Cohen's F2 Research Articles

Impairments in personality functioning in adolescents with anorexia nervosa.

Impairments in personality functioning (PF) according to the Alternative Model of Personality Disorders (AMPD) may affect anorexia nervosa (AN) and its treatment. However, PF impairments in adolescents with AN have not been studied. This case-control study analysed PF impairments in adolescent inpatients suffering from AN compared to a clinical control group (CC) and investigated the relationship of PF with AN severity. Adolescent patients with AN (n=43) and CC (n=127) were matched by age, sex, and global functioning. Validated interviews were applied to assess impairments in PF (Semi-Structured Interview for Personality Functioning, STiP-5.1) and severity of AN (Eating Disorder Examination, EDE), as well as weight measures. Group comparisons of PF impairment and the relationship between PF impairment and AN severity were analysed using multiple linear regression. AN patients showed greater impairment in the facet 'self-esteem' (p=0.033, Cohen's f2=0.036) than CC. In AN patients, impairments in the domain 'self-functioning' (p=0.003, Cohen's f2=0.254) and its underlying element 'identity' (p=0.016, Cohen's f2=0.172) were associated with AN severity (EDE). Additionally, higher impairments in two facets of 'empathy' (p=0.019, Cohen's f2=0.223) and 'intimacy' (p=0.026, Cohen's f2=0.199) were associated with higher AN severity (lower BMI percentiles). These results support theoretical frameworks of AN and highlight the importance of PF impairments in understanding and treating AN. Future research should investigate how impairments in PF affect AN development and treatment response through longitudinal studies.

Lipid and brain volumetric measures in multiple sclerosis patients: findings from a large observational study.

This study aimed to investigate relationships between cholesterol profile, brain volumetric MRI, and clinical measures in a large observational cohort of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. We included 1.505 patients with 4.966 time points including complete lipid, clinical, and imaging data. The time among lipid, brain MRI and clinical measures was under 90 days. Cross-sectional statistical analysis at baseline was performed using an adjusted linear regression and analysis of longitudinal lipid and MRI measures data was performed using adjusted linear mixed models. We found associations between higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and lower brain parenchymal fraction (BPF) at cross-sectional analysis at baseline (B = -0.43, CI 95%: -0.73, -0.12, p = 0.005), as well as in longitudinal analysis over follow-up (B = -0.32 ± 0.072, χ2 = 36.6; p = < 0.001). Higher HDL-C was also associated with higher T2-lesion volume in longitudinal analysis (B = 0.11 ± 0.023; χ2 = 23.04; p = < 0.001). We observed a weak negative association between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and BPF at baseline (B = -0.26, CI 95%: -0.4, -0.11, p = < 0.001) as well as in longitudinal analysis (B = -0.06 ± 0.03, χ2 = 4.46; p = 0.03). T2-LV did not show an association with LDL-C. We did not find any association between lipid measures and disability. The effect of lipid levels on MRI measures and disability was minimal (Cohen f2 < 0.02). Our results contradict the previously described exclusively positive effect of HDL-C on brain atrophy in patients with MS. Higher LDL-C was weakly associated with higher brain atrophy but not with higher lesion burden.

The Concentration of Liver-Expressed Antimicrobial Peptide 2 in Human Milk and Infant Plasma Is Positively Associated with Adiposity and Body Weight in the First Year of Life

BackgroundThe liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2) is a recently recognized anorectic and glucose-regulating hormone with an unknown role in lactation. ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were as follows: 1) to assess LEAP2 presence in human milk and putative associations with infant body weight and adiposity in the first year of life, 2) to evaluate the impact of maternal weight status on LEAP2 concentration, and 3) to explore the relationship between infant plasma LEAP2 concentration and body weight and adiposity. MethodsThis prospective cohort observational study assessed LEAP2 concentration in plasma and milk from lactating women with normal weight (n = 26) or overweight or obesity (OW/OB, n = 26) at 6 mo postpartum and in 6-mo-old infant plasma, examining associations with metabolic and anthropometric variables at 6 mo and 1 y. Maternal plasma and milk leptin and insulin concentrations were also measured. LEAP2 expression in milk fat globules and single-cell-RNA-sequencing datasets was evaluated. ResultsLEAP2 was detected in all milk samples assessed (2.08 ± 0.65 ng/mL) and was positively associated with infant triceps (P = 0.022, Cohen f2 = 1.25) and subscapular (P = 0.008, f2 = 0.68) skinfolds at 1 y old. Maternal LEAP2 was positively associated with insulin (P = 0.005, f2 = 0.30) and prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.040, f2 = 0.17) and negatively associated with gestational weight gain (P = 0.008, f2 = 0.25) and postpartum weight retention (P = 0.036, f2 = 0.15). Maternal LEAP2 was higher in plasma (P = 0.039), but not milk of lactating women with OW/OB. Infant plasma LEAP2 (1.98 ± 0.28 ng/mL) was positively associated with weight (P = 0.004, f2 = 0.63), BMI (P = 0.049, f2 = 0.37), and weight-for-length (P = 0.024, f2 = 0.35) z-scores at 1 y old, predominantly in males. No evidence for LEAP2 mRNA expression was found in mammary cells. ConclusionsMilk LEAP2 is a bioactive component that plays a role in infant fat accretion in the first year of life. Although maternal LEAP2 responds to weight change in pregnancy and lactation, infant plasma LEAP2 might be involved in body weight regulation in early life.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT05798676.

A longitudinal study of breastmilk feeding duration, EEG power and early academic skills

BackgroundThe cognitive benefits of breastfeeding are widely recognized; however, its effects on brain development and later academic skills require further examination. This study aimed to examine the longitudinal relations between breastmilk feeding, neurophysiological changes, and early academic skills. MethodsIn the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) birth cohort, breastmilk feeding practices were collected every 3 months from 3 weeks to 18 months postpartum. Resting electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded at 18 months and power spectral density was derived. The outcomes were a set of early academic assessments administered at age 4 (n = 810). Structural equation modelling was used to investigate EEG power as a mediator between breastmilk duration and early academic skills. ResultsBreastmilk feeding for ≥12 months was associated with better general knowledge, numeracy, and language at age 4 compared to shorter durations of breastmilk feeding (Cohen's d: 1.53–17.44). Linear regression showed that breastmilk duration was negatively and positively associated with low- (i.e., delta, theta) and high-frequency power (i.e., gamma), respectively (Cohen's f2: 0.03–0.09). After adjusting for demographic and child baseline covariates, a decrease in absolute and relative delta, as well as relative theta was associated with better general knowledge and numeracy (Cohen's f2: 0.16–0.25). Relative delta power provided an indirect path between breastmilk duration and early academic skills (x2: 18.390, p = 0.010; CFI: 0.978; TLI: 0.954; RMSEA: 0.040). ConclusionsExtended breastmilk feeding is associated with reduced low-frequency power and better early academic skills, suggesting benefits to brain development. Additional research to confirm this finding is warranted.

Efficacy of simple and very brief handgrip and isometric exercises for reducing withdrawal symptoms in cigarette smokers: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

Withdrawal symptoms lead to smoking relapse and reduce the intention to quit. The present pilot RCT examined the effect of simple and very brief handgrip and isometric exercises on reducing withdrawal symptoms, measured by the strength of tobacco craving, Questionnaire of Smoking Urges-Brief (QSU-B), Mood and Physical Symptoms Scale (MPSS), and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). In this 2-arm, open-labeled pilot RCT, 30 current smokers who had abstained from tobacco for at least 9 hours were randomly assigned (allocation ratio 1:1) to either the intervention group that watched a 5-minute video and did 5-minute handgrip and isometric exercises (pulling and pushing) or control group that watched 10-minute healthy-diet videos. Measurements were taken before, immediately after, and 10 minutes post-intervention. Outcomes were self-reported strength of tobacco craving, QSU-B, MPSS, and PANAS scores. The effect size for group-by-time interaction was assessed using Cohen's f2 (small=0.02, medium=0.15, large=0.35). Group-by-time interactions showed that the intervention group showed larger reductions than the control group in the strength of tobacco craving (Cohen's f2=0.54, 95% CI: 0.52-0.57), QSU-B (Cohen's f2=0.77; 95% CI: 0.74-0.80), and MPSS (Cohen's f2=0.51; 95% CI: 0.46-0.56) over the three measurement points. This RCT showed that simple and brief handgrip and isometric exercises could immediately reduce withdrawal symptoms and up to 10 minutes. in https://clinicaltrials.gov/. NCT04059497.

The impact of the parenting for respectability programme on violent parenting and intimate partner relationships in Uganda: A pre-post study.

There is a growing need for interventions that reduce both violence against children and intimate partner violence in low- and middle-income countries. However, few parenting interventions deliberately address this link. We tested the feasibility of a 16-session group-based parenting programme, Parenting for Respectability, in semi-rural Ugandan communities. This was a pre-post study with parents and their children (N = 484 parents; 212 children). Pre-post comparisons found large effects for parent-reported reduced harsh parenting (Cohen's f2 = 0.41 overall; f2 = 0.47 (among session attendees); with an overall reduction of 26% for harsh parenting. Session attendees reported higher reductions than non-attendees (p = 0.014), and male caregivers reported higher reductions than female caregivers (p<0.001). Children also reported reduced harsh parenting by attending fathers (f2 = 0.64 overall; f2 = 0.60) and attending mothers (f2 = 0.56 overall; f2 = 0.51); with reduction in harsh parenting ranging between 27% to 29% in the various categories. Overall, spousal violence reduced by 27% (f2 = 0.19 overall; f2 = 0.26 (among session attendees). Both parents and children reported reduced dysfunctional parent relationships; parents: f2 = 0.19 overall; f2 = 0.26 (among session attendees); and children: f2 = 0.35 overall; f2 = 0.32 (for attending parents); with reductions ranging between 22% to 28%. Parents who attended more than 50% of the program reported greater effects on reduced dysfunctional relationships than those who attended less than half of the program (B = -0.74, p = 0.013). All secondary outcomes were improved with f2 ranging between 0.08 and 0.39; and improvements ranging between 6% and 28%. Results suggest the importance of more rigorous testing to determine program effectiveness.

Exploring the Potential Association Between Self-Reported Psychological Stress and Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease in Midlife: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Psychological stress is associated with dementia risk. However, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. This cross-sectional study examined the association between self-reported psychological stress and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease and neurodegeneration in 73 cognitively unimpaired middle-aged adults from the Healthy Brain Project (mean age = 58±7 years). Linear regression analyses did not reveal any significant associations of psychological stress with CSF amyloid-β42, phosphorylated tau-181, total tau, or neurofilament light chain. Cohen's f2 effect sizes were small in magnitude (f2≤0.08). Further research is needed to replicate our findings, particularly given that the sample reported on average low levels of stress.

Mild Motor Signs in Healthy Aging Are Associated with Lower Synaptic Density in the Brain.

To investigate whether mild motor signs (MMS) in old age correlate with synaptic density in the brain. Normal aging is associated with a decline in movement quality and quantity, commonly termed "mild parkinsonian signs" or more recently MMS. Whether MMS stem from global brain aging or pathology within motor circuits remains unresolved. The synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A positron emission tomography (PET) ligand 11 C-UCB-J allows the investigation of brain-motor associations at the synaptic level in vivo. Fifty-eight healthy older adults (≥50 years) were included from two monocentric control cohorts. Brain magnetic resonance imaging and 11 C-UCB-J PET data were available in 54 participants. 11 C-UCB-J PET binding was quantified by standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) values in grey matter (GM) volumes of interest (VOIs): caudate, putamen, globus pallidus, substantia nigra, thalamus, cerebellum, and the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital cortex. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed with Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) part III score measuring MMS as the dependent variable and mean SUVR values in each VOI as the independent variable with age, Fazekas score (white matter lesion [WML] load), VOI and cohort as covariates. Participants (68 ± 7.5 years; 52% female) had an average MDS-UPDRS part III score of 3.3 ± 2.8. The MDS-UPDRS part III score was inversely associated with synaptic density, independently of WML load or GM volume, in the caudate, substantia nigra, thalamus, cerebellum, and parietal, occipital, temporal cortex. Cohen's f2 showed moderate effect sizes for subcortical (range, 0.30-0.35), cortical (0.28-0.35) and cerebellar VOIs (0.31). MMS in healthy aging are associated with lower synaptic density throughout the brain. © 2023 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Cognitive-affective changes mediate the mindfulness-based intervention effect on endometriosis-related pain and mental health: A path analysis approach.

There is poor knowledge about the therapeutic mechanisms of the conservative interventions for endometriosis. We hypothesized that the effects of a brief mindfulness-based intervention (bMBI) on pelvic pain intensity (PPI), pain unpleasantness (PU) and quality of life mental health (QoL-MH) are mediated by direct and indirect paths of changes in pain catastrophizing (PC), positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA). A secondary analysis of a pilot randomized controlled trial of women with endometriosis, assigned to standard medical treatment (n = 32) and standard medical treatment plus bMBI (n = 31). We tested a series of parallel and serial mediators (PC, PA and NA) of the relationship between bMBI and outcomes (PPI, PU and QoL-MH). The bMBI group demonstrated improvement in PA (Cohen's f2 = 0.12 [0.01, 0.36]), decreases in NA (Cohen's f2 = 0.06 [0.00, 0.24]) and PC (Cohen's f2 = 0.16 [0.02, 0.42]). The PC reduction mediated the effect of the bMBI on PPI and PU directly; however, the PC effect through PA increase mediated the PU marginally but not PPI changes. bMBI effect on Qol-MH was mediated directly by PA and NA. The PC improved Qol-MH through PA increase and Pain decrease but not via NA. Our findings showed that bMBI impacts pain through changes in pain-related cognitive-affective factors. bMBI can improve QoL-MH by multiple pathways, including but not limited to pain reduction, highlighting the independent potential of improvement in affect to restore mental health in endometriosis. Brief mindfulness-based intervention improves endometriosis pain through pain-related cognitive-affective factors and quality of life mental health via pain and affect changes unrelated to pain.

Decreased cortical gyrification in major depressive disorder.

Early neurodevelopmental deviations, such as abnormal cortical folding patterns, are candidate biomarkers of major depressive disorder (MDD). We aimed to investigate the association of MDD with the local gyrification index (LGI) in each cortical region at the whole-brain level, and the association of the LGI with clinical characteristics of MDD. We obtained T1-weighted images from 234 patients with MDD and 215 healthy controls (HCs). The LGI values from 66 cortical regions in the bilateral hemispheres were automatically calculated according to the Desikan-Killiany atlas. We compared the LGI values between the MDD and HC groups using analysis of covariance, including age, sex, and years of education as covariates. The association between the clinical characteristics and LGI values was investigated in the MDD group. Compared with HCs, patients with MDD showed significantly decreased LGI values in the cortical regions, including the bilateral ventrolateral and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices, medial and lateral orbitofrontal cortices, insula, right rostral anterior cingulate cortex, and several temporal and parietal regions, with the largest effect size in the left pars triangularis (Cohen's f2 = 0.361; p = 1.78 × 10-13). Regarding the association of clinical characteristics with LGIs within the MDD group, recurrence and longer illness duration were associated with increased gyrification in several occipital and temporal regions, which showed no significant difference in LGIs between the MDD and HC groups. These findings suggest that the LGI may be a relatively stable neuroimaging marker associated with MDD predisposition.

Predicting social skills in disadvantaged Chinese high school students through physical education.

This study analyzed the relationships between social skills and motivation to Physical Education, students´ perceived support regarding Physical Education lessons (from parents, teachers and peers) and basic needs satisfaction in a sample of disadvantaged high school Chinese students according to Self-Determination Theory-related main principles. Physical Education classes are a great opportunity to develop not only psychomotor and physiologically, but also psychosocially in young people, and that is why this study investigates the relationship between the social skills of the students and these other main variables of the Self-Determination Theory. Two hundred and nine disadvantaged students enrolled in a camp organized by a non-governmental organization in Chengdu province (15.9 ± 0.83 years; 73.9% female and 26.1% male) completed the Chinese versions of the following Self-Determination Theory-related questionnaires (independent variables): Learning Climate Questionnaire, Activity- Feeling States Scale, Perceived Locus of Causality scale; and social skills questionnaire (dependent variable): Matson Evaluation of Social Skills with Youngsters Scale. The standard multiple regression model to predict social skills based on perceived support, basic needs satisfaction and motivation towards Physical Education was significant (F(11, 195)= 13.85; p < .001; R2=.44; Cohen's f2= 0.78). The social skills of the students were positively related to peer support and relatedness subscales. In contrast, introjected regulation, external regulation, and amotivation were adversely correlated with social skills. We believe that this information would help policymakers and teachers design new policies, actions, and teaching methodologies to implement for the development of Physical Education and sport programs in China, those that will help young people throughout their life span.

Preventing sexual violence among high school students through norms correction and bystander intervention: A school-based cluster trial of Your Voice Your View.

Risk for sexual violence begins early in the lifespan; thus, interventions are needed to decrease the risk for sexual violence among high school youth. The current study evaluates the Your Voice Your View (YVYV) sexual violence prevention program using a school-based cluster trial among 26 high schools in the Northeastern United States. YVYV, includes: 1) a series of four classroom workshops designed to engage students as allies in violence prevention through bystander intervention skills training, address risks for sexual aggression, and reduce risk for victimization; 2) a Lunch and Learn teacher training workshop; and 3) a 4-week social norms poster campaign based on normative data from the school. Schools were matched based on size and demographics and randomly assigned to the intervention group or a wait-list control group. A sample of 2685 10th grade students enrolled in the research and completed assessments at baseline, 2-month and 6-month follow-up periods. The magnitude of the difference in sexual aggression did not vary by condition at either follow-up period. The magnitude of 6-month differences in experiencing unwanted sexual intercourse varied significantly by condition (IRR = 0.33 [0.14-0.76]), demonstrating a small protective effect favoring intervention schools (Cohen's f2 = 0.012). These findings highlight the promise of multicomponent interventions grounded in bystander intervention skills training, risk reduction, and social norms theory as a promising, comprehensive approach for sexual violence prevention among youth.

The predictive relationships between advanced dynamic balance and physical activity/quality of life in Parkinson's disease

Gait and balance problems commonly occur in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, balance tasks with only one performance objective (e.g., sit-to-stand) may not be sufficient, compared to dual motor tasks (e.g., carrying a tray while walking), to be applied to the assessments and interventions which are designed to promote PD patients' balance functioning, physical activity (PA) and health-related quality of life (HQoL). The aim of this study, therefore, was to determine whether advanced dynamic balance, measured by a demanding motor-motor dual task, is a significant predictor of PA/HQoL in older adults with and without PD. Participants with (n = 22) and without (n = 23) PD were assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the single leg hop and stick series task (SLHS), the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE), and the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire–39 (PDQ39). We calculated the R2 change, namely the incremental validity, between the multiple regression models before and after adding the scores on the BBS/SLHS. While controlling for biological and socioeconomic covariates, competence in the SLHS task provided moderate and large levels of incremental validity to PA (ΔR2 = 0.08, Cohen's f2 = 0.25, p = .035) and HQoL (ΔR2 = 0.13, Cohen's f2 = 0.65, p < .001), respectively. In particular for participants with PD, the SLHS explained significantly more variance in HQoL in relation to psychosocial functioning (ΔR2 = 0.25, Cohen's f2 = 0.42, p = .028) compared to the BBS (p = .296). Assessing advanced dynamic balance by means of a highly demanding dual-task paradigm was not only strongly associated with PA but also covered a wider spectrum of HQoL components. This approach is recommended for use in evaluations and interventions carried out in clinical and research settings in order to promote healthy living.

Maladaptive personality traits in patients with recent-onset psychosis: A case-control study using the Personality Inventory for the DSM-5 (PID-5)

BackgroundThe relationship between maladaptive personality traits and psychotic disorders in the early stages of disease has not been thoroughly investigated, even though it is essential for developing prevention and early intervention strategies. MethodsThe five domains and the 25 facets of the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) were compared between 102 patients with recent-onset psychosis (ROP) and 116 community subjects (C) with a general linear model including age and sex in the analyses. In addition, multiple linear regression models were used to identify which factors associated with the PID-5 domains in ROP, and correlation analyses were used to explore the relationship between personality traits. ResultsPatients with ROP, compared to C, exhibited higher scores in four out of the five domains with medium effect sizes (Cohen's f2 ≥ 0.15) in two of them: negative affect (NA, p = 0.013, f2 = 0.04), detachment (DET, p < 0.001, f2 = 0.15), disinhibition (DIS, p < 0.001, f2 = 0.14) and psychoticism (PSY, p < 0.001, f2 = 0.16). Significant group differences were observed in 15 of the 25 facets and the largest effects were observed in the facets of withdrawal (p ≤ 0.001, f2 = 0.20), irresponsibility (p < 0.001, f2 = 0.23) and unusual beliefs (p = 0.001, f2 = 0.22). Interestingly, being on antidepressants and high scores on the positive subscale of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) were associated with high scores of NA, antagonism (ANT) and PSY. ConclusionsMaladaptive personality traits were prominent in persons with ROP. These findings suggest that personality traits might play a role in vulnerability to psychosis and highlight the importance of evaluating personality in the early stages of psychosis.

Burnout is related to executive dysfunction in primary healthcare professionals working in rural areas.

Healthcare professionals are especially vulnerable to burnout, which implies a hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal dysregulation that could impact the integrity of brain structures needed for cognitive processing. However, a scarce number of studies have analyzed the relationship between burnout and executive functions in this population, and possible modulator factors have not been clarified. This study aims to characterize the burnout level of primary healthcare professionals working in rural areas, and to analyze its relationship with executive functioning, considering the possible modulating role of optimism. In this cross-sectional study, 32 primary healthcare professionals were recruited from the Carcastillo Health Center (Spain) and underwent an assessment in which burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey. Optimism and executive functions were also evaluated. 43.8%, 59.4%, and 56.3% of participants experienced high levels of burnout via emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. The path analysis showed that emotional exhaustion was associated with poorer Trail Making Test scores (ß = -0.37, SE = 0.17, p = 0.024, Cohen's f2 = 0.15), but optimism was not a significant moderator of this relationship (p = 0.24). The proposed model yielded excellent fit (CFI = 1.00, RMSEA = 0.0001, SRMR = 0.0001, and ?2(3) = 6.07, p = 0.11). These results suggest that burnout in healthcare professionals could have a detrimental effect on the efficiency of health systems. This has relevant implications, especially for professionals characterized by both work pressure and high cognitive demands, and highlights a need to implement occupation-specific approaches for prevention.

Reducing relative food reinforcement of infants using a music enrichment program: a randomized, controlled trial

Food reinforcement or one's motivation to eat may be established early in life; it might not be the food reinforcement per se that drives weight gain, but rather the imbalance between food and nonfood reinforcement. We implemented a 2-y randomized, controlled trial to assess the effects of a music enrichment program (music, n=45) compared with an active play date control (control, n=45) in 9- to 15-mo-old healthy infants who were strongly motivated to eat. The 12-mo intensive intervention phase included 4 semesters of Music Together® or a play date program (Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall), comprised of once per week group meetings, followed by a 12-mo maintenance phase with monthly meetings. Parents were encouraged to listen to the Music Together® program CD or play with the play date group's toy with their infants at home, respectively. We performed a modified intention-to-treat analysis using all randomly assigned, non-excluded subjects for the outcome measures [relative reinforcing value of food (RRVfood), food reinforcement, music reinforcement, and weight-for-length z-score (WLZ)]. There were significant differential group changes across time for RRVfood (group × month; P=0.016; Cohen's f2=0.034). The music group had significantly greater RRVfood decreases than the control group from baseline to the end of the intensive intervention phase (music change = -0.211; control change = -0.015; P=0.002; Cohen's D=0.379). However, these differences were not maintained during months 12-24 (music change = -0.187; control change = -0.143; P=0.448; D=0.087). We observed an overall moderation effect by sex for food reinforcement and WLZ. Boys in the music group had a significant attenuation in food reinforcement and WLZ compared with boys in the control group. This study extends our knowledge in infant eating behavior by providing insight into the role of nonfood alternatives in altering one's motivation to eat. There may be sex differences in altering one's motivation to eat.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02936284.

The relationship between memory and quality of life is mediated by trait anxiety in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.

Memory deficits are very frequent in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, but they predict a small proportion of variance of their quality of life (QOL) in previous studies, possibly due to the lack of consideration of mediating factors of this relationship. This study aimed to examine whether trait anxiety mediates the relationship between memory and QOL in this population, controlling the influence of demographic and seizure-related factors. In this cross-sectional study, 119 adults with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) underwent a neuropsychological evaluation, in which memory, anxiety, and QOL were assessed. In the total sample, better delayed memory had an effect on better QOL indirectly through lower trait anxiety (B = 0.13, SE = 0.06, p = 0.04, abcs = 0.13; κ2 = 0.18; PMind = 0.76). Additionally, delayed memory has not a direct association with QOL (B = 0.04, SE = 0.09, p = 0.64, Cohen's f2 = 0.005; PMdir = 0.24), and the total effect of delayed memory on QOL tended to reach statistical significance (B = 0.17, SE = 0.10, p = 0.08). The proposed mediation model yielded excellent fit (CFI = 1.00, RMSEA = 0.0001, SRMR = 0.009, and χ2 (1) = 0.50, p = 0.48) and explained 38% of the variance of QOL. These findings suggest that trait anxiety is an important factor in understanding the relationship between memory and QOL in patients with TLE, considering the influence of demographic and seizure-related variables, and may have relevant implications for decision-making in this population.

Changes in emerging adults' alcohol and cannabis use from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from a prospective birth cohort.

Prospective research is needed to better-understand changes in substance use from before to during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, among emerging adults (18-25 years), a high-risk group for substance use. N = 1,096 (weighted sample N = 1,080; 54% female) participants enrolled in the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development, who completed prepandemic (2019; 21 years) and COVID-19 (mid-March to mid-June 2020) surveys. COVID-19-related and preexisting factors were examined as moderators of change in substance use. Full sample analyses revealed decreased binge drinking (p < .001, Bayes factor [BF] = 22, Cohen's f² = 0.02), but no changes in alcohol and cannabis use. Stratified analyses revealed emerging adults who reported < monthly use prepandemic increased their alcohol use (p < .001, BF > 150, f² = 0.05) and binge drinking (p < .001, BF = 27, f² = 0.01), but not their cannabis use. Conversely, emerging adults who reported >monthly use prepandemic decreased their binge drinking (p < .001, BF > 150, f² = .12) and cannabis use (p < .001, BF > 150, f² = .06), but did not change their alcohol use frequency. Several factors moderated change in substance use, including employment loss (p = .005, BF > 39, f² = .03) and loneliness (p = .018, BF > 150, f² = .10) during COVID-19. Changes in alcohol and cannabis use frequency among emerging adults in the first 3 months of COVID-19 largely differed according to prepandemic substance use, COVID-19-related factors, and preexisting factors. While some youth with preexisting vulnerabilities (e.g., more frequent substance use prepandemic) remained stable or decreased their substance use during COVID-19, emerging adults who experienced employment loss, loneliness, and financial concerns during COVID-19 increased their substance use, highlighting the need for increased supports for vulnerable populations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Speech competence and speech performance

AbstractThis study examined Chinese-as-a-second-language (L2 Chinese) learners’ speech production ability from a dual perspective: speech competence and speech performance. A total of 118 valid L2 Chinese learners finished two developed tests in this study, namely, the Chinese speech competence test and the Chinese speech performance test. The results suggested that L2 Chinese learners’ speech competence and speech performance, as a twofold rendering of their L2 speech production ability, not only showed a significant positive correlation with a large effect size (Pearson’sr = .598) but also significantly predicted each other with a large effect size (Cohenf2 = .555). However, such large effect sizes of the correlation and the prediction between speech competence and speech performance were not supported among the upper-intermediate L2 Chinese learners. This suggested that the development between speech competence and speech performance may be more unbalanced among the upper-intermediate L2 Chinese learners compared with their advanced counterparts. The study adds evidence to the call for a multidimensional evaluation of L2 speech production ability. It is hoped that the dual approach (i.e., speech competence and speech performance) proposed in the present study may contribute to a more comprehensive evaluation of learners’ L2 Chinese speech production ability. Consequently, classroom-based teaching can be tailored to facilitate a more balanced development of L2 Chinese learners’ speech competence and speech performance.

A systematic examination of cognitive emotion regulation strategies, global emotion dysregulation, and cognitive insight in relation to posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among trauma exposed patients with early nonaffective psychosis.

Previous research has shown that emotion dysregulation after trauma is associated with increased posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity. However, it remains unclear how different dimensions of emotion dysregulation and cognitive insight may interact to predict Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) PTSD symptoms in early psychosis. The present study systematically examines cognitive emotion regulation strategies, global emotion dysregulation, and cognitive insight in relation to DSM-5 PTSD symptoms among trauma-exposed patients with early nonaffective psychosis. A total of 150 outpatients with early nonaffective psychosis were screened for trauma exposure on the Stressful Life Events Questionnaire. Participants (N = 79; 52.6%) who met the DSM-5 Criterion A subsequently completed the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Difficulties With Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and Beck Cognitive Insight Scale. Severity of psychotic and depressive symptoms were rated on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. Multivariate regression models adjusting for age, gender, psychotic and depressive symptoms revealed that PTSD symptom clusters were associated with more maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies (catastrophic thinking, rumination, and other blame) and less adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal and planning; Cohen's f² = 1.50-3.17). Further moderation analyses revealed a negative interaction between global emotion dysregulation and self-reflection on intrusive symptoms such that for patients with low self-reflectivity, global emotion dysregulation was associated with increased severity of intrusive symptoms (f² = 0.96). Our findings suggest that addressing emotion dysregulation and cognitive insight may improve intrusive symptoms, and this may prevent the development of full PTSD in patients with early nonaffective psychosis. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).