Caregiving Appraisals and Emotional Valence: Buffering Effect of Activity Participation

Abstract Caregiving activities often lead to positive and negative appraisal for caregivers. Caregivers may limit social participation due to caregiving activities. Changes in level of activity participation could have profound consequences for caregiver’s valence. However, little is known about how activity participation could moderate the association between these caregiving appraisals and emotional valence. Data came from the National Study of Caregiving (Round 1 and 2), a nationally representative study of caregivers. Referencing Lawton’s two-factor model (1990), we examined both the level and changes in activity restriction interacting with positive and negative caregiving appraisals to predict both valence across two waves. Consistent with two factor models, findings revealed level and changes in activity restriction moderated the relationship between caregiving appraisal and outcomes for both valences. These findings highlight the role of activity restriction as a target to reduce negative valence and improve positive valence for caregivers.

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Spatial metaphors in antonym pairs across sign languages

Sign Language & Linguistics ◽

10.1075/sll.00046.bor ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 (1-2) ◽

pp. 112-141

Author(s):

Carl Börstell ◽

Ryan Lepic

Keyword(s):

Emotional Valence ◽

Movement Direction ◽

Physical Sign ◽

Sign Languages ◽

Negative Valence ◽

Manual Analysis ◽

Linguistic Patterns ◽

Systematic Pattern ◽

Positive Valence ◽

Over Time

Abstract We analyze sign locations in 776 signs from 16 antonym pairs across 27 sign languages to examine metaphorical mappings of emotional valence (positive vs. negative) along different spatial axes. We conduct both an automatic and a manual analysis of sign location and movement direction, to investigate cross-linguistic patterns of spatial valence contrasts. Contrary to our hypothesis, negative valence concepts are generally articulated higher up than their positive counterparts. However, when we consider movement in space, we find that although signs generally move downward over time, positive valence concepts are associated with upward movements more often than their negative counterparts. This points to a systematic pattern for vertical valence contrasts – a known metaphor across languages – iconically mapped onto physical sign articulation. We similarly, but surprisingly, find a difference in movements along the sagittal axis, such that outward movement is associated with positive valence concepts more often than negative.

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The pattern of force produced during approach-avoidance movements is independent of emotional valence

10.31234/osf.io/jg24s ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Greg Dam ◽

Zach Catron ◽

Cassidy Segura Clouse

Keyword(s):

Reaction Times ◽

Emotional Valence ◽

Emotional Stimuli ◽

Approach And Avoidance ◽

Negative Valence ◽

Approach Behaviors ◽

Direction Of Movement ◽

Approach Avoidance ◽

Positive Valence ◽

Pushing And Pulling

Movements that include pushing away and pulling towards oneself are important avoidance and approach behaviors, respectively. Previous research has demonstrated that reaction times are more rapid when approach-like movements are undertaken in response to pleasant emotional stimuli and when avoidant movements are carried out in response to unpleasant emotional stimuli. However, few studies have directly investigated the forces applied during self-referenced approach or avoidance movements. Here we measured the sustained forces of pushing and pulling in response to emotional images. The images presented varied in ratings of emotional arousal (i.e., relaxing versus exciting) and valence (positive valence, or pleasant, versus negative valence, or unpleasant). Our results replicate previous findings that documented force produced in response to unpleasant images. Our findings also revealed that, in contrast to their impact on reaction times, the effects of emotional stimuli on the sustained forces associated with approach and avoidance responses are independent of the direction of movement.

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Parallel valence processing alterations associated with compulsive behavior in SAPAP3 knockout mice and human OCD

10.1101/2021.06.04.447162 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Bridget L. Kajs ◽

Peter J. van Roessel ◽

Gwynne L. Davis ◽

Leanne M. Williams ◽

Carolyn I. Rodriguez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emotional Valence ◽

Rodent Model ◽

Therapeutic Interventions ◽

Rodent Models ◽

Compulsive Behavior ◽

Obsessive Compulsive ◽

Implicit Processing ◽

Compulsive Disorder ◽

Negative Valence ◽

Positive Valence

Abnormalities in valence processing - the processing of aversive or appetitive stimuli - may be an underrecognized component of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Independent experimental paradigms have suggested disturbance of emotional valence systems in OCD, yet no standardized assay has been employed to assess both negative and positive valence processing in clinical studies of OCD patients, either at baseline or in response to therapeutic interventions. Additionally, preclinical rodent models are critical for treatment discovery in OCD, yet investigations examining whether rodent models of compulsive behavior similarly show alterations in valence systems have been limited. We sought to establish paradigms for assessing valence processing across both human OCD patients and in a preclinical rodent model: in OCD patients, we used validated behavioral tests to assess explicit and implicit processing of fear-related facial expressions (negative valence) and socially-rewarding happy expressions (positive valence); in the SAPAP3 knockout (KO) mouse model of compulsive behavior, we used auditory fear conditioning and extinction (negative valence) and reward-based operant conditioning (positive valence). We find that OCD patients show enhanced negative and impaired positive valence processing, and that performance on valence processing tasks correlates with clinical measures of OCD severity. We further find that SAPAP3 KO mice show heightened negative and impaired positive valence processing alterations similar to those of OCD patients. Our results show parallel valence processing abnormalities in OCD patients and a preclinical rodent model of compulsive behavior, and suggest valence processing alterations as novel therapeutic targets across a translational research spectrum.

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The structure of the lexical personality descriptors in Serbian language

Psihologija ◽

10.2298/psi0704485s ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 40 (4) ◽

pp. 485-508 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Snezana Smederevac ◽

Dusanka Mitrovic ◽

Petar Colovic

Keyword(s):

Principal Component Analysis ◽

Factor Model ◽

Five Factor Model ◽

Principal Component ◽

Negative Emotionality ◽

Latent Structure ◽

Positive Emotionality ◽

Negative Valence ◽

Positive Valence ◽

Promax Rotation

Two studies, both originating from a larger psycholexical study in Serbian language, are presented here. Two questionnaires, Lexi and PL have been constructed in the psycholexical study. The questionnaires differ by the formulation of their respective items: while the items of the Lexi contain adjectives, the items of the PL are in the form of statements. The first study presented in this paper examines the latent structure of the Lexi questionnaire, while the second one deals with the latent structure of the PL. In both studies, principal component analysis was applied, and the number of components to be retained in the analysis was determined according to the Scree criterion. Also, Promax rotation was applied in both studies. Seven components which were extracted in the first study have been interpreted as Negative Valence, Negative Emotionality, Aggressiveness, Conscientiousness, Positive Emotionality, Positive Valence and Openness to Experience. The content of these dimensions is obviously similar to the dimensions of Tellegen and Waller?s Big Seven model. In the second study, five components were extracted, and interpreted as Sociability, Anxiety, Aggressiveness, Activity and Impulsivity. The content of the dimensions extracted in the second study corresponds with the dimensions of Marvin Zuckerman?s Alternative Five - Factor Model.

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Is God Listening to My Prayers? Initial Validation of a Brief Measure of Perceived Divine Engagement and Disengagement in Response to Prayer

Religions ◽

10.3390/rel12020080 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 80

Author(s):

Julie J. Exline ◽

Joshua A. Wilt ◽

Valencia A. Harriott ◽

Kenneth I. Pargament ◽

Todd W. Hall

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

Religious Coping ◽

Factor Model ◽

Validity Testing ◽

God Concepts ◽

Negative Valence ◽

Initial Validation ◽

Spiritual Struggles ◽

Positive Valence ◽

Engagement And Disengagement

Does God listen and respond to prayers? This project provided initial validation for a brief measure of perceived divine engagement and disengagement in response to prayer. As part of a larger project on religious/spiritual struggles among U.S. undergraduates, we used Sample 1 (n = 400) for exploratory factor analysis and Sample 2 (n = 413) for confirmatory factor analysis and initial validity testing. A two-factor model with four items per factor provided acceptable fit. On average, participants reported more divine engagement than disengagement. They endorsed items about God listening more than those about God responding. Divine engagement showed strong positive associations with religiousness and positive-valence variables involving God. Divine disengagement showed strong positive associations with variables suggesting divine struggle or distance. Importantly, both subscales also showed evidence of incremental validity: Divine engagement predicted positive-valence God variables (e.g., secure attachment, collaborative religious coping, gratitude to God, and awareness of God) even when controlling for religiousness and positive God concepts and attitudes. Divine disengagement predicted more spiritual struggles and more negative-valence and distance-related God variables (divine struggle, anxious and distant attachment, and self-directing religious coping) even when controlling for doubt about God’s existence, negative God images, anger/disappointment toward God, and concern about God’s disapproval. In short, this brief new measure shows promise as a tool to assess beliefs about God’s responsiveness to prayer.

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Supplemental Material for A Nationally Representative Study of Emotional Competence and Health

Emotion ◽

10.1037/emo0000034.supp ◽

2015 ◽

Keyword(s):

Emotional Competence ◽

Representative Study ◽

Nationally Representative

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The Contribution of Foods and Beverages of Low Nutritional Value to the Diets of Swedish Adolescents, by Food Group, Time and Place. A Nationally Representative Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13072450 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 2450

Author(s):

Anna Karin Lindroos ◽

Lotta Moraeus ◽

Jessica Petrelius Sipinen ◽

Eva Warensjö Lemming ◽

Emma Patterson

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Value ◽

Age Groups ◽

Food Group ◽

Sociodemographic Factors ◽

Food Environments ◽

Dietary Survey ◽

Low Socioeconomic ◽

Representative Study ◽

Nationally Representative

Adolescence is a time in life when lifestyle behaviours are acquired. One indicator of poor diet quality is the intake of foods and beverages with a relatively low nutritional value. Using the Australian classification of such foods, termed “discretionary”, we classified the intakes of Swedish adolescents who participated in the Riksmaten Adolescent 2016–17 national dietary survey. From selected schools, 3099 adolescents in age groups 11–12, 14–15 and 17–18 years provided two 24-h recalls. Intakes and healthy dietary scores were calculated. Plasma ferritin, folate and 25(OH)D were available for a third. Almost 40% of total energy came from discretionary foods/beverages. Adolescents with higher intakes were more likely to be female, older, from a low socioeconomic position-household and born in Sweden. Most discretionary foods/beverages were consumed on weekend days and during in-between meals, outside of the home and at school. Percent energy from discretionary intake was associated with healthy dietary scores but not nutritional status. A substantial amount of energy was obtained from discretionary foods/beverages, and we found that consumption is pervasive across sociodemographic factors, time and place. Addressing this pattern will require a comprehensive approach to food environments and behaviours to reach all adolescents in an equitable manner.

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