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The current study extended previous research on self-compassion and health behaviours by examining the associations of self-compassion to bedtime procrastination, an important sleep-related behaviour. We hypothesized that lower negative affect and adaptive emotion regulation would explain the proposed links between self-compassion and less bedtime procrastination. Two cross-sectional online studies were conducted. Study 1 included 134 healthy individuals from the community (mean age 30.22, 77.4% female). Study 2 included 646 individuals from the community (mean age 30.74, 68.9% female) who were screened for the absence of clinical insomnia. Participants in both studies completed measures of self-compassion, positive and negative affect and bedtime procrastination. Participants in study 2 also completed a measure of cognitive reappraisal. Multiple mediation analysis in study 1 revealed the expected indirect effects of self-compassion on less bedtime procrastination through lower negative affect [ b  = − .09, 95% CI = (− .20, − .02), but not higher positive affect. Path analysis in study 2 replicated these findings and further demonstrated that cognitive reappraisal explained the lower negative affect linked to self-compassion [ b  = − .011; 95% CI = (− .025; − .003)]. The direct effect of self-compassion on less bedtime procrastination remained significant. Our novel findings provide preliminary evidence that self-compassionate people are less likely to engage in bedtime procrastination, due in part to their use of healthy emotion regulation strategies that downregulate negative mood.

The purpose of this study was to examine associations between multidimensional perfectionism and anxiety across the school year in a sample of first-generation high school students (i.e., neither parent completed post-secondary school). Three competing theoretical models were tested (i.e., the vulnerability model, in which perfectionism predicts increased psychopathology; the scar model, in which psychopathology predicts increased levels of perfectionism; and the reciprocal-causality model, in which perfectionism and psychopathology predict each other over time). The sample included 148 high school students (44% boys) between the ages of 13 and 18 (M = 14.90 years; SD = 1.29) who were surveyed at the beginning and end of the school year. Using a half-longitudinal design with latent cross-lagged analyses, results indicated that greater anxiety predicted higher levels of self-oriented perfectionism over time, after accounting for age, sex, emotional stability, and conscientiousness. Findings support the scar model whereby psychopathology predicts perfectionism in first-generation youth.

This study investigated the longitudinal associations among prenatal substance use, socioeconomic adversity, parenting (maternal warmth, sensitivity, and harshness), children's self-regulation (internalization of rules and conscience), and conduct problems from infancy to middle childhood (Grade 2). Three competing conceptual models including cascade (indirect or mediated), additive (cumulative), and transactional (bidirectional) effects were tested and compared. The sample consisted of 216 low-income families (primary caretaker and children; 51% girls; 74% African American). Using a repeated-measures, multimethod, multi-informant design, a series of full panel models were specified. Findings primarily supported a developmental cascade model, and there was some support for additive effects. More specifically, maternal prenatal substance use and socioeconomic adversity in infancy were prospectively associated with lower levels of maternal sensitivity. Subsequently, lower maternal sensitivity was associated with decreases in children's conscience in early childhood, and in turn, lower conscience predicted increases in teacher-reported conduct problems in middle childhood. There was also a second pathway from sustained maternal depression (in infancy and toddlerhood) to early childhood conduct problems. These findings demonstrated how processes of risk and resilience collectively contributed to children's early onset conduct problems.

In this study, we sought to examine associations between dimensions of trait perfectionism and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among a community sample of adults who experienced at least one traumatic event and determine whether the associations between trait perfectionism dimensions and PTSD symptomatology varied as a function of perceived control. A sample of 161 (57% women; M  = 33.24 years, SD = 10.84 years) community adults who experienced at least one traumatic event in their lives completed self-report measures of trait perfectionism, perceived control, personality, and PTSD symptomatology. Results from multiple regression analyses indicated that socially prescribed perfectionism was associated with higher levels of PTSD symptomatology. However, this finding was qualified by a significant interaction with perceived control such that higher levels of socially prescribed perfectionism were associated with greater PTSD symptomatology only under conditions of low perceived control. Findings underscore the importance of individual differences in socially prescribed perfectionism and perceived control for PTSD symptomatology.

Converging evidence indicates that the high prevalence of perfectionism and associated pressures to be perfect among adolescents constitute a growing societal problem, especially given concerns about the mental health of young people. This qualitative study sought to understand how adolescent perfectionists recruited from the community define and think about perfectionism. Semistructured interviews were completed with 46 self-identified adolescent perfectionists (Mage = 16.33 years, SD = 1.93; 44 females, 2 males). Analyses yielded new key insights about how adolescent perfectionists define and think about perfectionism. Themes that emerged confirmed the multidimensionality of perfectionism and associated self-evaluative, self-presentational, and cognitive tendencies. Unique themes included the role of social comparison and the commitment to perfectionism despite recognizing the costs. The picture that emerged from this work is that perfectionism is exceptionally complex at the construct level and has elements that account for the heterogeneity that exists among adolescents who all share the self-identified label of being \"a perfectionist.\" Most notably, this work highlights the importance of understanding the need to be perfect and how perfectionism goes well beyond striving for excellence. The implications of this work are considered in terms of assessment, prevention, and practice. Des preuves convergentes indiquent que la forte prévalence du perfectionnisme et les pressions associées pour être parfait chez les adolescents constituent un problème sociétal croissant, en particulier compte tenu des préoccupations concernant la santé mentale des jeunes. Cette étude qualitative visait à comprendre comment les adolescents perfectionnistes recrutés dans la communauté définissent le perfectionnisme et ce qu'ils en pensent. Des entretiens semi-structurés ont été menés auprès de 46 adolescents perfectionnistes auto-identifiés (Âge médian = 16,33 ans, É.-T. = 1,93 ; 44 filles, 2 garçons). Les analyses ont permis de dégager de nouvelles idées clés sur la façon dont les adolescents perfectionnistes définissent le perfectionnisme et ce qu'ils en pensent. Les thèmes qui ont émergé ont confirmé la multidimensionnalité du perfectionnisme et des tendances associées d'auto-évaluation, d'autoprésentation et de cognition. Parmi les thèmes uniques, on trouve le rôle de la comparaison sociale et l'engagement envers le perfectionnisme malgré la reconnaissance des coûts. L'image qui ressort de ces travaux est que le perfectionnisme est exceptionnellement complexe au niveau des constructions et possède des éléments qui expliquent l'hétérogénéité qui existe parmi les adolescents qui partagent l'étiquette de « perfectionniste ». Plus particulièrement, ce travail souligne l'importance de comprendre le besoin d'être parfait et comment le perfectionnisme va bien au-delà de la recherche de l'excellence. Les implications de ces travaux sont considérées en matière d'évaluation, de prévention et de pratique. Public Significance Statement In this study, 46 teenage perfectionists provided detailed descriptions of what perfectionism means to them in their own words. Findings illustrated that the label of being \"a perfectionist\" is not one-size-fits-all for teens, such that teenagers identified 11 different characteristics of perfectionism. Results of this study also underscored the importance of understanding that perfectionism goes well beyond striving for excellence and is instead experienced by teens as a compulsive need to be absolutely flawless.

Many studies on prenatal tobacco exposure (PTE) effects have relied on single item retrospective measures of PTE. However, it is unclear how these single item measures may relate to more intensive maternal self-reports and to biological markers of maternal use and/or fetal exposure. It is also unclear whether these measures may be more valid predictors of fetal growth (gestational age, birthweight, head circumference, and birth length). Data were obtained from 258 women during their pregnancy. PTE was assessed by four methods: a single item question, a calendar-based self-report measure from each trimester of pregnancy, maternal salivary cotinine assays, and nicotine and metabolites in infant meconium. We hypothesized that the more intensive measures and biological assays would account for additional variance in birth outcomes, above and beyond the single item measure. The single item self-report measure was not related to fetal growth. However, the more intensive calendar based self-report measure and the biological assays of PTE (ie, maternal salivary assays and infant meconium) were significant predictors of poor fetal growth, even with the single item measure in the model. The negative effects of PTE on important child outcomes may be greatly underestimated in the literature as many studies use single item self-report measures to ascertain PTE. Whereas more intensive self-report measures or biological assays may be cost prohibitive in large scale epidemiological studies, using a combination of measures when possible should be considered given their superiority both identifying prenatal smokers and predicting poor fetal growth. The present work underscores the importance of measurement issues when assessing associations between PTE and fetal growth. Results suggest that we may be greatly underestimating the negative effects of prenatal smoking on fetal growth and other important child outcomes if we rely solely on restricted single item self-report measures of prenatal smoking. Researchers should consider more intensive prospective self-report measures and biological assays as viable and superior alternatives to single item self-report measures.

Previous research on parent‒child relationships has focused more extensively on younger, school-aged children and adolescents, with mothers receiving more attention than fathers. In addition, there has been a greater focus on problematic parenting (e.g., helicopter parenting) and less research on supportive forms of parenting that can promote positive outcomes during emerging adulthood. The current study utilized the framework of self-determination theory to examine the association between positive parenting and well-being in a sample of emerging adults. Specifically, we examined the associations between positive maternal and paternal parenting approaches and emerging adults’ basic psychological needs and well-being, with a focus on emerging adults of diverse ethnicities. Our primary hypotheses were that positive parenting would have significant: (a) direct associations with emerging adults’ basic psychological needs and (b) indirect associations with emerging adults’ well-being through their basic psychological needs. The participants were 1209 emerging adults aged 18–22 years ( M  = 19.27; SD  = 1.53). The results revealed that parenting had significant positive direct effects on emerging adults’ basic psychological needs and indirect associations with their well-being. These findings suggest that positive parenting continues to play an important role in emerging adulthood and highlight the need to work with emerging adults and their parents to establish strategies to support positive parenting that meet psychological needs during this time of life. Highlights Mothers and fathers make significant and unique contributions to emerging adults’ basic psychological needs. Among a diverse sample of emerging adults in North America, the satisfaction of emerging adults’ basic psychological needs, including the positive contributions of both mothers and fathers, is important to their well-being and satisfaction with life.

This study examined the association between prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE) and developmental trajectories of externalizing behavior problems from 18 to 54 months of child age. A hypothesized indirect association between PCE and externalizing trajectories via maternal negative affect was also examined. Caregiving environmental risk and child sex were evaluated as moderators. This study consisted of 196 mother–child dyads recruited at delivery from local area hospitals (107 PCE, 89 non-PCE) and assessed at seven time points across the toddler to preschool periods. Results revealed no direct associations between PCE and externalizing behavior problem trajectories. However, results did indicate that PCE shared a significant indirect relationship with externalizing behavior problem trajectories via higher levels of maternal negative affect. The association between PCE and externalizing problem trajectories was also moderated by caregiving environmental risk such that PCE children in high-risk caregiving environments did not experience the well-documented normative decline in externalizing behavior problems beginning at around 3 years of age. This study suggests potential pathways to externalizing behavior problems among high-risk children.

IntroductionRecent reviews have found substantial links between a toxic childhood environment including child abuse and severe household dysfunction and adult cardiovascular disease (CVD). Collectively referred to as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), this toxic environment is prevalent among children, with recent Canadian estimates of child abuse at 27%–32%, and severe household dysfunction at 49%. Based on these prevalence rates, the potential effect of ACEs on CVD is more significant than previously thought. Yet, how ACEs amplify the risk for later CVD remains unclear. Lifestyle risk factors only partially account for this connection, instead directing attention to the interaction between psychosocial factors and physiological mechanisms such as inflammation. The Niagara Longitudinal Heart Study (NLHS) examines how ACEs influence cardiovascular health (CVH) from childhood to early adulthood. Integrating the stress process and biological embedding models, this study examines how psychosocial and physiological factors in addition to lifestyle factors explain the relationship between ACEs and CVH.MethodsThis follow-up study combines three baseline studies from 2007 to 2012 that collected CVH measures including child blood pressure, heart rate, left ventricular structure and function, arterial stiffness indices and baroreflex sensitivity on 564 children. Baseline data also include anthropometric, biological, lifestyle, behavioural, and psychosocial measures that varied across primary studies. Now over 18 years of age, we will recruit and retest as many participants from the baseline studies as possible collecting data on ACEs, CVH, anthropometric, lifestyle and psychosocial measures as well as blood, saliva and hair for physiological biostress markers.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval has been received for the NLHS follow-up. Written consent to participate in the follow-up study is obtained from each participant. Results testing all proposed hypotheses will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

No abstract available Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel