Inference With Cross-Lagged Effects - Problems in Time and New Interpretations

The interpretation of cross-effects from vector autoregressive models to infer structure and causality amongst constructs is widespread and sometimes problematic. I first explain how hypothesis testing and regularization are invalidated when processes that are thought to fluctuate continuously in time are, as is typically done, modeled as changing only in discrete steps. I then describe an alternative interpretation of cross-effect parameters that incorporates correlated random changes for a potentially more realistic view of how process are temporally coupled. Using an example based on wellbeing data, I demonstrate how some classical concerns such as sign flipping and counter intuitive effect directions can disappear when using this combined deterministic / stochastic interpretation. Models that treat processes as continuously interacting offer both a resolution to the hypothesis testing problem, and the possibility of the combined stochastic / deterministic interpretation.

The Construction of Positive Social Psychology During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Exploring the Relationship Between Social Support and Peace of Mind Through a Three-Wave Longitudinal Cross-Lag Study

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a major global crisis that has infected public social mentality. Drawing on the concept of peace of mind (PoM), a culture-specific positive emotion construct developed in the Chinese cultural context, this study explored the ways to build a positive public social mentality in the time of the pandemic. PoM is indicative of a calm and stable emotional state marked by self-control and spiritual cultivation and is believed to align with the perceptions of subjective well-being in Chinese or eastern cultures. A three-wave cross-lag study using an online questionnaire survey was conducted on 107 employees in Chinese enterprises during the pandemic. The research findings suggest that social support had a significant positive time-cross effect on later PoM, i.e., social support-T1 had a significant predictive effect on PoM-T2 (β = 0.16, SE = 0.09, p < 0.05) and social support-T2 had a significant predictive effect on PoM-T3 (β = 0.38, SE = 0.19, p < 0.05), whereas PoM failed to show a positive time-cross effect on later social support, i.e., the predictive effects of PoM-T1 on social support-T2 (β = 0.04, SE = 0.07, p > 0.05) and of PoM-T2 on social support-T3 (β = 0.13, SE = 0.09, p > 0.05) were not significant. This study provided a dynamic picture of the construction of public social mentality in the time of public health emergencies and also contributed to the research on PoM antecedents.

Why are Female Professors Willing to Have a Second Child in China? A Case Study of Chengdu

This study explores female professors’ willingness to have a second child in Chengdu. Based on a qualitative study, this article focuses on those who have had at least one child and examine their fertility intentions, childbirth behavior and influencing factors of second-child fertility according to their occupational characteristics and academic achievements. In-depth interviews with 24 female professors in Chengdu were conducted in 2018–2020. It finds that their reproductive choices are the cross-effect result of state policy, external support and personal condition. Their educational experience also plays an important role in deciding their choice of having two children. This research aims to shed light on Chinese women’s reproductive intention and fertility behavior and tries to offer policy suggestions under the two-child policy in China.

There Is No Cross Effect of Unstable Resistance Training on Power Produced during Stable Conditions

This study evaluates the effect of 8 weeks of the stable and unstable resistance training on muscle power. Thirty-three healthy men recreationally trained in resistance exercises, randomly assigned into two groups, performed resistance exercises either under stable or unstable conditions for 8 weeks (three sessions per week). Before and after 4 and 8 weeks of the training, they underwent squats and chest presses on either a stable surface or on a BOSU ball and a Swiss ball respectively with increasing weights up to at least 85% 1RM. Results showed significant improvements of mean power during chest presses on a Swiss ball at weights up to 60.7% 1RM after 4 and 8 weeks of the instability resistance training. Mean power increased significantly also during squats on a BOSU ball at weights up to 48.1% 1RM after 4 but not 8 weeks of instability resistance training. However, there were no significant changes in mean power during bench presses and squats on a stable support surface after the same training. These findings indicate that there is no cross effect of instability resistance training on power produced under stable conditions. This confirms and complies with the principle for specificity of training.