Psychological Reports[JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Psychometric Evidence of the Trichotillomania Dimensional Scale (TTM-D) in Adults From the General Population.
Baños-Chaparro J, Franco-Jimenez A, Caycho-Rodríguez T … +4 more , Valencia-Pecho D, Sarmiento-Suarez E, Bernabel-Tarazona D, Rivera-Álvarez G
Psychol Rep · 2026 Apr · PMID 41974423 · Publisher ↗
The aim of the present study was to analyse the psychometric properties of the Trichotillomania Dimensional Scale (TTM-D) in Peruvian adults. A total of 507 adults (66.7% women) participated, completing a sociodemographi...
The aim of the present study was to analyse the psychometric properties of the Trichotillomania Dimensional Scale (TTM-D) in Peruvian adults. A total of 507 adults (66.7% women) participated, completing a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Frequency of Suicidal Ideation Inventory (FSII), the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 (GAD-2). Structural validity was examined using confirmatory factor analysis within a covariance-based structural equation modelling framework, and item functioning was analysed using a two-parameter item response theory (IRT) model. The TTM-D demonstrated adequate content validity, a unidimensional structure (CFI = .99, TLI = .99, RMSEA = .06 [90% CI: .032, .104], SRMR = .01), and good reliability (ω = .94, H = .98). Moreover, significant associations were observed with depressive symptoms, generalised anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Item 3 showed the highest discrimination and information, and the scale proved accurate at high levels of trichotillomania. In conclusion, the TTM-D exhibits suitable psychometric properties supporting the validity and reliability of score interpretation in the assessment of trichotillomania. Its use is recommended both in professional practice and in research with the general adult population.
Gender Comparison of Latent Coping Profiles in a Representative Sample of College Emerging Adults.
DePaul Trumbach LM, Arredondo EM, Geyton T … +1 more , Roesch SC
Psychol Rep · 2026 Apr · PMID 41974422 · Publisher ↗
The present study was intended to improve the understanding of how emerging adults in college cope with stress by identifying latent coping typologies and assessing their relationship to demographic and psychosocial fact...
The present study was intended to improve the understanding of how emerging adults in college cope with stress by identifying latent coping typologies and assessing their relationship to demographic and psychosocial factors. 372 undergraduate students completed a battery and five daily diaries online. The five-day averages of 14 coping methods were used for three latent profile analyses. Initially, four profiles were identified. Repeated analysis revealed similar but not identical models when female and male students were analyzed separately. High Coping and Direct Problem Solving typologies emerged in all models. Coping profiles demonstrated moderate-to-strong relationships with stress, positive and negative affect, psychological symptomatology, and stress-related growth. These results support previous findings that emerging adults display at least three coping typologies, there may be slight differences associated with gender and race/ethnicity, and that using more variety of coping strategies may relate to better stress outcomes.
Toward a Unified Worldview Measure.
Woodard SR, Ferdinand KG
Psychol Rep · 2026 Apr · PMID 41957888 · Publisher ↗
A worldview is an individual difference construct that has been linked to various behavioral and health outcomes. However, we know little about the development and structure of worldviews. One obstacle that has impeded r...
A worldview is an individual difference construct that has been linked to various behavioral and health outcomes. However, we know little about the development and structure of worldviews. One obstacle that has impeded research on worldviews is the lack of a robust worldview measure. This research sought to create such a measure. In Study 1, we combined five previously published worldview measures and administered them to 171 participants from a mid-size, public university. The combined 160 items were reduced through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), leaving 77 items which formed eight preliminary factors. In Study 2, we sought to re-identify and confirm the factors with an adequate sample size, ensuring that the new measure maintained a meaningful breadth while eliminating redundant or extraneous items. We recruited 772 participants online through Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk). EFAs resulted in 41 items which formed five factors: Factor 1, Humanism and Harmony; Factor 2, Secularism; Factor 3, Eastern-Based Spirituality; Factor 4, Self-Reliance; and Factor 5, Determinism. Network model visualizations of the items are included to illustrate the relationships among the worldview items. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis on the new 41-item measure, which we named the Unified Worldview Measure (UWM), suggested that the UWM has good relative fit but inadequate absolute fit. Finally, a third study was conducted to evaluate the criterion validity of the new measure. We recruited 333 participants online via Prolific. As hypothesized, scores on the five UWM factors correlated with participants' personality, health, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and political and religious affiliations, providing support for the UWM's criterion validity. Future uses and improvements to the UWM are suggested in the discussion. This new, 41-item measure, though still in need of improvement, has significant potential to further worldview research.
Negative Affect Mediates the Relationship Between Boredom Proneness and Posttreatment Alcohol Use Problems.
Brown WC, Linn BK, Zhao J … +2 more , Stasiewicz PR, Bradizza CM
Psychol Rep · 2026 Apr · PMID 41934375 · Publisher ↗
Boredom proneness reflects a tendency to experience the state of boredom, which is correlated with negative affect (NA) and self-regulatory failure. Boredom states may motivate individuals to seek satisfying, stimulating...
Boredom proneness reflects a tendency to experience the state of boredom, which is correlated with negative affect (NA) and self-regulatory failure. Boredom states may motivate individuals to seek satisfying, stimulating experiences. Empirically, it is unclear whether boredom proneness is a relevant predictor of alcohol problems. In this exploratory investigation, we measured boredom proneness as a predictor of alcohol problems following a course of outpatient cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for AUD. We hypothesized that (a) boredom proneness would be associated with alcohol consumption pre- and post-treatment and (b) that boredom proneness would predict alcohol problems indirectly through NA and anxiety sensitivity. Data for these analyses were drawn from a larger study that provided CBT for AUD outpatients (R01 AA024628). Participants ( = 181) were women (49%) and men seeking AUD treatment. Boredom proneness was associated with baseline but not end-of-treatment alcohol consumption. An indirect effects model was used to determine whether pre-treatment boredom proneness was indirectly associated with end-of-treatment drinking problems through mid-treatment NA and baseline anxiety sensitivity. As hypothesized, boredom proneness was indirectly and significantly associated with increased end-of-treatment alcohol use problems via increased NA and anxiety sensitivity [95% CI .03-.11]. Boredom proneness appears to negatively impact AUD outcomes through continued vulnerability to negative emotion states.
Examining Normative Male Alexithymia in Men Reporting Psychedelic and Non-Psychedelic Self-Transcendent Experiences.
Sleightholm S, O'Neill C
Psychol Rep · 2026 Mar · PMID 41910503 · Publisher ↗
Suicide is a pernicious global issue with many serious impacts. Despite females being more likely to attempt suicide, males are around three times more likely to die from suicide, with one contributor being normative ale...
Suicide is a pernicious global issue with many serious impacts. Despite females being more likely to attempt suicide, males are around three times more likely to die from suicide, with one contributor being normative alexithymia, a reduced ability to understand and express emotions related to masculine norms. Qualitative research indicates that self-transcendental experiences (STEs) have been described as producing an increased emotional repertoire. It is therefore conceivable that STE have the potential to alleviate normative alexithymia. STE experiences can be reliably induced by the consumption of psychedelic substances, which have shown promise in treating mental health issues and improving emotional expression. There is currently no quantitative research investigating whether STEs can reduce levels of normative alexithymia in men. Therefore, this study tested whether men who have had an STE have lower levels of normative alexithymia than men who have not. Participants (N = 148) were sorted into three groups: men who have not had an STE, men who have had an STE through psychedelic use, and men who have had an STE through other means and completed the Normative Male Alexithymia Scale (NMAS). Scores were analysed using a one-way independent ANOVA; contrary to expectations, no significant differences were found between the groups, and this study therefore concluded that men who have had an STE do not have lower levels of normative alexithymia than men who have not. Recommendations for future research are discussed.
Judging the Believability of Social Media Misinformation: Source and Message Distinctiveness.
Ward V, Rowe T, Georgieva M … +9 more , Flanagan L, Duderstadt T, Connor JR, Abaya R, Huntsinger JR, Forestal J, Abuhamad M, Chan-Tin E, Stalans LJ
Psychol Rep · 2026 Mar · PMID 41903326 · Publisher ↗
Does the source and distinctiveness of misinformation in social media posts affect its believability? Across two studies, we examine this question utilizing vignette experimental survey designs that manipulated the sourc...
Does the source and distinctiveness of misinformation in social media posts affect its believability? Across two studies, we examine this question utilizing vignette experimental survey designs that manipulated the source, accuracy of information, and whether the information was familiar or distinctive (unfamiliar). Four different topics with different political or moral positions were used to assess how effects varied across topics. True posts were found to be more believable than misinformation posts across the four topics in Study one (n = 595). In study two (n = 514), misinformation was rated as more believable, more accurate, and more trustworthy if it was unfamiliar rather than familiar. Source effects were significant but smaller than the distinctiveness effect. Posts from the source of authority were rated as more believable than those from a friend. Distinctive messages receive initial assessments of higher credibility, suggesting a heuristic process. However, the personally relevant topic of COVID, showed higher believability for unfamiliar misinformation, but also a higher percentage intending to verify the information through additional research. Those supporting more conservative views perceived misinformation as more believable. These findings are consistent with the Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Evidence of Measurement Invariance of the Rating of Sexual Arousal Across Sex and Relationship Status.
Álvarez-Muelas A, Sierra JC, Cervilla O
Psychol Rep · 2026 Mar · PMID 41903189 · Publisher ↗
The Rating of Sexual Arousal is a scale that allows for the assessment of subjective sexual arousal in specific contexts, such as a laboratory. It has been validated in the Spanish population; however, considering its re...
The Rating of Sexual Arousal is a scale that allows for the assessment of subjective sexual arousal in specific contexts, such as a laboratory. It has been validated in the Spanish population; however, considering its relevance due to its relationship with important variables for sexual health, it is necessary to continue investigating its psychometric properties to expand its use. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine its measurement invariance by sex (men vs. women) and relationship status (being in a relationship vs. not being in a relationship). A total of 324 cisgender heterosexual adults, aged 18-32 years (mean age 21.08 ± 2.83), participated in the study. Participants answered the Sociodemographic and Sexual History Questionnaire and the Spanish version of the Rating of Sexual Arousal after viewing a video with explicit sexual content. The results indicated the equivalence of the measure at a strict level and no significant Differential Item Functioning across items by sex and relationship status. No significant differences were observed in Rating of Sexual Arousal scores across the sociodemographic variables evaluated; furthermore, these variables did not significantly predict subjective sexual arousal. In conclusion, this study supports the usefulness of the Rating of Sexual Arousal and its relative independence from sociodemographic variables, which highlights its applicability for research and clinical practice.
Ego Depletion and Deception: The Protective Role of Empathy in Self-Serving and Altruistic Forms of Deception.
Wang W, Wang H, Sun Y … +2 more , Wang J, Xing Y
Psychol Rep · 2026 Mar · PMID 41886812 · Publisher ↗
Deception is the intentional action of individuals to manipulate others into holding false beliefs, and can take both altruistic and self-serving forms. Drawing on the motivational-attentional shift perspectives, the cur...
Deception is the intentional action of individuals to manipulate others into holding false beliefs, and can take both altruistic and self-serving forms. Drawing on the motivational-attentional shift perspectives, the current research examined how ego depletion influences individuals' propensity to deception and whether empathy moderates this relationship. In Experiment 1, ego depletion was manipulated through the letter "e" task, and deception was assessed using a spot-the-difference paradigm. Results indicated that individuals experiencing high ego depletion engaged in altruistic deception to a significantly lesser extent and exhibited a greater tendency toward self-serving deception than those in the low ego depletion group. Experiment 2 extended this work by inducing empathy through video priming. The findings revealed significant main effects of ego depletion and empathy on the propensity for deception. Notably, empathy moderated the relationship: under control conditions, ego depletion increased self-serving deception, whereas under empathy induction, this effect was attenuated, and altruistic motives were preserved. These results enhance the theoretical understanding of deception by differentiating its altruistic and self-serving forms. Furthermore, they underscore the practical potential of empathy-based interventions to buffer unethical behavior in depletion contexts.
Parental Rejection and Emotional Eating: The Mediating Role of Self-Ambivalence and the Moderating Role of Mindfulness.
Çakmak B, Keskin B, Doğutepe E … +1 more , Özçoban BÖ
Psychol Rep · 2026 Mar · PMID 41886773 · Publisher ↗
Emotional eating is often conceptualized as a maladaptive coping strategy for negative emotions. This study investigated the psychological variables associated with perceived parental rejection and emotional eating, spec...
Emotional eating is often conceptualized as a maladaptive coping strategy for negative emotions. This study investigated the psychological variables associated with perceived parental rejection and emotional eating, specifically examining the potential mediating role of self-ambivalence and the moderating role of trait mindfulness. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, data were collected from 353 adults in Türkiye. The results revealed distinct patterns for maternal and paternal pathways. Perceived paternal rejection demonstrated a consistent, unmoderated association with self-ambivalence, which in turn was indirectly related to emotional eating, regardless of mindfulness levels. Conversely, the indirect relationship between perceived maternal rejection and emotional eating via self-ambivalence appeared to be conditionally moderated by mindfulness. Specifically, this indirect pathway was significant only at high levels of mindfulness, suggesting that unmodulated attention may correspond to heightened cognitive sensitivity to maternal rejection. In conclusion, the findings suggest that self-ambivalence may play a mediating role in the association between perceived parental rejection and emotional eating. Furthermore, the results indicate that trait mindfulness may not act as a universal buffer; rather, higher levels of mindfulness were associated with a stronger relationship between maternal rejection and self-ambivalence.
Caffeine Addiction: Patterns and Prevenance Among Undergraduate Medical and Engineering Students in Southern India.
Muppa J, Kavi A, Oruganti A … +1 more , Kolanati B
Psychol Rep · 2026 Mar · PMID 41886770 · Publisher ↗
Caffeine consumption is highly prevalent among college students, particularly during periods of academic stress, owing to its perceived psychoactive benefits such as enhanced alertness and concentration. However, regular...
Caffeine consumption is highly prevalent among college students, particularly during periods of academic stress, owing to its perceived psychoactive benefits such as enhanced alertness and concentration. However, regular intake may lead to dependency and associated adverse health effects. This study explored the prevalence, sources, patterns of caffeine consumption, and awareness of its effects and withdrawal symptoms among medical and engineering students in Belagavi city, Karnataka, India. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 640 students, including 320 medical and 320 engineering students, selected through random sampling. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire assessing caffeine consumption habits, sources, awareness, and withdrawal experiences, and analyzed using SPSS with statistical significance set at P ≤ 0.05. The findings revealed a high prevalence of caffeine consumption among both medical (92.5%) and engineering students (92.2%). The mean daily caffeine intake was higher among engineering students (232.9 mg) compared to medical students (186.3 mg), with coffee identified as the primary source. A considerable proportion of students, particularly medical students (74%), reported increased consumption during examination periods compared to engineering students (31.1%). Withdrawal symptoms, including difficulty concentrating and irritability, were commonly reported by both groups upon cessation attempts. Despite awareness of potential negative effects, caffeine consumption remained widespread, especially during academically stressful periods. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to regulate caffeine intake and improve awareness regarding its potential for dependence among college students.
A Psychophysiological Investigation of Boredom Profiles Differing in Meaning, Stimulation and Subsequent Activity Choices.
Rudnicki K, Rummens K, Vandebosch H … +2 more , De Schepper J, Poels K
Psychol Rep · 2026 Mar · PMID 41886546 · Publisher ↗
This study investigated the psychophysiological markers of distinct boredom profiles, defined along the meaning and stimulation dimensions of the Meaning and Attention Components (MAC) model. Psychophysiological markers...
This study investigated the psychophysiological markers of distinct boredom profiles, defined along the meaning and stimulation dimensions of the Meaning and Attention Components (MAC) model. Psychophysiological markers were also assessed during regulatory activity choices following boredom to investigate their actual regulatory potential. The study ( = 60, M = 21.4, SD = 3.38, male = 35%) employed a mixed-factorial design, with meaning as a between-subjects factor and stimulation level as a within-subjects factor in a boring task. Electrodermal activity (EDA), as well as alpha and theta EEG frequencies, were recorded both during the task and during the subsequent activity choices (i.e., switching or adapting the boring task). Results revealed that assigning meaning to a boring task had a significant, positive effect on people's ability to focus attention during the boring task (frontal EEG alpha and theta). Tonic physiological arousal predicted whether people persisted in doing a boring task or switched their activity. We observed that task switching had a restorative effect on attention. These findings indicate that psychophysiological markers meaningfully relate to the different boredom profiles, as indicated in the MAC model and support its utility in predicting activities following boredom episodes, thereby highlighting the roles of task meaningfulness and stimulation level in boredom's psychophysiological correlates.
The Impact of the Threat of Death on Self-Gifting: The Moderated Mediation of Conspiracist Ideation.
An Q, Park S, Um G
Psychol Rep · 2026 Mar · PMID 41886467 · Publisher ↗
The global crisis has changed consumption behaviors. Drawing upon the compensatory consumption theory and the terror management theory (TMT), this study investigated whether, why, and when the threat of death affects the...
The global crisis has changed consumption behaviors. Drawing upon the compensatory consumption theory and the terror management theory (TMT), this study investigated whether, why, and when the threat of death affects the intention to engage in self-gifting. To this end, we enacted four studies. Study 1 ( = 95) revealed that individuals tend to resort to self-gifting in order to cope with the threats of death, and this effect is positively mediated by perceived stress. Study 2 ( = 120) found that conspiracist ideation positevely moderates the link between the threat of death and self-gifting. Study 3 ( = 129) further showed the moderating role of perceived social support. Specifically, perceived social support weakened the effects of (a) the threat of death on self-gifting and (b) perceived stress on self-gifting. Finally, Study 4 ( = 123) confirmed the moderating effect of loneliness. Specifically, loneliness strengthened the effects of (a) perceived stress on self-gifting and (b) the threat of death on self-gifting. These findings propose a need for further work on the origins and sources of self-gifting, particularly examining the roles of perceived stress, conspiracist ideation, perceived social support, and loneliness in the onset and maintenance of self-gifting behaviors.
Personality, Jealousy, and Empathy as Predictors of Cyber Dating Abuse Perpetration and Victimization in Young Adults.
Mattu HK, Bhogal MS, Guy A … +1 more , Galbraith N
Psychol Rep · 2026 Mar · PMID 41885857 · Publisher ↗
Cyber dating abuse involves psychological and relationally harmful behaviours enacted through digital technologies within romantic relationships. Although prior research links dispositional variables to cyber dating abus...
Cyber dating abuse involves psychological and relationally harmful behaviours enacted through digital technologies within romantic relationships. Although prior research links dispositional variables to cyber dating abuse, perpetration and victimisation frequently co-occur, complicating the interpretation of individual differences. This study examined associations among personality traits, romantic jealousy, empathy, and gender with psychological and relational cyber dating abuse perpetration and victimisation in 503 young adults aged 18 to 25 in the UK. Hierarchical regression analyses accounted for overlap across forms of cyber dating abuse involvement. Psychological and relational perpetration and victimisation were strongly interrelated, with other forms of involvement accounting for most explained variance across models. After modelling this overlap, dispositional variables explained small but statistically significant increments in variance, with behavioural jealousy and lower agreeableness most consistently associated with perpetration. Dispositional variables did not meaningfully predict psychological victimisation, and gender effects were modest and inconsistent. Overall, the findings suggest cyber dating abuse is best understood as a relational phenomenon characterised by co-occurring perpetration and victimisation, with individual differences shaping how behaviours are expressed rather than serving as primary drivers.
Procedural Memory Reconsolidation Following Multiple Reminders.
Flint RW, Morehouse J, Chown AE … +2 more , Dickens KH, Flint ER
Psychol Rep · 2026 Mar · PMID 41879773 · Publisher ↗
Long-term reactivated memories undergo a time-dependent reconsolidation process during which they are susceptible to modulation. We report the results of an experiment examining the effect of multiple reminder treatments...
Long-term reactivated memories undergo a time-dependent reconsolidation process during which they are susceptible to modulation. We report the results of an experiment examining the effect of multiple reminder treatments on reconsolidation of a long-term memory. Participants were trained on a procedural finger tapping task and were either reminded of that training 5 days later or not, immediately prior to learning a new tapping sequence. An additional group was given a reminder treatment of original learning on each of the interim days. Contrary to our hypothesis, results indicate that multiple reminder treatments rendered the training memory significantly more susceptible to disruption in comparison to controls that did not receive any reminders of original learning prior to learning the new motor sequence.
We Are What We Do: Trait and Ability Emotional Intelligence as Predictors of Adolescent Resilience.
Lomas J, Downey LA
Psychol Rep · 2026 Mar · PMID 41875226 · Publisher ↗
Previous research indicates that resilience is correlated with Emotional Intelligence (EI), although limited studies examining adaptation to stress have measured both trait and ability EI. This study examined the relativ...
Previous research indicates that resilience is correlated with Emotional Intelligence (EI), although limited studies examining adaptation to stress have measured both trait and ability EI. This study examined the relative roles of trait and ability EI in the prediction of resilience in adolescents. The total sample consisted of 112 Australian secondary school students who were completing Year 10 at the time of participation. There were 53 (47.3%) males and 59 (52.7%) females of ages ranging from 14 - 16 years (M = 15.04, SD = .36). The Resiliency Scales for Children and Adolescents (RSCA), Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test - Youth Research Version, and Adolescent Swinburne University Emotional Intelligence Test were administered to participants via an online survey under the supervision of a classroom teacher. Linear multiple regressions showed that only trait EI was predictive of mastery, relatedness, and emotional reactivity components of the RSCA. According to our findings, utilising emotional recognition, expression, understanding and management more often is related to increased resilience. These findings emphasise trait EI as a personal resource regarding the development of resilience in adolescence over ability EI and suggest that fostering perceived competence of emotion-related behaviours in a range of contexts could be beneficial for adolescent resilience outcomes.
The Impact of Invalidating Emotional Experiences in Childhood on Forgiveness in Close Relationships.
Leggett PA, Lamarche VM, Klabunde M
Psychol Rep · 2026 Mar · PMID 41874518 · Publisher ↗
Effective emotion regulation is essential for interpersonal contexts in which people need to prioritise prosocial motivations over self-protective motivations, such as forgiving someone after a transgression. However, pe...
Effective emotion regulation is essential for interpersonal contexts in which people need to prioritise prosocial motivations over self-protective motivations, such as forgiving someone after a transgression. However, people who grew up in emotionally invalidating home environments where their reactions were dismissed may struggle to appropriately respond to transgressions as well as experience difficulties with emotion regulation, including reactivity, inhibition and suppression. Across three correlational studies ( = 691) that examined forgiveness towards a partner's transgressions (i.e., infidelity, Study 1; participant-generated, Studies 2-3), we found that people who reported that they grew up in emotionally invalidating environments were less forgiving, espousing less benevolence motivations (Studies 1-2), and more avoidance (Studies 1-3) and revenge (Studies 2-3) motivations after a transgression. Serial mediation models suggested that these associations may be explained by the indirect effects of negative emotional reactivity and lower self-control. People who experienced relatively greater emotional invalidation in childhood were less likely to forgive their close others for transgressions, in part because they experience more intense reactions to their negative emotions and are less able to engage self-control. This collection of studies provides important insights into how people who believe they have been invalidated by in the past feel about forgiving their in the present and further supports existing literature on the negative consequences of invalidating emotional environments on the self and emotional processes.
History of Child Maltreatment and Suicide Risk Among Individuals Who Have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence: Examining the Role of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms.
Gresham AM, Pittman SK, Schneck IB … +1 more , Thomson ND
Psychol Rep · 2026 Mar · PMID 41871370 · Publisher ↗
Survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) experience significant psychological consequences including high rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. A history of child maltreatment (CM) is also prevalent among IPV sur...
Survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) experience significant psychological consequences including high rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. A history of child maltreatment (CM) is also prevalent among IPV survivors and has been identified as a significant risk factor for suicide. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms have been proposed as a mechanism by which CM leads to suicide risk; however, this association has yet to be evaluated in IPV survivors. In the current study, we tested whether CM was associated with suicide risk among IPV survivors and whether this association was statistically explained by PTSD symptoms. A total of 122 adult survivors of IPV completed a survey containing measures of CM, IPV victimization experiences, PTSD symptoms, and suicide risk. Five mediation analyses examined direct and indirect effects of each type of CM (i.e., physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, physical neglect, and emotional neglect) on suicide risk. Across all models, IPV victimization was associated with greater PTSD symptoms. All abuse subtypes of CM were associated with greater PTSD symptoms while the neglect subtypes of CM were not associated with PTSD symptoms. There was no direct effect of any type of CM on suicide risk; however, we found that greater experiences of childhood emotional abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse were associated with greater suicide risk via greater PTSD symptoms. These findings can be used to better understand responses to CM and IPV and identify pathways leading to suicide, which is essential for developing targeted interventions that correspond with risk profiles.
Exploring the Use of the Best Possible Self Technique for Anxiety Reduction: Findings From Focus Groups.
Duffy J, Charura D, Shevchenko J
Psychol Rep · 2026 Mar · PMID 41869956 · Publisher ↗
Initial research, within the field of cognition and positive psychology, demonstrates the benefits of future thinking interventions such as the best possible self-technique (BPS) for the treatment of anxiety-related dist...
Initial research, within the field of cognition and positive psychology, demonstrates the benefits of future thinking interventions such as the best possible self-technique (BPS) for the treatment of anxiety-related distress. However, despite these promising findings, attempts to gather feedback on the use of future thinking techniques is scarce. Across three focus groups, the present paper aimed to explore the acceptability, sensitivity, and feasibility of the BPS technique for the treatment of anxiety disorders. 13 participants (10 with lived experience and 3 trainee clinicians) participated in one of three focus groups. All sessions were audiotaped and fully transcribed verbatim. Participants acknowledged that future thinking is often a source of distress and viewed the BPS technique as potentially helpful in creating a safe mental space. However, participants emphasised the value of breaking down BPS goals into smaller, manageable steps. Additional feedback included recommendations regarding the terminology used, preferred modes of delivery, and considerations around the accessibility of the technique for specific populations. Findings are discussed in relation to existing literature, and implications for the refinement and implementation of the best possible self-technique are outlined.
Autistic Traits and Mind Wandering: A Correlational Study of Themes, Intentionality, and Temporal Focus.
Forby L, Pazhoohi F, Kingstone A
Psychol Rep · 2026 Mar · PMID 41869944 · Publisher ↗
There is abundant research on the nature and content of mind wandering (MW) in neurotypical individuals, yet little research in these areas on individuals high in autistic traits. The current study explored the relations...
There is abundant research on the nature and content of mind wandering (MW) in neurotypical individuals, yet little research in these areas on individuals high in autistic traits. The current study explored the relationship between autistic traits and several aspects of MW: themes, intentionality, temporal dimensions, and attitudes towards MW. A total of 1,477 participants completed measures of autistic traits, MW, and stress. Autistic trait level was positively correlated with the MW theme of guilt and fear of failure (GFF), spontaneous MW (MW-S), poor attentional control (PAC), and stress, and negatively correlated with appreciation for MW's benefits. Participants were then divided into two groups based on their autistic trait level. Those scoring six and above on the AQ-10 were placed in the "high" group, and those scoring five and below in the "low" group. Significant group differences emerged for GFF, MW-S, PAC, stress, and appreciation of MW. These results add to a small but growing body of research exploring the internal experiences of individuals high in autistic traits and how their MW patterns may relate to common challenges associated with autism. However, because all participants were neurotypical university students, the findings may not generalize to Autistic individuals or to more diverse samples. Taken together, these results suggest that MW content and frequency offer insight into challenges with sustained attention, daily stress, and anxious thought patterns. Future research should explore whether encouraging the benefits of MW (i.e., creativity, planning, and mood regulation) could support skill development and emotional well-being in individuals high in autistic traits.
Callous-Unemotional Traits and Empathy Moderate the Relation Between Exposure to Violence and Adolescent Delinquency.
Murphy MB, Gorsuch L, Barry CT
Psychol Rep · 2026 Mar · PMID 41869749 · Publisher ↗
More than half of American adolescents report being directly or indirectly exposed to violence each year. These exposures are associated with a higher likelihood of engaging in delinquent, or illegal, behaviors that conf...
More than half of American adolescents report being directly or indirectly exposed to violence each year. These exposures are associated with a higher likelihood of engaging in delinquent, or illegal, behaviors that confer significant personal and societal implications. The moderating influence of callous-unemotional (CU) traits and cognitive and affective empathy on the relation between indirect exposure to violence and adolescent delinquency was investigated to potentially determine those at highest risk of engaging in antisocial behaviors. This study collected data from 311 at-risk adolescents (231 males, 79 females, 1 preferring not to say) ages 16-19 ( = 17.55, = 0.65) attending a quasi-military residential program. Consistent with hypotheses, exposure to violence was associated with engaging in all types of delinquent acts when controlling for CU traits and empathy. When entered into a simultaneous regression, higher CU traits were uniquely related to higher levels of violent and property delinquency, and higher levels of cognitive empathy were uniquely related to higher levels of property and drug delinquency. The presence of CU traits strengthened the relation between exposure and violent delinquency; however, affective empathy decreased the strength of the relation. These findings demonstrate the potential relevance of the association between emotionality and violence perpetration among adolescents who are indirectly exposed to violence.
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