Developmental Psychology Research Articles

Prenatal Zika Virus Exposure Alters the Interaction Between Affective Processing and Decision-Making in Juvenile Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta).

Many challenges during pregnancy can disrupt fetal development and have varying consequences on the subsequent psychological development of infants. Notably, exposure to infectious pathogens during fetal development, such as those encountered in viral pandemics, has been associated with persistent developmental consequences on infants' brains and behavior. However, the underlying mechanisms and the degree to which neural plasticity over infancy may accommodate fetal insults remain unclear. To address this gap, we investigated the interaction between affective processing and decision-making in a cohort of rhesus monkey juveniles exposed to Zika virus (ZIKV) during fetal development, a pathogen known to profoundly disrupt central nervous system development. Ten juveniles exposed to ZIKV during their fetal development and nine procedure-matched controls (CONs) completed a judgment bias task with and without a negative mood induction. Although ZIKV exposure did not impact the monkeys' decision-making processes during the task or the magnitude of their behavioral responses to the mood induction procedure, it did alter the influence of mood induction on decision-making. Although CON monkeys exhibited significantly more conservative decision-making following negative mood induction, the decision-making of Zika-exposed monkeys remained consistent among conditions. These findings suggest that fetal exposure to ZIKV impacts the neural systems involved in integrating affective and cognitive information, with potential long-term implications for learning, memory, and emotion regulation.

The Impact of Child Maltreatment on the Psychological Development of Primary School Learners

The Impact of Child Maltreatment on the Psychological Development of Primary School Learners

Online Therapy for Children: Yay or Nay? Clinicians’ Insights from the COVID-19 Era

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated an almost overnight shift in mental healthcare from in-person to remote delivery. However, the feasibility of online therapy for children and its potential as a long-term fixture remain underexplored. Objective This study aimed to explore the advantages, disadvantages, and suitability of online therapy for children, as perceived by pediatric clinicians delivering remote psychological interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method Six qualified child psychologists with limited pre-pandemic online therapy experience were surveyed about their perspectives on online therapy for children using a qualitative descriptive approach. Data was analyzed using thematic network analysis. Results Analysis revealed themes relating to: issues encountered in the areas of technology, resource availability, and therapeutic alliance; perceived advantages in children being digital natives, and online therapy’s wide accessibility; and (un)suitability of specific client profiles and therapeutic techniques. Conclusions Psychological interventions delivered via videoconferencing are not suitable for all children, but can be greatly beneficial for some. Client- and intervention-specific findings from this study can be used to guide future research aimed at clinical practice, developing tailored approaches, and informing policy for improving access to pediatric mental healthcare.

CIPAS Scale: Pilot Test for Evaluating Interaction Quality and Secure Attachment Potential

The adult's sensitivity to the child's communicative signals, their prompt and appropriate response to the child's needs for security, protection, and comfort, along with their ability to regulate emotions in the face of childhood stress, are parenting skills associated with attachment quality. Various instruments and observation scales code these constructs. Furthermore, developmental psychology has made significant contributions regarding the affective and communicative exchanges between parents and children during early stages of life and their implications for the formation of emotional bonds. The objective of this study is to describe the development and preliminary analysis of a new observation scale called: Quality of Interaction and Secure Attachment Potential (CIPAS), which aims to simply integrate the different parameters of the interactive relationship between attachment figures and children in early childhood. The construction process and initial psychometric analyses from a pilot sample are presented. The results showed very high inter-rater reliability, with an overall kappa value of κ=0.88. The relevance of CIPAS is discussed not only as a valuable tool for developmental psychology research but also as an effective instrument to guide educational practices in promoting secure attachment and quality interaction in young children.

EXPRESS: Revisiting Working Memory Fifty Years after Baddeley and Hitch: A Review of Field-specific Conceptualizations, Use and Misuse, and Paths Forward for Studying Children.

As trained educational and developmental psychologists who study the role of working memory in educational outcomes, we know the various assumptions made about definitions and measurements of this cognitive ability. Considering the popularity of the Baddeley and Hitch working memory model (1974) in these fields, we raise challenges related to measurement, overlap with executive function, and adopting working memory measurement approaches from adult models. We propose that researchers consider how working memory tasks might tap multiple other abilities. This is problematic in the context of child cognitive development and in understanding which factors explain educational outcomes in children. We recommend giving greater attention to the central executive, acknowledging the overlap between the central executive and executive function in study design, and investigating a developmental model in the context of the broader abilities evoked in measurement. These recommendations may provide a fuller understanding of working memory's mechanistic role in children's learning and development and assist in developing reasonable adjustments for specific aspects of working memory for children who struggle.

Physical Fitness and Self-Perception in Adolescents: A Public Health Perspective

Adolescence is a critical period for physical and psychological development. The relationship between physical fitness and self-perception, particularly in the context of adolescents, has garnered significant attention due to its implications for long-term health outcomes. This article explores the intersection of physical fitness and self-perception in adolescents, emphasizing the role of physical activity in shaping self- esteem, body image, and mental health. From a public health perspective, promoting physical fitness in this age group can contribute not only to improved physical health but also to better psychological well-being. The article discusses interventions, policy initiatives, and practical recommendations to support adolescents in developing positive physical fitness habits and fostering healthy self-perception.

HUMAN EXPLOITATION IN ARAVIND ADIGA’S NOVEL THE WHITE TIGER

Aravind Adiga’s The White Tiger explores the stark social disparities between the wealthy and impoverished in India, illustrating how systemic poverty perpetuates marginalization. The protagonist, Balram Halwai, narrates his journey from a lower-caste background to becoming a self-made, successful individual in India. Balram's story is not just one of personal ambition but also of navigating a rigidly stratified society. This study addresses two primary issues: the exploitation Balram endures due to his socioeconomic status; and his strategic actions are to attain freedom from the oppressive forces in his life. Using a library research method, the study integrates secondary sources, including books and articles, to deepen the analysis of the novel. Employing a psychological approach, this study examines the psychological complexities of Balram’s character, supported by theories on character development, data credibility, theoretical triangulation, and reliability. Balram is depicted as an astute yet morally ambiguous character, exhibiting selfishness, cunning, irresponsibility, dishonesty, and a lack of remorse. The analysis reveals how his behaviors and attitudes—such as detachment from others and deviant tendencies—are shaped by his environment. India’s entrenched caste system underpins various social issues in the novel, including poverty, unemployment, corruption in education, inadequate healthcare, exploitation, discrimination, and the persistence of hierarchical master-servant relationships. These factors collectively influence Balram’s psychological development, and shape him into a figure both reflective and critical of the society he navigates.

Training, practice, and career considerations in forensic psychology: results from a field survey of clinical and non-clinical professionals in the United States

The current field survey describes the identities, training, practices, and careers of 351 U.S. forensic psychologists. Findings are presented for clinical forensic psychologists (n = 323) with additional consideration for those working in institutions (n = 119), private practice (n = 107), or both (n = 90), and separately for non-clinical forensic psychologists (n = 35). The sample was predominantly middle-aged, White, and female. Participants reported various training paths to the field, and professional settings and activities in the field. Student loan debt was common and significant in clinical Forensic psychologists. Income was generally high, with trends in higher incomes for private practice, board certification, urban areas, and certain geographic regions. Gendered income disparities were common, particularly among those later in their careers and in private practice, with relative parity only observed among early-career clinical forensic psychologists in institutions. Career satisfaction was generally high, with some important barriers noted. Overall, the limited representation of those with historically marginalized cultural identities restricted further consideration and understanding of these important factors in the field. Additional data and discussion are provided for these and other areas of demographics and lived experiences, training and related financial considerations, professional practices (including settings, activities, and clinical test use), and career considerations (including income, benefits, retirement planning, and satisfaction). Together, these data and related discussions offer important insights for prospective and current trainees entering the field, professionals seeking to navigate and advance their careers, and field leaders aiming to contribute to the ongoing development of forensic psychology.

A comprehensive meta-analysis of the impact of intervention programmes on psychological capital development: post-intervention and longer-term effects

PurposeThis paper presents the most up-to-date comprehensive meta-analysis of the effectiveness of interventions to enhance psychological capital (PsyCap). It also reports the first meta-analytic examination of longer-term effects (beyond the immediate post-intervention period).Design/methodology/approachThis meta-analysis followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and utilised the methodologies of Hunter and Schmidt (2004) and Borenstein et al. (2009). The search period was from 2006 until February 2023. A total of 40 studies (N = 4,207) were included in the meta-analyses. The analyses were performed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) Version 4 software programme.FindingsThe results indicate that the impacts of interventions on PsyCap and each of its component resources are greater than those reported in a previous meta-analysis (Lupșa et al., 2020), with the strongest impacts on hope and optimism. Interventions had sustained positive effects on PsyCap, hope, resilience and optimism, but not efficacy, and the frequency of intervention sessions influenced the effectiveness of interventions on hope, efficacy and optimism. Interestingly, specific PsyCap-focussed interventions did not have the greatest impact on PsyCap or its component resources.Originality/valueThis study contributes to emerging research on wellbeing-oriented HRM and provides valuable insights into more effective design and implementation of interventions to enhance PsyCap and its component resources. These interventions are a promising form of investment in employees which may bring mutual gains for individuals and organisations. The present findings extend those of previous studies and specifically respond to the call for further research on the persistence of PsyCap intervention effects.

Supporting caregivers within caregiver-mediated interventions: a commentary on Brown etal. (2024).

A substantial portion of interventions designed to support autistic children are also designed to be delivered by caregivers (i.e. are 'caregiver-mediated'). Brown etal. (Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2024) are one of the first groups to critically examine the baseline skills that caregivers bring as they prepare to learn a class of interventions called Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs), which are designed to support social communication growth in young autistic children. This commentary commends Brown and colleagues for their focus on caregivers, a linchpin within the increasingly prominent caregiver-mediated process of intervention delivery. However, it is imperative that future research understand the potential adverse effects and supports that are needed to bolster caregivers in this crucial role. We present six recommendations for research on caregiver-mediated interventions that build on Brown and colleagues' work and address these needs, which involve: caregiver supports, equitable samples, community settings, adaptive designs, general principles, and implications for NDBI dissemination.

Theoretical and Practical Exploration of Basketball Education

The importance of basketball education in today's school physical education is increasingly evident. With the development of physical education theory, basketball not only serves as a sport, but also as an educational tool, profoundly influencing students' physical fitness, psychological development, and social adaptability. This article comprehensively elaborates on the role of basketball education in cultivating the comprehensive quality of young people through theoretical analysis and in-depth exploration of practical cases. It analyzes its practical application and challenges in the current educational environment and proposes suggestions for optimizing basketball education.

Female students' participation (over the years) in esports and its implications on psychological conditions, communication, and virtual gaming risks

eSport is a sport of choice and is quite popular, especially among young people, including women. This virtual sport has been developed entirely with various ways to play. At the same time, there is a negative paradigm of eSport games for women in Indonesia, including damaging vision, causing numbness in the hands, forgetting to eat, being introverted, and using harsh language. From a cultural perspective, women who play eSport are considered to violate the nature of women because they reflect masculine characteristics. This study uses quantitative research with a causal-comparative design to examine the effect of female students' participation in playing eSports on psychological development, communication skills, and the risks of virtual games. The research data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially (Multivariate Analysis of Variance). The analysis results prove a simultaneous influence between eSport participation (duration of playing) and ​​female students' psychological conditions, communication, and virtual game risks. In partial testing, eSport participation only significantly affected the communication skills variable of female students, while the other two variables did not. Future research needs to conduct qualitative investigations to explore the clinical experiences of female gamers that help them train their communication skills. Given the existence of various gender discriminatory behaviours in eSports, female gamers may have good communication to protect themselves from the threat of discrimination, or vice versa.

Bold, Humble, Collaborative, and Virtuous: The Future of Theory Development in Educational Psychology

Bold, Humble, Collaborative, and Virtuous: The Future of Theory Development in Educational Psychology

Complexity and psychology / Complejidad y psicología

This article explores the effects that complexity theory could have on the development of contemporary psychology. It specifically identifies the definition of the object of study, the main descriptors — the matter of mutually exclusive dichotomies — the method of knowing — the relationship between the objective and the subjective — and, finally, the problem of determinations. In all these dimensions, a brief discussion is given on the changes taking place in contemporary psychology, and on how complexity theory can help us systematize and clarify the relationship between the objective and the subjective.

Psychological testing in the profession of psychology: an Australian study

ABSTRACT Objectives In Australia, psychological measurement and testing is a core competency for all registered psychologists. This study aimed to provide a current perspective on the views of Australian psychologists in the use of psychological testing given the lack of recent Australian research. Method Psychologists (N = 821) completed online a demographic form and the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA) questionnaire on Test Attitudes of Psychologists – Modified (EQTAP-M), refined for the Australian setting. Constructs addressed in the survey included test appreciation, training, technology-based testing, attitudes to test use, and self-rated competence. The sample mean age was 50 years, with 84% over 34 years and 20% being males. Results Attitudinal differences, based on demographics and practice endorsement area, were examined. Partial support was obtained for the factorial model of previous EFPA studies. There was no difference in attitudes based upon the gender of the psychologists, but older psychologists reported less favourable attitudes and lower competence for psychological testing. Psychologists holding endorsements in organisational psychology, neuropsychology, and educational and developmental psychology indicated more positive testing attitudes and appreciation than other areas of practice. The application of technology in assessment was identified as an area that warrants further investigation and training. Conclusions The outcome has theoretical and practical implications for professional bodies and educational institutions that develop policies and training programs relevant to psychological measurement and testing.

Attitudes Toward Adoption by Transgender Adults

This study explored cisgender heterosexual adults’ perceptions of children placed in an adoptive family led by a couple with a transgender partner. Participants (n = 871) read one of five vignettes in which a couple (a cisgender different-gender couple, a cisgender same-gender male couple, a cisgender same-gender female couple, a couple with a female transgender partner, or a couple with a male transgender partner) intended to adopt two children. After reading the vignette, participants rated beliefs about children’s psychological development, willingness to support the adoption, and completed an attitude toward LGBTQ rights scale. Moderation analyses revealed that participants with low levels of support for LGBTQ rights perceived children adopted by couples with a transgender partner as being at greater risk of victimization and poor psychological adjustment compared to children adopted by either cisgender same-gender couples or cisgender different-gender couples and were less inclined to endorse adoption. A multigroup path analysis model revealed that support for LGBTQ rights impacted on agreement with adoption via the mediation of participants’ concerns for children’s psychological adjustment more strongly regarding transgender parents than cisgender same-gender couples. Our findings demonstrated that cis-heteronormativity concerns eclipsed claims to reproductive justice for transgender people seeking parenthood.

Breastfeeding and Children's Cognitive Development up to the Age of 4 Years: The Japan Environment and Children's Study.

Objective: Breastfeeding, depending on its duration, has been suggested to benefit children's cognitive development. We aimed to examine this issue by using the Japan Environment and Children's Study, a nationwide prospective birth cohort study. Methods: We evaluated the relationship between feeding methods and cognitive development in 2- and 4-year-old children. We classified the children based on the following feeding method during the first 6 months postpartum: (1) exclusive breastfeeding group, solely breastfeeding; (2) partial breastfeeding group, solely breastfeeding for ≤5 months and combination of breastfeeding/formula for the rest of months; (3) formula-fed group, solely formula feeding for ≥4 months; and (4) others. Cognitive development was assessed by trained testers using the Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development 2001. Results: Data on 1,329 boys and 1,398 girls were analyzed. Multiple regression analysis was performed using the exclusive breastfeeding group as the reference. Boys of age 2 years in the formula-fed group had significantly lower developmental quotients (DQs) in the language-social developmental (L-S) area (partial regression coefficient [B]: -4.624, p = 0.01), whereas no significant difference was observed in those of age 4 years. Girls of age 2 and 4 years in the formula-fed group had significantly lower L-S area DQ (B: -3.637, p = 0.03 and B: -3.414, p = 0.03, respectively). In the partial breastfeeding group, no significant differences in the L-S area DQ were observed in 2- and 4-year-old boys and girls. Conclusions: Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months postpartum may be more beneficial for verbal cognitive development in 4-year-old girls than solely formula feeding for ≥4 months. Furthermore, breastfeeding combined with formula for the first 6 months postpartum may not have a disadvantage on cognitive development in boys and girls of age ≥ 2 years, when compared with that observed with exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months postpartum.

Moral Disengagement and The Effect on Cyberbullying Among Adolescents and Young Adults

Cyberbullying is a complex occurrence in which its damages are widely studied upon. However, few have analyzed the complex intrinsic correlations between cyberbullying and the concept of moral disengagement that originated from developmental psychology, especially upon influences of moral disengagement on cyberbullying. Hence, this paper aims to do so through summarizing the influences of relationship factors on moral disengagement, and analyzing the internal and external mechanisms of cyberbullying impacted by moral disengagement. Specifically, peer norms deeply affect adolescents and young adults’ perspectives on society and morality through pressuring and responsibility-shifting, hence supporting the action of cyberbullying. Furthermore, moral disengagement could support cyberbullying through forming in-groups and out-groups, changing the way of internalization of cyberbullying perpetration, providing justification for cyberbullying, and etc. Through examining this topic, the reduction and prevention of cyberbullying could be supported. In addition, the analysis could help understand the level of impact that societal relationships have on adolescents and young adults’ view of moral behaviors and decisions.

The Causes and Countermeasures of Juvenile Delinquency Motivation

Under the background of rapid development, people pay more and more attention to minors in society. Juvenile delinquency has always been a hot topic, and juvenile delinquency has become the mainstream of people's attention. It has become an important research topic in the main psychological field to study the causes of juvenile delinquency and its preventive measures. This paper aims to combine the psychological motivation of juvenile delinquency, analyze the factors that affect juvenile delinquency and analyze the reasons of juvenile delinquency from the perspectives of family, society and campus. The harmony of family relationship and parents' education directly affect children's psychological development. School is the key environment for young people to learn and interact with others, and school violence is the main factor leading to juvenile delinquency. The misconduct of teenagers may be attributed to the Internet. By studying this theme, we can support the reduction and prevention of juvenile delinquency. In addition, this study can also help to understand the causes of juvenile delinquency.

The Nature and Influencing Factors of Malevolent Creativity

Creativity can be divided into two sides, not only positive but also negative. Malicious creativity will bring great harm to society. This paper introduces the concept and background of malicious creativity, the causes of malicious creativity, and discusses the influence of individual factors (such as negative emotions, empathy and psychological resilience) and environmental factors (such as childhood trauma, parenting, approach-avoidance motivation and social exclusion) on malicious creativity. It reveals the complex mechanism behind the development of malicious creativity. Finally, it discusses how psychological intervention and social support measures can prevent and reduce the occurrence of malicious creativity and promote social harmony and stability. By systematically identifying and understanding the key factors affecting malicious creativity, we can take early preventive measures to reduce its negative social impact. This study provides a foundation for the healthy development of individual psychology and the establishment of a safer, more active and innovative social environment.