Indirect Negative Association Research Articles

The link between workaholism and well‐being via self‐care and the moderating role of group identification

AbstractAlthough the negative consequences of workaholism for well‐being are well‐known, research on its underlying processes and potential boundary conditions is scarce. Drawing on the conservation of resources theory, we propose that self‐care mediates the negative association between workaholism and well‐being, such that workaholism decreases self‐care, which, in turn, increases well‐being. Building on the social identity approach, we further argue that group identification moderates the workaholism–self‐care‐link, such that the more individuals identify with their groups, the stronger the negative indirect association. We tested our assumptions in a longitudinal three‐wave study among students (Study 1, NT1 = 300, NT2 = 211, NT3 = 164), in which we found that the indirect association between workaholism and well‐being via self‐care was only significant for those students who more highly identified with their group. We replicated this contingency of the workaholism–self‐care association on group identification in a two‐wave time‐lagged study among employees (Study 2, NT1 = 335, NT2 = 134). Taken together, these findings help gain a deeper understanding of why and when workaholism decreases well‐being.

Adaptive aspects of maximizing in times of COVID-19: coping efforts linking maximization to well-being.

Maximization, the tendency to make the best choices by thoroughly searching and comparing alternatives, has long been considered a negative correlate of well-being. However, recently, it was proposed that having a maximizing tendency can lead to better coping efforts in some stressful situations and thus could be more adaptive. The objective of the present research was to demonstrate positive features of maximization and identify the coping strategies that mediate the relationship between maximization and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. A sample of 3,493 participants responded to an online survey from January 20 to October 11 of 2020. The 13-item Maximization Scale assessed individuals' maximizing tendency in terms of the maximization index and its three subdimensions (i.e., high standards, alternative search, and decision difficulty). The use of four coping strategies (i.e., preventive measures, cognitive appraisal, self-distraction, and social connection) during the COVID-19 pandemic was assessed. Hedonic and eudaimonic aspects of well-being were measured. We developed a mediation model and examined both whether there was an indirect link between maximization and well-being through the coping strategies and whether there was a direct link between maximization and well-being. Path analysis revealed negative direct associations between maximization measures (i.e., an index and three subdimensions) and well-being. In addition, significant indirect paths were found with varying directions depending on maximization dimensions and coping strategy types. There were positive indirect associations between the maximization index and well-being via preventive measures, between high standards and well-being through preventive measures and cognitive appraisal, and between alternative search and well-being through self-distraction and social connection. Negative indirect associations were found between decision difficulty and well-being through cognitive appraisal, self-distraction, and social connection. The current study confirmed the existence of inconsistent mediation effects between maximization and well-being via coping and highlighted coping efforts as one of the positive aspects of maximization. Discussion addressed the double-edged effect of maximization on well-being and its beneficial nature in times of distress. Future studies should examine other potential situations and moderators that can delineate maximization's various characteristics with a longitudinal design and samples from diverse backgrounds.

Employees’ preferred extent for working from home – relationships with emotional job and childcare demands

Purpose To better understand employees’ preferred extent for working from home (WFH) setting that implies physical distance from clients and co-workers and enhanced physical proximity to others at home, this study, relying on job-demands resources (J-DR) theory, aims to investigate the relationships between this preference with both the perceived increase in emotional job demands and the exposure to childcare demands. Thus, this study aims to investigate the mediating role of perceived job difficulty in the relationship between emotional job demands and the preferred extent for WFH, and the moderating role of gender in the relationship between the number of children and the preferred extent for WFH. Design/methodology/approach A total of 239 employees who began WFH during the pandemic completed an online survey. Structural equation modelling was conducted to analyse the data and test the hypotheses. Findings As expected, an increase in emotional job demands had a significant negative indirect association with the preferred extent for WFH, through perceived increase in job difficulty. Furthermore, the number of children was negatively related to the preferred extent for WFH among male but not female employees. Practical implications The findings provide insights for promoting employees’ preferred extent for WFH. Originality/value The study points to a relationship between emotional job demands and employee attitudes towards WFH in terms of increased job difficulty and the preferred extent for WFH. It also points to the need to investigate the interaction between sex and number of children to understand employees’ preferred extent for WFH.

Understanding narcissistic spending: The connections between narcissistic personality traits and conspicuous consumption

The present study explored potential factors that may mediate the relationship between narcissism and conspicuous consumption, as the underlying reasons for this connection remain uncertain. Specifically, we investigated the following variables as potential mediators of the links between narcissistic personality traits and conspicuous consumption: consumer need for uniqueness, materialism, approval seeking, material meaning, consumer sexual signaling, and need for social status. In a sample of 2,944 Israeli community members, our study revealed that extraverted, antagonistic, neurotic, and communal narcissism frequently exhibited positive indirect connections with conspicuous consumption through these mediating factors, with the most robust associations often being observed for antagonistic narcissism. However, a clear departure from this pattern became apparent when the anticipated mediation of the connections between narcissistic personality traits and conspicuous consumption via the need for social status did not unfold as predicted. In contrast, extraverted, antagonistic, and communal narcissism exhibited negative indirect associations with conspicuous consumption through the need for social status. Collectively, these findings indicate both commonalities and distinctions in how narcissistic personality traits are associated with conspicuous consumption via specific mediators. The discussion delves into the significance of these outcomes in shedding light on why conspicuous consumption holds allure for individuals with narcissistic tendencies.

Helicopter parenting and first-semester students’ adjustment to college: A self-determination theory perspective

In this study, we examined the relationship between helicopter parenting and first-semester students’ ( N = 211) adjustment to college. It was hypothesized that first-semester students who report higher amounts of helicopter parenting would also report higher levels of basic psychological need frustration and lower levels of educational, relational, and psychological functioning. Results of a structural regression model suggested that helicopter parenting had negative indirect associations with educational, relational, and psychological functioning through competence frustration. Helicopter parenting also had a negative indirect association with psychological functioning through autonomy frustration. No significant indirect associations were found through relatedness frustration. Findings from our study highlight the particular importance of both autonomy and competence needs as potential mechanisms through which helicopter parenting might negatively impact students’ optimal functioning and well-being during their transition to college.

Conquering precarious work through inclusive leadership: Important roles of structural empowerment and leader political skill

Given the prevalence of precarious work in the social fabric of organizations, its negative repercussions for employees and organizations, and the scarcity of research on how organizational leadership can improve working conditions, we suggest inclusive leaders as a remedy to precarious work. Drawing on stakeholder theory, we propose that inclusive leadership is negatively associated with precarious work, both directly and indirectly, via structural empowerment. We also hypothesize that leader political skill moderates the positive relationship between inclusive leadership and structural empowerment and the negative indirect (via structural empowerment) association between inclusive leadership and precarious work. Two-source and time-lagged survey data collected from 311 employees and their supervisors supported our hypotheses. Other than contributions to the literature on inclusive leadership, structural empowerment, and precarious work, this study offers several imperative practical implications that can help organizations counter precarious work and its negative repercussions.

Community Violence Exposure and Bullying in Mexican Adolescents. The Mediating Role of Moral Emotions

Community characteristics can explain differences in bullying rates between schools. Underpinned by the social-ecological model, this study examined the relationships among community violence exposure (CVE), moral emotions (guilt and sympathy), and bullying in adolescents. We also explored the moderating role of gender in these relationships. The sample included 915 adolescents (48.6% female and 51.4% male) aged 11–16 (M age = 13.76, SD = 0.82). Students responded to the self-report measures. We used a latent variable structural equation modeling (SEM) approach to examine the relationships between variables. The SEM indicated that CVE was negatively associated with moral emotions (guilt and sympathy) and positively associated with bullying. In addition, CVE had a negative indirect association with bullying through their negative relationship with moral emotions. The structural model is equivalent for both genders, suggesting gender does not moderate these relationships. These findings indicate that CVE are associated with differences in school bullying rates.

Accelerated kynurenine pathway downregulates immune activation in patients with axial spondyloarthritis

Various studies reported that the kynurenine (Kyn) pathway plays a pivotal role in regulating the balance between activation and inhibition of the immune system. Proinflammatory cytokines can accelerate the Kyn pathway by altering indoleamine (2, 3)- dioxygenase (IDO) allosteric enzyme activity. Excessive cytokine release and immune system activation have essential roles in the pathogenesis of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). We aimed to investigate the relationship of the Kyn pathway with proinflammatory cytokines and with the severity of the disease in patients with axSpA.The study included 104 patients with axSpA and 54 healthy volunteers. The severity of the disease was determined by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI). The Kyn pathway was evaluated by IDO activity calculated with Kyn/Tryptophan (Trp) ratio. Plasma Trp and Kyn concentrations were measured with tandem mass spectrometry. Serum IL 17/23 and IFN-γ concentrations were measured with ELISA. These groups were compared in terms of IDO, IL-17, IL-23, IFN-γ, and BASDAI.Plasma IDO activity was significantly increased, however, serum IL-17, IL-23, and IFN-γ levels were significantly decreased in patients compared to healthy volunteers. While IFN-γ was positively correlated with the severity of the disease (p = 0.02), it also had a significant inverse correlation with IDO activity (p < 0.001). However, these correlations are weak.As a result of this study, the Kyn pathway is accelerated and proinflammatory cytokine levels are decreased in patients with axSpA. All of these results with an indirect weak negative association between high IDO and low disease activity suggest that an accelerated Kyn pathway may limit the immune system activation in axSpA disease.

Role of job mobility frequency in job satisfaction changes: the mediation mechanism of job-related social capital and person‒job match

Employees’ high job mobility is detrimental to the healthy and sustainable development of enterprises. It may be resolved by identifying the internal mechanism by which job mobility is associated with job satisfaction. However, few studies have examined it clearly. Thus, decision-making in human resource management lacks a theoretical basis. The present study attempts to fill this gap from the perspective of job-related social capital and person‒job match. Using survey data from 1348 employees with a tenure of 1–3 years in information service enterprises in China, this study conducts an empirical analysis of the aforementioned relationships. The results show that, in the context of the high frequency of job mobility, the ‘Honeymoon Effect’ has a positive association with job satisfaction in the short term. In the long term, the frequency of job mobility has a negative indirect association with job satisfaction through person‒job match and job-related social capital. Among these mediation mechanisms, job-related social capital has a positive association with person‒job match, which contributes to and strengthens the aforementioned negative intermediary process. The results highlight the positive role of job mobility frequency on job satisfaction in the short term and the negative role in the long term. The findings provide useful references and suggestions to help individuals improve their job satisfaction and enterprises to formulate efficient human resource management strategies.

Resting-state connectivity underlying cognitive control's association with perspective taking in callous-unemotional traits

Callous-Unemotional (CU) traits are often associated with impairments in perspective taking and cognitive control (regulating goal directed behavior); and adolescents with CU traits demonstrate aberrant brain activation/connectivity in areas underlying these processes. Together cognitive control and perspective taking are thought to link mechanistically to explain CU traits. Because increased cognitive control demands modulate perspective taking ability among both typically developing samples and individuals with elevated CU traits, understanding the neurophysiological substrates of these constructs could inform efforts to alleviate societal costs of antisocial behavior. The present study uses GIMME to examine the heterogenous functional brain properties (i.e., connection density, node centrality) underlying cognitive control's influence on perspective taking among adolescents on a CU trait continuum. Results reveal that cognitive control had a negative indirect association with CU traits via perspective taking; and brain connectivity indirectly associated with lower CU traits – specifically the social network via perspective taking and conflict network via cognitive control. Additionally, less negative connection density between the social and conflict networks was directly associated with higher CU traits. Our results support the growing literature on cognitive control's influence on socio-cognitive functioning in CU traits and extends that work by identifying underlying functional brain properties.

Parents’ mental state communication and children’s consumer behavior in the USA

PurposePrevious research has shown that children’s ability to understand mental states is related to their consumer development, yet it is unknown how parents can aid in this process. One possible way that parents may help is using mental state communication (i.e. communication that focuses on beliefs/intention to explain behavior by others). This study aims to examine whether this kind of communication is linked to children’s purchase requests through two potential mediators – active mediation and child socio-cognitive skills (i.e. Theory of Mind).Design/methodology/approachThis study used a survey of 420 American mothers with children between the ages of 3 and 7. Respondents were given 12 scenarios describing typical parent–child interactions focused on discussing mental states and were asked how they would respond. Then, respondents were asked about demographic information, parenting style, mediation style, child socio-cognitive skills and child purchase requests.FindingsResults showed both a direct and indirect negative association between parents’ mental state communication and children’s purchase requests via active advertising mediation. Contrary to expectations, active mediation was negatively associated with mental state communication and positively linked to child purchase requests. Children’s socio-cognitive skills were not associated with either parents’ mental state communication or children’s purchase requests.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first known study that has examined mental state communication of parents as a potential predictor in shaping children’s purchase requests and found that it was negatively associated with it.

The Relationship Between Perceived Discrimination, Acculturation Attitudes, and Adaptation among Anglophone African Immigrants in Russia: The Moderating Role of Neuroticism.

Perceived discrimination is an acculturative stressor that negatively predicts psychological and socio-cultural adaptation, partially mediated by the individual's acculturation attitudes. However, despite being under similar conditions of high perceived discrimination, some African immigrants in Russia appear to adapt more successfully than others. Why the individual differences? Neuroticism is a trait that intensifies the experience of negative emotions and sensitivity to stress. Perhaps it amplifies the reaction to acculturative stressors (e.g., perceived discrimination) in terms of acculturation attitudes, with significant implications for adaptation. This study sought to determine whether the personality trait of neuroticism influences how African immigrants in Russia react to perceived discrimination in terms of their acculturation attitudes and how this may relate to adaptation. A moderated mediation analysis was carried out, investigating neuroticism as a moderator in the relationship between perceived discrimination, acculturation attitudes, and adaptation of African immigrants in Russia (N = 157). Perceived discrimination was found to be strongly associated with poor psychological and sociocultural adaptation, which was partially mediated by the integration attitude; neuroticism strengthened this indirect negative association. When highly neurotic African immigrants perceived elevated levels of discrimination, they were more averse to adopting a positive attitude toward integration, and as a result, were more maladapted. This result suggests that the differences in the levels of adaptation among African immigrants in Russia under similar conditions of high perceived discrimination may be partially due to their levels of neuroticism.

Perceived Gender Transition Progress, Gender Congruence, and Mental Health Symptoms Among Transgender Adolescents

PurposeTransgender adolescents (TGAs) have high risk for experiencing mental health problems, but little is known about how aspects of gender identity relate to their mental health symptoms. Evidence from child and adult samples of transgender individuals indicates making progress in gender transition milestones and higher levels of congruence between gender identity and gender expression are related to fewer mental health problems. We examined associations between perceived transition progress, gender congruence, and mental health symptoms in a diverse, nationwide sample of TGAs. MethodsTGAs (n = 1,943) participated in a cross-sectional online survey. Perceived gender transition progress, gender congruence, and depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed. Path analysis was conducted to examine whether transition progress was related to mental health symptoms via higher levels of gender congruence. ResultsMost TGAs had undertaken at least one social transition step (98%), but only 11% had taken medical transition steps. Higher gender congruence was associated with lower mental health symptoms. Greater transition progress was associated with higher gender congruence, and perceived transition progress evidenced negative indirect associations with mental health symptoms. TGAs identifying with binary identities (transmasculine and transfeminine youth) reported lower levels of transition progress and gender congruence compared to other subgroups of TGAs. DiscussionHigher levels of perceived transition progress and gender congruence are related to lower mental health symptoms among TGAs. Mental health interventions tailored to the unique developmental needs of TGAs are needed given high risk for mental health problems within this population, and interventions addressing transition progress and gender congruence should be examined.

Using the common-sense model to explicate the role of illness representation in self-care behaviours and anxiety symptoms among patients with Type 2 diabetes

ObjectivesBased on the common-sense model of self-regulation, this study aimed to explicate the mechanism underlying the effect of illness representations on self-care behaviours and anxiety symptoms among patients with type 2 diabetes. MethodsA telephone survey was administered to 473 patients in Hong Kong. Structural equation modelling was used to test if threat and control perceptions regarding diabetes would be associated with self-reported self-care behaviours and anxiety symptoms through adoption of adaptive/maladaptive coping strategies and diabetes-related self-efficacy. ResultsControl perceptions but not threat perceptions were positively associated with self-care behaviours. Control perceptions had a positive indirect association with self-care behaviours through more problem-focused coping and diabetes-related self-efficacy. Threat perceptions simultaneously had a positive indirect association through more problem-focused coping and a negative indirect association through more avoidant coping and lower diabetes-related self-efficacy. In contrast, threat and control perceptions were positively and negatively, respectively, associated with anxiety symptoms. Problem-focused and avoidant coping consistently mediated the indirect association between threat perceptions and anxiety symptoms. ConclusionThreat and control perceptions were associated with diabetes self-care behaviours and anxiety symptoms through different self-regulation pathways. Practice implicationsOur findings inform possible targets for self-management interventions to simultaneously enhance self-care behaviours and alleviate diabetes-associated anxiety.

Social Media, Unsocial Distraction? Testing the Associations between Preadolescents’ SNS Use and Belonging via Two Pathways

ABSTRACT The goal of the present study was to examine the social repercussions of preadolescents’ SNS use by testing two differential pathways regarding the role of technology in interpersonal relationships. Specifically, we expected preadolescents’ social media use to be associated with heightened self-disclosure, which we then predicted to relate to increased feelings of belonging to their friends. At the same time, we investigated whether such use would also hinder real-life peer interactions, thus constituting a negative indirect association with preadolescents’ belonging. We examined both pathways for overall usage of SNS platforms as well as use specifically directed at communication-oriented activities, and SNS use that was nonsocial in nature. Results from a cross-sectional survey (n = 367/489, Mage = 10.94, SDage = 0.85, 52.4% girls) showed that social media played a predominantly beneficial role in the social lives of preadolescents: both overall and socially-oriented SNS use were positively and indirectly related to belonging through shared time with friends. Gender moderated the association between specific SNS activities and self-disclosure, however, such that social activities were positively related to self-disclosure for boys, but not for girls. Conversely, nonsocial activities were negatively related to girls’ self-disclosure.

Taking the good with the bad?: Social Media and Online Racial Discrimination Influences on Psychological and Academic Functioning in Black and Hispanic Youth.

Though increasing attention is being paid to adolescents' social media use, racially/ethnically-marginalized youth remain under-represented in that literature, and the effect of social media and its mechanism on these youth remain unclear. This study examined the effects of social media use on Black and Hispanic youth's psychological and academic functioning, with an attempt to investigate the role of online racial discrimination in accounting for these associations. Participants consisted of 356 Black and Hispanic youth (Mage = 16.01 years, SD = 1.60), and 78% female. The findings revealed a positive association between social media use and academic self-efficacy. A negative indirect association also emerged where social media use was associated with more exposure to vicarious, but not individual, online racial discrimination, which was related to more depressive symptoms and in turn lower academic self-efficacy. There was no direct effect of social media use on Black and Hispanic youth's anxiety symptoms, but its effect occurred indirectly via both individual and vicarious online racial discrimination. There was no evidence of group differences between Black and Hispanic youth. The findings confirm that social media is a space that proffers positive and negative effects on adolescents' psychological and academic functioning, suggesting the need for unique protections for racially/ethnically marginalized youth as they explore these online environments.

Longitudinal path analysis for the directional association of depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder with their comorbidities and associated factors among postpartum women in Northwest Ethiopia: A cross-lagged autoregressive modelling study.

Vulnerability for depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms due to perceived traumatic birth increase during the postpartum period. Traumatic birth has been defined as an event occurring during labour and birth that may be a serious threat to the life and safety of the mother and/or child. However, the comorbidity and multimorbidity of depression, anxiety and PTSD with their direct and indirect predictors is not well investigated in the postpartum period. In addition, the longitudinal directional association of depression, anxiety and PTSD with their comorbidities is not studied in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of postnatal comorbid and multimorbid anxiety, depression and PTSD. It also aimed to determine the directional association of postnatal anxiety, depression and PTSD with the comorbidity and multimorbidity of these mental health problems over time and to explore the factors that are directly or indirectly associated with comorbidity and multimorbidity of anxiety, depression and PTSD. A total of 775 women were included at the first, second and third follow-up of the study (6th, 12th and 18th week of postpartum period) during October, 2020 -March, 2021. A cross-lagged autoregressive path analysis was carried out using Stata 16.0 software in order to determine the autoregressive and cross-lagged effects of depression, anxiety and PTSD with their comorbidities. In addition, a linear structural equation modelling was also carried out to determine the direct and indirect effects of independent variables on the comorbidities of depression, anxiety and PTSD. Comorbidity of anxiety with depression was the most common (14.5%, 12.1% and 8.1%) at the 6th, 12th and 18th week of postnatal period respectively. With regard to the direction of association, comorbidity of PTSD (due to perceived traumatic birth) with depression, PTSD with anxiety, depression with anxiety and triple comorbidity predicted depression and anxiety in subsequent waves of measurement. Direct and indirect maternal morbidity, fear of childbirth and perceived traumatic childbirth were found to have a direct and indirect positive association with comorbidities of depression, anxiety and PTSD. In contrast, higher parity, higher family size and higher social support had a direct and indirect negative association with these mental health disorders. Postnatal mental health screening, early diagnosis and treatment of maternal morbidities, developing encouraging strategies for social support and providing adequate information about birth procedures and response to mothers' needs during childbirth are essential to avert comorbidity of anxiety, depression and PTSD in the postpartum period.

Why Don’t You Answer Me?! Exploring the Effects of (Repeated Exposure to) Ostracism via Messengers on Users’ Fundamental Needs, Well-Being, and Coping Motivation

ABSTRACT This preregistered diary study shed light on the effects of computer-mediated communication on users’ fundamental needs and well-being. As a specific demanding situation, it focused on the experience of cyber-ostracism, defined as not receiving replies from others on a sent message. Hypotheses were derived from the temporal need-threat model. To test these hypotheses, 214 participants answered 1,378 questionnaires over the course of one week. The results have shown that being cyber-ostracized via messengers (e.g., WhatsApp) was negatively associated with the satisfaction of users’ needs for belonging, self-esteem, meaningful existence, and control. Moreover, mediated via these needs, there was a negative indirect association between cyber-ostracism and well-being. Messenger users’ trait mindfulness served as a buffering mechanism: For mindful users, low satisfaction of the need for meaningful existence was not associated with decreased eudaimonic well-being. Moreover, although messengers were perceived as a source of exclusion, cyber-ostracized users reported an increased desire to use these services on the respective following day, representing an approach coping tendency. All additional files referred to in this paper can be found at https://osf.io/fqbya/.

Narcissism and Self-Esteem Revisited : The Mediating Roles of Perceived Status and Inclusion

ABSTRACT The purpose of the present study was to examine whether narcissistic personality features had indirect associations with state self-esteem through perceived status and inclusion. We used a daily diary approach to examine whether daily perceptions of status and inclusion mediated the associations that narcissistic admiration (an agentic form of narcissism that is characterized by assertive self-enhancement and self-promotion) and narcissistic rivalry (an antagonistic form of narcissism that is characterized by self-protection and self-defense) had with daily reports of state self-esteem in 808 undergraduate students. Narcissistic admiration had positive indirect associations with state self-esteem through perceived status and inclusion, whereas narcissistic rivalry had negative indirect associations with state self-esteem through perceived status and inclusion. These results suggest that perceptions of status and inclusion may contribute to the feelings of self-worth that are experienced by individuals with narcissistic personality features. Discussion focuses on the implications of these results for our understanding of the connections between narcissism and self-esteem.

Adolescent Aspirations, Compromise, and Conflict-Resolution

Whereas adolescents’ intrinsic aspirations are indicative of attending to internal need-satisfaction and may motivate mutually beneficial compromise and conflict-resolution, extrinsic aspirations focus on attaining more concrete external rewards and may exacerbate relational conflict. The present study examined an indirect association between aspirations and positive conflict-resolution via engagement (or anticipated engagement) in compromising behaviors among 364 adolescents (Age in years, M = 15.99, SD = 1.17) experiencing low income and economic marginalization. Results supported our hypothesis. Intrinsic aspirations were directly and positively associated with positive conflict-resolution, and indirectly associated via increased engagement (or anticipated engagement) in compromising behaviors. Conversely, extrinsic aspirations exhibited an indirect negative association. Intrinsic aspirations may cultivate positive conflict-resolution, in part because they may motivate mutually beneficial compromises.