Correlates of the categories of adolescent attachment styles: Perceived rearing, family function, early life events, and personality

The Relationship between the Family Functioning of Individuals with Drug Addiction and Relapse Tendency: A Moderated Mediation Model

To explore the relationship between family functioning, psychological capital, life history strategy, and relapse tendency of individuals with drug addiction, 842 individuals with drug addiction completed a questionnaire. The results showed that (1) there was a significant negative correlation between the family functioning of individuals with drug addiction and their relapse tendency; (2) psychological capital played an intermediary role between family functioning and relapse tendency; and (3) life history strategy regulated the mediating effect of psychological capital. The results of this study suggest that family members should collaborate with drug addiction treatment centers and participate in the education and treatment process to help reduce drug relapse tendency. Increasing the psychological capital and self-efficacy of individuals with drug addiction through group psychological counseling and psychological education courses could also reduce drug relapse tendency.

The correlation between family relationships and brain activity within the reward circuit in adolescents with Internet gaming disorder

Disrupted reward circuits and diminished behavioural control have been suggested as the pathophysiologies of Internet gaming disorder (IGD). Family functioning is thought to play an important role in reward-related control. We hypothesized that adolescents with IGD show disrupted patterns of family relationships, which are associated with brain activity within the reward circuit. 42 adolescents with IGD without comorbidities and 41 healthy controls were assessed for family function and psychological states using the Korean Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (K-WISC), Korean version of DuPaul's attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Rating Scale (K-ARS), Young Internet Addiction Scale (YIAS), Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and the relationship domain of the Family Environmental Scale (FES-R). Brain activity was assessed via resting-state fMRI. Adolescents with IGD showed increased K-ARS, BAI, and YIAS scores, but decreased FES-R and FES-cohesion subscale scores; YIAS scores were negatively correlated with FES-R scores. Brain connectivity from the cingulate to the striatum was decreased, positively correlated with FES-R scores, and negatively correlated with IGD severity. Adolescents with IGD showed disrupted family relationships, which was associated with the severity of the disorder, and dis-connectivity within the reward circuit.

Adverse family experiences and flourishing amongst children ages 6-17 years: 2011/12 National Survey of Children's Health

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are prevalent in the population and linked to various negative long-term health and social consequences. However, due to the retrospective nature of most studies on the topic, little is currently known regarding ACEs' immediate health impact. This study aims to provide insight into this area by examining the association between a new measurement, Adverse Family Experiences (AFEs), and flourishing amongst children ages 6-17 years in the United States. Data from the 2011/12 National Survey of Children's Health were analyzed. Adjusted prevalence ratios assessed flourishing by the number of AFEs (0 events versus 1, 2, 3/3+) controlling for individual/household characteristics. A sub-analysis examined characteristics of flourishing children ages 12-17 years with 3/3+ AFEs. The results showed children with 1 AFE (APR=0.87; 95% CI=0.83-0.91), 2 AFEs (0.74; 0.69-0.79), and 3/3+ AFEs (0.68; 0.62-0.72) were less likely to flourish compared to those without any AFEs. Sub-analysis of children ages 12-17 years with 3/3+ AFEs revealed a higher proportion of flourishing children volunteering, participating in extracurricular activities, and working for pay compared to those who did not flourish. Findings show significant differences in flourishing by number of AFEs and suggest that social connectedness may play a role in determining flourishing amongst children with 3/3+ AFEs. Furthermore, the results highlight the potential importance of identifying children with high AFE counts and helping them build resilience outside of the home.

Childhood adversity and depressive symptoms following retirement in the Gazel cohort

BACKGROUND

Only a few studies have examined whether specific moderators may impact the magnitude of the relationship between retirement and depression. The aim of this study was to examine the potential moderating role of adverse childhood life events (ACLE) on changes in depressive symptoms following retirement in the GAZEL cohort.

METHODS

9242 participants, followed up since 1989, completed the Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CESD) every three years and were asked in 2004 to answer an ACLE questionnaire. Subjects were classed according to 6 clusters by Two-Step Cluster Analysis (no ACLE: cluster 1; increasing material deprivation: clusters 2 to 4; history of early separation: cluster 5 and history of conflicts or violence: cluster 6), and then stratified for sex. Analyses were based on general linear models with the CESD variation between, before and after retirement as dependent variable. All results were adjusted according to age, marital status, occupational status, alcohol consumption, self-rated health and CESD score before retirement.

RESULTS

The association between exposure to ACLE and changes in depressive symptoms following retirement was significant in both men (F = 6.929; p < 0.001; eta(2) = 0.005) and women (F = 6.890; p < 0.001; eta(2) = 0.016). Exposure to early separation or history of conflicts or violence during childhood was associated with less improvement in both men and women, whereas early exposure to material deprivation only affected results in men.

CONCLUSIONS

Programs aimed at facilitating retirement transition may focus on subjects at risk of not experiencing the expected benefits of retirement, which is the case for those with a history of ACLE.

Family adaptability and cohesion in families consisting of Asian immigrant women living in South Korea: A 3-year longitudinal study

INTRODUCTION

South Korea's low birth rate, aging society, and female migration to urban areas due to industrialization have caused an accelerated inflow of Asian female immigrants into Korea to marry Korean men, especially in rural areas. This study was performed to determine how family function of multicultural families changes over time and what factors affect the changes in family function of multicultural families.

METHODS

The study subjects were 62 Asian immigrant women married to South Korean men living in South Korea. In a 1st wave study in August 2008, the socioeconomic factors and Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale III (FACES III) scores were measured. A 3-year follow-up study was then conducted in August 2011, and the results were compared with the 1st wave study results.

RESULTS

The mean family adaptability score was 24.6 in the 1st wave study and 26.1 at the 3-year follow-up. The average family cohesion score was 31.0 in the 1st wave study and 36.7 at the 3-year follow-up. There was a statistically significant increase in family cohesion after 3 years (P < 0.001). In multiple regression analysis, age difference between husband and wife (P = 0.019) and subjective SES (P < 0.001) were found to be significantly correlated with positive changes of cohesion scores.

DISCUSSION

Family adaptability did not change over time; however, conversely, family cohesion increased. The age difference between husband and wife and the subjective SES had a positive association with the changes in family cohesion.

Validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the Temperament and Character Inventory: a study of university and college students

OBJECTIVE

The Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) is a widely used self-report measure of adult personality.

METHOD

We studied 586 Japanese university and college students with the 125-item version of the Japanese TCI.

RESULTS

The factor structure of the TCI scales was similar to that reported in other languages. Depression was positively correlated with Novelty Seeking and Harm Avoidance but inversely correlated with Persistence, Self-Directedness, and Cooperativeness. Good Self-Image in the framework of adult attachment was correlated positively with Self-Directedness but inversely with Harm Avoidance and Reward Dependence. Good Other-Image in the framework of adult attachment was positively correlated with Reward Dependence and Cooperativeness. The scores of the TCI scales were stable over a time span of 1.5 to 2 months.

CONCLUSION

The Japanese version of the TCI may be a valid and reliable measure of temperament and character, at least among the adolescent and young adult population.

The Inventory of Personality Organisation: its psychometric properties among student and clinical populations in Japan

BACKGROUND

The Inventory of Personality Organisation (IPO) is a self-report measure that reflects personality traits, as theorized by Kernberg.

METHODS

In study 1, the Japanese version of the IPO was distributed to a population of Japanese university students (N = 701). The students were randomly divided into two groups. The factor structure derived from an exploratory factor analysis among one subsample was tested using a confirmatory factor structure among another subsample. In study 2, the factor-driven subscales of the IPO were correlated with other variables that would function as external criteria to validate the scale in a combined population of the students used in study 1 and psychiatric outpatients (N = 177).

RESULTS

In study 1 the five-factor structure presented by the original authors was replicated in exploratory factor analyses in one subgroup of students. However, this was through reduction of the number of items (the number of the primary items was reduced from 57 to 24 whereas the number of the additional items was reduced from 26 to 13) due to low endorsement frequencies as well as low factor loadings on a designated factor. The new factor structure was endorsed by a confirmatory factor analysis in the other student subgroup. In study 2 the new five subscales of the Japanese IPO were likely to be correlated with younger age, more personality psychopathology (borderline and narcissistic), more dysphoric mood, less psychological well-being, more insecure adult attachment style, lower self-efficacy, and more frequent history of childhood adversity. The IPO scores were found to predict the increase in suicidal ideation in a week's time in a longitudinal follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Although losing more than 40% of the original items, the Japanese IPO may be a reliable and valid measure of Kernberg's personality organisation for Japanese populations.