Scott C. Roesch

A meta-analytic review of help giving and aggression from an attributional perspective: Contributions to a general theory of motivation

The present review syntheses 64 investigations on the determinants of helping and aggression involving more than 12,000 subjects, providing empirical tests of Weiners (1986, 1995) theory of social conduct. A meta‐analytic test of the proposed causal cognition‐emotion‐behaviour sequence reveals that judgements of responsibility determine the emotional reactions of anger and sympathy, and that these emotional reactions, in turn, directly influence help giving and aggression. Results are highly consistent across several potential moderator variables including type of culture, sample characteristics, publication year, and publication status. Moreover, the present analyses suggest that the hypothesised model holds true for real events as well as for simulated data. Exploratory comparisons between the helping versus the aggression domain suggest that comparable results are obtained for these two domains, except that perceptions of responsibility are more likely to exert an additional proximal role in aggressive retaliation as compared to help giving. The implications of these findings for a general theory of motivation in the interpersonal and the intrapersonal domains are discussed.

Coping with prostate cancer : A meta-analytic review

The present meta-analytic review assessed the relations between coping categories and indices of adjustment in men with prostate cancer. Relevant methodological and statistical information was extracted from 33 target studies (n = 3,133 men with prostate cancer). Men with prostate cancer who used approach, problem-focused, and emotion-focused coping were healthier both psychologically and physically, although the effect sizes for problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping were more modest. For approach coping these effect sizes were particularly strong for measures of self-esteem, positive affect, depression, and anxiety. Conversely, men with prostate cancer who used avoidance coping experienced heightened negative psychological adjustment and physical health, and particularly for measures of positive mood and physical functioning. The findings of this study suggest that active approaches to coping with prostate cancer are beneficial psychologically, physically, and are positively associated with a return to pre-cancer activities.

A lifestyle intervention for older schizophrenia patients with diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled trial ☆

PURPOSE We tested the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a lifestyle intervention for middle-aged and older patients with schizophrenia and type-2 diabetes mellitus, using a randomized pre-test, post-test control group design. METHOD Individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder over the age of 40 were randomly assigned to 24-week Diabetes Awareness and Rehabilitation Training (DART; n=32) groups or Usual Care plus Information (UCI; n=32) comparison groups. Participants were recruited from board-and-care facilities and day treatment programs. Fifty-seven patients completed baseline and 6-month assessments consisting of an interview, measures of body mass index, blood pressure, fasting blood chemistry, and accelerometry. A mixed-model analysis of variance was used to analyze the data. RESULTS A significant group x time interaction was found for body weight, with patients in the DART group losing a mean of 5 lb and those in the UCI gaining a mean 6 lb. Significant group x time interactions were also found for triglycerides, diabetes knowledge, diabetes self-efficacy, and self-reported physical activity, but not for fasting plasma glucose or glycosylated hemoglobin. CONCLUSIONS Group-based lifestyle interventions are feasible and produce positive health changes in middle-aged and older patients with schizophrenia and diabetes mellitus.

Toward a neurobehavioral profile of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders

BACKGROUND A primary goal of recent research is the development of neurobehavioral profiles that specifically define fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), which may assist differential diagnosis or improve treatment. In the current study, we define a preliminary profile using neuropsychological data from a multisite study. METHODS Data were collected using a broad neurobehavioral protocol from 2 sites of a multisite study of FASD. Subjects were children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure and unexposed controls. The alcohol-exposed group included children with and without fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). From 547 neuropsychological variables, 22 variables were selected for analysis based on their ability to distinguish children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure from nonexposed controls. These data were analyzed using latent profile analysis (LPA). RESULTS The results indicated that a 2-class model best fit the data. The resulting profile was successful at distinguishing subjects with FAS from nonexposed controls without FAS with 92% overall accuracy; 87.8% of FAS cases and 95.7% of controls were correctly classified. The same analysis was repeated with children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure but without FAS and nonexposed controls with similar results. The overall accuracy was 84.7%; 68.4% of alcohol-exposed cases and 95% of controls were correctly classified. In both analyses, the profile based on neuropsychological variables was more successful at distinguishing the groups than was IQ alone. CONCLUSIONS We used data from 2 sites of a multisite study and a broad neuropsychological test battery to determine a profile that could be used to accurately identify children affected by prenatal alcohol exposure. Results indicated that measures of executive function and spatial processing are especially sensitive to prenatal alcohol exposure.

Further Development of a Neurobehavioral Profile of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

BACKGROUND Heavy prenatal alcohol exposure (AE) results in a broad array of neurobehavioral deficits. Recent research has focused on identification of a neurobehavioral profile or profiles that will improve the identification of children affected by AE. This study aimed to build on our preliminary neurobehavioral profile to improve classification accuracy and test the specificity of the resulting profile in an alternate clinical group. METHODS A standardized neuropsychological test battery was administered to 3 groups of children: subjects with AE (n = 209), typically developing controls (CON, n = 185), and subjects with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD, n = 74). We assessed a large sample from 6 sites in the United States and South Africa, using standardized methodology. Data were analyzed using 3 latent profile analyses including (i) subjects with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and controls, (ii) subjects with AE without FAS and controls, and (iii) subjects with AE (with or without FAS) and subjects with ADHD. RESULTS Classification accuracy was moderate but significant across the 3 analyses. In analysis 1, overall classification accuracy was 76.1% (77.2% FAS, 75.7% CON). In the second analysis, overall classification accuracy was 71.5% (70.1% AE/non-FAS, 72.4% CON). In the third analysis, overall classification accuracy was 73.9% (59.8% AE, 75.7% ADHD). Subjects that were misclassified were examined for systematic differences from those that were correctly classified. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that the neuropsychological effects of AE are clinically meaningful and can be used to accurately distinguish alcohol-affected children from both typically developing children and children with ADHD. Further, in combination with other recent studies, these data suggest that approximately 70% of children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure are neurobehaviorally affected, while the remaining 30% are spared these often-devastating consequences, at least those in the domains under study. Refining the neurobehavioral profile will allow improved identification and treatment development for children affected by prenatal alcohol exposure.

MODELING THE TYPES AND TIMING OF STRESS IN PREGNANCY

In the current study we examined whether or not stress at critical intervals during pregnancy, or stress consistently experienced across the course of pregnancy was associated with gestational age in a (large) multiethnic sample. After deriving a latent trait-state model of stress, we examined whether or not particular components of stress (i.e., perceived stress, general anxiety, pregnancy-specific anxiety), or stress in general, at specific time points or over time were associated with gestational age. Pregnancy-specific anxiety over the course of pregnancy was associated with shorter gestation after controlling for a number of risk factors, including history of diabetes, smoking, maternal age, and parity. Moreover, these findings suggest that the relation between pregnancy-specific anxiety and gestational age was similar across ethnic groups. The importance of modeling the components and timing of stress with latent variable methodology is discussed.

Coping with diabetes in adulthood: a meta-analysis.

ObjectiveA meta-analysis was performed to summarize the relations between coping dimensions (i.e., avoidance, approach, emotion-focused, and problem-focused) and indices of adjustment (i.e., overall, depression, anxiety, glycemic control) in individuals with diabetes.MethodsRelevant methodological and statistical information was culled from 21 primary studies consisting of 3,381 people with diabetes. The correlation coefficient was used as the target effect size.ResultsUse of approach and problem-focused coping was associated with better overall adjustment (small-to-medium effect sizes). Avoidance and emotion-focused coping were not significantly related to overall adjustment. However, negative effect sizes medium-to-large in magnitude were found between emotion-focused coping and specific indices of adjustment (anxiety, depression).ConclusionsThese findings suggest that coping methods aimed at assuaging both the concomitant negative feelings and specific stressors, such as meeting with doctors and engaging in a new treatment regimen commonly associated with diabetes management, largely improve psychological health. However, these relations are dependent upon both the specific coping method used and the index of adjustment assessed.

An exploration of contextual factors that influence HIV risk in female sex workers in Mexico: The Social Ecological Model applied to HIV risk behaviors

Abstract The present study examined the applicability of the Social Ecological Model for explaining condom use in a sample of female sex workers (FSWs) (N=435) participating in a behavioral intervention to increase condom use in Tijuana, Mexico. Using a multigroup path analysis, we compared women who work in bar settings (n=233) to those who worked on the street (n=202) with regard to an individual factor (self-efficacy), an interpersonal factor (client financial incentives), and a structural factor (condom access). Competing models showed differential impacts of these factors in the two venue-based groups. Having access to condoms was associated with greater self-efficacy and less unprotected sex in women who worked in bars. Among street-based FSWs, having clients offer monetary incentives for unprotected sex was related to greater unprotected sex, while having access to condoms was not. Understanding the contextual factors associated with condom use among subgroups of FSWs has important implications for the development of HIV prevention interventions.

Problem-solving and distress in prostate cancer patients and their spousal caregivers

Goals of workProstate cancer, the most common life-threatening cancer among American men, increases risk of psychosocial distress and negatively impacts quality of life for both patients and their spouses. To date, most studies have examined the relationship between patient coping and distress; however, it is also likely that what the spouse does to cope, and ultimately how the spouse adjusts, will affect the patient’s adjustment and quality of life. The present study examined the relationships of spouse problem-solving coping, distress levels and patient distress in the context of prostate cancer. The following mediational model was tested: Spouses’ problem-solving coping will be significantly inversely related to patients’ levels of distress, but this relationship will be mediated by spouses’ distress levels.Patients and methodsOne hundred seventy-one patients with prostate cancer and their spousal caregivers were assessed for mood; spouses were assessed for problem-solving coping skills. Structural equation modeling was used to test model fit.Main resultsThe model tested was a good fit to the data. Dysfunctional spousal problem-solving was a significant predictor of spouse distress level but constructive problem-solving was not. Spouse distress was significantly related to patient distress. Spouse dysfunctional problem-solving predicted patient distress, but this relationship was mediated by spouse distress. The same mediational relationship did not hold true for constructive problem-solving.ConclusionsSpouse distress mediates the relationship between spouse dysfunctional coping and patient distress. Problem-solving interventions and supportive care for spouses of men with prostate cancer may impact not only spouses but the patients as well.

Latent class/profile analysis in maltreatment research: a commentary on Nooner et al., Pears et al., and looking beyond

Latent class (LCA) and latent profile (LPA; also referred to as continuous LCA) analyses are person-centered statistical techniques that allow researchers to assign individuals to one mutually exclusive class (or profile) based on their responses to observed variables of interest (e.g., maltreatment types). Resultant classes are then substantively characterized by interpreting common patterns of responses within and between the classes/profiles. These techniques, part of a broader class of statistical models referred to as finite mixture models (see McLachlan & Peel, 2000), allow researchers to identify typologies of people rather than a taxonomy of variables as is customary in research using exploratory or confirmatory factor analysis. The LCA of Nooner et al. (2010) and the LPA of Pears, Kim, and Fisher (2008) both display the usefulness of these techniques with maltreatment data. Moreover, they have extended the limited number of LCA/LPA studies in the maltreatment field (e.g., Romano, Zoccolillo, & Paquette, 2006) by identifying multidimensional class/profile solutions that are more sophisticated than no maltreatment class/profile and a at least one type of maltreatment class/profile. The primary goal of this commentary is to provide a brief, user-friendly approach to conducting LCA/LPA. To that end, we (1) conceptually describe the goals of LCA/LPA, (2) highlight decision-making rules and practical issues of primary importance when applying LCA/LPA, and (3) identify newapplications of finitemixturemodels as they could potentially be applied inmaltreatment research. Throughout this commentary we critique both the Nooner et al. and Pears et al. studies. While the use of LCA/LPA has increased in recent years with child and adolescent samples (see examples of uses below), the application of this technique has been slower in maltreatment research (however, see McCrae, Chapman, & Christ, 2006; Romano et al., 2006). LCA has been applied to a variety of research designs in the social and behavioral sciences. For example, LCA has been used to identify patterns of co-occurrences for general problem behaviors during adolescence (Fergusson, Horwood, & Lynskey, 1994; Thompson, Brownfield, & Sorenson, 1998), child academic, social, and behavior problems (Reinke, Herman, Petras, & Ialongo, 2008; Tolan & Henry, 1996), temperament, interaction styles, and peer play in infants and toddlers using observational data (Loken, 2004;Webels & von Eye, 1996), and delinquent behaviors among adolescents (D’Unger, Land, MOdgers et al., 2007).Moreover, LCAhas beenused to identify patterns of comorbidity for psychiatric symptoms of affective disorders (Ferdinand, Bongers, et al., 2006; Ferdinand, de Nijs, van Lier, & Verhulst, 2005; Ferdinand, van Lang, Ormel, Verhulst, 2006; van Lang, Ferdinand, Ormel, & Verhulst, 2006; Wadsworth, Hudziak, Heath, & Achenbach, 2001), conduct disorder (Nock, Kazdin, Hirip, & Kessler, 2006) attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; Althoff, Copeland, et al., 2006; de Nijs, Ferdinand, & Verhulst, 2007; Neumann et al., 1999), ADHDwith other psychiatric disorders (Acosta et al., 2008; Volk, Neuman, & Todd, 2005), disruptive behavior disorders (de Nijs, van Lier, Verhulst, 2007; Sondeijker et al., 2005; Storr, Accornero, & Crum, 2007; van Lier, Verhulst, van der Ende, & Crijnen, 2003), hallucinogen dependence syndromes (Stone, Storr, & Anthony, 2006), and nonverbal learning disabilities (Ris et al., 2007). In addition to the identification of patterns of behaviors and psychiatric symptoms and disorders, LCA has been applied in the examination of the co-occurrence of aspects of the social environment. For example, LCA has been used to identify patterns of environmental risk and protective factors for academic, psychological, and behavior problems (Bowen, Lee, & Weller, 2007; Walrath et al., 2004), adverse life experiences (Shevlin & Elklit, 2008), and peer victimization (Nylund,