New Research From Clinical Psychological Science

Read about the latest research published in Clinical Psychological Science:

Quantifying Inhibitory Control as Externalizing Proneness: A Cross-Domain Model
Noah C. Venables, Jens Foell, James R. Yancey, Michael J. Kane, Randall W. Engle, and Christopher J. Patrick

The capacity to resist impulses (i.e., inhibitory control) is an individual difference that affects behavior and health. To better understand the basis of inhibitory control, the authors propose a cross-domain measurement model employing psychometric self-report measures, behavioral-task measures, and brain response measures. They tested participants in these three domains and found that the domains shared common factors and that scores on these factors were correlated. Moreover, these factors loaded onto a cross-domain inhibitory control factor, showing that self-report, behavioral-task, and brain-response measures share variance. These findings also link cross-domain indicators of inhibitory control to externalizing problems. Thus, the authors validated their multidomain model that integrates self-reported, behavioral, and neurophysiological variables. This research highlights the need for bridging different domains to effectively assess mental health problems.

Course of Adjustment Disorder Following Involuntary Job Loss and Its Predictors of Latent Change
Louisa Lorenz, Axel Perkonigg, and Andreas Maercker

Critical life events can lead to emotional and behavioral symptoms reflecting adjustment disorder. Adjustment disorder has different levels of severity, and it usually resolves within 6 months after the precipitating event. To identify the natural course of the disorder, the authors tested participants who had lost their jobs. The first assessment occurred up to 9 months after the job loss, and the second one occurred 6 months later. Participants answered a structured clinical interview and several questionnaires. The authors identified three groups reflecting low, medium, and high symptom severity. The groups with low and medium symptom severity showed a decrease in symptom severity after 6 months. But the group with high symptom severity showed an increase in symptom severity after 6 months. Female gender, older age, less social support, and impaired social functioning were associated with high symptom severity. These results show that some individuals are at higher risk of adjustment disorder and will face more severe symptoms. Thus, prevention measures targeting individuals at high risk might be beneficial.