Three Dimensions of American Conservative Political Orientation Differentially Predict Negativity Bias and Satisfaction With Life

Numerous studies have linked political conservatism with negativity bias, whereas others have linked conservatism with indicators of positive adjustment. This research sought to reconcile this seeming contradiction by examining whether distinct dimensions of conservatism differentially predicted measures of negativity bias and positive adjustment. In two studies, we used an empirically derived and validated Attitude-Based Political Conservatism (ABPC) Scale that captures three correlated but distinct factors of American conservatism: Libertarian Independence, Moral Traditionalism, and Ethnic Separateness. In both studies ( N = 1,756), Libertarian Independence was linked with indicators of positive adjustment, whereas Moral Traditionalism and Ethnic Separateness were linked with indices of negativity bias. By identifying which dimensions of conservatism predict negativity bias and positive adjustment, this work illuminates the unique psychological foundations of distinct strands of conservatism in America.

Different Placement Practices for Different Families? Children’s Adjustment in LGH Adoptive Families

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of children placed with lesbian, gay, and heterosexual adopters, and to examine children’s problem behaviors and positive psychosocial adjustment across the three family types.BackgroundThere is evidence that children with hard-to-place profiles may be more likely to be matched with lesbian and gay parents. In addition, children adopted from care face greater developmental difficulties than children raised by their birth families, although adoptive parents may buffer the negative effects of early adversity on their children’s psychosocial adjustment.MethodA final sample of 149 adoptive families from across the United Kingdom was recruited: 71 heterosexual parented, 39 lesbian parented, and 39 gay parented.ResultsThe results showed that gay and lesbian parents were more likely than heterosexual parents to be matched with hard-to-place children, partially because they were more open to being matched with children with hard-to-place profiles. However, no differences among the three family types on children’s psychosocial adjustment were found, when controlling for children’s early adversity.ConclusionAdopted children displayed similar levels of problem behaviors and positive adjustment in lesbian, gay, and heterosexual parented families. Early adversity and having a physical problem/disability accounted for much of the variance in problem behaviors whereas parenting did not. In contrast, it was suggested that parenting processes, namely, parental closeness, may help to explain children’s positive adjustment.

A long-term look at “early starters”: Predicting adult psychosocial outcomes from childhood conduct problem trajectories

Current evidence suggests that multiple pathways of “early-starting” conduct problems exist, including persisting and declining trajectories. Since relatively little is known about the early onset-declining pathway, this study examined the long-term outcomes of different childhood conduct problem trajectories in a disproportionately high-risk sample (N = 754). Parents reported on children's conduct problems at six time points (kindergarten to grade 7). At age 25, psychosocial outcomes were assessed across five domains (psychopathology, substance use, risky sexual behavior, antisocial behavior, and adaptive outcomes). Four childhood conduct problem trajectories were identified: extremely high increasing (EHI; 3.7%), high stable (HS; 22.0%), moderate decreasing (MD; 38.8%), and low decreasing (LD; 35.5%). The EHI and HS groups displayed the poorest psychosocial functioning at age 25, whereas the LD group exhibited the most positive adjustment. Although individuals in the MD group displayed relatively positive adjustment on some outcomes, they displayed more psychopathology and lower well-being in adulthood than the LD group. These findings suggest that there are diverse pathways of early-starting conduct problems, and that all early starters are at risk for later maladjustment. However, the degree and type of risk is related to the severity of conduct problems throughout childhood.

Reductions in behavioural and emotional difficulties from a specialist, trauma-informed school

There is a myriad of research that demonstrates the links between experiences of trauma and emotional and behavioural issues in children and adolescents. Evidence is now emerging that highlights that schools are a critical system to deliver support and interventions to address childhood trauma. The ReLATE trauma-informed model uses schoolwide trauma specific interventions to support students who require high levels of adjustment in education. The ReLATE trauma-informed model was evaluated as a 12-month intervention at a specialist school for emotional and behavioural difficulties. The intervention led to beneficial adjustment in various emotional and behavioural outcome domains. Significant reductions were found for parent-reported conduct problems, peer problems and total difficulties. The intervention displayed large effect sizes over the 12-month period. New students to the school demonstrated more positive adjustment. Existing students demonstrated nonsignificant positive adjustment. A reliable change was found for Global Impact, which indicated the benefits that occurred from the intervention generalised into homelife, friendships, learning and leisure activities. While previous literature has focused on teacher-observed adjustments, this study provides a parent perspective of student adjustment. This study also provides clarity around trauma-training and discusses the role that psychologists can play as consultants when implementing trauma-informed practice models in schools.

Domestic adoption in Romania: Behavioral adjustment in a sample of adolescents

A considerable body of research has analyzed the development of children internationally adopted from Romania. However, domestic adoption remains largely uninvestigated. Our study examined the behavioral adjustment of 52 Romanian adolescents domestically adopted. Adoptive mothers and their children completed Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) – School Age forms. While overall our sample did not differ from the normative population, the rate of subjects obtaining clinical scores was higher. Behavioral problems did not appear to be linked to the considered pre-adoption risk factors. The overall positive adjustment of this rare sample of domestic adoptees encourages a deeper understanding of the mechanisms involved in the success of this child welfare policy.

The personality of the Palestinian prisoner according to the theory of the five major factors and their relationship to some variables: شخصية الأسير الفلسطيني وفق نظرية العوامل الخمسة الكبرى وعلاقتها ببعض المتغيرات

The research aims to uncover the distinguishing factors of the Palestinian prisoner's personality according to the theory of the five major factors. The research was based on a sample of 60 prisoners who were liberated in the free deal. The research was based on descriptive approach., Edited by: Costa and Macri: Arabic Translation Badr Al-Ansari 1997, in order to reveal the most prominent factors in the personality of the prisoner liberated and the effect of variable (duration of detention- and the age) on those factors. The results of the research were as follows: The factor of the good was ranked first with a high relative weight followed by wakefulness of the conscience and then the neurotic and then Alastasatip and then Safwa where the Safwa in the last mattress and the least relative weight in the statistical analysis, There are no statistically significant differences in the response of the sample of the Palestinian prisoners on the effect of the age of the prisoner on the five major factors of the personality, There were no statistically significant differences in the response of the sample of the Palestinian prisoners on the effect of the detention period on the five major factors of the personality, In light of these results, the researchers recommended that: Conducting numerous studies on Palestinian prisoners that serve their cause. , and not to ignore the needs of prisoners material and moral and the need for follow-up by specialists in the matter, Holding several training programs that serve the prisoners and help them in positive adjustment with the community.

Smartphone-supported Positive Adjustment Coping Intervention (PACI) for couples undergoing fertility treatment: a randomised controlled trial protocol

IntroductionInfertility generally counts as a profound crisis in the lives of couples and as an emotionally stressful experience. For couples undergoing fertility treatment, this is especially true of the waiting period following embryo transfer, which couples say is the most stressful period during treatment. However, at this specific phase, psychosocial counselling is not always available on the spot. The aim of this randomised controlled trial (RCT) study was to test the Positive Adjustment Coping Intervention (PACI), a low-dose, smartphone-supported psychological intervention for women and men undergoing fertility treatment.Methods and analysisThe effectiveness of PACI is tested by means of a prospective two-arm RCT. During the 14-day waiting period between oocyte puncture/oocyte thawing and pregnancy test, participants are randomly assigned to one of the two groups, and both women and men receive daily text messages on their smartphones. One group receives text messages with statements reflecting positive-adjustment coping attitudes, the other group messages containing cognitive distractions. The primary outcome of this study is the reduction of psychosocial burden during the waiting period of reproductive treatment. Furthermore, we want to assess whether there are differences between the interventions in a pre-post assessment. The secondary outcomes are information on perceived effectiveness and practicability of the intervention one month after the waiting period.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been obtained from the Ethics Committee of Heidelberg University Faculty of Medicine (S-074/2017). Study findings are planned for dissemination via peer-reviewed journal articles and at national and international conferences.Trial registration numberNCT03118219; Pre-results.Protocol versionVersion 2.0 dated 18/02/2019.