Moral Reasoning and Moral Emotions Linking Hoarding and Scrupulosity

Hoarding and scrupulous OCD are part of the Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, which are characterized by obsessional preoccupation and ritualistic behavior. Prior research has found a statistical relationship between hoarding and scrupulosity after controlling for these common factors, suggesting the existence of other features shared by these two disorders. Clinical accounts and empirical research of hoarding and scrupulosity suggest three such shared factors: a tendency to experience intense guilt and shame, rigid moralistic thinking, and general cognitive rigidity. However, results of the current study show that, although both hoarding and scrupulosity were related to cognitive rigidity and a tendency to experience guilt and shame, they are not associated with rigid moralistic thinking. Instead, beliefs about the importance of emotions as moral guides were related to both disorders. These results are interpreted in terms of dual-process theories of moral reasoning. Additionally, implications for the conceptualization and treatment of hoarding and scrupulosity are discussed

A preliminary study exploring the efficacy of advocacy training

With the growing recognition of the importance of systematic and evidence-based approaches to mental health policy development, there is an increased need for public policy advocacy training for psychology trainees and psychologists. These individuals possess clinical, research, and interpersonal expertise, and are capable of informing policymakers as to how psychologically informed legislation can better serve society. Lack of awareness of advocacy issues is a prominent barrier to advocacy involvement. Advocacy training may help to overcome such barriers by increasing motivation for involvement, the feeling of competence regarding impact on policies, and, most importantly, knowledge of current issues. The purpose of the present study was to provide an assessment of the relationship between training in public policy advocacy and the frequency of engagement in advocacy-related activities. The sample included 79 graduate trainees and professionals in the field of psychology. There was a significant, positive, linear relationship between reported hours spent in advocacy training and hours of advocacy involvement. Additionally, the rate at which involvement hours increased as a function of training hours was more than double for practicing professionals compared with students. Implications include an increased need for advocacy training both early in graduate education as well as throughout the professional practice of psychology

Comparison of Diabetes Management Trajectories in Hispanic versus White Non-Hispanic Youth with Type 1 Diabetes across Early Adolescence

Objective: Ethnic minority youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) often have poorer glycemic control and lower rates of adherence compared to White Non-Hispanic (WNH) youth. Variables such as family conflict, autonomy support, and youth regimen responsibility have been shown to change over adolescence and impact diabetes management. However, these factors have been investigated in predominantly White samples. Few studies have examined potential differences in these variables and their trajectories for Hispanic youth over early adolescence. Methods: Youth with T1D (178 WNH and 33 Hispanic youth participants), as well as their maternal caregivers (174 WNH and 32 Hispanic maternal caregivers), completed measures of diabetes-specific autonomy support, diabetes-related family conflict, regimen responsibility, and blood glucose monitoring frequency at 4 timepoints over a 3-year period. Results: At baseline, Hispanic youth had significantly poorer glycemic control, more family conflict, and fewer blood glucose checks on average compared to WNH youth. Similar to WNH youth, Hispanic youth have increasing independence for regimen tasks and decreasing parent autonomy support during this developmental period. However, while Hispanic youth had worsening diabetes management during early adolescence (as did WNH youth), Hispanic parents reported a more gradual change in youth\u27s diabetes management over early adolescence. Conclusions: This study presents an important contribution to the existing literature on youth with T1D. Findings suggest potential strengths and targets for Hispanic youth navigating diabetes management during the adolescent period. It is important to continue to investigate the trajectories of ethnic minority youth with diabetes

US EPA-A*STAR Partnership: Accelerating Acceptance of Next-Generation Sciences and Application to Regulatory Risk Assessment

Presentation on US EPA – A*STAR Partnership at international symposium on accelerating the acceptance of next-generation sciences and their application to regulatory risk assessment in Singapore February 201

Infant feeding effects on early neurocognitive development in asian children

10.3945/ajcn.114.095414American Journal of Clinical Nutrition1012326-336GUSTO (Growing up towards Healthy Outcomes