Cultural Contributors to Ego-Resiliency and Associations with Depressive Problems in Midwestern Latino Youth

How Latine youth's positive development unfold through farmwork in rural migrant farmworker families in the U.S. Midwest

Some Latine youth from rural migrant farmworker communities engage in farmwork to help support themselves and their families. Although research has documented their motives for working and some characteristics of their employment, knowledge about how these youth construct their work in the fields and how such experiences relate to their positive development is needed to depict their holistic experiences. Using mixed methods, we explored youth's farmwork experiences and examined how these experiences relate to youth's prosocial behaviors, civic responsibility, and ego-resiliency. Data are from a mixed-method study of Latine youth and parents in rural and agricultural families in the U.S. Midwest. The present study uses qualitative data from a subsample of 47 youth (Mage = 11.42, 48.8% boys) who participated in interviews and survey activities. Thematic coding of the interviews revealed sociocognitive, socioemotional, skilled-related, and physical experiences, as well as prosocial considerations that included perspective taking, moral reasoning, and empathetic concern. Integrating qualitative and quantitative data showed that these experiences were distinctively associated with higher other-oriented and lower self-oriented prosocial behaviors and higher ego-resiliency. Further, farmworker youth also showed significantly lower civic efficacy, indicating that farmwork may discourage some aspects of civic responsibility. The results can inform policy and program designs on promoting Latine youth's positive development in the face of adversity, such as by highlighting character development and bridging youth engagement with civic spheres.

Self-Other Balance in Context: A Quiet Ego May Be Meaningful and Adaptive in Latinx/Hispanic Cultures and Work Settings

Quiet ego is a relatively novel, increasingly studied, multi-dimensional concept characterized by a compassionate, interdependent worldview and an adaptive balance between self-interest and concern for others. Quiet ego has been associated with a range of characteristics that can promote relationship quality, responding effectively in the face of challenges, and greater well-being. However, it is currently unknown to what extent quiet ego translates across cultures and settings. The present research leverages cultural and organizational theories to evaluate the conceptual and structural validity of quiet ego for Latinx/Hispanic individuals in the U.S. and to examine relationships among quiet ego, work supervisor relationship quality, and goals in the workplace. Employed college student participants (n = 831; nLatinx/Hispanic = 305) completed an online survey, and collected data were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis. Findings confirmed the overall structural model of quiet ego with four primary dimensions (perspective taking, inclusive identity, detached awareness, and growth-mindedness) and indicated that this structure did not differ between Latinx/Hispanic and non-Latinx/Hispanic subsamples. Further, results cohered with the proposed model suggesting that quiet ego might facilitate relationship quality with a workplace supervisor, which, in turn could foster balanced, intrinsically motivating perceptions that one's work goals benefit both oneself and others (mutual gain motivation). The study suggests that quiet ego may be a construct with meaning and utility in Latinx/Hispanic populations and in employment settings. However, further research is needed, and specific suggestions for future study are discussed.

Experiences of women living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A pilot case-control, single-cycle, daily Menstrual Cycle Diary study during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects many people and is often distressing. Much medical literature about diagnosis and treatment exists, but little is known about PCOS menstrual cycle-related experiences except that cycles tend to be far-apart and unpredictable. Our purpose was to examine the menstrual cycle and daily life experiences in those with PCOS having approximately month-apart cycles compared with age and BMI-matched cohort controls using data from the Menstruation & Ovulation Study 2 (MOS2) during the first 1.5 years of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We hypothesized that those with PCOS would experience lower self-worth and more negative moods. This is a single-cycle prospective case-control study in community-dwelling women ages 19-35 years. Eight reported physician-diagnosed PCOS and were matched (1:3 ratio) with controls by age (within .6 years) and BMI (within .19 BMI units). Experiences were recorded daily (Menstrual Cycle Diary©, Diary). All kept daily morning temperatures to assess luteal phase lengths by the validated Quantitative Basal Temperature© analysis method. From 112 in MOS2, 32 women were compared: eight with PCOS versus 24 controls. Demographic, socioeconomic, comorbidities and lifestyle variables were not different between the two groups. Cycle lengths were similar in PCOS and controls (one PCOS and control each had oligomenorrhea; most lengths were 21-35 days, P = .593). Unexpectedly, luteal phase lengths were also similar between PCOS and controls (P = .167); anovulation occurred in 5 with PCOS, and in 9 controls. There were no significant Diary differences between the two groups except for greater "outside stress" in the PCOS group (P = .020). In contrast to our hypotheses, there were no significant differences in feelings of self-worth, anxiety nor depression. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was a stressful time for women. MOS2 captured granular menstrual cycles, ovulation and daily experiences in women with PCOS compared with age- and BMI-matched controls. These pilot data in women with milder PCOS are the first of more research required to understand the daily experiences in those living with PCOS.

"Faith Is Not Enough?" Ego-Resiliency and Religiosity as Coping Resources with Pandemic Stress-Mediation Study

Based on the concepts of Pargament's adaptational functions of religiosity, Huber's centrality of religiosity, and Block's conceptualisation of ego-resiliency as psychosocial resources, a nonexperimental, moderated mediation project was designed for a group of 175 women and 57 men who voluntarily participated in an online study to determine whether and to what extent religiosity mediated or moderated the relationship between ego-resiliency and the severity of PTSD and depression during the COVID-19 epidemic. The analyses carried out showed that the studied variables, ego-resiliency and centrality of religiosity, were predictors of the intensity of some psychopathological reactions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic but were not connected via a mediation relationship. Therefore, one question remains open: what is the role of ego-resiliency and the nature of the stated immunogenic effect of the centrality of religiosity in dealing with the critical threat to mental health that is the COVID-19 pandemic?

Familismo neutralizes the effects of discrimination on suicide-related thoughts and behaviors in Latinx young adults

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in rates of suicide-related thoughts and behaviors among Latinx young adults. Given Latinx young adults are one of the fastest growing subgroups in the United States, this raises significant public health concern. Perceived discrimination has consistently been identified as a risk factor and has been positively associated with depressive symptoms, further exacerbating risk for the development of suicide-related thoughts and behaviors. Critical to understanding Latinx mental health is familismo, a core cultural value that entails connectedness, dedication, commitment, and loyalty to family. Moreover, it involves seeking family for advice and support. The current study sought to examine depressive symptoms as mediator for the relation between perceived discrimination and suicide-related thoughts and behaviors while investigating familismo as a moderator in attenuating these relations within a college aged Latinx sample (N = 1037, 75.3% female, Mage = 21, SD = 4.49). Across models, depressive symptoms explained the relation between perceived discrimination and suicide-related thoughts and behaviors (p ≤0.001-0.024) with familismo significantly acting as moderator (p = .009). In exploring the protective effects of an important Latinx cultural value on a growing public health disparity, the current study provides novel insight that may be used to tailor and adapt current intervention and prevention efforts for Latinx young adults at risk for suicide-related thoughts and behaviors.

Anxiety and Depression in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background and Objectives: Mental health disorders are often the consequence of hormonal disorders such as those accompanying polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), where changes in appearance and having to deal with a number of other problems occur due to this illness. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of anxiety and depression symptoms, the level of ego-resiliency, and the ways that women with PCOS cope with stress compared to healthy women in order to determine the influence of socio-demographic characteristics in relation to levels of anxiety and depression with ego-resiliency and stress-coping methods. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in Poland in 2021 and included 230 women with PCOS and 199 healthy controls aged 20-40 years old. The hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADs), ego-resiliency scale, as well as the MINI-COPE inventory were used. Results: The women with PCOS had higher levels of anxiety and depression and poorer ego-resiliency in comparison to the healthy women. The women with PCOS used passive stress-coping strategies significantly more commonly than the healthy women. Living in rural areas, having a lower level of education and being childless increased anxiety levels. Similarly, being over 30, living in a rural area, having a lower level of education, being childless, and being obese increased depression levels in the women with PCOS. A low level of ego-resiliency and passive stress-coping strategies are predictors of high levels of anxiety and depression in women with PCOS. Conclusions: Women with PCOS should be checked for anxiety and depression. They should also be checked to see whether they have the resources to cope with chronic stress in order to optimize therapeutic interventions.

Ego-resiliency moderates the risk of depression and social anxiety symptoms on suicidal ideation in medical students

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the role of protective factors in suicidal ideation among medical students. This study aimed to examine the association between suicidal ideation and protective (self-esteem/ego-resiliency/social support) and risk (depression/social anxiety) factors.

METHODS

Data on sociodemographic factors, depression, social anxiety, self-esteem, ego-resiliency, social support, and current suicidal ideation were collected from 408 medical students. A logistic regression model was constructed to identify the independent impact of potential influencing factors on suicidal ideation. Potential moderating effects were also explored.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight participants (9.3%) reported experiencing suicidal ideation. Younger age, higher levels of depression, social anxiety, and lower levels of self-esteem, ego-resiliency, and social support were found to be significantly correlated with suicidal ideation. In the final model, higher levels of depression and social anxiety were associated with an increased risk of suicidal ideation, while higher levels of self-esteem and social support were associated with a decreased risk of suicidal ideation. Although the independent effect was not significant, the interactions of ego-resiliency with both depression and social anxiety on suicidal ideation were significant. Higher levels of ego-resiliency acted as a buffer against suicidal ideation among those with higher levels of depression or social anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to risk factors, this study revealed the underlying protective and moderating factors of suicidal ideation among medical students. Mental health programs focusing on enhancing ego-resiliency, self-esteem, and social support may contribute to suicide prevention in medical students.

Ego Control Mediates the Effect of Maltreatment on Child Depression

Maltreatment among school-aged children is associated with negative impacts on development and can contribute to the onset of psychological difficulties, including early depressive symptoms. Maltreatment can have devasting consequences, thus it is important to better understand the mechanisms contributing to children's psychological outcomes. Purpose: The objective of this study was to examine children's personality functioning (ego control and ego resiliency) as mediators of the association between substantiated maltreatment and depression. Methods: A total of 300 school-aged children were followed over the course of 3 years in the context of a summer camp (168 maltreated children; 132 non-maltreated children). Maltreatment status was determined through cases referred by the Monroe County Department of Social Services, New York. Ego control and ego resiliency at year 2 (T2), as measured by camp counselors using the California Child Q-Set, were tested as mediators. Children's depressive symptoms were self-reported using the Childhood Depression Inventory at year 3 (T3). A parallel mediation model was tested using Mplus. Results: Maltreatment was not directly associated with depression at either time point, but significantly predicted both mediators. Ego undercontrol significantly predicted increased depressive symptoms at T3, while there was no significant prediction by ego resiliency. Conclusions: These findings point to the longitudinal paths to early depressive symptoms in maltreated children and the mediating effect of children's ego control which could be a target for intervention.

Childhood Resilient Personality Trajectories and Associations with Developmental Trajectories of Behavioral, Social-emotional, and Academic Outcomes across Childhood and Adolescence: A Longitudinal Study Across 12 Years

This study examined the continuity and change of childhood resilient personality (first three years in grade school), and how differential trajectories in resilient personality were dynamically associated with behavioral problems, social-emotional functioning and academic performance across the primary and secondary school years (Grade 1-12). Participants were 784 academically at-risk students predominantly from low SES families (47% girls, 37.4% Latino or Hispanic, 34.1% European American, and 23.2% African American) who were recruited in grade 1 (Mean age = 6.57) and followed annually through the final year of high school (Grade 12). Results revealed three distinct trajectories of childhood resilient personality, including an ego-resilient or flexible group (26.8%), an ego-brittle or inflexible group (21.9%), and an ordinary or common group (49.9%). Children in the ego-brittle group were at a greater risk for sustaining high levels of behavioral problems, low socio-emotional functioning (based on parent and teacher report), and poor academic performance across formal schooling. In contrast, the resilient children exhibited persistently low behavioral problems, high social-emotional functioning, and better academic performance across formal schooling. Findings also indicated that the protective effect of childhood resiliency was sustained even after the transition from childhood to adolescence.

Developmental antecedents of adolescent optimism in rural midwestern U.S. Latinx youth

AIMS

Decades of scientific research have found optimism to have wide-ranging effects on individuals' health and well-being. Researchers have largely examined optimism in adults, but have begun addressing the benefits of optimism in adolescents. Challenges and stressors in adolescence can threaten youths' subjective well-being; therefore, identifying factors that contribute to the growth of optimism could have important health implications. However, researchers have more often examined the effect of optimism on youth outcomes rather than factors that might positively or negatively contribute to the development of optimism.

METHODS

We assessed how salient developmental tasks (resilience, ethnic pride, and school attachment), family stress, and depressive problems individually contribute to Latinx youths' optimism at two time points (N = 123, 58.8% female, M age = 11.54 years).

RESULTS

We found support for associations between both resilience and school attachment and optimism, but findings were weaker across time and with stressors included in the model. Depressive problems also appeared to weaken optimism across time.

CONCLUSION

Given the established links between optimism and health, it will be important for researchers to continue to identify factors that contribute to the development of youth optimism, and assess whether they could be used in interventions to foster optimism.