Understanding self-control as a problem of regulatory scope.

Although the focus of research for decades, there is a surprising lack of consensus on what is (and what is not) self-control. We review some of the most prominent theoretical models of self-control, including those that highlight conflicts between smaller-sooner versus larger-later rewards, "hot" emotions versus "cool" cognitions, and efficient automatic versus resource-intensive controlled processes. After discussing some of their shortcomings, we propose an alternative approach based on tenets of construal level theory (Trope et al., 2021) that integrates these disparate models while also providing novel insights. Specifically, we model self-control as a problem of regulatory scope-the range of considerations one accounts for in any decision or behavior. Self-control conflicts occur when the pursuit of specific local opportunities threatens the ability to address motivational priorities that span a broader array of time, places, individuals, and possibilities. Whereas a more contractive consideration of relevant concerns may prompt indulgence in temptation, a more expansive consideration of concerns should not only help people identify the self-control conflict but also successfully resolve it. We review empirical evidence that supports this new framework and discuss implications and new directions. This regulatory framework not only clarifies what is and what is not self-control but also provides new insights that can be leveraged to enhance self-control in all its various forms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Metamotivation: The regulation of motivation in self-control.

Psychological research on self-control-the forgoing of immediate rewards in favor of global goals-focuses largely on how people monitor and control their thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Comparatively less work has examined the regulation of motivational states. This is surprising given the motivational roots of self-control dilemmas: people desire an immediate reward on the one hand, but also recognize that this reward precludes the ability to attain higher-priority concerns on the other. We describe an emerging perspective that highlights the monitoring and control of one's motivational states; i.e., metamotivation. We distinguish this approach from similar approaches (e.g., cognitive control, emotion regulation) and review initial supporting empirical results. Studying metamotivation is essential if we are to gain a comprehensive understanding into the questions of who, when, and why people succeed or fail at self-control.

Does intervention sequence impact self-regulatory and behavioral outcomes in an adaptive trial among adults with prediabetes?

Background: Lifestyle interventions can promote improvement in dietary intake and physical activity (PA), on average, by strengthening motivation, self-regulatory efforts, and commitment to behavioral change. However, maintenance of behavioral change is challenging, and slow responders during treatment often experience less overall success. Adaptive intervention sequences tailored to treatment response may be more effective in sustaining behavioral change. Methods: Adults ≥ 21 years old with prediabetes (n = 187) were stratified at week five to the standard Group Lifestyle Balance (GLB) intervention, if they achieved > 2.5% weight loss, or to the augmented intervention GLB Plus (GLB+) at week five, if they did not. At month five, each person in a matched pair was randomly assigned to GLB or GLB + for the extended intervention phase (months 5-12) followed by no study conduct (months 13-18). The primary comparison of interest was the change in outcomes between the standard (GLB followed by GLB) and augmented (GLB + followed by GLB+) intervention sequences post-intervention at 12 - and 18-months using linear mixed effect models. Results: The augmented GLB + intervention sequence reported a decline in the change in self-efficacy for reducing fat intake, self-efficacy for 'sticking to' healthy eating and exercise, and hopeful thought and planning compared to the standard GLB intervention sequence (all P < 0.0167) at 18-months. However, there were no significant differences between these intervention sequences at 18-months in the change in dietary intake or minutes of PA (all P > 0.05). Conclusions: No significant change in behavioral measures across intervention sequences occurred at study end. An 18-month decline in self-efficacy regarding diet and PA and hopeful thought and planning among slow responders following no intervention for six months indicates greater extended care is likely needed. The type of extended care that is most effective for slow treatment responders requires additional research.

Simultaneous Osteosynthesis and Distal Femoral Osteotomy in a Patient With Distal Femoral Fracture Combined With Valgus Knee Deformity: A Case Report.

Distal femoral fractures are commonly treated with osteosynthesis. However, in older patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, acute primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may be performed to treat these fractures. Notably, no studies have documented the use of osteosynthesis in combination with distal femoral osteotomy (DFO) for treating distal femoral fractures in patients with knee osteoarthritis. This report presents the case of a 66-year-old woman with lateral compartment osteoarthritis accompanied by severe valgus knee deformity who underwent osteosynthesis for a distal femoral fracture combined with medial closing-wedge distal femoral osteotomy (MCWDFO) to correct the knee valgus deformity. She experienced a distal femoral fracture (AO/OTA 33B1.1) of the right knee because of a fall. Before the injury, she exhibited a limp due to severe knee pain with some limitations in knee flexion. Non-weight-bearing radiographs of the entire lower extremity suggested a percentage mechanical axis (%MA) of 115%, indicating severe valgus deformity. On day nine after the injury, we performed osteosynthesis for the distal femoral fracture and conducted an MCWDFO to correct the right knee valgus deformity. After MCWDFO, the %MA was corrected to 70%. Partial weight-bearing was initiated three weeks postoperatively and progressed to full weight-bearing at six weeks. To facilitate bone healing, low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) was applied for three months after surgery. Bone union was successfully achieved by month five. Some medial knee pain persisted for six months after surgery; nonetheless, the patient could walk without a limp. We considered that the integration of MCWDFO with osteosynthesis could provide a treatment option for patients with distal femoral fractures and lateral compartment osteoarthritis.

The role of conflict representation in abstinence versus moderation in self-control.

Self-control-the prioritization of valued global goals over immediate local rewards-is typically conceptualized and studied as isolated decisions. Goal pursuit, however, generally requires people to make repeated self-control decisions across contexts. We adopt a higher order, strategic level of analysis of self-control and explore, for the first time, people's preferences for abstinence (a pattern of choices in which one never indulges) versus moderation (a pattern of choices in which one indulges when doing so does not harm one's goals or even helps promote the pursuit of those goals). To understand when and why people may opt for one over the other, the present work explores one psychological feature that may support these strategy preferences: the representation of self-control conflicts as inherent (i.e., choice options are mutually contradictory) versus situational (i.e., choice options compete for limited resources). We present eight studies in the main text and three in the online Supplemental Materials documenting that people associate inherent and situational conflict representations with abstinence and moderation, respectively. By documenting that strategy preferences may differ as a function of conflict representations, this work questions the assumption of abstinence as the primary indicator of self-control success, raises methodological and conceptual questions about how best to assess these strategy preferences, and calls for greater understanding of self-control as a recurrent decision-making process. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Weight loss maintenance following an augmented intervention for early slow weight loss responders: An adaptive trial.

Early slow weight loss during treatment is associated with less weight loss overall. The impact of an augmented intervention designed for early slow weight loss responders compared with a standard diabetes prevention intervention was evaluated following 12 months of treatment and 6 months of no contact. The impact of standard vs. augmented intervention sequences on weight and glycemia also was determined. Adults were ≥21 years old with overweight or obesity and prediabetes (n = 174). Slow responders were stratified to augmented treatment if they failed to achieve >2.5% weight loss (%WL) at Week 5. Matched within-sex pairs of participants were created based on %WL at Month 5 following the intensive intervention phase, and each person within the pair was randomly assigned to treatment for Months 5-12 during the extended intervention phase. Both 12-month interventions included a ≥7%WL goal. Mean 12-month %WL was 5.29% (95% CI: 4.27%-6.31%; P < .0001) and 18-month %WL was 3.34% (95% CI: 2.01%-4.66%; P < .0001) overall. %WL was greater for the standard (9.55%) than the augmented (4.0%) intervention (P = .0001); no differences occurred in weight regain between early and slow responders (P = .9476). No differences occurred in mean %WL at 12 months between the standard and augmented groups after controlling for %WL at Week 5 and sex (P = .23) nor in the change in glycemia (all P > .05). WL following the first month of treatment predicted 12- and 18-month WL success regardless of intervention sequence; however, even early slow responders achieved significant WL during treatment. Further research is needed to support effective WL maintenance for people with prediabetes.

Weight loss is a primary strategy for risk reduction in adults with prediabetes, and early weight loss may indicate weight loss success long-term. Early slow weight loss responders during behavioral treatment may benefit from alternate treatment compared with remaining in a standard diabetes prevention program. An intervention augmented with training in goal setting and problem-solving was implemented among slow weight loss responders following the first month of treatment in the current study. The change in percent weight loss observed in the augmented intervention compared with the standard diabetes prevention intervention was determined at 12 and 18 months from baseline. Both the standard and augmented interventions facilitated significant weight loss at 12 months. Participants who lost more than 2.5% of their weight during the first month of treatment (early responders) lost more weight overall during the study compared with people who were slower to respond. Percent weight loss following the first month of lifestyle intervention and sex predicted percent weight loss at 12 months. Participants regained some weight at 18 months regardless of the treatment group but weighed less than their baseline weight. Both early and slow weight loss responders may benefit from ongoing support following 12 months of treatment to achieve weight loss maintenance.

Corrigendum: The relationship between metamotivational knowledge and performance.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1124171.].

Effects of matching personal and organizational mindsets on belonging and organizational interest.

Growth mindsets are beliefs that abilities, like intelligence, are mutable. Although most prior work has focused on people's personal mindset beliefs, a burgeoning literature has identified that organizations also vary in the extent to which they communicate and endorse growth mindsets. Organizational growth mindsets have powerful effects on belonging and interest in joining organizations, suggesting that they may be a productive way to intervene to improve individual and societal outcomes. Yet, little is known about for whom organizational mindset interventions might be more or less effective, a critical question for effective implementation and theory. We examine whether people's personal mindset beliefs might determine the effect of organizational growth mindsets, and if so, whether this moderation reflects a matching or mismatching pattern. Three experiments manipulated the espoused mindset of an organization and found that organizational growth mindsets primarily increased belonging and interest in joining among participants who personally endorsed matching growth mindset beliefs. An additional field study provided ecological validity to these findings, replicating them with students' experiences of belonging in classrooms. This study also revealed a divergent mismatching pattern on grades: rather than bolstering the grades of students with growth mindsets, growth mindset classroom contexts primarily enhanced the grades of students with more fixed mindsets. By clarifying for whom organizational growth mindsets are beneficial and in what manner, the current work provides theoretical and practical insight into the psychological dynamics of organizational growth mindsets. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Major latex-like proteins show pH dependency in their binding to hydrophobic organic pollutants.

The Cucurbitaceae family accumulates hydrophobic organic pollutants in its aerial parts at high concentrations. Major latex-like proteins (MLPs) were identified in zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) as a transporting factor for hydrophobic organic pollutants. MLPs bind to hydrophobic organic pollutants in the roots, are secreted to xylem vessels as complexes, and are transported to the aerial parts. However, the suitable conditions for binding MLPs to hydrophobic organic pollutants remain elusive. In the present study, we show that MLPs bind to the hydrophobic organic pollutant pyrene with higher affinity under acidic conditions. Our results demonstrated that pH regulates the binding of MLPs to hydrophobic organic pollutants.

Cucurbita pepo contains characteristic proteins without a signal peptide in the xylem sap.

Xylem sap is a fluid that transfers water and nutrients from the rhizosphere. This sap contains relatively low concentrations of proteins that originate from the extracellular space among the root cells. One of the characteristic proteins in the xylem sap of the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes cucumber and zucchini, is a major latex-like protein (MLP). MLPs are responsible for crop contamination through the transport of hydrophobic pollutants from the roots. However, detailed information on the content of MLPs in the xylem sap is not available. Proteomic analysis of root and xylem sap proteins from the Cucurbita pepo cultivars Patty Green (PG) and Raven (RA) showed that the xylem sap of cv. RA, a high accumulator of hydrophobic pollutants, contained four MLPs that accounted for over 85% of the total xylem sap proteins in this cultivar. The xylem sap of PG, a low accumulator, mainly contained an uncharacterized protein. The amount of each root protein between the PG and RA cultivars was significantly and positively correlated in spite of being with and without a signal peptide (SP). However, the amount of xylem sap proteins without an SP was not correlated. These results suggest that cv. RA is characterized by MLPs in the xylem sap.

The relationship between metamotivational knowledge and performance.

Self-regulation research highlights the performance trade-offs of different motivational states. For instance, within the context of regulatory focus theory, promotion motivation enhances performance on eager tasks and prevention motivation enhances performance on vigilant tasks (i.e., regulatory focus task-motivation fit). Work on metamotivation-people's understanding and regulation of their motivational states-reveals that, on average, people demonstrate knowledge of how to create such task-motivation fit; at the same time, there is substantial variability in this normative accuracy. The present research examines whether having accurate normative metamotivational knowledge predicts performance. Results revealed that more accurate metamotivational knowledge predicts better performance on brief, single-shot tasks (Study 1) and in a consequential setting (course grades; Study 2). The effect was more robust in Study 2; potential implications of this variability are discussed for understanding when and why knowledge may be associated with performance.

Sex Differences in Early Weight Loss Success During a Diabetes Prevention Intervention.

Objectives: Males often lose more weight than females during treatment, and early weight loss predicts weight loss longer-term. Yet, mechanisms for sex differences in early weight loss are unknown and were examined in this study.Methods: Adults≥21 years old with overweight or obesity and prediabetes (N=206) participated in a lifestyle intervention and completed baseline psychosocial questionnaires. Percent weight loss, session attendance, and number of days participants self-monitored dietary intake and weight were determined at week 5. Principal components, regression, and mediation analyses were conducted to determine whether weight loss differed by sex and potential mediators of weight change. Results: Mean (±SD) weight loss was greater for males (2.59±1.62%) than females (2.05±1.54%; p=.02). Attendance, self-monitoring, and beliefs regarding disease risk were independent predictors of weight loss (all p<.05) but did not explain sex differences. The association between attendance and weight loss was stronger for males than females (p<.05). Conclusions: Additional research is needed to identify mechanisms that explain sex differences in early weight loss. However, strengthening risk beliefs, attendance, and self-monitoring may promote greater early weight loss for all participants.

Impact of an augmented intervention on self-regulatory, dietary and physical activity outcomes in a diabetes prevention trial among adults with prediabetes.

Self-regulation can facilitate modifications in lifestyle to promote behavioral change. However, little is known about whether adaptive interventions promote improvement in self-regulatory, dietary, and physical activity outcomes among slow treatment responders. A stratified design with an adaptive intervention for slow responders was implemented and evaluated. Adults ≥ 21 years old with prediabetes were stratified to the standard Group Lifestyle Balance intervention (GLB; n = 79) or the adaptive GLB Plus intervention (GLB + ; n = 105) based on first-month treatment response. Intake of total fat was the only study measure that significantly differed between groups at baseline (P = 0.0071). GLB reported greater improvement in self-efficacy for lifestyle behaviors, goal satisfaction with weight loss, and very active minutes of activity than GLB + (all P < 0.01) at 4-months. Both groups reported significant improvement in self-regulatory outcomes and reduction in energy and fat intake (all P < 0.01). An adaptive intervention can improve self-regulation and dietary intake when tailored to early slow treatment responders.

Happiness-To enjoy now or later? Consequences of delaying happiness and living in the moment beliefs.

How do people think about happiness? Is it something best enjoyed as an investment over time, or is it something fleeting that should be savored? When people view happiness as an investment, they may endorse delaying happiness (DH)-the belief that working hard and sacrificing opportunities for happiness now will contribute to greater future happiness. When people view happiness as fleeting, they may endorse living in the moment (LM)-the belief that one should seize proximal opportunities to experience happiness now, rather than later. Using a mix of cross-sectional, meta-analytic (Studies 1, 2a, 2b, 2c), experimental (Study 3), and daily diary methods (Study 4), people who endorsed DH or LM beliefs anticipated more positive affect upon goal attainment and experienced greater well-being, but only DH was related to more negative affect when pursuing nonfocal goals and less delay discounting of future rewards. Implications for self-regulation and emotion are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Examining Beliefs About the Benefits of Self-Affirmation for Mitigating Self-Threat.

Self-affirmation-reflecting on a source of global self-integrity outside of the threatened domain-can mitigate self-threat in education, health, relationships, and more. Whether people recognize these benefits is unknown. Inspired by the metamotivational approach, we examined people's beliefs about the benefits of self-affirmation and whether individual differences in these beliefs predict how people cope with self-threat. The current research revealed that people recognize that self-affirmation is selectively helpful for self-threat situations compared with other negative situations. However, people on average did not distinguish between self-affirmation and alternative strategies for coping with self-threat. Importantly, individual differences in these beliefs predicted coping decisions: Those who recognized the benefits of self-affirmation were more likely to choose to self-affirm rather than engage in an alternative strategy following an experience of self-threat. We discuss implications for self-affirmation theory and developing interventions to promote adaptive responses to self-threat.

From whom do people seek what type of support? A regulatory scope perspective.

From whom do people seek what type of support? Although people regularly seek support from close and distant others, little work has systematically investigated when and why people approach different people in their support network for different types of support. The present research introduces a novel distinction of social support and explores its relationship to the scope or range of support providers people would consider asking for support. Based on a recent extension of construal level theory (Trope et al., 2021), five experiments tested the bidirectional relation between levels of support and scope-the latter assessed by the social distance of potential support providers. Experiment 1 demonstrated that people can categorize supportive behaviors into low-level support (i.e., addressing the effect of a problem) and high-level support (i.e., addressing the cause of a problem). Experiments 2 and 4 showed that being prompted to seek low-level (vs. high-level) support-oriented people toward support providers who are socially proximal (vs. distal). In Experiment 3, thinking about interacting with a socially proximal (vs. distal) support provider led to a greater focus on receiving low-level (vs. high-level) support. Testing the implication of the link between levels of support and scope, Experiment 5 demonstrated that support recipients reported they would feel more gratitude when they imagined receiving low-level (vs. high-level) support from socially proximal (vs. distal) support providers. Broader implications for social support, interpersonal relationships, and construal level theory research are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Early and slow weight loss responders' perceptions of an adaptive diabetes prevention trial: A qualitative perspective.

Objective: Behavioural weight loss interventions demonstrate success on average, yet participants who respond more slowly may benefit from an augmented, tailored approach. Thus, an augmented intervention for early, slow weight loss responders was implemented. This qualitative analysis explored participants' perceptions of and experiences of the 12-month weight loss programme to inform future intervention development and implementation. Design: Individual interviews were conducted post-treatment. In-person, in-depth interviews were offered prior to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic; videoconferencing interviews were offered following the pandemic onset. Setting: A Midwestern US university workplace. Method: Adults ⩾21 years old with overweight or obesity and prediabetes (n = 39) were recruited and volunteered to participate in a semi-structured interview. Results: Content analysis identified recurring themes among early and early slow weight loss responders. Social support received during weekly group sessions was a critical intervention component. Some early slow responders expressed difficulty with self-regulatory strategies such as setting specific yet attainable goals, and requested additional contact prior to the maintenance study phase - treatment randomisation at month 5 disrupted group dynamics. Early slow responders who received the intervention via videoconferencing believed the format interfered with their ability to establish friendships with other participants and gain insight and support from others' lived experiences. Conclusion: Weight loss interventions may be more efficacious when considering participant heterogeneity during implementation of behavioural strategies. Findings suggest early slow weight loss responders may benefit from greater emphasis on goal setting and striving, agentic thinking, and social support. Future research is needed to examine the implications of these insights on intervention outcomes.

I'm Still Spending: Financial Contingency of Self-Worth Predicts Financial Motivational Conflict and Compulsive Buying.

People with financially contingent self-worth (FCSW) base their self-esteem on money and feel pressured to achieve financial success. However, the present research suggests such individuals may be vulnerable to compulsive buying and experiencing distress and impairment in their lives from engaging in this maladaptive behavior (Study 1a-1b). Study 2 identified a key mechanism: People with FCSW experience more motivational conflict between wanting to spend (vs. not spend) their money, which predicts greater compulsive buying intentions and anticipated distress from making excessive purchases. A 5-week diary study revealed that FCSW-on average and at a weekly level-predicted greater perceived financial motivational conflict and more compulsive buying, distress, and impairment in life (Study 3). People with FCSW experience more financial motivational conflict, independent of beliefs about spending implying wealth or feeling pressured to spend to display one's wealth to others (Study 4). Implications and future directions are discussed.

Impact of a Novel Diabetes Prevention Intervention for Early Slow Weight Loss Responders Among Adults With Prediabetes: An Adaptive Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Some people are slower to respond during lifestyle interventions. An adaptive "rescue" intervention may improve outcomes among slow responders. The impact of a worksite rescue intervention for early slow responders was evaluated. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Employees ≥21 years old with prediabetes were stratified to intervention using a 2.5% weight loss (%WL) threshold at week 5. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and at 4 months using mixed-effect and linear regression models. RESULTS: Significant improvement occurred in mean %WL, glycemia, total cholesterol, and triglycerides in the standard compared with the adaptive (Group Lifestyle Balance Plus [GLB+]) intervention (all P≤ 0.01). However, GLB+ participants also experienced a significant reduction in %WL and glycemia (all P < 0.01). The %WL at week 5 significantly predicted %WL at 4 months (P < 0.0001). The between-group difference of 4-month %WL was not significant for someone achieving 2.5%WL at week 5. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes prevention programs should consider weight loss success following 1 month of treatment and offer a rescue intervention to early slow weight loss responders.

Bursoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Ossicle Resection for Osgood-Schlatter Disease.

Osgood-Schlatter disease commonly affects physically active adolescents. It is a common cause of anterior knee pain and inflammation in this population. Its symptoms typically subside with conservative therapy. Surgery, including resection of mobile ossicles, is considered when the pain persists on kneeling or during sports after the skeletal maturity. In this procedure, we use a direct bursoscopic approach with ultrasound-guided ossicle resection. In comparison with the classical arthroscopic approach, the bursoscopic approach uses more distally placed portals. These reduce the risk of damage to the fat pad, meniscus, and ligament. Endoscopic surgeries, including arthroscopic and bursoscopic surgeries, use intraoperative fluoroscopy to resect ossicles because the ossicle cannot be clearly identified by endoscopic imaging alone. Fluoroscopy exposes patients and surgeons to radiation. Ultrasound-guided surgery identifies the exact positional relationship between the ossicle and grasping forceps without radiation exposure since fluoroscopy is unnecessary. Moreover, the risk of residual ossicles is reduced because tiny ossicles, which are difficult to detect under fluoroscopy, are visible on ultrasound. Ultrasound-guided ossicle resection was a viable treatment option for Osgood-Schlatter disease because it eliminated radiation exposure and reduced the risk of missed ossicles.