Psychometric Evaluation of the Affect Regulation Checklist: Clinical and Community Samples, Parent-Reports and Youth Self-Reports.

The Affect Regulation Checklist (ARC) was designed to capture affect dysregulation, suppression, and reflection. Importantly, affect dysregulation has been established as a transdiagnostic mechanism underpinning many forms of psychopathology. We tested the ARC psychometric properties across clinical and community samples and through both parent-report and youth self-report information. Clinical sample: Participants included parents (n = 814; Mage = 43.86) and their child (n = 608; Mage = 13.98). Community sample: Participants included independent samples of parents (n = 578; Mage = 45.12) and youth (n = 809; Mage = 15.67). Exploratory structural equation modeling supported a three-factor structure across samples and informants. Dysregulation was positively associated with all forms of psychopathology. In general, suppression was positively associated with many forms of psychopathology, and reflection was negatively associated with externalizing problems and positively associated with internalizing problems.

A systematic review of the relation between self-compassion and depressive symptoms in adolescents.

Research on self-compassion and depressive symptoms is growing at an exponential pace. This systematic review provides an in-depth exploration of the relation between self-compassion and depressive symptoms in adolescents. In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases were systematically searched and 18 studies were identified. Results demonstrate the potentially pertinent role that self-compassion may play in the development, maintenance, and treatment of depression in adolescents, yet reflect on the paucity of research on this topic with respect to mechanisms of change. These studies further highlight how the impact of self-compassion may differ according to gender and age and underscore the need to account for other diversity-related variables, such as ethnic-racial group, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation. Despite such limitations in the literature, the current findings extend research in adults by providing support for the relevance of self-compassion in adolescence, particularly with respect to the prevention of depressive symptoms.

'Fake' Instagram use is associated with real differences in users' self-photo activities: An exploratory investigation considering body satisfaction.

BACKGROUND: Creating private spaces on social media (SM) for authentic self-presentation has rapidly gained popularity amongst young people. This pattern of use is particularly prevalent on Instagram in women under 25 as these users often report creating a second, low stakes account for authentic self-presentation, commonly referred to as a Finsta (a portmanteau of 'Fake' and 'Instagram'). Previous research has associated Instagram use with body dissatisfaction in young women, but it remains unclear whether this association is applicable when considering different patterns of use. METHOD: The present study investigates the association between self-photo activities (i.e., photo selection, investment, and manipulation) and body satisfaction in a sample of undergraduate female Instagram users (N = 224) with (n = 112) and without (n = 112) a Finsta. RESULTS: A series of analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) controlling for minutes on Instagram and age revealed that, when comparing their Finsta to their own main account and to the main account of users without a Finsta, Finsta users reported taking fewer photos of themselves, engaging in less photo editing, and feeling less invested in their posts. Furthermore, body satisfaction was differentially associated with self-photo activities in Finsta users and non-users. Specifically, body satisfaction was negatively associated with photo selection, investment, and editing in users without a Finsta only. CONCLUSION: Finsta users do not show the same associations between body satisfaction and self-photo activities as Instagram users without a Finsta. The implications of these results, limitations of the present study, and suggestions for future research are discussed.