Effect of a Mindfulness Training Program on the Impulsivity and Aggression Levels of Adolescents with Behavioral Problems in the Classroom

Mindfulness and time perception: A systematic integrative review

Several recent studies have explored the relationships between mindfulness and time perception, an area of research that has become increasingly popular in the last 10-15 years. In this article, we present a systematic integrative review of the evidence on this subject. We also integrate the field's findings into a conceptual framework which considers the multifaceted nature of both mindfulness, and time perception research. To identify the relevant literature, we searched the following databases using relevant keywords: PsycINFO; Medline; EBSCO Host Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection; and Web of Science. These searches were last performed on the 4th of May 2022, and additional hand searches were also conducted. To be included, articles had to be in English and contain original data about the potential relationship(s) between mindfulness and time perception. Articles which did not present usable data about the relationship(s) between the variables of interest were excluded. In total, 47 research articles were included in the review (combined sample size of ∼5800 participants). Risks of bias in the selected studies were evaluated using two separate assessment tools designed for this purpose. Through an integrative narrative synthesis, this article reviews how mindfulness may relate to time perception for various reference frames, and for various time perception measures and methods. It also provides new insights by exploring how a wide range of findings can be integrated into a coherent whole, in light of some relevant time perception models and mindfulness theories. Altogether, the reviewed data suggest the existence of complex and multifaceted relationships between mindfulness and time perception, highlighting the importance of considering many factors when planning research or interpreting data in this field. Limitations of the current review include the scarceness of data for certain categories of findings, and the relatively low prevalence of studies with a randomized controlled design in the source literature. This research was partly funded by a grant from the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

Distal and proximal risk factors of problematic cannabis use associated with psychotic-like experiences

BACKGROUND

Problematic cannabis use is associated with endorsement of psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) in non-clinical samples. However, little is known in regard to predictors of this relationship, which may be relevant to prevention and intervention. In the present research, we investigate impulsivity and cannabis use motives as potential distal and proximal risk factors for PLEs using conditional process analysis.

METHODS

Using an online cross-sectional survey of N = 300 students, we assessed endorsement of PLEs using the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE), problematic cannabis use with the Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test (CUDIT-R), motivations for using cannabis with the Substance Use Motives Measure, and impulsivity using the Urgency and Premeditation, Perseverance, Sensation Seeking, Positive Urgency Impulsive Behaviour Scale (UPPS-P).

RESULTS

All three subscales on the CAPE were associated with significantly higher scores on the CUDIT-R. Before and after covarying for sex, we found that higher CUDIT-R scores mediated the relations between lack of perseverance and negative urgency impulsivity with higher PLE symptoms. Furthermore, the indirect effect of cannabis use on the relationship between lack of perseverance and high negative PLE symptoms was only significant at high and moderate levels of depression-coping, but not at low depression-coping motives.

CONCLUSION

Impulsivity and depression-coping motives may be distal and proximal psychological risk factors for negative PLEs in the context of problematic cannabis use. Our findings are in line with the broader substance use and mental health literature and may be informative for cannabis use treatment targets.

The mediating effect of attentional impulsivity between mindfulness and problematic smartphone use

OBJECTIVE

Problematic smartphone use has been linked to lower levels of mindfulness, impaired attentional function, and higher impulsivity. This study aimed to identify the psychological mechanisms of problematic smartphone use by exploring the relationship between addictive smartphone use, mindfulness, attentional function and impulsivity.

METHODS

Ninety participants were evaluated with the smartphone addiction proneness scale and classified into the problematic smartphone use group (n = 42; 24 women; mean age: 27.6 ± 7.2 years) or normal use group (n = 48; 22 women; mean age: 30.1 ± 5.7 years). All participants completed self-report questionnaires evaluating their trait impulsivity and mindfulness and attention tests that assessed selective, sustained and divided attention. We compared the variables between the groups and explored the relationship between mindfulness, attentional function, impulsivity and addictive smartphone use through mediation analysis.

RESULTS

The problematic smartphone use group showed higher trait impulsivity and lower mindfulness than the normal use group. There were no significant group differences in performance on attention tests. Levels of addictive smartphone use were significantly correlated with higher levels of trait impulsivity and lower levels of mindfulness, but not with performance on attention tests. Mediation analysis showed that acting with awareness, an aspect of mindfulness, reduces the degree of addictive smartphone use through attentional impulsivity, one of the trait impulsivity.

CONCLUSION

Acting without sufficient awareness could influence addictive smartphone use by mediating attentional impulsivity. This supports that executive control deficits, reflected in high attentional impulsivity, contribute to problematic smartphone use. Our findings imply that mindfulness-based interventions can enhance executive control over smartphone use by promoting awareness.

Does mindfulness moderate the association between impulsivity and well-being in Lebanese university students?

Limited evidence showed that impulsivity is negatively related to life satisfaction and wellbeing; however, the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear. We aimed through this work to investigate the relationship between impulsivity dimensions and well-being and to explore the moderator role of mindfulness on this relationship in a sample of Lebanese university students. This cross-sectional study was carried out among 363 university students recruited through convenience sampling through several universities in Lebanon's governorates. Higher mindfulness was significantly associated with better wellbeing in the models that considered urgency and sensation seeking as independent variables. A lack of premeditation and a lack of perseverance were both inversely associated with well-being. The interaction lack of perseverance by mindfulness was significantly associated with wellbeing; for students who were low in mindfulness, more lack of perseverance was significantly associated with a lower wellbeing. Our study suggested that mindfulness practice may offer a promising avenue for implementing strategies aiming at improving the well-being of students with high levels of impulsivity.

What does metaphoric language say about aggression? The relationships between metaphoric language, impulsivity, and aggression

Aggressive behavior among adolescents has been identified as a serious worldwide problem, especially when combined with trait impulsivity. This study investigates the impact of an overlooked aspect of language, namely, metaphor comprehension, on impulsivity and aggression in adolescents. A total of 204 adolescents completed self-reported questionnaires assessing impulsivity and aggression and underwent tests assessing familiar and less familiar metaphor comprehension. The findings reveal inverse relationships between metaphor comprehension and both impulsivity and aggression. Regarding aggression, notable distinctions were observed in the correlations between familiar and less familiar metaphors with specific aggression types. Additionally, impulsivity was found to mediate the relationship between the comprehension of familiar metaphors and aggression. These results are elucidated in the context of cognitive and executive functions, emphasizing the significance of considering metaphor comprehension as a cognitive process capable of modulating aggressive behavior.

Mindful Coping Power Effects on Children's Autonomic Nervous System Functioning and Long-Term Behavioral Outcomes

Mindful Coping Power (MCP) was developed to enhance the effects of the Coping Power (CP) preventive intervention on children's reactive aggression by integrating mindfulness training into CP. In prior pre-post analyses in a randomized trial of 102 children, MCP improved children's self-reported anger modulation, self-regulation, and embodied awareness relative to CP but had fewer comparative effects on parent- and teacher-reported observable behavioral outcomes, including reactive aggression. It was hypothesized that MCP-produced improvements in children's internal awareness and self-regulation, if maintained or strengthened over time with ongoing mindfulness practice, would yield improvements in children's observable prosocial and reactive aggressive behavior at later time points. To appraise this hypothesis, the current study examined teacher-reported child behavioral outcomes at a one-year follow-up. In the current subsample of 80 children with one-year follow-up data, MCP produced a significant improvement in children's social skills and a statistical trend for a reduction in reactive aggression compared with CP. Further, MCP produced improvements in children's autonomic nervous system functioning compared with CP from pre- to post-intervention, with a significant effect on children's skin conductance reactivity during an arousal task. Mediation analyses found that MCP-produced improvements in inhibitory control at post-intervention mediated program effects on reactive aggression at the one-year follow-up. Within-person analyses with the full sample (MCP and CP) found that improvements in respiratory sinus arrhythmia reactivity were associated with improvements in reactive aggression at the one-year follow-up. Together, these findings indicate that MCP is an important new preventive tool to improve embodied awareness, self-regulation, stress physiology, and observable long-term behavioral outcomes in at-risk youth. Further, children's inhibitory control and autonomic nervous system functioning emerged as key targets for preventive intervention.

Tri-process model of interpersonal mindfulness: theoretical framework and study protocol

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, over 14% of the US population practice mindfulness meditation. The effects of mindfulness training on physical and mental health have been consistently documented, but its effects on interpersonal relationships are not yet fully understood or investigated. Interpersonal relationships play a crucial role in the wellbeing of individuals and society, and therefore, warrants further study. The aim of this paper is to present a tri-process theoretical model of interpersonal mindfulness and a study protocol to validate the proposed model. Specifically, according to the proposed model, mindfulness meditation training increases the self-awareness, self-regulation, and prosociality of those receiving the training, which ameliorates the quality of interpersonal interactions and the socioemotional support provided to other individuals. Finally, better socioemotional support increases the support receiver's ability to regulate their emotions. Using a multiphasic longitudinal design involving 640 participants randomized into 480 dyads, the proposed protocol aims to validate the tri-process model and to investigate its mechanisms of actions. The proposed study has important theoretical and social implications and will allow devising new and more effective interpersonal mindfulness programs with applications in multiple fields.

Influence of Mindfulness on Levels of Impulsiveness, Moods and Pre-Competition Anxiety in Athletes of Different Sports

Training in emotional regulation skills is one of the most important resources for the adaptation of athletes to contexts of sports pressure, especially during competitions. This study explored the effects of a mindfulness programme (Flow Meditation) on levels of impulsivity, mood and pre-competition anxiety-state in a sample of athletes (N = 41, 22.83 ± 5.62 years). Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (N = 21; 14 males and 7 females) which received the intervention over 10 weeks (a weekly session) and a control group (wait-list; N = 20; 13 males and 7 females). The variables under study were assessed through different questionnaires at pre- and post-test (T1-T2) in both groups. The mindfulness intervention was effective in reducing impulsivity (cognitive (t = -4.48, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.40), both motor (t = -4.03, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.20) and unplanned (t = -5.32, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.66)), mood (tension (t = -4.40, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.37), depression (t = -4.56, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.42), anger (t = -7.80, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 2.47), somatic anxiety (t = -5.28, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.65), and cognitive anxiety (t = -6.62, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 2.07) in the intervention group compared to the control group and with large to very large effect sizes. Mindfulness is a factor that enhances athletes' ability to cope with high sport pressure and the healthy management of competition (e.g., fear of failure), or with their daily life.

Susceptibility to prosocial and antisocial influence in adolescence following mindfulness training

Mindfulness training programmes have shown to encourage prosocial behaviours and reduce antisocial tendencies in adolescents. However, less is known about whether training affects susceptibility to prosocial and antisocial influence. The current study investigated the effect of mindfulness training (compared with an active control) on self-reported prosocial and antisocial tendencies and susceptibility to prosocial and antisocial influence. 465 adolescents aged 11-16 years were randomly allocated to one of two training programmes. Pre- and post-training, participants completed a social influence task. Self-reported likelihood of engaging in prosocial and antisocial behaviours did not change post-training, and regardless of training group, participants showed a higher propensity for prosocial influence than for antisocial influence. Finally, participants were less influenced by antisocial ratings following both training programmes.

College students' exercise experience and aggression during COVID-19: A chain mediating model

AIM

This study aimed to explore to how exercise experience affects the aggression of college students and the mediating effects of mood and exercise attitude in COVID-19.

METHODS

A questionnaire survey [The Subjective Exercise Experience Scale (SEES); Profile of Mood State (POMS); Exercise Attitude Scale; and Aggression Questionnaire (AQ)] was conducted among 1,006 college students.

RESULTS

Exercise experience had a significant effect on aggression. The direct effect of exercise well-being was not significant, but indirectly affected the aggression through independent mediation and chain mediation of mood and exercise attitude. The direct effect of exercise distress was not significant, but indirectly affected the aggression through independent mediation and chain mediation of mood and exercise attitude.

CONCLUSION

Mood and exercise attitude are powerful factors to alleviate the impact of exercise experience on aggression during the pandemic. Actively adjusting the mood and exercise attitude from a cognitive perspective may be an effective way to promote college students' physical exercise and reduce aggression.

Effectiveness of aggression management training (AMT) on self‐esteem, impulsivity, and aggressive behavior among adolescents residing in delinquent homes—A feasibility study from east India

PURPOSE

This feasibility study examined the aggression management training (AMT) interventions on self-esteem, impulsivity, and aggressive behavior among adolescents residing in delinquent or observation homes.

METHODS

A quantitative research approach with the quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group (comparison) pretest and Posttest design was adopted. A total of 32 male adolescents (16 each in experimental and comparison groups) residing in two different observation homes in the state of Bihar, India were selected by convenience sampling technique. The study evaluated the following outcome measures: self-esteem, impulsivity, and aggressive behavior for both groups at baseline and 1 month. AMT was administered to the experimental group bi-weekly for 4 weeks covering four components in 8 sessions.

RESULTS

We analysed the data with independent and paired t-tests for between and within the group differences, and Pearson correlation for a relationship. AMT intervention improved self-esteem and reduced aggressive behavior and impulsivity among adolescents residing in delinquent homes. A correlation was found between aggression and impulsivity, and between self-esteem and impulsivity.

PSYCHIATRIC NURSING IMPLICATIONS

The study had provided initial evidence for practice that can help psychiatric nurses significantly implement these types of interventions among significant, vulnerable, and ignored groups of adolescents detained in observation homes to prevent the occurrence of repeat offenses.

Are mindful people less aggressive? The role of emotion regulation in the relations between mindfulness and aggression

Inducing mindfulness has shown a promising effect on reducing aggression in both clinical and nonclinical populations, possibly because mindfulness can improve emotion regulation. The present study examined the association between mindfulness and aggression through potential mediating effects of several emotion regulation strategies. University and community samples of U.S. adults completed questionnaires on mindfulness, emotion regulation strategies, and trait aggression. Results indicate that mindfulness was associated with rumination and expressive suppression, which mediated the mindfulness-aggression relationship. Most facets of mindfulness were unrelated to the use of reflection and cognitive reappraisal. The nonjudging of experience facet of mindfulness was negatively related to hostility through rumination and expressive suppression. In contrast, the observing mindfulness facet was positively related to verbal aggression and hostility; these relations were mediated by rumination and expressive suppression.

Aversive Pavlovian inhibition in adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and its restoration by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy

Background

Control over the tendency to make or withhold responses guided by contextual Pavlovian information plays a key role in understanding impulsivity and hyperactivity. Here we set out to assess (1) the understudied relation between contextual Pavlovian inhibitory control and hyperactivity/impulsivity in adults with ADHD and (2) whether this inhibition can be enhanced by mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT).

Methods

Within the framework of a randomized controlled trial 50 Adult ADHD patients were assessed before and after 8 weeks of treatment as usual (TAU) with (n = 24) or without (n = 26) MBCT. We employed a well-established behavioral Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer task that quantifies Pavlovian inhibitory control over instrumental behavior.

Results

Task results revealed (1) less aversive Pavlovian inhibition in ADHD patients with clinically relevant hyperactivity/impulsivity than in those without; and (2) enhanced Pavlovian inhibition across all ADHD patients after TAU+MBCT compared with TAU.

Conclusion

These findings offer new insights in the neurocognitive mechanisms of hyperactivity/impulsivity in ADHD and its treatment: We reveal a role for Pavlovian inhibitory mechanisms in understanding hyperactive/impulsive behaviors in ADHD and point toward MBCT as an intervention that might influence these mechanisms.

Self-care among persons with heart failure: Examining the impact of mindfulness and impulsivity using conditional process analysis

BACKGROUND

According to the literature, self-care in persons with heart failure is inadequate. Such inadequate levels of self-care necessitate a thorough investigation of the potential predictors.

PURPOSE

To: (a) determine the level of self-care among persons with heart failure in Jordan; (b) determine the relationship between mindfulness, impulsivity, and self-care among persons with heart failure; (c) investigate the potential moderation effect of impulsivity on the relationship between mindfulness and self-care.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted. A convenience sample of 100 persons with heart failure in an outpatient clinic at King Abdullah University Hospital was recruited. The following tools were used to collect the data via phone survey: Self-Care of Heart Failure Index, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale.

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 78 male and 22 female persons with heart failure. The effect of mindfulness was statistically significant only on self-care symptom perception, and not significant on other aspects of self-care. Impulsivity moderated only the effect of mindfulness on self-care symptom perception. Correlation analysis showed a significant relationship between mindfulness and impulsivity (r = -.532, p < .01).

CONCLUSION

Mindfulness is likely to improve at least one aspect of self-care (self-care symptom perception) and reduce impulsivity among heart failure persons.

A systematic review of neural, cognitive, and clinical studies of anger and aggression

Anger and aggression have large impact on people's safety and the society at large. In order to provide an intervention to minimise aggressive behaviours, it is important to understand the neural and cognitive aspects of anger and aggression. In this systematic review, we investigate the cognitive and neural aspects of anger-related processes, including anger-related behaviours and anger reduction. Using this information, we then review prior existing methods on the treatment of anger-related disorders as well as anger management, including mindfulness and cognitive behavioural therapy. At the cognitive level, our review that anger is associated with excessive attention to anger-related stimuli and impulsivity. At the neural level, anger is associated with abnormal functioning of the amygdala and ventromedial prefrontal cortex. In conclusions, based on cognitive and neural studies, we here argue that mindfulness based cognitive behavioural therapy may be better at reducing anger and aggression than other behavioural treatments, such as cognitive behavioural therapy or mindfulness alone. We provide key information on future research work and best ways to manage anger and reduce aggression. Importantly, future research should investigate how anger related behaviours is acquired and how stress impacts the development of anger.

A single-arm open-label pilot study of brief mindfulness meditation to control impulsivity in Parkinson’s disease

Background

Impulse control disorders are detrimental neuropsychiatric symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Increased impulsivity is a predisposing factor for impulse control disorders and should therefore be controlled. Recently, mindfulness meditation as a non-drug therapy has been reported to be useful in improving neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as impulsivity.

Methods

We performed a prospective single-arm, open-label pilot trial to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation to control impulsivity in patients with Parkinson’s disease (UMIN clinical trials registry: UMIN000037779).

Results

Twenty patients with Parkinson’s disease were enrolled in an 8-week mindfulness meditation program. As a primary outcome, we investigated whether the score of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) was significantly reduced after the intervention. As an exploratory examination, functional connectivity changes were also assessed by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. After the intervention, the BIS-11 score was decreased from 59.5 [55.6, 63.3] (mean [95% confidence interval]) to 55.2 [50.3, 60.1] (ΔBIS-11: -4.2, [-7.5, -0.9]). Functional connectivity was increased in the default mode network (DMN) at a cluster including the precuneus, posterior cingulate gyrus, and left posterior lobe (false discovery rate-adjusted p [FDR-p] = 0.046) and in the right frontoparietal network (FPN) at the medial frontal lobe (FDR-p = 0.039).

Conclusions

This open-label, single-arm pilot study provided preliminary data for mindfulness meditation to control the impulsivity of patients with PD. A brief mindfulness meditation program may be effective in controlling impulsivity in PD and may change the functional connectivity of the DMN and right FPN.

Does mindfulness reduce trolling? The relationship between trait mindfulness and online trolling: The mediating role of anger rumination and the moderating role of online disinhibition

BACKGROUND

Online trolling is a highly prevalent online antisocial behaviour that has recently received increasing attention because of its potentially destructive consequences. The current study aimed to examine whether trait mindfulness was negatively related to online trolling and whether anger rumination mediated this relationship. We further examined whether online disinhibition moderated the direct and indirect relation between trait mindfulness and online trolling.

METHODS

A total of 1303 Chinese college students completed the measurements of trait mindfulness, anger rumination, online disinhibition, and online trolling. Moderated mediation analysis was performed to examine the relationships between these variables.

RESULTS

After controlling for sex, the results showed that trait mindfulness was negatively related to online trolling and that this relationship was partially mediated by anger rumination. Moreover, the effect of anger rumination on online trolling was strengthened when online disinhibition was high.

LIMITATIONS

This study is a cross-sectional study, and causal inferences cannot be drawn.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with trait mindfulness are less likely to ruminate anger and further express less online trolling. Online disinhibition serves as a risk factor for online trolling. Interventions targeting trait mindfulness, anger rumination, and online disinhibition might aid prevention strategies.

Social climate in university classrooms: A mindfulness-based educational intervention

There is a limited number of studies on the impact of mindfulness-based interventions on university students and their positive effect on collective experiences of shared flow. The aim of the present study was to explore the effectiveness of mindfulness training in terms of reducing stress and enhancing well-being, experiences of shared flow and classroom climate (engagement and affiliation). The intervention and control groups were matched by age and sex (n = 125; M = 20.71, SD = 4.60, 68% women). The intervention group comprised mindfulness exercises performed in the classroom over the course of 7 weeks. The principal variables were measured at pretest and posttest, and shared flow was also measured in the intervention group. In comparison with the control group, statistically significant differences were observed in the intervention group in relation to mindfulness, perceived stress, and classroom climate (affiliation). Furthermore, the perception of shared flow among students increased from the beginning to the end of the program. Mindfulness skills were found to mediate improvements in perceived well-being and stress. It is concluded that mindfulness practice can turn learning into a challenging and shared task. The study highlights the importance of fostering programs that enhance the development of competencies related to mindfulness among university students.

Testing the Efficacy of ‘Unlearning’, a Mindfulness and Compassion-Based Programme for Cultivating Nonviolence in Teenagers: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Background: Most programmes developed to reduce aggressive attitudes among teenagers are based on cultivating nonviolence, a construct that has been related to compassion and, more indirectly, mindfulness. This study aims at testing the efficacy of ‘Unlearning’, a mindfulness and compassion-based programme, for reducing aggressive attitudes in adolescents.

Method: A sample of 164 students from three high schools in Zaragoza (Spain) participated in the study. They were randomly assigned to (1) ‘Unlearning’, or (2) relaxation programme. Three assessment points were established: baseline, post-treatment and a 4-month follow-up. The outcome variables were the subscales of the ‘Attitudes Toward Social Aggression Scale’. Mindfulness and compassion were assessed as secondary outcomes.

Results: ‘Unlearning’ did not produce changes in the primary outcomes, but significant effects were observed post-treatment in self-compassion; and in the follow-up, in self-compassion and mindfulness. The control group did not experience any change post-treatment, but a significant effect in mindfulness was observed in the follow-up. The intergroup analyses indicated that ‘Unlearning’ improved self-compassion, both post-treatment (t = −2.48, p = 0.014) and after 4-months (t = −2.03, p = 0.044), although these results were not statistically significant after correcting for multiple comparisons.

Conclusion: ‘Unlearning’ did not produce significant reductions in aggressive attitudes compared to the control group. The low baseline levels may have hindered the efficacy of the interventions. ‘Unlearning’ showed potential to improve self-compassion, which is related to nonviolence, and this may have positive implications for the adolescents. Future interventions should include teachers and families to enhance the effectiveness of the programmes.

Relevance of the dual systems model for predicting drug/alcohol dependence in early adulthood among previously adjudicated young adults

BACKGROUND

While the dual system model has been found to have utility for predicting drug use, examinations have yet to extend to the clinically relevant issue of drug/alcohol dependence. This study sought to provide better understanding of how the dual systems model constructs (impulse control and sensation-seeking) predicted risk for drug/alcohol dependence in early adulthood among a sample of young adults who were adjudicated for a serious offense as minors.

METHODS

Data from several waves of the Pathways to Desistance data were used in analyses. Logistic regression was used to model covariate effects on drug/alcohol dependence risk.

RESULTS

Findings indicated that lower impulse control predicted increased odds of meeting criteria for drug/alcohol dependence in early adulthood. Sensation-seeking was not a significant predictor of drug/alcohol dependence risk at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower impulse control was predictive of drug/alcohol dependence risk. Prevention programming should seek to boost impulse control during adolescence to mitigate this risk and treatment programming should focus on impulse control training in order to treat drug/alcohol dependence in inpatient and outpatient contexts.

Mindful Coping Power: Comparative Effects on Children's Reactive Aggression and Self-Regulation

Coping Power (CP) is an evidence-based preventive intervention for youth with disruptive behavior problems. This study examined whether Mindful Coping Power (MCP), a novel adaptation which integrates mindfulness into CP, enhances program effects on children’s reactive aggression and self-regulation. A pilot randomized design was utilized to estimate the effect sizes for MCP versus CP in a sample of 102 child participants (fifth grade students, predominantly low-middle income, 87% Black). MCP produced significantly greater improvement in children’s self-reported dysregulation (emotional, behavioral, cognitive) than CP, including children’s perceived anger modulation. Small to moderate effects favoring MCP were also observed for improvements in child-reported inhibitory control and breath awareness and parent-reported child attentional capacity and social skills. MCP did not yield a differential effect on teacher-rated reactive aggression. CP produced a stronger effect than MCP on parent-reported externalizing behavior problems. Although MCP did not enhance program effects on children’s reactive aggression as expected, it did have enhancing effects on children’s internal, embodied experiences (self-regulation, anger modulation, breath awareness). Future studies are needed to compare MCP and CP in a large scale, controlled efficacy trial and to examine whether MCP-produced improvements in children’s internal experiences lead to improvements in their observable behavior over time.

The mediating effects of adolescents’ internalizing and externalizing problems on the relationship between emotion regulation, mindfulness and bullying/victimization at school

The aim of this study was two-fold: to investigate the relationship between emotion regulation, dispositional mindfulness and bullying/victimization experiences at school, and to examine the mediating effects of internalizing and externalizing problems on this relationship. Self-reports measuring the above variables were completed by 444 adolescents (mean age 15.3) who attended high school in Cyprus. Data were collected at three points in time. Specifically, data were collected during the second week of October, 2018 (T1), the third week of January, 2019 (T2) and the first week of June, 2019 (T3). It was found that mindfulness at T1 had a significant negative effect on both internalizing and externalizing symptoms and through these variables, it had an indirect negative effect on both bullying and victimization at T3. Similarly, adaptive emotion regulation at T1 had an indirect effect on victimization, fully mediated by internalizing problems. In contrast, maladaptive emotion regulation had a positive, direct effect on both bullying and victimization.

The dual mediating roles of impulsivity and emotion regulation of the borderline personality disorder-violence relationship: A structural equation modeling approach

Although the past research has indicated that features of borderline personality disorder (BPD) increase the risk for violence, much less research has examined the mediators of this relationship. This study examined the mediating roles that impulsivity and emotion dysregulation may play in explaining the relationship between BPD and violence. The Pathways to Desistance data were used in analyses. Generalized structural equation modeling was used to estimate the direct effect of BPD features on violent offending risk and to examine the mediating roles of emotion dysregulation and impulsivity. Results indicated that the direct effect of BPD symptoms on violence was mediated to non-significance by key constructs, and the magnitude of the effect was reduced by around 40%. The total indirect effect was significant, and the mediation was attributed mainly to impulsivity. This indicates the importance of structuring treatment programming for BPD patients around impulsivity for reducing violence. Programming focused on improving impulsivity among individuals suffering from BPD may aid in reducing violent offending among this population, particularly those prior histories of involvement with the criminal justice system.

Correlations of impulsivity and aggressive behaviours among adolescents in Shanghai, China using bioecological model: cross-sectional data from Global Early Adolescent Study

OBJECTIVE

To examine the correlations between impulsivity and aggressive behaviours among Chinese adolescents.

DESIGN

A school-based cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Three primary middle schools located in less developed communities of Shanghai.

PARTICIPANTS

1524 adolescents aged 11-16 years.

MEASURES

The impulsivity was measured by Barratt Impulsivity Scale, and the aggressive behaviours were determined by self-reports. Data were collected through computer-assisted self-interview using tablets. Multivariate Firth logistic regression model was conducted to examine correlations between total, attentional, motor, and non-planning impulsivity and aggressive behaviours, respectively.

RESULTS

Totally, 7.48% of participants reported aggressive behaviours toward others during the past 6 months. The proportion of aggressors among boys and girls was 10.60% and 4.18%, respectively. Results of the multivariate regression suggested the risk of aggressive behaviours was significantly increased among those with the highest tertile of total impulsivity (adjusted OR (aOR)_boys=3.14, 95% CI: 1.48 to 6.65; aOR_girls=3.74, 95% CI: 1.10 to 12.76) and motor impulsivity (aOR_boys=2.91, 95% CI: 1.46 to 5.82; aOR_girls=3.57, 95% CI: 1.25 to 10.20.), comparing with those with the lowest tertile, for boys and girls, respectively. Besides, younger age, lower social cohesion and being bullied within 6 months were associated with a higher risk of aggressive behaviours among girls. Less family caring and being bullied within 6 months were associated with the risk among boys.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study indicates a positive association between impulsivity and aggressive behaviours, with a more salient correlation between motor impulsivity subtrait and aggressive behaviour among both boys and girls. Furthermore, adolescents' aggressive behaviours were affected by multiple factors from individuals, family, peers and community. Comprehensive intervention strategies such as controlling the aggressor's impulsivity, helping them better channel their anger, creating a better family, school and neighbourhood environment, and providing support and services for victims of violence are needed.

The effect of mindfulness-based therapy on psychiatric symptoms, psychological well-being, and pain beliefs in patients with lumbar disk herniation

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to determine the impact of mindfulness-based therapy on psychiatric symptoms, psychological well-being, and pain beliefs in patients with lumbar disk hernia.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The study was a nonrandomized pretest-posttest controlled quasi-experimental research and carried out in a total of 64 patients. A personal information form, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, the Psychological Well-Being Scale, and the Pain Beliefs Scale were used for data collection.

FINDINGS

We observed a statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of the posttest mean scores of the psychiatric symptoms, psychological well-being, and pain beliefs.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The results revealed that mindfulness-based therapy has a positive impact on pain beliefs and psychological well-being.

Predicción del rendimiento académico a través de la práctica de relajación-meditación-mindfulness y el desarrollo de competencias emocionales

Este estudio tiene un doble objetivo, por un lado, conocer las relaciones existentes entre REMIND (relajación, meditación y mindfulness) competencia emocional (CE) y rendimiento académico (RA) en adolescentes; por el otro, analizar si la CE hace el rol de mediador entre REMIND y RA. La muestra se compone de 1 120 estudiantes de educación secundaria y bachillerato (51.96% mujeres) con una media de edad de 14.27 (DE =1.64). El análisis estadístico consistió fundamentalmente en comprobar la adecuación de las variables en cada uno de los modelos de ecuación estructural propuestos. En primer lugar, se calcularon los modelos de medida para después calcular los modelos SEM. Los resultados mostraron unas buenas relaciones entre variables y unos indicadores de ajuste aceptables para los modelos de medida. Así mismo, en el modelo global la CE aparece también como mediador entre REMIND y RA. Se concluye que las influencias en el RA ejercidas por REMIND en los modelos analizados son indirectas, a través de las competencias emocionales. Como conclusión, se destaca la conveniencia de que los docentes ejerciten en el aula programas o, al menos, ejercicios de REMIND para potenciar las competencias emocionales del alumnado y mejorar su RA.

A quasi-experimental pilot study to the effects of Responsive Aggression Regulation Therapy (Re-ART) Outpatient for young adults

It is important to provide treatment for juvenile and young adult violent offenders, since no or (too) late treatment increases the risk of recidivism and persistent aggressive behavior in adulthood. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of the intervention Responsive Aggression Regulation Therapy (Re-ART) Outpatient, which has been developed for adolescents and young adults between 16 and 24 years old with severe aggression problems. This quasi-experimental (pilot) study compared the effects of Re-ART Outpatient (n = 47) with a control group (n = 29) receiving treatment as usual on measures regarding risk of violent recidivism, impulsivity, emotional/personal functioning, family functioning, motivation, handling anger, self-reported problem behavior, coping skills, and cognitive distortions. Re-ART showed significantly better results than the control group on risk of violent recidivism, impulsivity, emotional/personal functioning, motivation, handling anger, certain coping skills, and certain cognitive distortions. Family functioning and self-reported rule-breaking behavior did not differ significantly between the groups. The results implicate that Re-ART is a promising outpatient intervention for young adults with severe aggressive behavior. The results can be explained by the fact that Re-ART treats both systemically and individually and pays specific attention to stress reduction and the improvement of executive functions.

Suicide risk factors across suicidal ideators, single suicide attempters, and multiple suicide attempters

Few studies have compared the three suicidality groups-suicidal ideators (SIs), single suicide attempters (SSAs), and multiple suicide attempters (MSAs)-in relation to the suicidal process. This cross-sectional study investigated trends and differences in suicide risk factors across suicidality groups. Using the baseline data of the Korean Cohort for the Model Predicting a Suicide and Suicide-related Behavior, we analyzed trends (Jonckheere-Terpstra or Mantel-Haenszel χ² test) and differences (analysis of covariance or logistic regression) in sociodemographic and clinical factors, psychiatric diagnoses, as well as clinical rating scores on psychopathology (suicidal ideation, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and problem drinking), trait impulsiveness, and stress across suicidality groups. Across suicidality groups comprising 193 SIs, 207 SSAs, and 376 MSAs, we observed a decreasing trend in age and increasing trends in history of early trauma, familial histories of suicide attempts and suicide, most diagnoses and psychopathologies (suicidal ideation, anxiety symptoms, and problem drinking), trait impulsiveness, and stress-with MSAs more likely to have histories of early trauma and familial suicide, almost uniformly higher proportions of diagnoses, and higher psychopathology rating scores. Overall, increasing trends in suicide risk factors were found across all suicidality groups. Notably, MSAs presented greater proportions of most psychiatric diagnoses and higher degrees of most psychopathologies, motor impulsiveness, and stress, indicating they were at more severe clinical states and were closer to suicide. Mental health professionals should ascertain the number of suicide attempts to identify MSAs, implement more thorough evaluations, and employ additional measures for reducing motor impulsiveness.

Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle through Mindfulness in University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The present study explored the effects of a second-generation mindfulness-based intervention known as flow meditation (Meditación-Fluir) in the improvement of healthy life behaviors. A sample of university students (n = 51) in Spain were randomly assigned to a seven-week mindfulness treatment or a waiting list control group. Results showed that compared to the control group, individuals in the mindfulness group demonstrated significant improvements across all outcome measures including healthy eating habits (balanced diet, intake rate, snacking between meals, decrease in consumption by negative emotional states, increased consumption by negative emotional states, amount of consumption, meal times, consumption of low-fat products), tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis consumption, and resting habits. There were differences between males and females in some of these variables and a better effect of the treatment was evident in the females of the experimental group when compared to the males. The flow meditation program shows promise for fostering a healthy lifestyle, thus decreasing behaviors related to maladaptive eating, tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis consumption as well as negative rest habits in university students. This mindfulness program could significantly contribute to the treatment of eating disorders and addictions, wherein negative emotional states and impulsivity are central features of the condition.

Latent Profiles of Anxious Children and Their Differences in Aggressive Behavior

Children tend to develop forms of anxiety that can be associated with school violence. However, the previous scientific literature on anxiety and aggression is scarce. In addition, it has only focused on examining differential relationships between both variables. This study aimed to analyze the relationships between three forms of anxiety (anticipatory anxiety, school-based performance anxiety, and generalized anxiety) and the components of aggression (physical and verbal aggression, anger, and hostility) by adopting a person-centered approach. The sample consisted of 1161 Spanish students from 8 to 11 years old (M = 9.72, SD = 1.14); 46.2% were boys. Informed written consent from the parents or legal guardians was obtained. The Visual Analogue Scale for Anxiety—Revised and the Aggression Questionnaire were used. The latent profile analysis technique identified three profiles of anxious children: Low Anxiety, High School-based Performance Anxiety, and High Anxiety. The High Anxiety group scored significantly higher than the Low Anxiety group in all components of aggression, with effect sizes ranging from moderate to large (d = 0.59 to 0.99). The High Anxiety profile showed significantly higher scores than the high school-based performance anxiety profile only in anger (d = 0.56) and hostility (d = 0.44). The results have relevant implications for practice, since there is evidence that different intervention strategies should be applied according to the risk profile.

Prevalence and factors associated with disruptive behavior among Iranian students during 2015: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Disruptive behavior can have lifetime consequences for youth. Prevention, early identification and treatment of disruptive behavior can improve outcomes for these youth. The purpose of the present study was to assess the prevalence of disruptive behavior among a sample of Iranian youth, and the relationship of disruptive behavior to other psychological phenomena that may be targeted for prevention, early identification and treatment.

METHOD

The sample consisted of 600 high school students (300 boys and 300 girls; ages 15 to 18 years old) selected through multi-stage random sampling in Saveh city, of Iran, in 2015. Questionnaires assessed several phenomena including demographics, life satisfaction, social support, depression, stress, smoking and hopefulness. The Disruptive Behavior Scale was also utilized. Univariate analyses were followed by multiple logistic regressions to examine relations among disruptive behavior and other constructs.

RESULTS

Prevalence of disruptive behavior was 7.5%, in boys and 3.1%, in girls. Mean scores were 22.97 ± 1.17 for boys and 19.15 ± 1.06 for girls, with a significant difference between them (P < 0.05). The results of regression revealed low life satisfaction (OR = 3.75; 95% CI: (2.37-5.91), social support (OR = 0.72; 95% CI: (0.56-0.82) and hopefulness (OR = 0.85; 95% CI: (0.62-0.92); and smoking (OR = 3.65; 95% CI: (2.19-6.06), being male (OR = 2.55; 95% CI: (1.54-4.22), and higher stress (OR = 1.92; 95% CI: (1.60-2.91) and depression (OR = 2.76; 95% CI: (1.82-4.88) were significant factors in predicting disruptive behavior.

CONCLUSION

Disruptive behavior was associted with life satisfaction, smoking, being a boy, social support, hopefulness, stress, and depression. Targeting constructs (e.g., support, stress) associated with disruptive behavior may assist in prevention, early identification and treatment of problem behavior. For example, health promotion programs to increase hopefulness, satisfaction and support, and reduce stress, depression and smoking might be of importance for prevention and treatment of disruptive behavior.

Theoretical Model of Mindful Coping Power: Optimizing a Cognitive Behavioral Program for High-Risk Children and Their Parents by Integrating Mindfulness

This paper describes a theoretical model of Mindful Coping Power, a preventive intervention targeting high-risk children and their parents. Mindful Coping Power integrated mindfulness into Coping Power, an evidence-based cognitive behavioral intervention. Reactive aggression is emotionally driven, impulsive, and often referred to as being "hot-blooded." It has been resistant to change, given the high level of emotional arousal and impulsive angry outbursts. Our premise is that mindfulness impacts the mechanisms of reactive aggression-attentional, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional dysregulation. Also in the model are parents who exhibit emotionally charged interactions with their child. Mindful parenting focuses on parents' own emotional self-regulation and being fully present with their child. Our model sets the stage for incorporating mindfulness into existing interventions, thereby optimizing programs and maximizing effects.

Mindfulness, impulsivity, and moral disengagement as parameters of bullying and victimization at school

The aim of the present study was to examine the existing association between mindfulness, impulsivity, moral disengagement, and bullying experiences at school. Longitudinal data were collected in three points in time (T1, T2, T3) with 6 months interval between them. Participants were 558 adolescents attending secondary schools in Cyprus, with their ages ranging from 14 to 17 years (M = 15.3; standard deviation = 0.69). Through structural equation modeling, it was found that mindfulness at T1 had a significant negative effect on both impulsivity and moral disengagement at T2 and these, in turn, had a positive effect on bullying and victimization at T3. Thus, mindfulness had an indirect effect on both bullying and victimization, fully mediated by impulsivity and moral disengagement.

Longitudinal cross-lagged analyses between cyberbullying perpetration, mindfulness and depression among Chinese high school students

The aim of this study is to examine the longitudinal relationships between cyberbullying perpetration, mindfulness, and depression among Chinese adolescents. The participants in our study included 1390 high school students who were randomly selected from several secondary schools in east China. Participants completed the Chinese version of Revised Cyber Bullying Inventory-Cyberbullying Subscale, the Chinese version of the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale and the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for Children at two time points (6-month interval). The results found that cyberbullying, mindfulness and depression would predict each other over time. Contributions to theory, limitations in our research and recommendations for future intervention are discussed in this article.

Mindfulness interventions in schools: Integrity and feasibility of implementation

Research on mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) has proliferated in recent years and the integration of mindfulness-based programs in school settings has been at the forefront of implementation research. Recent reviews of studies evaluating the efficacy of school-based mindfulness programs have produced mixed findings, which may in part be due to methodological differences across studies to date, as well as adaptations of MBIs in order to implement them within school settings. For example, there are vast differences across studies in the content, delivery, and training requirements of school-based MBIs, which may influence both fidelity and efficacy. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the literature on the implementation of school-based MBIs and determine the degree to which the interventions align to standards for MBIs. A systematic search identified studies evaluating the effects of a school-based MBI on mental health outcomes in schools, utilizing quantitative and qualitative designs. The results draw comparison across the identified MBIs in relation to intervention integrity, and teacher training and competence according to existing standards. The findings indicate a poor alignment to all standards; for example, intervention integrity was indicated in 45% of studies that included core mindfulness practices, and standards of teacher training were met in 26% of studies. In addition, the feasibility design of studies is critiqued against recommended standards. Despite claims from many studies, feasibility has not yet been established for school settings. Feasibility studies have failed to adequately assess organizational factors that influence implementation. The lack of detail and consistency in reporting across studies is a particular limitation of the field of research, which may have disadvantaged the assessment of studies against stringent guidelines. The ongoing challenges to developing an evidence base for school-based MBIs as well as to implementation are discussed. Recommendations for future directions in implementation science of mindfulness interventions within a school context are provided.

A Mixed Methods Design to Detect Adolescent and Young Adults' Impulsiveness on Decision-Making and Motor Performance

Impulsiveness in adolescents and young adults is an important aspect of psychological research. However, there still is lack of research that relates impulsiveness and motor performance in those. Thus, we aim to detect the levels of impulsiveness related to motor skills, motor laterality, spatial orientation, and individual interaction on the decision-making of adolescents and young adults across three staggered workouts. The study had 71 participants (53 males and 18 females), ranging in age from 17 to 24 years old (Mage = 18.5 years; SD = 1.72) and classified as non-impulsiveness (n = 47), impulsiveness (n = 17), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (n = 7). A Mixed Methods research was conducted throughout four research tools (a) The Observational System of Motor Skills (OSMOS) was used to observe and detect the movement sequences patterns; (b) The Spanish version of Impulsive Behavior Scale (UPPS-P) was administered to obtain the impulsiveness profiles; (c) The Precision and Agility Tapping over Hoops (PATHoops) was carried out to observe the decision-making and temporal-spatial over movement effectiveness; (d) Motor Laterality Inventory (MOTORLAT) was applied to obtain the laterality profiles related to motor skills performance. This Mixed Methods approach has obtained useful results for impulsiveness in motor situations as the results from the different tools converge to established three clear profiles of impulsiveness. Participants with ADHD showed lack of interpersonal interaction, non-resolute decision-making, and lesser richness of motor skills patterns than non-impulsiveness and impulsiveness subjects. Additionally, impulsiveness participants also showed rich motor patterns, dyadic interactions, good decision making in spatial orientation tasks, and more versatile laterality in the lower limbs.

Associations of personality traits with marijuana use in a nationally representative sample of adolescents in the United States

INTRODUCTION

Identifying adolescents at risk for marijuana use who can be targeted for intervention efforts is critical. Certain personality traits are strongly associated with substance use, including marijuana use. We investigated the associations of impulsivity (and its subscales sensation seeking and lack of planning), aggression, and neuroticism with marijuana use (lifetime and frequency of past 12-month use) in a national sample of adolescents.

METHODS

We used data from the National Comorbidity Survey: Adolescent Supplement, a nationally representative, cross-sectional study of 8495 U.S. adolescents aged 14 to 18 years. We calculated adjusted prevalence ratios and odds ratios to assess associations of the five personality scales with lifetime use and frequency of past 12-month use and examined gender as a potential moderator of these associations.

RESULTS

Each of the personality traits was positively associated with lifetime use (all p < 0.001). Impulsivity (the total scale and both subscales) and aggression (all p < 0.05) were positively associated with frequency of past 12-month use. The neuroticism-lifetime use association was stronger among girls (p < 0.001) than boys (p < 0.05), and the associations of impulsivity and lack of planning with frequency of use were significant only among girls, with moderate female users reporting higher levels of the personality scales than infrequent users (both p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study highlights the potential importance of identifying personality traits, specifically disinhibition-related traits such as impulsivity and aggression, to reduce and prevent adolescent marijuana use.

Effects of Mindfulness Training on Sleep Problems in Patients With Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a complex psychosomatic pain condition. In addition to generalized pain and various cognitive difficulties, new FMS diagnostic criteria acknowledge fatigue and sleep problems as core aspects of this condition. Indeed, poor sleep quality has been found to be a significant predictor of pain, fatigue, and maladaptive social functioning in this patient group. While there is promising evidence supporting the role of mindfulness as a treatment for FMS, to date, mindfulness intervention studies have principally focused on dimensions of pain as the primary outcome with sleep problems either not being assessed or included as a secondary consideration. Given the role of sleep problems in the pathogenesis of FMS, and given that mindfulness has been shown to improve sleep problems in other clinical conditions, the present study explored the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention known as Flow Meditation (Meditación-Fluir) on a range of sleep-related outcomes (subjective insomnia, sleep quality, sleepiness, and sleep impairment) in individuals with FMS. Adult women with FMS (n = 39) were randomly assigned to the 7 weeks mindfulness treatment or a waiting list control group. Results showed that compared to the control group, individuals in the mindfulness group demonstrated significant improvements across all outcome measures and that the intervention effects were maintained at a 3 month follow-up assessment. The Meditación-Fluir program shows promise for alleviating sleep problems relating to FMS and may thus have a role in the treatment of FMS as well as other pain disorders in which sleep impairment is a central feature of the condition.

Cognition As a Therapeutic Target in the Suicidal Patient Approach

The current considerations about completed suicides and suicide attempts in different cultures call the attention of professionals to this serious public health problem. Integrative approaches have shown that the confluence of multiple biological and social factors modulate various psychopathologies and dysfunctional behaviors, such as suicidal behavior. Considering the level of intermediate analysis, personality traits and cognitive functioning are also of great importance for understanding the suicide phenomenon. About cognitive factors, we can group them into cognitive schemas of reality interpretation and underlying cognitive processes. On the other hand, different types of primary cognitive alterations are related to suicidal behavior, especially those resulting from changes in frontostriatal circuits. Among such cognitive mechanisms can be highlighted the attentional bias for environmental cues related to suicide, impulsive behavior, verbal fluency deficits, non-adaptive decision-making, and reduced planning skills. Attentional bias consists in the effect of thoughts and emotions, frequently not conscious, about the perception of environmental stimuli. Suicidal ideation and hopelessness can make the patient unable to find alternative solutions to their problems other than suicide, biasing their attention to environmental cues related to such behavior. Recent research efforts are directed to assess the possible use of attention bias as a therapeutic target in patients presenting suicide behavior. The relationship between impulsivity and suicide has been largely investigated over the last decades, and there is still controversy about the theme. Although there is strong evidence linking impulsivity to suicide attempts. Effective interventions address to reduce impulsivity in clinical populations at higher risk for suicide could help in the prevention. Deficits in problem-solving ability also seem to be distorted in patients who attempt suicide. Understanding cognitive changes in patients who attempt suicide open an important perspective in the approach of patients with mental disorders. Identifying cognitive deficits in these patients, along with personality traits, depressive symptoms, and suicidal cognitive schemas may indicate to the psychiatrist the need for emergency care. Behavioral and cognitive interventions have been associated with reductions in suicide ideation, as well as suicide attempts in different populations.

The Impact of Cultural Dissonance and Acculturation Orientations on Immigrant Students’ academic performance

Prior research has documented meaningful differences between school performance of immigrant and native students. Multicultural education has been associated with academic failure of foreign students. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of a set of psychosocial variables on the perceived academic achievement of first generation immigrant adolescents from public secondary schools in Northern Spain. Results showed that 46% of the variability in foreign students’ perceived academic performance was explained by home-school cultural dissonance. We also explored the impact of acculturation orientation to separation, perception of discrimination from teachers, school adjustment and psychological well-being in academic performance. Any multicultural education context should take into account psychosocial adjustment, given its influence on academic performance of all students.

The Role of Self-control and Grit in Domains of School Success in Students of Primary and Secondary School

Objective: Self-control and grit have become two of the most important variables that explain success in different aspects of people's daily life (Duckworth and Gross, 2014). Self-control promotes delayed gratification and directly influences thoughts, emotions, and impulses. On the other hand, grit enhances the achievement of goals through perseverance even before extreme external circumstances. Since both constructs are related, examining them together is compelling, as long as the different nuances that characterize each are taken into account. Two structural equation models (SEM) were conducted to observe the effect of self-control and grit on a more specific indicator of academic success (academic self-efficacy) and a more general indicator of school experience (satisfaction with school).

Methods: The first model comprises 5,681 primary students (M = 9.05; SD = 0.79), and the second 10,017 secondary students (M = 14.20; SD = 1.04) from Lima, Peru. In both models, the influence of grit and self-control on school satisfaction was observed when taking self-efficacy as a mediator variable.

Results: The results show that grit and self-control have strong associations in both primary and secondary students. When estimating the covariance of both constructs, grit is related with academic-self efficacy at both educational stages, but only to satisfaction with school in secondary students. On the contrary, self-control shows a significant relationship with school satisfaction only in primary education. In turn, self-efficacy shows a mediating effect between grit and school satisfaction. After calculating the invariance of the models, differences are observed by gender in the relationships between variables.

Conclusion: The results indicate that both constructs are strongly interrelated. Regarding the associations with the indicators of academic success, a need for timely interventions specific to each educational stage is observed.