A general framework for the inclusion of time-varying and time-invariant covariates in latent state-trait models.

Latent state-trait (LST) models are increasingly applied in psychology. Although existing LST models offer many possibilities for analyzing variability and change, they do not allow researchers to relate time-varying or time-invariant covariates, or a combination of both, to loading, intercept, and factor variance parameters in LST models. We present a general framework for the inclusion of nominal and/or continuous time-varying and time-invariant covariates in LST models. The new framework builds on modern LST theory and Bayesian moderated nonlinear factor analysis and is termed moderated nonlinear LST (MN-LST) framework. The MN-LST framework offers new modeling possibilities and allows for a fine-grained analysis of trait change, person-by-situation interaction effects, as well as inter- or intraindividual variability. The new MN-LST approach is compared to alternative modeling strategies. The advantages of the MN-LST approach are illustrated in an empirical application examining dyadic coping in romantic relationships. Finally, the advantages and limitations of the approach are discussed, and practical recommendations are provided. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

A DSM-5 AMPD and ICD-11 compatible measure for an early identification of personality disorders in adolescence-LoPF-Q 12-18 latent structure and short form.

The LoPF-Q 12-18 (Levels of Personality Functioning Questionnaire) was designed for clinical use and to promote early detection of personality disorder (PD). It is a self-report measure with 97 items to assess personality functioning in adolescents from 12 years up. It operationalizes the dimensional concept of personality disorder (PD) severity used in the Alternative DSM-5 Model for Personality Disorders and the ICD-11. In this study, we investigated the factorial structure of the LoPF-Q 12-18. Additionally, a short version was developed to meet the need of efficient screening for PD in clinical and research applications. To investigate the factorial structure, several confirmatory factor analysis models were compared. A bifactor model with a strong general factor and four specific factors showed the best nominal fit (CFI = .91, RMSEA = .04, SRMR = .07). The short version was derived using the ant colony optimization algorithm. This procedure resulted in a 20-item version with excellent fit for a hierarchical model with four first order factors to represent the domains and a secondary higher order factor to represent personality functioning (CFI = .98, RMSEA = .05, SRMR = .04). Clinical validity (effect size d = 3.1 between PD patients and controls) and clinical utility (cutoff ≥ 36 providing 87.5% specificity and 80.2% sensitivity) for detecting patients with PD were high for the short version. Both, the long and short LoPF-Q 12-18 version are ready to be used for research and diagnostic purposes.

Multisystemic therapy for child abuse and neglect: Parental stress and parental mental health as predictors of change in child neglect.

BACKGROUND: Despite high prevalence, child neglect has long been passed over in research. Serious long-term consequences call for effective intervention programs. However, as a result of the lack of research, there is a lack of effective interventions. In order to develop such intervention programs and to maximize the effectiveness of existing programs, it is necessary to examine what factors are related to the reduction of neglect and, subsequently, what change mechanisms their effectiveness is based on. OBJECTIVE: In this intervention study we investigated whether changes in parental mental health and parental stress after Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect (MST-CAN), an effective evidence-based intervention program for child neglect, are related to changes in child neglect. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Study participants were 144 parent-child dyads participating in the MST-CAN program. METHODS: We analyzed changes from pre- to post-treatment in child neglect, parental mental health, and parental stress, and conducted a multiple regression analysis to examine whether changes in parental mental health and parental stress predict changes in child neglect. RESULT: Our results showed that child neglect, as well as parental stress, significantly decreased and parental mental health significantly improved during the program. While improvements in parental mental health were not related to the reduction of child neglect, a decrease in parental stress significantly predicted the reduction of child neglect. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that parental stress might be a promising target for evidence-based intervention programs to reduce the occurrence of child neglect. Implications and suggestions for further research are discussed.

Developing Preliminary Scales for Assessing the HiTOP Detachment Spectrum.

The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) is an empirical-based classification of psychopathology. Detachment is one of the six spectra in the current HiTOP working model. The aim of this study was to develop preliminary scales for the HiTOP Detachment spectrum that can be used in the next phase of developing a comprehensive measure of HiTOP. We had 456 participants from MTurk (Sample 1) and 266 university students (Sample 2) complete an online survey including a pool of 247 Detachment items assessing 15 consensually defined low-order constructs. Using a stepwise procedure involving factor analyses and ant colony optimization methods, we developed seven 8-item scales that capture unipolar facets of Detachment: anhedonia, suspiciousness, social withdrawal, intimacy avoidance, unassertiveness, risk aversion, and restricted affectivity. Three other 8-item scales emerged that tapped into a Maladaptive Extraversion construct (attention-seeking, thrill-seeking, and domineering), which was mostly unrelated to unipolar Detachment in factor analyses. The 10 scales were unidimensional, reliable, and showed some evidence of convergent and discriminant validity. We discuss challenges of assessing Detachment when moving forward with developing a comprehensive measure of HiTOP.

The effects of patients' expectations on surgery outcome in total hip and knee arthroplasty: a prognostic factor meta-analysis.

Patients' expectations are among the most frequently studied psychological prognostic factors in total knee and hip arthroplasty (TKA/THA). So far, however, evidence on the effect of patients' preoperative expectations on surgery outcome is inconclusive. Heterogeneity of expectation constructs and the use of psychometrically not evaluated measurement instruments have constituted major obstacles for the integration of the current literature. Using a theory-based model of expectation constructs , this meta-analysis set out to disentangle the conflicting results in the current literature. Systematic literature searches yielded k = 46 studies (N = 10,465) that reported associations of preoperative expectations with postoperative pain, functioning and disability, and satisfaction. Random effects meta-analysis revealed a robust small association (r = .16; 95% CI .13, .19) between patients' positive preoperative expectations and better postoperative outcomes. This effect did not differ between THA and TKA, different outcome categories and different follow-up periods. Studies using psychometrically evaluated expectation measures reported significantly higher effects (r = .19; 95% CI .16, .22). Whether this effect varies among different expectation constructs remains unclear. High-quality studies using validated, multidimensional expectation measures are needed to further understand the role of different expectation constructs in THA and TKA surgery.