Bryan T. Karazsia

Psychological and behavioral correlates of the SATAQ-3 with males.

The current study used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to investigate the factor structure of a revised version of the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire (SATAQ-3) with a sample of undergraduate males. In addition to completing the SATAQ-3, participants completed various measures pertaining to body image, behavioral, and psychological constructs to examine concurrent and discriminant validity. CFA results indicated that the four factors of the SATAQ-3, Information, Pressures, Internalization-General, and Internalization-Athlete, represented the data well and better than an alternative 3-factor structure that combined the two Internalization subscales. All four factors demonstrated excellent concurrent and discriminant validity. Findings from this study support use of a slightly modified version of the SATAQ-3 with males. The present results also support the continued investigation of media influences as multidimensional constructs important to male body image.

Regression Models for Count Data: Illustrations using Longitudinal Predictors of Childhood Injury

OBJECTIVE To offer a practical demonstration of regression models recommended for count outcomes using longitudinal predictors of childrens medically attended injuries. METHOD Participants included 708 children from the NICHD child care study. Measures of temperament, attention, parent-child relationship, and safety of physical environment were used to predict medically attended injuries. RESULTS Statistical comparisons among five estimation methods revealed that a zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) model provided the best fit with observed data. ZIP models simultaneously model dichotomous and continuous outcomes of count variables, and different constellations of predictors emerged for each aspect of the estimated model. CONCLUSIONS This study offers a practical demonstration of techniques designed to handle dependent count variables. The conceptual and statistical advantages of these methods are emphasized, and Stata script is provided to facilitate adoption of these techniques.

Social body comparison and internalization: mediators of social influences on men's muscularity-oriented body dissatisfaction.

Research suggests that body dissatisfaction (BD) is prevalent among males and associated with unhealthy outcomes. Consistent with the well-validated Tripartite Influence Model, internalization of an ideal body figure and social body comparison have received support as predictors of mens dissatisfaction with their muscularity. However, empirical investigations with males that include both constructs are lacking. The current study examined the associations of both constructs with muscularity-oriented BD in a sample of college men (n=204). Results from hierarchical regression analyses revealed that internalization and social body comparisons had unique relations with mens muscularity-oriented BD. A structural equation model indicated that both constructs mediated the relationship between social influences and muscularity BD. Preliminary data on targets of male body comparisons also were presented. These findings provide evidence for extension of the Tripartite Influence Model to males, particularly when constructs are assessed in ways that are reliable and valid for this population.

Mindfulness Training for Teachers Changes the Behavior of their Preschool Students

We measured the effects of preschool teachers attending an 8-week mindfulness course on the behavior of the students in their classroom. Results showed that decreases in the students’ challenging behaviors and increases in their compliance with teacher requests began during mindfulness training for the teachers and continued to change following the training. While the students did not show a change in positive social interactions with peers, they did show a decrease in negative social interactions and an increase in isolate play. Our results indicate that mindfulness training for teachers was effective in changing teacher-student interactions in desirable ways.

Thinking meta-theoretically about the role of internalization in the development of body dissatisfaction and body change behaviors

Internalization of societal standards of physical attractiveness (i.e., internalization of the thin ideal for women and internalization of the mesomorphic ideal for men) is a widely studied and robust risk factor for body dissatisfaction and maladaptive body change behaviors. Substantial empirical research supports internalization as both a mediator and a moderator of the relation between societal influences and body dissatisfaction. In this paper, a primer on mediation and moderation is followed by a review of literature and discussion of the extent to which internalization can theoretically fulfill the roles of both mediation and moderation. The literature review revealed a stark contrast in research design (experimental versus non-experimental design) when alternate conceptualizations of internalization are adopted. A meta-theoretical, moderated mediation model is presented. This model integrates previous research and can inform future empirical and clinical endeavors.

Integrating Mediation and Moderation to Advance Theory Development and Testing

OBJECTIVE The concepts and associated analyses of mediation and moderation are important to the field of psychology. Although pediatric psychologists frequently incorporate mediation and moderation in their theories and empirical research, on few occasions have we integrated mediation and moderation. In this article, conceptual reasons for integrating mediation and moderation are offered. METHOD We illustrate a model that integrates mediation and moderation. RESULTS In our illustration, the strength of an indirect or a mediating effect varied as a function of a moderating variable. CONCLUSIONS Clinical implications of the integration of mediation and moderation are discussed, as is the potential of integrated models to advance research programs in pediatric psychology.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Mindfulness-Based Smoking Cessation Program for Individuals with Mild Intellectual Disability

Smoking is a risk factor for death and dying for individuals who smoke and for those who inhale second hand smoke. Smokers struggle to quit smoking because of the negative affect associated with nicotine withdrawal. We assessed the efficacy of a mindfulness-based intervention for smoking cessation in individuals with mild intellectual disabilities. In addition to the basic concentration meditation, the mindfulness-based smoking cessation program included daily intention, mindful observation of thoughts, and Meditation on the Soles of the Feet. In a two-group randomized controlled trial, 51 protocol-eligible participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (mindfulness-based intervention) or the control group (treatment as usual). Results showed a statistically significant reduction in smoking commensurate with mindfulness-based training when compared to the treatment as usual condition. This finding was evident regardless of whether the analysis included only those who completed the study or the total sample in an intent-to-treat analysis. Furthermore, those receiving the mindfulness-based intervention were significantly more successful in abstaining from smoking during a 1-year follow-up than the treatment as usual group. These results suggest mindfulness-based interventions may be effective treatments for smoking cessation in individuals with mild intellectual disabilities.

Caregiver Training in Mindfulness-Based Positive Behavior Supports (MBPBS): Effects on Caregivers and Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Caregivers often manage the aggressive behavior of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities that reside in community group homes. Sometimes this results in adverse outcomes for both the caregivers and the care recipients. We provided a 7-day intensive Mindfulness-Based Positive Behavior Support (MBPBS) training to caregivers from community group homes and assessed the outcomes in terms of caregiver variables, individuals’ behaviors, and an administrative outcome. When compared to pre-MBPBS training, the MBPBS training resulted in the caregivers using significantly less physical restraints, and staff stress and staff turnover were considerably reduced. The frequency of injury to caregivers and peers caused by the individuals was significantly reduced. A benefit-cost analysis showed substantial financial savings due to staff participation in the MBPBS program. This study provides further proof-of-concept for the effectiveness of MBPBS training for caregivers, and strengthens the call for training staff in mindfulness meditation.

Shenpa and Compassionate Abiding: Mindfulness-Based Practices for Anger and Aggression by Individuals with Schizophrenia

Uncontrolled anger is often expressed as verbal and physical aggression. Some people with schizophrenia engage in verbal and physical aggression when they cannot control their anger either through the use of psychotropic medication or psychosocial interventions. In this study, we taught three individuals with long-standing anger management problems the concept of shenpa—the almost instantaneous reaction of the mind to some internal or external stimulus that hooks them to a negative emotion—and a mindfulness-based practice that helped them to intuit this without attachment or anger. In addition, we taught them the mindfulness-based practice of compassionate abiding for dealing with emotionally arousing feelings that follow shenpa. Using a multiple baseline design, we assessed the effects of the two mindfulness-based practices on anger, verbal aggression and physical aggression. The three individuals were able to decrease their anger, greatly reduce verbal aggression, and virtually eliminate physical aggression.

Familial and peer modeling and verbal commentary: Associations with muscularity-oriented body dissatisfaction and body change behaviors

This study investigated associations between familial and peer modeling of weightlifting and verbal commentary with muscularity-oriented body dissatisfaction and body change behaviors to increase muscularity in men. Participants were 177 male undergraduates who completed self-report questionnaires measuring negative verbal commentary about appearance and encouragement to lift from family and peers, paternal and peer modeling of weightlifting, muscularity-oriented body dissatisfaction and body change behaviors aimed at increasing muscularity. Two hierarchical linear regressions examined the relationships between these social influences and body dissatisfaction and body change behaviors. Both regression models were significant. Peer encouragement to lift and peer negative verbal commentary were significant predictors of body dissatisfaction; paternal and peer modeling and peer encouragement to lift were significant predictors of body change behaviors. These findings confirm the importance of verbal commentary to male body dissatisfaction and also highlight the importance of modeling on mens engagement in body change behaviors to increase muscularity.