Differences In Behavioral Characteristics Research Articles

Maternal Parenting Styles and Middle Childhood Temperament Patterns: A Comparison Between Two Social Classes Residing in an Urban Community

Background: Parenting refers to the usual approaches that parents use in child rearing and is one of the many aspects that play a role in the development of both adaptive and maladaptive behavior in children and adolescents. Parenting styles may be authoritarian, authoritative, or permissive. Temperament refers to the stylistic aspect of behavior and individual differences in behavioral characteristics. This study aimed to compare maternal parenting styles and childhood temperamental patterns between two socioeconomic classes. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Sixty mothers from middle and lower socioeconomic status residing in an urban community in Hyderabad were chosen for the study. Data was collected from January to February 2020. Every participant was a mother of two children in the age group 6–12 years. A semi-structured intake proforma was used, along with the Temperament Measurement Schedule and Parental Styles Questionnaire. Factorial ANOVA was used to explore the differences among the different groups. Results: In 76% of the participants, the predominant parenting style was found to be authoritative. Statistically significant differences in parenting styles were seen between the middle and low socioeconomic status groups. Parenting styles differed with the gender of the child. The education of the mother influenced the parenting style. Illiterate participants and participants who did not have at least tenth-grade education had an authoritarian parenting style. Second-born children scored high on the sociability factor compared to firstborn children. The difference between first- and second-born children was statistically significant. Socioeconomic status and the gender of the child had a statistically significant association. Conclusions: Parenting is a complex phenomenon that is influenced by many factors, social class being one such factor.

Changes in consumer satisfaction with electric vehicle charging infrastructure: Evidence from two cross-sectional surveys in 2019 and 2023

Consumer attitude toward electric vehicles is very important for clean development. Chen and Lin (2022) explored the impact of consumer behavioral characteristics on satisfaction with electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The research team builds on this study for further research from a dynamic perspective. This study utilized 3778 valid samples from two cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2019 and 2023 to explore the differences in behavioral characteristics and satisfaction across periods and cities. Mechanisms of influence were also discussed. The main findings include: (1) Consumer satisfaction has increased in 2023 compared to 2019, while charging habits have changed in favor of nighttime charging. Additionally, consumers have lower requirements for charging time and price, and higher requirements for charging infrastructure distribution. (2) Consumers in non-first-tier cities are more receptive to charging infrastructure farther from homes than consumers in first-tier cities. (3) In current first-tier cities, preference for daytime or nighttime charging no longer affects consumer satisfaction, while the price increase sensitivity has a less significant effect on consumer satisfaction in non-first-tier cities. (4) Consumer perceived control and expectation disconfirmation are found to be important mechanisms through which behavioral characteristics affect satisfaction. Finally, this study proposes targeted policy implications based on the findings.

FORMATION OF AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A SUBJECT OF MILITARY PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY

The article offers an empirical study of the behavioural characteristics of aggressiveness. The main theoretical and empirical results, actual data, discovered relationships and patterns are presented. The study was conducted on the basis of Saint Petersburg National Guard Forces Command Military Institute. The respondents were cadets of the third and fifth Прикладные исследования, технологии 75 years of the faculties of command and psychological support, 120 people in total. To study behavioural characteristics, L. Pochebut’s “Aggressiveness” technique was used. The object of the study was a cadet as a subject of military professional activity. The subject of the study was aggressive behavioural characteristics of the subject of activity. The hypothesis of the study is that the behavioural characteristics of aggressiveness have their own specifics depending on the stage and conditions of formation of the subject of military professional activity. In the course of the empirical study, significant differences in behavioural characteristics of aggression between cadets of different courses and faculties were detected.

Estimating Changes in Population Size and Behavioral Characteristics in Men Who Have Sex With Men Between 2014 and 2019: Longitudinal Study.

BackgroundMen who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk for HIV infection. Accurate estimation of the population size and monitoring the risk sexual behavioral change of MSM is of great importance to develop targeted HIV prevention and interventions.ObjectiveThe goal of the research was accurate estimation of the population size and monitoring the risk sexual behavioral change of MSM.MethodsStreet interception investigation methods were conducted among males aged 16 years and older in selected sites in Shenzhen in 2014 and 2019. A population survey was used to estimate the population size of MSM. Logistic regression analysis was applied to evaluate the difference in behavioral characteristics in MSM from 2014 to 2019.ResultsIn this study, we surveyed 10,170 participants in 2014, of whom 448 (4.41%, 95% CI 4.01%-4.80%) participants were men who have ever had sex with another man (MSMe) and 229 (2.25%, 95% CI 1.96%-2.54%) were men who had sex with another man in the previous 6 months (MSMa). A total of 10,226 participants were surveyed in 2019, of which 500 (4.90%, 95% CI 4.47%-5.31%) and 208 (2.03%, 95% CI 1.76%-2.31%) participants were MSMe and MSMa, respectively. The results showed that the population size of MSM who are active (MSMa) in Shenzhen was 155,469 (2.29%, 95% CI 2.28%-2.30%) in 2014 and 167,337 (2.05%, 95% CI 2.04%-2.06%) in 2019. It was estimated that there were about 12,005,445 (2.04%, 95% CI 2.04%-2.04%) MSMa in China in 2019. Compared with 2014, the MSMa in 2019 were more likely to seek sex partners through mobile phone apps and less likely to have male and female sex partners in addition to having inconsistent condom use and more than 6 sex partners in the previous 6 months.ConclusionsIn Shenzhen, the proportion of MSMa among the general male population was lower in 2019 than in 2014, and the prevalence of HIV risk behavior was reduced in 2019. Although the preferred platform to find male sex partners among MSM has changed, intervention with high–HIV risk MSM could still help to reduce HIV risk behaviors among the whole MSM group. Because MSM prefer to seek sex partners through mobile phone apps, further study is needed to strengthen internet interventions with high–HIV risk MSM to curb the spread of HIV.

INDICATORS OF HUMAN SOCIALITY IN SLOVENIA AND THE NETHERLANDS: EVIDENCE FROM EXPERIMENTS WITH STUDENTS

In the article we report a series of experiments with volunteers designed to detect differences in behavioural characteristics among Slovenian, Dutch and international students. Using eight standard tasks from experimental economics, we investigate the differences using experimental measures of solidarity, trust, cooperation, positive and negative reciprocity, competition, honesty, and risk attitudes. No significant cohort effects in any of the eight decisions are found when we compare the Slovenian and international cohorts. Still, when comparing the Dutch and Slovenian cohorts, Dutch students are found to exhibit lower levels of solidarity, generosity and honesty. This points to differences in sociality between institutionally similar yet ideologically distant countries like Slovenia and the Netherlands. Keywords: cross-national study, experimental economics, game theory, sociality

Differences in Behavioral Characteristics and Diffusion Mechanisms: A Comparative Analysis Based on Social Bots and Human Users

In the field of social media, the systematic impact that bot users bring to the dissemination of public opinion has been a key concern of the research. To achieve more effective opinion management, it is important to understand how and why behavior differs between bot users and human users. The study compares the differences in behavioral characteristics and diffusion mechanisms between bot users and human users during public opinion dissemination, using public health emergencies as the research target, and further provides specific explanations for the differences. First, the study classified users with bot characteristics and human users by establishing the relevant formulas of user indicator characteristics. Secondly, the study used deep learning methods such as Top2Vec and BERT to extract topics and sentiments, and used social network analysis methods to construct network graphs and compare network attribute features. Finally, the study further compared the differences in information dissemination between posts published by bot users and human users through multi-factor ANOVA. It was found that there were significant differences in behavioral characteristics and diffusion mechanisms between bot users and human users. The findings can help guide the public to pay attention to topic shifting and promote the diffusion of positive emotions in social networks, which in turn can better achieve emergency management of emergencies and the maintenance of online orders.

Science education and labor market outcomes in a developing economy

AbstractWe examine the association between studying science in higher secondary school and labor market earnings in India. Studying science in high school is associated with 22% greater earnings than studying business or humanities. Earnings for science students are further enhanced with some fluency in English. Science education is also associated with more years of education, completing a professional degree, returns to entrepreneurship and working in public sector positions. Primary survey of high school students shows no discernible differences in behavioral characteristics of science students compared to others.

Older Adults Vastly Overestimate Both HIV Acquisition Risk and HIV Prevalence in Rural South Africa

Perceptions of HIV acquisition risk and prevalence shape sexual behavior in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We used data from the Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa baseline survey. Data were collected through home-based interviews of 5059 people ≥ 40 years old. We elicited information on perceived risk of HIV acquisition and HIV prevalence among adults ≥ 15 and ≥ 50 years old. We first describe these perceptions in key subgroups and then compared them to actual estimates for this cohort. We then evaluated the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and accurate perceptions of prevalence in regression models. Finally, we explored differences in behavioral characteristics among those who overestimated risk compared to those who underestimated or accurately estimated risk. Compared to the actual HIV acquisition risk of < 1%, respondents vastly overestimated this risk: 35% (95% CI: 32–37) and 34% (95% CI: 32–36) for men and women, respectively. Respondents overestimated HIV prevalence at 53% (95% CI: 52–53) for those ≥ 15 years old and 48% (95% CI: 48–49) for those ≥ 50 years old. True values were less than half of these estimates. There were few significant associations between demographic characteristics and accuracy. Finally, high overestimators of HIV prevalence tested themselves less for HIV compared to mild overestimators and accurate reporters. More than 30 years into the HIV epidemic, older people in a community with hyperendemic HIV in SSA vastly overestimate both HIV acquisition risk and prevalence. These misperceptions may lead to fatalism and reduced motivation for prevention efforts, possibly explaining the continued high HIV incidence in this community.

Differences in the behavioral characteristics between green and loggerhead turtles in a setnet bycatch simulation

Sea turtles that have entered the submerged bag net of setnets repeatedly push their heads up against the ceiling netting (referred to here as push-ups) to ascend to breathe. Consecutive push-ups are essential to the success of escaping in a turtle releasing system developed to reduce the incidental death in setnets. Existence of differences in behavioral characteristics were suggested among turtle species, but no detailed evaluation has been performed. The objectives of this study were to establish extraction methods of the consecutive push-ups with a tri-axial acceleration logger, and to clarify the differences in the behavioral characteristics between green Chleonia mydas and loggerhead Caretta caretta turtles under the simulated condition of bycatch in setnets for appropriate adaptation and modification of this system. The behavior of each turtle mounted with an acceleration logger in an experimental bag net was recorded using a video camera. The consecutive push-ups were extracted by filtering the time-series body angle converted from the static surge acceleration and the overall dynamic body acceleration (ODBA) from the triaxial dynamic acceleration. A threshold of 20° in body angle and 1.0 m/s2 in ODBA was detected among 89 % of all consecutive push-ups in green turtles. On the other hand, the ODBA was not adopted as the extract condition in loggerhead turtles, although a threshold of 20° in the body angle detected 93 % correctly. Mode of ODBA (1.0–1.5 m/s2) in the green turtles was larger than that in the loggerhead turtles (0.5–1.0 m/s2) during consecutive push-ups. In contrast, the number and duration of the consecutive push-ups in the green turtles were less than those of loggerhead turtles. Consequently, modifying the gear with a larger inclination angle of the ceiling netting should be considered for the setnets where the bycatch of green turtles dominates.

Facial emotion perception in young female students with subsyndromal panic disorder. Behavioral and ERP study

This study aimed to examine the behavioral and neural correlates of facial emotion recognition in young women with subsyndromal panic disorder (SPD). In the experiment 15 non-medicated women with SPD and 17 matched healthy controls were tasked with recognizing angry, fearful, happy, and neutral facial expressions, and accuracy, reaction time (RT), and event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded. Significant between-group differences in behavioral characteristics (accuracy of emotion recognition and RT) were not found, however, the SPD subjects demonstrated a slower response to fearful expressions compared to neutral and happy expressions. More distinct between-group differences were observed for the EPRs. The SPD subjects demonstrated increased amplitudes of the P100 ERP component in the occipital area and the P200 component over the occipital and temporal regions. In the frontal regions the SPD group showed a greater amplitude of the N200 component and also an increased negativity 350−450 ms after stimulus presentation. According to the dipole source modeling data, the SPD subjects showed enhanced activation in the extra-striate cortex which increased in intensity when angry and fearful faces were presented. Thus, young women with SPD which manifested in infrequent panic attacks showed significant alterations in ERP characteristics of emotional processing, which may be considered as a more sensitive indicator of early-stage panic disorder than the observed behavioral measures.

Differences in Characteristics Associated With Mobility in Older Dwellers of a Hillside Residential Community

In a super-ageing society, sustaining outings as an elderly person is necessary for maintaining good health and preventing frailty and social isolation. Avoiding driving cars and walking due to ageing are among factors that deter the elderly from going out. However, the characteristics associated with mobility on foot and by car in actual outings of the elderly have not been examined. To explore these characteristics, we conducted interviews with 23 elderly participants living in a suburban hillside residential community in Japan, and investigated the destinations, routes, and means of all their outings for a certain week. Then, spatial analysis was conducted to identify differences in behavioral characteristics associated with mobility on foot and by car/taxi among three age groups: 70–79, 80–84, and 85+. Consequently, two inclinations were identified. First, the older the group, the smaller the area of the outing on foot due to difficulties in walking on slopes for a long duration with luggage. Second, the use of a car/taxi varies among the three groups. While the 70–79 age group used cars/taxis for district-to-district trips, the 80–84 age group rarely used them, and further, the 85+ age group mainly travelled by them one-way or made back-and-forth trips. To summarize, for older suburban dwellers in a hillside residential community, mobility on foot is lowered by physical and mental weakness and the landscape. Therefore, even though mobility increases by using cars/taxis, willingness for outing has changed with ageing, and thus, they make limited use of opportunities.

Preliminary study on the ground behavior at shore connection of submerged floating tunnel using numerical analysis

Submerged floating tunnel (SFT) is a type of tunnel which causes the tunnel segments to float in the water. When the SFTs are connected to the ground, the connection between the SFT and the subsea bored tunnel is fragile due to the difference in behavioral characteristics between the two types of tunnels. Therefore, special design and construction methods are needed to ensure the stability of the area around the connection. However, since previous research on the stability of the connection site has not been undertaken enough, the basic step necessitates the evaluation of ground behavior at the shore connection. In this study, the numerical analysis targeting the shore connection between the subsea bored tunnel and the SFT was simulated. The strain concentration at the shore connection was analyzed by numerical simulation and the effects of several factors were examined. The results showed the instability in the ground close to the shore connection due to the imbalance in the behavior of the two types of tunnels; the location of the strain concentration varies with different environmental and structural conditions. It is expected that the results from this study can be utilized in future studies to determine weak points in the shore connection between the submerged floating tunnel and the subsea bored tunnel, and devise methods to mitigate the risks.

Behaviour of high-income consumers: Results of research of the private banking services market in Russia

The existing studies of consumer behaviour in the unique Russian market for private banking services characterized by scarce information disclosed and extreme privacy are generally fragmented and non-consistent in nature. The article analyses the results of a longitudinal comparative study of consumer behaviour for 2016–2018 and identifies trends in its development. The theoretical and methodological basis is multidisciplinary and encompasses the model of consumption values, market segmentation theory, and the theory of planned behavior. The research method includes a set of desk and field investigations with a dominance of qualitative research methods in the form of in-depth interviews with market participants. The paper introduces the author’s interpretation of the term “consumer of private banking services” and systematizes unique, due to extreme privacy, information about Russian high-income consumers. Based on these data, the author creates a composite portrait of a target customer for the three-year monitoring period. The results reveal that the segment of high-income consumers is split into sub-segments based on differences in behavioral characteristics, and sub-segments are transformed into niches according to dissimilarities in psychographic features. The study discusses consumers’ main activities at different stages of decision-making, looks at behavioural dynamics and provides practical recommendations for optimistic and pessimistic scenarios of the development of market competition. The research findings are of practical importance for bank management when making managerial and marketing decisions on the development of the private banking services market.

Effects of the Consumption Behavior of AdultPomacea maculataandPomacea paludosaonVallisneria americana

Abstract Understanding differences in behavioral characteristics between invasive non-native species and native species is an important step in preventing, managing, and mitigating environmental impacts. This study examined the differences between adult life-stage native Pomacea paludosa (Florida Applesnail) and adult non-native Pomacea maculata (Giant Applesnail) grazing behavior and rates on Vallisneria americana (Tapegrass), a plant of restoration importance, to assess the potential ecological impact. We used an experimental design with entire intact specimens of Tapegrass placed in 8 tanks of each of 3 treatment groups: (1) grazed by Giant Applesnail, (2) grazed by Florida Applesnail, and (3) control with no snails. Rates of herbivory on, and physical and total biomass damage to, Tapegrass by Giant Applesnail were 1.8 cm/hr, 2.5cm/hr, and 4.2 cm/hr, respectively. Rates of herbivory on, and physical and total biomass damage to, Tapegrass by Florida Applesnail were 0.2 cm/hr, 1.2 cm/hr, and 1.4 cm/hr, r...

Behavioral characteristics and parental stress in elementary school children with bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in behavioral characteristics and parental stress between allergic and nonallergic elementary school children. Methods: Ninety-one elementary school children who had allergic disease were enrolled (asthma, n=27; allergic rhinitis, n=35; combined, n=29). Also one hundred six nonallergic elementary school children were enrolled for the control group. The Korean Child Behavior Check List (K-CBCL) and Korean Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (K-PSI-SF) were completed by their mothers. Results: According to the analysis of K-CBCL, the score for Internalizing, anxious/depressed and somatic complaints were significantly higher in the combined group than in the control group. The score for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-affective problems in the combined group and DSM-somatic problems were significantly higher in the asthma group than in the control group. According to the analysis of K-PSI-SF, the score for parental distress was significantly higher in the allergic rhinitis group than in the control group. The scores for behavioral problems and parental stress were significantly correlated to allergic disease groups. Conclusion: Behavioral problems and parental stress were significantly associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis. The results of this study suggest the importance of psychosocial support for mothers and children with allergic diseases. (Allergy Asthma Respir Dis 2016;4:205-211)

Behavioral characteristics of subthreshold depression

BackgroundThis study examines differences in behavioral characteristics among individuals who are not depressed and individuals with subthreshold depression, and depression. MethodsWe conducted structured interviews with 111 undergraduate students, who also completed self-report scales. The participants were divided into a non-depression group, a subthreshold depression group, and a depression group based on results of the structured interview and the BDI-II. ResultsThere were significant differences in avoidance between depression group and other two groups. Also, for the environmental rewards, there were significant difference between the non-depressed group and the other two groups. LimitationsThe sample of depressed participants was small. The overall sample consisted only undergraduate students. ConclusionsThis study reported that there are different behavioral characteristics among non-depression, subthreshold depression, and depression groups. Whereas depression group is characterized by high frequency of avoidance and low environmental rewards, subthreshold depression group is characterized by only low environmental rewards.

Biogenic Amine Neurotransmitter Response to Morphine in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex Predicts Propensity for Acquiring Self-Administration and the Intensity of the Withdrawal Syndrome

Individual differences in behavioral characteristics or initial responses to abused drugs had been recently demonstrated to have predictive value in the propensity of later abuse. The research described here was initiated to determine the initial response of rats to administration of morphine if the physiological response has predictive value for the propensity of the animals to later self-administration. The initial response of extracellular fluid levels of the biogenic monoamine neurotransmitters in the anterior cingulate cortex (aCC) was assessed in drug rats with in vivo microdialysis following administration of morphine. Rats that did not acquire morphine self-administration (NSA) had higher baseline levels of aCC extracellular fluid levels of dopamine (DA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) than animals that developed stable morphine self-administration (SA). However, the response independent administration of morphine resulted in a dramatic increase in (DA) in aCC in the SA group, while the morphine injection in the NSA rats increased extracellular fluid levels of noradrenaline (NA). It is possible that these differences might be related to the development of physical dependence. Therefore, the development of physical dependence was observed in these animals. There was no relationship between the propensity to self-administration morphine and the development of physical dependence. Rats that showed the highest withdrawal scores had lower extracellular fluid levels of serotonin (5-HT) compared to rats showing low withdrawal scores. Thus, monoamine neuronal innervations of the aCC respond to an initial dose of morphine that is predictive of the later propensity to self-administration and the resistance and predisposition to the formation of opiate dependence, but there is no relationship between these two indices in individual animals. These data add to a growing body of evidence for the involvement of neuronal systems in the aCC in the actions of opiates.

Differences in behavioral characteristics between dogs obtained as puppies from pet stores and those obtained from noncommercial breeders

To compare the owner-reported prevalence of behavioral characteristics in dogs obtained as puppies from pet stores with that of dogs obtained as puppies from noncommercial breeders. Cross-sectional study. Animals-Dogs obtained as puppies from pet stores (n = 413) and breeder-obtained dogs (5,657). Behavioral evaluations were obtained from a large convenience sample of current dog owners with the online version of the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire, which uses ordinal scales to rate either the intensity or frequency of the dogs' behavior. Hierarchic linear and logistic regression models were used to analyze the effects of source of acquisition on behavioral outcomes when various confounding and intervening variables were controlled for. Pet store-derived dogs received significantly less favorable scores than did breeder-obtained dogs on 12 of 14 of the behavioral variables measured; pet store dogs did not score more favorably than breeder dogs in any behavioral category. Compared with dogs obtained as puppies from noncommercial breeders, dogs obtained as puppies from pet stores had significantly greater aggression toward human family members, unfamiliar people, and other dogs; greater fear of other dogs and nonsocial stimuli; and greater separation-related problems and house soiling. Obtaining dogs from pet stores versus noncommercial breeders represented a significant risk factor for the development of a wide range of undesirable behavioral characteristics. Until the causes of the unfavorable differences detected in this group of dogs can be specifically identified and remedied, the authors cannot recommend that puppies be obtained from pet stores.

A cross-sectional study of aggression levels in physicians and orthopaedic surgeons: impact on specialty selection and training?

ObjectivesTo determine if current validated psychometric evaluations could determine a difference in basic behavioural characteristics between surgical and medical specialties.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingTwo district general hospitals and one University teaching hospital in England, UK.ParticipantsInternal medicine (16) and trauma and orthopaedic (20) consultants.Main outcome measuresAggression levels as assessed by the Buss and Warren questionnaire. The self-administered questionnaire assesses aggression in terms of physical, verbal, anger, hostility, indirect hostility and an overall assessment of aggression.ResultsAll participants had aggression scores below the population average. We found a significant difference (P < 0.01) in total level of aggression, with orthopaedic consultants scoring a mean of 61.1 (standard deviation [SD] 9.2) and physicians 51.3 (SD 9.5). When analysis of the five different subtypes of aggression was carried out, orthopaedic surgeons scored significantly higher in terms of verbal aggression (P = 0.005), hostility (P = 0.002) and indirect hostility (P = 0.03).ConclusionThis study joins a growing evidence base for aspects of behaviour indicative of a given specialty. Aggression is a relatively stable behavioural characteristic from adolescence, and as such this is the first study of its type to suggest that the differences in behavioural characteristics seen between specialties are inherent, rather than learned. It is unclear if the differences observed represent an attraction of that specialty to the personality type or is required for success within the given specialty. Whether this can be used in terms of selection into higher specialty training, or influence training within specialties, requires further work.

Quality of life of residents with dementia in traditional versus small-scale long-term care settings: A quasi-experimental study

BackgroundThe number of people living with dementia worldwide is increasing, resulting in a need for more residential care. In response to criticism of the traditional medical approach to residential dementia care, many large nursing homes are transforming their traditional care facilities into more home-like small-scale living facilities. ObjectivesThis study examined the assumed benefits of small-scale living for residents with dementia, compared to traditional long-term care in the Netherlands and Belgium. The primary outcome was quality of life, divided into nine different domains. DesignThe study had a longitudinal design within a one-year time interval. SettingsFive long-term care settings in the Netherlands and Belgium containing four traditional and twelve small-scale living units participated in the study. ParticipantsData were obtained from 179 residents with dementia (age>65 years) (Dutch small-scale N=51, traditional N=51, Belgian small-scale N=47, traditional N=30). MethodsNurses and nursing assistants were trained to fill in the questionnaires. ResultsIn the Dutch sample, residents in small-scale settings had higher mean scores on ‘social relations’, ‘positive affect’, and ‘having something to do’ than residents in traditional settings. Moreover, mean scores on ‘caregiver relation’ and ‘negative affect’ remained stable over time among residents in small-scale settings, but decreased in traditional settings. These differences could not be explained by differences in behavioural characteristics, behavioural interventions, or social interaction. In the Belgian sample, fewer differences were found between traditional and small-scale settings. Nevertheless, residents in small-scale settings were reported to experience less ‘negative affect’ than those in traditional settings, which could be explained by differences in depression. Over time, however, residents ‘felt more at home’ in traditional settings, whereas no such increase was found for small-scale settings. Moreover, the mean quality of life scores on ‘restless behaviour’, ‘having something to do’ and ‘social relations’ decreased in small-scale settings, but remained stable in traditional settings. ConclusionsBoth small-scale and traditional settings appear to have beneficial effects on different domains of quality of life of residents with dementia. Future research should focus more on the quality and content of the care provided, than on the effects of the scale and design of the environment in long-term care settings.