Rape Myth Scale: factor structure and relationship with gender egalitarianism among Japanese professionals

Services provided to rape victims by human service professionals are usually helpful but are occasionally very harmful in that the victim ends up feeling 're-victimized'. This may be caused by the attitudes of the professionals towards the victims based on beliefs regarding rape and gender roles. Japanese human service professionals were solicited for responses to the Rape Myth Scale (RMS) and the short form of the Scale of Egalitarian Sex Role Attitudes (SESRA-S). One interpretable factor was extracted according to an exploratory factor analysis. Impact of the participants' age, sex, residential area, and type of profession on rape myth acceptance were examined by four-way layout ANOVA. Nurses had significantly higher rape myth acceptance than any other professional group. Furthermore, a structural equation model showing the contribution of sex role egalitarian attitude to rape myth acceptance was established.     

Factors Impacting upon Attitudes Toward Sex Offenders: The Role of Conservatism and Knowledge

Sex offender legislation is influenced by public pressure. However, there is evidence suggesting that the public's beliefs about sex offenders may be based upon myths and misperceptions. This study examined the relationship between knowledge of sex offenders in areas concerning their recidivism rates, treatment outcomes, and victim types, as well as current supervision and correctional management directed toward sex offenders and how this knowledge relates to overall attitudes towards sex offenders, sex offender treatment, and community notification laws. Further, we sought to examine how conservative belief systems affect this relationship. Using a sample of 559 undergraduate students we found that knowledge about sex offenders and conservative beliefs were significantly related to attitudes toward sex offenders such that those who had more conservative beliefs and less knowledge were more likely to have negative views toward sex offenders. Additionally, conservative belief systems moderated the relationship between knowledge about sex offenders and general attitudes toward sex offenders. These findings will be discussed as they pertain to the development of evidence-based sex offender policies.     

The Influence of Psychological Needs and Exercise Motivation on Exercise Dependence among Chinese College Students

To explore the influence of exercise motivation and basic psychological needs on exercise dependence among Chinese college students. 1689 college students engaged in long-term exercise were selected from three universities in Hunan province in China as the objects of the survey. 1601 valid copies of the questionnaire were collected. Exercise Addiction Inventory, Motivation for Physical Activity Measure-Revised, Psychological Need Satisfaction in Exercise Scale and other questionnaires were used in the correlation analysis and structural equation model to investigate the influence of psychological needs and exercise motivation on exercise dependence among Chinese college students. Appearance motivation and ability motivation directly affect exercise dependence positively (r?=?0.303, r?=?0.269), while competence need directly affects exercise dependence positively (r?=?0.309), and indirectly affects exercise dependence through appearance motivation and ability motivation. Appearance motivation and ability motivation directly affect exercise dependence positively; competence need not only directly affects exercise dependence but also indirectly affects it through appearance and ability.     

Stability in aggression and aggression control in a sample of primary school children in China

The aim was to study the stability of aggression and aggression control in Chinese children. Olweus' Aggression Inventory was retested after 18 months in a sample of Chinese primary school children in Beijing (average age 12 years; 267 children; 139 boys and 128 girls; 92% of the initial study sample). Compared with relevant studies in Scandinavian countries, this study shows that a degree of stability in aggression behaviour is also found in Chinese primary school children despite strong societal pressures against aggressive behaviour and towards aggression control. The result supports the earlier evidence that aggression was a somewhat more global or less differentiated phenomenon for Chinese children. Nevertheless, the average aggression response level for the Chinese children is clearly low and quite high for aggression control. Positive self-report, which reflects good adjustment and psychological health, was still clearly related to aggression control, but slightly less for the boys. The average difference between boys and girls in general aggression and aggression control was stable over time. Girls showed a lower level of general aggression and a higher level of aggression control compared with boys.     

Effects of Internet-Based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (IACT) on Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objectives: This study reviewed published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and evaluated the efficacy ofinternet-based acceptance and commitment therapy (IACT) on adolescent mental health. Methods: Searcheswere conducted in PubMed, ProQuest, APA (PsycNET/PsycINFO), and Web of Science from inception to January 2022 to identify RCTs evaluating the effects of IACT on adolescents. The included studies were assessedfor quality and risk of bias. This study was performed using the standard mean difference and associated 95%confidence interval of effective measures. Review Manager 5.4 software was adopted to calculate the effect size.Results: Compared to adolescents in control groups, those in the IACT groups showed some improvement inthe efficacy of depression symptoms (SMD = −0.24, 95% CI = [−0.44, −0.05], p = 0.01) and had a small but significant effect on reducing experiential avoidance (SMD = −0.24, 95% CI = [−0.46, −0.01], p = 0.04). However, theeffect size on anxiety did not reach the threshold (SMD = −0.18, 95% CI = [−0.27, −0.09], p < 0.0001). In addition,there were no significant differences in stress and well-being compared to those of the control group. Comparedwith universal adolescents, IACT was found to have a more significant therapeutic effect on targeted adolescents.Conclusions: IACT is effective in adolescent mental health interventions, but its clinical reliability and significantefficacy are limited, and more rigorous RCTs are needed in future studies.     

Compression of the Pituitary Stalk Elicits Chronic Increases in CSF Vasopressin, Oxytocin as well as in Social Investigation and Aggressiveness

The neurochemical and behavioural effects of a novel stereotaxic surgical method developed for interrupting the nerve fibres running through the rat pituitary stalk to the posterior pituitary gland was studied. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT) content as well as changes in aggressiveness were measured in rats one week and one month after the surgical intervention. The main results are as follows: (1) the compression of the pituitary stalk elicits a chronic increase in water consumption, as well as in CSF vasopressin and oxytocin content; (2) the surgical intervention increased the frequency of clinch fighting after one week. The increase in aggressiveness accentuated after one month and, in addition, operated animals showed reduced scores of resting while exploratory and social behaviours increased; (3) there was a strong positive correlation between water consumption, vasopressin, and aggressiveness; (4) oxytocin changes showed a positive correlation with variation in social behaviour. The surgical intervention may serve as a model for lesions of the pituitary stalk and formation of ectopic neurohypophyses in humans.     

Changes in the pattern of aggressive behaviour among inpatients with changed ward organization

Aggressive behaviour by psychiatric inpatients was investigated on the same ward during two separate 6-month periods before and after a 50% decrease in number of beds but without changes in catchment area. Character of the patient group, patient turnover and medical practices as well as total number of staff on duty on the ward was virtually the same during the two periods. It is therefore assumed that differences in aggressive behaviour are mainly explained by effects due to the decreased number of beds per se. It was found that the 50% reduction did not affect the overall aggression frequency. However, inter-patient violence increased while the number of more severe aggressive incidents towards staff members decreased.     

The Effect of an Education Program on Attitudes and Beliefs about Bullying and Bullying Behaviour in Junior Secondary School Students

This study assessed an intervention targeting bullying. Six schools were recruited, with 444 children aged between 12 and 15 years. Schools were randomly allocated to an intervention comprising education to students, parents and teachers about bullying and strategies believed to prevent bullying, or wait-list condition. Students reported bullying experiences on the Peer Relations Questionnaire and attitudes using the Attitude to Victim and Bully Scales, prior to the intervention and one year later. There was little difference between conditions on most measures. Short-term educational approaches appear to have little impact on bullying behaviour, and schools may need to develop alternative approaches.     

福州市大学生神经症患病状况的调查研究

目的探讨福州市大学生神经症患病情况，为健康教育和学生心理卫生保健提供依据。方法采用单纯整群随机抽样的方法对３８９６名福州市大学生神经症患病状况进行调查。结果发现神经症２４２例（患病率为６２１％），其中男性１２９例（患病率为４８３％），女性１１３例（患病率为９２２％）。女性患病率高于男性，差异有显著意义（χ２＝２７８４，Ｐ＜００１）。患神经衰弱１９５例（８０５８％），其患病率随年龄增长而增高；神经衰弱者经ＳＣＬ—９０评分分析发现，在各因子分中以焦虑、抑郁、睡眠、人际关系和强迫症状等症状因子分较高；有年级越高患病率越高的趋势（χ２＝１４２５６，Ｐ＜００１）；神经衰弱学生中，个性以内向和不稳定型个性比例高。结论在大学群体中开展针对性的健康教育尤其是心理卫生教育具有重要意义     

Psychometric Testing of Three Chinese Online-Related Addictive Behavior Instruments among Hong Kong University Students

Given that there is a lack of instruments assessing internet-related addictions among Chinese population, this study aimed to validate the Chinese version of the nine-item Internet Gaming Disorder Scales- Short Form (IGDS-SF9), Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), and Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (SABAS) among Hong Kong university students. Participants aged between 17 and 30 years participated in the present study (n?=?307; 32.4% males; mean [SD] age?=?21.64 [8.11]). All the participants completed the IGDS-SF9, BSMAS, SABAS, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) were used to examine the factorial structures and the unidimensionality for IGDS-SF9, BSMAS, and SABAS. CFAs demonstrated that the three scales were all unidimensional with satisfactory fit indices: comparative fit index?=?0.969 to 0.992. In addition, the IGDS-SF9 and BSMAS were slightly modified based on the modification index in CFA. The Chinese IGDS-SF9, BSMAS, and SABAS are valid instruments to assess the addiction levels of internet-related activities for Hong Kong university students.

     

Development and preliminary evaluation of a questionnaire on cognitions related to sex offending for use with individuals who have mild intellectual disabilities

Background A number of authors note that distorted cognitions may play a significant role in sex offending behaviour in both the people with intellectual disability (ID) and general populations. However, no scales have been specifically developed for use with individuals with ID. To date, there is no valid, reliable, self‐report questionnaire that assesses cognitive factors in these individuals. This paper aims to develop a valid, reliable self‐report questionnaire to assess antisocial attitudes consistent with sex offending behaviour in individuals who have mild ID. Methods Seventeen male individuals with ID who had sexually offended were compared with two non‐sex offender groups: 19 males with and 36 males without ID. The Questionnaire on Attitudes Consistent with Sex Offending (QACSO) measure was used to establish sexual attitudes in the three groups. The reliability and validity of the QACSO was examined. Results The groups were compared and results demonstrated that the QACSO is a promising tool in terms of providing an internally consistent, reliable and valid indicator of cognitive distortions/attitudes held by sex offenders with ID. Conclusions The limitations, suggestions for modification, potential uses of the questionnaire and directions for further research are proposed.     

The Double-Edged Sword - Outward and Inward Directed Aggression among War Combatants

Inspired by the two-stage model of countervailing forces, we explored the mechanism underlining inward and outward aggression among ex-combatants. Israeli veterans (N = 230) reported their partner’s violence (outward aggression), suicidal ideation (inward aggression), aggressive impulses, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), paranoid ideation and guilt. Suicidal ideation was related to aggressive impulses only in the presence of PTSD, or under high guilt; whereas paranoid ideation buffered these effects. Violence towards the partner, on the other hand, was related to aggressive impulses under low guilt and in the absence of PTSD. Aggressive impulses underline both suicidal ideation and partner violence. The inter-relations between PTSD, guilt, and paranoid ideation influence the manifestation of aggression and the direction it takes.     

长沙大学生道德人格理想的网络调查研究

目的了解长沙大学生的道德人格理想的特征。方法通过网络的半开放式问卷,调查了360名大学生的道德人格理。结果青年理想的道德人物的人格特征可以归为"善良真诚"、"忠诚无私"、"顽强奋进"、"友爱乐助"、"顽强奋进"、"高尚有为"、"正直仁德"、"宽容谦逊"、"聪明博学"和"其他"八大类,并且具有明显的性别差异;在289个理想道德人物中,男性理想道德人物占了66.78%,说明被试强调男性形象为主的理想道德人物。结论长沙大学生的道德人格理想发展水平与社会发展一致。     

Influence of Sex on Age at Onset of Schizophrenia

Abstract: The age at onset of schizophrenia was investigated in 2,417 inpatients (1,433 males and 984 females) meeting the DSM-III criteria for schizophrenia. About 80% of the patients became schizophrenic before the age of 30. The mean age at onset of the male patients was slightly earlier than that of the female patients. There was a higher cumulative percentage of the male patients who became affected at each age quinquennium. More men than women became schizophrenic before the age of 30.     

Social determinants of aggression in a sample of Chinese primary school children

The aim of the present study was to relate children's aggression levels to social determinants of interest (i.e., child-rearing measures, day-care attendance, peer group influence, and TV-watching) in a sample of Chinese children in the People's Republic of China. A sample of 290 primary school students (155 boys and 135 girls, mean age 10.3) in grade four in Beijing were investigated using the Multi-Faceted Aggression Inventory. The children's parents were asked about child-rearing measures and day-care experience for the child. Teachers rated the children's aggression, school achievement level, and membership in the Young Pioneers. Despite acknowledged limitations, the findings in this study gave evidence that according to a person-environment interaction perspective, the Chinese children's individual differences in aggression were influenced by the restricted environment. As aggressive behaviour is undesired and suppressed in the Chinese culture in and outside the home, the Chinese children seemed to show lower levels and less variation of aggression behaviour than children in permissive environments (e.g., Sweden). However, when analysing sex differences in aggression environmental influences alone might not explain the differences.     

The role of moral disengagement and cognitive distortions toward children among sex offenders

This study investigated the individual and social characteristics, moral disengagement strategies and cognitive distortions toward children among 120 sex offenders in Italian jails. A semistructured interview was administered to collect data about family, social and medical histories, utilizing the Moral Disengagement Scale and the Hanson Sex Attitude Questionnaire. Results showed that sex offenders with sexual abuse trauma in their past had higher scores of moral disengagement and cognitive distortion toward children than sex offenders without sexual abuse trauma. In particular, the highest levels of moral disengagement, cognitive distortions related to children as sexual objects and sexual entitlement were shown by sex offenders who had been physically and sexually abused in their past. Moreover, moral disengagement predicted cognitive distortions related to children being sexy and sexual entitlement. Studying self-regulatory mechanisms and cognitive distortions is important to expand the literature about sexual behaviors committed by offenders and implement the promotion of effective and targeted treatment strategies.     

The perceived and predicted implications of psychiatric genetic knowledge among persons with multiple cases of depression in the family

Laegsgaard MM, Stamp AS, Hall EOC, Mors O. The perceived and predicted implications of psychiatric genetic knowledge among persons with multiple cases of depression in the family. Objective: Psychiatric genetic research raises hope regarding better treatment and prevention, but also regarding a possible de‐stigmatizing effect of attributing mental illness to genetics. This study explores i) the impact on family relations of participating in a genetic study; ii) the impact of biogenetic attributions on perceptions of depression and stigma and iii) the perceived benefits and concerns regarding psychiatric genetic testing. Method: Focus groups were conducted with 17 participants suffering from depression, with multiple cases of depression in the family, and previously participating in a genetic study. Results: Participating in a genetic study caused more openness about depression in most families. A biogenetic explanation of depression was perceived as having the potential of diminishing self stigma. Testing of self and children was widely accepted, whereas prenatal testing raised concern. Conclusion: Persons suffering from depression may benefit from endorsing a biogenetic explanation, especially in relation to self‐understanding and self‐stigma.