Trajectories of Loneliness During Adolescence Predict Subsequent Symptoms of Depression and Positive Wellbeing.

There is a need to identify the outcomes of changes in loneliness during adolescence, and to consider this within a multidimensional framework of loneliness. This study considered the effects of different trajectories of change in Isolation Loneliness and in Friendship Loneliness upon both positive wellbeing and symptoms of depression. To achieve this, 1782 (43% female; 12.92 years old at the start of the study, SD = 1.60) young people took part in a longitudinal study with four data points across 2 years. Four Isolation Loneliness trajectories and five Friendship Loneliness trajectories were identified. Youth who experienced low levels of Isolation Loneliness that subsequently increased appear to be at particular risk for poor outcomes. Similarly, initially high levels of Friendship Loneliness that decreased rapidly, or which began at a low level and only increased marginally, seem to also be a risk. Loneliness is a multi-dimensional construct and its development during adolescence impacts upon young people's depressive symptomatology and positive mental wellbeing.

Incremental Validity of Trait Impulsivity, Dysfunctional Emotional Regulation, and Affect Lability in the Predictions of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder Symptoms in Adults.

Difficulties in emotion regulation (DER) is a defining feature of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and arguments are being made for it to be considered as a defining feature of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). However, the consensus is that it is better viewed as an important correlate distinct from ADHD. This study examined the incremental validity of DER over and above trait impulsivity (TI) in the predictions of ADHD and ODD symptoms. It also examined the incremental validity of affect lability (AL) over and above TI and (DER) in these predictions. Five hundred and twenty-five adults from the general community completed a series of questionnaires. A model-based SEM approach for evaluating incremental validity indicated that TI predicted ADHD and ODD symptoms over age; DER predicted ADHD and ODD symptoms over age and TI; and AL did not predict ADHD and ODD symptoms over and above age, IT, or DER. In addition, AL predicted ADHD and ODD symptoms over age and TI, and DER also predicted ADHD and ODD symptoms over and above age, TI, and AL. In conclusion, TI is core to ADHD, and although DER is important, it is unlikely to be relevant as a diagnostic indicator for ADHD or ODD. These findings notwithstanding, there is need for caution when interpreting our findings, as the study did not control for potentially influencing factors on emotional regulation such as age, gender, culture, and existing psychopathologies.

Mindfulness-based interventions for preadolescent children: A comprehensive meta-analysis.

Among the many social and emotional learning (SEL) interventions available, mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have become increasingly popular, particularly for preadolescent children who were once thought to not possess the metacognitive abilities or cognitive resources to benefit from such training. Although previous research syntheses indicate that MBIs show promise in promoting positive outcomes across a range of domains, the effectiveness of MBIs for preadolescent children may be masked by the effects of older children who have comprised the majority of samples in past meta-analyses. Hence, to better understand the impact of mindfulness-based training on preadolescent children (ages 6-12 years), the present study reviewed treatment effect estimates across a range of outcomes, including mindfulness, attention, metacognition and cognitive flexibility, emotional and behavioral regulation, academic achievement and school functioning, positive emotion and self-appraisal, negative emotion and subjective distress, externalizing problems, internalizing problems, social competence and prosocial behavior, and physical health. Thirty-two studies (nparticipants = 3640) were identified and included in a random-effects meta-analyses. The results from multiple meta-analytical analyses conducted in the present study suggest that preadolescents have experienced significant benefits across attention, emotional and behavioral regulation, positive emotion and self-appraisal, and social competence and prosocial behavior (g = 0.19 to 0.39). However, the overall effect was deemed small (g = 0.34). Due to the lack of comparison studies with SEL interventions, it remains unclear whether MBIs are as effective as traditional approaches in promoting healthy development and academic achievement for preadolescent children. Additionally, results from the present meta-analysis suggest various recommendations for future studies to ensure a continued growth in understanding how MBIs can be used with children.