Unique Variance Research Articles

Backing biodiversity: understanding nature conservation behaviour and policy support in Australia

Community mobilisation is essential to prevent further biodiversity loss and protect the natural environment. This includes engaging in public- and private-sphere behaviours, and community support of relevant government policies. This purpose of this paper is to explore and compare the factors associated with public- and private-sphere nature conservation behaviour and policy support. We utilised data from a survey of 4,048 Australians, representative for age, gender, and geographic location, which measured engagement in nature conservation behaviours and support for diverse conservation policies. Hierarchical Multiple Regressions were conducted to assess relationships between behaviour and policy support with the key independent variables of awareness (of biodiversity issues), connection (to nature), and concern (about biodiversity issues), and socio-demographic covariates. Overall, community support for nature conservation policies was high, not just for incentive measures but for regulations and penalties. Regression models explained 22.9% of the variance in public-sphere behaviour, 30.2% of the variance in private-sphere behaviour, and 43.5% of the variance in policy support. Concern made one of the strongest contributions for all outcomes, and was substantially stronger for policy support compared to behaviour. Awareness and connection also made independent contributions to all outcomes. Socio-demographic variables explained a smaller proportion of unique variance for policy support (1.0%) compared to behaviour (public-sphere: 9.6%, private-sphere: 6.3%). Notably, for public-sphere behaviour, younger age explained almost as much variance as concern. Implications for practitioners and policymakers seeking to engage the general population in conservation support are discussed.

Giving adolescents with cystic fibrosis a voice: Predicting cystic fibrosis nutritional adherence from their decision-making involvement.

Suboptimal nutritional adherence in adolescents with cystic fibrosis (awCF) has been associated with lower lung function. AwCF often have more independence in dietary decisions than younger children, yet little research has examined how adolescent decision-making relates to nutritional adherence. This study explored whether components of adolescent decision-making involvement facilitate enzyme and caloric adherence in awCF. 37 families participated and completed study procedures. AwCF and caregivers completed electronic surveys, including the Decision-Making Involvement Scale (DMIS). The DMIS evaluated awCF behaviors during nutrition-related decision-making/discussions with caregivers using DMIS subscales: Child Seek (asking for help/advice from caregivers), Child Express (awCF stating opinions) and Joint/Options (awCF participating in joint decision-making or caregiver providing options). AwCF completed 2, 24-hr diet recalls via videoconferencing/phone to estimate adherence. Chart reviews collected medical information. DMIS subscales were regressed onto enzyme and caloric adherence. 43% of awCF met calorie recommendations; 48.6% took all enzymes as prescribed. Caloric adherence was positively correlated with adolescent- and parent-reported Child Seek (r = 0.53; r = 0.36) and adolescent-reported Joint/Options (r = 0.41). Per adolescent-report, the caloric adherence regression model was significant, with Child Seek contributing unique variance in caloric adherence (β = .62, p = .03). Parent-reported adolescent-decision-making involvement significantly predicted caloric adherence, but none of the subscales contributed unique variance. No other regressions were significant. When awCF participated in nutrition-related discussions with a caregiver, especially with questions, caloric adherence was better. Future research should examine whether family factors influence these results. AwCF are encouraged to ask questions in nutrition discussions.

Computerized assessment of executive functioning: Validation of the CNS Vital Signs executive functioning scores in a sample of community-dwelling older adults

Objective: Computerized assessment of cognitive functioning has gained significant popularity over recent years, yet options for clinical assessment of executive functioning (EF) are lacking. One computerized testing platform, CNS Vital Signs (CNS-VS), offers tests designed to measure EF but requires further validation. The goal of the present study was to validate CNS-VS executive scores against standard clinical measures of EF. We also sought to determine whether a modified CNS-VS composite score that included variables purported to measure inhibition, switching, and working memory would outperform the currently available CNS-VS Executive Function Index. Method: A sample of 73 cognitively healthy older adults completed four tests from the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System, the Digit Span subtest from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-fourth edition, and three CNS-VS tasks purported to measure inhibition, switching, and working memory. Results: Performances on the CNS-VS tests were predicted by performances on standard paper-and-pencil measures. Although the currently available CNS-VS Executive Function Index predicted unique variance in a well-validated paper-and-pencil EF composite score, our Modified CNS-VS EF composite accounted for unique variance above and beyond the original CNS-VS Executive Function Index, while the reverse was not true. Conclusions: The present results support the construct validity of CNS-VS EF tests but also suggest that modifications to their current composite scores would improve the prediction of EF performance.

Variants of the P3 event-related potential operate as indicators of distinct mechanisms contributing to problematic alcohol use.

Considerable research has linked relative reduction in the amplitude of the P3 event-related potential (ERP) during cognitive task performance (i.e., Target-P3) with increased risk of alcohol-related problems. A separate literature indicates that a relative increase in the amplitude of the P3 elicited by cues signaling alcohol availability (i.e., ACR-P3) also is associated with alcohol use and problems. To date, no research has integrated these seemingly discrepant findings. Here, we aimed to demonstrate that P3 amplitudes elicited in different task contexts reflect distinct domains of functioning relevant to problematic alcohol involvement (PAI), and therefore can inform heterogeneity in the etiology of PAI. 156 emerging adults (61% women; 88% White/Non-Hispanic) completed a mental rotation task and a picture-viewing task while ERPs were recorded. Participants also completed questionnaire measures of trait disinhibition, alcohol use, and alcohol-related problems. Findings from regression analyses indicated that (a) Target-P3 was negatively associated and ACR-P3 was positively associated with a PAI latent variable; (b) the two P3s accounted for unique variance in PAI, beyond that accounted for by recent drinking; and (c) the association between Target-P3 and PAI-but not ACR-P3 and PAI-was statistically mediated by trait disinhibition. The present findings highlight the unique contributions of distinct functional domains associated with disinhibition and incentive salience in the etiology of PAI. Moreover, findings are consistent with a nuanced understanding of the P3 ERP, whereby its specific meaning varies according to the task context in which it is elicited.

Neural Signatures of Evidence Accumulation Encode Subjective Perceptual Confidence Independent of Performance

Confidence is an adaptive computation when environmental feedback is absent, yet there is little consensus regarding how perceptual confidence is computed in the brain. Difficulty arises because confidence correlates with other factors, such as accuracy, response time (RT), or evidence quality. We investigated whether neural signatures of evidence accumulation during a perceptual choice predict subjective confidence independently of these factors. Using motion stimuli, a central-parietal positive-going electroencephalogram component (CPP) behaves as an accumulating decision variable that predicts evidence quality, RT, accuracy, and confidence (Experiment 1, N = 25 adults). When we psychophysically varied confidence while holding accuracy constant (Experiment 2, N = 25 adults), the CPP still predicted confidence. Statistically controlling for RT, accuracy, and evidence quality (Experiment 3, N = 24 adults), the CPP still explained unique variance in confidence. The results indicate that a predecision neural signature of evidence accumulation, the CPP, encodes subjective perceptual confidence in decision-making independent of task performance.

Food insecurity is related to eating disorder psychopathology beyond psychological distress in rural Chinese adolescents.

This study aimed to examine the relationship between food insecurity (FI) and eating disorder psychopathology in a large sample of rural Chinese adolescents. Analyses included 1654 adolescents (55.4% girls; Mage = 16.54 years, SD = 1.45) from a rural high school in southwestern China. FI, eating disorder psychopathology, and psychological distress (i.e., symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress) were assessed. Data were analyzed by sex. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to investigate the zero-order association between FI and eating disorder psychopathology. Hierarchical linear regressions were used to explore whether FI could explain meaningful variance in eating disorder psychopathology beyond psychological distress and demographic covariates (e.g., socioeconomic status). FI was significantly associated with higher eating disorder psychopathology for boys (r = 0.44, p < 0.001) and girls (r = 0.43, p < 0.001), with medium-to-large effect sizes. FI accounted for significant unique variance in eating disorder psychopathology beyond psychological distress and demographic covariates for boys (ΔR2 = 0.14, p < 0.001) and girls (ΔR2 = 0.10, p < 0.001). Using a large sample of rural Chinese adolescents, this study extends the connection between FI and eating disorder pathology in adolescents beyond the Western context. Future investigations on the mechanisms underlying FI and eating disorder psychopathology are warranted for developing prevention strategies for eating disorders among rural Chinese adolescents. This is the first investigation that examined the link between FI and eating disorder psychopathology among rural Chinese adolescents. Our findings highlight the importance of incorporating FI as a potential risk factor to screen for the prevention and intervention of eating disorders among rural Chinese adolescents.

Bi-factor model of repetitive thinking: Replication and extension

Repetitive negative thinking, including worry and rumination, is considered a transdiagnostic process that contributes to the development and persistence of psychopathology. Recently, Castro et al. (2022) investigated how both repetitive negative thinking and more adaptive repetitive thinking may be related each other. They found evidence for a bi-factor structure of repetitive thinking with both shared variance in repetitive thinking and unique variance specific to each form of repetitive thinking, specifically worry, rumination, and reflection. The present study replicated this bi-factor structure of repetitive thinking in a younger sample from the Netherlands (N = 3906). Additionally, biological sex did not alter bi-factor structure fit. The present findings provide additional evidence of a bi-factor structure of repetitive thinking, and future work should continue to explore the clinical relevance of repetitive thinking and its distinct forms.

Mapping semantic space: Exploring the higher-order structure of word meaning

Multiple representation theories posit that concepts are represented via a combination of properties derived from sensorimotor, affective, and linguistic experiences. Recently, it has been proposed that information derived from social experience, or socialness, represents another key aspect of conceptual representation. How these various dimensions interact to form a coherent conceptual space has yet to be fully explored. To address this, we capitalized on openly available word property norms for 6339 words and conducted a large-scale investigation into the relationships between 18 dimensions. An exploratory factor analysis reduced the dimensions to six higher-order factors: sub-lexical, distributional, visuotactile, body action, affective and social interaction. All these factors explained unique variance in performance on lexical and semantic tasks, demonstrating that they make important contributions to the representation of word meaning. An important and novel finding was that the socialness dimension clustered with the auditory modality and with mouth and head actions. We suggest this reflects experiential learning from verbal interpersonal interactions. Moreover, formally modelling the network structure of semantic space revealed pairwise partial correlations between most dimensions and highlighted the centrality of the interoception dimension. Altogether, these findings provide new insights into the architecture of conceptual space, including the importance of inner and social experience, and highlight promising avenues for future research.

Self-Warmth, Self-Coldness, and Depressive Symptoms Among Sexual Minority Adults

Depression is more prevalent among sexual minority adults than heterosexual adults. Whilst research has shown self-compassion is related to lower levels of depressive symptoms, few studies have focused on sexual minority adults. Furthermore, few studies have examined the relationship between the positive (self-warmth) and negative (self-coldness) components of self-compassion and depressive symptoms. This study aimed to investigate whether self-warmth and self-coldness were associated with depressive symptoms among sexual minority adults and whether these relations were moderated by gender and sexual orientation. An international sample of 439 sexual minority women aged 18 to 69 years (M = 30.21, SD = 10.70) and 391 sexual minority men aged 18 to 71 years (M = 32.20, SD = 11.74) completed the Center for Epidemiology-Depression Scale and the Self-Compassion Scale. Results indicated both self-warmth and self-coldness were significantly associated with depressive symptoms, however, self-coldness explained more unique variance (12%) than self-warmth (1%). Higher levels of self-warmth were significantly associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms and the association was not conditional on gender or sexual orientation. Higher levels of self-coldness were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. This association was conditional on sexual orientation but not gender. The association was stronger for bisexual adults than monosexual adults. Interventions such as compassion-focused therapy that target self-coldness among sexual minority adults may be beneficial for reducing depressive symptoms, particularly bisexual adults.

Trait dimensions of anticipatory and consummatory reward relate differently to self-injurious thoughts and behaviors in a community adult sample

BackgroundSelf-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs) are a major problem worldwide and continue to be a serious public health concern. Research investigating risk factors for suicide has shown that reward processes, such as the inability to feel pleasure, may confer risk for SITBs. However, less work has examined how different dimensions of trait reward relate to SITBs. Accordingly, the present study investigated the unique and interactive effects of trait anticipatory and consummatory reward for explaining SITBs. Methods260 community adults ages 18–55 (M/SD = 32.79/10.54, females = 49.6 %, males = 50.4 %) completed an interview, neuropsychological tests, and questionnaires. We used hierarchical multivariate multiple regression analysis to assess cross-sectional associations between trait anticipatory and consummatory reward and different types of SITBs [self-injurious thoughts, nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), and suicide attempts] from the Risky, Impulsive, and Self-destructive Behavior Questionnaire. ResultsThe unique variance associated with anticipatory and consummatory reward were differentially related to self-injurious thoughts but unrelated to self-injurious behaviors (NSSI/suicide attempts). The interaction of anticipatory and consummatory reward was associated with self-injurious behavior, such that the inability to experience both anticipatory and consummatory reward was associated with higher frequency of NSSI. LimitationsLimitations of the study include its cross-sectional nature and reliance on self-reported measures. ConclusionsLow anticipatory reward and high consummatory reward may confer risk for self-injurious thoughts. Low levels of both trait anticipatory and consummatory reward may confer risk for NSSI. Findings suggest reward sensitivity may be an understudied risk factor for a range of SITBs.

Dissecting unique and common variance across body and brain health indicators using age prediction

AbstractAgeing is a heterogeneous multisystem process involving different rates of decline in physiological integrity across biological systems. The current study dissects the unique and common variance across body and brain health indicators and parses inter‐individual heterogeneity in the multisystem ageing process. Using machine‐learning regression models on the UK Biobank data set (N = 32,593, age range 44.6–82.3, mean age 64.1 years), we first estimated tissue‐specific brain age for white and gray matter based on diffusion and T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data, respectively. Next, bodily health traits, including cardiometabolic, anthropometric, and body composition measures of adipose and muscle tissue from bioimpedance and body MRI, were combined to predict ‘body age’. The results showed that the body age model demonstrated comparable age prediction accuracy to models trained solely on brain MRI data. The correlation between body age and brain age predictions was 0.62 for the T1 and 0.64 for the diffusion‐based model, indicating a degree of unique variance in brain and bodily ageing processes. Bayesian multilevel modelling carried out to quantify the associations between health traits and predicted age discrepancies showed that higher systolic blood pressure and higher muscle‐fat infiltration were related to older‐appearing body age compared to brain age. Conversely, higher hand‐grip strength and muscle volume were related to a younger‐appearing body age. Our findings corroborate the common notion of a close connection between somatic and brain health. However, they also suggest that health traits may differentially influence age predictions beyond what is captured by the brain imaging data, potentially contributing to heterogeneous ageing rates across biological systems and individuals.

Free water-corrected fractional anisotropy of the fornix and parahippocampal cingulum predicts longitudinal memory change in cognitively healthy older adults

Prior studies have reported inconsistent results regarding the relationships between the integrity of the fornix and parahippocampal cingulum and both memory performance and longitudinal change in performance. In the present study, we examined associations in a sample of cognitively healthy older adults between free water-corrected fractional anisotropy (FA) metrics derived from the fornix and cingulum, baseline memory performance, and 3-year memory change. Neither fornix nor cingulum FA correlated with memory performance at baseline. By contrast, FA of each tract was predictive of memory change, such that greater FA was associated with less longitudinal decline. These associations remained significant after controlling for FA of other white matter tracts and for performance in other cognitive domains. Furthermore, fornix and cingulum FA explained unique variance in memory change. These results suggest that free water-corrected measures of fornix and parahippocampal cingulum integrity are reliable predictors of future memory change in cognitively healthy older adults. The findings for the fornix in particular highlight the utility of correcting for free water when estimating diffusion tensor imaging metrics of white matter integrity.

Examining the role of the visuospatial sketchpad in children's math calculation skills using Baddeley and Hitch's model of working memory

Math difficulties (MDs) occur in about 3–7 % of children and have been associated with academic, health, and occupational challenges. To date, findings about the role of working memory in MDs have been conflicting. The Automated Working Memory Assessment Battery (AWMA), which assesses all components of Baddeley and Hitch's model of working memory, was used to investigate which component of the model was most related to math calculation skills in elementary-school children. Participants were 94 (52 male) children (M age = 9 years 1 month; Range = 6 years 0 months to 11 years 8 months). As hypothesized, math calculation scores were correlated with all four working memory components (phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad, verbal and visuospatial central executive). After accounting for age, phonological processing, and attention, the visuospatial sketchpad was the only memory component that contributed to the prediction of math calculation scores, explaining an additional 10.2 % of unique variance. Short-term visuospatial memory should be assessed in children having difficulty with math and children could benefit from interventions that include attention to the development of both visuospatial memory and math calculation skills. This study did not use a longitudinal design and so we cannot conclude that weak visuospatial memory impedes the development of math calculation skills. Future research should use longitudinal designs and investigate other types of math skills.

Resting Frontal Gamma Power is Associated with Both Expressive Language and Non-verbal Cognitive Abilities in Young Autistic Children.

Previous research links resting frontal gamma power to key developmental outcomes in young neurotypical (NT) children and infants at risk for language impairment. However, it remains unclear whether gamma power is specifically associated with language or with more general cognitive abilities among young children diagnosedwith autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The current study evaluates differences in resting frontal gamma power between young autistic and NT children and tests whether gamma power is uniquely associated with individual differences in expressive language, receptive language and non-verbal cognitive abilities in autistic and NT children. Participants included 48 autistic children and 58 age- and sex-matched NT children (ages 22-60months). Baseline electroencephalography (EEG) recordings were acquired from each participant. Children also completed the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL). We found thatfrontal gamma power at rest did not differ between autistic and NT children. Among autistic children, reduced frontal gamma power was significantly associated with both higher expressive language skills and higher non-verbal cognitive skills, controlling for age and sex. The interaction between frontal gamma power and diagnostic status no longer explained unique variance in expressive language skills after controlling for variance associated with non-verbal cognitive skills across autistic and NT children. Together, these findings suggest that reduced gamma power is associated with both better expressive language and non-verbal cognitive skills among young autistic children. Moreover, associations between high frequency neural activity and cognition are not specific to verbal abilities but reflect neural mechanisms associated with general higher-order cognitive abilities in ASD.

The relation between physical fitness components and inhibition in preadolescents: The role of shared and unique fitness variance.

The relation between physical fitness components and inhibition in preadolescents: The role of shared and unique fitness variance.

Supplemental Material for The Relation Between Physical Fitness Components and Inhibition in Preadolescents: The Role of Shared and Unique Fitness Variance

Supplemental Material for The Relation Between Physical Fitness Components and Inhibition in Preadolescents: The Role of Shared and Unique Fitness Variance

Post-Stroke Impairments of Manual Dexterity and Finger Proprioception: Their Contribution to Upper Limb Activity Capacity

Background Knowing how impaired manual dexterity and finger proprioception affect upper limb activity capacity is important for delineating targeted post-stroke interventions for upper limb recovery. Objectives To investigate whether impaired manual dexterity and finger proprioception explain variance in post-stroke activity capacity, and whether they explain more variance than conventional clinical assessments of upper limb sensorimotor impairments. Methods Activity capacity and hand sensorimotor impairments were assessed using clinical measures in N = 42 late subacute/chronic hemiparetic stroke patients. Dexterity was evaluated using the Dextrain Manipulandum to quantify accuracy of visuomotor finger force-tracking (N = 36), timing of rhythmic tapping (N = 36), and finger individuation (N = 24), as well as proprioception (N = 27). Stepwise multivariate and hierarchical linear regression models were used to identify impairments best explaining activity capacity. Results Dexterity and proprioceptive components significantly increased the variance explained in activity capacity: (i) Box and Block Test was best explained by baseline tonic force during force-tracking and tapping frequency (adjusted R2 = .51); (ii) Motor Activity Log was best explained by success rate in finger individuation (adjusted R2 = .46); (iii) Action Research Arm Test was best explained by release of finger force and proprioceptive measures (improved reaction time related to use of proprioception; adjusted R2 = .52); and (iv) Moberg Pick-Up test was best explained by proprioceptive function (adjusted R2 = .18). Models excluding dexterity and proprioception variables explained up to 19% less variance. Conclusions Manual dexterity and finger proprioception explain unique variance in activity capacity not captured by conventional impairment measures and should be assessed when considering the underlying causes of post-stroke activity capacity limitations. URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT03934073.

Predictors of Self-Efficacy for Inclusive Education: A Comparison of Canada and Germany

This study investigated group and individual differences in beginning secondary school teachers’ self-efficacy for the inclusive classroom in Canada and Germany. This research complements previous Canadian and German research that compared the self-efficacy of pre-service teachers in each country, as well as those experiences that contributed to their self-efficacy. In the current study, 110 Canadian and 90 German beginning teachers completed the Teacher Efficacy for Inclusive Practice scale and the Beliefs About Learning and Teaching Questionnaire and described their experience with diverse populations. As a group, Canadian teachers were higher in their self-efficacy for implementing inclusive instruction and for engaging in collaboration with families and colleagues. The groups did not differ on self-efficacy for managing behaviour, though males felt more efficacious than females. Overall, country accounted for 18% and 11% of the variance in self-efficacy for inclusive instruction and for collaboration, respectively. Additional individual differences in self-efficacy for instruction and for managing behaviour were accounted for by participants’ experiences with diverse populations. Finally, participants’ beliefs that aligned with student-centred approaches accounted for unique variance in self-efficacy for inclusive instruction and collaboration. Results are discussed in the context of prior research and possible considerations for teacher education programs.

Neonatal risk and coordinated joint attention episodes with mothers and fathers relate to language skills of preterm children aged 2-4 years

The present study investigates individual differences in preterm children’s language skills in relation to neonatal risk and Joint Attention (JA) skills. Fifty-four mother-child (Mchildage=37.89 months; SD=11.51) and 35 father-child (Mchildage=36.75 months; SD=11.86) dyads participated in the study. Neonatal risk was assessed using medical reports/parental questionnaires. JA characteristics (frequency, duration, type of JA, agent of initiation and termination, missed attempts) were coded moment-by-moment during free-play interactions with mothers and fathers, separately. Language outcomes were measured via the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-3rd Edition and the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-4th Edition. Preterm children with lower neonatal risk scores and who had higher proportions of Coordinated JA with their mothers and fathers achieved higher language scores. Hierarchical linear regression analyses indicated that neonatal risk and Coordinated JA with mothers and fathers (separately) explained unique variance in preterm children’s language outcomes.

Social microclimates and well-being.

Emotional well-being has a known relationship with a person's direct social ties, including friendships; but do ambient social and emotional features of the local community also play a role? This work takes advantage of university students' assignment to different local networks-or "social microclimates"-to probe this question. Using Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression, we quantify the collective impact of individual, social network, and microclimate factors on the emotional well-being of a cohort of first-year college students. Results indicate that well-being tracks individual factors but also myriad social and microclimate factors, reflecting one's peers and social surroundings. Students who belonged to emotionally stable and tight-knit microclimates (i.e., had emotionally stable friends or resided in densely connected residence halls) reported lower levels of psychological distress and higher levels of life satisfaction, even when controlling for factors such as personality and social network size. Although rarely discussed or acknowledged in the policies that create them, social microclimates are consequential to well-being, especially during life transitions. The effects of microclimate factors are small relative to some individual factors; however, they explain unique variance in well-being that is not directly captured by emotional stability or other individual factors. These findings are novel, but preliminary, and should be replicated in new samples and contexts. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).