Depressive Cognitions Impact On A Latent Growth Curve Model Of Depressive Symptoms In Caregiving Grandmothers

Grandmothers caring for grandchildren have elevated levels of depressive symptoms compared to grandmothers who do not provide care. While the CES-D measures the somatic, positive and negative affect, and interpersonal strain symptoms experienced with depression, the Depressive CognitionScale © captures the change in cognitive thinking that often precedes depression. Depressive symptoms, on the other hand, are state like in nature and describe depressive symptoms that have happened recently. While depressive cognitions, according to Beck’s theory of depression, are the first negative thought processes to appear, these typically lead to other, more serious symptoms of depression. Specifically, depressive cognitions reflect negative thinking patterns and not depression. Data were collected on 343 participants in a longitudinal nationwide online research study of caregiving grandmothers. A latent growth curve model was used to track the trajectory of depressive symptoms at four time points (baseline, 2 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks). As depressive cognitions are the precursor to the development of depressive symptoms, a latent growth curve model was tested to gain an understanding of how depressive cognitions impacts the trajectory of depressive symptoms over time. The model fit the data well (Chi Square=21.025; df=9; p=.013; TLI=.976; CFI=.985; RMSEA=.063). Baseline depressive cognitions had a strong impact on the intercept (Standardized Beta=.76, p<.001) and the slope of depressive symptoms (Standardized Beta=-.67, p<.001). The continued impact of depressive cognitions over 24 weeks indicates the need for potential interventions to further address depressive cognitions as a way to decrease depressive symptoms in grandmother caregivers.

A Longitudinal Study of Foreign Language Enjoyment and L2 Grit: A Latent Growth Curve Modeling

In line with the dynamic shift in SLA domain and the need for the development of suitable methods to explore the dynamics of emerging concepts in the field such as grit and enjoyment, in the present research, we intended to investigate the growth of foreign language enjoyment (FLE) and L2 grit over time. To do this, we used a bivariate latent growth curve model (LGCM) to examine the covariance between 437 EFL learners' initial and growth levels of L2 grit and FLE in four measurement occasions of 2 week intervals. The data were collected via the original foreign language enjoyment scale and the L2 grit scale. The model including the covariance between intercepts and slopes of FLE and L2 grit was tested via Mplus 7. The findings indicated an increasing trend in the association between the growth levels of both variables. That is, the means of both L2 grit and FLE were larger at their growth level than their initial level. Also, analyzing the co-variations in the model showed that the covariances between the intercepts and slopes of FLE and L2 grit were statistically significant. This would point to the existence of a parallel process (co-development) of FLE and L2 grit. This result also implied that an increase in the level of FLE among the participants was strongly correlated with an increase in the level of L2 grit during the whole course. The findings were discussed with reference to previous studies in the literature and the implications were also provided.

The evolution of perfectionistic concerns and strivings in the proximity of exams: Evidence from a short-term longitudinal study

To date, little is known about the short-term dynamics of perfectionism in undergraduate students, especially in certain potentially activating contexts, such as the proximity of the exam session. The aim of the present study was to address this methodological limitation and literature gap by conducting a latent growth curve model analysis of students’ perfectionistic concerns and strivings in the proximity of exams, to detect and explain the potential heterogeneity in their growth trajectories. The study sample consisted of 242 undergraduate students who participated at four-time points (228 at T0, 171 at T1, 225 at T2, and 146 at T3), spaced four weeks apart, between the beginning of the first academic semester and the beginning of the exam session. The results showed that while perfectionistic concerns displayed a significant overall growth trajectory during this period of time, perfectionistic strivings were rather stable personality traits, less dependent on contextual factors. Regarding the individual differences in perfectionism dimensions, the findings showed that there was a significant inter-individual variability around both the initial level and the overall growth trajectory of perfectionistic concerns. However, only the perceived teachers' expectations explained significantly part of the variations around the initial level of perfectionistic concerns.

Decreased COVID-related adaptive behavior and increased negative affect: A multivariate latent growth curve model

Data from a longitudinal questionnaire investigation of three time waves were used to investigate affective and behavioral changes and their covariant relationship among Chinese general population during the COVID-19 pandemic from March to May 2020. 145 participants aging from 15 to 63 completed three waves of survey. Latent growth curve analyses found that negative affect gradually increased as the pandemic continued. A faster increase in negative affect was related to a greater decrease in adaptive behavior and faster increase in non-adaptive behavior. A higher initial level of negative affect was related to a slower increase in non-adaptive behavior.