Life Events Inventory Research Articles

Lifetime chronic stress exposures, stress hormones, and biological aging: Results from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study

Psychosocial stress and adversity have been linked to accelerated aging and increased risk for age-related diseases. Animal and in vitro studies have shown that exposure to stress hormones (catecholamines, glucocorticoids) can impact biological aging processes such as DNA damage and cellular senescence, suggesting they play a key role in links between stress and aging; however, these associations have not been well investigated in humans. We examined cross-sectional associations between chronic stress exposures, stress hormones, and biological aging markers in midlife adults and whether stress hormones mediated associations between stress and aging. Participants were 531 adults aged 26–78 years (Mage = 53.9, 50.1% female) in the nationally representative Midlife in the United States Refresher cohort. They reported chronic stress exposures in childhood and adulthood (Stressful Life Event Inventory) and provided 12-hour urine samples used to assess norepinephrine, epinephrine, and cortisol. RNA sequencing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived aging biomarkers: the DNA damage response (DDR; 30-gene composite), cellular senescence signal p16INK4a (CDKN2A), and the pro-inflammatory senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP; 57-gene composite). Regression models adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, BMI, smoking status, alcohol use, and medications revealed that more childhood exposures were associated with higher norepinephrine (β = 0.09, p = 0.04), independent from adult exposures. Higher norepinephrine was associated with elevated DDR expression (β = 0.17, p < 0.001). Higher norepinephrine (β = 0.14, p = 0.003) and epinephrine (β = 0.10, p = 0.02) were both associated with elevated SASP expression. Statistical mediation analyses implicated elevated norepinephrine as a plausible mediator of associations between childhood exposures and both DDR (unstandardized b = 0.005, 95% CI [0.0002, 0.011]) and SASP (b = 0.002, 95% CI [0.0001, 0.05]). Findings provide preliminary evidence in humans that stress hormones may impact key biological aging processes and may be a mechanism linking chronic stress exposures in childhood to accelerated aging later in life.

Positive psychosocial factors may protect against perceived stress in people with systemic lupus erythematosus with and without trauma history

ObjectiveTrauma history is associated with SLE onset and worse patient-reported outcomes; perceived stress is associated with greater SLE disease activity. Stress perceptions vary in response to life events and may...

The Impact of Perceived Social Support and Family Life Changes on Critical Thinking with the Mediating Role of Moral Foundations

Background and Objective: Objectives: Critical thinking, as an art of analyzing and evaluating thought, leads to the improvement and enhancement of individual thinking through assessment. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of perceived social support and life changes on critical thinking with the mediating role of moral foundations. Methods and Materials: In a predictive correlational design, 404 young individuals (both male and female) about to get married were selected through convenience sampling and using Klein's sample size formula (formula 1 to 20). The research instruments included standard questionnaires of Perceived Social Support - Family Scale (PSS-FA), Young Adults Family Inventory of Life Events and Changes (YA-FILES), Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CTDI), and Moral Foundations Questionnaire (MFQ-30). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS19 and Smart-PLS software. Findings: Results indicated that 19.4% of the variations in critical thinking were explained by the variables of social support and life changes (P &lt; 0.001). Additionally, results related to the mediating role of moral foundations showed that social support and life changes, through moral foundations, have no indirect effect on critical thinking, with values of 0.005 (0.661) and -0.008 (0.676) respectively (P &gt; 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the research findings, it can be concluded that perceived social support and family life changes affect moral foundations and critical thinking. Therefore, paying attention to these mechanisms can be useful in developing effective preventive and therapeutic interventions for adolescents about to get married.

Adoptive family contexts of adolescent and adult adjustment: Dyadic and systemic approaches.

Research has identified family dynamics within adoptive families as essential to understanding adopted individuals' adjustment. However, there has been a lack of attention to the intricacies of adoptive family context, especially dyadically and as a group. This study examines data from 177 adoptive families from the Minnesota/Texas Adoption Research Project, a longitudinal study of families who participated in domestic U.S. infant adoptions. Study participants are from the second and third collection waves, during adolescence and emerging adulthood. Participants completed interviews and questionnaires at home (Wave 2) or online (Wave 3). The present study examines family context in relation to parent-child incompatibility (match between parent expectations and child's behavior from the Parenting Stress Inventory) and how family context during adolescence (Family Assessment Device, Family Inventory of Life Events, Brief Symptom Inventory) is associated with concurrent and later adjustment (Youth and Adult Self Reports). Family context variables were hypothesized to predict parents' and their spouses' ratings of incompatibility using actor-partner interdependence models. Varied actor and partner effects of family dysfunction, parent distress, and family stressors on ratings of parent-child incompatibility were found. Using regressions, family context variables were hypothesized to have positive associations with adolescent and adult adjustment. Variables accounted for significant variance in adopted individuals' outcomes when considering symptom type (internalizing, externalizing) and age (adolescence, emerging adulthood), though many variables did not have a significant main effect. Results allow for better understanding of differential associations of family context with adjustment for adopted individuals and families. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Effect of stressors on family adaptation in stroke patients: A parallel multivariable mediation model

AimsThe mechanisms underlying how stressors affect family adaptation are unclear. This study determined the relationship between stressors and family adaptation among stroke patients, particularly the parallel mediating role of family function and family resilience. Methods and resultsThe study was conducted in the neurology ward of a tertiary hospital in China. A total of 335 stroke inpatients were interviewed face-to-face from August 2020 to March 2021. A questionnaire was administered that included demographic characteristics, the Family Inventory of Life Events and Changes, Family Apgar Index Scale, Family Hardiness Index Scale, and Family Adaptation Scale. The demographic data and correlations among the research variables were analyzed. A bootstrap method using the SPSS PROCESS macro was employed to test a mediation model. Family adaptation was negatively related to stressors (r = -0.291, p < 0.01) and positively related to family function (r = 0.531, p < 0.01) and family resilience (r = 0.393, p < 0.01). Furthermore, family function and family resilience played parallel mediating roles between stressors and family adaptation. ConclusionsThis study elaborated how stressors interacted with family adaptation through the mediation of family function and family resilience. The findings suggest that enhancement of family function and family resilience may help to improve family adaptation among stroke patients.

Introducing the Adverse Life Events Inventory for Children (ALEIC): An examination of adverse experiences and related impacts in a large clinical sample of children and youth.

Introducing the Adverse Life Events Inventory for Children (ALEIC): An examination of adverse experiences and related impacts in a large clinical sample of children and youth.

Stress and Coping Strategies of Parents of Preterm Infants in Selected Tertiary Health Institutions in Ekiti State

Background: Preterm birth is one the leading causes of death among children below the age of five years and involves all births that occur before 37 weeks of gestation. This study therefore examined the stress and coping techniques of preterm infants parents in Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital and Federal Teaching Hospital, Ekiti State.&#x0D; Methodology: This study adopted quantitative research method and study was conducted among parents of preterm infants in two selected teaching hospital Ekiti State Nigeria. Sample size was determined using Fischer’s formula and the sample consisted of 82 respondents selected using purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using a standardized instrument (Family Inventory of Life Events and Changes) developed by McCubbin &amp; Patternson (1983) with reliability index of 0.83. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency, percentages, mean, standard deviation and tables while inferential statistics of chi-square and correlation were used to test stated hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance.&#x0D; Results: The results showed that majority (32.1%) of preterm babies were jaundiced and were male (58.9%). Parents of preterm infants experienced moderate (85%) level of stress. However, finances and business strains were identified as major stress experienced by preterm infant parents. Overall coping level was high (65.2%) and coping strategies employed were seeking information and advice; positive reframing; and seeking for assistance. The findings also revealed no correlation between perceived stress and coping technique; no significant association between the socio-demographic factors and stress experienced by parents of preterm infants.&#x0D; Conclusion: This study showed that parents of preterm infants experienced stress but developed coping techniques to suppress their level of stress. It is therefore recommended that nurses should develop proper understanding about the parents’ stressful situations to provide a holistic care to the neonates and their parents.

Exposure to family stressful life events in autistic children: Longitudinal associations with mental health and the moderating role of cognitive flexibility.

Mental health problems are prevalent in autistic youth, but the underpinning mechanisms are not well explored. In neurotypical youth, stressful life events are an established risk factor for mental health problems. This study tested longitudinal bidirectional associations between family-level stressful life events and mental health problems and whether these were moderated by cognitive flexibility, in a cohort of autistic children (N = 247). Family-stressful life events, assessed using the parent-reported Family Inventory of Life Events and Changes, and mental health problems, assessed using the teacher-reported Child Behavior Checklist Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms subscales, were measured at multiple points between 7 and 11 years. Analyses showed no significant pathways from internalizing or externalizing symptoms to family-stressful life events or from family-stressful life events to internalizing or externalizing symptoms. There was some evidence of moderation by cognitive flexibility; the family-stressful life events to internalizing symptoms pathway was non-significant in the group with typical shifting ability but significant in the group with clinically significant shifting problems. Information about family-level stressful life event exposure and cognitive flexibility may be helpful in identifying autistic youth who may be at higher risk of developing mental health problems. Established risk factors for mental health problems in neurotypical populations are relevant for understanding mental health in autistic youth.Lay abstractExperiencing stressful life events, such as a parent having had serious illness, parental divorce, bullying and victimization, is known to increase risk for mental health difficulties in neurotypical children. However, few studies have looked at whether stressful life events have a similar impact in autistic youth and if any individual characteristics may moderate the impact of said life events. In this study, we tested whether in autistic children aged 7–11 years, exposure to family-level stressful life events predicted later mental health symptoms (and vice versa). We also tested whether associations between stressful life events and mental health symptoms differed depending on the child’s level of cognitive flexibility. We found stressful life events only predicted internalizing symptoms (such as anxiety and depression) in children with clinically significant difficulties in cognitive flexibility (as rated by their parents). Mental health symptoms did not predict future exposure to stressful life events. Results suggest that information about exposure to stressful life events and cognitive inflexibility may be helpful in identifying autistic children who may be at risk of developing anxiety and depression symptoms.

The prospective impact of adverse childhood experiences on justice-involved youth's psychiatric symptoms and substance use.

Justice-involved youth report high rates of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs; abuse, neglect, household dysfunction) and are at high risk for elevated behavioral health needs (i.e., substance use, psychiatric symptoms). Research with broad samples of adolescents shows ACEs predict behavioral health outcomes, yet most research on the impact of ACEs among justice-involved youth focuses on recidivism. The present study addresses this gap by examining the prospective association between ACEs and psychiatric symptoms, substance use, and substance-related problems (i.e., consequences of use) among first-time justice-involved youth. First-time justice-involved youth (n = 271; 54.3% male; M age = 14.5 years; 43.5% Latinx; non-Latinx: 34.2% White, 8.6% Black, 7.1% Other, 6.7% Multiracial) and their caregivers were assessed at youth's first court contact and 4- and 12-month follow-ups. Youth and caregivers reported youth's exposure to ACEs through a series of instruments at baseline and 4-months (e.g., Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Short-Form; Traumatic Life Events Inventory). Primary outcomes included youth alcohol and cannabis use (Adolescent Risk Behavior Assessment), consequences of use (Brief Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire; Brief Marijuana Consequences Scale), and psychiatric symptoms (Behavior Assessment System for Children; National Stressful Events Survey PTSD Short Scale). Youth were exposed to three ACEs, on average, prior to first justice contact (M = 3). Exposure to more ACEs, particularly abuse, predicted substance use and psychiatric outcomes. Gender differences emerged for cannabis use and internalizing symptoms. Implications for trauma-responsive juvenile justice reform are discussed, including screening for ACEs and their sequelae at first court contact and considering the role of masculine norms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Family Stressors and Depression among women in the Ketu-South Municpalitry in the Volta Region of Ghana: Counselling Implications

This study investigated the influence of family stressors on depression among women in the Ketu-South Municipality in the Volta Region. The study used the descriptive survey design. The census method was used to select a sample of 70 women for the study. The Family Inventory of Life Events and Changes (FILE) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI II) were used to collect data for the study. The data collected were analysed using means, standard deviation, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Co- efficient, and Linear Multiple Regression. The study revealed that the prominent family stressor among the women experiencing depression in the Ketu-South Municipality is loss of family members (overall mean of 4.22). In addition, the study revealed that family stressors significantly contribute to depression among women (R=.749, p=.039) with loss of family members being the highest contributor to depression (Beta=2.123, p=.037). The study recommended that family stressors should be controlled among women living with depression by the government and non-governmental agencies.

Family stressors and depression among women in the Ketu-South Municipality in the Volta region of Ghana: counselling implications

This study investigated the influence of family stressors on depression among women in the Ketu-South Municipality in the Volta Region. The study used the descriptive survey design. The census method was used to select a sample of 70 women for the study. The Family Inventory of Life Events and Changes (FILE) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI II) were used to collect data for the study. The data collected were analysed using means, standard deviation, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, and Linear Multiple Regression. The study revealed that the prominent family stressor among the women experiencing depression in the Ketu-South Municipality is loss of family members (overall mean of 4.22). In addition, the study revealed that family stressors significantly contribute to depression among women (R=.749, p=.039) with loss of family members being the highest contributor to depression (Beta=2.123, p=.037). The study recommended that government and nongovernmental agencies should control family stressors among women living with depression.

Estrés familiar y afrontamiento individual asociados a la adherencia terapéutica de pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objetivo:&lt;/strong&gt; analizar la asociación entre el estrés familiar y los estilos de afrontamiento individual con la adherencia terapéutica en pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica. &lt;strong&gt;Métodos:&lt;/strong&gt; se realizó un estudio transversal analítico en el año 2018 en la Unidad de Medicina Familiar (umf) no. 92 del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (imss); participaron pacientes con diagnóstico de cardiopatía isquémica de treinta a sesenta años de edad, y con un tiempo de evolución de uno a cinco años desde el momento del diagnóstico. El tamaño de la muestra se determinó mediante la fórmula para poblaciones finitas, se realizó un muestreo aleatorizado simple. Se aplicó una ficha de identificación y los instrumentos Inventario de Eventos Vitales y Cambios en la Familia (file), Inventario de Estrategias de Afrontamiento (csi) y la Escala Informativa de Cumplimiento a la Dedicación (mars). Se utilizó la prueba &lt;span&gt;χ&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/span&gt; para determinar asociación entre las variables señaladas. &lt;strong&gt;Resultados: &lt;/strong&gt;participaron 130 pacientes en este estudio, al analizar la asociación entre estrés familiar y adherencia terapéutica los valores fueron &lt;span&gt;χ&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/span&gt;=1.336 y p=0.513; al estudiar la asociación entre estilos de afrontamiento y adherencia terapéutica se obtuvieron los siguientes valores &lt;span&gt;χ&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/span&gt;=2.698 y p=0.100. Predominó estrés familiar moderado en 57% de los casos (n=74), el afrontamiento pasivo en 53% (n=69) y la adherencia terapéutica subóptima en 94% de ellos (n=122). &lt;strong&gt;Conclusiones:&lt;/strong&gt; no se encontró asociación entre un nivel alto de estrés familiar y el afrontamiento pasivo con la adherencia terapéutica subóptima en pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica.&lt;/p&gt;

Adopting a fictitious autobiography: fabrication inflation or deflation?

ABSTRACT In the present experiment, we examined whether adopting a fictitious biography would make participants believe in this autobiography. Participants were split up into two conditions: forced confabulation condition and control condition. The forced confabulation condition received a snippet with the fake biography and had to adopt it through several methods (i.e., method acting, journaling, and convincing experimenters in an interview) over an extended period of time. The control condition was told that they partook in an experiment about personal childhood memories. Before, during and after lying participants completed four Life Event Inventories (LEI). Results revealed that after coming forward with the truth participants did not increase nor decrease their belief for the lied about events. Additionally, even after a one-year delay, we found no evidence for either effect. Our findings suggest that more extreme forms of fabrication do not make people believe in their lies.

Life events as predictors for disability pension due to musculoskeletal diagnoses: a cohort study of Finnish twins

PurposeMusculoskeletal diagnoses (MSD) are one of the largest diagnostic groups for disability pensions (DP). This study investigated the associations between life events and DP due to MSD, considering sociodemographic, health, and familial factors.MethodsThe study sample included 18,530 Finnish twins, 24–64 years old at baseline, who responded to a questionnaire in 1981 including a 21-item life event inventory. Information on DP with diagnosis codes (ICD codes: M00–M99) were obtained from the official national pension registers. Life events were divided into family- and work-related events. “Positive change in life” was analyzed separately. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsDuring the follow-up of 23 years, 1273 (7%) individuals were granted DP due to MSD. In discordant pair analysis, family-related events (≥ 4 events) increased (HR 1.63, 95% CI 1.31, 2.03) and the absence of such events decreased (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.48, 0.95) the risk of DP due to MSD. For work-related events (≥ 3 events), the risk estimates were non-significant when controlling for familial factors. Having had a positive change in life decreased the risk of DP due to MSD (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.65, 0.96) while controlling for familial confounding, but were non-significant in the full model controlling for various covariates (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.75, 1.12).ConclusionsThe associations between life events and the risk of DP due to MSD are complex and potentially affected by familial and other confounding factors including sociodemographics and health.

Déterminants des suicides aboutis et trajectoire de soin en santé mentale : étude par autopsie psychologique en population générale française

ObjectivesThe suicide rate is significantly larger in the French department of Sarthe than in other departments. Our objectives were: determine the biopsychosocial risks factors of suicide; to describe the primary care and mental health care. MethodWe have chosen to collect information using the “psychological autopsy method”. All people (included teenager and children) committing suicide in Sarthe will be included in the study. In each case, two informants will be selected. Three levels of analysis are retained (psychological, biomedical and social). Key informants were a member of the family, a colleague or a close friend. They were interviewed by trained clinicians, specialized in suicidology and grief support. Several standardized questionnaires are used: MINI (psychopathology, axis I on DSM-IV), UPPS-Short (impulsivity), EPICES (social precariousness), SSQ-6 (social support), and a life-event inventory. All cases were appraised by two experts (psychiatrist and general practitioner) in order (1) to determine the risk factors for each suicide: a burdensomeness score was suggested from 1 (no adversity) and 6 (major adversity), and (2) to evaluate mental health care. ResultsSuicides which occurs during 12 months were explored. Between September 2015 and August 2016, 146 people died by suicide. Of these cases, 47 were analyzed. Sixty-eight percent of the suicide cases were men, and the mean age is 62 years. Ninety percent of cases are workers or employees. Hanging is the major method used to commit suicide (68%), followed by drowning (11%), and firearms (9%). One third had visited their general practitioner last week before they died and two thirds had a lifespan contact with mental health professional (50% the last year). At the time of death, 87.2% had a mental disorder (depression: two thirds; alcohol use disorder: 57.7%). Seventy percent experienced childhood abuse and neglect. For 75% of the workers, there is a major and chronic psychological distress at work. For experts, mental illness is the most important determinant of suicide, followed by childhood abuse and neglect and dysfunctional interpersonal relationships. However, among workers, the distress relative to the professional activity is a major risk factor. Important differences exist between individuals treated in psychiatry and those who are not. For example, people suffering from alcohol-related disorders are mostly untreated, and people abandoned in childhood have any contact with mental health care. Moreover, they have an atypical clinical profile, unfortunately difficult to detect. ConclusionAccording to the experts, antidepressant prescriptions need to be improved and psychotherapy must be more widely applied. Our findings highlight the importance of outpatient care. Coordination with families should also be improved and the assessment of suicidal risk should be systematic.

Recent Stressful Life Events (SLE) and Adolescent Mental Health: Initial Validation of the LEIA, a New Checklist for SLE Assessment According to Their Severity, Interpersonal, and Dependent Nature.

The main aim of the present study was to develop and validate a checklist for adolescents, the Life Events Inventory for Adolescents (LEIA), for screening stressful life events (SLEs) of different nature (major-minor, dependent-independent, and personal-interpersonal). The LEIA was administered together with another SLE checklist (Escala de Acontecimientos Vitales [Life Events Scale], EAV), and with measures of life satisfaction and externalizing and internalizing symptoms. The results showed that the kappa and the percentage agreement reliability indices were adequate. Regarding validity evidences, the correlations found between the LEIA and the EAV ranged from .65 to .69, and between the LEIA and the psychopathological symptoms ranged from .26 to .38. Specifically, major dependent noninterpersonal SLEs were the best predictors of externalizing psychopathology; while major independent noninterpersonal SLEs were the best predictors of internalizing symptoms and low life satisfaction. To conclude, the LEIA could be considered an adequate checklist to screen for SLEs in adolescents.

Is psychological stress a predisposing factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)? An online international case-control study of premorbid life events, occupational stress, resilience and anxiety.

Psychological stress has been suggested to be relevant to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, possibly via the generation of oxygen free radicals. We therefore sought to determine whether people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) had been subjected to more potentially stressful life events or occupations than controls, and whether they had differences in resilience or trait anxiety that would moderate their responses to these stressors. An online anonymous multilingual questionnaire was used to collect data on significant life events from people with and without ALS, using items from a modified Social Readjustment Rating Scale and from self-described significant events, which were combined to create a Life Events Inventory. Inventory scores were subdivided into 0–20 years and 21–40 years age ranges, and for the preceding 2, 5 and 10 years. Respondents also rated levels of stress experienced during different occupations. Resilience was measured using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and trait anxiety with a modified Geriatric Anxiety Inventory. Scores were compared using nonparametric statistics. Data from 400 ALS (251 male, 149 female) and 450 control (130 male, 320 female) respondents aged 40 years and over showed that Life Events Inventory scores were similar in male ALS respondents and controls, but lower in female ALS respondents than female controls for the preceding 5-year and 10-year periods. Occupational stress did not differ between ALS respondents and controls. Both male and female ALS respondents had higher resilience scores than controls. Anxiety scores did not differ between ALS and control groups. In conclusion, people with ALS reported no raised levels of potentially stressful premorbid life events or occupational stress, and did not have reduced levels of resilience, or increased levels of anxiety, that would augment the deleterious effects of stressors. On the contrary, ALS respondents had higher resilience than controls, though this conclusion relies on ALS respondents recalling their premorbid status. These results do not support the hypothesis that psychological stress from significant life events or occupational stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of ALS.

Evidence of validity of the Stress-Producing Life Events (SPLE) instrument.

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE Evaluate the construct validity of a list of eight Stressful Life Events in pregnant women.METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,446 pregnant women in São Luís, MA, and 1,364 pregnant women in Ribeirão Preto, SP (BRISA cohort), from February 2010 to June 2011. In the exploratory factorial analysis, the promax oblique rotation was used and for the calculation of the internal consistency, we used the compound reliability. The construct validity was determined by means of the confirmatory factorial analysis with the method of estimation of weighted least squares adjusted by the mean and variance.RESULTS The model with the best fit in the exploratory analysis was the one that retained three factors with a cumulative variance of 61.1%. The one-factor model did not obtain a good fit in both samples in the confirmatory analysis. The three-factor model called Stress-Producing Life Events presented a good fit (RMSEA < 0.05; CFI/TLI > 0.90) for both samples.CONCLUSIONS The Stress-Producing Life Events constitute a second order construct with three dimensions related to health, personal and financial aspects and violence. This study found evidence that confirms the construct validity of a list of stressor events, entitled Stress-Producing Life Events Inventory.

Effects of Family Stress on Family Adaptation to a Family Member with Mental Illness: Mediating Effects of Family Strengths and Perceived Stigma

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the mediating effects of perceived stigma and family strength on the relationship between family stress and adaptation in family members of patients with mental illness. Methods: Participants were 189 primary family caregivers of persons with mental illness in G city, C, G, and J provinces. Data were collected from May to June 2018 using the FILE (Family Inventory of Life Events and Changes), K-ISMI (Korean Version of Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale), FAS III (Family Adaptability Scale III), and KFSS-II (Korea Family Strengths Scale). Collected data were analyzed with t-tests, one-way ANOVAs with Scheffe'' test, Pearson''s correlation coefficients, and PROCESS macro mediation analysis. Mediators were tested by calculating bias-corrected 95% confidence intervals using bootstrapping with 5,000 resampling. Results: Family stress was directly associated with family adaptation. Family strengths had a partially mediating effect on the relationship between family stress and adaptation, but perceived stigma did not. Conclusion: Based on our study findings, developing a nursing intervention program focused on improving family strengths might be necessary to facilitate family members'' successful adaptation to persons with mental illness.

Predicting real-world outcomes: Critical thinking ability is a better predictor of life decisions than intelligence

We all probably know someone who is very intelligent, but does blatantly stupid things. Despite evidence that intelligence predicts a variety of life outcomes, the relationship between intelligence and good thinking is less clear. This research explored whether critical thinking ability or intelligence was the better predictor of real life events. Community adults and college students (n=244) completed a critical thinking assessment, an intelligence test, and an inventory of life events. Individuals with higher critical thinking scores and higher IQs reported fewer negative life events. Critical thinking more strongly predicted life events than intelligence and significantly added to the variance explained by IQ. There is ample evidence that critical thinking can be taught, so there is hope that teaching critical thinking skills might prevent the occurrence of negative life events. We advocate for critical thinking instruction as a way to create a better future for everyone.