Dysfunctional Styles Research Articles

An epigenetic candidate-gene association study of parental styles in suicide attempters with substance use disorders.

Suicide attempts (SA) are prevalent in substance use disorders (SUD). Epigenetic mechanisms may play a pivotal role in the molecular mechanisms of environmental effects eliciting suicidal behaviour in this population. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA), oxytocin and neurotrophin pathways have been consistently involved in SA, yet , their interplay with childhood adversity remains unclear, particularly in SUD. In 24 outpatients with SUDs, we examined the relation between three parental dysfunctional styles and history of SA with methylation of 32 genes from these pathways, eventually analysing 823 methylation sites. Extensive phenotypic characterization was obtained using a semi-structured interview. Parental style was patient-reported using the Measure of Parental Style (MOPS) questionnaire, analysed with and without imputation of missing items. Linear regressions were performed to adjust for possible confounders, followed by multiple testing correction. We describe both differentially methylated probes (DMPs) and regions (DMRs) for each set of analyses (with and without imputation of MOPS items). Without imputation, five DMRs in OXTR, CRH and NTF3 significantly interacted with MOPS father abuse to increase the risk for lifetime SA, thus covering the three pathways. After imputation of missing MOPS items, two other DMPs from FKBP5 and SOCS3 significantly interactedwith each of the three father styles to increase the risk for SA. Although our findings must be interpreted with caution due to small sample size, they suggest implications of stress reactivity genes in the suicidal risk of SUD patients and highlight the significance offather dysfunction as a potential marker of childhood adversity in SUD patients.

Family Functioning as an Explanatory Factor of Empathic Behavior in Argentine Medical Students.

Ex post facto design: 306 Argentine medical students who had already taken the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Spanish Edition (JSE-S) and the abbreviated Spanish Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES-20). A gender-weighted linear regression analysis was made, establishing an ANOVA and multiple comparisons via DMS to determine the effect of functional and dysfunctional families' balanced, intermediate and extreme functioning styles concerning empathy. Students who presented dysfunction in familial cohesion and adaptability showed measures of empathy greater than those classified as functional. Differences of cohesion were statistically significant in compassionate care, perspective taking and general empathy. These components were significantly higher in students from families classified as extreme than balanced ones. Students classified within families with either extreme or dysfunctional styles showed greater levels of empathy than more adaptive and functional ones, except in the 'walking in patient's shoes' component where differences were not observed. Individual resilience as an intervening variable in the presence of empathy is discussed. The study of empathy, its associated variables, and the conditions of its development remains a central theme in relation to students and professionals of the health sciences. To achieve an effective professional practice, it is necessary to develop human capacities such as empathy and personal resilience.

Changing Metacognitive Appraisal Bias in High-Worriers Through Reappraisal Training

Background and ObjectivesWorry-related negative metacognitive beliefs about worrying maintain and predict pathological worry. For the current proof-of-principle study, we developed a computerized cognitive bias modification based—reappraisal training (RT), to modify the appraisal of negative metacognitive beliefs in a high-worrying sample. A functional and dysfunctional RT were pitted against each other to investigate whether appraisals of one’s thinking and coping changed following training. Moreover, training effects on the number of negative thoughts and interpretations of the worry content were examined.MethodsParticipants (N = 81) were trained to adopt a functional (disconfirmation of negative metacognitive beliefs) or dysfunctional (confirmation of negative metacognitive beliefs) appraisal style using a series of vignettes that had to be completed in line with the intended training direction. Changes in negative thoughts from pre- to post-RT were assessed with a behavioral state worry task, and transfer to interpretations with an open-ended stem sentence task.ResultsFindings support the use of the RT to alter a metacognitive appraisal bias, as participants receiving the functional RT reported fewer negative appraisals of one’s thinking and coping than participants in the dysfunctional RT group. Number of negative thoughts and interpretations were not directly affected by training.LimitationsThis study employed an analog sample and future research should replicate findings in a clinical sample for which negative metacognitions are more relevant.ConclusionsThese findings highlight the potential of metacognitive RT for future translational studies with (clinical) samples characterized by repetitive negative thinking and/or negative metacognitive beliefs.

Which mother-headed households' parenting styles are related to children's behavior problems? A cross-sectional study.

SummaryIntroductionParenting styles are considered as one of the main determinants of individual and social behaviors and the use of dysfunctional styles can create child behavioral problems. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between mother-child relationship patterns in mother-headed households and children’s behavioral problems.MethodsThis is a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study that was performed on 345 mother-headed households under the coverage of the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee in Shiraz, Iran. Mothers were selected by convenience sampling method and data were collected using several questionnaires including the mother-child relationship evaluation, the child behavior checklist, and social support appraisals scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21.ResultsThe overprotective parenting style, as one of the inefficient models has been used more than others by mother-headed households as well as the mothers with higher education levels used less from the child-rearing style “ excessive ease “, and benefited more from the support of friends and others. In addition, children of divorced and low-income mothers are more prone to externalizing behavioral problems. The final result was also determined two parenting styles “excessive ease and overprotection” are effective on children’s total behavioral problems.ConclusionThe findings highlight the need to plan and expand socio-economic and educational support services to improve living conditions and parenting skills in mother-headed households. Further research is also suggested to identify the determinants and types of interventions affecting mother-child relationships, children’s behavioral problems, and finally quality of life among this low-income and vulnerable group.

Management of Aggression in Young Male Adults Using the Virtual Reality-Based Communication Modification Program

High aggression is common and costly for mental health problems in young adults. Because communication is a universal part of social relationships, including conflicts with others, it could be a possible target for mediating aggression. This study aimed to evaluate whether the virtual reality (VR)-based communication modification program can be utilized for aggression management. Fifty-eight individuals with high aggression (n = 30) and with low aggression (n = 28) completed psychological assessments associated with aggression and functional communication, and they participated in the program, consisting of the three tasks: exploring the communication style, practicing functional communication, and expressing empathy. The participants’ selections and their visual analog scale scores, in response to questions in the tasks, were collected as behavioral data. Results indicated that the high aggression group selected blaming dysfunctional communication style more frequently than the low aggression group. VR-based parameters, expected to reflect dysfunctional communication-related characteristics, showed significantly different correlations with aggression-related traits between the two groups. These findings show that our program may accurately represent an individual’s aggressive traits and elicit the appropriate reaction.

Psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among adults in India: A longitudinal study.

A longitudinal follow-up design was used to study the psychological distress and coping among 168 individuals immediately after the national lockdown and after 6 months of the pandemic. Psychological distress was measured using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). The coping strategies used were measured by the Brief-COPE, and Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS-12) was employed to measure response to uncertainty. On follow-up, the prevalence rates for severe/very severe levels of depression, anxiety, and stress had increased substantially from time 1 to time 2. The stepwise multivariate regression analyses revealed that the change in the three DASS-21 scores over time was primarily predicted by intolerance of uncertainty as measured by the IUS-12 and dysfunctional style as assessed by the coping Brief-COPE. There is a need to implement public health policies that promote psychological resilience among high-risk groups.

Coping With Adolescents Affected by Anorexia Nervosa: The Role of Parental Personality Traits

IntroductionAnorexia nervosa (AN) promotes psychological distress in caregivers who adopt different coping strategies. Dysfunctional caregiving styles exacerbate further distress in the patient promoting the maintenance of the illness. We aimed to assess the possible contribution of personality traits of caregivers to the adoption of different coping strategies to deal with the affected relative.MethodsAbout 87 adolescents with AN were recruited. Their parents completed the Family Coping Questionnaire for Eating Disorders (FCQ-EDs) and the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R). Differences between mothers and fathers were assessed through the independent sample t-test. Multivariate regression analyses were run to assess if personality traits, the occurrence of psychiatry conditions in the parents, the marital status, and the duration of the illness predicted parental coping strategies.ResultsThe group of mothers showed higher levels of avoidance and seeking for information coping strategies than the sample of fathers. Lower illness duration predicted higher collusion with the illness in both parents. Harm avoidance, cooperativeness, and self-directedness positively predicted parental coercion, collusion, and seeking for information strategies with some differences between mothers and fathers.DiscussionIllness duration and personality traits of parents affect the type of parental coping strategies developed to face AN in adolescents. These variables should be considered in the assessment of families of adolescents with AN and may be addressed to promote more fine-tuned clinical interventions for caregivers.

Problem-solving skills training in adult cancer survivors: Bright IDEAS-AC.

e24109 Background: Cancer patients experience significant distress throughout treatment and especially during transition back to normal life with greater burden on socially disadvantaged patients and those with medical comorbidities. Patient stressors can interfere with their ability to make reasoned and timely decisions about survivorship care and lead to poor quality of life and low physical and social functioning. This pilot effectiveness-implementation study examined the impact and feasibility of offering the Bright IDEAS system of Problem-Solving Skills Training (PSST) to adult cancer survivors to help them and their caregivers cope more successfully with decision making and distress. Methods: Patients with breast (21), prostate (9) or colorectal (20) cancer who completed their definitive cancer treatment within the last 6 months and had their cancer survivorship visit were recruited from two regional cancer centers and affiliated community oncology clinics. Patients with an NCCN distress level > 2 were randomly assigned to either care as usual (CAU) or 8 weekly PSST sessions provided by a trained therapist in person or remotely. Patients were invited but not required to include a supportive other (n = 17). Patient and caregiver assessments at baseline (T1), end of intervention/3 months (T2), and 3 months post intervention/6 months (T3) focused on problem-solving skills (SPSI-25), distress (HADS) and quality of life (FACT). We also collected healthcare utilization data. We compared outcome changes T1-T2 and T1-T3, by study arm, using t-tests. Multivariate regression analysis identified subgroups of patients with positive and negative responses to skills training. Results: Average age of the participants was 63 years (45 to 87) with racial and ethnic distributions representative of the local population (88% white). Two thirds were women (n = 32), one third of the patients were recruited and received therapy fully remotely due to COVID-19-related protocol changes. Patients who received PSST reported a reduction in dysfunctional problem-solving style and improvement in constructive style while problem-solving skills of CAU patients trended in the opposite direction. Patients in the PSST arm also reported significant reduction in anxiety and depression and improvement in cancer-specific quality of life (p < 0.05) that was sustained at 6 months. Patients in the PSST arm reported lower use of hospital and ED services compared to CAU patients (p = 0.07). Better improvement in outcomes was driven by lower problem-solving skills at baseline. Conclusions: Despite the logistical complexity of running a clinical trial during quarantine, patients and caregivers in the PSST arm demonstrated meaningful improvement in distress and quality of life. The evidence from this pilot study will help guide development of a future multi-site randomized clinical trial of the effect of PSST on cancer survivorship care and outcomes. Clinical trial information: NCT03567850.

Associations between Intimate Partner Violence, Dysfunctional Attachment Style and Alexithymia at Women Displaying Somatoform Disorders

Associations between Intimate Partner Violence, Dysfunctional Attachment Style and Alexithymia at Women Displaying Somatoform Disorders

Better Battles by a Self-Compassionate Partner?

Abstract. Self-compassion entails being kind towards oneself when encountering uncontrollable life events, inadequacies, or failure. When in conflict with a romantic partner, we expected self-compassion to be associated positively with functional (positive problem solving) and negatively with dysfunctional styles (conflict engagement, withdrawal, compliance). Adult individuals ( n = 163) involved in a serious romantic relationship for at least 2 years responded to a questionnaire that assessed self-compassion, personality factors, conflict resolution styles, and relationship satisfaction. High self-compassionate partners reported more functional and less dysfunctional styles when statistically controlling for demographics, neuroticism, and agreeableness. Conflict resolution styles fully mediated the significant path between self-compassion and relationship satisfaction.

Psychosocial Determinants of Total Knee Arthroplasty Outcomes Two Years After Surgery.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the association of preoperative psychosocial and demographic factors with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) outcomes and satisfaction in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee at 24 months after surgery.MethodsA prospective cohort study of patients undergoing TKA was conducted. Outcome measures included: Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Short Form 36 (SF‐36) scores at baseline and 24 months after surgery, and patient satisfaction with TKA at 24 months. Linear regression models were performed to evaluate the association of preoperative psychosocial determinants (ie, Medical Outcome Study Social Support Scale; Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale; Brief COPE inventory, The Life Orientation Test‐Revised; Multidimensional Health Locus of Control; and Arthritis Self‐Efficacy Scale) on outcomes.ResultsWe included 178 patients. Increasing WOMAC pain scores at 24 months were associated with increasing age and body mass index (BMI); low tangible social support and low optimism were associated with higher levels of pain (R 2 = 0.15). A decrease in WOMAC function scores was also associated with older age and higher BMI; low tangible support, increased stress, and low optimism were also associated with worse function (R 2 = 0.22). When evaluating quality of life, lower SF‐36 physical functioning scores at 24 months were associated with age, high BMI, and comorbidity (R 2 = 0.34). Lower SF‐36 mental functioning scores were associated with depression and low optimism (R 2 = 0.38). Having a dysfunctional style of coping was associated with lower satisfaction with surgery after 24 months (adjusted R 2 = 0.12).ConclusionPsychosocial factors, such as tangible support, depression, dysfunctional coping, and optimism, were associated with pain, function, and satisfaction 2 years after TKA. Perioperative programs identifying and addressing psychosocial problems may result in improvements in pain and function after TKA.

Maladaptive Cognitions and Attributional Styles Among Youth with Pediatric Bipolar Disorder

Although studies have examined cognitive styles among adults with bipolar disorder (BD), less is known about this issue in pediatric samples. Therefore, we investigated negative cognitions and attributional styles in pediatric patients with BD and healthy controls (HC). Participants completed measures about their views of themselves, the world, and the future and causal attributions for positive and negative events. Compared to HCs, youth with BD displayed greater negative thoughts about others and the future, but not about themselves. They were also more likely to report dysfunctional attributional styles for negative events. When including depressive and manic symptoms in the analyses, both were significant covariates and accounted for the group differences in negative cognitions. Findings point to the importance of manic and depressive symptoms in the occurrence of maladaptive thinking patterns among pediatric patients with BD and highlight the unique cognitive styles specific to this group.

Etiological Factors of Psychological Nature in Sexual Dysfunctions

Through this paper, we aimed to better understand the psychological factors that influence the development and evolution of sexuality. This work that can be beneficial in the evaluation stage of clients who come to the office with sexual dysfunctions of a psychogenic nature and in that of conceptualization of the case as well as in following essential steps in establishing the therapeutic objectives and strategy and, of course, in the evolution of the case. At the same time, we wanted to draw attention to the multitude, variety, complexity and interactions between personal, social, biological, relationship factors, etc. which influences and enhances the appearance, maintenance and, why not, amelioration of sexual dysfunctions, each of which can be a significant node in the therapeutic approach to sexual dysfunctions. We also aimed to review, from a cognitive perspective, the psychogenesis factors of sexual dysfunction, cognitive structures, the transformation of an irrational / dysfunctional thinking style into a rational, adaptive, healthy one, (but not the only one) among the aspects that contribute to the success of any therapy.

Adolescents’ Conflict Resolution with Their Parents and Best Friends: Links to Life Satisfaction

The present study aimed to compare the frequency with which adolescents’ used different conflict resolution styles in their three close relationships (mother, father and best friend); to examine the associations among adolescents’ conflict resolution styles in these relationships and the links between conflict resolution styles and life satisfaction. The participants were adolescents (N = 854; aged 11–19 years), from six secondary schools in a metropolitan city in Turkey, who completed self-report questionnaires. In conflicts with their parents, adolescents used constructive styles (problem solving and compliance) more often than dysfunctional styles (withdrawal and conflict engagement). Problem solving was the most frequently used strategy in conflicts with a best friend, followed by conflict engagement, withdrawal, and compliance. Path analysis indicated a strong association between the strategies used to resolve conflicts with parents and with one’s best friend, χ2 = 6.45, df = 6, p = 0.38, CFI/TLI = 1/0.999, RMSEA = 0.007. Across all three relationships problem solving was positively linked to life satisfaction, whereas withdrawal and conflict engagement were negatively linked to life satisfaction, χ2 = 25.234, df = 24, p = 0.39, CFI/TLI = 0.999/0.999, RMSEA = 0.006. There were similarities and differences in the conflict resolution strategies used in the different relationships, which provide support for the social problem solving model as well as for the contextual view of conflict resolution. The findings also underline the importance of constructive conflict resolution to the wellbeing of adolescents and point to the importance of conflict resolution training.

Considering a Relationship Between Dysfunctional Coaching Styles in Youth Sports and the Development of Hazardous Attitudes in Players

Considering a Relationship Between Dysfunctional Coaching Styles in Youth Sports and the Development of Hazardous Attitudes in Players

Mindfulness as a Mediator Between the Relational Style with Voices and Negative Affect

Recent studies have established associations between relating to voices and distress. However, the potential influence of mindfulness on this relationship has received little attention. This study was designed to explore the extent to which associations between relating to voices and distress are mediated by mindfulness. A cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the associations between these variables. A sample of 62 patients with psychotic disorder were given the Voices and You Scale (VAY) to measure the relational style with the voices, the Mindfulness and Awareness Scale (MAAS) to measure the capability of mindfulness, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) to measure anxiety and depression, respectively. The results showed a negative association between a dysfunctional style of relating to the voices and mindfulness. It was also found from simple mediation analysis that the mindfulness variable negatively mediated the dysfunctional relational style with voices and distress. Mindfulness is a variable that can mediate the effect of relating style upon voices and distress and should be a target of therapeutic intervention.

Mediationg Role of Mindfulness as a Trait Between Attachment Styles and Depressive Symptoms

ABSTRACTAttachment styles and dysfunctional symptoms have been associated. This relationship could be affected by metacognitive capacity. The aim of this study is to clarify the relationship between depressive symptoms, attachment styles, and metacognitive capacity. In addition, the mediating role of metacognition between attachment and depressive symptoms has been studied. A total of 505 participants recruited from the general population of the province of Bizkaia (Spain) completed questionnaires regarding depression, anxiety, mindfulness, decentering, and attachment. Results showed positive and significant relations between (a) dysfunctional symptoms and insecure attachment styles and (b) metacognitive capacity and secure attachment style. Additionally, the mediating role of metacognition between attachment and depressive symptoms was confirmed. Intervention in metacognitive abilities such as mindfulness could be a useful therapeutic tool for depressive symptoms.

Dysfunctional parental styles perceived during childhood in outpatients with substance use disorders

People who suffer from substance use disorders (SUDs) frequently report to have undergone childhood adversity that is often associated with father or mother dysfunction, or both. Yet that issue has been barely addressed in opiate dependent patients. Therefore we sought to evaluate parent-specific dysfunctional styles perceived during childhood in a clinical sample from an outpatient addiction treatment program using the Measure Of Parental Styles (MOPS) questionnaire. DSM-IV diagnoses of substance use disorders and history of suicide attempts, family structure and changes of caregiver during childhood were obtained from 159 consecutive outpatients, along with their perception of parental bonding with the MOPS, in which mother and father scores are separate. Mother neglect dimension was significantly correlated with an earlier age at onset of several substances' use, the number of prior hospitalizations and of lifetime suicide attempts. Most of these associations remained significant in multivariate models. This was the first assessment of a representative sample of outpatients with SUDs by the MOPS questionnaire. Given its excellent acceptance and its association with several key correlates of SUDs, it should be used to design specific interventions targeted at attachment and familial management as well as in research models on gene×environment interactions.

Cognitive vulnerability to depressive symptoms in children: the protective role of self-efficacy beliefs in a multi-wave longitudinal study.

The current multi-wave longitudinal study on childhood examined the role that social and academic self-efficacy beliefs and cognitive vulnerabilities play in predicting depressive symptoms in response to elevations in idiographic stressors. Children (N = 554; males: 51.4 %) attending second and third grade completed measures of depressive symptoms, negative cognitive styles, negative life events, and academic and social self-efficacy beliefs at four time-points over 6 months. Results showed that high levels of academic and social self-efficacy beliefs predicted lower levels of depressive symptoms, whereas negative cognitive styles about consequences predicted higher depression. Furthermore, children reporting higher social self-efficacy beliefs showed a smaller elevation in levels of depressive symptoms when reporting an increases in stress than children with lower social self-efficacy beliefs. Findings point to the role of multiple factors in predicting children's depression in the long term and commend the promotion of self-efficacy beliefs and the modification of cognitive dysfunctional styles as relevant protective factors.

1448 – Personal values and meanings in personality style of self-regulation of persons with adjustment disorders and suicidal behavior

The paper is based on the conception of affective-cognitive personality style (Sokolova E.T.), the conception of personal values and meanings (Leontiev D.A., Bratus’ B.S., Zeigarnik B.V.), Kohlbeg‘s theory of stages of moral development. Research goal: to study the personal values and meanings and find out the influence of cognitive and emotional factors. Cognitive factors of personality style: cognitive differentiation, thinking (the pathology of thinking, Zeigarnik B.V.), coping, stage of moral development. We considered defense mechanisms as emotional factors. Research target: personality style of self-regulation in persons with adjustment disorders and suicidal behavior. Research subject: personal values and meanings relate to components of personality style of self-regulation in persons with adjustment disorders and suicidal behavior. The research methods: the Rorschach test using Lerner‘s defense scale, Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ), Purpose-in-Life Test (Leontiev D.A.) Life Style Index (LSI), Draw-A-Person Test, the method «Proverb» (modified), the method «Pictogram» (modified), Kohlberg‘s Moral dilemmas (modified). The main conclusions: 1. Persons with adjustment disorders and suicidal behavior differ from conventional norm by deficiency of personal values and meanings and lesser maturity of moral self-consciousness. 2. Personal values and meanings is based on the system abnormal cognitive and emotional factors. Personal values and meanings relate to less mature moral self-consciousness is the dysfunctional personality style. 3. There is abnormal interrelation of personal values and meanings and the system abnormal cognitive and emotional components of personality style.