Reactive Risk-Taking: Anxiety Regulation Via Approach Motivation Increases Risk-Taking Behavior

Experimental research and real-world events demonstrate a puzzling phenomenon—anxiety, which primarily inspires caution, sometimes precedes bouts of risk-taking. We conducted three studies to test whether this phenomenon is due to the regulation of anxiety via reactive approach motivation (RAM), which leaves people less sensitive to negative outcomes and thus more likely to take risks. In Study 1 ( N = 231), an achievement anxiety threat caused increased risk-taking on the Behavioral Analogue Risk Task (BART) among trait approach-motivated participants. Using electroencephalogram in Study 2 ( N = 97), an economic anxiety threat increased behavioral inhibition system-specific theta activity, a neural correlate of anxiety, which was associated with an increase in risk-taking on the BART among trait approach-motivated participants. In a preregistered Study 3 ( N = 432), we replicated the findings of Study 1. These results offer preliminary support for the reactive risk-taking hypothesis.

Measuring Motivation for Cognitive Effort as State

People's motivation to engage in cognitive effort is a variable which is relevant in different psychological domains (e.g., social cognition research). Despite its potential benefits, a psychometrically sound state measure of cognitive motivation is still lacking. We therefore developed the 10-item motivation for cognition (MFC) state scale based on the established conceptualization and measure of trait need for cognition (NFC). In two studies, we examined the psychometric properties of the new measure. Study 1 revealed that the MFC scale reliably measures a one-dimensional construct. Moreover, the MFC scale was related to NFC and choice of task effort in an expected manner. In Study 2, relationships with NFC, achievement motives, self-control capacity, subjective vitality, momentary affect, and choice of task effort provide further preliminary support for the MFC scale as being a valid measure of momentary cognitive motivation. We discuss the utility of the new scale in psychological research and practice.

Examining the Effects of the AgingPLUS Program on Physical Activity: A Multiple Mediator Model

This study examined the effect of the AgingPLUS program on anticipated physical activity (PA) and PA engagement, along with the hypothesized mediator roles of self-efficacy (SE) and exercise intention (EI). Data came from 147 participants (Mage = 60.11 years; SD = 8.28 years) of the ongoing trial. Structural equation modeling tested the effects of the intervention, week 4 EI, and week 4 SE on anticipated PA at week 8 and engagement in PA at 6 months. The pathway from week 8 anticipated PA to month 6 PA was also assessed. Results showed that week 4 SE significantly mediated the pathway of intervention condition to week 8 anticipated PA, whereas week 4 EI significantly mediated the pathway from intervention condition to engagement in PA at 6 months. Furthermore, anticipated PA predicted subsequent engagement in PA. Results from these analyses provide preliminary support for the efficacy of the AgingPLUS program.

Stronger net selection on males across animals

Sexual selection is considered the major driver for the evolution of sex differences. However, the eco-evolutionary dynamics of sexual selection and their role for a population’s adaptive potential to respond to environmental change have only recently been explored. Theory predicts that sexual selection promotes adaptation at a low demographic cost only if sexual selection is aligned with natural selection and if net selection is stronger on males compared to females. We used a comparative approach to show that net selection is indeed stronger in males and provide preliminary support that this sex bias is associated with sexual selection. Given that both sexes share the vast majority of their genes, our findings corroborate the notion that the genome is often confronted with a more stressful environment when expressed in males. Collectively, our study supports one of the long-standing key assumptions required for sexual selection to bolster adaptation, and sexual selection may therefore enable some species to track environmental change more efficiently.

Development and psychometric exploration of a semi-structured clinical interview for Misophonia

Misophonia is a newly described disorder associated with significant emotional distress, functional impairment, and a wide range of mental health problems (e.g., mood, anxiety, and personality disorders). Although recent studies have begun to validate self-report measures of misophonia, no psychometrically validated interviews have been developed. To advance a scientific understanding of misophonia, rigorously developed structured interviews are needed as a complimentary measurement approach to self-report inventories. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to develop and begin preliminarily validating a semi-structured clinical interview for misophonia. We took an iterative, grassroots approach to item generation and interview development involving key stakeholders (i.e., misophonia sufferers, experts in the field). Initial psychometric analyses from the current sample (n = 30) evidenced excellent preliminary estimates for internal consistency, convergent, discriminant, and predictive validity. Results from this study provide preliminary support for the Duke Misophonia Interview, and we recommend that this interviewer-rated measure be iteratively developed and refined using larger and more diverse samples.

A group-based chronic pain intervention using the Unlearn Your Pain method: A retrospective one-arm cohort study

LAY SUMMARY Chronic pain is a frequent occurrence in military and Veteran populations. This study examined whether a group-based chronic pain treatment using the Unlearn Your Pain method was effective in reducing chronic pain in 21 military and Veteran participants. Participants completed measures of pain before and after engaging in the treatment, and results showed participants experienced large reductions in total pain and pain-related catastrophizing and moderate reductions in pain-related disability and pain-related fear of movement after completing the treatment. A smaller group of the participants completed the measures again eight weeks after completing treatment, and the size of their improvements was even greater. This study offers preliminary support for the Unlearn Your Pain method offered in a group format to military and Veteran populations. Further study is warranted.

A Trauma-Informed Transition Model for New Entrants with Dysregulated Behaviours

The Riroriro programme was a response to the needs of children with extremely dysregulated classroom behaviours, resulting from sustained exposure to traumatic high-stress and high-deprivation environments from pre-birth to school age. Evaluation of the accounts of key individuals involved in the pilot found that participants had improved emotional regulation abilities and interpersonal skills during and up to 1 year after the intervention. Academic performance was not improved significantly, but the interviewees’ accounts suggested that “academic readiness” had been achieved. In line with previous studies, the results indicate preliminary support for the effectiveness of the Riroriro programme in supporting children who have experienced trauma to become mainstream classroom ready. These results suggest that a whole-school, multi-tiered approach providing support at the student, school personnel and system levels can help mitigate the effects of trauma.

Promoting Rehabilitation Among Youth on Probation: An Examination of Strengths as Specific Responsivity Factors

Despite calls for strength-focused approaches in juvenile justice, there is little research on the role of strengths in probation case management. This is one of the first studies to examine whether strengths function as specific responsivity factors as proposed by the risk–need–responsivity model, through mediating and moderating effects, and findings lend preliminary support to this conceptualization. In a sample of 261 justice-involved youth, the relationship between strengths and recidivism was found to be partially mediated by the service-to-needs match rate, even while controlling for risk—suggesting that strengths have an important indirect effect on recidivism through their impact on youth’s engagement in and completion of services. Strengths, however, did not moderate the relationship between service-to-needs match and reoffending, suggesting that appropriately matched services are essential irrespective of a youth’s strength profile. Research corroborating these findings and examining the feasibility of front-line use of strengths information is warranted.

Pilot investigation of an activity-based approach to building hardiness

BackgroundThe purpose was to describe an activity-based psychological hardiness training programme delivered by an occupational therapist and examine its acceptability and effectiveness in improving hardiness.MethodParticipants (N=28) completed the 6-hour programme, which included pre/post-programme completion of the Dispositional Resilience Scale-15 (DRS-15) and a Program Evaluation Form. Paired t-tests were used to determine differences between pre-training and post-training scores on the DRS-15.ResultsResults showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in total hardiness, commitment, and control scores on the DRS-15 from pre-training to post-training and good–excellent ratings for all categories on the Program Evaluation Form.ConclusionsThis programme evaluation described an occupational therapist’s role in providing an activity-based psychological hardiness training programme and provided preliminary support for the acceptability of an activity-based approach to training psychological hardiness for service members.