Embedding common factors in a path model

Bidirectional Associations Between Self-Perceptions of Aging and Processing Speed Across 3 Years

GeroPsych ◽

10.1024/1662-9647/a000165 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

pp. 49-59 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Anna L. Seidler ◽

Julia K. Wolff

Keyword(s):

Processing Speed ◽

Personal Growth ◽

Significant Loss ◽

Path Model ◽

Outcome Variable ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Self Perceptions ◽

Chi Squared ◽

Perceptions Of Aging ◽

Bidirectional Associations

Abstract. Background: Previous studies point to a potential relationship between self-perceptions of aging (SPA) and cognitive performance. However, most of these studies are limited by their experimental design. Previous longitudinal studies looked solely at memory as an outcome variable without examining the directionality of effects. The present study examines the direction of effects between two domains of SPA (personal growth and physical losses) and processing speed (PS). Methods: The sample consists of 8,198 participants of the German Ageing Survey (DEAS), aged between 40 and 93 years. A cross-lagged path model was estimated to examine directions of relationships across 3 years via chi-squared difference tests for each domain of SPA. Results: In the unconstrained models, the effect of SPA domain personal growth in 2008 on PS in 2011 and vice versa were marginally significant. For SPA domain physical losses, the effect of SPA on PS was significant, whereas the other direction of the effect did not reach significance. However, the cross-lagged paths of both domains of SPA on PS and vice versa could be set equal without a significant loss of model fit. The resulting associations indicate a significant bidirectional relationship between both domains of SPA and PS. Discussion and conclusion: This study provides initial evidence that SPA can influence trajectories of cognitive decline and vice versa. The results emphasize the detrimental and beneficial effects that stereotypes can have on individuals and add further evidence to the theory of stereotype embodiment.

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Passive Facebook Use and Depression

Journal of Media Psychology Theories Methods and Applications ◽

10.1027/1864-1105/a000269 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 165-175 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Leman Pınar Tosun ◽

Ezgi Kaşdarma

Keyword(s):

Social Comparisons ◽

Path Model ◽

The Other ◽

Facebook Use ◽

Psychological Mechanism ◽

Model Fits

Abstract. In the current study we examined a psychological mechanism linking Facebook use to depression. A survey was conducted with 319 undergraduates about their passive Facebook use, their frequency of making upward social comparisons on Facebook, the emotions evoked through these comparisons, and their levels of depression. Half of the participants were given questions about the Facebook comparisons they made with their close friends, while the other half were given questions about the Facebook comparisons they made with acquaintances. Analysis of the whole sample revealed that upward Facebook comparison elicited assimilative emotions (inspiration, optimism, and admiration) more than contrastive emotions did (envy and resentment). A path model was developed in which passive use of Facebook predicted the frequency of making upward social comparisons, and, in turn, the frequency of making upward Facebook comparisons predicted depression through two routes: one through contrastive emotions and other through assimilative emotions. The results suggested that the model fits the data. As expected, the frequency of upward Facebook comparisons was associated with the increases in frequency of both contrastive and assimilative emotions, and the associations of these two types of emotions with depression were in opposite directions: Depression increased as the frequency of contrastive emotions increased, and it decreased as the frequency of assimilative emotions increased. The strength of the latter aforementioned association was stronger when the comparison targets were acquaintances rather than close friends.

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