Revisiting longitudinal qualitative studies in social work: considerations for design and methodological insights.

This paper undertakes an analysis and discussion of the methodological challenges and insights derived from three longitudinal qualitative studies, all conducted in Chile during the COVID-19 pandemic and subject to comprehensive theoretical-methodological reflection processes centred on their respective designs. This analysis makes a significant contribution to interdisciplinary discussions within social research, with a particular emphasis on longitudinal trajectories. First, we present a comparative analysis of three studies in social work, utilising Saldaña's questions addressing changes and learning in longitudinal studies. The first study explores the labour trajectories of researchers, the second focuses on the educational trajectories of students, and the last examines therapeutic alliance trajectories between social workers and families within the child protection system. Following this, we delve into the methodological decisions made by the research group during the execution of these longitudinal studies. This encompasses an examination of participant involvement, temporal definitions of the adopted designs, and the most suitable methodological tools for analysing change processes over time. The outcomes of this comparative analysis reveal the distinctive characteristics of the three longitudinal studies, providing insights into how the time dimension is explored within them. We highlight key criteria essential for consideration in longitudinal qualitative research, particularly regarding participants and methodology. In conclusion, we advocate for an expanded reflection within the realm of longitudinal qualitative methodology, encompassing aspects such as design choices, approaches to data analysis, integration of technology in information processing, and strategies for maintaining participant engagement.

¿Influye el liderazgo del entrenador sobre la resiliencia de equipo? Efecto mediador de los conflictos intragrupo y la cohesión grupal / Does coach leadership influence team resilience? Mediating effect of intra-group conflict and group cohesion

Resumen Introducción/objetivo: El presente estudio tiene como objetivo examinar la rela ción entre el liderazgo transformacional del entrenador y las características de resiliencia y la vulnerabilidad bajo presión, así como analizar si los factores del conflicto intragrupo (social y tarea) y de la cohesión grupal (social y tarea), pudieran mediar la relación entre dichas variables. Método: A través de un diseño longitudinal, se incluyó a un total de 301 depor tistas inscritos en los JUDEX, pertenecientes a 34 equipos de fútbol y voleibol, con edades comprendidas entre 13 y 18 años (M = 15.72; DT = 1.33). Resultados: Los resultados mostraron una relación positiva entre el liderazgo transformacional del entrenador y las características de resiliencia, y una asociación negativa respecto a la vulnerabilidad bajo presión. Además, el conflicto intragrupo (social y tarea) actuó como mediador entre la relación del liderazgo trans formacional del entrenador y la resiliencia de equipo. En cuanto al papel mediador de la cohe sión grupal, solo la cohesión tarea actuó como mediadora entre el liderazgo transformacional del entrenador y la resiliencia de equipo. Conclusiones: La presente investigación muestra la importancia del liderazgo del entrenador para mejorar la resiliencia del equipo en categorías de formación, y la influencia positiva que tiene la reducción de los conflictos intragrupo y el aumento de la cohesión tarea durante la temporada.

Abstract Introduction/objective: The present study aimed to examine the relationship be tween transformational coach leadership with the characteristics of resilience and vulnerability under pressure, as well as to analyze whether the factors of intra-group conflict (social and task) and group cohesion (social and task) could mediate the relationship between these variables. Method: Through a longitudinal design, a total of 301 athletes enrolled in the JUDEX, belong ing to 34 soccer and volleyball teams, and aged between 13 and 18 years (M = 15.72; SD = 1.33). Results: The results showed a positive relationship between transformational leadership of the coach and resilience characteristics, and a negative association with respect to vulnerability under pressure. In addition, intra-group conflict (social and task) acted as mediators between the relationship between transformational coach leadership and team resilience. Regarding the mediating role of group cohesion, only task cohesion acted as a mediator between trans formational coach leadership and team resilience. Conclusions: This research draws as main conclusion the importance of the coach's leadership to improve team resilience in youth cate gories, and the positive influence of the reduction of intragroup conflicts and the increase of task cohesion during the season.

Disentangling crucial factors of the pandemic in Brazil: Effect of lockdown restrictions on mental health.

Quarantine and social distance restrictions have been enforced worldwide to reduce the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The effects of these measures on mental health are recognised, but remaining unclear, is whether these effects are a consequence of the virus itself or policies that are enforced to prevent it. The present study investigated the impact of lockdown restrictions on anxiety and depression at two different times in 2020. Data were collected from 118 participants from all regions of Brazil. After easing quarantine restrictions in the second half of 2020, two natural groups were formed. One group included participants who voluntarily remained at home (n = 73). The other group consisted of those who decided to leave home (n = 45). A linear mixed model was used to determine the effects of group and time and their interaction. The McNemar test was used to determine intragroup differences in perceptions and concerns about COVID-19. Logistic regression identified predictors of high and stable depression and anxiety. None of the factors or their interactions was significant. Indicators of depression and anxiety remained stable over time, regardless of whether the participants left home or remained at home. Significantly, a strong and stable agreement with quarantine was found. The participants agreed that COVID-19 was a threat to public health. Political orientation was a predictor of high and stable levels of depression but not anxiety. Participants who self-identified as liberal politically were at a greater risk of developing depression. The results suggest that the lockdown policy did not contribute to disruptions of mental health, which instead was a consequence of the pandemic and virus itself. We also found wide and strong support amongst the participants for lockdown and mandatory stay-at-home policies.

Improving Spatial Normalization of Brain Diffusion MRI to Measure Longitudinal Changes of Tissue Microstructure in the Cortex and White Matter.

BACKGROUND: Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) are frequently used to evaluate longitudinal changes in white matter (WM) microstructure. Recently, there has been a growing interest in identifying experience-dependent plasticity in gray matter using MD. Improving registration has thus become a major goal to enhance the detection of subtle longitudinal changes in cortical microstructure. PURPOSE: To optimize normalization of diffusion tensor images (DTI) to improve registration in gray matter and reduce variability associated with multisession registrations. STUDY TYPE: Prospective longitudinal study. SUBJECTS: Twenty-one healthy subjects (18-31 years old) underwent nine MRI scanning sessions each. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 3.0T, diffusion-weighted multiband-accelerated sequence, MP2RAGE sequence. ASSESSMENT: Diffusion-weighted images were registered to standard space using different pipelines that varied in the features used for normalization, namely, the nonlinear registration algorithm (FSL vs. ANTs), the registration target (FA-based vs. T1 -based templates), and the use of intermediate individual (FA-based or T1 -based) targets. We compared the across-session test-retest reproducibility error of these normalization approaches for FA and MD in white and gray matter. STATISTICAL TESTS: Reproducibility errors were compared using a repeated-measures analysis of variance with pipeline as the within-subject factor. RESULTS: The registration of FA data to the FMRIB58 FA atlas using ANTs yielded lower reproducibility errors in white matter (P < 0.0001) with respect to FSL. Moreover, using the MNI152 T1 template as the target of registration resulted in lower reproducibility errors for MD (P < 0.0001), whereas the FMRIB58 FA template performed better for FA (P < 0.0001). Finally, the use of an intermediate individual template improved reproducibility when registration of the FA images to the MNI152 T1 was carried out within modality (FA-FA) (P < 0.05), but not via a T1 -based individual template. DATA CONCLUSION: A normalization approach using ANTs to register FA images to the MNI152 T1 template via an individual FA template minimized test-retest reproducibility errors both for gray and white matter. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:766-775.

Learning and transfer of training: a quasi-experiment with longitudinal design / Aprendizagem e transferência de treinamento: um quase-experimento com desenho longitudinal / Aprendizaje y transferencia de entrenamiento: un casi-experimento con diseño longitudinal

This paper aimed to evaluate learning in three trainings held at a Brazilian federal public organization. It is a longitudinal quasiexperiment with three waves, pre-test (before training ­ T1), post-test 1 (right after the end of the training ­ T2) and post-test 2 (around three months after the training - T3). Learning was assessed with situational tests, so results are based on performance rather than self-assessment. Results show that the experimental group obtained better scores in post-test 1 than it did in the pre-test and better scores than the control group did in post-test 2. There were no difference in the results obtained by the control group, comparing pre and post-test, and that there was no difference in tests according to previous experience and demographic data. Results indicate that learning occurred as a consequence of training and was not explained by other factors of the organizational environment or individuals. (AU)

Esse artigo teve como objetivo mensurar a aprendizagem em três seções de treinamento realizadas em uma organização pública federal brasileira. Trata-se de um quase experimento longitudinal, com três ondas, sendo o pré-teste (antes do treinamento), o pós-teste 1 (imediatamente após o término do treinamento) e o pós-teste 2 (após três meses do término do treinamento). A aprendizagem foi medida usando-se testes situacionais, garantindo que os resultados são baseados em desempenho e não auto relato. Os resultados indicam que o grupo experimental obteve melhores notas no pós-teste 1 do que no pré-teste e melhores notas no pós-teste 2 quando comparado ao pós-teste 1. Não foram encontradas diferenças no grupo controle entre o pré e pós teste, nem diferenças nos resultados dos testes devidas à experiência prévia ou a dados demográficos, indicando que a aprendizagem ocorreu como consequência do treinamento e não de explicações alternativas. (AU)

Este artículo tuvo como objetivo medir el aprendizaje en tres capacitaciones de entrenamiento realizadas en una organización pública federal brasileña. Se trata de un casi-experimento longitudinal con tres momentos: el pre-test (antes del entrenamiento), el post-test 1 (inmediatamente después del término del entrenamiento) y el post-test 2 (después de tres meses del término del entrenamiento). El aprendizaje fue medido usando tests situacionales, garantizando que los resultados se basan en el desempeño y no en el autoinforme. Los resultados indican que el grupo experimental obtuvo mejores notas en el post-test 1 que en el pretest y mejores notas en el post-test 2 comparado con el post- test 1. No se encontraron diferencias en el grupo control entre el pre y post test, ni diferencias en los resultados de los tests debido a experiencia previa o a datos demográficos, indicando que el aprendizaje ocurrió como consecuencia del entrenamiento y no de explicaciones alternativas. (AU)

Analyzing challenges associated with the adoption of longitudinal studies in Work and Organizational Psychology / Analisando desafios associados à adoção de pesquisas longitudinais em Psicologia Organizacional e do Trabalho / Analizando desafíos asociados a la adopción de investigaciones longitudinales en Psicología Organizacional y del Trabajo

This article aims to analyze the main theoretical and methodological challenges associated with the use of longitudinal research designs in Work and Organizational Psychology. Longitudinal designs with three or more points of measurement are rare in the literature. Critical points to be observed include: definition of the interval between first and last measurement of variables, time needed for the effect of an intervention to become observable, quantity of measurements over time, time period between measurements, management of participant drop outs, and analysis of alternative explanations for the effects of interventions or programs. The technical recommendations offered include the use of designs with multiple measurements of independent and dependent variables, such as external variables that threaten the internal and external validity of study conclusions.

Este artigo objetiva analisar os principais desafios teóricos e metodológicos associados ao uso de delineamentos longitudinais de pesquisa em Psicologia Organizacional e do Trabalho. Delineamentos longitudinais com três ondas de mensuração ou mais são raros na literatura da área. Entre os pontos críticos a serem observados está a definição do intervalo de tempo entre a primeira e última mensuração das variáveis, o tempo necessário para que o efeito de uma intervenção se torne observável, a quantidade de mensuração ao longo do tempo, o tempo entre mensurações, o manejo da perda seletiva de sujeitos e a análise de explicações alternativas aos efeitos de intervenções ou programas. Entre as recomendações técnicas estão o uso de delineamentos com múltiplas mensurações, tanto das variáveis independentes e consequentes, como de variáveis externas que ameaçam a validade interna e externa das conclusões desses estudos.

Ese artículo objetiva analizar los principales desafíos teóricos y metodológicos asociados al uso de diseños longitudinales de investigación en Psicología Organizacional y del Trabajo. Diseños longitudinales con tres o más olas de mensuración son raros en la literatura del área. Entre los puntos cruciales que se observarán, está la definición del intervalo de tiempo entre la primera y la última mensuración de las variables, el tiempo necesario para que el efecto de una intervención sea observable, la cantidad de mensuraciones a lo largo del tiempo, el tiempo entre mensuraciones, el manejo de la pérdida selectiva de sujetos y el análisis de explicaciones alternativas para los efectos de intervenciones y programas. Entre las recomendaciones técnicas, está la utilización de diseños con múltiples mensuraciones, tanto de las variables independientes y consecuentes como de las variables externas que amenazan la validad interna y externa de las conclusiones de estos estudios.

Efectos diferidos y concurrentes del clima de grupo sobre los cambios en el aprendizaje de equipo: el rol modulador de la presión temporal y la sobrecarga de trabajo / Concurrent and Lagged Effects of Team Climate on Team Learning Changes: The Moderator Role of Time Pressure and Work Overload

Los grupos de trabajo son centrales en las organizaciones actuales, y uno de los procesos más relevantes es el aprendizaje de equipo, su desarrollo y sus antecedentes. El presente estudio tiene dos objetivos principales: 1) analizar el efecto del clima del grupo sobre el desarrollo del aprendizaje de equipo y 2) estudiar el rol modulador de diferentes estresores de equipo (sobrecarga y presión temporal) en dicha relación. Los resultados muestran que el clima del equipo influye de manera concurrente y diferida sobre el aprendizaje. La sobrecarga de trabajo modula la relación entre el apoyo a la innovación y el aprendizaje de equipo al inicio del trabajo en grupo. Sin embargo, la presión temporal no parece tener efectos en dicha relación.

Teams are central work units in organizations. One of the processes that are receiving attention is team learning. The focus is on those processes that can predict team learning and its evolution over time. This study has two objectives. First, analyze team climate effect on team learning development. Second, test the moderator role of team stressors (work overload and time pressure) in the relationship between tem climate and team learning. Results obtained shows that team climate have concurrent and differed effects on team learning. On the other hand, work overload moderates the relationship between support for innovation and team learning at the beginning of teamwork, but time pressure does not have effects in the relationship between team climate and team learning.

Creando Posibilidades: A Cognitive Model of Risk Behaviors in Mexican American Women.

A prevailing theory within eating disorder literature is that the process of acculturation and the strength of ethnic identity are key determinants of disordered eating and related health risk behaviors for Latinas. In this paper, we describe a longitudinal study to test the theoretical proposition that the configuration of personal identities buffers the effects of acculturation on a triad of modifiable risk behaviors (disordered eating, alcohol use and tobacco use) in college-enrolled Mexican American (MA) women. Using the self-schema model to conceptualize personal identities, we review the causal pathways linking self-schema properties to risk behaviors and describe the longitudinal design and measures used to test the hypothesized relationships. We discuss the causal role of the self-concept in the development of the risk behavior patterns among young Latinas, and the association between socio-cultural factors and properties of the self-concept. We describe our longitudinal study design that enables us to examine the pattern of association among the risk behaviors, and the appropriateness of measures that operationalize the theoretical concepts in the study.

Relación entre los niveles de trp's, las medidas de recordación, preferencia de marca y la conducta de compra en consumidores colombianos / Relation between the TRP'S levels, the measure of brand awareness and buying behavior in Colombian consumers

El propósito de la investigación es determinar las relaciones existentes entre los niveles de Target Rating Point (TRP'S) entendidos como el índice acumulado de rating de Televisión mensual frente a los niveles de notoriedad (conocimiento de marca y publicitario), preferencia (favoritismo) y comportamiento (compra y próxima compra), a fin de identificar las principales tendencias derivadas de dichas asociaciones en una categoría de consumo masivo. Para esto, se tomaron los niveles de TRP'S en Televisión, como variable predictora central, así como las medidas de notoriedad de marca (top of mind, espontánea y ayudada), las medidas de notoriedad publicitaria (top of mind, espontánea y ayudada), las medidas de preferencia (marca favorita) y las variables de compra (marca comprada en el último mes y próxima marca a comprar) clasificadas en el conjunto de las variables criterio. El diseño de este estudio es de corte longitudinal de tendencia con K muestras, la muestra general del estudio comprende un conjunto de 4.104 registros agregados derivados de la replicación de 58 muestras mensuales de 500 participantes de ambos géneros con edades entre los 12 y 60 años pertenecientes a los estratos 2 al 6 dentro del período comprendido entre enero de 2004 y octubre de 2008. Los principales hallazgos resaltan el establecimiento de asociaciones estadísticamente significativas entre los niveles de TRP'S (bajo-medio y alto) y el comportamiento diferencial de cada una de las 3 marcas evaluadas dentro de la categoría en relación con sus niveles de notoriedad, preferencia y compra.

The purpose of this research is to determine the existing relation between the Target Rating Point (TRP's) levels understood as the monthly cumulative index Television rating against the levels of visibility (brand and advertising knowledge), preference (favoritism) and behavior (buy and next buy), to identify main trends derived from these associations in a mass consumption category. With this aim TRP's levels in Television were taken as a central predictor variable as well as the brand visibility measurements (top of mind, spontaneous and assisted), preference measurements (favorite brand) and the buying variables (brand bought in the last month and next brand to be bought) classified in the set of criterion variables. The design of this study is longitudinal in trend with K samples; the general sampling of the study includes a set of 4,104 added records derived from the replication of 58 monthly samples of 500 both male and female participants with ages between 12 and 60 years from strata 2 to 6 within a period between January 2004 and October 2008. Main findings enhance the establishment of associations statistically significant among the TRP's levels (low - medium and high) and the differential behavior of each of the 3 brands assessed within the category in relation with their visibility, preference and buying levels.