Trajectories of loneliness during childhood and adolescence: predictors and health outcomes

The present study employed latent growth mixture modeling to discern distinct trajectories of loneliness using data collected at 2-year intervals from age 7-17 years (N = 586) and examine whether measures taken at age 5 years were good predictors of group membership. Four loneliness trajectory classes were identified: (1) low stable (37% of the sample), (2) moderate decliners (23%), (3) moderate increasers (18%), and (4) relatively high stable (22%). Predictors at age 5 years for the high stable trajectory were low trust beliefs, low trusting, low peer acceptance, parent reported negative reactivity, an internalizing attribution style, low self-worth, and passivity during observed play. The model also included outcome variables. We found that both the high stable and moderate increasing trajectories were associated with depressive symptoms, a higher frequency of visits to the doctor, and lower perceived general health at age 17. We discuss implications of findings for future empirical work.

Meaning and Purpose (MaP) therapy II: Feasibility and acceptability from a pilot study in advanced cancer

OBJECTIVE

Meaning and Purpose (MaP) therapy aims to enhance meaning-based coping through a life review that focuses on the value and worth of the person, key relationships, sources of fulfillment, roles, and future priorities in living life out fully. We sought to test the feasibility and acceptability of a six-session model of MaP therapy against a wait-list control cohort in a pilot study seeking effect sizes on measures of adaptation.

METHOD

We randomized patients with advanced cancer to MaP therapy or wait-list control, with measures administered at baseline and after 6-8 weeks. Wait-list patients could then crossover to receive therapy, with further measures collected postintervention. Adherence to the manualized model was sustained through weekly supervision and fidelity coding of recorded sessions. We used generalized estimating equations to control for baseline and any correlation of data.ResultFrom 134 eligible participants, 57 (43%) consented, and 40 of 45 (89%) offered therapy completed 6 sessions. Key barriers to consenting patients were poor health (15 refusers and 4 withdrawals) and death intervened in 6 participants. MaP therapy generated adequate effect sizes in posttraumatic growth (new possibilities, appreciation of life, and personal strength) and life attitudes (choices and goal seeking) to permit calculation of power for a formal randomized, controlled trial.Significance of resultsDelivery of this model of existentially oriented therapy is feasible and acceptable to patients. A properly powered randomized controlled trial is justified to examine the efficacy of this intervention.

Appraisal Support from Natural Mentors, Self-worth, and Psychological Distress: Examining the Experiences of Underrepresented Students Transitioning Through College

The current study explored whether cumulative appraisal support from as many as five natural mentors (i.e., nonparental adults from youth's pre-existing social networks who serve a mentoring role in youth's lives) led to reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety via improved global self-worth among underrepresented college students. Participants in the current study included 340 college students (69% female) attending a 4-year, predominantly White institution of higher education. Participants were first-generation college students, students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and/or students from underrepresented racial/ethnic minority groups. Participants completed surveys during the Fall and Spring of their first year of college and in the Spring of their second and third years of college. Results of the structural equation model (including gender, race/ethnicity, and extraversion as covariates) indicated that greater total appraisal support from natural mentoring relationships predicted decreases in students' psychological distress via increases in self-worth (indirect effects assessed via boot-strapped confidence intervals; 95% CI). The strength of association between appraisal support and self-worth was not moderated by the proportion of academic natural mentors. Findings from the current study extend previous research by measuring multiple natural mentoring relationships and pinpointing supportive exchanges that may be of particular consequence for the promotion of healthy youth development. Institutional efforts to reinforce pre-existing natural mentoring relationships and encourage the onset of new natural mentoring relationships may serve to bolster the well-being and success of underrepresented students attending predominantly White universities.

How you look versus how you feel: Associations between BMI z-score, body dissatisfaction, peer victimization, and self-worth for African American and white adolescents

Being overweight and having negative self-perceptions (body dissatisfaction) can have problematic consequences for adolescents physically, socially, and psychologically. Understanding associations between weight, self-perceptions, and peer experiences across ethnicities is particularly important given recent increases in obesity among ethnic minorities. The current study aimed to address these issues by examining Body Mass Index (BMI) z-scores and body dissatisfaction predicting change in general self-worth over time via peer victimization experiences in a diverse sample of 236 youth (ages 10-16 years). Body dissatisfaction predicted decreases in self-worth over time even after controlling for BMI z-score. BMI z-scores predicted decreases in self-worth over time only for white adolescents, whereas body dissatisfaction directly predicted decreases in self-worth for African American youth and indirectly via peer victimization for white youth. Associations were also considered by gender. Implications for intervention efforts for both white and African American adolescents are discussed.

Self-perception, self-regulation and metacognition in adolescents with intellectual disability

This study compares self-perception of competences in 28 typically developing children (TD) aged 7-9 years and 32 adolescents with intellectual disability (ID) aged 11-16 years in special school, matched for mental age (MA). The links between self-perception, self-regulation in problem-solving and metacognition are investigated. Overall self-perception and self-perception of competences by domain do not differ significantly between the two groups. Self-perception of competences in specific domains, self-regulation and metacognition vary depending on MA and verbal comprehension in the two groups. ID adolescents attribute more importance to social acceptance than TD children. In both groups, positive links are identified between self-perception and importance attributed to domains. Performance, self-regulation and metacognition are lower in ID adolescents than in TD children. Positive links are obtained between self-perception of competences in specific domains and certain self-regulatory and metacognitive strategies, although these links differ in the two groups.

Intimacy development in late adolescence: Longitudinal associations with perceived parental autonomy support and adolescents' self-worth

The present longitudinal study tested for the role of perceived parental autonomy-support and late adolescents' self-worth in their intimacy development. A sample of 497 Belgian late adolescents (M_age = 17.9, 43.5% girls) participated in this two-wave study. Results indicated that perceived autonomy-supportive parenting did not relate significantly to change in adolescents' experienced intimacy (in terms of closeness and mutuality), but was associated with a decrease in unmitigated agency (an excessive focus on the self) and unmitigated communion (an excessive focus on the other) across time. Adolescents' self-worth predicted an increase in experienced intimacy and a decrease in unmitigated agency and communion, and the initial level of experienced intimacy predicted an increase in self-worth. Finally, results suggested that adolescents' self-worth may mediate some of the longitudinal relations between perceived parental autonomy-support and adolescents' intimate functioning. No evidence was found for moderation by romantic involvement, gender or age.

The synergistic effect of poor motor coordination, gender and age on self-concept in children: A longitudinal analysis

BACKGROUND

Self-concept is a critical psychosocial outcome in childhood that is shaped by many factors. Gender, motor coordination and age have been identified as three important contributors.

AIM

The present study examined whether poor motor coordination (i.e., being classified as at risk for Developmental Coordination Disorder [rDCD]), gender and age have a synergistic effect on domains of self-concept and self-worth in children.

METHODS

Data were derived from the Physical Health and Activity Study Team longitudinal open cohort project. Children enrolled in grade 4 (M_age = 9.88 ± 0.35) at baseline (n = 1978) completed the Self-Perception Profile for Children 7 times over 4 years to evaluate their competence across multiple domains. The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency - Short Form was completed once to evaluate children's motor coordination. Participants scoring ≤15th percentile were classified as rDCD.

RESULTS

A significant 3-way interaction between rDCD, gender and age was observed for athletic ability, physical appearance and academic competence, but not social competence, behavioural conduct or global self-worth. Findings revealed developmental trajectories for self-perceptions of athletic ability, physical appearance, and academic competence were lowest among rDCD girls. Boys classified as rDCD also demonstrated lower athletic, academic and physical self-perceptions in comparison to typically developing children.

CONCLUSIONS

Age intensifies disparities in self held athletic, physical and academic perceptions attributable to differences in gender and rDCD status, however, differences in these domains appear to be independent of children's overall views of themselves.

Parental behavioural control in adolescence: How does it affect self-esteem and self-criticism?

INTRODUCTION

Parental behavioural control is believed to be beneficial for young children. However, with increased need for independence during adolescence, parental rules may undermine self-beliefs.

METHODS

The current study examined the effect of behavioural control, plus parental support and psychological control, on the self-esteem and self-criticism of 243 Australian adolescents (mean age = 12.08, 52% female) over two years.

RESULTS

Behavioural control largely did not predict self-esteem. Furthermore, in girls it predicted higher self-criticism 12 and 24 months later. Behavioural control does not appear to benefit adolescents' self-cognitions and, in fact, increases self-criticism in girls.

CONCLUSIONS

By providing copious rules around appropriate behaviours, parents may possibly indicate to girls that they are not capable of becoming independent, thus reducing feelings of competence.

Parental criticism affects adolescents' mood and ruminative state: Self-perception appears to influence their mood response

Feeling and/or being criticized is a known risk factor for various psychiatric disorders in adolescents. However, the link between the experience of social stressors and the development of psychopathological symptoms is not yet fully understood. Identifying which adolescent subgroups are more vulnerable to parental criticism could be of great clinical relevance. In this study, 90 nondepressed 14- to 17-year-old adolescents were exposed to a sequence of auditory segments with a positive, neutral, and finally negative valence, mirroring parental criticism. Their mood and ruminative states were assessed before and after exposure to criticism. We observed an overall increase in mood disturbance and ruminative thoughts. Self-perception appeared to influence these mood changes, whereas no significant influence by perceived criticism, self-worth, or the general tendency to ruminate was found. Emotional awareness seemed to account for some of the variance in positive mood state changes. These findings point to the importance of adolescent self-perception (and emotional awareness) in dealing with parental criticism.

Sexual minority young adults' perspectives on how minority stress and other factors negatively affect self-esteem: a qualitative interview study

Sexual minority young adults (lesbian, gay and bisexual), are at increased risk of experiencing mental health problems than their heterosexual peers. On average they also have lower self-esteem which may contribute to the development or maintenance of mental illnesses. Interventions to improve self-esteem could improve well-being and reduce mental ill-health risk in sexual minority young adults. It is important to understand the processes that contribute to lower self-esteem in this population. The present study aimed to explore these processes. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with a sample of 20 sexual minority young adults (age 16-24 years) with a range of self-esteem levels. Using thematic analysis, three overarching areas were idenitified: 'Negative social evaluations and reduced belonging', 'Striving and failing to meet standards', and 'Negative sexual orientation processes'. These findings have theoretical implications for minority stress models of mental health inequalities, highlighting the potential interaction between minority-specific and more general risk factors for mental health problems. Findings also have clinical implications for the development of tailored interventions to help improve low self-esteem in sexual minority young adults.

Self-worth and bonding emotions are related to well-being in health-care providers: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Interacting with patients can elicit a myriad of emotions in health-care providers. This may result in satisfaction or put providers at risk for stress-related conditions such as burnout. The present study attempted to identify emotions that promote provider well-being. Following eudaimonic models of well-being, we tested whether certain types of emotions that reflect fulfilment of basic needs (self-worth, bonding with patients) rather than positive emotions in general (as suggested by hedonic models) are linked to well-being. Specifically, we hypothesized that well-being is associated with positive emotions directed at the self, which reflect self-worth, and positive as well as negative emotions (e.g., worry) directed at the patient, which reflect bonding. However, we expected positive emotions directed at an object/situation (e.g., curiosity for a treatment) to be unrelated to well-being, because they do not reflect fulfilment of basic needs.

METHODS

Fifty eight physicians, nurses, and psychotherapists participated in the study. First, in qualitative interviews, they reported their emotions directed at the self, the patient, or an object/situation during distressing interactions with patients. These emotions were categorised into positive emotions directed towards the self, the patient, and an object/situation, and negative emotions directed towards the patient that reflect bonding. Second, providers completed questionnaires to assess their hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. The well-being scores of providers who did and did not experience these emotions were compared.

RESULTS

Providers who experienced positive emotions directed towards the self or the patient had higher well-being than those who did not. Moreover, for the first time, we found evidence for higher well-being in providers reporting negative patient-directed emotions during distressing interactions. There was no difference between providers who did and did not experience positive object/situation-directed emotions.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings may point towards the importance of "eudaimonic" emotions rather than just positive emotions in interactions with patients. Emotions such as contentment with oneself, joy for the patient's improvement, and, notably, grief or worry for the patient may build a sense of self-worth and strengthen bonding with the patient. This may explain their association with provider well-being.

Effective Therapeutic Relationships Using Psychodynamic Psychotherapy in the Face of Trauma : Comment on "The Ethics of Isolation for Patients With Tuberculosis in Australia"

The case of Xiang as described by Jane Carroll is indeed disconcerting well beyond the immediately apparent factors contained within the article. While Xiang's direct medical expenses are excessive and his inability to pay for those expenses and further support his noncustodial family seem to be the main issues up for debate, Xiang, however, is likely going to need much more psychosocial support if he is to regain his previous independent functionality or retain any aspect of a quality of life whilst continuing his indefinitely isolated treatment. In this response, I briefly outline the probable effects of Xiang's current situation on his social identity and mental health as well as a potential way that we can minimize these adverse effects.

Mental health profiles among 13-16-year-Old Norwegian talent and mainstream students - A prospective person-centered analytical approach

OBJECTIVES

To contribute further knowledge about symptoms of anxiety, depression, body concerns, and self-worth among young talent development (TD) and mainstream students by exploring the indicators within-person combinations prospectively, aiming to identify distinct profiles.

METHODS

We included 946 students, n = 168 (45% girls) from three TD sports schools and one ballet class, n = 778 (52% girls) from ten mainstream schools. All were 13-14 years at T1 and 15-16 years at T2. Descriptive statistics were examined via variable-centered approaches: ANOVA and cross-tabulations. Mental health profiles were explored via person-centered approaches: latent profile and latent transition analysis, including profile stability over two years and school type, gender, and perfectionism association with profiles.

RESULTS

TD girls' and boys' anxiety and depression scores did not differ, but girls reported more weight-shape concerns. Mainstream schoolgirls fared worse compared to all others. Four retained profiles (distressed-body concerned, dissatisfied, moderate mentally healthy, mentally healthy) showed distinct patterns of co-occurring anxiety, depression, weight-shape concerns, and self-worth. Profile stability was high overall (72-93%). The highest proportion of TD boys was in the mentally healthy, TD girls and mainstream boys in moderate, and mainstream girls within the dissatisfied profile. Noteworthy transitions: TD boys who transitioned were likely changing to healthier profiles and girls to unhealthier. Unhealthier profiles were associated with socially prescribed perfectionism.

CONCLUSION

TD students fared relatively better than mainstream students. Still, considerable proportions of girls were identified in the unhealthiest profiles. These findings involving young TD and mainstream students propose a need for specific follow-up measures to promote mental health.

Experimental evidence that browsing for activewear lowers explicit body image attitudes and implicit self-esteem in women

Online apparel shopping is popular amongst women and offers salient visual information for making body image and self-worth judgements. Apparel segments which emphasize the value of women's bodies are particularly effective for eliciting low body image and self-worth. Across two studies, we investigated the association between self-reported and experimental online activewear exposure on women's self-worth, body image, appearance attitudes, mood and gaze behavior. In Study 1, participants (N = 399) completed a survey collecting their online apparel shopping habits, body appreciation, self-esteem, appearance comparison tendencies and self-objectification attitudes. Activewear was the second-most popular apparel segment amongst women (after casualwear) and weekly activewear browse time was positively correlated with appearance comparison tendencies, desires to be muscular/athletic and body shame. In Study 2, participants (N = 126) were randomly allocated to browse an activewear, casualwear or homewares website and completed pre and post measures of mood, body image, implicit self-esteem and body gaze behavior. In the activewear condition, there was a significant reduction in positive body image and implicit self-esteem scores. There were no experimental effects for body gaze behavior. These findings illustrate that apparel choices have value for understanding the aetiology of maladaptive body image attitudes and low self-esteem in women.

How Does Social Comparison of Received Help Relate to Interpersonal Gratitude? The Roles of Self-Worth and Help Effectiveness

Cultivating interpersonal gratitude is crucial for promoting adaptive development in emerging adults. Social comparison theory provides a more comprehensive framework for exploring the mechanisms behind the formation of interpersonal gratitude. However, empirical findings regarding the effect of social comparison of received help on interpersonal gratitude are inconsistent, and the underlying mechanism driving this effect is still unclear. To address this, this study extended social comparison theory to help-receiving contexts, examining how social comparison of received help influences interpersonal gratitude among emerging adults in China, while exploring the mediating role of self-worth and the moderating role of help effectiveness. College students volunteered to participate in either Study 1 (N = 144, Mage = 21.54, 65.3% female) or Study 2 (N = 135, Mage = 20.81, 55.6% female). Study 1 employed a recall writing task, while Study 2 used an ecological momentary assessment technique. The two studies found consistent evidence that students who engage in a more extreme downward social comparison of received help show higher levels of interpersonal gratitude. Moreover, self-worth was an important pathway to explain this influence, particularly when students received low-efficiency help. These findings highlight the importance of reducing the self-threatening effects of low-efficiency help through social comparison in fostering interpersonal gratitude.

Associations between problem technology use, life stress, and self-esteem among high school students

BACKGROUND

Adolescence is a critical period for development, with many risk factors resulting in long-term health consequences, particularly regarding mental health. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between problem technology use, life stress, and self-esteem in a representative sample of adolescents residing in Ontario, Canada.

METHODS

Self-reported data were obtained from a cross-sectional sample of 4,748 students (57.9% females) in grades 9 to 12 (mean age: 15.9 ± 1.3 years) who participated in the 2019 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey. Problem technology use was measured using the 6-item Short Problem Internet Use Test, life stress was assessed using an item from the British Columbia Adolescent Health Survey and self-esteem was assessed using a global measure from the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Ordinal logistic regression models were adjusted for age, sex, ethnoracial background, subjective socioeconomic status, body mass index z-score, tobacco cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and cannabis use.

RESULTS

We found that 18.3% of participants reported symptoms of moderate-to-high problem technology use, although symptoms were more common in females than males (22% vs. 14.7%, respectively). Moderate-to-high problem technology use was associated with 2.04 (95% CI: 1.77-2.35) times higher odds of reporting high life stress and 2.08 (95% CI: 1.76-2.45) times higher odds of reporting low self-esteem compared to all other response options.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from this study show that problem technology use is strongly associated with higher life stress and lower self-esteem in adolescents. This study supports the importance of developing and implementing effective strategies that help to mitigate the adverse effects of problem technology use on adolescent mental health.

Protective factors for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in adolescence: a longitudinal population-based cohort study examining sex differences

BACKGROUND

Adolescence is a critical period with elevated vulnerability to suicidality. Despite the importance of protective factors in reducing suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SA), research in this area remains limited. This study investigated the associations between protective factors in early adolescence and the subsequent outcomes of SI and SA a year later, while also examining sex differences in these associations.

METHODS

This study utilized data from a representative sample at two timepoints, T1 (N = 2464, 50.8% females, mean age = 13.7, SD = 0.6) in 1998 and T2 (N = 2432, 50.4% females, mean age = 14.9, SD = 0.6) one year later, collected as part of the longitudinal Youth and Mental Health Study (YAMHS) in Norway. Individual, social and environmental protective factors were identified based on prior research and theoretical frameworks. We used linear (or ordinal logistic) regression analyses with SI (or SA) as dependent variable, and one protective factor, sex and their interaction as covariates.

RESULTS

Positive self-perceptions (T1) were significantly associated with reduced SI and SA one year later (T2) for both sexes. Specifically, self-worth was more strongly associated with reduced SI in females (B = -0.16, 95% CI: -0.20 to -0.12, p <.001) than males (B = -0.08, 95% CI: -0.12 to -0.04, p <.001). The interaction between sex and social competence influenced the likelihood of SA, with males (OR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.13 to 0.42, p <.001) showing a greater reduction than females (OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.35 to 0.80, p =.009), although this association only showed a trend towards significance (p =.083). Higher physical activity and school connectedness/wellbeing were associated with lower SI, and school connectedness/wellbeing to lower SA, with no sex differences. No significant associations were found between task-oriented coping, attachment, family functioning or socio-economic status and SI or SA.

CONCLUSIONS

Fostering positive self-perception, physical activity, and school connectedness/wellbeing is important for adolescent suicide prevention, as these factors contribute to reducing suicidality. Sex differences were observed in the associations between self-worth and SI, as well as social competence and SA. Future research should explore additional protective factors across sex and gender groups.