Group Members Research Articles

Childhood adversity and empathy in eating disorders: Exploring transdiagnostic profiles and socio-emotional functioning.

Childhood adversity and empathy in eating disorders: Exploring transdiagnostic profiles and socio-emotional functioning.

Inequality trajectories in avoidable under-5 mortality in Colombia: A 23-year analysis of inequities (2000-2022).

Inequality trajectories in avoidable under-5 mortality in Colombia: A 23-year analysis of inequities (2000-2022).

Applying group-based trajectory modeling to understand under-five mortality trends and determinants in low-and lower-middle income countries

BackgroundReducing under-five mortality is a global health priority. Countries need specific data on which interventions have the most potential to lead to improvements to inform their programs and policies.MethodsGroup-based trajectory modeling was applied to identify distinct trajectories of under-five mortality from 2000 to 2019 in 78 low and lower-middle income countries. Both health and non-health variables were studied as time-stable covariates of trajectory group membership and as time-varying covariates of mortality rates within groups.ResultsWe identified four distinct groups that were primarily distinguished based on trajectory level rather than shape–low mortality, medium mortality, medium–high mortality and high mortality. All four groups had under-five trajectories that declined over time with the highest mortality group having the largest declines. We conducted two sets of bivariate analyses. The first analysis was conducted to understand what factors distinguished the different groups from one another (time stable covariate analysis), and the second analysis was done to understand what factors were significant within a group (time vaying covariate analysis). Results indicated that five factors were associated with all three comparisons of being in the low, medium and medium high groups compared to the highest mortality group. These factors were fertility rate, % of population with an improved water source, female secondary school enrollment rate, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus dose 3 (DPT3) coverage and % of gross domestic product (GDP) on health expenditures. Results of the modeling of the within group analysis with time-varying factors indicated that higher fertility rates and higher out-of-pocket expenditures were significantly associated with greater mortality rates for all four groups. High DPT3 coverage, greater political stability, high coverage of births in a health facility and a greater % GDP on health expenditures were significantly associated with reduced under-five mortality for all four groups.ConclusionFindings from our study revealed the importance of considering both health and non-health factors in understanding trajectories of under-five mortality. In particular the fertility rate and % of GDP on health expenditures were signicant for all three comparisons of the trajectory group membership analysis (time-stable covariates) and were significant for all four groups in the within group analysis (time varying covariates). Other factors were significant for some comparisons and groups. Focusing on a number of key factors relevant to their group could help countries to further improve the health of young children.

Common Humanity and Valuing Others' Well-Being as Ways to Expand Compassion and Prosocial Behavior Beyond Friends for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Theoretical Framework: There is a natural tendency to feel more compassion and to show more prosocial behavior towards those considered part of our ingroup (e.g., family or friends). For promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, Common Humanity is proposed as a relevant aspect to promote, allowing us to go beyond our ingroups. Objective: This study explores the mechanism involved in the promotion of compassion and prosocial behavior beyond friends, exploring the role of common humanity and the value we give to others' well-being. Method: Through structural equation modeling, we studied these mechanisms with a sample of one hundred and fifty-two adolescents between 11 and 15 years old. Results and Discussion: Common humanity predicts compassion and prosocial behavior, and the value we give to others' well-being is a significant partial mediator between common humanity and the different proxies we use to measure compassion. These mediations differ if the other is an ingroup or outgroup member. Furthermore, helping intention is a total mediator between common humanity and helping conduct. Research Implications: These results show that it is not only similarity that promotes compassion, in this case, as human beings, but common humanity and compassion are inextricably linked with the moral component of care. Originality/Value: The present research shows an alternative to expand compassion and prosociality beyond friends, tending bridges between groups through connecting to what we all have in common as human beings. This can be a promise in multicultural societies where differences sometimes make us apart, preventing the appearance of intergroup prejudices and discrimination.

The relationship between role and social identities and physical activity participation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Physical activity participation rates are low and stagnant. Understanding the determinants of physical activity therefore remains a priority. One area that has become prominent in such efforts is whether possessing strong physical activity-related role identities and physical activity-related social identities can shape participation. In this review, we aimed to synthesise all research examining the relationship between these two distinct forms of identities and physical activity participation. A search of six databases yielded 3,180 articles, with 49 satisfying our inclusion criteria. Random effects meta-analyses showed a significant positive association (r = .40) between role identity and participation across 35 studies, and a significant positive association (r = .20) between social identity and participation across 15 studies. Moderator analyses revealed the relationship between identity and participation was significantly stronger for adolescents/young adults compared to adults. Although non-significant, it also tended to be stronger in studies that used subjective participation measures, and when assessed cross-sectionally rather than prospectively/longitudinally. Findings suggest that physical activity participation is shaped by the extent to which people internalise physical activity roles and group memberships into their self-concept. Greater efforts to understand how role and social identities can be fostered and the participation-related benefits of such efforts are warranted.

Identifying Cervical Predictors of Recreational Mixed Martial Arts Participation: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Recreational participation in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has rapidly increased. Despite consistent evidence of a high injury prevalence in MMA athletes, the neuromuscular implications of regular MMA training remain underexplored. The cervical spine is particularly vulnerable to trauma due to repetitive impacts and high mechanical demands in combat sports. Methods: This case-control study compared cervical spine function and self-reported symptoms between 25 recreational MMA athletes and 25 matched individuals who engaged in general fitness training. Outcome measures included Neck Disability Index (NDI), Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS), pain and headache reports, cervical range of motion (ROM), proprioception, isometric strength, and endurance. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of group classification. Results: The MMA group exhibited significantly higher values for post-concussion symptoms (p = 0.012), cervical flexor endurance (p = 0.031), and the number of concussions (p = 0.001) but lower flexion ROM (p = 0.031). No significant differences were observed in strength, proprioception, or NDI scores. Logistic regression identified the number of concussions, age, total cervical ROM, and average rotation strength as significant predictors of group membership (model AUC = 0.96; Nagelkerke R2 = 0.797). Conclusions: Recreational MMA athletes demonstrated higher rates of concussion-related symptoms and reduced cervical flexion ROM than noncontact exercisers despite no statistically significant differences in strength and proprioception. These findings suggest that cumulative exposure to amateur MMA is associated with alterations in cervical neuromuscular characteristics. These results support the implementation of targeted mobility, endurance, and injury prevention programs in recreational MMA training.

Patterns of Children’s Perception of Safety across Diverse Contexts and their Subjective Well-Being

Abstract This study explores patterns in children’s safety perceptions across various contexts, including home, school, neighborhood, and country, and examines how these patterns relate to their subjective well-being (SWB). Using data of 10- and 12-year-old children from the third wave of the International Survey of Children’s Well-Being (ISCWeB), we first conducted a latent profile analysis to classify children based on their safety perceptions across these contexts. Three latent profiles of safety perceptions emerged consistently across each age group, and the proportion of children in each profile varied across countries. Multinomial hierarchical modeling was conducted to assess how individual and county-level factors are associated with a child’s likelihood of belonging to each profile. The variance explained by the models suggested significant contributions of country-level variables, such as under-five mortality rates, to the latent profiles of safety perceptions among children. Significant differences in SWB were observed across the profiles. Children in the high-level safety group reported the highest satisfaction with their safety and the highest levels of SWB, whereas children in the low-level safety group reported the lowest satisfaction with safety and SWB. Mediation analysis confirmed that satisfaction with safety partially mediates the relationship between group membership and SWB. The findings highlight the significant impact of children’s safety perceptions in different environments on their overall well-being. This underscores the importance of societal efforts to enhance children’s perceptions of safety, particularly within the home, on a global scale.

Shiny Apps in Distance Education: Do Psychology Students Benefit From Interactive Statistics Applications?

The development of Shiny, a web framework for R, has greatly simplified the process of creating interactive statistical applications. The principal objective of this study was to evaluate the implementation of Shiny applications in distance learning for a diverse student cohort. A longitudinal study was conducted with a quasi-experimental design, employing propensity score matching to compare two cohorts of 524 and 773 students at the FernUniversität in Hagen, Germany. Data were collected on students’ academic performance, perception of statistics, and evaluations of the Shiny apps. The results indicated no significant difference in academic performance between the intervention and control groups. However, students’ perception of statistics changed significantly throughout the semester, and group membership did not moderate these time-related changes. Despite this, the majority of students expressed positive attitudes toward the Shiny apps and found them beneficial for their studies. This article discusses the implications of using Shiny apps in distance education and potential directions for future research. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.

Mental health in educational communities following a natural disaster in Chile

Introduction: Schoolchildren are estimated to be among the most vulnerable to the negative effects of natural disasters. One of the most common consequences is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study evaluated PTSD symptoms in schoolchildren affected by an earthquake and tsunami in Chile. Methods: A total of 325 schoolchildren aged 10 to 15 years (52,6% female and 47,4% male) participated 12 months after the natural disaster. Of this population, 167 schoolchildren were exposed to the earthquake and tsunami, and 158 children served as a comparison group, as they lived more than 360 km from the epicenter. Results: The groups showed statistically significant differences in the proportion of schoolchildren with PTSD (p < .05): 13,9% in the non-exposed group and 29,9% in the group exposed to the natural disaster. The association between group membership and PTSD was also statistically significant (χ2(1.325) = 12,08, p < .001, V = .19) at 12 months. Conclusions: Schoolchildren exposed to the earthquake presented greater PTSD symptoms than the comparison group. Therefore, symptom severity could be determined by the level of earthquake exposure. The study findings propose an understanding of the processes that contribute to addressing mental health in school education.

What Determines Gender Roles in the Allocation and Investment Decisions of Farm Households in Nigeria?

Background: Gender roles in agricultural decision-making significantly influence resource allocation, productivity, and household welfare in rural communities. This study examined gender-specific roles in allocation and investment decisions among agricultural households in Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria. It aimed to understand the models of household decision-making and the socio-economic factors shaping these dynamics. Methods: A multistage random sampling technique was used to select 60 agricultural households. Data were collected using well-structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, and means) and Multinomial Logistic Regression. The study identified household socio-economic attributes, types of decision-making models, gender roles in decision-making, and factors influencing model selection. Result: Findings revealed that women, particularly adult females, are largely excluded from critical agricultural production decisions, though they are involved in labor-related decisions. Additionally, membership in farmer organizations or social groups had a statistically significant (p greater than 0.01) and inverse relationship with the type of decision-making model adopted. The study recommends encouraging farmers to form and actively participate in cooperatives to improve their socio-economic standing and reduce dependence on government support for household and community development.

Tacrolimus IPV Group Membership Does Not Consistently Track With Electronically Monitored or Self-reported Adherence in Adolescent and Young Adult Kidney Transplant Recipients

Background. High intrapatient variability (IPV) of tacrolimus trough concentrations (SD ≥ 2, coefficient of variation (CV%) ≥ 30) is associated with rejection and graft loss and may indicate nonadherence. However, the association between tacrolimus IPV and electronically monitored or self-reported adherence is unknown. Methods. This secondary analysis of the TAKE-IT (Teen Adherence in Kidney Transplant Effectiveness of Intervention Trial) compared electronically monitored and self-reported adherence between participants with high and low tacrolimus IPV among 103 adolescent and young adult kidney transplant recipients (mean age = 15.18 y, 59% male, 60% White, 65% >1-y posttransplant). Results. Electronically monitored daily taking and timing adherence were not significantly associated with tacrolimus IPV group in binomial generalized linear mixed effects models: Participants with tacrolimus SD ≥ 2 or CV% ≥ 30 were no less likely to take each daily dose than those below these cutoffs (SD < versus ≥ 2: odds ratio [OR]; 0.84, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48-1.47; P = 0.54 and CV% < versus ≥ 30: OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.43-1.21; P = 0.22). Participants with tacrolimus SD ≥ 2 or CV% ≥ 30 were no less likely to take each daily dose on time than those below these cutoffs (SD < versus ≥ 2: OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.40-1.23; P = 0.21 and CV% < versus ≥ 30: OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.40-1.16; P = 0.15). Electronically monitored averages of doses taken, doses taken early/late, and differences from expected dose time were associated with tacrolimus IPV (P < 0.05) but were poor classifiers of IPV group membership (area under the curve < 0.70). Self-reported adherence was not associated with tacrolimus IPV. Conclusions. Tacrolimus IPV group membership does not consistently track with behavioral adherence measures. Relying on tacrolimus IPV group membership may misidentify nonadherence in adolescent and young adult kidney transplant recipients.

New Miocene frogs from the Riversleigh World Heritage Area, north-western Queensland, and their palaeoecological implications

ABSTRACT The Riversleigh World Heritage fossil deposits in northwestern Queensland, Australia, preserve diverse vertebrate faunas spanning the last 25 million years. Fossil anurans have been recorded from Riversleigh’s Late Oligocene to Holocene deposits, but they remain understudied. Herein we describe fossil ilia that represent several new undescribed species of fossil frogs referable to the Australian native families Limnodynastidae and Pelodryadidae. Using micro-computed tomography scans and three-dimensional geometric morphometrics (3D GM), we were able to compare the shape of the diagnostic ilium for three of the Riversleigh fossil species of Litoria with extant congeners. Principal component analysis (PCA) and canonical variate analysis (CVA) were performed to assess the differences in ilial shape between supraspecific groups of modern Australian frogs. Our CVA accurately predicted group membership for family up to 99.1% and 89.6% for original and cross-validation, respectively. We describe the new Philoria godthelpi sp. nov. using taxonomic features with extant congeners and add three new morphotypes of Litoria species to the Riversleigh World Heritage Area fauna. These new morphotypes add to our understanding about Australia’s past frog fauna and provide significant insights into their previous diversity, palaeohabitats and palaeobiogeography.

Role of Neck Pain in Defining Clinical Trajectories of Outcomes in Patients With Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Results of a Novel Machine Learning Algorithm.

Study DesignRetrospective analysis of prospective data.ObjectivesNeck pain represents a crucial factor underscoring a patient's decision to receive surgical intervention for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). However, postoperative pain trajectories are poorly defined. This study aimed to employ machine learning-based trajectory modeling to identify patient subpopulations with distinct pain trajectories after surgery.MethodsWe pooled subjects from three major clinical studies on DCM. Group-based multivariate trajectory (GBMT) modeling was used to classify patients into distinct trajectories based on their neck pain score over one year. Outcome differences were examined with univariate analyses. Predictors of group membership were revealed with multinomial logistic regression.ResultsThree distinct trajectories of neck pain were identified from a total of 968 patients with DCM: "slow pain improvement" (n = 239; 25%), "no pain improvement" (n = 537; 55%), and "fast pain improvement" (n = 192; 20%) groups. Each trajectory exhibited a unique baseline pain profile. The "fast pain improvement" group, comprised of patients experiencing profound neck pain, had the best overall outcomes for pain, NDI, SF-36 PCS, and SF-36 MSC postoperatively. On the other hand, the "no pain improvement" group, consisting of patients with pain and multimodal impairment of moderate severity, had residual pain that remained constant and was least likely to experience functional outcome and quality of life improvement after one year.ConclusionsUnsupervised learning on neck pain identified unique pain recovery trajectories that consist of distinct patient phenotypes. Trajectory grouping offers an important framework to both identify novel DCM subpopulations and predict patterns of pain over time.Clinical Trials Included(1) Assessment of Surgical Techniques for Treating Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy (CSM); https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00285337; ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT00285337. (2) Surgical Treatment of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00565734; ClinicalTrals.gov ID NCT00565734. (3) Efficacy of Riluzole in Surgical Treatment for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy (CSM-Protect) (CSM-Protect); https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01257828; ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT01257828.

The Power of Language in Social Contexts

Language not only enables communication but also constructs social meaning and guides interactions across diverse settings. This paper examines how individuals and institutions use language to build identity, negotiate power, and include or exclude community members. Drawing on sociolinguistics, pragmatics, and critical discourse analysis, the study synthesizes foundational research by Labov (1972), Fairclough (1995), and Bucholtz and Hall (2005). This qualitative review incorporates case studies and authentic discourse samples from political speeches, classroom interactions, and social media posts to illustrate key patterns. Next, it presents examples of code-switching, rhetorical strategies in political rhetoric, and emerging norms in digital discourse. Case studies show that speakers adjust their linguistic choices to signal group membership, contest authority, or reinforce norms. In online environments, features such as hashtags, emojis, and memes perform social functions that can mobilize collective action or reinforce biases. The findings highlight how critical awareness of language choices can improve communication in educational, media, and policy contexts. Educators may support learners by integrating critical language awareness into instruction, and organizations can review discourse practices to reduce exclusion. By revealing the active role of language in shaping social realities, this research points to the importance of ongoing study of language practices in multilingual and digital domains.

Longitudinal Investigation of Stigma and Psychosocial Outcomes Among Women Exposed to Sexual Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Current studies suggest relationships between sexual violence, stigma, and psychosocial functioning but cannot disentangle temporal relationships. We used longitudinal data from the Democratic Republic of Congo to fit models estimating whether stigma predicted the long-term psychosocial well-being of sexual-violence-exposed women who participated in a cognitive processing therapy trial. We found that felt stigma predicted depression and anxiety (β = 0.66, p = .005), traumatic stress (β = 0.54, p = .025), and sexual intimate partner violence (IPV; OR = 2.68, p = .044), but not other social (e.g., group membership) or violence-related (e.g., physical IPV) experiences. The results highlight the need for interventions that integrate stigma reduction alongside psychological care.

Identity, ideology, and capital in EFL learning: a narrative case study

Research on learners’ commitment to English language learning in the field of second language acquisition (SLA) around the world is predominantly characterized by a positivist and quantitative approach. Conventionally, this type of studies uses the psychological construct ‘motivation’ to account for learners’ efforts in language learning practices. Such paradigmatic orientation constituted a knowledge gap on the role of society, structural inequality, and uneven distribution of resources in English language learning. To address this gap, with a poststructuralist approach, this paper reports on an in-depth narrative case study of an underprivileged learner’s engagement in English language learning in Bangladesh through Darvin and Norton's (Ann Rev Appl Linguist 35: 36–56, 2015) expanded model of ‘investment’, a sociological counterpart of the psychological theory of ‘motivation’. Data for the study were collected over a two-year period through narrative interviews, a written autobiography, and informal conversations. The collected data were analyzed deductively following Polkinghorne's (Int J Qual Stud Educ 8: 5–23 1995) ‘analysis of narrative’ approach in connection with the expanded model of ‘investment’ which focuses on identity, ideology, and capital. In particular, findings demonstrate that (a) imagined identity and group membership influence commitment to language learning; (b) ideologies embedded in language education policy, linguistic gatekeeping, and methodologies of English language teaching configure language learning practices; and (c) the fluid nature of the three forms of capital (i.e., economic, social, and cultural) enables the participant to engage in learning English. The findings of this study have implications for language educators and second language acquisition (SLA) researchers.

Mango Yields as Influenced by Agricultural, Social and Economic Factors in Siaya County, Kenya

Mango farming by smallholder farmers in Siaya County, Kenya, is a popular economic activity that significantly contributes to food security, employment and income generation. Potential yields have been estimated around 15 – 20 metric tons per hectare, which are rarely achieved by the majority of farmers. The main objective of this research project was to determine the influence of specific agricultural, social and economic factors on mango yields in Siaya County. The research was carried out in Siaya County for one year in 2022. Siaya County is located in the Lake Victoria Basin and borders Busia County to the North, Kakamega County to the North-east, Vihiga County to the East, Kisumu County to the South-east, with Lake Victoria to the South and West. Siaya County has six (6) constituencies and 30 electoral wards. Alego Usonga, Gem and Bondo have six wards each while Rarieda has five, Ugenya has four and Ugunja has three wards. The specific factors included 1) gender of farmer, 2) access to service providers, 3) access to improved varieties, 4) effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers use, 5) farmer group memberships, 6) grazing and intercrop practices, 7) use of hired or family labour and 8) yield and income. Structured survey questionnaires were used to collect data on mango yields and influencing factors from 400 mango farmers, randomly sampled across the County, during June-July 2022. Additional general information was obtained from County Agricultural Extension Officers. The data was statistically-analyzed and mango yields averaged and expressed in Kilograms per tree per year. Statistical differences between various means determined by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Mango farms or trees managed by males averaged higher yields (1,731 Kg/tree/year) than on farms owned by females (947 Kg/tree/year), apparently because males have greater access to extensions and agronomic inputs. Farmers who used hired labour achieved higher yields (4,298 Kg/tree/year) than those who used family labour only (2,984 Kg/tree/year), apparently because hired labour was more professional than family labour. Farmers who had access to and used improved varieties, followed by other recommended agricultural practices achieved 6,595 Kg/tree/year, which was three times more than that achieved by farmers who did not use improved and recommended agricultural practices (2,347 Kg/tree/year). The report findings, indicated that mango yields in Siaya County can be significantly improved by adopting better agricultural, social and economic practices, including: 1) gender equality, 2) access to service providers, 3) access to improved varieties, 4) use of organic and inorganic fertilizers, 5) recommended agricultural practices and 6) use of hired skilled labour.

Stress and Cardiovascular Disease: The Role of Affective Traits and Mental Disorders.

Personality traits involving negative affect, as well as mental disorders including depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder, are cardiovascular risk factors. However, which of these confer risk independently is uncertain, and the implications of their overlap, combinations, and interactions are poorly understood. Potential explanatory mechanisms are being characterized with increasing detail and sophistication. Of particular interest are psychobiological processes initiated by stress. Other mechanisms involve stress-related health behaviors, and illness behaviors that delay or reduce the effectiveness of medical treatment. With some promising exceptions, findings of intervention trials are uncertain regarding the effectiveness of psychological treatments for modifying affective traits and mental disorders to reduce their impact on cardiovascular disease. Recent developments include novel conceptualizations of mental disorders; examination of the interplay between cognitive factors and emotion; and theoretical frameworks that integrate psychological stress processes with neuroscience, health behavior, and social cognition. Also promising is increased attention to the roles of gender identity and minority group membership.

Suitable for the Job? Matching Stereotype Content of Occupations and Demographic Group Membership at the Intersection of Gender and Sexual Orientation

Suitable for the Job? Matching Stereotype Content of Occupations and Demographic Group Membership at the Intersection of Gender and Sexual Orientation

From Interaction to Attitude: Exploring the Impact of Human-AI Cooperation on Mental Illness Stigma

AI conversational agents have demonstrated efficacy in social contact interventions for stigma reduction at a low cost. However, the underlying mechanisms of how interaction designs contribute to these effects remain unclear. This study investigates how participating in three human-chatbot interactions affects attitudes toward mental illness. We developed three chatbots capable of engaging in either one-way information dissemination from chatbot to a human or two-way cooperation where the chatbot and a human exchange thoughts and work together on a cooperation task. We then conducted a two-week mixed-methods study to investigate variations over time and across different group memberships. The results indicate that human-AI cooperation can effectively reduce stigma toward individuals with mental illness by fostering relationships between humans and AI through social contact. Additionally, compared to a one-way chatbot, interacting with a cooperative chatbot led participants to perceive it as more competent and likable, promoting greater empathy during the conversation. However, despite the success in reducing stigma, inconsistencies between the chatbot's role and the mental health context raised concerns. We discuss the implications of our findings for human-chatbot interaction designs aimed at changing human attitudes.