Significant Curvilinear Relationship Research Articles

Curvilinear relationship was found between visceral adiposity index and stress urinary incontinence among US adult women: A cross-sectional study.

The purpose of this study was to find out the relation between visceral adipose index (VAI) levels and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in adult women. From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2020, females aged 20 or above were identified for this study. Visceral adiposity was determined using the VAI score, and the assessment of urinary incontinence was carried out through a correlation questionnaire. Logistic regression models and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression were employed to analyze the relationship between VAI levels and SUI. Among the 6522 participants, 2672 (41.0%) were reported SUI. Multivariate logistic regression revealed significantly higher odds of SUI with increasing VAI levels (Q4 vs. Q1), adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.53 (CI: 1.29-1.81, p < 0.001). RCS regression indicated a curvilinear relationship between VAI and SUI (p = 0.003). In threshold analysis, aOR for developing SUI was 1.18 (CI: 1.11-1.26, p < 0.001) for participants with VAI < 4.73, suggesting an 18% increased risk of SUI with each unit increase in VAI. No association between VAI and SUI was observed when VAI was ≥4.73. Our study has revealed a significant curvilinear relationship between VAI and SUI within a large and representative sample of women. Future research is necessary to evaluate the relationship between the two and explicate the underlying mechanisms of this relationship.

Some Slice of Climate Anxiety … Is Good: A Cross-Sectional Survey Exploring the Relationship Between College Students Media Exposure and Perceptions About Climate Change

Climate change anxiety among young people of college age has become a prevalent topic, with debate on whether climate change anxiety is maladaptive or can motivate climate change action. Using a cross-sectional survey of 440 college students, the study investigated the relationships between college students’ climate anxiety, climate change media exposure, efficacy beliefs, and pro-environmental intentions. The findings revealed among other things, that climate anxiety had a significant curvilinear relationship with pro-environmental intentions with moderate anxiety predicting positive intentions and higher levels of anxiety were associated with negative intentions. Media exposure also positively predicted increased climate anxiety. Implications for climate change mitigation are discussed.

Association between corporate diversification strategies and inventory performance: a firm-level investigation

PurposeThis research aims to empirically investigate the impacts of product and international diversification strategies on firm-level inventory performance.Design/methodology/approachThis study empirically examines the associations between product and international diversification strategies and inventory performance based on a sample of 64,124 observations across 7,367 US publicly traded firms between 1989 and 2019 from the COMPUSTAT Segment, Fundamental Annual and Fundamental Quarterly data files. We employ both linear and nonlinear regression models to perform our empirical analysis.FindingsThis research provides strong evidence that there exists a U-shaped relationship between unrelated product diversification and inventory level and a partially inverted U-shaped relationship between international diversification and inventory level. We also find a positive impact of related product diversification on inventory level, but there is no significant curvilinear relationship between related product diversification and inventory level.Practical implicationsOur research findings offer important insights into top management’s strategic planning for diversification strategies and operations manager’s inventory control policies to achieve the strategic fit between corporate diversification and inventory management.Originality/valueProduct and international diversification strategies not only play an essential role in the firm’s competitive advantage, but also have a significant influence on operations manager’s inventory decision. This research is among the first to systematically investigate how top management’s related product, unrelated product and international diversification strategies may have complex nonlinear impacts on inventory performance.

Applying Sexual Scripts Theory to Sexual Communication Discrepancies

Sexual communication discrepancies (SCD) are associated with numerous sexual outcomes (e.g., sexual satisfaction and intimacy), with past findings suggesting that these benefits increase as SCD scores increase. However, sexual scripts theory suggests that individuals develop their own gendered scripts, with females and males experiencing sexual communication differently. Therefore, this study examined the association between SCD and sexual satisfaction. The results of a cross-sectional survey of individuals in sexually active romantic relationships (N = 496) revealed a significant curvilinear relationship between SCD and sexual satisfaction within the sexual issues factor of SCD among male participants. The implications of this study are discussed in the context of sexual communication research and clinical settings.

Changing environment, rising new media: Retesting the exposure-acceptance model in China

Based on the China data from the World Values Survey (WVS) 2000, Kennedy found a significant curvilinear relationship between education and regime support in the rural subsample but not in the urban subsample, partially verifying the exposure-acceptance model. He attributed this phenomenon to the “urban–rural gap” in educational opportunities in China. In the past two decades, China has narrowed this gap. Has this changed the patterns of regime support? To revisit this question, we replicate Kennedy’s analyses using the WVS 2018 data. The results fail to support the exposure-acceptance model in either the rural or the urban subsample. This inconsistency may stem from the explosive growth of new media in China over the past 20 years, which has made criticism more accessible. New media can affect people’s media exposure patterns in a way that goes beyond the scope of the exposure-acceptance model. Therefore, we introduce the measure of new media usage into Kennedy’s models and find a linear negative effect on regime support at the national level. We conclude that the applicability of the exposure-acceptance model may have declined in China due to the rise of new media. The long-term influence of new media on regime support in authoritarian nations should be explored in further research.

Usefulness of Direct Magnitude Estimation (DME) in Auditory Perceptual Assessments Measuring Dysphonia Severity

<h2>Summary</h2><h3>Objectives</h3> The purposes of this study were (1) to analyze the reliability of direct magnitude estimation (DME) scales in auditory perceptual assessments measuring dysphonia severity and (2) to analyze the usefulness of DME scales in comparison to that of equal-appearing interval (EAI) scales. <h3>Study Design</h3> Three speech language pathologists perceptually evaluated dysphonia severity from connected speech samples produced by 105 participants with dysphonia. Two auditory perceptual assessments using two scales (DME and EAI) were performed for 2 weeks. The reliabilities of auditory perceptual assessments were analyzed, and correlation analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between the two scales. <h3>Results</h3> DME and EAI were found to have high reliability for auditory perceptual assessments measuring voice severity. There was a significant curvilinear relationship between EAI and DME. This indicates that a prosthetic continuum represents the dysphonia severity and suggests that DME scales should be used to measure dysphonia severity to avoid the linear partitioning related to EAI scales. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Our study supports the use of DME scales when judging the overall voice severity of dysphonic patients.

Laypeople's Online Health Information Search Strategies and Use for Health-Related Problems: Cross-sectional Survey.

BackgroundWith the increase in the use of the internet to search for health information about health-related problems, there is a need for health care professionals to better understand how their patients search for and use the online health information that may influence their medical decision making.ObjectiveThe aims of this study are to explore laypeople’s online health information search strategies and examine the relationships between their search strategies and utilization behavior of online health information.MethodsTwo scales, namely match and elaboration, were used to measure patients’ basic search strategies (ie, simple approach) and advanced search strategies (ie, integrative approach), respectively. In addition, the consultation scale was used to evaluate the participants’ use of online health information to consult doctors and others. A total of 253 outpatients without university education were purposely selected and surveyed. The participants were outpatients at a university-affiliated teaching hospital. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was performed to analyze the measurement model to specify the measurement validation. In addition, the structure model of PLS-SEM was evaluated to examine the path correlations between variables and to execute interaction effect and curvilinear relationship analyses.ResultsThe results of the path correlation analysis by PLS-SEM showed that both elaboration strategy (path coefficient=0.55, P<.001) and match strategy (path coefficient=0.36, P<.001) were positively correlated with consultation on online health information with doctors and others. In addition, interaction effect and curvilinear relationship analyses indicated that there was a significant interaction effect between elaboration and match on consultation (path coefficient=–0.34, P<.001) and a significant curvilinear relationship between match and consultation (path coefficient=–0.09, P=.046).ConclusionsIncreasing patients’ exposure to online health information through both a simple search approach (ie, match strategy) and a complex search approach (ie, elaboration strategy) may lead them to appropriately use the information to consult doctors and others. However, the results of interaction effect and curvilinear relationship analyses highlighted the essential role of the elaboration strategy to properly locate, evaluate, and apply online health information. The findings of this study may help health care professionals better understand how to communicate with their patients through the health information on the internet.

The geography of literacy: Understanding poleward increases in literacy rates

Asian social psychology has often focused on East/West comparisons. However, a latitudinal psychology perspective suggests that cultures will vary in predictable ways along north/south (latitudinal) gradients, rather than along east/west (longitudinal) gradients. We apply this perspective to better understand the geographical placement of literacy rates across the world. We find across 206 nations that latitude shows no linear relationship with worldwide literacy rates, but a significant curvilinear relationship, such that as one moves north from the equator, higher latitudes are associated with more literacy, whereas this relationship reverses as one moves south from the equator. No such curvilinear relationship consistently emerged for longitude. To better understand the geography of literacy, we included four potential explanatory socioecological variables (pathogens, climate, national tightness, and wealth). These analyses revealed that increases in literacy as one moves towards the North and South Poles was partially accounted for by all four variables, but a larger portion of the variance was due to pathogens. These results suggest that latitude—which, taken on its own, is just a set of abstract lines on a map—can help us organize and understand global literacy.

Associations among anxiety, self-efficacy, and self-care in rural adolescents with poorly controlled asthma

BackgroundRural adolescents are vulnerable to asthma; good self-care can reduce morbidity. The subtypes of anxiety (eg, asthma-related, generalized) may have differential associations with asthma self-care. Low self-efficacy, a determinant of behavior, is associated with increased anxiety. Little is known regarding these relationships in rural adolescents. ObjectiveTo evaluate whether anxiety symptoms are associated with asthma symptom prevention and management among rural adolescents and whether self-efficacy mediates these relationships. MethodsWe used baseline data from 197 rural adolescents (mean age = 16 years; 69% girls; 62% Black) who were part of a trial that tested the effectiveness of a school-based asthma intervention. Adolescents completed the Youth Asthma-Related Anxiety Scale, Screen for Child Anxiety and Emotional Disorders, Asthma Management Self-efficacy Index, and Asthma Prevention and Management Indices. Linear regression was performed to test whether: (1) asthma-related and generalized anxiety had curvilinear relationships with self-care; (2) social and separation anxiety had linear relationships with self-care; and (3) self-efficacy mediated relationships. ResultsAsthma-related anxiety had a significant curvilinear relationship with prevention (P = 0.001) and a linear association with management (P = .01). Generalized anxiety had a significant curvilinear association with management (P = .03), whereas social anxiety had a significant linear relationship with prevention (P = .04). Self-efficacy partially or fully mediated these relationships. ConclusionAnxiety symptoms were associated with asthma self-care among this sample of rural adolescents, with differing roles for prevention and management. Self-efficacy may be a mechanism to improve asthma self-care among rural adolescents with anxiety. With a lack of self-efficacy, asthma-related, generalized, or social anxiety may motivate adolescents to take steps to care for their asthma.

Religious Piety and Sexual Passion: What Is the Connection?

The association between religiosity and the construct of sexual passion was examined to see whether religiosity is associated with harmonious, inhibited, and obsessive sexual passion styles. Using multiple regression and checking for interactions between religiosity, gender, broad categories of religion (Catholic, other Christian, other religious, nonreligious), and the three sexual passion styles, the following associations were found: Religiosity had a significant curvilinear relationship to all three sexual passion styles, suggesting an overlap in levels of religiosity and the construct of sexual passion. Optimal sexual passion outcomes were found at both higher and lower levels of religiosity, whereas mid-level religiosity was associated with the less beneficial sexual passion outcomes. Religious men were significantly more obsessively passionate than religious women, and religious men and women were similarly high on levels of harmonious and low on inhibited sexual passion. There were no significant interactions between religiosity, broad categories of religion, and sexual passion styles. Understanding how religion and sexual passion are associated could be useful for applied researchers as well as those who work with religious individuals who want to help these individuals develop beneficial patterns of sexual passion.

The Chinese version of Posttraumatic Growth and Depreciation Inventory-Expanded version (PTGDI-X) for cancer survivors.

Many patients with cancer report positive changes often referred to as posttraumatic growth (PTG). Some of these self-reported PTG may represent maladaptive illusions created by individuals to cope with the illness. A recently established Posttraumatic Growth and Depreciation Inventory - Expanded version (PTGDI-X) includes both PTG and posttraumatic depreciation (PTD) items. This inventory may provide a more balanced picture of the phenomenological world of cancer survivors. We examined the Chinese version of the PTGDI-X's applicability to cancer patients, and how PTG and PTD were related to posttraumatic stress symptoms. Two hundred sixty-five cancer survivors in Taiwan completed the Chinese version of the PTGDI-X, along with the PTSD Checklist for the DSM-5 to measure posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the factor structure of the PTGDI-X established in a multi-national study fit our data from cancer patients modestly well. The PTD score had a significant and positive correlation with PTSD symptoms, whereas the PTG and PTSD showed a significant curvilinear relationship in the form of an inverted U-shape. This study's results indicate that PTG and PTD are separated constructs with differential relationships with cancer outcomes. The Chinese version of the PTGDI-X is a viable instrument for psycho-oncological research. The PTD scores can provide useful information to guide cognitive interventions to reduce distorted cognitions. In contrast, the PTG scores can provide further information on the phenomenological world of cancer survivors. In this study, clinical implications and future studies were considered.

Relationships among non-interpersonal and interpersonal trauma types, posttraumatic stress, and posttraumatic growth.

Adults seeking behavioral health or medical treatment (N = 158) were recruited from a community healthcare agency and a residential support program in the southeastern United States. Individuals who reported interpersonal trauma had significantly higher total PTS severity and symptom clusters. No significant difference was found in perceived PTG based on trauma type. No significant curvilinear relationship between PTS and perceived PTG was found. A significant negative linear relationship was observed between PTS and perceived PTG for non-interpersonal trauma, but not interpersonal trauma. Trauma type may influence the PTS and perceived PTG relationship and, while associated with PTS, seems less important to reporting of perceived PTG.

Are stronger bonds better? Examining the relationship between the human–animal bond and human social support, and its impact on resilience

ObjectiveThe human–animal bond (HAB) has been shown to provide a buffering effect for stress and adversity, particularly when individuals experience lower social support networks. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the HAB, perceived human social support and resilience by assessing whether the HAB could moderate the impact of social support as a protective factor for resilience. Additionally, whether the relationship between the HAB and human social support may be curvilinear was explored.MethodA cross‐sectional study of a large community sample of pet owners (n = 392) and non‐owners (n = 146) provided information about their human social supports and resilience, and the strength of pet owners emotional bond to their companion animal.ResultsThere was no difference in levels of resilience between pet owners and non‐owners, but social support was positively associated with resilience for both. The HAB was not a significant moderator between levels of social support and resilience for owners. However, there was a significant curvilinear relationship between the HAB and perceived human social support.ConclusionThe lack of evidence for HAB being a buffer between perceived human social support and resilience may partly be due to the curvilinear relationship between the strength of the HAB and perceived human social support. Extremely weak or strong HABs may be correlated with a reduced capacity to build resilience and process adversity. Therefore, this study highlights the complexities of the HAB and its relationship with human mental health, offering alternative considerations for future research.

Grief and Posttraumatic Growth Among Chinese Bereaved Parents Who Lost Their Only Child: The Moderating Role of Interpersonal Loss.

Objective: Losing the only child is considered as the most severe kind of bereavement. It can trigger intense grief symptoms along with loss of psychosocial resources, but meanwhile, it can also lead to posttraumatic growth (PTG). The current study aimed to examine (a) whether a curvilinear relationship exists between grief and PTG and (b) the moderating role of resources-loss among Chinese bereaved parents who lost their only child (shidu parents).Methods: One hundred and ninety-nine shidu parents from five provinces completed the assessment packet covering prolonged grief symptoms and PTG, as well as resource loss. Hierarchical regression analyses were computed to examine the curvilinear relationship and the moderating effect of interpersonal loss and socio-economic loss.Results: There was no significant curvilinear relationship between grief and PTG in shidu parents. Under the high levels of interpersonal loss, shidu parents’ PTG scores decreased as the severity of grief increased. However, the socio-economic loss did not show a significant moderating effect.Conclusion: The results of the current study did not show a significant curvilinear relationship between grief and PTG in shidu parents. High levels of grief coupled with high levels of interpersonal loss may interfere with their ability to achieve PTG. Therefore, evaluating degrees of interpersonal loss seems to be an important part of the treatment process when working with shidu parents. To facilitate their adaptation from a positive perspective, helping them maintain existing or develop new interpersonal relationships may be helpful.

Is a school's neighborhood physical disorder related to its academic outcomes?

Neighborhood environment for student residences has been linked to differences in academic outcomes. However, school neighborhood has not been studied as a potential additional environmental factor in academic outcomes. The goal of this study was to explore the association between school neighborhood disorder and academic outcomes. School neighborhood physical disorder data were paired with school academic achievement and attendance data. Using regression analyses, we examined whether academic achievement and attendance were predicted using NIfETy neighborhood physical disorder scores for the 21 schools within the boundaries of Flint. Neighborhood physical disorder was significantly negatively associated with mathematics scores (β=-7.71707, p=0.0430425), but not with English Language Arts (ELA) scores (β=-4.35, p=0.13). We found a significant curvilinear relationship between neighborhood physical disorder and attendance. This study supplements existing literature by focusing on neighborhood physical disorder at the school. We found evidence that school neighborhood may impact academic achievement. These findings complement previous research showing that neighborhood of residence factors, such as structural disadvantage, impact school performance. Students exposed to economically disadvantaged neighborhoods at school, regardless of where they live, may have poorer academic skills.

The Curvilinear Relationship between Team Informational Faultlines and Creativity

Academic research concerning the functionality of informational faultlines has produced mixed results. In order to reconcile the mixed findings in prior research and enhance our understanding of the effects of team informational faultlies, this research adopts and builds on a social information processing (SIP) perspective to explicate and test a theory focusing on the influence of team informational faultlines on team creativity. Using multisource and longitudinal data collected from 85 work groups, we reveal a significant curvilinear relationship between team informational faultlines and team creativity. Moreover, we identify team humble leadership as a boundary condition of the relationship above, such that the inverted U-shaped relationship is weakened in teams with high levels of humble leadership. Our study reveals the “double-edged sword” effect of informational faultlines and provides a new perspective to understand the influence of team faultlines. Lastly, we discuss theoretical implications, limitations and possible directions that worth further exploration.

Optimizing student learning outcomes of collegiate recreational sports participation

Higher education theorists have long since proposed student involvement in educational programs is directly proportional to student learning (Astin, 1999), neglecting potential non-linear relationships. The purpose of this study is to determine the presence of non-linear relationships between collegiate recreational sports (CRS) participation and student learning outcomes. Data from the NASPA Assessment and Knowledge Consortium were analyzed through ordinary least squares multiple regression to determine if there is a point of diminishing returns in student learning outcomes of CRS participation. The results demonstrate a significant curvilinear relationship for depth and breadth of CRS participation, supporting a point of diminishing returns. The point of diminishing returns in student learning outcomes occurs at a CRS participation frequency of 8 times per week and number of different CRS activities of 30 activities per week. These findings have implications for CRS programming, marketing, and mentoring.

Why are caffeinated alcoholic beverages especially risky?

PurposeEvidence suggests that people drink more alcohol and experience more adverse alcohol-related consequences (ARCs) on occasions when they also consume caffeine. The current study examined whether this increase in risk is a result of caffeine attenuating the subjective effects of alcohol intoxication (i.e., the masking hypothesis). MethodsUndergraduate students (n = 148) reported their drinking patterns using a modified Timeline Followback approach. For each recalled drinking occasion, alcohol consumption, caffeine consumption, perceived blood alcohol concentration, and ARCs were assessed. Generalized linear mixed models were used to examine the influence that alcohol and caffeine consumption had on perceived intoxication and the experience of ARCs. ResultsAt the occasion level, greater caffeine consumption was associated with increased consumption of alcohol and increased ARCs. There was also a significant curvilinear relationship between the amount of alcohol consumed and perceived intoxication, such that the more alcohol was consumed on each occasion the less each additional drink increased perceived intoxication. Increased caffeine consumption weakened the association between alcohol consumption and perceived intoxication and it also weakened the association between alcohol consumption and ARCs. Specifically, the weakest relationship between ARCs and alcohol consumption existed at the highest level of caffeine consumption (240+ mg). Caffeine increased subjective intoxication. ConclusionsThese findings do not support the masking hypothesis. Caffeine was strongly associated with ARCs when consumed at high doses and this effect does not appear to be the result of drinking more alcohol or underestimating one's blood alcohol content. Efforts to reduce caffeinated alcohol beverage use are greatly needed.

Hair cortisol and depressive symptoms in youth: An investigation of curvilinear relationships

BackgroundAs the prevalence of depression is increasing among youth in the U.S., research on the utility of biomarkers in predicting depressive symptomatology is burgeoning. Hair cortisol may be a useful biomarker as it is a retrospective and longer-term measure of the mean cortisol level. However, studies have yet to examine the relationships between hair cortisol and depressive symptoms in samples of youth, and findings with adult samples are mixed. This study examined hair cortisol as a predictor of depressive symptoms, including the potential for nonlinear relationships. MethodsA representative community sample of 432 adolescents aged 11 to 17 years was examined. Depressive symptoms were measured using a 9-item short-form of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale. Hair was cut from the posterior vertex region of the scalp using thinning shears. Hair was washed, minced, ground and assayed with Salimetrics® Cortisol Enzyme Immunoassay Kit. Hair cortisol levels were logged for statistical analysis. ResultsIn multivariable regression analysis, no significant linear relationship was found in model 1 between hair cortisol and depressive symptoms (b= -0.036, se = 0.02, p = 0.13). In model 2, a marginally significant linear association (b= -0.044, se = 0.02, p-value = 0.06) and a significant curvilinear relationship (b = 0.039, se = 0.01, p-value = 0.005) were found between hair cortisol and depressive symptoms. The results were graphed depicting a u-shaped curve such that hair cortisol levels on the lower and higher end of the distribution predicted depressive symptoms. ConclusionsThe findings highlight the need to consider investigation of nonlinear associations between cortisol and depressive symptoms. Longitudinal mechanistic research is needed to elucidate the causal relationships between hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation and depressive symptoms as well as a better understanding of the biological mechanisms through which cortisol may contribute to depressive symptoms and psychopathology.

Family workers, stress, and the limits of self-care

High levels of work-related stress have been frequently documented among front-line family service providers including social workers, home visitors, and agency staff members. Left unaddressed, such stress contributes to burn-out and job turnover, with negative effects on client families as well as agencies and the workers themselves. In response to this problem, some child and family service organizations have encouraged the use of self-care practices to counteract the inherent stresses of these jobs. The present study reports on descriptions of stress and self-care contained in written portfolios of 99 family workers enrolled in a strength-based training program, the Family Development Credential®.As found in other research, virtually all study participants reported an over-arching sense of stress and anxiety, with specific issues of workload, client problems, and work/family imbalance most frequently mentioned. To deal with their stress, workers described a variety of self-care practices: most common were mindfulness, exercise, social connections, changing self-expectations, and time management. Results show a significant curvilinear relationship between the number of stresses and the number of self-care practices mentioned, such that workers discussing both the lowest and the highest number of stresses discussed fewer self-care practices than workers naming a moderate number of stresses. Although a similar relationship between the level of stress and individuals' ability to take advantage of available resources has been demonstrated for low-income families, to our knowledge the present study is the first empirical demonstration of this principle for people who serve such families. These findings illustrate the limits of individual self-care for dealing with high levels of stress, and suggest the importance of strengthening worker support at the agency level, as well as tailoring stress management programs to the needs of individual workers.