Phenomenon of Interest, Framework, or Theory? Building Better Explanations in Community Psychology

Theories are a fundamental part of research. They provide guidance for the development of research questions and testable hypotheses as well as inform study methods and designs. However, in this issue, Jason, Stevens, Ram, Miller, Beasley, and Gleason (2016) raise important questions including: Are prominent “theories” in community psychology really theories? How useful are these “theories” for developing specific predictions and testable hypotheses? And, how can the field continue to develop and test theories that promote its agenda of social change? To answer these questions, Jason et al. (2016) identify and evaluate three “prominent theories” in community psychology – the ecological perspective (Kelly, 1968), psychological sense of community theory (Sarason, 1974), and empowerment (Rappaport, 1981). Based on their evaluation, they “conclude that community psychology theories have tended to function as frameworks” (p.  2). That is, these “theories” provide general guidance for what elements to study but fall short of offering specific predictions about the relationships between these elements. Jason et al (2016) conclude that the lack of predictive and explanatory theories in community psychology hinders progress in both the research development of explanatory mechanisms of social change as well as practice initiatives to promote social change. However, despite these major contributions, in this response I contend that the “prominent theories” identified by Jason et al (2016) were never intended to be theories in the first place. While Jason et al (2016) are right to call for more application of theory in community psychology, I provide a more optimistic view of the field’s current use of theory.&nbsp

Network selection and influence effects on children's and adolescents’ internalizing behaviors and peer victimization:A systematic review

In interpersonal models of developmental psychopathology, friendships and affiliations with peers have been considered as both consequences and determinants of children's and adolescents’ internalizing behaviors and peer victimization. Longitudinal stochastic actor-oriented models (SAOMs) allow developmental researchers to disentangle peer selection processes where children or adolescents choose friends who are similar to themselves in internalizing behaviors or peer victimization from peer influence processes where children or adolescents become more similar to their friends over time in internalizing behaviors or peer victimization. This paper highlights the methods and results from a systematic review that screened 1447 empirical articles and located 28 using SAOMs to understand the interplay between peer social networks and internalizing behaviors or peer victimization. The results provide some evidence for both peer selection and influence related to depression, social anxiety, and peer victimization. Additionally, the results provide insight into directions for additional substantive and methodological research. Based on the findings of this review, future research is recommended that considers specific tests of peer selection and influence mechanisms, developmental and gender differences, individual and contextual moderators, multiplex relationships, methodological quality, and direct replication of prior studies

Examining relations in childhood relational aggression: The role of peer social networks.

Examining relations in childhood relational aggression: The role of peer social networks

The Stereotypes About Childfree Adults (SAChA) Scale

Childfree adults do not have or want children, and voluntarily opt out of parenthood. Although this group is large (more than one-fifth of some adult populations), its members are often subjected to negative stereotypes about their behavior, obligations, personal characteristics, and future outcomes. These negative stereotypes are important because they have implications for childfree adults' stigmatization. To help measure individuals' stereotyped views of childfree adults, we use data on a representative sample of 1,000 Michigan adults to develop and validate the Stereotypes about Childfree Adults (SAChA) scale. We demonstrate that this four-item scale exhibits (1) high internal consistency, (2) scalar invariance with respect to sex, race/ethnicity, and education, and (3) known-groups, convergent, and discriminant validity. We conclude by discussing potential applications of this scale for understanding stereotypes of individuals' reproductive decisions

Prevalence, age of decision, and interpersonal warmth judgements of childfree adults: Replication and extensions.

Childfree individuals, who are also described as 'childless by choice' or 'voluntarily childless', have decided they do not want biological or adopted children. This is an important population to understand because its members have unique reproductive health and end-of-life needs, and they encounter challenges managing work-life balance and with stereotypes. Prior estimates of childfree adults' prevalence in the United States, their age of decision, and interpersonal warmth judgements have varied widely over time and by study design. To clarify these characteristics of the contemporary childfree population, we conduct a pre-registered direct replication of a recent population-representative study. All estimates concerning childfree adults replicate, boosting confidence in earlier conclusions that childfree people are numerous and decide early in life, and that parents exhibit strong in-group favoritism while childfree adults do not

Selected legal milestones in Michigan reproductive rights.

Selected legal milestones in Michigan reproductive rights.</p