do so, we utilise interviews with people whose dogs are stolen and have not returned, those whose dogs have been reunited, and with groups dedicated to reuniting missing and stolen pets. We also make use of posts from 20 Twitter/X11After completing the research and writing the paper Twitter was sold and rebranded. On receiving our reviews, we have reoriented our use of language to better reflect X and the language that is used. We will now use X going forward and note here that tweets are now called ‘posts’ and retweets are now called ‘shares’. accounts dedicated to missing and stolen pets. In sharing posts online, humans utilise several search tactics. First, posts are shared with the idea of making pets “too hot to handle”. This involves using images and hashtags to “go viral”. Second, the posts are imbued with emotions, detailing the difficulties of losing a pet. Third, the use of images and descriptions of the pets’ charismatic qualities and characteristics are used to make their pets present online. The findings here have relevance to literature on absence and presence, emotional and digital geographies of human-animal relations, and online identity-making. The paper also provides practical insights into (in)effective strategies of online searching, which can inform public engagement practices of lost and stolen animal support groups and individuals looking to make lost and stolen pets present in virtual space.

Getting better? Examining the effects of social support in OHCs on users’ emotional improvement

Online health communities (OHCs) have emerged as dynamic platforms facilitating patient communication and knowledge exchange on health matters. While extant research underscores the emotional benefits accrued from engagement in OHCs, the precise quantification of how social support within these communities influences users’ emotional states remains an intricate challenge. In light of this, the primary objective of this study is to explore the influential mechanisms underlying the received social support on the emotional improvement of users in OHCs, while concurrently investigating the potential moderating effects posed by individuals’ health conditions and levels of community involvement. Leveraging authentic user interaction data harvested from an online diabetes community, this study employed deep learning models and natural language processing methods to gauge the magnitude of received social support and the variation of users’ emotional states. Subsequently, a multiple linear regression model was formulated to evaluate the effects of both informational and emotional support on users' emotional improvement. Empirical results reaffirm the pivotal role of both informational and emotional support in enhancing users’ emotional states, with emotional support emerging as particularly influential. Notably, prolonged disease duration amplifies the beneficent impact of social support on emotional enhancement. The research outcomes bear implications for ameliorating negative emotional experiences and effectively managing chronic diseases.

Development of a scale for the impact of emotion management on young athletes’ training efficiency

In this study, we developed a scale to evaluate emotion management and its benefits for young athletes in China, and to analyze the impact of emotion management on their training efficiency. Following an extensive literature review, we used AMOS structural equation model software to develop a scale for evaluating the effects and benefits of emotion management on young athletes' training efficiency. Results showed that young athletes' emotion management training and its benefits can be divided into five dimensions: benefit evaluation, emotional cognition, emotion influence, emotion control, and emotion regulation. The internal consistency reliability of the formal scale was 0.895, and the internal consistency reliability of each subscale was between 0.734 and 0.901. The split-half reliability was 0.769, and the split-half reliability of each subscale was between 0.623 and 0.864. The KMO value was 0.904, P = 0.00 (p < 0.05), and the cumulative interpretation rate was 61.782 % of the total variance. The lowest factor load of a scale item was 0.436, and the highest factor load was 0.846. The common degree of all items was between 0.402 and 0.762, indicating that the scale has good validity. A SEM model verified that the scale has good construct validity. Significant correlational differences were observed among the levels. The results of the SEM structural equation model analysis showed that the model's NC = 2.660 (1 < NC < 3 indicates that the model has a simple fit), PGFI = 0.722, PNFI = 0.699, IFI = 0.851, PRA = 0.927, RMR = 0.006, and RMSEA = 0.07, thus, these indexes reached the standard of excellent model fitting. The strongest correlation was found between emotional cognition and benefit evaluation (R = 0.690), and the weakest correlation was found between emotion influence and benefit evaluation (R = 0.079). These findings provide a basis for measuring the effect of emotion management on training efficiency in the training process of young athletes and offer a theoretical reference for their emotional development while in training.

PLAY-BASED LEARNING CONCEPT AND DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHING AMONG KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS

The study aims to navigate the play-based learning concept and development of teaching in private preschools. Specifically, it identifies to explore the concept of a play-based learning approach described in terms of imagination and creativity, cognitive growth, emotional and behavioral benefits, improved literacy, greater independence, and physical fitness. This includes measuring the play-based learning development of teaching in private schools in Vietnam in language and literacy development, social and emotional skills, creativity and imagination, confidence and a positive attitude towards learning, and motor skills. On the other hand, the descriptive correlative quantitative method is utilized to obtain systematic regarding information to describe the situation, population and phenomenon. Likewise, purposive sampling is employed in the study. It is the proper way of selecting the sample size where the respondents chosen have expertise and experience in teaching preschool. The study is conducted in Vietnam because the researcher is presently teaching there which serves as the basis for her study. The study comprised one hundred twenty-five (125) respondents only. Results reveal that the concept of a play-based learning approach on imagination creativity creates a combined imagination and knowledge in the school teachers' practices to stimulate children's development of learning, cognitive growth shows to promote learning development and benefits for students in an interactive environment, emotional and behavioral benefits show to boost self-esteem and joy for the preschool learners to understand better the emotions of every individual child as the center of learning improves literacy shows to develop resources and better learning on the strategy to facilitate learning actively in the trend of quality education, greater independence shows to help socialize and observe cues and interaction on the tasks among the members of the group as part of the learning process, and physical fitness shows to provide motivation on the learning process and implementation on play-based learning in the preschool level of teaching. On the other hand, play-based learning development on language and literacy development shows its best way for learning and play for preschool children on their skills literacy and skills in language, social and emotional skills show to establish the ability to maintain meaningful and healthy relationships towards each other as to support, resolve conflicts, resist negative pressure, listen, cooperate, and communicate clearly, creativity and imagination show to provide concepts for students who are prominent for nature of learning in the subject areas of competency, positive attitude toward learning shows to design and understand the issue of predicting observation on positive learning processes, motor skills show that it requires precision and control among the learners with proper knowledge of the process. Findings show that there is no significant relationship between the concept of the play-based learning approach and the play-based learning development of teaching in private schools in Vietnam among the respondents.&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Article visualizations:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="/-counters-/soc/0220/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Incorporation of Sea Spaghetti (Himanthalia elongata) in Low-Salt Beef Patties: Effect on Sensory Profile and Consumer Hedonic and Emotional Response.

Seaweed is a naturally rich source of nutrients and exhibits techno-functional properties that are under study for their potential as ingredients in meat products. However, seaweed is associated with a particular flavor profile, and optimization of the sensory profile should be conducted alongside technical performance. This study investigated the feasibility of the application of sea spaghetti (Himanthalia elongata) in the production of low-salt beef patties and recorded the associated sensory profile and consumer hedonic-emotional response. Eight beef patty formulations with varying salt (0-1%) and seaweed (0-5%) contents were subjected to quantitative descriptive analysis via a trained sensory panel (n = 8) and six the formulations were selected for consumer testing (liking, emotional associations, saltiness perception, and purchase intent) by a group of 105 Irish resident consumers. The trained panel results showed that the intensity of seaweed odor, flavor, and visual presence in burgers was negatively related to the intensity of beef odor and flavor and that seaweed addition (5%) significantly increased the saltiness perception of low-salt burgers. Burgers with 1% added seaweed, although perceived by consumers as less salty, could substitute NaCl in low-salt beef patties without deterioration of their liking among regular burger consumers. Consumers associated all seaweed-containing samples, especially those containing 1% of sea spaghetti, with being good, pleasant, satisfied, and warm. The higher inclusion of sea spaghetti (2.5%) led to significantly lower overall liking and reduced purchase intent, while consumers associated this formulation with emotions such as being more adventurous, aggressive, and wild. Consumers who rejected seaweed burgers had the highest level of food neophobia and avoided foods with additives. The results demonstrate that 1% sea spaghetti seaweed can be successfully incorporated into low-salt beef patties, resulting in hedonic and emotional benefits without significantly increasing the salt content.

MANAGING THE INTERSECTION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, DIGITAL TYPING, AND HANDWRITING FOR SUSTAINABLE QUALITY EDUCATION ENHANCEMENT

Objective: The research objective is to investigate how the rapid advancement of technology, particularly the increasing reliance on digital tools and artificial intelligence (AI) for note-taking and communication, influences handwriting practices. Specifically, to explore the attitudes, emotions, and experiences surrounding handwriting and digital communication in Jakarta. Theoretical Framework: This research employs Social Change Theory as the theoretical framework to understand how technology influences handwriting practices. Social Change Theory provides a lens through which to examine the societal shifts brought about by technological advancements, considering how these changes impact individuals' behaviors, attitudes, and perceptions regarding handwriting and digital communication. Method: The study utilizes qualitative research methods, including focus group discussions, observations, and interviews. These methods allow for a comprehensive exploration of participants' attitudes, emotions, and experiences related to handwriting and digital communication. Results and Discussion: Findings from the study suggest that while AI and digital typing offer efficiency and accessibility, handwriting retains unique cognitive and emotional benefits. Participants express a range of attitudes towards handwriting and digital communication, highlighting both the advantages and drawbacks of each method. Managing the integration of AI, digital typing, and handwriting in education emerges as a potential solution to address concerns about technology dependence while fostering critical thinking and cultural appreciation for sustainability and the enhancement of the quality of education, as SDG’ No. 4. Research Implications: The findings of this research have several implications for educational practice and policy that should recognize the value of incorporating handwriting alongside AI and digital typing in educational curricula.

Picturing self-harm: Investigating flash-forward mental imagery as a proximal and modifiable driver of non-suicidal self-injury.

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is theorized to be reinforced by its emotional consequences. Mental images of NSSI are commonly reported as occurring prior to NSSI. Based on the known functional properties of anticipatory mental imagery as an emotional and motivational amplifier, this study investigated whether NSSI mental imagery constitutes a proximal and dynamic mechanism underpinning NSSI risk. An intensive ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study was conducted to track the occurrence and characteristics of NSSI mental imagery alongside NSSI urge and behavior in naturalistic settings. A sample of N = 43 individuals aged 17 to 24 with a history of repetitive NSSI completed EMA surveys seven times a day for 14 days. Mental preoccupation in the form of NSSI mental imagery-based flash-forwards to the actions, bodily sensations, and emotional benefits of NSSI was found to occur when NSSI urge was high but not when urge was low. Critically, objective cross-panel analyses showed that higher frequencies of NSSI imagery occurrence predicted greater future NSSI urge and increased likelihood of acting on urge, over and above current urge. Mental imagery of NSSI is not simply an epiphenomenal by-product of NSSI urge and may constitute a dynamic and proximal novel intervention target.

Students in Team-Based Learning Classes Report Greater Belongingness

Background: Belongingness is an important predictor of academic and psychological outcomes in college students. Team-based learning (TBL) includes a number of explicit structures that should increase students’ perceived belongingness (compared to other teaching approaches), including permanent team membership, and activities that encourage team interactions. Objective: In two studies, we compared perceived belongingness reported by students taught using TBL and non-TBL methods to determine whether students taught using TBL reported greater perceived belongingness. Method: In study 1, we measured perceived belongingness at the end of four different semesters of TBL and non-TBL sections of Introduction to Psychology. In study 2, we measured belongingness in a pre–post design, again in TBL and non-TBL sections of Introduction to Psychology. Results: In both studies, TBL students reported significantly greater belongingness than non-TBL students. Teaching Implications: These data contribute to a growing body of literature indicating that TBL has social and emotional benefits in addition to the previously established academic benefits. As such, instructors should consider adopting TBL.