Maladaptive Outcomes Research Articles

Respiratory sinus arrhythmia and adaptive emotion regulation as predictors of nonsuicidal self-injury in young adults.

Research suggests that both respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and emotion regulation are related to maladaptive outcomes. However, little is known about how these factors jointly contribute to nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). We examined how resting RSA and RSA withdrawal to stress predicted NSSI among young adults, and whether adaptive emotion regulation strategies moderated this effect. We examined this relation in a sample of 70 young adults (Mage = 19.25, SDage = 0.92, 94% female), 35 with a recent history of NSSI and 35 who had never engaged in NSSI. Participants completed a baseline questionnaire and lab visit where physiological responses to a social stressor were collected. Results indicated that resting RSA did not predict recent NSSI engagement. However, greater RSA withdrawal to social stress significantly predicted recent NSSI (β = 1.35 [0.57], Wald χ2 = 5.52 p = 0.02). Further, problem-solving moderated the relation between RSA withdrawal and recent NSSI such that individuals with greater levels of RSA withdrawal were significantly more likely to engage in NSSI if they also reported low problem-solving (β = -1.44 [0.64], Wald χ2 = 5.16, p = 0.02). In contrast, the effect of greater RSA withdrawal on NSSI was buffered by high problem-solving. Cognitive reappraisal did not moderate the relation between RSA withdrawal and NSSI. These findings suggest that problem-solving may be an important moderator in the relation between physiological reactivity and NSSI. Interventions should help clients with poor self-regulation develop adaptive problem-solving strategies.

Attachment Anxiety and Problematic Social Media Use: The Mediating Role of Well-Being.

Insecure attachment is associated with a myriad of maladaptive outcomes, including low well-being and problematic Internet use. The lack of research investigating the roles that interpersonal attachment styles and psychological well-being play in problematic social media use is surprising. To address this gap, 915 young people aged 18-25 years (M = 20.19, SD = 1.58) completed an online survey measuring attachment styles, psychological well-being, and problematic social media use. We found that both greater attachment anxiety and less avoidance in attachment relationships were associated with problematic use of social media. The data further indicated that there was a significant indirect effect of attachment anxiety on problematic social media use through general feelings of psychological well-being, suggesting that individuals characterized by anxious attachment styles may be using social media as a means of enhancing psychological well-being. As psychological well-being was found to be negatively associated with problematic social media use, our findings bolster calls for enhancing young people's well-being. However, causality cannot be fully established due to the cross-sectional design of this study.

Empathy, Depressive Symptoms, and Self-Esteem in Adolescence: The Moderating Role of the Mother–Adolescent Relationship

A large body of literature provides support for the role of empathy as a prominent factor in socio-emotional development and functioning. Although deficits in empathy are known to associate with maladaptive behaviors, less literature documents the effects of excessive empathy, which has been found to relate to various internalizing problems such as depression. There are two types of empathy, cognitive and affective, which manifest themselves in different ways and thus, have differential effects on outcomes. Therefore, in a sample of 724 Belgian adolescents (Mage = 13.83 ± .96), the present study sought to elucidate the effects of cognitive and affective empathy on depressive symptoms and self-esteem. We also explored the interactive effects of empathy and adolescent perceived mother–child relationship quality in the prediction of our outcomes. Results revealed affective and cognitive empathy predicted outcomes concurrently, with affective empathy predicting more maladaptive outcomes and cognitive empathy predicting more positive outcomes. Interaction effects emerged between affective empathy and the relationship quality indicators. However, no interactions occurred with cognitive empathy. Further, longitudinal data revealed only cognitive empathy had long-term effects (predicting positive outcomes such as lower levels of depression and higher levels of self-esteem) suggesting that cognitive empathy may be a protective factor. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.

An integrative approach to conceptualizing sustainable resilience

ABSTRACTVulnerability, resilience, and sustainability are three concepts commonly used in assessing the quality of a variety of systems. While each can be applied independently when performing risk analysis, there is growing interest across multiple disciplines in understanding how these concepts can be integrated when considering complex adaptive systems, such as communities. In this paper, we identify issues related to the use of these respective concepts in assessing complex adaptive systems, and describe how these issues may produce imbalanced results and maladaptive outcomes. We identify five critical areas where alignment and integration across concepts can lead to improved system assessment. As a result, we introduce a new paradigm, sustainable resilience, in which these concepts are integrated to enable alignment of adaptation and transformation strategies with desired resilience outcomes. This work provides the foundation for the development of an integrated assessment framework to help guide informed risk-based decisionmaking for sustainable and resilient systems.

Narcissism and self-esteem: A nomological network analysis.

Similarity between narcissism and self-esteem seems intuitive, as both capture positive perceptions of the self. In the current undertaking, we provide a broad comparison of the nomological networks of grandiose narcissism and explicit self-esteem. Pooling data from 11 existing samples (N = 4711), we compared the relations of narcissism and self-esteem to developmental experiences, individual differences, interpersonal functioning, and psychopathology. Both constructs are positively related to agentic traits and assertive interpersonal approaches, but differ in relation to agreeableness/communion. Self-esteem emerged as a wholly adaptive construct negatively associated with internalizing psychopathology and generally unrelated to externalizing behaviors. Unlike self-esteem, narcissism was related to callousness, grandiosity, entitlement, and demeaning attitudes towards others that likely partially explain narcissism’s links to maladaptive outcomes.

Weight suppression and its relation to eating disorder and weight outcomes: a narrative review

ABSTRACTWeight suppression (WS) refers to the discrepancy between highest adult weight and current weight, and has been examined as a key construct related to both: eating pathology and weight management. However, despite increasing interest in WS, findings regarding the clinical implications of WS are often conflicting. For instance, WS has been associated with both adaptive and maladaptive outcomes across various populations. Moreover, results regarding the predictive utility of WS within clinical samples have been inconsistent. The current paper aims to provide a narrative review of existing investigation related to WS, highlight gaps in the field’s understanding of this construct, and outline recommendations for future study.

A test of the empirical profile and coherence of the DSM-5 psychopathy specifier.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5th edition (DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013) introduced a psychopathy specifier (DSM-5 PS) as part of the Section III diagnostic model of antisocial personality disorder. Designed to capture the construct of fearless dominance/boldness, the DSM-5 PS is assessed on the basis of the presence of low scores on traits of withdrawal and anxiousness, and high scores on attention seeking. These constructs have garnered attention in the past decade but are the subject of substantial debate as to their role in the conceptualization and assessment of psychopathy, given their limited relations to the maladaptive outcomes typically associated with this personality disorder. In the current study (N = 340 undergraduates; 170 informants), we examined the DSM-5 PS, both in composite form and its trait subscales, to investigate the degree to which the DSM-5 PS manifested empirical profiles associated with psychopathy and its maladaptive correlates. Consistent with prior fearless dominance/boldness research, the DSM-5 PS manifested limited relations with other components of psychopathy, symptoms of DSM-5 Section II and III antisocial personality disorder, and self- and informant-related impairment scores. When examined at the individual subscale level, the 3 DSM-5 PS subscales manifested only partially overlapping profiles and only 1 of the 3-Attention Seeking-demonstrated an association with maladaptivity (e.g., externalizing behaviors). These findings raise important concerns about the coherence and utility of the DSM-5 PS as a diagnostic specifier included in a psychiatric nosology. (PsycINFO Database Record

A latent profile analysis of exposure to community violence and peer delinquency in African American adolescents

AimsPerson-based analyses have demonstrated wide variability among the levels of exposure to community violence (ECV) experienced by youth in disadvantaged communities. In addition, social network research has found that violence victimization tends to occur primarily among a small social group, demonstrating that levels of peer delinquency may be a factor that distinguishes among youth who experience high and low levels of ECV. MethodsThe current study utilized latent class analysis to examine profiles of ECV and peer delinquency in a sample of 618 African American adolescents (54.7% female; mean age = 15.8, SD = 1.41), and the relationship these profiles have to adaptive and maladaptive outcomes. ResultsResults demonstrated that levels of ECV and peer delinquency vary significantly among these youth, and profile membership predicts levels of delinquency, aggression, future orientation, and self-esteem. ConclusionResearch and clinical implications are discussed.

Childhood maltreatment and problematic social media use: The role of attachment and depression

Childhood maltreatment is associated with many maladaptive outcomes. This study sought to examine the association between childhood maltreatment and problematic social media use using a cross-sectional sample of young adults aged 17–25 years (n = 1029). Specifically, we studied whether the relationship is mediated through (i) attachment anxiety, (ii) attachment avoidance, or (iii) both attachment dimensions operating in series with depressive symptoms. Results revealed that a history of childhood maltreatment was significantly associated with more problematic social media use. Both anxious and avoidant attachment dimensions independently mediated the relationship between childhood maltreatment and problematic use of social media, but in opposing directions. Avoidant attachment was associated with less problematic social media use, whilst anxious attachment was associated with more problematic social media use. Avoidant attachment and depressive symptoms in series accounted for part of the relationship between childhood maltreatment and problematic social media use. Anxious attachment and depressive symptoms in series fully mediated the relationship between childhood maltreatment and problematic social media use. The results suggest that childhood maltreatment may influence social media use directly, but also indirectly. People experiencing depressive symptoms may overuse social media in an attempt to alleviate their distress. However, causality cannot be established with the current design.

Microbiota and cardiorespiratory control: Chronic intermittent hypoxia related cardiorespiratory dysfunction in rat

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, a respiratory disorder characterised by exposure to chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH), has maladaptive outcomes for integrative body systems. CIH functions as a major driving force at the gut epithelium, leading to inescapable microbial diversity. We sought to explore the effects of CIH on major homeostatic control systems with a particular interest in cardio‐respiratory physiology. We hypothesise that host‐microbe interactions contribute to the development of aberrant cardiorespiratory plasticity evident in CIH exposed rats.Sprague Dawley male rats were exposed to repeated cycles consisting of hypoxia (FiO2=0.05 nadir) and normoxia (FiO2=0.21) for 8 hours per day for two weeks (n=11). Sham animals (n=12) were constantly exposed to room air and similar environmental cues. Whole‐body plethysmography was used to record breathing in the unanesthetised animals during quiet rest. Oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production were measured as an index of whole‐body metabolism. Under urethane anaesthesia, cardiorespiratory challenges were performed. Plasma corticosterone and bronchoalveolar fluid pro‐inflammatory cytokines were measured using commercially available kits. High performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrochemical detection was used to analyse monoamines in brainstem regions. Data are presented as mean±SD and were analysed using unpaired Student t tests or Mann‐Whitney unpaired t tests.The ventilatory equivalent during normoxia (FiO2=0.21) and hypercapnia (FiCO2 =0.05) were unaffected by exposure to CIH (p=0.38, p=0.91 respectively). Alterations in sigh frequency during hypercapnia were noted in CIH‐exposed animals (p=0.009). CIH exposure increased apnoea index during normoxia and hypercapnia (p=0.04, p=0.006 respectively). Elevated baseline mean arterial blood pressure occurred in CIH‐exposed animals (p=0.003). β‐adrenoceptor blockade (propranolol 1 mg/kg i.v.) elicited an enhanced bradycardic response in CIH animals (p=0.03). Moreover, sympathetic ganglion block (25 μg/kg hexamethonium i.v.) produced a significant bradycardia in CIH exposed animals compared with shams (p=0.04). Corticosterone and pro‐inflammatory cytokine levels were equivalent in both CIH‐exposed animals and shams (p=0.7, p=0.46 respectively). Neuromodulators in brainstem regions were decreased in CIH exposed animals.Our study employing a CIH‐exposed rat model of sleep apnoea reveals dysregulated cardiorespiratory control. Our results reveal that two weeks of CIH does not create systemic stress or pulmonary inflammation. However, alterations in the neurochemistry of brainstem regions occur. We hypothesise that CIH directly or indirectly disrupts microbial composition, associated with impaired cardiorespiratory homeostasis. Investigation into the association between host‐microbiome and cardiorespiratory homeostasis is underway in our laboratory. Manipulating the microbiota may function as an adjunct therapy for the treatment of sleep apnoea.Support or Funding InformationThis abstract has emanated from research supported by research grant from Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) to the APC Microbiome Institute. Supported by the Department of Physiology and the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Polyvictimization and externalizing symptoms in foster care children: The moderating role of executive function

ABSTRACTPrior research has identified the role of childhood maltreatment in externalizing problems and executive function (EF) deficits, but minimal work has been done to characterize the effects of co-occurring maltreatment types, defined as polyvictimization. Here, we sought to characterize the association between polyvictimization and externalizing problems in a sample of foster care children aged 3–4 years (N = 84) and examine how EF may mediate or moderate that relationship. A moderation model was supported in that only polyvictimized children with EF scores 1.62 or more standard deviations below the mean were at heightened risk for clinically severe externalizing problems, while no association between polyvictimization and externalizing problems were observed for children who scored at the mean or above on the EF measure. Findings highlight that EF may serve as a resilience factor indicating that individual differences in polyvictimized children’s EF skills help to predict variability in externalizing problems. Future research on designing and optimizing intervention programs that target EF skills may mitigate the development of maladaptive outcomes for polyvictimized children.

Using Network Analysis to Identify Central Symptoms of Adolescent Depression

Experiencing depression symptoms, even at mild to moderate levels, is associated with maladaptive outcomes for adolescents. We used network analysis to evaluate which symptoms (and associations between symptoms) are most central to adolescent depression. Participants were part of a large, diverse community sample (N = 1,409) of adolescents between 13 and 19 years of age. Network analysis was used to identify the most central symptoms (nodes) and associations between symptoms (edges) assessed by the Children’s Depression Inventory. We also evaluated these centrality indicators for network robustness using stability and accuracy tests, associated symptom centrality with mean levels of symptoms, and examined potential differences between the structure and connectivity of depression networks in boys and girls. The most central symptoms in the network were self-hatred, loneliness, sadness, and pessimism. The strongest associations between symptoms were sadness–crying, anhedonia–school dislike, sadness–loneliness, school work difficulty–school performance decrement, self-hatred–negative body image, sleep disturbance–fatigue, and self-deprecation–self-blame. The network was robust to stability and accuracy tests. Notably, symptom centrality and mean levels of symptoms were not associated. Boys and girls’ networks did not differ in levels of connectivity, though the link between body image and self-hatred was stronger in girls than boys. Self-hatred, loneliness, sadness, and pessimism were the most central symptoms in adolescent depression networks, suggesting that these symptoms (and associations between symptoms) should be prioritized in theoretical models of adolescent depression and could also serve as important treatment targets for adolescent depression interventions.

Do maladaptive beliefs delay whiplash associated disorders (WAD): A systematic review

The purpose of the study is to try to establish if maladaptive beliefs effect recovery times and poor outcomes in whiplash associated disorders (WAD). In May 2017 the following databases were searched from their inception until June 2017: SPORT Discuss, CINAHL, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane, AMED, Embase. A combination of sensitive search strategies was used for locating articles on maladaptive beliefs and WAD. Hand-searching of relevant journals and citation tracking were used to maximise the identified study pool. A total of 189 references were retrieved and an additional three studies were identified through different sources, 178 remained after the removal of duplicates. For 43 references, the full text was assessed, and 7 studies were included. The methodological quality was assessed independently by two assessors. Data extraction was carried out using a standardised data extraction form. Most articles scored a high overall quality and fourteen percent (14%) of articles (1 out of 7) were rated with moderate overall quality. Meta-analysis was not undertaken due to the heterogeneity of prognostic factors, outcome measures and methods used. Four out of the seven studies presented a correlation between catastrophising and disability in at least one follow-up time point (3, 6 or 12 months) whilst three studies found a correlation between fear-avoidance and disability. Four of the studies showed an association between maladaptive beliefs (catastrophising or fear avoidance) and pain and two found a negative effect. Our findings show that outcomes, such as pain and disability, were found to be associated with maladaptive beliefs (catastrophising and fear avoidance).

Emotion Coregulation Processes between Mothers and their Children With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder: Associations with Children's Maladaptive Behaviors.

A dyadic microanalysis approach was used to examine emotion coregulation processes in mother-child interactions in relation to children's maladaptive behaviors. Seventy-two mother-child dyads (46 children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); 26 neurotypical children) were previously videotaped in a semi-structured play procedure at home and mothers reported on children's internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Mother-child interactions were reliably coded in 5-second intervals and analyzed using Space State Grid software. Regression analyses supported moderation, whereby greater dyadic flexibility and more mutual-positive engagements were significantly associated with lower levels of maladaptive outcomes for children with ASD. Results have implications for initiating positive interactions and promoting effective parenting that help improve behavior in young children with ASD.

A Secure Base from which to Cooperate: Security, Child and Parent Willing Stance, and Adaptive and Maladaptive Outcomes in two Longitudinal Studies.

Early secure attachment plays a key role in socialization by inaugurating a long-term mutual positive, collaborative interpersonal orientation within the parent-child dyad. We report findings from Family Study (community mothers, fathers, and children, from age 2 to 12, N=102, 51 girls) and Play Study (exclusively low-income mothers and children, from age 3.5 to 7, N=186, 90 girls). We examined links among observed secure attachment at toddler age, child and parent receptive, willing stance to each other, observed in parent-child contexts at early school age, and developmental outcomes. The developmental outcomes included parent-rated child antisocial behavior problems and observed positive mutuality with regard to conflict issues at age 12 in Family Study, and mother-rated child antisocial behavior problems and observed child regard for rules and moral self at age 7 in Play Study. In mother-child relationships, the child's willing stance mediated indirect effects of child security on positive mutuality in Family Study and on all outcomes in Play Study. In father-child relationships, both the child's and the parent's willing stance mediated indirect effects of child security on both outcomes. Early security initiates an adaptive developmental cascade by enlisting the child and the parent as active, willingly receptive and cooperative agents in the socialization process. Implications for children's parenting interventions are noted.

The stigma of being a refugee: A mixed-method study of refugees' experiences of vocational stress

This concurrent embedded mixed-method study examined vocational stressors and coping mechanisms among refugees. Results from a content analysis of open-ended surveys collected from 159 refugees show that the most frequently reported refugee vocational stressor was access and opportunity (31% of comments made about vocational stressors). This meta-theme encompasses feeling as though past work experience is discounted in the job search, struggles with the job search, and exploitation (e.g., low pay). Other meta-themes included acculturative, discrimination, interpersonal, financial and personal vocational stressors. Qualitative accounts of coping revealed reflection and relaxation (25%) and problem-solving actions (24%) as the most commonly reported coping mechanisms. In addition, refugee-specific coping mechanisms (17%) were frequently reported, and referred to building language skills, engaging in assimilation and multicultural activities, and seeking social support from other refugees. Using the meta-themes that emerged in each vocational stressor category, t-test results show that the experience of discrimination stressors was related to higher levels of self-reported anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances. In addition, the use of avoidance-oriented coping mechanisms was associated with maladaptive outcomes, such as depression, sleep disturbances, and anxiety. Taken together, our results indicate that refugees face many of the vocational stressors typically studied in the occupational health literature (e.g., underemployment). The current study also uncovered unique vocational stressors and coping mechanisms, including evidence for a refugee-specific stigma experienced during the job search process and among refugees who are currently employed. Recommendations for theoretical implications and future research on refugee vocational stressors and coping mechanisms are discussed.

Understanding team maladaptation through the lens of the four R's of adaptation

The process of team adaptation is crucial for team success as effectiveness in today's workplace hinges upon teams that are flexible and dynamic in the unavoidable presence of change. A considerable amount of work has been conducted on the positive aspects of a team's adaptation process (e.g., successful adaptation resulting in beneficial outcomes). These efforts, however, have largely ignored the process and outcomes of maladaptation when a team fails to adapt properly. We use influential works (e.g., Burke, Stagl, Salas, Pierce, & Kendall, 2006; Kozlowski, Watola, Jensen, Kim, & Botero, 2009) to build a concise heuristic (e.g., the four R's) that is then used to outline and describe potential errors teams may engage in before, during, and after a change that cause maladaptive outcomes. We offer propositions around our heuristic that can readily utilized in research contexts to guide further exploration into team adaptation so that we may better understand the processes underlying maladaptive outcomes.

Maladaptive outcomes of climate insurance in agriculture

Abstract Agricultural insurance programs are currently being championed by international donors in many developing countries. They are acclaimed as promising instruments for coping with climate risk. However, research on their impacts has mainly focused on economic considerations. Studies on broader social and ecological consequences are sparse and have produced ambiguous and inconclusive results. We address this knowledge deficit by (a) advocating for a holistic view of social-ecological systems and vulnerability when considering insurance impacts; (b) offering a systematic overview highlighting the potential beneficial and adverse effects of ‘climate insurance’ in agriculture, particularly where programs target intensifying agricultural production; and (c) suggesting preliminary principles for avoiding maladaptive outcomes, including specific recommendations for designing appropriate impact studies and insurance programs. Our synopsis brings together scientific knowledge generated in both developing and developed countries, demonstrating that agricultural insurance programs shape land-use decisions and may generate serious economic, social, and ecological consequences. If insurance is to be an appropriate tool for mitigating the impacts of climate change, it needs to be carefully developed with specific local social-ecological contexts and existing risk coping strategies in mind. Otherwise, it is liable to create long-term maladaptive outcomes and undermine the ability of these systems to reduce vulnerability.

Respiratory muscle dysfunction in animal models of hypoxic disease: antioxidant therapy goes from strength to strength.

The striated muscles of breathing play a critical role in respiratory homeostasis governing blood oxygenation and pH regulation. Upper airway dilator and thoracic pump muscles retain a remarkable capacity for plasticity throughout life, both in health and disease states. Hypoxia, whatever the cause, is a potent driver of respiratory muscle remodeling with evidence of adaptive and maladaptive outcomes for system performance. The pattern, duration, and intensity of hypoxia are key determinants of respiratory muscle structural-, metabolic-, and functional responses and adaptation. Age and sex also influence respiratory muscle tolerance of hypoxia. Redox stress emerges as the principal protagonist driving respiratory muscle malady in rodent models of hypoxic disease. There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating that antioxidant intervention alleviates hypoxia-induced respiratory muscle dysfunction, and that N-acetyl cysteine, approved for use in humans, is highly effective in preventing hypoxia-induced respiratory muscle weakness and fatigue. We posit that oxygen homeostasis is a key driver of respiratory muscle form and function. Hypoxic stress is likely a major contributor to respiratory muscle malaise in diseases of the lungs and respiratory control network. Animal studies provide an evidence base in strong support of the need to explore adjunctive antioxidant therapies for muscle dysfunction in human respiratory disease.

Assessment of temperament in children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. A pilot study into the role of motor disabilities in instruments to measure temperament

AbstractResearch on temperament has evolved substantially throughout the last years. Assessing temperament in a child gives information about why the child reacts differently in different situations and can be seen as one of the variables playing a role in determining adaptive and maladaptive outcomes. Insight into the temperament of the child, therefore, facilitates the adaptation of support or child-rearing practices to the specific needs and wishes of the child. The current study aimed at reviewing existing temperament instruments among young children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD). An inventory of the existing instruments, which can determine temperament, was made based on a literature review. A total of 138 articles were found in which temperament was measured. None of these studies included children with PIMD. The Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised (IBQ-R) very short form and the Child Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ) very short form seem to be the most appropriate forms ...