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Smartphones are omnipresent and serve as a tool for various purposes. In Switzerland, more than 90% of the population owns a smartphone and uses it on average around 2.0 to 5 h daily. Smartphone app use is linked with both higher and lower levels of well-being. However, it remains unclear whether smartphone app use is the antecedent or the consequence of well-being. Based on the stimulation (online communication increases well-being) and the displacement (online communication decreases well-being) hypotheses, this study explores how daily smartphone app use and well-being are associated over time. A total of N  =  130 employees (M = 35.61; SD = 10.62) participated in a three-week intensive longitudinal study. Daily minutes of different types of smartphone app use (e.g. email apps and chat apps) were tracked by a mobile application. Furthermore, daily self-reports of positive and negative affect were assessed in a morning and end-of day diary. Positive morning affect was negatively associated with the use of email apps. Furthermore, a negative between-person relationship of chat app use with end-of day positive affect was observed. The results are in favour of the displacement hypothesis. Future studies should investigate causal relationships between specific forms of smartphone usage and the user’s well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe social relations model (SRM) is the standard approach for analyzing dyadic data stemming from round-robin designs. The model can be used to estimate correlation-coefficients that reflect the overall reciprocity or accuracy of judgements for individual and dyads on the sample- or population level. Within the social relations structural equation modeling framework and on the statistical grounding of stochastic measurement and classical test theory, we show how the multiple indicator SRM can be modified to capture inter-individual and inter-dyadic differences in reciprocal engagement or inter-individual differences in reciprocal accuracy. All models are illustrated on an open-access round-robin data set containing measures of mimicry, liking, and meta-liking (the belief to be liked). Results suggest that people who engage more strongly in reciprocal mimicry are liked more after an interaction with someone and that overestimating one’s own popularity is strongly associated with being liked less. Further applications, advantages and limitations of the models are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We didactically derive a correlated traits correlated (methods – 1) [CTC(M – 1)] multitrait‐multimethod (MTMM) model for dyadic round‐robin data augmented by self‐reports. The model is an extension of the CTC(M – 1) model for cross‐classified data and can handle dependencies between raters and targets by including reciprocity covariance parameters that are inherent in augmented round‐robin designs. It can be specified as a traditional structural equation model. We present the variance decomposition as well as consistency and reliability coefficients. Moreover, we explain how to evaluate fit of a CTC(M – 1) model for augmented round‐robin data. In a simulation study, we explore the properties of the full information maximum likelihood estimation of the model. Model (mis)fit can be quite accurately detected with the test of not close fit and dynamic root mean square errors of approximation. Even with few small round‐robin groups, relative parameter estimation bias and coverage rates are satisfactory, but several larger round‐robin groups are needed to minimize relative parameter estimation inaccuracy. Further, neglecting the reciprocity covariance‐structure of the augmented round‐robin data does not severely bias the remaining parameter estimates. All analyses (including data, R scripts, and results) and the simulation study are provided in the Supporting Information. Implications and limitations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In multilevel analysis, Level-1 predictors that also explain variance at a higher level are called contextual predictors. In the multilevel manifest covariate model, the Level-2 component is modeled as the average of the Level-1 predictor scores within a cluster. In the multilevel latent covariate model, the predictor is decomposed into two latent variables at Level-1 and Level-2. Performance conditions of these modeling approaches for three-level models are largely unexplored. We investigate the two approaches' performance with respect to bias, coverage, and power in a three-level random intercept model. Results reveal differences in estimation quality and required sample sizes. We provide sampling recommendations for both approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-level clustered data commonly occur in social and behavioral research and are prominently analyzed using multilevel modeling. The influence of the clustering on estimation results is assessed with the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), which indicate the fraction of variance in the outcome located at each higher level. However, ICCs are prone to bias due to high requirements regarding the overall sample size and the sample size at each data level. In Monte Carlo simulations, we investigate how these sample characteristics influence the bias of the ICCs and statistical power of the variance components using robust ML-estimation. Results reveal considerable underestimation on Level-3 and the importance of the Level-3 sample size in combination with the ICC sizes. Based on our results, we derive concise sampling recommendations and discuss limits to our inferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the high level of academic demands and workload in Chinese high schools and aims to identify protective factors against students' negative emotional responses. Using the well-established Job Demands-Resources Model as a guiding framework, we investigated the relationship between workload, perceived academic demands, teacher-student relationships, personal resources (self-efficacy, self-esteem, and optimism), and school burnout symptoms (emotional exhaustion and cynicism). Data analyses were based on self-reports from 1,083 Chinese students. The results of structural equation modelling showed that workload and academic demands were positively related to burnout. Among the resources, optimism was negatively related to emotional exhaustion and cynicism, whereas self-efficacy was only negatively related to cynicism. Surprisingly, self-esteem was positively related to cynicism after controlling for the other two personal resources. Our findings underline the potentially protective effect of students' self-efficacy, dispositional optimism, and self-esteem (at least at the bivariate level) against school burnout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study contributes to understanding students' emotional responses to academic stressors by integrating grit into the well-established Job Demands-Resources Model and by examining the relationship between academic demands, grit (consistency of interests, perseverance of effort), burnout, engagement, academic achievement, depression, and life satisfaction in Chinese students. We conducted a self-report study with N = 1527 Chinese high school students (Mage = 16.38 years, SD = 1.04). The results of structural equation modeling showed that after controlling for gender, socio-economic status, and school types, demands positively related to burnout and negatively related to engagement. Both facets of grit negatively related to exhaustion, whereas only perseverance of effort positively related to engagement. Burnout positively related to depression and negatively related to life satisfaction, whereas engagement positively related to life satisfaction. However, neither burnout nor engagement was related to academic achievement. Our findings indicate that grit may be protective against school burnout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study builds on research concerning self-other agreement, specifically the Trait-Reputation-Identity (TRI) Model, and combines this theoretical approach and recent advances from multitrait-multimethod research, specifically the CTC(M-1) and the latent difference model. This combination was applied to avoid statistical problems associated with latent trait models of the type previously used in TRI Model research. A further aim was to fully exploit the TRI Model's potential by simultaneously modeling more than one trait in one psychometric model. This makes it possible to explore whether raters use similar information to assess different traits or whether this information is observer-specific, as well as whether the traits themselves can shape an individual's Reputation. All analyses were based on a data set capturing the Dark Triad. As the Dark Triad has only rarely been examined from different rater perspectives before, the study also provides new insights into this network of maladaptive traits. A sample of 290 students, their best friends, and one parent were asked to fill out the NPI, Mach IV, and SRP-III. The results suggest that accuracy is high only for narcissism. Moreover, a dark halo could be observed among each of the other-raters for Machiavellianism and psychopathy; target's standings on these two traits were also underestimated by the other-raters. The study's combined use of the TRI Model and modern structural equation methods highlights the usefulness of the TRI Model and adds to the debate about the specific nature of Dark Triad traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Communication and coordination represent central processes in healthcare action teams. However, we have a limited understanding of how expertise affects these processes and to what extent these effects are shaped by interprofessional differences. The current study addresses these questions by jointly investigating the influence of different aspects of expertise – individual expertise, team familiarity, and expertise asymmetry – on coordination quality and communication openness. We tested our propositions in two hospitals: one in Switzerland (CH, Sample 1) and one in the United Kingdom (UK, Sample 2). Both samples included two-person anesthesia action teams consisting of a physician and a nurse (NCH = 47 teams, NUK = 48 teams). We used a correlational design with two measurement points (i.e., pre- and postoperation). To consider potential interprofessional differences, we analyzed our data with actor-partner interdependence models. Moreover, we explored differences in the effects of expertise between both hospitals. Our findings suggest that nurses' expertise is the most important predictor of coordination quality and communication openness. Overall, differences between the two hospitals were more prevalent than interprofessional differences between physicians and nurses. The current study provides a nuanced picture of the effects of expertise, and thereby extends our understanding of interprofessional teamwork. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of the present study are to analyze the associations of different forms of dyadic coping (i.e., own supportive dyadic coping = OSDC; perceived supportive dyadic coping provided by the partner = PSDC; common dyadic coping = CDC) with relationship satisfaction, and to investigate whether these effects differ depending on the amount of perceived stress. In 240 couples, the different forms of dyadic coping and stress of both partners were assessed annually across 5 measurement points. Data was analyzed by dyadic multilevel models, which allow for disentangling between-person (overall, timely stable) from within-person (yearly, time specific) variations. The results revealed that all different forms of dyadic coping enhanced overall and yearly relationship satisfaction. At the same time, relationship satisfaction depends on the amount of overall and yearly stress. Interestingly, for PSDC, we found that the more a member of the couple was supported by the partner yearly (time-specific PSDC) and the more the member was stressed overall (timely stable), the higher the member scored on relationship satisfaction. For CDC, we found that yearly CDC beyond the overall level of CDC interacted with the timely stable amount of stress. Dealing together with stress and perceiving the partner as helpful were especially beneficial for relationship satisfaction. Findings highlight the importance of addressing specific forms of dyadic coping in intervention and prevention programs for couples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although active, responsive listening is widely assumed to be essential for well-functioning intimate relationships, the manner in which this important behavior might promote closeness remains unknown. To test the prediction that listening may be especially influential when partners disclose experiences of stress, we instructed 365 heterosexual couples to hold two 8-min conversations in which each partner discussed a stressful personal experience while the other partner was asked to respond as he or she ordinarily would. We coded expressions of stress and listening behavior at 10-s intervals during these conversations, applied actor-partner multilevel models to compute a variable capturing the covariation between one partner's stress expression and the other partner's listening behavior, and then used that variable in regression analyses to predict observed dyadic coping behaviors, self-reports of the quality of dyadic coping in general, and self-reports of relationship satisfaction. Attentive listening while the other partner expressed stress was significantly linked with better dyadic coping behaviors and higher relationship satisfaction. Partners displaying less attentive listening during the partner's stress expression also engaged in more problem-oriented coping and more negative dyadic coping. Because attentive listening during disclosure of stress covaries in expected ways with support provision and judgments of relationship quality, appreciating the context-specific effects of active listening merits careful consideration as an intervention target in couple therapy and in relationship education programs. (PsycINFO Database Record [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Couples share distress as well as potential personal growth (PG) after a cancer diagnosis. It is essential for professionals to learn more about the ways couples cope together with adversity. Dyadic results may help to understand controversial results in the PG literature and inform clinicians in optimizing psychological support for couples. Objective: We examine the temporal and dyadic development of PG among patients and their intimate partners. In addition, life threat is examined as a potential factor influencing PG after cancer diagnosis. Methods: We assessed PG using the Personal Growth Inventory in a clinically representative, mixed-type and mixed-stage cancer cohort ( N = 154 couples) 6 and 12 months after cancer diagnosis. Medical data on cancer diagnoses and treatments were collected from physicians. Actor–partner interdependence models were applied. Results: PG was reported by patients and their partners. Women (either as patients or partners) reported more PG than male patients or partners. PG remained relatively stable over 6 months and was related to whether the patient was receiving curative or palliative treatment. Female patients experienced less PG 6 months after the cancer diagnosis and if treatment was curative. Male patients experienced less PG if their partners experienced PG, and the treatment was curative. Conclusions: Dyadic growth is a phenomenon not limited to breast cancer or female patient couples and may represent a form of dyadic coping. Patients and partners seem to develop individual and dyadic growth, depending on a combination of gender and life threat. Psycho-oncology services may want to promote both couple level coping and support in order to optimize cancer care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-021-01198-3 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of convergent and discriminant validity is an integral part of the construct validation process. Models for analyzing the convergent and discriminant validity have typically been developed for cross-sectional data. There exist, however, only a few approaches for longitudinal data that can be applied for analyzing the construct validity of fluctuating states. In this article, the authors show how models of latent state—trait theory can be combined with models of multitrait—multimethod analysis to develop a model that allows for analyzing convergent and discriminant validity in time: the multimethod latent state—trait model. The model allows for identifying different sources of variance (trait consistency, trait-method specificity, occasion-specific consistency, occasion-specific method specificity, and unreliability). It is applied to the repeated measurement of depression and anxiety in children, which was assessed by self and teacher reports (N = 375). The application shows that the proposed models fit the data well and allow a deeper understanding of method effects in clinical assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Convergent and discriminant validity of psychological constructs can best be examined in the framework of multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) analysis. To gain information at the level of single items, MTMM models for categorical variables have to be applied. The CTC(M-I) model is presented as an example of an MTMM model for ordinal variables. Based on an empirical application of the CTC(M-I) model, a complex simulation study was conducted to examine the sample size requirements of the robust weighted least squares mean- and variance-adjusted X² test of model fit (WLSMV estimator) implemented in Mplus. In particular, the simulation study analysed the X² approximation, the parameter estimation bias, the standard error bias, and the reliability of the WLSMV estimator depending on the varying number of items per trait-method unit (ranging from 2 to 8) and varying sample sizes (250, 500, 750, and 1000 observations). The results showed that the WLSMV estimator provided a good—albeit slightly liberal—X² approximation and stable and reliable parameter estimates for models of reasonable complexity (2–4 items) and small sample sizes (at least 250 observations). When more complex models with 5 or more items were analysed, larger sample sizes of at least 500 observations were needed. The most complex model with 9 trait-method units and 8 items (72 observed variables) requires sample sizes of at least 1000 observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both parental psychological well-being (e.g., depressive symptoms) and parental relationship functioning (e.g., negative communication) are common parental risk factors for dysfunctional parenting. The spillover process from these parental characteristics to dysfunctional parenting is assumed to be amplified by parental stress, which is particularly common among mothers and fathers of young children. However, few studies have examined dyadic spillover processes from parental risk factors and parental stress on parenting in early childhood. In the current study, we first examined direct actor and partner effects of parents' depressive symptoms and negative communication at 10 months postpartum on dysfunctional parenting at 48 months postpartum in 168 primiparous mixed-gender couples. Second, we analyzed indirect effects via one's own and the partner's parental stress at 36 months postpartum using Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Models (APIMeM). We found direct actor effects for mothers' depressive symptoms and negative communication on their dysfunctional parenting. Additionally, indirect actor effects were found for depressive symptoms and negative communication among mothers and fathers. Specifically, mediating effects of depressive symptoms and negative communication on one's dysfunctional parenting through one's parental stress were found. There were no indirect partner effects through parental stress. These findings highlight the important role of parental stress in early childhood as a mediator between both individual and relationship parental risk factors and dysfunctional parenting. These results further underscore the importance of longitudinal dyadic analyses in providing early and tailored interventions for both mothers and fathers of young children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The aim of the article was to examine the psychometric properties of the Epilepsy-related Fears in Parents Questionnaire (EFPQ). Method Internal consistency, factor structure, and construct validity were analyzed based on data from 291 parents participating in the baseline assessment of a quasi-experimental study on the efficacy of the FAMOSES ( modulares Schulungsprogramm Epilepsie für Familien ) parents' program. The control group of this study was used to calculate the test–retest reliability, while the responsiveness of the questionnaire was evaluated by comparing matched groups of FAMOSES participants and control parents. Results An exploratory factor analysis revealed two factors of epilepsy-related fears, “Fears about short-term consequences of the child's epilepsy” (8 items) and “Fears about the future development of the child and the child's epilepsy” (9 items). Both showed good reliability ( Cronbach's α = .89 and .91, resp.; test–retest reliability: ICC = .77 and .80, resp.), and construct validity was confirmed by correlations with epilepsy-related variables and psychosocial outcomes, e.g., with the Impact on Family Scale ( r = .48 and .61, resp.). The FAMOSES parents' program significantly reduced epilepsy-related fears ( p < .05 for both subscales). Conclusion The EFPQ proved to be a reliable, valid, and responsive instrument for the assessment of parental fears about their child's epilepsy and can be recommended for use in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In adult couples, stress emerging outside the relationship (extra-dyadic stress) spills over into the relationship evoking conflict between the partners (intra-dyadic stress), which itself has a negative effect on relationship satisfaction over time. This detrimental effect of stress spillover can be buffered by adequate dyadic coping (DC) skills of both partners. The current study aimed at replicating these effects in a sample of 96 Swiss adult couples and 124 Swiss late adolescent (non-cohabitating) couples, who were in a serious relationship for at least 1 year. We examined (a) whether extra-dyadic stress is associated with intra-dyadic stress and relationship satisfaction and (b) whether the potential buffering effect of DC on these associations already exists in this important developmental phase. Contrary to the adult sample, for which indirect actor and partner effects were significant, we found a marginally significantly negative indirect actor effect of extra-dyadic stress on relationship satisfaction via intra-dyadic stress in late adolescents only for participants experiencing high extra-dyadic stress and low support from the partner. DC moderated the spillover between extra-dyadic and intra-dyadic stress for late adolescents. This study highlights the importance of investigating dyadic processes in romantic relationships in late adolescence to gain an insight into these relationships and the associated developmental processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous empirical studies show that stress occurring outside of the relationship (referred to as external stress) can spill over into couples' relationships, influencing dyads' behaviors and their relationship satisfaction. There is substantial evidence that the association between external stress and relationship satisfaction is explained by 2 mediators: internal stress and dyadic coping. However, the mediation processes of internal stress and dyadic coping have solely been examined in Western couples. Accordingly, the current study aimed to test these processes in a sample of 474 Chinese couples (N = 948) using the actor-partner interdependence mediation model. Results reveal that internal stress and dyadic coping can fully mediate the association between external stress and relationship satisfaction in Chinese couples for men and women in a similar way. These findings underscore the importance of moving beyond examining stress and dyadic coping processes among couples in Eastern cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data from 90 German committed heterosexual couples who had a least one child were used to examine the associations between chronic minor external stress, quantity and quality of time spent together as a couple, and partners' relationship satisfaction. Using an extended version of the Actor Partner Interdependence Model, the authors found significant negative indirect effects from mothers' chronic minor external stress via quality, but not quantity, of shared time to both parents' reported relationship satisfaction. Mothers' chronic minor external stress was associated with fewer reported quality time activities, which were also associated with lower reports of relationship satisfaction for both mothers and fathers. The authors did not find indirect effects for fathers' chronic minor external stress. Overall, the frequency of quality time activities may be more important for mothers, as it explained 25% of variance in their relationship satisfaction, compared with 15% in fathers' relationship satisfaction. Implications for relationship researchers and clinicians are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Introduction: Adolescence is characterized by multiple biopsychosocial changes, associated with a high intraindividual variability of emotional experiences. Previous findings suggest that this intraindividual variability is reflected in a recall bias of adolescents' emotion reports. However, corresponding findings are scarce and inconclusive. Studies on predictors of recall bias in adulthood indicate that personality traits, especially neuroticism and extraversion, as well as specific internalizing disorders might affect recall bias of emotion reports. Methods: The sample consists of 118 Swiss adolescent students in grade 8 and 9 (Mage = 15.15, SDage = 0.89). The students' momentary affective experience was recorded using smartphones over seven consecutive days in situ at 42 randomly generated occasions (six per day), with a total of 1059 protocols on current events. At the end of the experience‐sampling phase, students filled out an online questionnaire, providing information about their personality and typical behavior as well as their retrospective affective experience. In addition, the students' behavior was evaluated by their teachers. We applied two‐level structural equation modeling with latent difference variables. Results: Adolescents high in extraversion showed retrospective overestimation of positive affective experiences and underestimation of negative affective experiences. Adolescents with high neuroticism tended to overestimate negative affect retrospectively, showing no significant effects for positive affect. However, internalizing behavior did not predict a negative recall bias in adolescents' affective experience. Conclusions: Retrospective self‐reports about adolescents' affective experience are biased by relatively stable individual factors, whereas less stable individual factors did not seem to have any influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How parents cope with stress as a couple (i.e., dyadic coping [DC]) is related to mental health problems in children. But little is known about DC within first-time parents and child mental health problems in early childhood. This study investigated subgroups in DC trajectories across the transition to parenthood (TTP) and examined subgroup differences in child mental health problems. Mothers' and fathers' self-report of positive and negative DC (n = 288 couples) at seven points of measurement (27th, 32nd week of pregnancy, 2nd, 14th, 40th week postpartum, 3- and 4-year postpartum) and children's emotional and behavioral problems from parent report (4-year postpartum) were used. Latent class growth analyses revealed that over half of the couples experienced a moderate decline in positive DC across the TTP (58%), whereas only fathers reported a decline among the remaining couples (42%). Fathers with a partner who maintained their level of positive DC reported more child emotional and behavioral problems than fathers whose partners' DC also decreased. Results for negative DC indicated two subgroups in which one partner maintained their initial level of negative DC (stable fathers: 10%, stable mothers: 23%), while the other increased. In most couples, both parents increased their negative DC (67%). Fathers reported more child emotional and behavioral problems if their negative DC increased across the TTP than if their negative DC remained stable regardless of the negative DC of their partner. The existence of different DC trajectory patterns needs to be considered in further research as well as prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the educational program FAMOSES (modular service package epilepsy for families) for parents of children with epilepsy. Method Parents of children with epilepsy from Germany and Austria were included in a controlled prospective multicenter study using a pre–post design. Participants of the FAMOSES program (FAMOSES group, n = 148) completed a standardized questionnaire immediately before the program and six months later. The matched control group of parents not participating in the program ( n = 74, matching ratio 2:1) also answered the questionnaire twice, at an interval of six months. The questionnaire comprised epilepsy-specific outcome measures (e.g., knowledge, coping, fears) and disease-related variables (e.g., seizure frequency). The generalized estimation equation approach was used for statistical analysis. In addition, parents' satisfaction with the FAMOSES program was assessed six months after participation. Results Parents of the FAMOSES group significantly improved in epilepsy-specific knowledge (group × time interaction: p < .001), coping ( p < .01), epilepsy-related fears ( p < .05), and in speaking about epilepsy with their child ( p < .05) compared with the control group. No effects were found on disease-related variables. Nearly all of the participants rated the FAMOSES parents' program as “very good” (71%) or “good” (27%). Conclusion The efficacy of the FAMOSES parents' program was confirmed. The results indicate that imparting knowledge and the interactive approach help parents in coping with their child's epilepsy and reduce epilepsy-related fears. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Romantic partners have different attitudes on what love is and what it means to be in a romantic relationship. These attitudes are conceptualized as love styles that relate to relationship-maintenance behaviors and relationship satisfaction. Specifically, love styles could be associated with how partners cope with stress (dyadic coping), which in turn may be associated with relationship satisfaction. Using self-report data from 92 heterosexual couples, findings showed that: (a) eros and agape love styles have positive direct effects on dyadic coping and relationship satisfaction, whereas ludus has a negative direct effect on dyadic coping and relationship satisfaction and (b) dyadic coping partially mediated the association between love styles and relationship satisfaction. Overall, associations were stronger for women than for men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although prevention of relationship distress and dissolution has potential to strengthen the well-being of partners and any children they are raising, dissemination of prevention programs can be limited because couples face many barriers to in-person participation. An alternative strategy, providing couples with an instructional DVD, is tested in the present study, in which 330 Caucasian couples (N = 660 participants; mean age: men 41.4 years, women 40.0 years) were randomly assigned to a DVD group without any further support, a DVD group with technical telephone coaching, or a wait-list control group. Couples completed questionnaires at pretest, posttest, and 3 and 6 months after completion of the intervention. Self-report measures of dyadic coping, communication quality, ineffective arguing, and relationship satisfaction were used to test whether the intervention groups improved in comparison with the control group. Women in both intervention groups increased in dyadic coping, reduced conflict behavior, and were more satisfied with their relationship 6 months after the intervention. Effects for men were mixed. Participants with poorer skills reported stronger improvement. Intimate relationships can, within limits, be positively influenced by a self-directed approach. Effective dissemination of principles underlying successful relationships can be facilitated through the use of emerging low-cost tools and technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In dyadic interaction, a verbal focus on one individual ("you-talk," "I-talk"), rather than on the couple ("we-talk") has predominantly been linked to dysfunctional relationship processes. However, context differences in these links have not yet been systematically examined. Is it functional to asymmetrically focus on one partner during support interactions but problematic during conflict? Does a high level of couple-focus represent a resource across contexts? In this preregistered study, we investigated dyad-level pronoun use (we-/I-/you-talk) and their link to situational relationship functioning (SRF) across three interaction tasks (one conflict, two dyadic coping tasks) within couples (N = 365). More specifically, we examined associations of couple-means, i.e. pronoun use as a shared resource/vulnerability between partners, and couple-differences, i.e. functional/dysfunctional asymmetric pronoun use with observed interaction positivity and relationship climate. Results revealed both context differences and similarities. Asymmetric partner-focus (i.e. you-talk) was dysfunctional in conflict, whereas asymmetric partner- and self-focus (i.e., you-talk/I-talk; focus on the stressed partner) were functional in dyadic coping. Beyond asymmetry, you-talk (couple-mean) showed consistent negative associations with SRF in all tasks studied. We-talk (couple-mean) was positively linked to SRF, but only in conflict interactions. In conflict, couple-focus thus represented a shared resource that can buffer from dysfunctional conflict interaction characterized by partner-focus. In line with conceptual frameworks, the dyadic coping results emphasize the importance of focusing on the partner in need. The study corroborates the prospect of pronoun use as a context-specific indicator of relationship functioning. Gender differences, implications for future research and possible interventions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Clinical outcome of patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC) is seen as generally very poor. Here, we specify individual outcome chances for patients with DOC on the basis of clinical and event-related-potentials (ERPs) data and identify subgroups, who vary substantially regarding their outcome chances. Methods: We employed data from 102 patients and used standard clinical protocol data (age, etiology, diagnosis, gender), sensory (N100, Mismatch-Negativity) and cognitive (P300, N400) ERPs to predict patients' recovery rates. Results: Two significant prediction models emerged: In both, subgroups of patients with good (51%, tree 1) to very good recovery chances (97%, tree 2) could be identified. The first model was obtained from standard clinical data. The second model included cognitive ERPs and resulted in considerably better patient classification. Moreover, when taking cognitive ERPs into account, the standard protocol data did not add further significant information, neither did sensory ERPs. Conclusion: The presented information about outcome chances of individual patients with DOC will be vital for these patients and critical for clinical professionals who have to direct specialized treatments and council relatives. Legal guardians and families, in turn, need to know what to expect in the future in order to prepare for the challenges ahead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Negative and positive conflict communication predicts long-term relationship satisfaction. However, some studies show harmful effects and others show beneficial effects of negative conflict communication on long-term relationship satisfaction. One reason for the heterogeneous results might be that most studies focused on aggregated behaviors across a conflict interaction but neglected the temporal dynamics within such an interaction. This study examined whether individual initial levels and temporal trajectories of negative and positive communications predict long-term relationship satisfaction, and whether self-efficacy beliefs about clarity of other's feelings (CoF) alter initial levels and temporal trajectories of negative and positive communications. Negative and positive communications were measured based on sequentially coded conflict discussions of 365 couples; self-efficacy beliefs about CoF and relationship satisfaction were measured by self-report questionnaires at baseline and at four annual follow-up assessments. Results revealed that women's initial positive communication predicted higher intercepts of both partners' relationship satisfaction, and stronger decreases in women's negative communication predicted a higher intercept of relationship satisfaction in women. Additionally, less steep decreases in women's trajectories of negative communication predicted greater maintenance in women's relationship satisfaction over time. Additionally, men's self-efficacy beliefs about CoF predicted decreases in men's negative communication, increases in women's negative communication, and higher initial levels of women's positive communication. The current study highlights the relevance of dynamic aspects of partners' communication behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing evidence implicates stress as a reliable correlate of relationship satisfaction; yet, existing models fail to address why some relationships are more vulnerable than others to this effect. We draw from the literature on individual differences in self-regulation to predict that individuals who are more action oriented when confronted with aversive demands will buffer themselves and their partners against the detrimental effect of external stress. Using actor–partner interdependence modeling on self-report data from 368 couples, we show that the relationship satisfaction of highly stressed but action-oriented individuals and their partners is compromised less by external stress than that of state-oriented individuals and their partners. These results held after controlling for symptoms of depression and were not moderated by gender or by age, despite sampling couples varying widely in relationship duration. Results support the view that individual differences in self-regulation, and action orientation in particular, might benefit relationships confronted by stress, thus clarifying how dyads might be affected by demands outside their relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to examine the efficacy of an evidence-based relationship distress prevention program, the Couples Coping Enhancement Training (CCET), in dual well-earning couples and to investigate whether effects vary by (a) hours of professional contact and (b) mode of delivery (face to face vs. self-learning DVD). N = 159 couples were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 intervention conditions: (1) standard CCET (15 hours face to face), (2) compact CCET (12 hr face to face), (3) short CCET (self-learning DVD + 8 hr face to face), or (4) wait-list control group. Relationship satisfaction and dyadic coping skills were assessed by means of questionnaires completed prior to and 2 weeks after completion of the treatment, at 3-month follow-up, and at 6-month follow-up. Baseline latent change models for 2 factors showed that the CCET enhanced relationship satisfaction and dyadic coping skills in couples relative to the wait-list control group, albeit effects were small. The standard format of the CCET was not more effective than the compact or the short format indicating that reduced amount of professional contact did not decrease the treatment's efficacy and that the self-learning DVD successfully replaced the psycho-educational part of the program. Since dual earner couples usually face multiple stressors, it is a promising finding that they can strengthen their relationship with a relatively short time investment. (PsycINFO Database Record [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multirater (multimethod, multisource) studies are increasingly applied in psychology. Eid and colleagues (2008) proposed a multilevel confirmatory factor model for multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) data combining structurally different and multiple independent interchangeable methods (raters). In many studies, however, different interchangeable raters (e.g., peers, subordinates) are asked to rate different targets (students, supervisors), leading to violations of the independence assumption and to cross-classified data structures. In the present work, we extend the ML-CFA-MTMM model by Eid and colleagues (2008) to cross-classified multirater designs. The new C4 model (Cross-Classified CTC[M-1] Combination of Methods) accounts for nonindependent interchangeable raters and enables researchers to explicitly model the interaction between targets and raters as a latent variable. Using a real data application, it is shown how credibility intervals of model parameters and different variance components can be obtained using Bayesian estimation techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although evolutionary and social-structural models predict that women will be more supportive than men in relationships, behavioral studies fail to confirm this difference. We predicted instead that gender differences in support will be moderated by stress, and that men will provide lower-quality support primarily when their stress is high. We predicted further that the detrimental effects of stress on men’s support will be more evident when men are responding to women’s emotionally toned expressions of stress than when men are responding to women’s affectively neutral expressions of stress. Stressed and unstressed men and women were observed providing support to a stressed relationship partner. While unstressed, men and women generally provided similar support to the stressed partner. While stressed, men provided lower-quality support than did comparably stressed women, but only in response to emotionally toned expressions of stress. Thus, gender differences in support may arise because women are better able than men to regulate other people’s emotional distress while managing stresses of their own. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avoidance goals heighten the salience of negative social experiences, and in intimate relationships such an orientation may contribute to communication difficulties and the perpetuation of avoidance. We therefore hypothesized that individuals with stronger avoidance goals would be particularly prone to engage in escalating levels of negative communication with their intimate partner, and we tested this prediction by conducting sequential analyses on videotaped observational data (28,470 observations) collected from 365 heterosexual couples engaging in a relationship-related conflict. While less avoidance-oriented spouses showed a decline in their likelihood of negative communication over the course of the 8-min conflict discussion, the likelihood that more avoidance-oriented spouses would display negative communication behaviors remained at a high level. The likelihood of negative communication even increased when avoidance-oriented spouses were confronted with negative communication behavior of their partners. The effects of avoidance orientation were independent of relationship satisfaction and neuroticism. These findings demonstrate that avoidance goals underlie individuals' heightened reactivity to the partner's negative behavior, while also clarifying 1 possible reason why some individuals engage in communication behaviors that may prove maladaptive to their relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: There is a growing body of evidence for the effectiveness of trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy (TF-CBT) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but few studies to date have investigated the mechanisms by which TF-CBT leads to therapeutic change. Models of PTSD suggest that a core treatment mechanism is the change in dysfunctional appraisals of the trauma and its aftermath. If this is the case, then changes in appraisals should predict a change in symptoms. The present study investigated whether cognitive change precedes symptom change in Cognitive Therapy for PTSD, a version of TF-CBT. Method: The study analyzed weekly cognitive and symptom measures from 268 PTSD patients who received a course of Cognitive Therapy for PTSD, using bivariate latent growth modeling. Results: Results showed that (a) dysfunctional trauma-related appraisals and PTSD symptoms both decreased significantly over the course of treatment, (b) changes in appraisals and symptoms were correlated, and (c) weekly change in appraisals significantly predicted subsequent reduction in symptom scores (both corrected for the general decrease over the course of therapy). Changes in PTSD symptom severity did not predict subsequent changes in appraisals. Conclusions: The study provided preliminary evidence for the temporal precedence of a reduction in negative trauma-related appraisals in symptom reduction during trauma-focused CBT for PTSD. This supports the role of change in appraisals as an active therapeutic mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: We investigated the psychometric properties of a short questionnaire for combined assessment of different perceived stress management skills in the general population and tested whether scores relate to physiological stress reactivity. Methods: For psychometric evaluation, we determined the factor structure of the questionnaire and investigated its measurement invariance in the participant groups and over time in three different independent samples representing the general population (total N =332). Reliability was tested by estimating test–retest reliability, internal consistency, and item reliabilities. We examined convergent and criterion validity using selected criterion variables. For endocrine validation, 35 healthy non-smoking and medication-free men in a laboratory study and 35 male and female employees in a workplace study underwent an acute standardized psychosocial stress task. We assessed stress management skills and measured salivary cortisol before and several times up to 60min (workplace study) and 120min (laboratory study) after stress. Potential confounders were controlled. Results: The factor structure of the questionnaire consists of five scales reflecting acceptably distinct stress management skills such as cognitive strategies, use of social support, relaxation strategies, anger regulation, and perception of bodily tension. This factor structure was stable across participant groups and over time. Internal consistencies, item reliabilities, and test–retest reliabilities met established statistical requirements. Convergent and criterion validity were also established. In both endocrine validation studies, higher stress management skills were independently associated with lower cortisol stress reactivity (p''s<.029). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the questionnaire has good psychometric properties and that it relates to subjective psychological and objective physiological stress indicators. Therefore, the instrument seems a suitable measure for differential assessment of stress management skills in the general population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The authors show how structural equation modeling can be applied to analyze change in longitudinal multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) studies. For this purpose, an extension of latent difference models (McArdle, 1988; Steyer, Eid, & Schwenkmezger, 1997) to multiple constructs and multiple methods is presented. The model allows investigators to separate true change from measurement error and to analyze change simultaneously for different methods. The authors also show how Campbell and Fiske's (1959) guidelines for analyzing convergent and discriminant validity can be applied to the measurement of latent change. The practical application of the multimethod change model is illustrated in a reanalysis of child depression and anxiety scores (N = 906 American children) that were assessed by self- and parent reports on three measurement occasions. The analyses revealed that (a) the convergent validity of change was low for both constructs and (b) sex was a significant predictor of self-reported, but not of parent reported, anxiety states. Finally, the authors discuss advantages and limitations and compare the model with other approaches for analyzing longitudinal MTMM data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]