Exploring response inhibition, the behavioral inhibition system and possible sex differences in athletes and non-athletes

Background: The objective of this study was to revisit the question concerning whether athletes are better than non-athletes at fundamental cognitive abilities, such as inhibitory control, in addition to also focusing on motivational dispositions and possible sex differences. Adding the latter could be crucial since both inhibitory control and motivational dispositions, such as approach and avoidance, are central to goal-directed behavior. Methods: This study’s sample was composed of 93 participants (40 males): 29 biathletes; 30 alpine skiers; and 34 non-athletes. A non-sport-specific stop-signal task was used for the assessment of inhibitory control in terms of response inhibition, and the motivational dispositions were assessed with the BIS/BAS scales. Results: The results showed that there were no differences between the two different sports or non-athletes with regard to response inhibition. However, females showed significantly slower response inhibition than males (p = 0.018) and scored significantly higher on the trait variable BIS (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The results from this study suggest that it might be meaningful to explore the contribution of sex differences and motivational dispositions on response inhibition in conjunction with different types of sports.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Intimate partner violence: a study in men and women from six European countries

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess intimate partner violence (IPV) among men and women from six cities in six European countries. METHODS: Four IPV types were measured in a population-based multicentre study of adults (18-64 years; n = 3,496). Sex- and city-differences in past year prevalence were examined considering victims, perpetrators or both and considering violent acts' severity and repetition. RESULTS: Male victimization of psychological aggression ranged from 48.8 % (Porto) to 71.8 % (Athens) and female victimization from 46.4 % (Budapest) to 70.5 % (Athens). Male and female victimization of sexual coercion ranged from 5.4 and 8.9 %, respectively, in Budapest to 27.1 and 25.3 % in Stuttgart. Male and female victims of physical assault ranged from 9.7 and 8.5 %, respectively, in Porto, to 31.2 and 23.1 % in Athens. Male victims of injury were 2.7 % in Östersund and 6.3 % in London and female victims were 1.4 % in Östersund and 8.5 % in Stuttgart. IPV differed significantly across cities (p < 0.05). Men and women predominantly experienced IPV as both victims and perpetrators with few significant sex-differences within cities. CONCLUSIONS: Results support the need to consider men and women as both potential victims and perpetrators when approaching IPV

Psychometric Evaluation of the Swedish Version of the Empathic Experience Scale (EES)

Abstract: Background: This study assessed the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the Empathic Experience Scale (EES), a recently developed scale for empathic traits (Innamorati et al., 2019). According to previous research, EES has two dimensions: Vicarious Experience and Intuitive Understanding. Methods: We used a split-sample method with a combination of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for an adult population (N = 805) from both Sweden and Finland. Results: Our findings support previous research, favoring a two-factor model over a unidimensional model. The final model provided support for measurement invariance across different grouping variables. Consistent with previous research on empathic traits, women obtained higher scores on both dimensions of the scale compared to men. Furthermore, the EES showed high internal consistency, good discriminant, and convergent validity

The Effects of a Recovery-Focused Program for Stress Management in Women — An Exploratory Study

Current research indicates that stress problems primarily could be conceptualized as deficienciesin recovery and recuperation between stress periods. Accordingly, interventions should put moreemphasis on this aspect. A group based intervention program focusing exclusively on recoverybehavior in everyday life was evaluated in this quasi-experimental, waiting-list control groupstudy, where the control group was also treated in a second phase. Thirty-two self-referred femalesubjects, considering themselves in need of treatment for stress related health problems, wereavailable for analyzes. Fifteen of these constituted the first phase treatment group (INT), while theremaining 17 subjects were placed on waiting list (WLC). Adding a few late applicants leaved 20subjects later treated in the second intervention phase. Significant and clinically meaningful positiveeffects emerged in the INT—compared to the WLC-group on recovery behaviors, stress—andrecovery experiences, as well as on burn-out symptoms, worry, anxiety and depression. Secondaryanalyzes of all treated subjects indicated that the positive change the primary clinical endpointwas predicted by the increase in frequency of recovery behaviors and by the decrease in the worrylevel. Thus, the present intervention model merits further research with more rigorous experimentaldesign as well as with follow-up assessments.Stress related illness – mainly too little recovery, not too much stress

Fluid reasoning, working memory and planning ability in assessment of risk for mathematical difficulties

The demands on mathematical problem-solving have increased in almost all school systems internationally and may constitute a barrier for children with special educational needs (SEN). This study explored the role of fluid reasoning (FR), working memory (WM) and complex executive function of planning (EF) in children (N = 62) referred for assessment of SEN, and specifically of risk for mathematical difficulties (MD). Performances on FR, WM and complex EF of planning were used to predict risk for MD. Results showed that planning ability predicted children at risk for MD, beyond FR or WM ability, when comparing with children not at risk for MD. It was concluded that assessing the com- plex EF of planning in addition to FR and WM ability is crucial in identifying children at risk for MD. The importance of understanding how planning ability affects children’s mathematical problem-solving is discussed, in relation to assessment and teaching practices

Effects of a Recovery-Focused Intervention for Stress Management : A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract INTRODUCTION Stress symptoms, burnout, poor mental health and long-term sick leave related to these are major problems in Sweden and elsewhere. Evidence-based prevention and treatment efforts are lacking. Research indicates that stress related health problems primarily could be conceptualized as deficiencies in recovery responses between stress periods rather than high level of stress responses per se. Therefore it is relevant to examine whether it is effective to intervene the recovery behavior – instead of the stress behavior - of people with stress symptoms. OBJECTIVES The primary purpose of this study was to investigate if a behavioral oriented recovery management intervention could enhance “recovery behaviors” and experiences of recovery and reduce stress related ill health. METHODS A group based intervention program focusing exclusively on “recovery behavior” in everyday life (earlier developed and tested in two pilot studies) was evaluated in an experimental group study. The intervention consisted of seven group sessions of 2.5 hours over a period of approximately 10 weeks supplemented by an internet based treatment support system. Self- referred subjects with scores above 24.4 on the Perceived stress scale were randomized to the intervention (n=26) or a waiting-list (n=33). RESUL T Statistically significant and clinically relevant effects were achieved for the intervention group compare to the waiting-list group: recovery behaviors and experiences of recovery were increased, and levels of perceived stress, worry, anxiety, depression and exhaustion were decreased. DISCUSSION These results are in line with two previous pilot studies that we have done. A behavioral and recovery oriented intervention seems to be effective to increase the recovery of the individual and decrease stress related ill health. There are reasons to continue to explore the potential of recovery-oriented interventions for example for different populations (such as people with more extensive clinical health problems) and in different contexts. Balans i vardagen – experimentell utvärdering av ett återhämtningsfokuserat stresshanteringsprogram

Depression as a predictor of return to work in patients with coronary artery disease

The importance of depression in coronary artery disease (CAD) outcomes is being increasingly recognized. The aim of this study was to investigate the power of depression as a predictor of return to work, both at full time and at reduced working hours, within 12 months of participation in a behaviorally oriented rehabilitation program in Sweden. The sample comprised 198 employed patients who had recently experienced an acute myocardial infarction (AMI, n=85), or had been treated with coronary by-pass surgery (CABG, n=73) or coronary angioplasty (PTCA, n=40). The results showed that clinical depression before intervention ([greater-or-equal, slanted]16 as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory) exerted a great influence on work resumption both at full-time (odds ratio 9.43, CI=3.15-28.21) and at reduced working-hours (odds ratio 5.44, CI=1.60-18.53), while mild depression (BDI 10-15) influenced only work resumption at full-time (odds ratio 2.89, CI=1.08-7.70). Education and, at full-time hours, age also predicted work resumption. This highlights the importance of depressive symptoms in relation to return to work after a CAD event. More research is needed in order to elaborate the degree to which treatment of depression enhances work resumption rates.Sweden Depression Coronary artery disease Rehabilitation Work

Psychometric properties of a Swedish version of the reinforcement sensitivity theory of personality questionnaire

The reinforcement sensitivity theory of personality questionnaire (RST-PQ) is based on a theoretical analysis of the revised reinforcement sensitivity theory. Using a Swedish sample stratified by age and gender, the aim of this study was to test the six-factor structure of a Swedish version of the RST-PQ. Further, we examined the convergent and discriminant validity of the questionnaire. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis showed that the Swedish version did not fully provide support for the six-factor structure. An attempt to improve the model fit resulted in a significantly better model fit for a six-factor structure containing 52 items. Issues concerning the convergent validity were found, as indicated by all six factors having more than 50% of the variance due to error. The discriminant validity was satisfactory for all factors, except for goal-drive persistence and reward interest, which were highly correlated. This indicates a non-independence between these two factors in the model. Nevertheless, the RST-PQ has considerable promise and more emphasis should be put on investigating the convergent validity by using for example broader samples, stratified by country of origin, age, and gender.

Metacognitive Strategy Training Adds to the Effects of Working Memory Training in Children with Special Educational Needs

The effects of computer-based Working Memory (WM) training using two training procedures were examined among sixty-four primary-school children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). Measures of general cognitive ability, auditory and visuospatial working memory, arithmetic ability, and reading and writing skills were gathered and analysed. The referred group of SEN children predominantly had lower performance in auditory WM, arithmetics and reading and writing skills. The SEN children within respective school were randomized into either an active WM training group or a control group and ten schools participating in the WM training study were randomized into one of two different training conditions. At five schools the SEN children received regular WM training and at the other five schools the children received WM training with the addition of metacognitive strategy training. Results showed a significant difference in WM performance during training in favor of the metacognitive intervention. Furthermore, transfer effects occurred on visuospatial WM measures at posttest and at 6-month follow-up. Post-hoc tests showed that the effects pertained only to the metacognitive intervention. No transfer to arithmetic or reading and writing skills occurred after training in the two training conditions. Results were discussed in terms of metacognitive factors being important in optimizing performance in WM training, and that such factors should be taken into consideration when designing interventions for children with SEN. It is also suggested that in referral of children with SEN to remediation with WM training the WM profiles should be taken into consideration to a greater degree.