Perceived physical appearance and adjustment of adolescents with congenital/acquired limb deficiencies: A path-analytic model

Investigated perceived physical appearance as a hypothesized predictor of psychological adjustment in 44 adolescents with congenital or acquired limb deficiencies within a path-analytic conceptual model. Standardized assessment instruments measuring perceived physical appearance, depressive symptoms, trait anxiety, general self-esteem, perceived scholastic competence, athletic competence, social acceptance, and close friendship were completed by the adolescents. In support of the a priori conceptual model, path-analysis findings indicate that the effect of perceived physical appearance on psychological distress is mediated by general self-esteem. Exploratory analysis suggests that the effect of perceived physical appearance on general self-esteem may be attenuated by potentially modifiable perceived competence/adequacy domains. Strategies for enhancing adaptation within the conceptual model are discussed.     

Daily hassles and social support as predictors of adjustment in children with pediatric rheumatic disease

OBJECTIVE: To test hypotheses that social support moderates the effects of microstressors on the psychosocial adjustment of children with pediatric rheumatic diseases (PRDs) and that among multiple sources of support, classmate and parent support are significant predictors of adjustment, after controlling for demographic and disease severity variables. METHODS: Children with PRDs (N = 160 children; 8-17 years) were recruited from three pediatric rheumatology centers and completed measures of daily hassles, social support, depressive symptoms, and state and trait anxiety; their parents completed measures of internalizing and externalizing behaviors. RESULTS: Fewer daily hassles and higher social support predicted fewer adjustment problems. Among the sources of support, classmate and parent support were significant predictors. Tests for moderation were significant only for a Hassles x Classmate Support interaction in the prediction of depression. A plot of the interaction between hassles and classmate support showed that children with high classmate support had lower levels of depression than children with low classmate support under high or low levels of daily hassles. Furthermore, children with high classmate support had lower levels of depression under conditions of low versus high daily hassles. DISCUSSION: Results are consistent with a main effect rather than buffering model for social support. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions should focus on management of daily hassles and increasing social support for children with PRDs.     

Stress, social support, and depressive symptomatology in children with congenital/acquired limb deficiencies

Ongoing chronic strain of living with limb deficiencies and normal daily hassles may interact to produce a negative impact on adjustment. Degree of limb loss, daily hassles/microstressors, and classmate, parent, teacher, and friend social support were investigated as predictors of depressive symptomatology in 27 children with congenital/acquired limb deficiencies. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were utilized to test the main effects and buffering interactions effects models of the stress-social support-depressive symptomatology relationship. Degree of limb loss was not a significant predictor. Microstressors and classmate, parent, and teacher social support were all significant predictors of depressive symptomatology. None of the Stress X Social Support interaction terms were statistically significant. The overall model of stress and social support predicted 73% of the variance in depressive symptomatology.     

Perceived physical appearance and adjustment of children with newly diagnosed cancer: A path analytic model

More intensive medical treatment protocols have been initiated with the goal of improving survival of pediatric cancer patients. Evaluation of the adjustment of this cohort of children with newly diagnosed cancer being treated with these modern regimens is essential in order to enhance quality of life. Children with cancer who experience disease and treatment-related changes in physical appearance are hypothesized to be at greater risk for psychological and social adjustment problems given society's attitudes toward visible physical differences. Within a risk and resistance theoretical framework, perceived physical appearance was investigated as a predictor of depressive symptoms, social anxiety, and general self-esteem in newly diagnosed pediatric cancer patients. In support of the a priori conceptual model, path analysis findings indicate that perceived physical appearance has direct and indirect effects on depressive symptoms and social anxiety with the indirect effects mediated by general self-esteem. Exploratory analysis suggests that the effect of perceived.This research was supported by American Cancer Society Grant PBR-31.     

Perceived Competence,Self-Esteem,and Anxiety in Latency-Aged Children of Divorce

Ninety-eight 9-12 year-old children from divorced families were compared to 170 demographically similar children from intact families on measures of perceived competence, self-worth, anxiety, and sources of support. Children of divorce had lower perceived cognitive competence, higher anxiety, and fewer potential sources of social support. For both groups there were low-level associations between sources of support and adjustment. The implications of the findings for further research and for preventive programming for children of divorce are considered.     

The psychological adaptation of psychologists in clinical training: the role of cognition,coping and social support

The current study sought to profile the psychological adaptation of psychologists in clinical training and examine the extent to which appraisal, coping and social support were related to psychological adaptation. A cross-sectional survey questionnaire design was used. A sample of 183 psychologists in clinical training (60.2% response rate) from 15 British clinical psychology training courses participated. They completed measures of cognition (appraisals of threat and control over course-related stressors), coping and social support. A multidimensional assessment of psychological adaptation included measures of perceived stress, self-esteem, anxiety and depression. Trainee clinical psychologists reported high levels of stress, but did not experience extensive problems of psychological adaptation in terms of anxiety, depression, self-esteem problems, marital problems, family problems, external stressors, interpersonal conflict, work adjustment or substance abuse. However, a significant subgroup reported self-esteem problems, work adjustment problems, depression and anxiety. Gender, age, current clinical placement and training course were related to psychological adaptation. Appraisal processes, coping and social support predicted a significant amount of variation in psychological adaptation. Appraisals of threat, avoidance coping, emotional support from clinical supervisors, emotional support from courses and emotional support from a confidante at home all predicted the variance in psychological adaptation. The findings were discussed in terms of a cognitive theory of stress and adaptation and implications for clinical psychology training were considered. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Psychological predictors of single and recurrent major depressive episodes.

AIM: To examine for differential psychological risk factors in a nonclinical sample having single or recurrent episodes of major depression. METHODS: A cohort of 164 subjects was assessed initially in 1978 in their last year of teacher training, and at five-yearly intervals in 1983, 1988 and 1993. Experience of episodes of DSM major depression and anxiety disorders from each wave were summed and three groups (nil, one, and two or more episodes of major depression) were derived. The cohort also completed a series of self-report measures including neuroticism, state and trait depression, self-esteem, dependency, childhood parental environment and social support. RESULTS: The group with two or more episodes were distinctly more likely to have met lifetime criteria for an anxiety disorder and to have had multiple anxiety disorder diagnoses over their lifetime. Groups with one or more episodes reported higher mean scores for trait depression, neuroticism and maternal overprotection and lower mean scores for paternal care and self esteem at baseline in 1978, but these variables did not predict differences between groups with single and recurrent episodes. At 1993, those with two or more episodes differed from those with none and single episodes in reporting lower trait depression scores and decreased perception of satisfactory social support over time, suggesting a psychological scarring effect for those with repeated episodes.     

The differential effects of parental alcoholism and mental illness on their adult children.

Growing up in a household with alcoholic or mentally ill parents is more likely to produce lower self-esteem, greater dysphoria, and more anxiety in adulthood. To test this hypothesis, 139 undergraduate and graduate students completed measures of anxiety, depression, social avoidance, self-esteem, and social support. Results showed that adult children of alcoholics, adult children of mentally ill, and adult children of substance-abusing mentally ill had lower self-esteem and were more socially anxious than normal controls. Adult children of mentally ill parents were more depressed and showed greater trait anxiety than did adult children of alcoholics and controls. The impact of parental pathology is diminished when the adult child has a large and/or satisfactory social support network.     

Adjustment of children and their mothers with breast cancer

OBJECTIVE: To examine the adjustment of children of mothers with both active and nonactive breast cancers in comparison with a healthy community control sample. METHODS: Participants included 80 mothers and their children. Half of the mothers had breast cancer or a history of breast cancer. Children in both groups ranged in age from 8 to 19 years. Assessments included measures of maternal stressors and resources, maternal and child adjustment and posttraumatic stress, and maternal coping and illness uncertainty reported by both mothers and their children. RESULTS: Few differences were found between the groups, although there was a trend for girls of mothers with breast cancer to have a higher frequency of depressive symptoms. Children of mothers who perceived support from friends and family had fewer depressive symptoms, after we controlled for child gender. CONCLUSIONS: The social support perceived by mothers with breast cancer may serve as a protective factor for their children's psychological adjustment.     

Self-esteem in children with psychosomatic symptoms: examination of low self-esteem and prognosis

Self-esteem is the evaluative feelings one holds for oneself and the sense that one has essential worth. It is evaluated as the difference between the actual self and the ideal self. Healthy self-esteem supports psychological stability and positive social activity and is an essential element in the psychological development of children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate self-esteem in children with psychosomatic symptoms and elucidate a strategy for using such evaluations in therapy. We evaluated self-esteem in 56 patients at the Department of Pediatrics of Okayama University Hospital who were undergoing outpatient therapy for psychosomatic symptoms, using Pope's 5-scale test of self-esteem for children. We examined patient attributes, course of therapy, and social adjustment. Patients with low self-esteem on multiple scales at the first visit were all female, and these patients had a significantly higher frequency of family function problems, such as a family member with a psychiatric disorder, economic hardship, or experience of child abuse. Moreover, the prognosis for these patients was poor regardless of their social adjustment at the first visit.     

Child Obesity: A New Frontier of Behavior Therapy (Book)

Although potentially important for understanding children's peer relationships, the construct of social anxiety in children has received very limited attention. The present study reports on the development of the Social Anxiety Scale for Children (SASC), a 10-item self-report measure. A total of 287 second through sixth graders completed the SASC and a self-report measure of trait anxiety (Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale) and were assessed on their peer status using peer nomination and peer rating sociometric measures. Factor analysis yielded two factors for the SASC: fear of negative evaluation (FNE) and social avoidance and distress (SAD). These factors were evaluated with respect to internal and test-retest reliability. Girls reported greater FNE than boys, and children in the lower grades reported more SAD than those, in the upper elementary school grades. Significant correlations between trait anxiety and the FNE and SAD factors were obtained. In addition, the peer status groups (neglected, rejected, average, popular, and controversial differed in their reports of social anxiety, as anticipated. In particular, neglected children were found to report the greatest social anxiety, controversial children the least. These findings provide preliminary Support for the reliability and validity of the SASC.     

Insect sting allergy in children: what is the real cost of the disease?

The impact of insect sting allergies on the quality of life of 118 children and their parents is assessed using attitudinal and psychometric questionnaires. Children, ranging in age from 7-15 years, manifested more anxiety in the clinical setting (state anxiety) than usual (trait anxiety), whereas for parents the trend was reversed. Most children believed that they could control being stung, and restrictions imposed by two-thirds of the parents assisted in preventing stinging episodes. Parents perceived their child's academic achievement, social abilities and extracurricular involvement as superior to that of their peers and closest aged siblings.     

劳务工骨折患者应激相关因素对焦虑情绪的效应分析

目的探讨劳务工骨折患者状态焦虑的原因,为焦虑情绪预防性心理干预提供科学的理论依据。方法采用生活事件量表、状态焦虑量表、领悟社会支持量表、防御方式问卷和艾森克个性问卷等多种方式对110名劳务工骨折患者进行心理评估,通过回归方差分析,研究个体状态焦虑与生活事件、领悟社会支持、人格特征、防御方式等因素是否有关。结果家庭支持、内外向、成熟、朋友支持、生活事件对状态焦虑有直接和间接影响(F=25.58,P0.05),反映其直接影响强度的通路系数依次分别为-0.169、-0.158、-0.254、-0.220、0.417。结论生活事件、领悟社会支持、人格特征、防御方式等社会心理因素是影响劳务工骨折患者情绪障碍发生、发展的重要原因。     

学习动机、焦虑、人际信任对中学生自尊的影响研究

目的探讨学习动机、焦虑、人际信任等因素对中学生自尊的影响及具体影响路径。方法以自尊量表、学习动机量表、特质焦虑量表、人际信任量表、社交焦虑量表为研究工具,对212名高中生进行测验。结果性别和年级在自尊分数上有交互作用（F=4.32,P〈0.05）。在高二年级时,男生的自尊水平明显高于女生的自尊水平,其它年级学生自尊水平性别差异不显著;高中生自尊与学习动机、特质焦虑、人际信任、社交焦虑有密切相关（P〈0.01）;特质焦虑、社交焦虑对自尊的影响显著。在特质焦虑对自尊的影响中,社交焦虑和学习动机的中介效应显著（Z=2.01,P〈0.05;Z=1.49,P〈0.05）。结论自尊与学习动机、特质焦虑、人际信任、社交焦虑有关。高二男生的自尊水平较高。     

Hope, Coping, and Adjustment Among Children with Sickle Cell Disease: Tests of Mediator and Moderator Models

Tested mediator and moderator models of hope, coping, and adjustmentin 39 children with sickle cell disease. In home interviewsparents provided information on demographics and functionaladjustment. Children self-reported levels of hope, coping strategies,and psychological adjustment. Coping strategies moderated, butdid not mediate, the relationship between hope and adjustment.Hope was negatively associated with anxiety when active coping,support coping, and distraction coping was high. Avoidance copingdid not moderate the hope-adjustment relationship but was positivelyrelated to anxiety. No effects were found for depressive symptomsor for the functional measures of adjustment.     

领悟社会支持与青少年内化问题的关系:自尊的调节作用

目的:探讨自尊在领悟社会支持与青少年内化问题之间的调节作用。方法:采用领悟社会支持量表、自尊量表和焦虑抑郁量表对455名初中生进行调查。结果:领悟社会支持与青少年内化问题显著负相关(r=-0.33,P0.001);自尊能够增强领悟社会支持对青少年内化问题的保护效应(b=0.15,P0.001)。结论:自尊对领悟社会支持与青少年内化问题的关系具有调节作用。     

Psychosocial adjustment among pediatric cancer patients: a multidimensional assessment

Identified types and frequencies of psychological difficulties manifested by pediatric oncology patients and child-, family-, and illness-related correlates of adjustment. Parents of 48 children with cancer, 4 to 17 years of age, completed the Personality Inventory for Children (PIC). Analysis of mean PIC scores indicated that the children had a high frequency of somatic concerns and problems in academic functioning. Similar mean PIC profiles were obtained for children across gender, age, and diagnostic groups. Overall, 52% of the children had profiles with two or more clinically significant problem areas. Children's adjustment was associated with gender, social competence, and parental coping. Boys exhibited significantly more problems than did girls. Children whom teachers rated as less socially competent and whose parents reported few effective coping responses exhibited greater difficulties in adjustment.     

General psychopathology in anorexia nervosa: the role of psychosocial factors

The aim of the present study was to investigate psychosocial correlates of comorbid psychopathology. Data were collected from a total of 90 female inpatients with anorexia nervosa (AN). Higher levels of general psychopathology were detected in depression, interpersonal sensitivity, obsessive-compulsive and anxiety subscales of the Symptom Checklist (SCL)-90. Regression analysis also revealed that higher levels of psychopathology across SCL-90 subscales in AN patients are significantly associated with an earlier age of onset of the condition, higher levels of anorectic psychopathology as measured by Eating Disorders Examination, lower self-esteem as measured by Multidimensional Self-Esteem Inventory and social support levels as measured by Quality of Social Network and Social Support Questionnaire. Considering the high levels of general psychopathology in people with AN, routine clinical practice should aim for a comprehensive assessment of such. Given the strong association between psychosocial factors such as self-esteem, social support and general psychopathology, psychological therapies could play an important role in facilitating emotional recovery.     

Children's experience of life stress: The role of family social support and social problem-solving skills as protective factors

Examined the role of family social support and social problem-solving skills in moderating the effects of children's stressful life events on behavioral adjustment. Participants were 322 fourth and fifth graders who reported on their stressful experiences during the past year. Children from both regular education (RE) or special education (SE) classrooms were included in the sample. Additional self-report data from children also included measures related to perceived level of family social support, a personality questionnaire, and a social problem-solving measure. In addition, teachers provided reports of the children's behavior and adjustment. Main effects were found for total stress, school/peer stress, family social support, and social problem solving. Significant moderator effects were found for family support on total stress for the teacher-reported internalizing problems of RE students and for family support on school/peer stress on the teacher-reported externalizing problems and self-reported anxiety problems of SE students. Specific, theory-generated hypotheses are discussed as a more effective method of examining relations between stress and various moderator variables.     

A structural analysis of self-esteem from pre-adolescence through young adulthood: Anxiety and extraversion as agents in the development of self-esteem

Three personality scales designed to measure similar dimensions in different age ranges—the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF), High School Personality Questionnaire (HSPQ), and Children's Personality Questionnaire (CPQ)—were administered along with varieties of Coopersmith's Self-Esteem Inventory (SEI) to three samples aged (on average) 21 (N = 71), 15 (N = 91), and 10 (N = 89) years. The results indicated considerable stability in the personality correlates of self-esteem at these ages. Consideration of these personality dimensions at the second-order level indicated that it was anxiety and extraversion factors that consistenly appeared as significant correlates. These observations were considered in light of the source trait-surface trait distinction made by Cattell (1957). One hypothesis is that children raised in a warm and accepting environment develop lower levels of anxiety and higher levels of extraversion. This leads to increased interpersonal contact and more opportunity for social feedback and enhanced self-regard. While the precise order of events is uncertain, the literature reviewed is consistent with the proposal that anxiety, extraversion, and self-esteem can be related to similar home environments.