Subjectifying the personality state: Theoretical underpinnings and an empirical example

Recent developments in personality research highlight the value of modeling dynamic state-like manifestations of personality. The present work integrates these developments with prominent clinical models addressing within-person multiplicity and promotes the exploration of models centered on state-like manifestations of personality that function as cohesive organizational units. Such units possess distinct subjective qualities, and are characterized by specific affects, behaviors, cognitions, and desires that tend to be co-activated. As background, we review both theory and research from the fields of social cognition, psychotherapy, and psychopathology that serve as the foundation for such models. We then illustrate our ideas in greater detail with one well-supported clinical model – the schema therapy mode model, chosen because it provides a finite and definite set of modes (i.e., cohesive personality states). We assessed these modes using a newly-developed experience-sampling measure administered to fifty-two individuals (four times daily for fifteen days). We estimated intraindividual and group-level temporal and contemporaneous networks based on the within-person variance as well a between-person network. We discuss findings from exemplar participants and from group-level networks, and address cross-model particularities and consistencies. In concluding, we consider potential idiographic and nomothetic applications of subjective states dynamic personality research based on intensive longitudinal methods.</p

Hoping together in the transition to parenthood: a behavioral look on an Effective Hope intervention

Hope is a positive motivational cognitive state, that allows a person "to derive pathways to desired goals and to motivate oneself via agency thinking to use those pathways” (Snyder, 2002), and has been found to serve as an important mental resource and a robust predictor of well-being (Gallagher &amp; Lopez, 2009). Recent work by Zahavi-Lupo et al. (2022) has shown that besides its individualistic value, hope also serves as a joint dyadic resource. Given the evidence for hope's dynamic nature (e.g., Snyder et al., 1996) and preliminary evidence for hope's malleability (e.g., Berg et al., 2008; Cheavens et al., 2006; Feldman &amp; Dreher, 2012), Rafaeli and colleagues set out to test a brief hope-focused intervention (called Effective Hope; EH intervention) for TTP primiparous couples with funding from the Templeton Foundation. The EH intervention is based on the self-regulatory role of imagery or mental simulation of goal pursuit processes, and particularly the evidence that MCII (i.e., a mental portrayal of goals, as well as possible obstacles and pathways to achieve favorable outcomes; based on Oettingen and Gollwitzer’s work, 2010). It included both partners and consisted of two dyadic sessions guided by clinical psychologists: one during the 3rd trimester pre-partum, the other 15 weeks post-partum. In the sessions, each partner in turn was asked to elaborate a wish and was guided through the stages of MCII, while the non-focal partner was asked to sit quietly, listening and taking notes. As a control condition, Rafaeli and his colleagues utilized a progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) intervention, known to decrease stress and tension (Bernstein &amp; Borkovec, 1973); this active control condition seemed like a plausible intervention given the prevalence of stress and tension in the TTP. In both conditions, the imagery exercise was followed by a short open conversation related to the content which arose. Each intervention session (pre- and post-partum) was followed by a 7-day sequence of self-practice. One way of assessing EH intervention’s effects can be through objective raters’ observations of the couples’ actual behaviors. In particular, if the EH intervention is successful in altering the manner in which couples communicate their hopes and engage in dyadic prospection, objective observers should be able to detect differences between couples who underwent this intervention and ones who underwent the active control intervention. Hence, the current study aims to examine whether an EH intervention has a greater beneficial effect on behavioral outcomes compared to the active control (PMR) intervention. To compare the possible behavioral effects of the interventions, participating couples were invited to take part in a multi-component structured videotaped dyadic interaction, planned to take place in the lab at 12 months post-partum (i.e., when participants were already parents to a one-year-old toddler). In two of the interaction’s components, each partner in turn was asked to pick one meaningful and feasible expectation relevant for this period in their life, and the couple was asked to discuss this expectation as they would at home. To assess the behaviors that occurred during these interactions, we utilized a new coding system, the Effective Hope Coding System (EHCS), which included ratings of both MCII components (wishes, outcomes, obstacles, plans; see Oettingen and Gollwitzer, 2010, as well as the extent to which partners expressed what they need from each other to overcome these obstacles) and features of dyadic communication

Dynamics of Self states: Exploring the Vulnerable Child to Healthy Adult sequence and its Links to Mental Health

This study examines the temporal relationship between two schema modes - the Vulnerable Child (VC) and the Healthy Adult (HA) - and their association with anxiety and depression levels. Using Experience Sampling Methodology (ESM), we collected data from 115 first-year university students over two 14-day periods. Participants completed four brief daily assessments measuring their momentary schema modes using the Momentary Schema Modes Questionnaire (MSMQ). Anxiety and depression levels were assessed using the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 questionnaires, respectively. The study aims to investigate whether individuals with lower levels of anxiety and depression exhibit stronger activation of the Healthy Adult mode following Vulnerable Child mode activation, compared to those with higher levels of psychopathology. This research will contribute to our understanding of the dynamics of schema modes and their potential role in mental health

Levavi-Francy et al. - Relational events are more consequential when accompanied by emotional similarity

Emotional Similarity (ES) is a key feature in close relationships. However, the exact role it plays is still not thoroughly understood. Specifically, day-level context-dependent effects of ES are unknown. We hypothesized that relational events (i.e., conflict and sexual activity) occurring while ES is high would have stronger effects. Two samples (N=44, N=80) of committed couples completed daily diaries for three and five weeks, respectively. Each evening, partners reported their currently-felt moods, relationship quality, and the occurrence of conflict and/or sex in the preceding 24 hours. ES was operationalized as the profile similarity between the partners’ moods on each day. Generally, ES moderated the associations between conflict or sex and relational outcomes: on days marked by greater ES, conflict and sex had stronger negative/positive outcomes, respectively. These findings highlight the importance of considering ES on a momentary basis and suggest that it may function as an amplifier of charged relational events

Subjectifying the personality state: Theoretical underpinnings and an empirical example

Recent developments in personality research highlight the value of modeling dynamic state-like manifestations of personality. The present work integrates these developments with prominent clinical models addressing within-person multiplicity and promotes the exploration of models centered on state-like manifestations of personality that function as cohesive organizational units. Such units possess distinct subjective qualities, and are characterized by specific affects, behaviors, cognitions, and desires that tend to be co-activated. As background, we review both theory and research from the fields of social cognition, psychotherapy, and psychopathology that serve as the foundation for such models. We then illustrate our ideas in greater detail with one well-supported clinical model – the schema therapy mode model, chosen because it provides a finite and definite set of modes (i.e., cohesive personality states). We assessed these modes using a newly-developed experience-sampling measure administered to fifty-two individuals (four times daily for fifteen days). We estimated intraindividual and group-level temporal and contemporaneous networks based on the within-person variance as well a between-person network. We discuss findings from exemplar participants and from group-level networks, and address cross-model particularities and consistencies. In concluding, we consider potential idiographic and nomothetic applications of subjective states dynamic personality research based on intensive longitudinal methods