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In this paper, we investigated the psychometric properties of the Child Communication Checklist‐Revised (CCC‐R) for the first time with an English‐speaking sample. We used a confirmatory application of exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) to re‐evaluate the CCC‐R's psychometric properties. We found strong support for its use as an assessment for pragmatic and structural language. Our second main aim was to explore associations between pragmatic and structural language and restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs), two hallmark characteristics of autism. We used the CCC‐R and Repetitive Behavior Questionnaire (RBQ‐2) to investigate these associations in a diverse non‐clinical sample of children, taking a transdiagnostic approach. We intentionally excluded autism and other neurodevelopmental diagnoses to test, (1) the CCC‐R in a broad sample and (2) the association between pragmatic language and RRB in children not already selected for that association. The sample comprised two groups of children, one was community sampled (n = 123) and the other (n = 143) included children with non‐specific behavioral, emotional and/or cognitive difficulties referred to an assessment unit by schools. We found clear associations between pragmatic language difficulties and RRBs in both groups. Regression analysis showed that pragmatic language was the only significant contributor to RRBs even after Grammatical‐Semantic score, age, sex, and socioeconomic status were controlled. The pattern was the same for both recruitment groups. However, the effects were stronger for the school‐referred group which also had more pragmatic difficulties, grammatical‐semantic difficulties and RRBs. A robust link between pragmatic language and RRBs, established in autism, has continuity across the broader non‐clinical population. Lay Summary: We studied language difficulties in a diverse child population. First, we tested the brief Revised Children's Communication Checklist‐2 (CCC‐R) and confirmed that it is a valid assessment tool in an English‐speaking sample. Second, we found that CCC‐R pragmatic language difficulties were associated with restricted and repetitive behaviors. As no child had a clinical diagnosis, we were able to identify this result in children not already selected to have this association. These findings have implications for understanding how repetitive behavior and language come to be related in autistic children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To explore the impact of diabetes on sexual relationships among men and women living with type 2 diabetes People living with type 2 diabetes (PLWD) and their partners in Cape Town, South Africa. Methods: As part of a larger study developing an intervention to improve type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) self management, we conducted in‐depth individual interviews with 10 PLWD and their partners without diabetes about experiences living with T2DM, between July 2020 and January 2021. We used inductive thematic analysis. Results: Both PLWD and partners felt that their sexual relationships and desires changed post‐diagnosis, in ways beyond biomedical issues. Although couples' reports on the quality of their sexual relationships were concordant, most participants had not communicated their sexual desires and concerns with each other, causing unhappiness and fears of disappointing or losing their partner. Participants felt uninformed about sexual dysfunction but had not discussed this with their healthcare provider, leading to increased anxiety. Conclusion: PLWD and their partners need more informational support to increase their understanding of diabetes‐associated sexual dysfunction and to decrease fears and anxiety. Strengthening communication within couples on sexual issues may empower them to find solutions to problems experienced. This may improve couples' relationships and quality of life, and indirectly result in better self management of T2DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Existential isolation refers to an individual's awareness of the unbridgeable gulf between oneself, other people and the world. This kind of isolation has been found to be higher in individuals with nonnormative experiences, such as racial or sexual minorities. Bereaved individuals may experience a stronger sense of existential isolation and feel that no one shares their feelings or perceptions. However, research on bereaved people's experiences of existential isolation and its effects on post‐loss adaptation is scarce. This study aims to validate the German and Chinese versions of the Existential Isolation Scale, investigate cultural and gender differences in existential isolation and explore the associations between existential isolation and prolonged grief symptoms in German‐speaking and Chinese bereaved individuals. Methods: A cross‐sectional study with 267 Chinese and 158 German‐speaking bereaved participants was conducted. The participants completed self‐report questionnaires assessing existential isolation, prolonged grief symptoms, social networks, loneliness and social acknowledgement. Results: The results indicated that the German and Chinese versions of the Existential Isolation Scale demonstrated adequate validity and reliability. No cultural or gender differences (or their interaction) were found for existential isolation. Higher existential isolation was associated with elevated prolonged grief symptoms, which was further moderated by the cultural group. The relationship between existential isolation and prolonged grief symptoms was significant for the German‐speaking bereaved people but not significant for those from China. Conclusion: The findings highlight the role of existential isolation in the adaptation to bereavement and how different cultural backgrounds moderate the effect of existential isolation on post‐loss reactions. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Offering captive animals larger, more complex spaces are thought to benefit their welfare. To this end, some zoos use trail systems linked to several enclosures. Since little is known about the effects of such designs on the welfare of captive carnivores specifically, we timed the behaviors exhibited by four tigers (Panthera tigris [Linnaeus]) given access to three exhibit configurations: one exhibit only (E, baseline); one exhibit and approximately 19 m2 of trail (ET); and two exhibits connected by approximately 46 m2 of trail (E2T). Behaviors were recorded during 1‐h AM, Noon, and PM periods in Phase I (2017), and 2‐h AM and PM periods in Phase II (2018). Percentages of behavior occurrence were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models (GLMM), with treatment and time of day as fixed effects. Tigers were least active at noon (Phase I), while active behaviors were prevalent during mornings and afternoons in both Phases. In Phase II (E2T vs. E), active and exploratory behaviors such as sniffing increased, while pacing and inactivity decreased (all p ≤.001). We also examined nocturnal tiger movement using infrared motion‐activated cameras. In parallel with diurnal observations, tiger activity in E2T greatly exceeded that in E. Nocturnal movement was most pronounced from 1800 to 2200 and least frequent from 0100 to 0400, closely matching patterns observed in the wild. Results indicate that offering tigers voluntary access to larger and more complex spaces stimulates natural behaviors and decreases stereotypical behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]