Separate Constructs Research Articles

A New Digital Assessment of Mental Health and Well-being in the Workplace: Development and Validation of the Unmind Index.

BackgroundUnmind is a workplace, digital, mental health platform with tools to help users track, maintain, and improve their mental health and well-being (MHWB). Psychological measurement plays a key role on this platform, providing users with insights on their current MHWB, the ability to track it over time, and personalized recommendations, while providing employers with aggregate information about the MHWB of their workforce.ObjectiveDue to the limitations of existing measures for this purpose, we aimed to develop and validate a novel well-being index for digital use, to capture symptoms of common mental health problems and key aspects of positive well-being.MethodsIn Study 1A, questionnaire items were generated by clinicians and screened for face validity. In Study 1B, these items were presented to a large sample (n=1104) of UK adults, and exploratory factor analysis was used to reduce the item pool and identify coherent subscales. In Study 2, the final measure was presented to a new nationally representative UK sample (n=976), along with a battery of existing measures, with 238 participants retaking the Umind Index after 1 week. The factor structure and measurement invariance of the Unmind Index was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis, convergent and discriminant validity by estimating correlations with existing measures, and reliability by examining internal consistency and test-retest intraclass correlations.ResultsStudies 1A and 1B yielded a 26-item measure with 7 subscales: Calmness, Connection, Coping, Happiness, Health, Fulfilment, and Sleep. Study 2 showed that the Unmind Index is fitted well by a second-order factor structure, where the 7 subscales all load onto an overall MHWB factor, and established measurement invariance by age and gender. Subscale and total scores correlate well with existing mental health measures and generally diverge from personality measures. Reliability was good or excellent across all subscales.ConclusionsThe Unmind Index is a robust measure of MHWB that can help to identify target areas for intervention in nonclinical users of a mental health app. We argue that there is value in measuring mental ill health and mental well-being together, rather than treating them as separate constructs.

Exploring the specification of educational compatibility of virtual reality within a technology acceptance model

This study investigated the specification of educational compatibility within a technology acceptance model (TAM) suited to engaging educational technologies. Attitudes towards virtual reality (VR) for learning was used to test the experimental model. One hundred and seventy-nine valid survey responses were collected from 517 potential participants with the majority from first-year university students. The independent variables were educational compatibility, cognitive engagement, social influence, system attributes, perceived anxiety and facilitating conditions. Exploratory factor analysis showed that educational compatibility and attitude were collinear, and therefore were combined into one construct. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the combined educational compatibility-attitude construct and perceived usefulness were not discriminant. Two structural models were therefore compared: one where educational compatibility-attitude items were incorporated within perceived usefulness, and another where educational compatibility-attitude items were excluded entirely. The results showed that incorporating educational compatibility-attitude items within perceived usefulness affected the influence of cognitive engagement and system attributes on perceived usefulness, though overall model power was unchanged. The results suggested that (a) educational compatibility and attitude could be redundant, and (b) incorporating educational compatibility into perceived usefulness may help specify educationally focused TAMs. Implications for practice or policy: Researchers may regard educational compatibility and attitude to be redundant and exclude them from TAMs as separate constructs. Researchers could consider tailoring the perceived usefulness construct to make it more specific to the educational context, for example by including one or more educational compatibility items.

How do high school students' genetics progression networks change due to genetics instruction and how do they stabilize years after instruction?

AbstractLearning progressions (LPs) serve as frameworks for understanding the level of complexity of students' ideas within a domain. Multifaceted LPs contain multiple interrelated constructs where increased knowledge in one construct may increase knowledge of a separate construct. While it is challenging to identify and test these contingencies between constructs, our research group has used Bayesian structure learning methods to determine how mental models of genetics change with instruction. In this study, we follow a cohort of high school students for 3 years, measuring their genetics knowledge prior to instruction in 10th grade, immediately after genetics instruction in 10th grade, and at the end of 12th grade. We investigated how their idea networks change as a result of instruction and how they stabilize 2 years after instruction ended. We found students move from a phenotypic to a more molecular/mechanistic understanding of genetics immediately after instruction; students idea networks 2 years after instruction stabilized grounded within molecular explanations of diversity of life and how genetic diversity drives evolution. This study provides a robust mechanism for researchers to test connections between constructs in multifaceted LPs, illustrated by a genetics framework unable to be detected by previous methods.

Development of Organisation and Leadership

With able leadership comes good success. Indian Medical Association, Neelagiri branch in Nalgonda town grew from rags to riches. From dues in payments to getting a plot for separate building construction, forming a separate SHE team and gaining so many rewards and awards shows that a good strong foundation to the branch with limited members organised perfectly with passion to serve IMA has resulted what it is today. It shows how a person taking charge as a leader can make an organization flour-ish to reach great heights.

ORGANIZATION AND ACTIVITIES OF THE «UKRAINIAN HOMELAND SERVICE» IN THE DISTRICT OF HALYCHYNA (1941–1944)

The features of the «Ukrainian Homeland Service» functioning within the District of Halychyna are examined. Activities of the mentioned organization were part of the single occupation political course, where the local population had to play the role of the cheap labor force. Analyzed the internal structure of the division, and its hierarchical component. The establishment of a separate construction service for Ukrainians was aimed at aggravating inter-ethnic tensions with the Poles and inciting the confrontation between the two nations. The construction unit «Ukrainian Homeland Service» played a significant role in the economic matters of local governance and the implementation of several infrastructure projects. Despite the active propaganda and recruitment campaigns held by the occupation authorities, the residents of the District showed no interest in joining this body. Their unwillingness was caused by several factors, of special importance being oppressive living conditions in the camps, hard toil, and brutality of supervisors. Avoidance of service in the Ukrainian Homeland Service has become a priority to the young people of Halychyna, who resorted to desertion and looked for legal ways to postpone their recruitment by the construction service. The measures taken by the authorities to revive the loyal attitude of the local population failed since simultaneously continued to function a wide network of penal camps to which violators were sent. Therefore, the number of construction service units was decreasing quickly, until they ceased to exist. Keywords Ukrainian Homeland Service, District of Halychyna, Baudienst, occupation policy, «the New Order»

Характеристика поселень сліпачка степового (Ellobius talpinus) у Національному природному парку «Кам’янська січ»

Preserved and protected within the territory of the Kamyanska Sich National Nature Park areas of psammophytic steppe are natural habitats of the highly specialized and stenotopic northern mole vole Ellobius talpinus. Studies of recent settlements of the species have revealed their strong preference for slopes of riparian balkas and upper terraces of the Kamiansko-Mylivska section of the Kakhovka Reservoir covered with psammophytic vegetation. As places for colonies, these rodents definitely prefer dry loess-sandy soils of light composition, avoiding shrubbery and dense grass due to the danger of disguising in them flying and terrestrial predators. A total of 14 "living" colonies of the northern mole vole were registered, 9 of which were defined as small-family settlements (less than 100 m2). The other five colonies had a clearly multi-family structure and a large area (680–1720 m2), within which spatially isolated clusters of emissions were traced hypothetically perceived as separate family constructions (up to 270 m2). According to these landmarks, some large settlements contained 3 to 9 networks of family burrows located at a distance of 57 to 106 m. Five small uninhabited settlements (45–70 m2) were also recorded with signs of last year emissions. These settlements were located on the periphery of large colonies, 108–219 m far from the nearest emissions of "living" settlements. Estimates of the total number of inhabitants of the 14 "living" settlements in the territory of the Kamianska Sich National Nature Park range from 50 to 200 individuals. As of July 2021, the number of reproductive adults in the registered colonies of the species is 40–50, while the number of young of the current year of birth should be estimated at least 100–120 individuals. Colonies of the northern mole vole are characterized by the presence in their vicinities of spring ephemeroids such as T. hypanica, T. schrenkii, B. versicolor, and C. reticulatus, which are indicator species of primary virgin steppe biotopes. The results of surveys of northern mole vole colonies and ecological assessments of protected natural habitats of the Kamianska Sich National Nature Park provide grounds for a favourable prognosis of further preservation of the last range segment of the species in the territory of Right-Bank Ukraine.

Radiographic Outcomes of Talonavicular Joint Arthrodesis With Varying Fixation Techniques in Stage III Adult Acquired Flatfoot Reconstruction

Utilization of the talonavicular joint (TN) arthrodesis as an isolated procedure or in combination with hindfoot arthrodesis has been described in the literature for treatment of numerous hindfoot conditions. When used in isolation or with concomitant hindfoot arthrodesis, the TN joint has demonstrated nonunion rates reported as high as 37% in the literature. Despite previous research, there remains a lack of agreement upon the ideal fixation technique for TN joint arthrodesis with and without concomitant subtalar joint arthrodesis. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively compare the radiographic and clinical results of TN joint arthrodesis as part of double arthrodesis procedure utilizing 4 separate fixation constructs in the treatment of advanced hindfoot malalignment in stage III adult-acquired flatfoot deformity. We retrospectively reviewed 105 patients who underwent TN joint arthrodesis as part of double arthrodesis procedure utilizing 4 separate fixation constructs. Our results demonstrated a nonunion rate of 16.2%, with 17 nonunions identified within our patient population. One (2.4%) nonunion was observed in the 3-screw cohort, 7 (33.3%) nonunions were observed in the 2-screw cohort, 4 (16.0%) nonunions were observed in the 2-screw plus plate cohort, and 5 (29.4%) nonunions were observed in the 1-screw plus plate cohort. The difference in nonunion rate between the 4 cohorts was statistically significant. Based on these results, we conclude that the use of a 3-screw construct for TN joint arthrodesis as part of double arthrodesis procedure demonstrates a statistically significant reduction in nonunion rate and should be considered a superior fixation construct for this procedure.

Maintaining Energy: A Potential Transformative Power to Adapt to the Challenges of Older Age?

Reduced energy is a hallmark feature of aging. Maintaining higher energy late in life may be a key adaptive strategy to the challenges that accompany older age and ultimately promote resilience. Perceived lack of energy is often construed as synonymous with fatigue, and energy and fatigue are frequently considered opposite aspects of the same phenomenon. However, evidence suggests that energy and fatigue have distinct underlying neurobiology. Further exploration of the energy/fatigue dichotomy is needed in community-dwelling older adults free of neuropathologies and clinically overt conditions. This symposium will first present clinical and epidemiologic justifications for operationalizing energy as a separate construct from fatigue and then will provide evidence on the underlying neurobiological correlates. Taken together, our results suggest perceived energy: a) overlaps with but is distinct from lower fatigability (Katz); b) may signal resilience against age-related declining mood and gait speed despite self-reported tiredness (Ehrenkranz); c) appear negatively influenced by Alzheimer’s neuropathology (Dougherty); and d) may reflect a distinct spatial distribution of brain functional connectivity (Hengenius). Thus, this symposium will explore energy as a mechanism related to yet distinct from fatigue and its implications for both healthy aging and neuropathological processes.

Apathy may be a key link between depressive symptoms and subjective cognitive decline

AbstractBackgroundSubjective Cognitive Decline (SCD), a potential marker of pre‐clinical AD, is frequently linked to mood disturbances, such as depression and apathy. These associations are thought to hinder the utility of SCD as a predictor of impending disease. However, recent evidence suggests that depression and apathy are separate constructs that may pose differential risk for cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration. Further, some studies have reported apathy to be a more sensitive predictor of cognitive decline than depression. Therefore, understanding the associations between SCD and mood will help refine SCD’s utility as a marker of pre‐clinical AD. This study examines those associations with particular focus on whether apathy mediates the association between depressive symptoms and SCD.Method151 cognitively normal older adults (68% female, mean age 73±7) were assessed for level of SCD, apathy, and depressive symptoms using a 20‐item age‐anchored SCD questionnaire (i.e., “in comparison to others your age”), the Apathy Evaluation Scale and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), respectively. Regression analyses examined the main effects of apathy and depressive symptoms on SCD, and apathy as a mediator between SCD and depressive symptoms. Regression analyses were also conducted after removing three GDS items previously shown to form an apathy factor.ResultApathy (b=.84, p=.001) and depressive symptoms (b=4.57, p=.002) independently predicted SCD. In the mediation model, depressive symptoms predicted apathy (b=2.91, p<.001) but not SCD (b=2.14, p=.183). Apathy mediated the relationship between depressive symptoms and SCD (Indirect effect: b=2.44 SE=.80, CI(1.07, 4.30), accounting for 53% of the total effect. Apathy still remained a significant mediator even after eliminating the apathy‐related items from the GDS (Indirect effect: b=1.52 SE=.65, CI(.40, 2.92)), accounting for 40% of the total effect.ConclusionApathy mediated the relationship between depressive symptoms and memory complaints, even when the GDS only included the dysphoric and anxious elements of depression. These results underscore the relevance of apathy in preclinical stages of disease and is in line with previous studies indicating apathy’s unique association with cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration. Longitudinal studies are required to further disentangle the temporality and potential additive risk for dementia of SCD and apathy.

Insight into the enhanced visible-light photoreduction of aqueous Cr(VI) by assembled Fe3O4/LDO/BiOBr composites

We synthesized Fe3O4/LDO/BiOBr composites (Fe3O4/ZnAl-layered double oxide/bismuth oxybromide) by hydrothermal self-assembly and calcination treatment. The UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectra showed that Fe3O4/LDO/BiOBr had a significant redshift and enhanced visible-light absorption ability. Fe3O4/LDO/BiOBr demonstrated excellent photoreduction activity in response to Cr(VI), and the photocatalytic efficiency for 50 mg/L Cr(VI) was 98% within 30 min by Fe3O4/LDO/BiOBr-1.5. The improved behavior of Fe3O4/LDO/BiOBr for Cr(VI) was attributed to the construction of electron transfer path and efficient separation of photogenerated carriers. Fe3O4 acted as the electron-bridge between LDO and BiOBr, which accelerated the carrier transfer speed and reduced the interface resistance. The transient photocurrent response and electron transfer rate of Fe3O4/LDO/BiOBr-1.5 were 5.3 and 2.2 times greater than those of BiOBr, respectively. Fe3O4/LDO/BiOBr-1.5 also exhibited favorable durability and reusability, potential application in real Cr(VI) wastewater, and easy recovery ability from solutions under an external magnetic field. This study provided a ternary assembled Fe3O4/LDO/BiOBr for efficient photoreduction of high concentrations of Cr(VI) by effective solar light harvesting, which expanded the application of LDO-based catalysts in future wastewater treatment devices.

Acculturation discrepancy and mental health associations among Hispanic childhood cancer survivors and their parents.

Acculturation discrepancy occurs when the rate of host culture acquisition and/or heritage culture retention between non-native parents and their children diverges. The resulting conflict may exacerbate mental health conditions in already vulnerable populations. The present study examined discrepancies between Hispanic and Anglo-American acculturation, as two separate constructs, and mental health symptomology in Hispanic childhood cancer survivors (HCCS) and their parents. Participants were 68 matched parent-child dyads (HCCS (Mage =19.4 (2.77)years., 50.0% female); and parent (Mage =46.3 (6.07)years., 89.7% female)). Study variables were HCCS posttraumatic-growth (PTG) and quality-of-life (PedsQL); parent posttraumatic stress (PTSD); and parent/HCCS depressive symptoms (CESD) and acculturation orientations. Discrepancy was calculated as the dyadic difference between like acculturation measures. After controlling for covariates, Hispanic acculturation discrepancy and HCCS psychosocial health (a subset of PedsQL) was negatively correlated (r=-0.26, p<0.5); while Anglo-American acculturation discrepancy was positively associated with HCCS PTG (r=0.34, p<0.01) and overall PedsQL (r=0.24, p<0.05), and moderated the relationship between parent CESD and HCCS PedsQL. The findings suggest that the two acculturation discrepancy constructs have opposite effects. HCCS losing their heritage culture while their parents simultaneously retain it appears to be a deleterious process; whereas, HCCS learning the US culture more rapidly than parents may have protective benefits. This study has important implications for mental health interventions among HCCS. Findings should be used to inform the survivorship clinical community of the value of acculturation timing and parent/child discrepancy.

Developing assessment criteria for operation control of local security health fund in the upper central area, Thailand

Background: The government's support for public health care in Thailand is very important and necessary. Therefore, there must be a supervisory process for budgeting to create the most equality and fairness to all people. At present, the instruments used to monitor health fund performance cannot be comprehensively assessed for effectiveness such as planning, organizing, leading and controlling. To address this gap, we created the Assessment Criteria for Operation control of Local security health Fund (ACOLF) which evaluates old assessment criteria, review literature and experience as separate constructs. Methods: The ACOLF is a 42-item survey with 12 old assessment criteria, 26 review literature and four experience items rated on scale from 0-9. In an observational analytical study, the survey was administered to 406 general population participants working in a provincial office for local administration. Validity and reliability were evaluated by testing construct validity. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to confirm the item of old assessment criteria, review literature and experience. Reliability of the questionnaires was tested using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Results: The ACOLF demonstrated convergent construct validity (KMO = 0.88 and Bartlett's Test; p value &lt;0.001) and explaining 88.95% of the variance of this construct. There were seven factors involved and all factors consisted of a total of 41 variables observed by the weight of the composition of the observed variables ranged from 0.780 to 0.972 at the significance level of 0.05. The reliability of the assessment criteria was tested using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, the total results was at 0.889. Conclusions: The ACOLF is a short, cover activity, valid, and reliable instrument for assessment operation control of local security health fund. Based on research findings the tool can be used to comprehensively assess the performance of local security health fund.

A BioBricks toolbox for metabolic engineering of the tetracenomycin pathway.

The tetracenomycins are aromatic anticancer polyketides that inhibit peptide translation via binding to the large ribosomal subunit. Here, we expressed the elloramycin biosynthetic gene cluster in the heterologous host Streptomyces coelicolor M1146 to facilitate the downstream production of tetracenomycin analogs. We developed a BioBricks genetic toolbox of genetic parts for substrate precursor engineering in S. coelicolor M1146::cos16F4iE. We cloned a series of integrating vectors based on the VWB, TG1, and SV1 integrase systems to interrogate gene expression in the chromosome. We genetically engineered three separate genetic constructs to modulate tetracenomycin biosynthesis: (1) the vhb hemoglobin from obligate aerobe Vitreoscilla stercoraria to improve oxygen utilization; (2) the accA2BE acetyl-CoA carboxylase to enhance condensation of malonyl-CoA; (3) lastly, the sco6196 acyltransferase, which is a "metabolic regulatory switch" responsible for mobilizing triacylglycerols to β-oxidation machinery for acetyl-CoA. In addition, we engineered the tcmO 8-O-methyltransferase and newly identified tcmD 12-O-methyltransferase from Amycolatopsis sp. A23 to generate tetracenomycins C and X. We also co-expressed the tcmO methyltransferase with oxygenase urdE to generate the analog 6-hydroxy-tetracenomycin C. Altogether, this system is compatible with the BioBricks [RFC 10] cloning standard for the co-expression of multiple gene sets for metabolic engineering of Streptomyces coelicolor M1146::cos16F4iE. This production platform improves access to potent analogs, such as tetracenomycin X, and sets the stage for the production of new tetracenomycins via combinatorial biosynthesis.

The Patient Centered Assessment Method (PCAM) for Action-Based Biopsychosocial Evaluation of Patient Needs: Validation and Perceived Value of the Dutch Translation.

The Patient Centered Assessment Method (PCAM) is an action-based tool that supports professionals to engage in a biopsychosocial assessment with patients and measure their needs. It is a promising tool for person-centered care. As the Netherlands lacks such a tool, a Dutch version was developed. Furthermore, we aimed to contribute to the relatively limited insights into the psychometric properties and value of the tool when used as part of a needs assessment in primary care. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to study construct validity and Cronbach’s alpha was computed to assess reliability. Furthermore, we interviewed 15 primary care professionals who used the PCAM. It was confirmed that each PCAM domain measures a separate construct, informed by the biopsychosocial model. The tool showed adequate reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.83). Despite face validity concerns, the tool was mainly valued for measurement of patient needs and to facilitate action planning. Criticism of the PCAM pertained to a limited focus on the patient perspective, which is one of the crucial aspects of person-centered care. These rich, mixed-method insights can help to improve the value of the PCAM, as one of the few multifunctional tools to support professionals in holistic assessments.

ПЛАНИРОВАНИЕ РАЦИОНАЛЬНОЙ ПОСЛЕДОВАТЕЛЬНОСТИ КОМПЛЕКСА СТРОИТЕЛЬНЫХ РАБОТ С УЧЕТОМ РЕСУРСНЫХ ОГРАНИЧЕНИЙ

The duration of a separate construction process depends on many factors: the number of workers, machines and mechanisms, weather conditions and others. Quantitative characteristics of some of them can be established and accepted from among the possible ones. Such factors are called capacity-type resources (renewable).&#x0D; The need for renewable resources at a certain point in time is characterized by the intensity of their consumption and is expressed by the number of resource units used simultaneously (workers, machines and mechanisms, etc.).&#x0D; The intensity of resource consumption is the main organizational and technological parameter of the construction of buildings, which determines the development of construction processes over time and the duration of the construction of the object as a whole.

Non-Prototypical Structurally Separate Conditional Constructions in Catalan (In Comparison with Spanish and French)

The article is devoted to non-prototypical structurally separate conditional constructions (NSCC) in Catalan in comparison with Spanish and French. These represent two (or more) separate sentences, one of which expresses condition and the other – consequence without conditional conjunctions. The relevance and novelty of this study follows from the fact that NSCCs have not received sufficient attention yet which is particularly true for Catalan. There is no consensus in specialist literature as regards the terms used to describe this kind of constructions or define their scope. The list of terms for NSCCs in Russian linguistics is too long, and includes the following: “non-prototypical constructions”, “conditional constructions formed as a “syntactic unity”, “supraphrasal unity”, among others. The paper states that it’s necessary to distinguish prototypical conditional constructions from the constructions with conditional con-junction “si”, on one hand, and non-prototypical constructions, on the other. And integral conditional constructions should be distinguished from structurally separate constructions (also referred to as formally separate). There are also non-prototypical structurally separate conditional constructions with interrogative words expressing condition in the protasis and imperatives constructions expressing consequence in the apodosis, constructions with imperatives (verbs like ‘suppose’) expressing condition in the protasis and interrogative sentences expressing consequence in the apodosis. NSCCs can use different moods: imperative, indicative, subjunctive, and conditional. Imperative forms are compatible both with semantics of conditions and consequences. There are also NSCCs without imperatives. And besides that, between the first sentence expressing the condition and the second sentence expressing the consequence filler utterances can occur. As typically in prototypical conditional constructions, in NSCC the condition and the consequence expressed also belong to the same subject of speech (speaker), though in some rare cases may be inserted, as a link be-tween the first and the second sentences of the construction, an interrogative sentence asked by another subject. NSCCs don’t allow the use of subordinating conjunctions, the opposite being a clear sign of prototypical constructions, but the consequence can be introduced with markers meaning ‘then’. The study is based on the texts by Catalan authors, excerpts from Catalan journals and their translations into Spanish and French; texts generated by the author’s informers, native speakers have also been used.

Quantifying Neck Fibrosis and Its Functional Implications: Development of the Neck Fibrosis Scale.

Despite increasing recognition of the importance of functional outcomes for patients with head and neck cancer, post-treatment neck fibrosis remains poorly understood. We sought to develop and validate a patient reported outcome measure for head and neck cancer patients with neck fibrosis. Prospective multiphase cross-sectional study. To guide instrument development, we employed the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health as our conceptual framework. Items were generated using a composite strategy consisting of patient focus groups, literature review, and expert opinion from a multidisciplinary group. Candidate items were reduced through the item impact method. Preliminary psychometric properties of the finalized instrument were evaluated through measures of internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity. Four in person focus groups were held with 13 head and neck cancer patients. The process of item generation led to 221 relevant citations and 68 unique items. An additional 17 items were identified from review of existing neck disability questionnaires and expert opinion. A draft instrument with 25 candidate items was generated and reduced to its final 15-item scale using item impact method. Early psychometric testing revealed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.95) and test-retest reliability [ICC=0.95]. Internal consistency at the item level was good (>0.7) for 11/15 individual items. Four separate constructs were evaluated. Three of the four constructs matched our a priori hypotheses. The Neck Fibrosis Scale demonstrates preliminary reliability and validity for discriminate use. Further research is needed to confirm dimensionality and assess responsiveness. NA Laryngoscope, 132:1015-1021, 2022.

Classic Psychedelic Use and Mechanisms of Mental Health: Exploring the Mediating Roles of Spirituality and Emotion Processing on Symptoms of Anxiety, Depressed Mood, and Disordered Eating in a Community Sample

A resurgence of research has begun to systematically examine the relationship between psychedelic use and mental health and well-being. Although preliminary findings examining the therapeutic value of these substances show promise, the mechanisms through which psychedelic use may predict reduced mental distress remain poorly understood. To this end, we surveyed a community sample of individuals ( n = 159) who endorsed lifetime psychedelic use to examine relationships among psychedelic use and self-reported spirituality, difficulties in emotion regulation, and symptoms of mental health issues. Results revealed a pathway through which classic psychedelic use predicted greater spirituality, which in turn predicted better emotion regulation, ultimately predicting lower levels of anxiety, depressed mood, and disordered eating. These results contribute to our understanding of potential mechanisms of change with respect to psychedelics and mental health. They also add to the growing body of literature pointing to the healing effects of the cultivation of spirituality and emotion regulation as separate and related constructs.

Revisions to the Young Schema Questionnaire using Rasch analysis: the YSQ-R

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this study was to refine the YSQ-L3 by identifying the most statistically and clinically appropriate items for each Early Maladaptive Schema (EMS) using Rasch analysis. Method A Rasch analysis was undertaken on a large sample (N = 838) that included a heterogeneous clinical sample (N = 574) and a smaller non-clinical group (N = 264). Results Overall, 116 out of 232 items showed misfit across a number of statistical indicators. After the removal of these items, the fit improved for all subscales and showed good (.74) to excellent (.86) reliability with the exception of Enmeshment (.57). In line with previous research, items originally measuring Punitiveness were found to better fit two separate subscales, Punitiveness (Self) and Punitiveness (Other). Similarly, items assessing Emotional Inhibition fit better as two different constructs; Emotional Constriction, reflecting an over-control related to shame/embarrassment of showing emotions, and Fear of Losing Control, related to anxiety of the consequences if emotions are not contained. Conclusion This is the first study to apply a rigorous methodological process to item selection from the YSQ-L3. The findings of this study are significant given the wide use of this scale cross-culturally in both clinical and research settings and offer a possible alternative to the current short form. KEY POINTS What is already known about this topic: Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS) are transdiagnostic constructs that arise from unmet needs in childhood and become self-perpetuating through destructive patterns of interacting with the self, others, and the world. The Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ) is the primary assessment tool used to assess 18 EMS, usually as part of Schema Therapy which is designed to treat complex and chronic psychological disorders. Psychometric evaluations of the YSQ have primarily focussed on factor structure and assessing the higher-order schema domains and have consistently yielded mixed findings across all versions. What this topic adds: This is the first study to assess the psychometric properties at an individual item level in the YSQ using Rasch Analysis. Overall, only 116 out of 232 items in the YSQ-L3 showed appropriate fit across a number of statistical indicators. In line with previous research, the Emotional Inhibition schema is better conceptualised as two separate constructs which were a Fear of Losing Control and Emotional Constriction. Similarly, Punitiveness (Self) and Punitiveness (Other) are distinct constructs derived from the original Punitiveness schema.

Call to arms: Research directions to substantiate a unified model of attachment and personality pathology

AbstractPersonality pathology and adult attachment are “made of the same stuff” (Meyer &amp; Pilkonis, 2005). They share crucial phenomenological features, etiologies, and genetic bases; however, these shared features have not been appropriately represented in empirical literature as reflective of a common dysfunction. Continuing to conceptualize attachment and personality pathology as separable constructs shackles clinical efforts, particularly with regard to identifying persons and relationships that may be most prone to interpersonal problems. In the current review, we argue that adult attachment and personality pathology may indeed be iterations of the same underlying dysfunction, and that empirical work conducted to date has been insufficient in this characterization. We also argue that to accurately represent the nature of attachment and personality pathology, the empirical integration of interpersonal dysfunction must be conducted across nosologies, demographic groups, and time. We support our arguments using empirical, theoretical, and clinical material that demonstrates the unity of attachment and personality disorders.