Psychosocial Growth Research Articles

Identity Processes, Depression, and the Aging Self<br/>—A Norwegian Study

The Identity Process Theory is a theory of how people adapt to aging. According to this theory, older people attribute their physical functioning to a more variable state of health or to their age. Health attributions per se help older people avoid negative thoughts and feelings about themselves and their own process of aging. We explored health versus age attributions, and their effects upon depressive symptoms and negativity toward aging among 359 older Norwegians (age range = 60 - 91 years of age). Aging pertained to psychosocial loss, physical change, and psychological growth. Data collected in the 2004 WHOQOL-OLD Norwegian Field Study were analyzed by using a MANOVA and a validatory path analysis. Our findings consistently supported health attributions in relation to psychosocial loss (X2 = 20.37, df = 10, p = 0.03; GFI = 0.98, AGFI = 0.95, RMSEA = 0.05), physical change (X2 = 35.03, df = 14, p = 0.000; GFI = 0.97, AGFI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.06), and psychological growth (X2 = 22.22, df = 13, p = 0.05; GFI = 0.98, AGFI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.04). Health attributions increased participants’ depressive symptoms and negativity toward aging, especially toward psychosocial loss (β= - 0.45, p = 0.000) and physical change (β= - 0.48, p = 0.000). We relate these theoretically contradictory findings to Norwegian cultural beliefs and values. We make recommendations for research, including normalizing depressive symptoms and cross-cultural investigations.

IPT in Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression, causing women great suffering, has negative consequences for their social relationships as well as for the development of their infants. Treatment of perinatal depression is vital, otherwise, it may have negative consequences such as chronicity or the psychosocial growth retardation of the infant. Especially depressed mothers face the dilemma of medical treatment versus psychotherapy, although they have better longterm outcomes when used together in clinical practice. Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), a time-limited, dynamically informed and present-focused psychotherapy which targets to improve the interpersonal functioning of patients is a convenient option for the patients mostly face the role transitions and need interpersonal support related to motherhood.

Post-traumatic growth, stressful life events, and relationships with substance use behaviors among alternative high school students: A prospective study

A highly stressful life event (SLE) can elicit positive psychosocial growth, referred to as post-traumatic growth (PTG) among youth. We examined PTG and the number of SLEs for their influence on substance use behaviours among a sample of older, diverse alternative high school students participating in a drug prevention programme (n = 564; mean age = 16.8; 49% female; 65% Hispanic). Surveys assessed PTG, SLEs and substance use behaviours at the two-year follow-up. Multilevel regression models were run to examine the effect of PTG and the number of SLEs on frequency of substance use at the two-year follow-up, controlling for baseline substance use, sociodemographic variables, peer substance use, attrition propensity and treatment group. Greater PTG scores were associated with lower frequencies of alcohol use, getting drunk on alcohol, binge drinking, marijuana use and less substance abuse at the two-year follow-up, but not associated with cigarette or hard drug use. Also, PTG did not moderate the relationship between cumulative number of SLEs and substance use behaviours, rather PTG appears to be protective against negative effects of a single, life-altering SLE. Fostering PTG from a particularly poignant SLE may be useful for prevention programmes targeting alcohol, marijuana and substance abuse behaviours among high-risk youth.

A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Yoga in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Preliminary Findings

Introduction: Twenty-five percent of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is diagnosed in pediatrics with peak onset in the pre-adolescent years during a time of great psychosocial growth. IBD adds stressors of a chronic disease with unpredictable symptoms. Health-related quality of Life (HRQOL) may be impaired by pain, school absences, and the chronic nature of IBD. Yoga may be well-suited as an adjunct to conventional IBD therapy to decrease stress and improve HRQOL. There have not been any studies to date looking at the role of yoga in IBD. The aim of this study is to determine if a structured yoga program, in addition to standard medical therapy, improves HRQOL and self-efficacy in pediatric patients recently diagnosed with IBD. Methods: Newly diagnosed patients 11-17 years old were randomized to either the yoga program or a waitlist control group. At 3 months from diagnosis, the study group participated in 12 weeks of yoga in addition to standard medical therapy. The control group continued to receive standard medical therapy and at 6 months from diagnosis was offered yoga participation. At 3 and 6 months from diagnosis, questionnaires were completed by both groups to measure HRQOL (PedsQL total score) and self-efficacy. Patients were required to complete at least 9 of 12 yoga classes. Demographic and disease-specific data included age, gender and disease type (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis). Descriptive statistics were performed for the study sample. Continuous variables were summarized using average and standard deviation and proportions were used for categorical variables. Total PedsQL and self-efficacy scores were compared in the control group and yoga group using the Mann-Whitney U test. Positive differences in scores indicated improvement. Results: A total of 12 patients were included: 6 in the yoga and 6 in the control group. Average age was 13 years (SD1.6), with 67% females, and 67% had Crohn’s disease. Overall median change was 25 for HRQOL and 1.5 for self-efficacy scores. Median change in total PEDSQL scores was 100.0 in the yoga group vs. only 12.5 in the wait list group; despite the trend, this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.52). The change in self-efficacy scores in the 2 groups also was not significantly different between groups (2.5 for yoga vs. 1.5 for wait list; p=0.37). Conclusion: A formal yoga program in newly diagnosed pediatric patients with IBD showed trends toward improvement in HRQOL and self-efficacy, although not reaching statistical significance. Further study with a larger sample size will investigate if disease activity scores will change after yoga participation and determine if yoga will improve quality of life in this population. Disclosure - Madelana Ferrara and Madeline Marchell are paid to to teach the study subjects yoga.

Positive attitudes on aging: a life course view

Chosen as paper of the month in this issue of International Psychogeriatrics, Shenkin and colleagues (2014) tackle the complex but important issue of how older adults perceive the experience of aging and the life course factors that relate to these perceptions and attitudes. Taking advantage of data from a large, well-characterized group of healthy, community-living older persons in the United Kingdom (the Lothian Birth Cohort of 1963; Deary et al., 2007), the authors conclude that in spite of common tendencies in the medical literature, the popular press, or cultural stereotypes to focus on negative aspects of aging, older persons themselves generally report positive attitudes toward aging. Taking a life course approach, the authors conclude that the most significant and pervasive correlates associated with positive attitudes of aging across three assessed domains (psychosocial loss, physical change, and psychological growth) are personality traits. In contrast, affective disturbances (depression/anxiety) are associated with more negative attitudes to aging. The authors also identify other potentially modifiable factors associated with attitudes to aging, including physical disability, social class, or living circumstances. The authors point out several limitations of this work, including the self-selected sample limiting generalizability; psychometric and conceptual drawbacks of the Attitudes on Aging Questionnaire; and variance not explained by a priori clinically focused predictor variables.

Childhood adversity, midlife generativity, and later life well-being.

Prior studies confirm that after experiencing childhood adversity, resilient adults can recover and engage in generative growth. This study explored the long-term effects of childhood adversity (assessed as harsh parenting and/or childhood poverty) on successful aging for individuals who either achieved or failed to achieve Erikson's psychosocial developmental stage of generativity in midlife. The study utilized a sample of 636 men from the Harvard Sample and Inner City Cohort of the 73-year longitudinal Study of Adult Development. Nested ordinary least squares regression models were used to test the mediating and moderating effects of midlife generativity on later life health and adjustment to aging. Men who experienced childhood adversity were less likely than men with no childhood adversity to achieve generativity in midlife. Although achievement of generativity was associated with better later life health and adjustment to aging, it neither mediated nor moderated the negative relation between childhood poverty and later life health outcomes. However, for men who experienced an adversarial childhood, achievement of generativity mediated and moderated adjustment to aging. Results suggest that psychosocial growth in adulthood can compensate for the long-term negative effects of an adversarial childhood on adjustment to aging, but not for later life health.

First-grade retention in the Flemish educational context: Effects on children's academic growth, psychosocial growth, and school career throughout primary education

This study examined the effects of first-grade retention on children's academic growth, psychosocial growth, and future school career by following a cohort of first graders until the start of secondary school. The study took place in the Flemish educational context where primary school students are taught in uniform curricular year groups; the same curricular goals are set for all students, irrespective of ability; and grade retention is used as the main way to cater for students not reaching these goals. Propensity score stratification was used to deal with selection bias. Three-level curvilinear growth curve models, encompassing both grade and age comparisons, were used to model children's growth in math skills, reading fluency skills, and psychosocial skills. Two-level logistic regression models were used to model children's likelihood of repeating any grade between Grades 2 and 6, transitioning to a special education primary school, moving to another primary school, and transitioning to the A (versus B) track in secondary education. Overall, results showed that first-grade retention was less helpful for struggling students than generally thought by parents and educators. Limitations of the study and further research suggestions are provided, and practical implications are discussed.

The differential associations of depression and diabetes distress with quality of life domains in type 2 diabetes

The present investigation aimed to understand quality of life domains relevant to adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and the relative associations of depression and diabetes distress with these domains. Participants were 146 individuals with T2DM who were recruited for entry into a randomized controlled trial of cognitive behavioral therapy for adherence and depression. We conducted an exploratory factor analysis on the Quality of Life Inventory (QOLI) to establish domains of quality of life relevant to this patient population. Hierarchical multiple regression models were evaluated for each domain that emerged to determine independent associations of depression severity and diabetes distress with quality of life independent of demographic and illness factors. Results suggested four quality of life domains: achievement, psychosocial growth, interpersonal relationships, and environment, accounting for 60.1% of variance in total QOLI scores. Depression severity was associated with poorer quality of life on the achievement, psychosocial growth, and environment domains (p's<0.01), while diabetes distress was associated with poorer quality of life on the achievement (p<0.001) domain and marginally associated with quality of life on the psychosocial growth (p<0.10) domain. Interventions designed to address both depression and diabetes distress may lead to better quality of life outcomes than a generalized depression intervention or an intervention for diabetes alone.

The Boy's Forum: An Evaluation of a Brief Intervention to Empower Middle-School Urban Boys

Programs for middle-school boys are needed because data suggests that young adolescent males have problems as they grow and develop. Few gender role interventions for boys have been evaluated or published in the professional literature. Conceptual justification for boy's programs is given using psychosocial theory, gender role transitions, multicultural aspects of masculinity, and positive/healthy masculinity. A short term, inexpensive intervention, “The Boy's Forum,” was implemented for middle-school boys who were predominately Hispanic and African American. The Boy's Forum explained the hazards of growing up male (Goldberg, 1977) but also emphasized positive masculinity through empowerment, emotional awareness, and personal problem solving. The use of media, group discussions, empowerment themes, and adult self-disclosure to promote boy's psychosocial growth are described. Evaluation of the program occurred before the program, immediately after the program and three weeks later. Results indicate that a majority of boys attending the Boy's Forum reported that the programming positively affected their thinking, feelings, and to a lesser extent their behaviors over a three-week period. Limitations of the evaluation of this program, recommendations for future research, and the need for future curricular development for boys are discussed.

‘It was Hard, But it was Good’: a qualitative exploration of stress-related growth in Division I intercollegiate athletes

Recent research suggests that many individuals not only survive, but thrive as a result of life stress and trauma. Both scientific and anecdotal evidence support the notion of psychosocial growth and development following stress in athletes. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of stress-related growth (SRG) in Division I intercollegiate athletes. Criterion sampling was used to select athletes, who indicated a moderate to large degree of growth on a self-report measure for in-depth interviews. Four dimensions emerged from interviews with 11 athletes: (a) personal and sociocultural context, (b) disruption, (c) social support and (d) positive psychosocial outcomes. Based on these four dimensions, a conceptual model of SRG was developed. Athletes’ struggles and attempts to work through their most difficult sport stressor led them to perceive personal growth in the form of a new life philosophy, self-changes and interpersonal changes. Social support was critical in facilitating athletes’ attempts to work through and make meaning from their stressor. The entire SRG process was framed by athletes’ life context, including personal characteristics and sociocultural conditions. Sport psychology practitioners should be aware of the possibility for SRG following sport stressors, promote coping strategies aimed at engaging the athlete with theirs stressor and assist the athletes in developing a strong social support network. Researchers who are interested in conducting future studies on SRG in sport should consider employing prospective quantitative and qualitative designs, and exploring the interaction of multiple simultaneous life events on growth rather than a single stressor.

IV. Growth Failure in Institutionalized Children.

Children within institutional care settings experience significant global growth suppression, which is more profound in children with a higher baseline risk of growth impairment (e.g., low birth weight [LBW] infants and children exposed to alcohol in utero). Nutritional insufficiencies as well as suppression of the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor axis (GH-IGF-1) caused by social deprivation likely both contribute to the etiology of psychosocial growth failure within these settings. Their relative importance and the consequent clinical presentations probably relate to the age of the child. While catch-up growth in height and weight are rapid when children are placed in a more nurturing environment, many factors, particularly early progression through puberty, compromise final height. Potential for growth recovery is greatest in younger children and within more nurturing environments where catch-up in height and weight is positively correlated with caregiver sensitivity and positive regard. Growth recovery has wider implications for child well-being than size alone, because catch-up in height is a positive predictor of cognitive recovery as well. Even with growth recovery, persistent abnormalities of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system or the exacerbation of micronutrient deficiencies associated with robust catch-up growth during critical periods of development could potentially influence or be responsible for the cognitive, behavioral, and emotional sequelae of early childhood deprivation. Findings in growth-restricted infants and those children with psychosocial growth are similar, suggesting that children experiencing growth restriction within institutional settings may also share the risk of developing the metabolic syndrome in adulthood (obesity, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disease). Psychosocial deprivation within any care-giving environment during early life must be viewed with as much concern as any severely debilitating childhood disease.

Challenges and Psychosocial Growth for Older Volunteers Giving Intensive Humanitarian Service

We conducted a qualitative study of 38 mid-late life volunteers in intensive humanitarian service to ascertain the challenges, personal changes, and benefits they experienced from their volunteer activities. Intensive volunteering was defined as service done on a 24-hr a day basis at a location away from home. In-depth interviews were conducted by phone or in person with each participant. Couples serving together were interviewed conjointly. Data were analyzed using McCracken's 5-step process for long interviews. Participants described and resolved many challenges including adjustment to new situations and cultures, work-related challenges, and readjustment to home. Consistent with Erikson's descriptions of care, volunteers described benefits of expanded social networks, increased closeness to spouses, and increased compassion and empathy for others. In terms of wisdom, they described altered personal perspectives, with lessened materialism and self-focus, greater appreciation of cultural differences, and finding existential meaning in service. Because of population aging and social service organizational contraction, humanitarian service organizations may rely more on older volunteers to fulfill their goals. A deeper understanding of the challenges, ways in which they were met, and perceived benefits of later life intensive volunteering can inform organizational efforts to recruit older adults and support them in diverse settings.

Workplace Violence

The problem and the solution. Workplace violence is an extreme manifestation of escalated workplace incivility. Strategies for addressing workplace violence are generally proactive, focused on prevention and preparation, or reactive, focused on response to an incident. Before strategies are put in place, however, the complexity of the issue demands an organizational assessment so that chosen strategies have maximum benefit. Awareness development is a construct for analyzing cognitive and psychosocial growth in relation to a transitional issue, such as workplace violence, then planning interventions that support growth in relation to the transitional issue. This study shows that the use of the awareness development construct to examine individual employees’ perceptions regarding the transitional issue of workplace violence may serve as a practical measure for human resource development (HRD) practitioners to assess the organization and plan intervention strategies. Implications for theory and research are discussed.

The Long-Term Effects of World War II Combat Exposure on Later Life Well-Being Moderated by Generativity

According to theories of stress-related growth, coping with traumatic events can lead to greater psychosocial maturity in resilient individuals or psychosocial maladjustment in less resilient individuals. Using a sample of 160 World War II veterans of the 60-year longitudinal Study of Adult Development, this research examined the long-term effects of high and no combat exposure among Harvard-educated white men who either achieved or failed to achieve Erikson's psychosocial developmental stage of generativity in midlife. Although combat exposure by itself was unrelated to the outcome variables, only among veterans with high combat exposure was generativity consistently positively related to physical and psychological health, wisdom characteristics, and well-being. The results indicate a resilience effect for men with high combat exposure who experienced subsequent psychosocial growth.

A study of the most important risk factors of motivational deficiencies in university students

ObjectivesThis Study was carried out to determine the most important risk factors of motivational deficiencies among university students. Material & MethodsTwo hundred seventy two students (124 male and 148 female) aged 18-25 from different colleges of Yazd University of Medical Sciences in Iran took part in this study. The employed questionnaire incorporated four groups of motivational factors including: 1) basic physiological needs, 2) psychosocial growth needs, 3) spiritual needs and 4) educational needs. The obtained data were analyzed using means ranking and analysis of variance. ResultsThe findings of this study indicated that the Anticipation of no appropriate access to basic physiological needs such as achieving welfare facilities, suitable and fit Job and income, as well as students’ dissatisfaction with the university's present educational services and facilities have all equally led to remarkable motivational deficiencies. ConclusionMotivational deficiencies may potentially lead to pessimism, anxiety, depression and disturbed mental health as well as poor academic performance in students.

Physical Activity in the Life of a Woman with Severe Cerebral Palsy: Showing competence and being socially connected

We used a life‐history approach to investigate the meanings and experiences of physical activity in the life of a 25‐year‐old woman with severe cerebral palsy (Amy). Amy and her mother were interviewed about Amy’s life and her involvement in physical activity. The conversation was audio‐recorded and transcribed verbatim. We interpreted Amy’s story using psychodynamic theory. Although Amy enjoyed learning to walk, she developed a sense of inferiority on entering the school environment because her skills did not compare favourably with those of her classmates without disabilities. Despite these negative experiences, Amy became more physically active as an adult than she had been as a child and as an adolescent, with the intention of delaying further functional decline, to stay socially connected to the people around her and to gain self‐esteem through displaying competence at physical tasks. For Amy, engaging in physical activity was intimately tied to psychosocial growth, especially as a young adult. Further research should be conducted to investigate whether this relationship between physical activity and psychosocial growth is present in the lives of other people with disabilities.

Teachers' Perception On The Effectiveness Of Physical Punishment As A Disciplinary Measure In Selected Secondary Schools In Ile-Ife, Osun State

The study evaluated secondary school teachers' perception on the effectiveness of physical punishment as a disciplinary measure in selected secondary schools in Ile-Ife, Osun State. This was with a view of exploring the effects of physical punishment in encouraging or discouraging secondary school students from delinquent and violent acts. The quantitative data for the study was collected from 230 teachers in 12 purposively selected secondary schools through simple random sampling technique. The quantitative data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The Qualitative data collected through In-depth Interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) were analysed using the TextBase Beta. The study revealed that there was no significant relationship (F-val=.145, P&#8804;0.05, X2-val=.243, P&#8804;0.05, and t-val=.135, P&#8804; 0.05 respectively) between teachers' demographic attributes such as (age, level of education and sex) and their perception. It was also revealed that teacher's length of service had no significant influence (X2-val=.713, P &#8804; 0.05) on their perception. Also, there was a significant relationship (r-val .000, P &#8804; 0.05) between teachers' perception and frequent adoption of physical punishment. However, the Qualitative analysis showed the influence of religion on teachers' perception, (King Solomon, in the Book of Proverbs [13:24]), (Proverbs 22:15, KJV) and (Proverbs 23:13, 15, KJV). In conclusion, physical punishment was perceived as an effective disciplinary measure for correcting and maintaining discipline among secondary school students as well as, in molding and shaping their cognitive and psychosocial growth and developmental ability. Keywords: Physical Punishment, Violent act, Psychosocial Behaviour, Discipline and Perception IFE PsychologIA Vol. 16 (2) 2008: pp. 275-294

The Impact of an Undergraduate Honors Program on Gifted University Students

Through a qualitative research design, this study examined the experiences of seven gifted university students in an undergraduate honors program. The findings indicated the students as adolescents experienced a sense of isolation resulting from the differences between their abilities, interests, life goals, religious value systems, and the communities in which they lived. At the university, the participants discovered within the honors program an intellectual and social network with other gifted individuals like them. Together they recognized their strong desire for self-actualization. In advanced-level courses, they found intellectual stimulation and academic challenge. Through several components of the honors program they developed significant psychosocial growth. Throughout their experiences, the honors program director became a mentor and played an important role in facilitating experiences designed to address the diverse needs of these gifted young adults. Implications of the findings are presented along with suggestions for designing appropriate honors program experiences for gifted university students.

Principles of management of musculoskeletal conditions in children and young people

Musculoskeletal symptoms and rheumatic conditions are common throughout childhood and adolescence. Age- and development-appropriate care and management of children and young people with such conditions is vital, acknowledging that they are NOT small adults! The major aspect of both paediatric and adolescent rheumatology care which differentiates it from adult care is the fact that children and young people are still growing, in contrast to the ageing and senescence which characterizes adult rheumatology. Growth must be considered in the global sense, incorporating cognitive and psychosocial growth as well as physical growth. Likewise, the reciprocal influences of growth and a chronic rheumatic condition should be considered when caring for young people with childhood-onset rheumatic disease. This chapter will detail the general principles of management of such symptomatology with primary reference to chronic conditions.

Predicting posttraumatic growth in breast cancer survivors.

Wide variability exists with respect to how breast cancer survivors respond to common psychological and psychosocial challenges of their disease, ranging from posttraumatic stress disorder to posttraumatic growth. This cross-sectional study examined contextual, disease-related, and intraindividual predictors of posttraumatic growth in 224 randomly selected breast cancer survivors. A series of hierarchical regression analyses found that age at diagnosis, marital status, employment, education, perceived intensity of disease, and active coping accounted for 34%, 35%, and 28% of the variance in growth in relationships with others, new possibilities, and appreciation for life. These findings suggest that a more comprehensive model of growth will be helpful in understanding the various factors that play a role in breast cancer survivors' perception of psychological and psychosocial growth.