Charlotte N. Markey

Confirmatory factor analysis of the Child Feeding Questionnaire: a measure of parental attitudes, beliefs and practices about child feeding and obesity proneness

The Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) is a self-report measure to assess parental beliefs, attitudes, and practices regarding child feeding, with a focus on obesity proneness in children. Confirmatory factor analysis tested a 7-factor model, which included four factors measuring parental beliefs related to childs obesity proneness, and three factors measuring parental control practices and attitudes regarding child feeding. Using a sample of 394 mothers and fathers, three models were tested, and the third model confirmed an acceptable fit, including correlated factors. Internal consistencies for the seven factors were above 0.70. With minor changes, this same 7-factor model was also confirmed in a second sample of 148 mothers and fathers, and a third sample of 126 Hispanic mothers and fathers. As predicted, four of the seven factors were related to an independent measure of childrens weight status, providing initial support for the validity of the instrument. The CFQ can be used to assess aspects of child-feeding perceptions, attitudes, and practices and their relationships to childrens developing food acceptance patterns, the controls of food intake, and obesity. The CFQ is designed for use with parents of children ranging in age from about 2 to 11 years of age.

Vulnerability to Violent Video Games: A Review and Integration of Personality Research

In this report, past research is reviewed, which suggests that the personality traits of psychoticism and aggressiveness likely moderate the negative effects of violent video games (VVGs). The Five-Factor Model (FFM) of personality is then used as a taxonomy to integrate these findings and examine why these traits are important moderator variables. Analyses suggest that these traits likely moderate the effects of VVGs because they contain the FFM traits neuroticism (+), agreeableness (−), and conscientiousness (−). A spherical model of personality, derived from these three FFM traits, is presented as a method of predicting aggression and hostility after playing VVGs; archival data confirms the predictions derived from this spherical model. Findings from the current research demonstrate the utility of a three-trait spherical model to examine the moderating effects of VVGs and suggest that only some individuals are adversely affected by VVGs and that those who are affected have preexisting dispositions, which make them susceptible to such violent media.

Invited Commentary: Why Body Image is Important to Adolescent Development

Although the majority of adolescents report body dissatisfaction and the consequences of body image concerns are developmentally significant, most research addressing body image has been conducted by clinicians. Developmental scientists are in a unique position to contribute to body image research given their understanding of the intrapersonal (e.g., pubertal development) and interpersonal (e.g., family relationships) factors that affect the development of body image. The adolescent years provide a particularly good example of the developmental nature of body image because a myriad of “normal” developmental factors (e.g., peer relationships) coalesce to shape adolescents’ body image. This commentary will summarize some of the significant body image research—focusing on adolescence—in the hope that it will encourage developmental psychologists to recognize the central role body image plays in development and address this topic in future research.

Romantic ideals, romantic obtainment, and relationship experiences: The complementarity of interpersonal traits among romantic partners

This research applied three different models of complementarity to romantic ideals, romantic obtainment, and the quality of romantic relationships: (i) Carsons (1969) model of interpersonal complementarity (i.e., individuals similar to each other on warmth, but opposite on dominance, are most compatible); (ii) Wigginss (1979) model of complementarity (i.e., individuals whose personalities occur in a manner predicted by social exchange theory are most compatible); and (iii) the model of similarity (i.e., individuals with similar personalities are most compatible). Study 1 examined the personality traits of 169 single male and female participants and the personality traits they found most desirable in romantic partners. Using randomization tests of hypothesized order relations and Pearson correlations, results suggested that only the model of similarity accurately described the personalities participants tended to find romantically desirable. Study 2 examined the personality traits of 212 participants (106 couples) who had been romantically involved for at least 1 year. Results suggested that the model of similarity somewhat described the personalities participants tended to actually obtain as romantic partners, but neither Carsons nor Wigginss models reached significance. However, further analyses found that only Carsons model of complementarity predicted relationship quality; romantic couples who reported the highest levels of relationship quality were more similar in terms of warmth but were more dissimilar in terms of dominance than romantic couples who reported the lowest levels of relationship quality.

A Brief Assessment of the Interpersonal Circumplex The IPIP-IPC

Three studies are presented that demonstrate the psychometric properties and initial validation of the International Personality Item Pool—Interpersonal Circumplex (IPIP-IPC). The IPIP-IPC is a brief 32-item assessment of the interpersonal cirucmplex designed to be used when time is limited or when participants have difficulty understanding the adjective items used in more traditional assessments of the interpersonal circumplex. In Study 1, 501 participants were examined to develop the IPIP-IPC and demonstrate the circular structure of the IPIP-IPC scales and their relation to the five-factor model of personality. Study 2 included 274 participants to reconfirm the circular structure of the IPIP-IPC scales. Finally, in Study 3, 100 participants again reconfirm the circular structure of the IPIP-IPC scales and demonstrate the overlap of the IPIP-IPC with a commonly used assessment of the circumplex: the 64-item Interpersonal Adjective Scale. Overall, the results suggest that the IPIP-IPC provides a relatively short, quick, and valid assessment of the interpersonal circumplex while maintaining many of the psychometric properties of longer assessment tools.

Culture and the Development of Eating Disorders: A Tripartite Model

Eating disorders are often conceptualized as “culture-bound problems;” however, the processes by which culture contributes to eating disorders have yet to be elucidated by researchers. This manuscript moves beyond researchs current emphasis on evaluating the prevalence rates of eating disorders among ethnic groups, and presents a tripartite model to aid in understanding how cultural processes influence eating disorders. Cultural influences on the development of eating behaviors, body image ideals, and conceptions of health and illness are discussed. It is hoped that the ideas presented will be used to direct efforts to further develop models of the relations between culture and eating disorders and will be considered in the development of programs seeking to aid in the prevention and treatment of maladaptive eating patterns.

Personality, puberty, and preadolescent girls’ risky behaviors: Examining the predictive value of the Five-Factor Model of personality☆

Few studies have considered the importance of personality characteristics in influencing young girls tendency to participate in health-compromising behaviors. The present study examined relations between 60 fifth grade girls (mean age ¼ 10:72 years) self-reports and maternal reports of the Five-Factor Model of personality (FFM), pubertal development, and girls participation in risky behaviors one year later (mean age ¼ 11:74 years). Results indicated that unconscientious and disagreeable girls were susceptible to participation in risky behaviors. These relations remained significant even after controlling for assessments of girls pubertal development. An interaction between girls openness to experience and pubertal development was found; girls who were open and who developed early were at risk for engaging in health-compromising behaviors. Findings are discussed in terms of their potential for helping health promotion efforts identify girls most at risk for adopting unhealthy behaviors.

Children’s Behavioral Manifestations of the Five-Factor Model of Personality

The present study examined relations between ratings of children’s personalities using the Five-Factor Model (FFM) of personality and behaviors exhibited by children during an interaction with their parents. Ninety-four children (M age = 10.87 years) and their parents participated in a videotaped interaction; children were coded on 64 different social behaviors using a revised version of the Riverside Behavioral Q-Sort. Mothers completed ratings of their children’s personalities using the NEO-Five-Factor Personality Inventory (NEO-FFI). Results indicate an intuitive and predictable pattern of relations between children’s personalities and their behaviors. Findings suggest that four of the five factors included in the FFM provide an appropriate framework for describing children’s personalities. These findings are discussed in terms of their relevance for helping researchers understand children’s personalities.

Applying the interpersonal circumplex to children's behavior: parent-child interactions and risk behaviors

This article examined the applicability of the interpersonal circumplex (IC) to the observable social behaviors of children during parent-child interactions. In Study 1, the observational ratings of behaviors of 117 children (mean age = 9.88 years) were examined. Randomization tests of hypothesized order relations found that these behaviors tended to occur in the circular pattern predicted by the IC. To illustrate the applicability of the IC to children’s behavior, Study 2 (n = 94) used the circular structure of children’s behavior to longitudinally examine children’s participation in two risk behaviors, smoking cigarettes and consuming alcohol. Results indicated that children who behaved in an arrogant-calculating manner were at risk for smoking cigarettes and children who behaved in an assured-dominate manner were at risk for drinking alcohol 1 year later. Implications of these results are discussed in terms of their relevance for helping researchers better understand and categorize children’s interpersonal behaviors.

The role of body image and depression in tanning behaviors and attitudes.

In the current study, we examined correlates of tanning behaviors and attitudes. Undergraduates (N = 277; 53% female; average age = 19.27 years) completed measures of appearance orientation and appearance evaluation from the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and questions addressing tanning behaviors and attitudes. Women were more likely to engage in indoor tanning and perceived greater susceptibility to photoaging than men. Body image and depression were associated with tanning behaviors and attitudes. Results suggest that psychological factors are important motivators of both indoor and outdoor tanning, although each has unique correlates. Implications for reducing risky tanning behaviors are discussed.