Life events and psychological functioning: Theoretical and methodological issues

1989 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 592
Author(s):  
Glenn D. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Psychological Functioning ◽  
Methodological Issues

A Realist Perspective on Contemporary "Economic Theory" (Foreword by O. Ananyin)

2006 ◽  
pp. 75-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Lawson
Keyword(s):  
Economic Theory ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Alternative Model ◽  
Economic Life ◽  
Social Phenomenon ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Neoclassical Theory ◽  
Fundamental Feature ◽  
Major Powers ◽  
Realist Perspective

The author elaborates on methodological issues of current tendencies in neoclassical theory and demonstrates the necessity of an alternative model of science, which he calls "realist". According to this perspective, constant and regular conjunctions of economic life events should not be the main object of analysis. Rather, the author proposes to consider structures and mechanisms governing events in question. Instead of deductivism, which, as Lawson believes, is a fundamental feature of orthodox economics, the abductive method of economic explanation is proposed that entails investigation of major powers, on which any social phenomenon depends. Society is thereby regarded not as a closed, but rather as an open system.

Life-events and psychiatric disorders Part 1: some methodological issues

1973 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. Brown ◽  
F. Sklair ◽  
T. O. Harris ◽  
J. L. T. Birley
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Error ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Methodological Procedures ◽  
Psychiatric Conditions ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Depressive Patients

SynopsisThe paper focuses on recent criticisms of the study of the role of life-events in the onset of psychiatric conditions and suggests that measurement error and bias can be reasonably well controlled by various methodological procedures. Failure to comply with these may be expected, however, to increase rather than decrease the chances of establishing a ‘positive’ resuit. Three further factors to do with the design of studies and the analysis of data are discussed which are likely to mask real differences between patient and comparison group, and which therefore might explain the ‘negative’ results reported in the literature. They concern: (1) the choice of an appropriate comparison group; (2) specification of the length of the period between event and onset; and (3) specification of the event in terms of some measure of severity. Results from two London studies of schizophrenic and depressive patients are presented to illustrate the argument. The studies suggest that life-events do play an important causal role in bringing about both disorders.

scholarly journals Cognitive mechanisms predicting resilient functioning in adolescence: Evidence from the CogBIAS longitudinal study

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Charlotte Booth ◽  
Annabel Songco ◽  
Sam Parsons ◽  
Elaine Fox
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Psychological Functioning ◽  
Internalizing Symptoms ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Memory Bias ◽  
Cognitive Factors ◽  
Cognitive Mechanisms ◽  
Emotional Resilience ◽  
Cognitive Risk ◽  
Key Factor

Abstract Resilience is a dynamic process depicted by better than expected levels of functioning in response to significant adversity. This can be assessed statistically, by taking the residuals from a model of psychological functioning regressed onto negative life events. We report the first study to investigate multiple cognitive factors in relation to this depiction of resilient functioning. Life events, internalizing symptoms, and a range of cognitive risk and protective factors were assessed in a large sample of adolescents (N = 504) across three waves spaced 12–18 months apart. Adolescents who displayed fewer symptoms than expected, relative to negative life events, were considered more resilient. Adolescents who displayed more symptoms than expected, relative to negative life events, were considered less resilient. All cognitive factors were associated with resilient functioning to differing degrees. These included memory bias, interpretation bias, worry, rumination, self-esteem, and self-reported trait resilience. Regression models showed that memory bias was a key factor explaining unique variance in prospective resilient functioning. In a subsequent cross-lagged panel model, memory bias and resilient functioning were reinforcing mechanisms across time points, supporting cognitive models of emotional resilience. This study adds to the literature, by highlighting key cognitive mechanisms as potential intervention targets

Stressful Life Events and Schizophrenia II: Conceptual and Methodological Issues

1993 ◽  
Vol 162 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross M. G. Norman ◽  
Ashok K. Malla
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Stressful Life Events ◽  
Stressful Life ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Research Designs ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Methodological Problems ◽  
Reciprocal Influences ◽  
The Relationship

Research on the relationship between stress and schizophrenia is fraught with conceptual and methodological problems. These problems include issues related to the nature and measurement of stress, the likelihood of reciprocal influences between stress and symptoms, and the adequate assessment of symptoms. Several recommendations are made regarding future research in this area. These include using multiple and broadly based measures of different types of stressors and symptoms, greater use of truly prospective research designs, and the evaluation of the effects of interventions specifically designed to reduce stress in patients who suffer from schizophrenia.

Life Events, Psychological Distress and Social Functioning

1977 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 467-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blair Justice ◽  
George W. McBee ◽  
Richard H. Allen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Psychological Functioning ◽  
Stressful Life Events ◽  
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Mental Health Center ◽  
Life Change Events ◽  
Adult Outpatient ◽  
Mental Health Questionnaire

This study investigated the relationship between stressful life events and social as well as psychological functioning. Stress in the lives of 39 subjects being admitted to the adult outpatient clinics at a large mental health center was measured by the Social Readjustment Rating Scale. Social and psychological functioning was measured by the Denver Community Mental Health Questionnaire and the Mini-Mult, an abbreviated form of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. An association was found between stress, in terms of life-change events accumulated in the preceding 12 mo., and impairment in both social as well as psychological functioning.

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