Problematic Pornography Use: Can It Be Accurately Measured via the Problematic Pornography Use Scale?

Pornography use has increased its popularity worldwide, raising concerns about potential disordered use. Considering the lack of recognition in diagnostic manuals, conceptual clarification and the validation of robust instruments assessing this problem are much needed. The current study is aimed at assessing the psychometric properties of the Problematic Pornography Use Scale (PPUS). Exploratory and confirmatory analyses (EFA and CFA) were used to assess a four-factor and a bifactor solution. Additionally, this study used latent profile (LPA) and sensitivity analyses to determine suggested cut-off values to identify at-risk users. A large sample of adult pornography users completed the PPUS online (N = 1149). A four-factor solution as proposed by Kor and colleagues (Addictive Behaviors, 39(5), 861-868, Kor et al., Addictive Behaviors 39:861–868, 2014) was identified as the optimal factorial structure. Participants were classified into five profiles, with 3.9% identified as at-risk users, 19.9% as moderate to high risk. A cut-off value of 33 was suggested to accurately identify at-risk users. The PPUS is a multidimensional instrument, showing good adept ability to detect users at risk of problematic pornography use

Psychological distress following a road accident : Investigation of two neglected road-user groups

Road traffic accidents are common sources of trauma experienced by adults, adolescents, and children. Trauma may arise as a direct result of physical injury, may occur due to experiencing perceived threat to one's life or physical self, or may develop due to witnessing death or injury to others. While there has been growing interest in the development of psychological distress, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), phobias, and adjustment disorder, among survivors of road accidents, there has been no systematic investigation of cyclists involved in road accidents and little specific research into child and adolescent road accident victims. In regard to cyclists, the first of these under-researched groups, study one investigated the occurrence of psychological distress in New Zealand adult cycling victims. In 1999, 619 cyclists were injured on New Zealand roads, with 86 of these accident victims from the Christchurch region. A sample of 27 Christchurch adult cyclists, who had been involved in an accident with a motor vehicle, at least one month prior to the interview, completed a structured interview and number of questionnaires. Results indicated that one third of the participants suffered ongoing psychological distress following their accident. Implications for mental health, personal wellbeing, and potential costs to the community are discussed. Study two examined the occurrence of psychological distress in New Zealand child and adolescent road accident survivors. In 2000, 1216 under-15 year-olds were injured on New Zealand roads. A national sample of 19 young people (8-17 year-olds) and their parents completed a variety of assessment measures, including a structured clinical interview in 16 cases. Of the 16 interviewed child/adolescent survivors, 19% were diagnosed with PTSD, and 69% exhibited some significant, enduring psychological distress following their accident. Implications for mental health, educational attainment, family adjustment, and personal wellbeing are discussed. Part three considered the need for secondary prevention for young road accident victims, including as a priority, means for the identification and recognition of young, road accident survivors who are at risk of developing psychopathology following a road accident. To this end, a draft of a screening guide to enable teachers and medical practitioners to identify these young at risk, road accident victims was developed

Sports Specific Metacognitions: Associations with Flow State in Triathletes

Objectives This study investigated associations between triathletes’ sports-specific metacognitive beliefs, metacognitive processes measured prior to a triathlon (n = 193), and in-event flow measured post event (n = 76).. Method The Metacognitive questionnaires were administered to triathletes one day prior to the event, and the flow scale was administered just following the event. Bivariate correlations were used to test relationships with individual flow dimensions, while stepwise regressions were used to determine the strongest metacognitive predictors of meta processes and flow. Results Correlations indicated that metacognitive beliefs were negatively associated with various specific dimensions of flow (Cohen’s f2 = .28), while metacognitive processes positively associated with flow dimensions (Cohen’s f 2 = .49). Stepwise regressions revealed that specific metacognitive beliefs were negatively associated with metacognitive processes during competition (Cohen’s f2 = .08 to .49), including the coordination, evaluation and control of cognition. Further regressions demonstrated that negative beliefs about competitive thinking, thought control, and cognitive coordination predicted experience of flow during competition. Conclusions Overall, this study demonstrated that sports specific metacognitive beliefs and processes may influence the regulation of flow during a competition, however, further research using longitudinal and qualitative methodologies is required to understand the relationships further KEY POINTS (1)Flow state has been well established as mental state for optimal performance. (2)Manifesting flow requires effective self-regulation of attention and cognition. (3)Metacognitions have shown to influence attention and flow in athletes. (4)Sports-specific metacognitions were associated with various dimensions of flow state. (5)Sports-specific metacognitive beliefs predicted self-regulatory ability prior to performances. (6)Sports-specific metacognitions predicted the experience of flow during performances

Anger rumination, binge eating, and at‐risk alcohol use in a university sample

Objective Binge eating and alcohol consumption have been associated with attempts to reduce negative affect such as anger. Anger rumination has been associated with maintaining anger. The aim of the current study was to explore the association between anger rumination and binge eating and at‐risk alcohol use. Method Participants were 563 university students aged between 18 and 66-years who completed an online survey containing the Anger Rumination Scale (ARS), Eating Disorder Diagnosis Scale (EDDS), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test—Consumption (AUDIT‐C) and Depression, Anxiety, & Stress Scale (DASS‐21). Results The results showed that individuals who endorsed elevated levels of binge eating behaviour had increased levels of anger rumination, specifically angry afterthoughts and angry memories, compared to healthy controls. In contrast, individuals who engaged in at‐risk alcohol use without binge eating did not report significantly increased levels of anger rumination. Conclusions This study highlights anger rumination as a potential factor in maintaining binge eating behaviour and suggests that screening for and addressing anger rumination may be an important component of psychological treatment

A review of attachment‐based parenting interventions: Recent advances and future considerations

Research evidence has shown that in childhood, a secure attachment to a reliable caregiver is important for future mental health and well‐being. The theoretical and research basis for attachment theory continues to grow. As attachment theory has become more widely adopted there are challenges and opportunities both theoretically and in terms of its clinical use. Disordered attachment has been linked to psychopathology including internalising and externalising disorders. However, there are ongoing implications for researchers and clinicians as only the most extreme forms of attachment disorders are included in the current diagnostic systems. A wide range of reliable and validated observational assessments to classify attachment are available. Owing to the growing popularity of attachment‐based interventions there is a need to develop assessments which are practical for use in clinical settings. The use of attachment‐based parenting interventions in clinical settings is increasing as they have been found to be effective and relevant. This growth presents opportunities to further refine these interventions, so they are easy to deliver in clinical practice and tailored to different populations. Attachment‐based interventions are being widely used in Australia, and this has led to a need to understand and adapt the theory, assessments, and interventions to this context. Attachment‐based interventions demonstrate the importance of relationships and provide an important tool to support children and families. For psychologists here in Australia there are many opportunities to develop measures and interventions based on attachment theory that fit into the Australia context