Better social reversal learning is associated with a more social approach across time.

Flexibly updating behaviors towards others is crucial for adaptive social functioning. Previous studies have found that difficulties in flexibly updating behaviors are associated with social anxiety (SA). However, it is unclear whether such difficulties relate to actual social behaviors. The current study investigated the relationships between negative-to-positive social reversal learning, social approach behavior, and SA across time. Participants (MTurk, Time 1 = 275, Time 2 = 126, 16 weeks later) completed a performance-based social reversal-learning task. In the initial phase, participants learned that interactions with certain individuals are associated with negative outcomes, whereas interactions with other individuals are associated with positive outcomes. In the reversal phase, these associations were reversed, requiring participants to update their behaviors. The relationships between the performance in the task, SA severity, and social approach behavior reported by participants were assessed cross-sectionally and longitudinally. We found that negative-to-positive updating was negatively associated with SA severity. Furthermore, negative-to-positive updating was positively correlated with social approach behavior, both cross-sectionally and prospectively. Hence, individuals with better negative-to-positive updating at Time 1 reported significantly more social approach behaviors across time. The results support the role of negative-to-positive updating as a mechanism associated with SA and social approach, advancing and refining interpersonal and cognitive theories of SA.

Sleep and mental health among Chinese adolescents: the chain-mediating role of physical health perception and school adjustment.

OBJECTIVE: Sleep problems and their detrimental effects on adolescents' physical and mental health have received substantial attention. Prior studies have focused mainly on the direct association between sleep and mental health; however, little is known about the underlying mediating mechanism. To address this gap, the present study constructed a chain mediation model to examine the association between sleep deficiency and mental health status in adolescents, by introducing two mediating variables-physical health perception and school adjustment. METHODS: A sample of 7530 senior high school students completed a battery of self-report questionnaires measuring their sleep duration, mental health status, physical health perception, and school adjustment. Data were collected from the Database of Youth Health at Shandong University. All the measures showed good reliability and validity in the present study. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 and the SPSS PROCESS. RESULTS: The results were as follows: (1) Sleep duration was significantly associated with physical health perception and mental health. (2) Physical health perception partially mediated the association between sleep and mental health. (3) Physical health perception and school adjustment played a chain mediating role between sleep and mental health. In conclusion, sleep not only directly associated with mental health among adolescents, but also influences mental health by the chain mediating effect of perception of physical health and school adjustment. CONCLUSION: These findings in the present study contribute to understanding the mechanisms underlying the association between sleep and mental health and have important implications for interventions aimed at improving mental health status among adolescents in China. Our results indicated that promoting adequate sleep duration and improving sleep quality are possible key mental health promotion strategies for adolescents.

Cognitive and social adaptation in autism spectrum disorder: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: During development, children face a number of demands and cognitive, behavioral, and social challenges necessary for growth. Cognitive skills make individuals competent and allow them to interact with their environment. OBJECTIVE: To identify the cognitive skills that promote better social insertion in children with autism spectrum disorder within 12 months. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: In this study, 21 children aged 3-12 years were assessed, and their mothers were interviewed. Children were enrolled in regular or special autistic schools. Twelve months after the first assessment, the same children participated in the second assessment. In individual interviews, mothers provided data by answering the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale. Each child was assessed individually using the fourth edition of the Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale 4th Edition. RESULTS: In the first assessment, the Stanford Binet areas and total scores correlated with the communication domains, daily life abilities, socialization, and total score of the Vineland Scale. After 12 months, a correlation was observed between the Stanford Binet areas and the total and communication domains, daily life abilities, socialization, motor abilities, and total score on the Vineland Scale. CONCLUSION: Logic mathematics and memory promote better social insertion in children with autism spectrum disorder. General cognitive ability promotes communication.

Ajuste y adaptación psicosocial de adultos jóvenes supervivientes de un cáncer en etapa pediátrica: Revisión sistemática / Psychosocial adjustment and adaptation in young adults surviving pediatric cancer: A systematic review

Introducción: Los efectos a largo plazo de tumores en la infancia pueden alterar la trayectoria de adaptación y ajuste psicosocial de los supervivientes en etapas de vida posteriores. Objetivo: Esta revisión sistemática se centra en analizar las experiencias de crecimiento postraumático, estrés postraumático, malestar emocional y dificultades psicosociales sufridas por jóvenes adultos supervivientes a un cáncer en etapa pediátrica. Resultados: Los resultados sugieren una trayectoria mayoritaria que podría definirse como adaptativa, en la que se observa tanto crecimiento postraumático (prevalencia superior al 60%), como síntomas de estrés postraumático (prevalencia inferior al 30%). No obstante, en comparación con población control no oncológica, estos supervivientes tienen mayor riesgo de padecer síntomas de ansiedad y depresión, de alcanzar menores logros educativos y profesionales, y de permanecer solteros o vivir solos, lo que se hipotetiza que podría estar relacionado con las secuelas de cada tipo de tumor y tratamiento, y no únicamente con la vivencia de la enfermedad. Conclusiones: La atención a jóvenes adultos supervivientes a un cáncer pediátrico debería centrarse en proporcionar mayor apoyo médico y psicosocial a largo plazo, a través del abordaje interdisciplinar y la atención centrada en la persona, como aproximación que favorezca una trayectoria de ajuste adaptativa.(AU)

Introduction: Long-term effects of childhood tumors can alter the trajectory of adjustment and psychosocial adjustment of survivors later in life. Purpose: This systematic review focuses on analyzing the experiences of posttraumatic growth, posttraumatic stress, emotional distress, and psychosocial difficulties experienced by young adult survivors of pediatric cancer. Results: The results suggest a more prevalent trajectory that could be conceptualize as adaptive, in which both post-traumatic growth (prevalence greater than 50%) and post-traumatic stress symptoms (prevalence less than 30%) are observed. However, compared to the non-oncology control population, these survivors are at higher risk for anxiety and depressive symptoms, lower educational and occupational attainment, and remaining single or living alone, which is hypothesized to be related to the sequelae of each tumor type and treatment, and not just the disease experience. Conclusions: Care for young adult survivors of pediatric cancer should focus on providing enhanced long-term medical and psychosocial support through an interdisciplinary approach and person-centered care as an approach that supports a trajectory of adaptive adjustment.(AU)

Back to school after the pandemic: Adjustment of Spanish children and adolescents / La vuelta al colegio tras la pandemia: Adaptación de los niños y adolescentes españoles

Para frenar la propagación del COVID-19, el gobierno español aplicó medidas restrictivas, como el cierre escolar. Aunque los efectos de la pandemia en el bienestar emocional de los niños han sido estudiados, faltan estudios que examinen la adaptación escolar tras la pandemia y el papel que la infección ha tenido en el proceso de adaptación. El objetivo es analizar la relación entre los eventos estresantes relacionados con la escuela y la adaptación escolar después del confinamiento, incluyendo la ansiedad como mediadora. Los participantes fueron 219 padres de niños y adolescentes españoles de entre 3 y 18 años que completaron encuestas sobre la ansiedad de sus hijos (Spanish Brief Child Version of the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale), los eventos estresantes vividos relacionados con la escuela (Stressful Eventos relacionados con el Inventario de Pandemia), y la adaptación escolar (Escala de Ajuste de los Niños después del Cierre Escolar de la Pandemia). Los resultados mostraron mayor prevalencia en el evento estresante distancia social (87%). Tener COVID-19 y sufrir acoso escolar se relacionó directamente con una mayor ansiedad. Los niños que disminuyeron el contacto social y sufrieron acoso escolar mostraron peor adaptación escolar, siendo la ansiedad un mediador indirecto. Los hallazgos destacan la importancia de supervisar la adaptación escolar y promover estrategias para prevenir problemas emocionales en jóvenes expuestos a situaciones estresantes.(AU)

Aiming to mitigate the COVID-19 spread, the government of Spain applied restrictive measures, like schools’ closure. Although the ef-fects of the pandemic on children's emotional well-being have been stud-ied, there is a lack of studies examining school adjustment following the pandemic and the role that the infection has played in the adjustment pro-cess. The objective is to analyze the relationship between stressful events related to school experienced by children and their adjustment to school after the home confinement, including anxiety as a mediator variable. Par-ticipants were the parentsof 219 Spanish children and adolescents aged 3 and 18 years who completed a survey about their children’s anxiety (Span-ish Brief Child Version of the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale), the stress-ful events experienced related to school (Stressful Events related to Pan-demic Inventory), and the adjustment to school (Adjustment of Children after Pandemic School Closure Scale). Results showed that social distance was the most reported stressful event (87%). Having COVID-19 and expe-riencing bullying were directly related to a high level of anxiety. Children ́s who decreased social contact and experienced bullying showed a worse ad-justment to school. Anxiety was an indirect mediator of this relationship. Findings highlight the importance of supervising school adaptation and promoting strategies to prevent emotional problems when the youths are exposed to stressful situations.(AU)

Family Functioning, Identity Commitments, and School Value among Ethnic Minority and Ethnic Majority Adolescents.

Ethnic minority youth show worse school adjustment than their ethnic majority peers. Yet, it remains unclear whether this gap can be explained by differences in family functioning and consequent identity commitments. This study examined (1) whether family functioning relates to identity commitments over time and (2) whether identity commitments impact later school value (3) among minority and majority adolescents. Minority (N = 205, Mage = 16.25 years, 31.1% girls) and majority adolescents (N = 480, Mage = 15.73 years, 47.9% girls) participated in this preregistered three-wave longitudinal study (T1: March-April 2012; T2: October 2012; T3: March-April 2013). Dynamic Panel Models revealed that most within-person cross-lagged associations were not significant in the total sample. Yet, multigroup analyses revealed differences between groups: Stronger identity commitments related to lower school value among minority adolescents, but were unrelated to school value among majority adolescents over time. Additionally, higher school value increased identity commitments among minority youth, yet it decreased identity commitments among majority youth over time. The findings highlight the differential interplay between identity commitments and school adjustment for minority and majority adolescents, with important implications for their future life chances.

Forms of Peer Victimization and School Adjustment Among Japanese Adolescents: A Multilevel Analysis.

The psychosocial correlates and consequences of peer victimization are well documented. However, there is limited knowledge about whether different forms of peer victimization (relational and physical) are predictive of school-based social and motivational factors among adolescents from non-Western cultures. The present study examined the relationship between individual and school-level forms of peer victimization and school adjustment among Japanese adolescents, and the mediating role that these factors may play. The Japanese sample (N = 6109 from 185 schools, Mage = 15.78, SD = 0.29, 51% girls and 49% boys) was drawn from a large international dataset, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2018. Results showed that school-level relational victimization was associated with individual-level relational victimization, and school-level physical victimization was associated with individual-level physical victimization, after controlling for age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Individual-level relational victimization was also uniquely associated with indices of school adjustment (negative affect, positive affect, and fear of failure) over and above physical victimization. While controlling for relational victimization, individual-level physical victimization was associated with indices of school adjustment (positive affect and meaning in life). In further findings, school-level relational and physical victimization were indirectly, but not directly, related to some of students' school adjustment through individual-level relational and physical victimization. These parallel and differential associations suggest the importance of considering the role of relational and physical victimization in school adjustment among Japanese adolescents.

Exploring the Relationship Between Age at Nap Cessation and Social-Emotional Functioning in Children.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine variations in age at nap cessation and identify whether there is an association with social-emotional functioning (SEF) as measured by internalizing/externalizing behavior, child temperament, and social skills in a sample of early childhood education and care-attending children. METHODS: The sample comprised 1117 children from the Australian Effectiveness Early Educational Experiences for Children longitudinal early childhood study. We used children's age at nap cessation as retrospectively recalled by caregivers in 2011 or 2013 when children were between ages 2 and 7 years. Each child's SEF was reported by a caregiver using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Short Temperament Scale for Children, and the Social Skills Inventory Scale. Associations between children's age of nap cessation and SEF were tested using linear regressions. RESULTS: The children's age at nap cessation ranged from 6 months to 6 years. For each additional year of napping, children's total , conduct , externalizing , and peer behavior problems decreased by 0.39 (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.70 to -0.09), 0.11 (95% CI, -0.21 to -0.01), 0.11 (95% CI, -0.51 to -0.06), and 0.11 (95% CI, -0.20 to -0.02) units on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire scale, respectively. No further significant associations were found. CONCLUSION: This is the first study reporting the age range of nap cessation and its associations with social-emotional functioning. Our findings demonstrate earlier cessation ages in Australian children attending Early Childhood Education and Care programs than previously reported and a small association with externalizing and peer problems.

Intrinsic motivation predicts cognitive and functional gains during coordinated specialty care for first-episode schizophrenia.

Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) and embedded group therapeutic interventions have been effective in improving outcomes for individuals experiencing recent first-episode schizophrenia, including cognitive performance and functioning. Treatment response varies substantially, with some patients experiencing limited or no improvement. Motivation has emerged as a key determinant of treatment engagement and efficacy. However, the impact of intrinsic and extrinsic aspects of motivation has not been directly examined with treatment outcomes in first-episode schizophrenia. This study investigated whether baseline levels of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation predicted cognitive and functional gains over 6 and 12 months in CSC. Forty participants with first-episode schizophrenia completed a 12-month CSC treatment period. Baseline measures of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation were obtained for group therapeutic interventions and work/school, as well as measures of cognition and functioning (role and social) at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Results revealed that higher baseline scores of intrinsic motivation for group therapeutic interventions were significantly predictive of greater cognitive gains at 12 months, and a similar tendency was observed at 6 months. Additionally, baseline scores of intrinsic motivation for work/school predicted role gains at 6 months, with a similar tendency observed at 12 months. Extrinsic motivation did not consistently impact treatment outcomes, except for work/school-related extrinsic motivation, which was linked to greater social functioning gains at 12 months. These findings provide insight into the factors influencing treatment outcomes for individuals with first-episode schizophrenia and highlight the importance of intrinsic motivation as a modifiable personal variable that can enhance response to CSC.

Humanization, Adaptation to Change, and Mental Health in Teachers in Three European Countries / Humanización, adaptación al cambio y salud mental en docentes de tres países europeos

Background: The aim of this study was to explore the relationships between humanization, adaptability to change, and mental health in European teachers (Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian teachers), as well as the relationship between humanization and mental health in teachers through the analysis of the mediating role of adaptability to change. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with teachers from three European countries (Spain, n = 263; Portugal, n = 344; and Italy, n = 287). The Healthcare Professional Humanization Scale (HUMAS), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), and the Adaptation to Change Questionnaire (ADAPTA-10) were administered. Results: In all three countries, negative associations were observed between humanization and the presence of problematic symptoms. With respect to the adaptability to change factors, humanization showed negative associations with the emotional factor and positive associations with the cognitive-behavioral factor. Comparative mean analysis revealed differences in humanization, the emotional factor of adaptability to change, and the presence of problematic symptoms. Finally, the mediation models showed the absence of a direct effect in the relationship between humanization and the presence of GHQ-28 symptomatology when it was mediated by the emotional factor (Spanish and Portuguese sample). In the Italian sample, the direct effect of humanization-GHQ-28 symptomatology was significant, with a smaller proportion of the indirect effect of the emotional factor acting as a mediator. On the other hand, when considering the cognitive-behavioral factor as a mediator, the same result was obtained for all three countries: a negative direct effect between humanization and GHQ-28 symptomatology, with no mediation by the cognitive-behavioral factor. Conclusions: The need to improve training in humanization competencies lies in the potential protective function that these competencies can have ... (AU)

Antecedentes: El objetivo del trabajo fue explorar la relación entre humanización, capacidad de adaptación al cambio y salud mental en docentes europeos (españoles, portugueses e italianos) y la relación entre humanización y salud mental en docentes mediante el análisis del rol mediador de la capacidad de adaptación al cambio. Método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal con docentes de tres países europeos (España, n = 263, Portugal, n = 344 e Italia, n = 287). Se administró la Healthcare Professional Humanization Scale (HUMAS), el General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) y el Cuestionario de Adaptación al Cambio (ADAPTA-10). Resultados: En los tres países se obervó una asociación negativa entre humanización y la presencia de sintomatología problemática. Con los factores de adaptación al cambio la humanización presentó una asociación negativa con el factor emocional y positiva con el cognitivo-conductual. Del análisis comparativo de medias se obtuvieron diferencias en humanización, el factor emocional de adaptación al cambio y la presencia de sintomatología problemática. Finalmente, los modelos de mediación mostraron la ausencia de un efecto directo en la relación entre humanización y la presencia de sintomatología GHQ-28 cuando esta se encontraba mediada por el factor emocional (muestra española y portuguesa). En la muestra italiana fue significativo el efecto directo de la humanización-sintomatología GHQ-28, con menor proporción del efecto indirecto del factor emocional actuando este como mediador. Por otro lado, tomando como mediador el factor cognitivo-conductual, se obtuvo el mismo resultado para los tres países: un efecto directo negativo entre la humanización y la sintomatología GHQ-28, no estando este mediado por el factor cognitivo-conductual. Conclusiones: La necesidad de mejorar la formación en competencias de humanización reside en la potencial función protectora que pueden ejercer sobre la salud mental de los docentes. (AU)

Household income supplements in early childhood to reduce inequities in children's development.

BACKGROUND: Early childhood interventions have the potential to reduce children's developmental inequities. We aimed to estimate the extent to which household income supplements for lower-income families in early childhood could close the gap in children's developmental outcomes and parental mental health. METHODS: Data were drawn from a nationally representative birth cohort, the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (N = 5107), which commenced in 2004 and conducted follow-ups every two years. Exposure was annual household income (0-1 year). Outcomes were children's developmental outcomes, specifically social-emotional, physical functioning, and learning (bottom 15% versus top 85%) at 4-5 years, and an intermediate outcome, parental mental health (poor versus good) at 2-3 years. We modelled hypothetical interventions that provided a fixed-income supplement to lower-income families with a child aged 0-1 year. Considering varying eligibility scenarios and amounts motivated by actual policies in the Australian context, we estimated the risk of poor outcomes for eligible families under no intervention and the hypothetical intervention using marginal structural models. The reduction in risk under intervention relative to no intervention was estimated. RESULTS: A single hypothetical supplement of AU$26,000 (equivalent to ∼USD$17,350) provided to lower-income families (below AU$56,137 (∼USD$37,915) per annum) in a child's first year of life demonstrated an absolute reduction of 2.7%, 1.9% and 2.6% in the risk of poor social-emotional, physical functioning and learning outcomes in children, respectively (equivalent to relative reductions of 12%, 10% and 11%, respectively). The absolute reduction in risk of poor mental health in eligible parents was 1.0%, equivalent to a relative reduction of 7%. Benefits were similar across other income thresholds used to assess eligibility (range, AU$73,329-$99,864). CONCLUSIONS: Household income supplements provided to lower-income families may benefit children's development and parental mental health. This intervention should be considered within a social-ecological approach by stacking complementary interventions to eliminate developmental inequities.

Utility of the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) in predicting long-term sick-leave in Danish patients with emotional disorders.

BACKGROUND: The Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) is a self-administered measure designed to assess the level of inability to function socially as a consequence of a defined problem or disorder. METHODS: A total of 230 patients with emotional disorders completed the Danish translation of the WSAS, measures of anxiety and depression, the Level of Personality Functioning Brief Form, the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 Short Form, and the World Health Organization Five-Item Well-Being Index (WHO-5). We conducted a confirmatory factor analysis of the previously suggested factor structure of the instrument. We furthermore evaluated the construct validity of the WSAS by means of its relationship with depression, anxiety, personality functioning, and overall well-being. Finally, we evaluated the utility of the WSAS to identify those on long-term sick-leave by conducting receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: The instrument had a poor to average fit with the previously reported single-factor structure, but a better fit to a modified single-factor structure. Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega showed good internal scale reliability (α = .79, ωtotal = .85). WSAS was positively correlated with measures of anxiety (r = .33), depression (r = .44), and personality functioning (r = .23 and r = .20), and negatively correlated with WHO-5 wellbeing (r = -.57). The optimal cut-off point in the ROC-analyses was 23, which yielded a sensitivity of 74% and a specificity of 55% in the prediction of sick-leave status. DISCUSSION: The Danish WSAS shows promising psychometric properties, but has limited external validity insofar as predicting long-term sick leave in psychiatric patients with emotional disorders.

Direct and indirect effects of error monitoring on social functioning in a cohort with high-risk and first-episode psychosis.

Error monitoring plays a key role in people's adjustment to social life. This study aimed to examine the direct (DE) and indirect effects (IDE) of error monitoring, as indicated by error-related negativity (ERN), on social functioning in a clinical cohort from high-risk (APS) to first-episode psychosis (FEP). This study recruited 100 outpatients and 49 healthy controls (HC). ERN was recorded during a modified flanker task; social functioning was evaluated using the social scale of global functioning. The path analysis was executed using the "lavaan" package. When controlling for age and education, the clinical cohort had a smaller ERN than the HC group (F1, 145 = 19.58, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.12, 95%CI: 0.04-0.22). ERN demonstrated no substantial direct impact on current social functioning; however, it manifested indirect influences on social functioning via the disorganization factor of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, both with (standardized IDE: -0.139, p = 0.009) and without (standardized IDE: -0.087, p = 0.018) accounting for the diagnosis, defined as a dummy variable (FEP = 1 and APS = 0) and included as a covariate. These findings suggest that error monitoring, as indicated by ERN, may serve as a potential prognostic indicator of social functioning in patients with psychosis.

Social participation of school-aged survivors of pediatric brain tumors: A daily diary report.

BACKGROUND: Difficulties with social functioning are common among survivors of pediatric brain tumors. Social participation is an understudied measure of social functioning that is associated with emotional health across the lifespan. This paper uses a diary method to assess the social participation of survivors of pediatric brain tumors in middle childhood. PROCEDURE: Survivors of pediatric brain tumors (N = 47; age 10.6 ± 1.4 years; 51.1% male, 89.4% White) who were 5.3 (SD = 2.4, range: 2-9.9) years post therapy completed a daily diary assessment of social interaction (5-7 days) and an objective measure of facial affect recognition. The participant's caregiver completed the NIH Toolbox Emotion Measures and a background information questionnaire. RESULTS: Overall, frequency and quality of reported social interactions were low for survivors, with a large subset of survivors (n = 16, 34%) endorsing fewer than 10 social interactions over the course of a typical school week, and almost half of parents (48.9%) reporting that their child participates in zero social activities outside of school during a typical week. Participants engaged in more positive social participation exhibited stronger social skills (facial affect recognition (F(2,44)  = 4.85, p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: School-aged survivors of pediatric brain tumors seemed to be infrequently engaged in social participation and quality interaction with peers. More specifically, the interactions most commonly reported on the diary assessment are not indicative of friendship development and maintenance. Survivors of pediatric brain tumors would likely benefit from interventions designed to increase quality time spent with peers.

Concern for mianzi: Relations with adjustment in rural and urban Chinese adolescents.

The present study examined relations between concern for mianzi, or the social perception of one's prestige and standing in the group, and adjustment in Chinese adolescents. Participants were seventh- and ninth-grade students in rural and urban regions of China (n = 794, Mage = 14 years). Data were obtained from multiple sources including peer assessments, teacher ratings, self-reports, and school records. The results showed that concern for mianzi was associated with social competence, leadership, academic achievement, as well as aggression and mixed peer relationships in rural adolescents. In contrast, concern for mianzi was associated with comprehensive social, school, and psychological adjustment problems in urban adolescents. The results indicate the role of context in shaping the relations between adolescents' concern for mianzi and adjustment.

Cultural Identity and the Academic, Social, and Psychological Adjustment of Adolescents with Immigration Background.

As Western societies become more ethnically and culturally diverse, understanding the acculturation of immigrant youth is essential for fostering social cohesion. How the cultural identity formation of ethnic minority adolescents relates to their academic, social, and psychological adjustment is an important and as yet unresolved research question. This study examined to what extent identifying with the heritage and/or host culture is an individual resource or risk factor for the adjustment of immigrant youth in Germany. A random sample of 15-17-year-olds (N = 1992; Mage_w1 = 15.3 years, SD = 0.64; 44.5% girls; 44.7% students with immigrant background) was assessed twice: at the end of 9th and 10th grade. Academic performance and three dimensions of social/psychological adjustment (school attachment, self-esteem, and life satisfaction) were examined. Results showed that biculturalism was the modal identification pattern. Contrary to expectations, cultural identification did not differ systematically with perceived distance from the majority culture. Multivariate structural equation modeling revealed that both heritage and host identification can be developmental resources, but that their effects are dependent on the dimension of adjustment; biculturalism only proved to be a cumulative resource for school attachment. The domain specificity of the findings challenges the generalization claims of predominant acculturation theories.

Relational and physical aggression in preschool-age children: Associations with teacher, parent, sibling, and peer relationship quality.

Early childhood relationships with teachers, parents, siblings, and peers are foundational factors for later social functioning. High rates of childhood aggression have been associated with negative developmental consequences, however, the associations between child aggression on the quality of these formative relationships have not been studied extensively. In a sample of young children attending preschool (N = 114, Mage = 46.27 months, SD = 9.94, 40% girls), this study investigated associations between early childhood relational and physical aggression and the quality of concurrent teacher-child and parent-child closeness and conflict, sibling relationship quality, and positive peer interactions and peer rejection. Early childhood relational and physical aggression was associated with negative teacher-child relationships, and this was true for boys and girls. Differential patterns of prediction were found for relational and physical aggression on the other relationship variables. Relational aggression strongly predicted more positive peer interactions, whereas physical aggression predicted fewer positive peer interactions and greater peer rejection. Early childhood relational aggression predicted higher levels of teacher-child closeness, whereas physical aggression predicted lower levels of teacher-child closeness and fewer positive sibling interactions. These findings challenge common perceptions that aggression is negatively associated with relationship quality. Notably, relational aggression relative to physical aggression may be associated with some favorable relationship outcomes. We did not find support for an additive model of aggression whereby children who were both relationally and physically aggressive (co-morbid) were at higher risk for negative relationship quality. Implications of these findings for future research and prevention and intervention are discussed.

Premorbid adjustment as predictor of long-term functionality: Findings from a 10-year follow-up study in the PAFIP-cohort.

The literature indicates that patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders often show deficits in premorbid adjustment. Additionally, these impairments have been correlated with critical disease parameters, evident in both early and advanced stages. The principal objective of this study was to investigate the association between premorbid adjustment and functional outcomes a decade following the initial episode of psychosis. A cluster analysis was performed to group patients according to their premorbid adjustment scores as assessed with the Premorbid Adjustment Scale (PAS). The measurements of The Disability Assessment Scale (DAS), The Global Assessment of Function (GAF) scale, ​​and The Quality of Life Scale (QLS) were used to compare the functionality of the groups at a 10-year follow-up. A total of 231 patients were classified into three groups based on their premorbid adjustment: "good PAS", "deteriorating PAS", and "chronically poor PAS". The three groups differed significantly in their sociodemographic and cognitive baseline characteristics. At the 10-year follow-up, "good PAS" group had better scores than the other groups in the variables of functionality and quality of life. The relationship found between premorbid adjustment and long-term functional results in patients with psychosis can help us predict the evolution of patients and act accordingly.

Social adjustment in children diagnosed with sickle cell disease: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at risk for physical, psychological, and social adjustment challenges. This study sought to investigate social adjustment and related factors in children living with SCD. METHODS: Data from 32 children (50% male, mean age = 10.32 years, SD = 3.27) were retrospectively collected from a neuropsychology clinic at a tertiary care pediatric hospital. Social adjustment was measured using the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC-3) parent-proxy, withdrawal subscale, and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Generic Module Social Functioning self- and parent-proxy subscales. Other measures captured executive functioning (i.e., Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Second Edition (BRIEF-2) Parent Form) and non-disease-related associations with social adjustment, including number of years in Canada and family functioning (i.e., PedsQL Family Impact Module). RESULTS: Sixteen percent of patients reported elevated social adjustment difficulties. Multiple linear regression found better family functioning [B = .48, t = 2.65, p = .016], and higher executive functioning [B = -.43, t = -2.39, p = .028] were related to higher scores on the PedsQL parent-proxy ratings of social adjustment [F(4,18) = 5.88, p = .003]. Male sex [B = .54, t = 3.08, p = .005], and having lived more years in Canada [B = .55, t = 2.81, p = .009], were related to higher PedsQL self-reported social adjustment [F(4,23) = 3.75, p = .017]. The model examining the BASC-3 withdrawal subscale was not statistically significant [F(4,16) = 1.63, p = .22]. IMPLICATIONS: Social adjustment in children diagnosed with SCD warrants future research to understand the influence of executive function, and non-disease-related factors, particularly focusing on sociocultural factors.

Current maternal depression associated with worsened children's social outcomes during middle childhood: Exploring the role of positive affect socialization.

BACKGROUND: Maternal depression negatively predicts aspects of the mother-child relationship and social functioning in offspring. This study evaluated interrelations between mothers' depression history and current severity with dynamic indices of positive affect socialization and indices of offspring' social outcomes. METHODS: N = 66 mother-child dyads in which approximately 50 % of mothers had a history of maternal depression were recruited. Children were 6-8 years old and 47.7 % male. Dyads completed a positive interaction task, which was coded for mother and child positive affect. Mothers and children reported on peer functioning and social problems and children reported on the quality of their best friendships at 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: Current level of maternal depression, but not depression history, was related to more social problems and lower best friend relationship quality. Indices of positive affect socialization were not related to history or current levels of maternal depression, or social outcomes, with the exception of maternal depression history predicting greater likelihood of mothers joining their children in expressing positive affect. Exploratory, supplementary analysis revealed that this may be due to treatment history among these mothers. LIMITATIONS: Conclusions should be tempered by the small sample size, which limited the types of analyses that were conducted. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that the effect of maternal depression on aspects of child social outcomes could be specific to current levels. Our data also did not support previously found associations between maternal depression and positive affect socialization. Results suggest positive implications for the effect of treatment for maternal depression for mother-child dynamics.