Karen Goodall

Visuospatial bootstrapping: implicit binding of verbal working memory to visuospatial representations in children and adults.

When participants carry out visually presented digit serial recall, their performance is better if they are given the opportunity to encode extra visuospatial information at encoding-a phenomenon that has been termed visuospatial bootstrapping. This bootstrapping is the result of integration of information from different modality-specific short-term memory systems and visuospatial knowledge in long term memory, and it can be understood in the context of recent models of working memory that address multimodal binding (e.g., models incorporating an episodic buffer). Here we report a cross-sectional developmental study that demonstrated visuospatial bootstrapping in adults (n=18) and 9-year-old children (n=15) but not in 6-year-old children (n=18). This is the first developmental study addressing visuospatial bootstrapping, and results demonstrate that the developmental trajectory of bootstrapping is different from that of basic verbal and visuospatial working memory. This pattern suggests that bootstrapping (and hence integrative functions such as those associated with the episodic buffer) emerge independent of the development of basic working memory slave systems during childhood.

Attachment as a partial mediator of the relationship between emotional abuse and schizotypy.

Developmental theories highlight the salience of attachment theory in explaining vulnerability towards psychosis. At the same time there is increasing recognition that psychosis is associated with childhood trauma variables. This study explored the interaction between attachment and several trauma variables in relation to schizotypy levels in a non-clinical sample. 283 non-clinical participants completed online measures of schizotypy, attachment, childhood abuse and neglect. When five types of abuse/neglect were entered into a linear regression analysis emotional abuse was the sole independent predictor of schizotypy. Age, attachment anxiety and avoidance were independent predictors after the effects of emotional abuse were controlled for. The overall model was significant, explaining 34% of the variation in schizotypy. Moderation analysis indicated that the effect of emotional abuse was not conditional upon attachment. Parallel mediation analysis indicated small but significant indirect effects of emotional abuse on schizotypy through attachment avoidance (13%) and attachment anxiety (8%). We conclude that emotional abuse contributes to vulnerability towards psychosis both directly and indirectly through attachment insecurity.

“Just an Excuse People Are Just Using These Days”: Attending to and Managing Interactional Concerns in Talk on Exclusion of Immigrants

In line with discursive work on the role of constructions of minority groups in social exclusion, we offer an examination of talk on immigrants and its links with employment of British residents, in the U.K. Parliament and interview talk with British residents looking for work, in the context of a financial crisis (2007-2009). Discursive analysis of data shows that parliamentarians treat immigration as problematic for British residents’ employment, whereas interviewees’ responses reject or minimally accept this, while displaying sensitivity to the status of this as a prevalent complaint about immigration. Parliamentarians do so to warrant and challenge or manage challenges to Government’s policies, whereas interviewees do so to manage being seen as discriminatory and work-shy. These findings show that constructions of immigration and its links with employment in the context of the financial crisis, and their use in warrants for exclusion are offered in ways to attend to the situated institutional and interactional relevancies in play for interlocutors.

Attachment insecurity and dispositional aggression: The mediating role of maladaptive anger regulation

Attachment insecurity has been associated with dysfunctional strategies for emotion regulation, leading to inflexible or maladaptive responding. Currently, application of the attachment framework to anger is underspecified. This study presents a preliminary investigation of attachment-related differences in the dispositional regulation of anger and aggressive outcomes. Two hundred seventy participants completed measures of adult attachment (attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance), anger regulation processes (anger suppression, unregulated anger, and anger control), and aggressive outcomes (physical aggression, verbal aggression, and hostility). While those high in attachment anxiety have been found to under-regulate other negative emotions, our results postulate that these individuals may implement a suppression strategy when faced with the experience of anger. Mediation models indicate that anger suppression is implicated in the relationship between attachment dimensions and hostility but not physical aggression. This supports the notion that suppression may be useful in reducing the external expression of anger but cannot alleviate the associated internal cognitions. These findings suggest that levels of attachment anxiety and avoidance should be considered when identifying techniques to target specific anger regulatory difficulties that contribute to increased aggression. Further, consideration and exploration of the role of security priming is encouraged as a possible mechanism by which to reduce dispositional hostility in those with high levels of attachment insecurity.

Masculinities and health: Whose identities? Whose constructions?

Discursive research focuses on the examination of how individuals negotiate versions of identities, events, and social phenomena in social interaction. The chapter describes the key elements of this approach, in terms of paying close attention to how people ascribe, resist, and rework identities and what these accomplish. Applying the approach to the study of gendered identities and health, the chapter considers in detail the construction of one specific gendered identity, namely that of hegemonic masculinity. This identity recurs commonly in the literature on gender and health but has been overemphasized, often with little regard for the situatedness of gendered identity. Moreover, many studies have tended to equate considerations of health with those of ill health, often paying little attention to the contextual features of the identities in play. Adopting a discursive perspective provides a detailed understanding of how individuals negotiate gender in relation to health and ill health.

The psychological benefits and challenges of participation in organized outdoors activities

Background: Theorised pathways in an ‘extended’ common-sense model of illness representations (CSM) in those affected by Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) were examined. Analysis contrasted between those using complementary medicines (CAM-users) and those not using CAM (non-users). Methods: A web-based cross-sectional survey. Participants (n=653) were recruited from an IBS self-help network and other online illness discussion forums and assessed on the IPQ-R, the BMQ-General, the Brief-COPE and IBS-QOL. Findings: CAM-users reported poorer quality of life compared to non-users. Stronger perceptions of illness consequences and emotional representations were strongly correlated with reduced quality of life and poorer emotional outcomes in both groups. Self-blame and behavioural disengagement partially mediated the pathway from perception to outcome. Discussion: Findings suggest consistency with CSM theory. The detected influence of representations on quality of life (via coping strategies) suggests health psychologists could address components of illness perceptions to improve quality of life in those affected by IBS.Background: Psychological preparation has been demonstrated to improve post-operative outcomes including pain and health care resource use. This systematic review (registered with the Cochrane Anaesthesia Review Group) will investigate which methods of preparation are effective and for which outcomes. Economic data will be reviewed where available. Methods: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of adults undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia are included. Papers are identified using electronic searches, reference lists and contact with authors of studies to identify unpublished research. Expected results: In a meta-analysis including 38 RCTs, Johnston and Vogele (1993) found psychological preparation to be effective in improving various postoperative outcomes. It is expected that this up-dated review will provide further evidence about which techniques are effective because more studies are now available. Current stage of work: Papers are being screened for inclusion. Discussion: Identifying effective pre-surgical interventions may result in improved patient outcomes and healthcare resource use.[Extract] Background: Qualities of resilience have been strongly identified within farming populations. This resilience is being challenged, with high suicide rates raising concerns about the mental health of the farming population. This research explored those factors which impacted the resilience of farming families of Australia. Methods: Interviews were conducted (N=53 participants) and analysed using Grounded Theory and Content Analysis. Based on qualitative findings, a subsequent sample (N=278) of farming families from across Australia completed the survey. Measures of stressors, work-life balance, coping, buffering characteristics and well-being were distributed. Findings: Outcomes suggested themes of commitment and identification with farming helped build resilience. Path analysis indicated that buffering characteristics mediated and moderated the impact of stressors and role interference on indicators of well-being, χ² (18)=23.98, p=0.156. Discussion: Recommendations were made for raising awareness to the farming community of the risk factors for poor health and suggestions for increasing the resilience of groups at-risk of poor well-being.Resiliance and Health - 26th Conference of the European Health Psychology Society, Prague, Czech Republic, 21st - 25th August 2012Using two behavioral risk tasks (Balloon Analogue Risk Task BART; Lejuez et al. 2002 and Columbia Card Task, CCT; Figner et al. 2009) that mimic important features of real-world risk taking behaviors, we investigated the effects of different types of negative affect on risk taking. Methods: Participants (N¼50) were first administered the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS; Zigmond et al. 1983). One month later, they completed the BART and the cold CCT, in counterbalanced order. State mood was assessed before participants played the CCT and BART. Findings: Higher levels of anxiety were associated with less risk taking in both tasks; depression was unrelated to risk taking. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that these findings were robust to mood effects. Discussion: Findings from the current study indicated that healthy subjects’ risk taking tendencies vary between anxiety and depression. Implications for prevention of health risks are discussed. 194 EHPS 2012 abstracts Downloaded byBackground: Physical exercise contributes to healthy ageing, and strength training has beenshown to improve independence in older people.Method: Six hundred older people wererandomly selected from ...Background: Conceptual clarification of salutogenesis (Antonovsky 1987) and resilience – what is common and different? Methods: A systematic research synthesis 1992–2010 based on about 1300 papers ...Resiliance and Health - 26th Conference of the European Health Psychology Society, Prague, Czech Republic, 21st - 25th August 2012This conference abstract looks provides an analysis of the behaviour change techniques used in Scottish Government supported behaviour change interventionsBackground: The aim of this research was to examine variables that influence attention to health information in order to develop a predictive model. Methods: Community participants(N=330) were randomly assigned to one of two conditions presenting information about coronary heart disease (CHD) or road accidents. Information was either risk or neutral in valency. Attention to information was measured using a surprise recall task. Other variables measured included perceived risk, optimism, control and coping strategies. Findings: Overall, participants in the CHD condition remembered significantly more risk information than participants in the road condition. Participants in the road condition endorsed significantly lower beliefs in personal control perceptions while also endorsing greater beliefs in other’s control over their own road outcomes. Discussion: While perceived control is usually emphasised as integral in adopting protective behaviours these findings suggest that they are also central in communicating health information.

An IPA exploration of the experience of limb loss

Background: Theorised pathways in an ‘extended’ common-sense model of illness representations (CSM) in those affected by Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) were examined. Analysis contrasted between those using complementary medicines (CAM-users) and those not using CAM (non-users). Methods: A web-based cross-sectional survey. Participants (n=653) were recruited from an IBS self-help network and other online illness discussion forums and assessed on the IPQ-R, the BMQ-General, the Brief-COPE and IBS-QOL. Findings: CAM-users reported poorer quality of life compared to non-users. Stronger perceptions of illness consequences and emotional representations were strongly correlated with reduced quality of life and poorer emotional outcomes in both groups. Self-blame and behavioural disengagement partially mediated the pathway from perception to outcome. Discussion: Findings suggest consistency with CSM theory. The detected influence of representations on quality of life (via coping strategies) suggests health psychologists could address components of illness perceptions to improve quality of life in those affected by IBS.Background: Psychological preparation has been demonstrated to improve post-operative outcomes including pain and health care resource use. This systematic review (registered with the Cochrane Anaesthesia Review Group) will investigate which methods of preparation are effective and for which outcomes. Economic data will be reviewed where available. Methods: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of adults undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia are included. Papers are identified using electronic searches, reference lists and contact with authors of studies to identify unpublished research. Expected results: In a meta-analysis including 38 RCTs, Johnston and Vogele (1993) found psychological preparation to be effective in improving various postoperative outcomes. It is expected that this up-dated review will provide further evidence about which techniques are effective because more studies are now available. Current stage of work: Papers are being screened for inclusion. Discussion: Identifying effective pre-surgical interventions may result in improved patient outcomes and healthcare resource use.[Extract] Background: Qualities of resilience have been strongly identified within farming populations. This resilience is being challenged, with high suicide rates raising concerns about the mental health of the farming population. This research explored those factors which impacted the resilience of farming families of Australia. Methods: Interviews were conducted (N=53 participants) and analysed using Grounded Theory and Content Analysis. Based on qualitative findings, a subsequent sample (N=278) of farming families from across Australia completed the survey. Measures of stressors, work-life balance, coping, buffering characteristics and well-being were distributed. Findings: Outcomes suggested themes of commitment and identification with farming helped build resilience. Path analysis indicated that buffering characteristics mediated and moderated the impact of stressors and role interference on indicators of well-being, χ² (18)=23.98, p=0.156. Discussion: Recommendations were made for raising awareness to the farming community of the risk factors for poor health and suggestions for increasing the resilience of groups at-risk of poor well-being.Resiliance and Health - 26th Conference of the European Health Psychology Society, Prague, Czech Republic, 21st - 25th August 2012Using two behavioral risk tasks (Balloon Analogue Risk Task BART; Lejuez et al. 2002 and Columbia Card Task, CCT; Figner et al. 2009) that mimic important features of real-world risk taking behaviors, we investigated the effects of different types of negative affect on risk taking. Methods: Participants (N¼50) were first administered the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS; Zigmond et al. 1983). One month later, they completed the BART and the cold CCT, in counterbalanced order. State mood was assessed before participants played the CCT and BART. Findings: Higher levels of anxiety were associated with less risk taking in both tasks; depression was unrelated to risk taking. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that these findings were robust to mood effects. Discussion: Findings from the current study indicated that healthy subjects’ risk taking tendencies vary between anxiety and depression. Implications for prevention of health risks are discussed. 194 EHPS 2012 abstracts Downloaded byBackground: Physical exercise contributes to healthy ageing, and strength training has beenshown to improve independence in older people.Method: Six hundred older people wererandomly selected from ...Background: Conceptual clarification of salutogenesis (Antonovsky 1987) and resilience – what is common and different? Methods: A systematic research synthesis 1992–2010 based on about 1300 papers ...Resiliance and Health - 26th Conference of the European Health Psychology Society, Prague, Czech Republic, 21st - 25th August 2012This conference abstract looks provides an analysis of the behaviour change techniques used in Scottish Government supported behaviour change interventionsBackground: The aim of this research was to examine variables that influence attention to health information in order to develop a predictive model. Methods: Community participants(N=330) were randomly assigned to one of two conditions presenting information about coronary heart disease (CHD) or road accidents. Information was either risk or neutral in valency. Attention to information was measured using a surprise recall task. Other variables measured included perceived risk, optimism, control and coping strategies. Findings: Overall, participants in the CHD condition remembered significantly more risk information than participants in the road condition. Participants in the road condition endorsed significantly lower beliefs in personal control perceptions while also endorsing greater beliefs in other’s control over their own road outcomes. Discussion: While perceived control is usually emphasised as integral in adopting protective behaviours these findings suggest that they are also central in communicating health information.

An IPA exploration of the experience of limb loss: Patient and prosthetist perspectives

Background: Theorised pathways in an ‘extended’ common-sense model of illness representations (CSM) in those affected by Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) were examined. Analysis contrasted between those using complementary medicines (CAM-users) and those not using CAM (non-users). Methods: A web-based cross-sectional survey. Participants (n=653) were recruited from an IBS self-help network and other online illness discussion forums and assessed on the IPQ-R, the BMQ-General, the Brief-COPE and IBS-QOL. Findings: CAM-users reported poorer quality of life compared to non-users. Stronger perceptions of illness consequences and emotional representations were strongly correlated with reduced quality of life and poorer emotional outcomes in both groups. Self-blame and behavioural disengagement partially mediated the pathway from perception to outcome. Discussion: Findings suggest consistency with CSM theory. The detected influence of representations on quality of life (via coping strategies) suggests health psychologists could address components of illness perceptions to improve quality of life in those affected by IBS.Background: Psychological preparation has been demonstrated to improve post-operative outcomes including pain and health care resource use. This systematic review (registered with the Cochrane Anaesthesia Review Group) will investigate which methods of preparation are effective and for which outcomes. Economic data will be reviewed where available. Methods: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of adults undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia are included. Papers are identified using electronic searches, reference lists and contact with authors of studies to identify unpublished research. Expected results: In a meta-analysis including 38 RCTs, Johnston and Vogele (1993) found psychological preparation to be effective in improving various postoperative outcomes. It is expected that this up-dated review will provide further evidence about which techniques are effective because more studies are now available. Current stage of work: Papers are being screened for inclusion. Discussion: Identifying effective pre-surgical interventions may result in improved patient outcomes and healthcare resource use.[Extract] Background: Qualities of resilience have been strongly identified within farming populations. This resilience is being challenged, with high suicide rates raising concerns about the mental health of the farming population. This research explored those factors which impacted the resilience of farming families of Australia. Methods: Interviews were conducted (N=53 participants) and analysed using Grounded Theory and Content Analysis. Based on qualitative findings, a subsequent sample (N=278) of farming families from across Australia completed the survey. Measures of stressors, work-life balance, coping, buffering characteristics and well-being were distributed. Findings: Outcomes suggested themes of commitment and identification with farming helped build resilience. Path analysis indicated that buffering characteristics mediated and moderated the impact of stressors and role interference on indicators of well-being, χ² (18)=23.98, p=0.156. Discussion: Recommendations were made for raising awareness to the farming community of the risk factors for poor health and suggestions for increasing the resilience of groups at-risk of poor well-being.Resiliance and Health - 26th Conference of the European Health Psychology Society, Prague, Czech Republic, 21st - 25th August 2012Using two behavioral risk tasks (Balloon Analogue Risk Task BART; Lejuez et al. 2002 and Columbia Card Task, CCT; Figner et al. 2009) that mimic important features of real-world risk taking behaviors, we investigated the effects of different types of negative affect on risk taking. Methods: Participants (N¼50) were first administered the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS; Zigmond et al. 1983). One month later, they completed the BART and the cold CCT, in counterbalanced order. State mood was assessed before participants played the CCT and BART. Findings: Higher levels of anxiety were associated with less risk taking in both tasks; depression was unrelated to risk taking. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that these findings were robust to mood effects. Discussion: Findings from the current study indicated that healthy subjects’ risk taking tendencies vary between anxiety and depression. Implications for prevention of health risks are discussed. 194 EHPS 2012 abstracts Downloaded byBackground: Physical exercise contributes to healthy ageing, and strength training has beenshown to improve independence in older people.Method: Six hundred older people wererandomly selected from ...Background: Conceptual clarification of salutogenesis (Antonovsky 1987) and resilience – what is common and different? Methods: A systematic research synthesis 1992–2010 based on about 1300 papers ...Resiliance and Health - 26th Conference of the European Health Psychology Society, Prague, Czech Republic, 21st - 25th August 2012This conference abstract looks provides an analysis of the behaviour change techniques used in Scottish Government supported behaviour change interventionsBackground: The aim of this research was to examine variables that influence attention to health information in order to develop a predictive model. Methods: Community participants(N=330) were randomly assigned to one of two conditions presenting information about coronary heart disease (CHD) or road accidents. Information was either risk or neutral in valency. Attention to information was measured using a surprise recall task. Other variables measured included perceived risk, optimism, control and coping strategies. Findings: Overall, participants in the CHD condition remembered significantly more risk information than participants in the road condition. Participants in the road condition endorsed significantly lower beliefs in personal control perceptions while also endorsing greater beliefs in other’s control over their own road outcomes. Discussion: While perceived control is usually emphasised as integral in adopting protective behaviours these findings suggest that they are also central in communicating health information.