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The immune system and neuroinflammation are now well established in the aetiology of neurodegeneration. Previous studies of transcriptomic and gene association studies have highlighted the potential of the 2′–5′ oligoadenylate synthetase 1 (OAS1) to play a role in Alzheimer's disease. OAS1 is a viral response gene, interferon-induced, dsRNA activated enzyme, which binds RNase L to degrade dsRNA, and has been associated with COVID-19 response. This study explores whether a viral defence gene could play a vital role in neurodegeneration pathology. The genotyping of five SNPs across the OAS1 locus was conducted in the Brains for Dementia Research (BDR) Cohort for association with AD. RNA-sequencing data were explored for differences in OAS1 gene expression between phenotypes and genotypes. Finally, levels of dsRNA were measured in control cell lines, prior to and after exposure to amyloid oligomers and in cells harbouring a dementia-relevant mutation. No association of any of the OAS1 SNPs investigated were associated with the AD phenotype in the BDR cohort. However, gene expression data supported the previous observation that the minor allele haplotype was associated with higher levels of the OAS1 gene expression and the presence of an alternative transcript. Further to this, the presence of endogenous dsRNA was found to increase with exposure to amyloid oligomers and in the cell line with a dementia-relevant mutation. The data presented here suggest further exploration of the OAS1 gene in relation to dementia is warranted. Investigations of whether carriers of the protective OAS1 haplotype lower dsRNA presence and in turn lower inflammation and cell death are required to support the role of the gene as a moderator of neurodegeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood maltreatment (CM) is a risk factor for developing and maintaining depression. It is unclear whether CM influences the effect of treatments for depression. This study examined CM's predictor and moderator effect in Behavioral Activation (BA) and Metacognitive Therapy (MCT). CM was analyzed in a trial comparing a six months treatment program of either BA or MCT for 122 outpatients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Depression was assessed by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD-24). CM was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Linear mixed models showed no predictor or moderator effects for the CTQ total score (all p >.58) but revealed a moderator effect for 'sexual abuse' on the reduction of depressive symptoms (β = 10.98, SE = 4.48, p =.015) indicating that patients with experiences of childhood sexual abuse benefited more from BA. There also was a predictor effect for 'physical neglect' (β = −3.35, SE = 1.70, p =.049): patients without the experience of physical neglect benefited more from treatment regardless of condition. Exploratory analyses indicated no predictor or moderator effects for the onset or persistence of depression, comorbid anxiety disorders or Cluster-C PDs (all p >.28). Limitations include small sample sizes for some of the subsamples. Childhood sexual abuse seems to moderate treatment effectiveness in a sample of severely affected outpatients with MDD treated with MCT or BA. If confirmed in further trials, a history of sexual abuse might guide the choice between MCT and BA. German Clinical Trials Register DRKS-ID: DRKS00011536 (retrospectively registered on February 13, 2017, without changes to the study protocol). • Childhood maltreatment is common in patients with major depressive disorder. • The impact of childhood maltreatment on treatment outcomes is unclear. • Patients who were sexually abused in childhood benefited more from BA, patients without such experiences more from MCT. • Patients without experience of childhood physical neglect benefited more from treatment regardless of condition. • Knowing which type of therapy is best for which patient may help improve treatment in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Learning analytics has received increasing attention in the field of education. However, few studies have investigated the overall impact of learning analytics interventions on learning achievements. This study aims to close this research gap and examine the sizes of the overall effects of learning analytics interventions on learning achievements according to research conducted from 2012 to 2021. In total, 33 empirical studies including 3098 participants were synthesized in the present meta-analysis. The findings revealed that learning analytics interventions had a large effect size on learning achievements. Furthermore, the impacts of 13 moderator variables were analyzed in depth. The results indicated that sample levels, learning domains, learning approaches, learning analytics technologies, and learning analytics metrics significantly moderated the effectiveness of learning analytics interventions. These findings and their implications for the use of learning analytics interventions were discussed in depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is effective in reducing depressive symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Understanding for whom and how MBCT works may allow for improvements in treatment allocation and effectiveness. In this study, our aim was to investigate depressive rumination, content‐independent perseverative thinking, mindfulness skills, and self‐compassion as potential moderators and mediators of MBCT. Methods: In this non‐randomized controlled trial, patients with persistent (n = 53) or recurrent MDD with (n = 31) or without (n = 51) a current depressive episode were assigned to an intervention (MBCT plus treatment as usual [TAU], n = 94) or control group (TAU only, n = 40) based on the time between the date of inclusion and the start of MBCT. Assessments were carried out before, halfway, and after 8 weeks of MBCT + TAU or TAU. Latent growth models were employed to examine moderation, while cross‐lagged structural equation models were used to assess the mediating effects of several possible mediators of MBCT‐induced change in depressive symptoms and overall functional impairment. Results: MBCT + TAU was more effective in reducing depressive symptoms (and overall functional impairment than TAU with a medium [d = −0.54] and small [d = 0.44] effect size, respectively). Higher baseline levels of rumination and perseverative thinking and lower levels of self‐compassion moderated the effect of MBCT on depressive symptoms and overall functional impairment. Task‐based negative intrusive thoughts moderated the effects of MBCT on overall functional impairment. No mediators were established, particularly due to a lack of effect of MBCT on all assessed mediators at mid‐treatment. For interpretative purposes, a sample split (based on Johnson–Newman values) showed moderate‐to‐large effects in depressive symptom reduction for those with high rumination, high perseverative thinking, and low self‐compassion, while negative‐to‐small nonsignificant effects were found for the opposite traits. Conclusion: In the future, MBCT allocation based on levels of rumination and self‐compassion might lead to a more efficient reduction in depressive symptoms. Directions for mediation analysis within the context of MBCT for depression are discussed. Preregistration: This study was initially preregistered in the Dutch National Trial Register (NL7842). However, due to the NTR no longer being available since June 2022, the trial was reregistered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05802966, dd 09‐Apr‐2023). The statistical analysis plan was adjusted after the start of the trial but before the finalization of data collection (NCT05802966; ClinicalTrials.gov). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A carbamate surfactant was synthesized using octadecanol polyoxyethylene ether(AEO) and isocyanatoethyl methacrylate(IEM) as functional monomers. Subsequently, active-carbamate-surfactant-modified PER nanomicrospheres were prepared through two-phase aqueous dispersion polymerization, utilizing acrylamide (AM), 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS), and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as raw materials. The microstructures and properties of the nanomicrospheres were characterized and examined using infrared spectroscopy, nanolaser particle size analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, rheometry, rotating drop ultra-low interfacial tensiometry, and core-driven experiments. The results revealed that the synthesized PER nanomicrospheres exhibit a uniform particle size distribution, with an average particle size of 336 nm. Furthermore, the nanomicrospheres exhibit a thermal decomposition temperature of 278℃, demonstrating good thermal stability. The nanomicrospheres also exhibit favorable expansion and viscoelastic properties. Upon the injection of 3wt.% of the PER nanomicrospheres into a non-homogeneous core, the blocking rate (η) reaches 90.32%, while the recovery rate increases by 30.2%. This improvement is attributed to the unique structural design of the nanomicrospheres, allowing them to form a thin film at the three-phase oil–water-rock interface and promoting oil emulsification and stripping. Overall, the PER nanomicrospheres effectively control fluid dynamics within reservoirs, mitigate the loss of oil and gas resources, enhance the economic benefits of oil and gas fields, and thus demonstrate good application prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How do play and playfulness contribute to adult mental health? We evaluated empirical evidence from 20 psychological interventions through a lens emphasizing playfulness in participants and playing processes as a putative change agent. We found (1) preliminary evidence supporting play as a causal agent of positive changes in adult mental health, likely via two mechanisms—as a mediator and as a medium, and (2) limited, unclear evidence surrounding the moderating effect of participant playfulness on intervention effectiveness. Our findings highlight the need for more rigorous quantitative assessment of play-related processes and health outcomes, and a clearer trait-state distinction when examining playfulness as an intervention outcome. We call for greater theoretical integration and a more holistic, developmentally-sensitive approach, emphasizing understanding boundary-crossing change mechanisms to harness play's transformative, therapeutic power for improving adult health and wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe treatment field of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a n-γ mixed field. In the Osaka University BNCT project, a material-filtered radio-photoluminescence glass dosimeter (RPLGD) was proposed for the simultaneous measurement of neutron and gamma-ray doses. In this study, to validate the material-filtered RPLGD, various types of n-γ mixed fields are designed by irradiating different moderator assemblies with a D-D neutron source at the OKTAVIAN facility, Osaka University, Japan. The n-γ mixed fields are classified into fast neutron–, epithermal neutron–, or thermal neutron–dominated fields and a gamma-ray-only field with the specific characteristics as follows: (1) the dose ratios of gamma ray to neutron are 1.0% to 977.0% for the fast neutron–dominated field, 5.0% to 921.1% for the epithermal neutron–dominated field, 0.7% to 946.3% for the thermal neutron–dominated field, and 11880.6% for the gamma-ray-only field; (2) the proportions of fast, epithermal, and thermal neutron doses to total neutron dose are 98.4% to 100.0% for the fast neutron–dominated field, 74.0% to 85.4% for the epithermal neutron–dominated field, and 90.1% to 90.8% for the thermal neutron–dominated field, respectively; and (3) the maximum gamma-ray energy is up to 12 MeV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urethane surfactants (REQ) were synthesized with octadecanol ethoxylate (AEO) and isocyanate methacrylate (IEM). Subsequently, reactive-carbamate-surfactant-modified nanomicrospheres (PER) were prepared via two-phase aqueous dispersion polymerization using acrylamide (AM), 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA). The microstructures and properties of the nanomicrospheres were characterized and examined via infrared spectroscopy, nano-laser particle size analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and in-house simulated exfoliation experiments. The results showed that the synthesized PER nanomicrospheres had a uniform particle size distribution, with an average size of 336 nm. The thermal decomposition temperature of the nanomicrospheres was 278 °C, and the nanomicrospheres had good thermal stability. At the same time, the nanomicrospheres maintained good swelling properties at mineralization < 10,000 mg/L and temperature < 90 °C. Under the condition of certain permeability, the blocking rate and drag coefficient gradually increased with increasing polymer microsphere concentration. Furthermore, at certain polymer microsphere concentrations, the blocking rate and drag coefficient gradually decreased with increasing core permeability. The experimental results indicate that nanomicrospheres used in the artificial core simulation drive have a better ability to drive oil recovery. Compared with AM microspheres (without REQ modification), nanomicrospheres exert a more considerable effect on recovery improvement. Compared with the water drive stage, the final recovery rate after the drive increases by 23.53%. This improvement is attributed to the unique structural design of the nanorods, which can form a thin film at the oil–water–rock interface and promote oil emulsification and stripping. In conclusion, PER nanomicrospheres can effectively control the fluid dynamics within the reservoir, reduce the loss of oil and gas resources, and improve the economic benefits of oil and gas fields, giving them a good application prospect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multisite cluster randomized trials (MCRTs), in which, the intermediate-level clusters (e.g., classrooms) are randomly assigned to the treatment or control condition within each site (e.g., school), are among the most commonly used experimental designs across a broad range of disciplines. MCRTs often align with the theory that programs are delivered at a cluster-level (e.g., teacher professional development) and provide opportunities to explore treatment effect heterogeneity across sites. In designing experimental studies, a critical step is the statistical power analysis and sample size determination. However, the statistical tools for power analysis of moderator effects in three-level MCRTs are not available. In this study, we derived formulas for calculating the statistical power and the minimum detectable effect size difference (MDESD) with confidence intervals for investigating the effects of various moderators in three-level MCRTs. We considered the levels of the moderators (level-1, −2, and −3), the scales of the moderators (binary and continuous), and random and nonrandomly varying slopes of the (moderated) treatment effects. We validated our formulas through Monte Carlo simulations. Finally, we conclude with directions for future work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of the thermalized flux calculation that incorporate radiative capture reactions in the presence and absence of polyethylene blocks that form an enclosure for a deuteron-deuteron (D-D) neutron generator are presented. This method can be used to measure the moderated neutron flux component in a mixture of moderated and primary neutron spectra. Using 20-cm-thick polyethylene blocks to surround a D-D neutron generator, the moderation of primary neutrons was investigated using nine indium foils. In this paper, the relationship between the moderated neutron flux and the radiative capture rates in the presence and absence of polyethylene blocks is derived. This is compared to a MCNP simulation and a calculation of modulated flux that ignore the primary neutron components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After decades of research and debates about whether perfectionism is healthy or unhealthy, the Model of Excellencism and Perfectionism (MEP) recently differentiated between people striving for high standards (excellence strivers) and those pursuing perfectionistic standards (perfection strivers). In this study, we devised and tested an interpretational framework of nine scenarios to help determine whether perfectionism is beneficial, unneeded, or harmful by comparing the outcomes of excellence and perfection strivers. In a cross-sectional study with university students (N = 271; Study 1), we found that perfection strivers savor positive school events less and have greater dropout intentions than excellence strivers. In a prospective/longitudinal design with college-aged athletes (N = 296; Study 2), perfectionism was associated with higher athletic achievement. However, perfection strivers who failed to attain their goals experienced lower savoring and enjoyment than excellence strivers. Our findings highlighted the value of our interpretational scenarios as a hub to facilitate the comparison of MEP findings, while showing how to test MEP hypotheses with five popular statistical analyses. Furthermore, the MEP Shiny App is a valuable contribution to expedite the process of comparing the outcomes of excellence and perfection strivers. Overall, this research forged a substantive-methodological pathway that strengthens and enhances the practicality of the MEP. Plain language summary: Many people aspire to achieve excellence without ever trying to attain perfection. Excellence and perfection are different endpoints that set the tone for distinct aiming, striving, phenomenological experiences, and outcomes. A recent theory introduced the concept of excellencism in order to differentiate individuals striving for high yet flexible standards (referred to as excellence strivers) from those who relentlessly and inflexibly chase perfection (known as perfection strivers). In the current research, our overarching goal was to enhance theory with a new framework that would make it easier for researchers to use the Model of Excellencism and Perfectionism (MEP). To achieve our goal, we conducted two studies with cross-sectional and longitudinal methods with university students (Study 1, N = 271) and college-aged athletes (Study 2, N = 296). We created the online MEP Shiny App (https://model-of-excellencism-and-perfectionism.shinyapps.io/Shiny%5fVersion2/) to simplify the process of testing and interpreting the differences between excellence and perfection strivers. Our findings underscored the importance of separating excellencism and perfectionism. In Study 1, perfection strivers savored positive school events less and had greater dropout intentions than excellence strivers. In Study 2, perfectionism was associated with higher goal attainment in sports. However, perfection strivers who failed to attain their goals experienced less savoring and enjoyment than excellence strivers. The positive sports experiences of perfection strivers depended on whether or not they attained their goals. Perfectionism is tricky and can be interpreted as a double-edged sword. It can be seen as beneficial, unneeded, or harmful depending on which outcomes and contexts researchers are looking at. Our findings highlighted the value of our newly proposed interpretational scenarios to make the MEP more accessible to other researchers and practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the wide‐ranging negative consequences of nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI), there are few evidence‐based treatments for NSSI among adolescents and little is known about what treatments that work best for whom. The objective of this study was to investigate moderators (i.e., for whom a specific treatment works) and predictors (i.e., factors associated with treatment outcome independent of treatment type) of treatment outcome in a randomized clinical trial comparing internet‐delivered emotion regulation individual therapy for adolescents (IERITA) plus treatment as usual (TAU) to TAU alone. Methods: Adolescents (N = 166; mean [SD] age = 15.0 [1.2] years) with NSSI disorder were randomized to IERITA plus TAU (n = 84) or TAU‐only (n = 82). Adolescent emotion regulation difficulties, suicidality, NSSI frequency, depressive symptoms, sleep difficulties, global functioning, and age, and parental invalidation, were measured pre‐treatment and investigated as moderators and predictors of treatment outcome (i.e., NSSI frequency during treatment and for 4 weeks post‐treatment). A zero‐inflated negative binomial generalized linear mixed effects regression model was used to estimate the rate of NSSI change as a function of both treatment condition and moderator/predictor. Results: No significant moderators of treatment outcome were found. Parental invalidation was a significant predictor of treatment outcome regardless of treatment condition, such that high levels of parental invalidation pre‐treatment were associated with a less favorable NSSI frequency. Conclusions: We did not find evidence of a differential treatment effect as a function of any of the examined client factors. Future research should investigate moderation in larger samples and with sufficient statistical power to detect moderation effects of smaller magnitude. Results suggest that parental invalidation may have a negative impact on treatment response and highlight the importance of further investigating parental invalidation in the context of NSSI treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drug addiction is a significant public health concern, and aggression is common among people with drug addiction. Despite mounting evidence showing that the Dark Triad is a risk factor for aggression, the mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying this relationship are less known. This study tested the mediation effect of self-control in the association between the Dark Triad and aggression and whether this mediation was moderated by physical exercise. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two compulsory drug rehabilitation centers in Nanning, China. A convenience sample of 564 drug abstainers completed a questionnaire to assess their Dark Triad, self-control, aggression, and physical exercise levels. Mediation and moderation analyses were carried out in SPSS macro-PROCESS. Results: Self-control partially mediated the positive association between the Dark Triad and aggression. Physical exercise moderated the indirect effect of the Dark Triad on aggression via self-control, with the effect decreasing with the increase in physical exercise levels. Conclusions: This study offers fresh insights into the underlying mediating and moderating mechanisms between the Dark Triad and aggression. The findings provide important practical implications for future intervention and prevention programs to address aggression among drug abstainers, which may be realized through strengthening self-control and physical exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Extending working lives due to labour market and pension regulations makes maintaining and promoting work ability necessary. The coronavirus pandemic has shown that employees in low-skilled jobs (no qualification required) contribute significantly to society and the economy. Research on these employees has been neglected in Germany for many decades despite demanding working conditions. Therefore, we investigate the relationship between low-skilled jobs and work ability. Moreover, we explore this relationship's variation by psychosocial work demands and resources. Methods: We use two waves of the German Study on Mental Health at Work (S-MGA). We calculate Ordinary-Least-Squares (OLS) regression models with pooled data (n = 6,050) to analyse the relationship between job requirement level and work ability. We also explore the contribution of job demands and resources on this relationship with interaction models. We use the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ), to assess psychosocial work demands and resources. Results: Employees performing low-skilled jobs report significantly less work ability than those in medium- or high-skilled jobs. Interaction models show significantly greater work ability for employees in medium- and high-skilled jobs with high influence on their work (amount or tasks). Unexpectedly, employees in low-skilled jobs have lower work ability with more influence on their work. Furthermore, high role clarity, describing responsibility, authority and work goals, is associated with lower levels of work ability among employees in low-skilled jobs. Conclusions: The moderating effect of role clarity on the work ability of employees in low-skilled jobs can possibly be attributed to skills mismatch and limited responsibility, as well as a lack of self-perceived collective purpose of the job. The moderation of the influence on work dimension supports results of previous studies. Too much job autonomy can have negative effects under certain circumstances and is therefore perceived as a job demand in some studies. Consequently, mechanisms concerning psychosocial work demands and resources must be investigated in further studies with different theoretical approaches. The imbalance of job demands and resources shows that employers should invest in preserving the work ability to prevent early exit from the labour market in an aging society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the relationships among hotel employees' resilience, job satisfaction, and work engagement. It also explores the mediating role of job satisfaction and the moderating role of hotel employees' work experience. The hypotheses are examined using data collected from 454 employees working in 4- and 5-star hotels in major cities in Thailand, including Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket. Findings highlight the significant effect of resilience on the job satisfaction and work engagement of employees. Job satisfaction is confirmed as a mediator, while work experience is a moderator that increases the influence of resilience on the job satisfaction of senior hotel employees. The discussions and implications of the research findings are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the early impact of a community-based food intervention, the Good Food Junction (GFJ), a full-service grocery store (September 2012 – January 2016) in a former food desert in Saskatoon, Canada. The hypothesis tested was that frequent shopping at the GFJ improved food security and selected health-related outcomes among shoppers, and the impact was moderated by socioeconomic factors. Longitudinal data were collected from 156 GFJ shoppers, on three occasions: 12-, 18-, and 24-months post-opening. Participants were grouped into three categories based on the frequency of shopping at the GFJ: low, moderate, and high. A generalized estimating equations approach was used for model building; moderating effects were tested. Participants were predominantly female, Indigenous, low-income, and had high school or some post-secondary education. The GFJ use was associated with household food security (OR for high and moderate frequency shoppers reporting less than a high school education were 1.81 and 1.06, respectively), and mental health (OR for high and moderate frequency shoppers reporting high income were 2.82 and 0.87, respectively) exhibiting a dose-response relationship, and indicated that these outcomes were significantly moderated by participants' socioeconomic factors. Shopping at the GFJ had a positive effect on food security and mental health, but to varying levels for those with low incomes, with less than high school or high school or better levels of education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic headache disorders are disabling. The CHESS trial studied the effects of a short non-pharmacological intervention of education with self-management support for people affected by migraine and/or tension type headache for at least 15 days per month for at least three months. There were no statistically significant effects on the Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6) at 12-months. However, we observed improvement in pain self-efficacy questionnaire (PSEQ) and short-term HIT-6. We explored the impact of the CHESS intervention on PSEQ, and subsequently, on the HIT-6 and chronic headache quality of life questionnaire (CH-QLQ) at four, eighth and 12 months. Methods: We included all 736 participants from the CHESS trial. We used simple linear regression models to explore the change of HIT-6 and CH-QLQ with treatment and PSEQ at baseline (predictor analysis), and the interaction between treatment and baseline PSEQ (moderator analysis). We considered the change of PSEQ from baseline to four months as a mediator in the mediation analysis. Results: Baseline PSEQ neither predicted nor moderated outcomes. The prediction effect on change of HIT-6 from baseline to 12 months was 0.01 (95% CI, -0.03 to 0.04) and the interaction (moderation) effect was −0.07 (95% CI, -0.15 to 0.002). However, the change of PSEQ from baseline to 4-month mediated the HIT-6 (baseline to 8-, and 12-month) and all components of CH-QLQ (baseline to 8-, and 12-month). The CHESS intervention improved the mediated variable, PSEQ, by 2.34 (95% CI, 0.484 to 4.187) units and this corresponds to an increase of 0.21 (95% CI, 0.03 to 0.45) units in HIT-6 at 12-months. The largest mediated effect was observed on the CH-QLQ Emotional Function, an increase of 1.12 (95% CI, 0.22 to 2.20). Conclusions: PSEQ was not an effective predictor of outcome. However, change of short-term PSEQ mediated all outcomes, albeit minimally. Future behavioural therapy for chronic headache may need to consider how to achieve larger, and more sustained increases level of self-efficacy than that achieved within the CHESS trial. Trial registration: ISRCTN79708100. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While negative life events (NLEs) have been linked to an increased risk of sleep disturbance among adolescents, the mechanisms of this impact still lack further examination. The current study aimed to explore whether intolerance of uncertainty (IU), a dispositional transdiagnostic vulnerability factor for psychopathology, could act as a mediator and/or moderator in the link from NLEs to sleep disturbance. A longitudinal nested subsample of 54,240 Chinese adolescents (aged 9–19) were surveyed at baseline (Timepoint 1) and six months later (Timepoint 2). They completed questionnaires to assess their IU, NLEs, sleep disturbance and sociodemographic characteristics. Mediation and moderation analyses were conducted to test our hypotheses. Upon adjusting for covariates, IU was found to mediate the relationship between NLEs and residual changes in sleep disturbance over a six-month period, with the mediation effect accounting for 31.8%. Additionally, the moderating role of IU in this relationship was also identified, suggesting that a high level of IU exacerbated the effect of NLEs on sleep disturbance. In conclusion, our findings shed light on the dual roles of IU in the link from NLEs to sleep disturbance, holding significant practical implications for preventing and intervening in sleep disturbance among adolescents. To mitigate the risk of sleep disturbance among adolescents experiencing NLEs, timely assessments of IU and tailored interventions to enhance uncertainty tolerance are necessary. • IU could magnify the effects of NLEs on sleep disturbance. • NLEs could strengthen IU, thereby doing harm to sleep. • The dual roles of IU need attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Digital interventions show promise as an effective prevention or self‐management option for eating disorders (EDs). However, it remains unclear how, for whom, and through what mechanisms they work in this population, as a synthesis of outcome predictors, moderators, and mediators is lacking. This systematic review synthesized empirical research investigating predictors, mediators, and moderators of response to digital interventions for EDs. Method: Six databases were searched (PROSPERO CRD42022295565) for studies that assessed predictors, moderators, or mediators of response (i.e., uptake, drop‐out, engagement, and symptom level change) to a digital prevention or treatment program for EDs. Variables were grouped into several overarching categories (demographic, symptom severity, psychological, etc.) and were synthesized qualitatively across samples without a formally diagnosed ED (typically prevention‐focused) and samples with a formally diagnosed ED (typically treatment‐focused). Results: Eighty‐six studies were included. For studies recruiting samples without a formal diagnosis (n = 70 studies), most predictors explored were statistically unrelated to outcome, although participant age, baseline symptom severity, confidence to change, motivation, and program engagement showed preliminary evidence of prognostic potential. No robust moderators or mediators were identified. Few studies recruiting samples with a formal diagnosis emerged (n = 16), of which no reliable predictors, moderators, or mediators were identified. Discussion: It remains unclear how, for whom, and under what circumstances digital programs targeting EDs work. We offer several recommendations for future research with the aim of advancing understanding of client characteristics and intervention elements that signal success from this intervention modality. Public Significance: Digital interventions have shown potential as an effective, scalable, and accessible intervention option for EDs. However, responsiveness varies, so advancing understanding of predictors, mediators, and moderators of outcome to digital interventions for EDs is needed. Such knowledge is important for enabling safe and efficient treatment matching, and for informing future development of effective digital interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractMultisite trials that randomize individuals (e.g., students) within sites (e.g., schools) or clusters (e.g., teachers/classrooms) within sites (e.g., schools) are commonly used for program evaluation because they provide opportunities to learn about treatment effects as well as their heterogeneity across sites and subgroups (defined by moderating variables). Despite the rich opportunities they present, a critical step in ensuring those opportunities is identifying the sample size that provides sufficient power to detect the desired effects if they exist. Although a strong literature base for conducting power analyses for the moderator effects in multisite trials already exists, software for power analysis of moderator effects is not readily available in an accessible platform. The purpose of this tutorial paper is to provide practical guidance on implementing power analyses of moderator effects in multisite individual and cluster randomized trials. We conceptually motivate, describe, and demonstrate the calculation of statistical power and minimum detectable effect size difference (MDESD) using highly accessible software. We conclude by outlining guidelines on power analysis of moderator effects in multisite individual randomized trials (MIRTs) and multisite cluster randomized trials (MCRTs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There exists little empirical evidence helping clinicians to select the most effective treatment for individual patients with persistent depressive disorder (PDD). This study identifies and characterizes subgroups of patients with PDD who are likely to benefit more from an acute treatment with psychotherapy than from pharmacotherapy and vice versa. Non-medicated outpatients with PDD were randomized to eight weeks of acute treatment with the Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP; n = 29) or escitalopram plus clinical management (ESC/CM; n = 31). We combined several baseline variables to one composite moderator and identified two subgroups of patients: for 56.0%, ESC/CM was associated with a greater reduction in depression severity than CBASP, for the remaining 44.0%, it was the other way around. Patients likely to benefit more from ESC/CM were more often female, had higher rates of moderate-to-severe childhood trauma, more adverse life events and more previous suicide attempts. Patients likely to benefit more from CBASP were older, had more often an early illness onset and more previous treatments with antidepressants. Symptomatic response, remission, and reductions in symptom severity occurred more often in those patients treated with their likely more effective treatment condition. The findings suggest that the baseline phenotype of patients with PDD moderates their benefit from acute treatment with CBASP relative to ESC/CM. Once confirmed in an independent sample, these results could serve to guide the choice between primarily psychotherapeutic or pharmacological treatments for outpatients with PDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The 8-week Micronutrients for ADHD in Youth (MADDY) randomized controlled trial (N = 126, age 6-12) of broad-spectrum multinutrients for ADHD with emotional dysregulation found 3 times as many responders with multinutrients (54%) compared to placebo (18%) by Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I). Our primary aim for this analysis tests the hypothesis that those with poor overall diet quality at baseline benefit more. The second aim is to explore whether specific components of diet quality moderate treatment response. Methods: 124 children (69 multinutrients, 55 placebo) had diet quality assessed using the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015). For each potential moderator, the outcome CGI-I at week 8 (RCTend), was modeled two ways: (1) as a dichotomous variable: responder/non-responder, with responders defined by a rating of 1 or 2 'very much' or 'much improved,' all else equals nonresponder using logistic regression, and (2) as a dimensional improvement outcome from 1 = very much improved to 7 = very much worse, using linear regression. Results: HEI-2015 total score did not moderate treatment response [odds ratio = 1.00 (95% CI: 0.90,1.10), p = 0.984] or improvement [ß = -0.01 (95% CI: -0.06,0.04), p = 0.648]. However, total vegetable intake moderated level of improvement in exploratory analysis [ß = -0.48 (95% CI: -0.82, -0.13), p = 0.007]: those with higher baseline vegetable intake showed greater benefit from multinutrients compared to placebo. Conclusions: Multinutrients may benefit children with ADHD and irritability regardless of overall diet quality. The finding that higher baseline vegetable intake may improve response to multinutrients deserves further exploration, including dietary effect on gut microbiota and absorption of multinutrients and parental factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social norm-based messages have been widely used for persuasion. However, the current trend that research focuses on using social norm theories rather than theorizing about social norms may hinder theory advancement. Although there are efforts theorizing moderators in norm–behavior relationship, the empirical studies testing the theories have yielded mixed findings, and the unclear focus on social norm-based messages versus perceived norms may impede theorizing the communication process regarding social norm-based persuasion. To bridge this gap, our study takes an inductive approach based on 85 studies to create a framework of moderators in social norm-based message persuasiveness. The framework identifies five factors moderating the effect of descriptive norm messages on behavioral intentions and two factors for injunctive norm messages. This framework lays a foundation for theorizing the mechanism of social norm-based message persuasiveness, highlights empirically supported conditions for message persuasiveness, and offers practical implications for designing targeted social norm-based messages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research suggests that maternal parenting stress is a significant predictor of social-emotional problems in children. However, little is known regarding the mother-child relationship and the effect of maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on this association. Three waves of longitudinal panel data were collected from 2893 Chinese preschoolers with a follow-up interval of 6 months. The mothers of preschoolers were asked to complete anonymous questionnaires concerning demographic variables, maternal ACEs and parenting stress in Wave 1, mother-child relationships in Wave 2, and children's social-emotional problems in Wave 3. The parallel mediation model was conducted to analyze the mediating role of three dimensions of mother-child relationships, and the moderation model was conducted to examine the moderating role of maternal ACEs. The results showed that maternal parenting stress predicted children's social-emotional problems directly or indirectly through the mother-child relationship, with an intimate mother-child relationship mediating this main effect negatively but a conflicted and dependent mother-child relationship mediating this main effect positively. In addition, moderating results indicated that the main effect of maternal parenting stress on children's social-emotional problems was more marked among participants with at least one maternal ACEs than those without maternal ACEs. Furthermore, the moderating effect was only detected in children whose mothers had a high school education or less. The subjectivity of mothers' reports may somewhat reduce the credibility due to the possible overestimation or underestimation of children's social-emotional problems. These findings provide new evidence for the effects of maternal parenting stress on children's social-emotional development and highlight the need for more attention to children with mothers having ACE exposure, lower educational level and poor parent-child relationships. • There is a paucity of literature assessing social-emotional problems in Chinese preschool children. This study assessed social-emotional development in preschool children in Anhui Province, China, using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire: Social Emotions, Second Edition (ASQ:SE2), which has been shown to be a standard screening tool to identify children who may have delayed or atypical social-emotional development. • This study is the first to examine the mediating role of mother-child relationships and the moderating role of maternal ACEs on the association between maternal parenting stress and children's social-emotional developmental problems in a sample of Chinese preschoolers, which has important implications for exploring the complex and diverse family environmental risk factors that impede children's social-emotional development. • By using a stratification strategy of maternal literacy to examine the interaction between maternal parenting stress and ACE, this study helps identify an important risk group of mothers with high ACE exposure and low educational attainment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the sustained and moderating effects of a behavioural sleep intervention for autistic children in a randomised controlled trial. Autistic children (5–13 years) with sleep problems were randomised to the Sleeping Sound intervention or Treatment as Usual (TAU). At 12-month follow-up (n = 150), caregivers of children in the Sleeping Sound group reported greater reduction in child sleep problems compared to TAU (p <.001, effect size: − 0.4). The long-term benefits of the intervention were greater for children taking sleep medication, children of parents who were not experiencing psychological distress, and children with greater autism severity. The Sleeping Sound intervention demonstrated sustained improvements in child sleep. Identified moderators may inform treatment by indicating which subgroups may benefit from further support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychological interventions have demonstrated effectiveness in treating perinatal depression (PND), but understanding for whom, how and under what conditions they improve symptoms in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is largely unknown. This review aims to synthesise current knowledge about predictors, moderators and mediators of psychological therapies to treat PND in LMICs. Five databases were searched for studies quantitatively examining the effects of at least one mediator, moderator or predictor of therapies for PND in LMICs. The review sampled seven publications evaluating findings from randomised trials conducted in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The small number of included studies limited generalisability of findings. Analyses of trials with acceptable quality suggest that patient activation in Pakistan and social support in both India and Pakistan may mediate psychotherapy effectiveness, higher baseline depression severity may moderate treatment response in South Africa, and shorter depression duration at baseline may moderate intervention response in India. This review highlights current gaps in evidence quality and the need for future trials exploring PND psychotherapy effectiveness in LMICs to follow reporting guidelines to facilitate appropriate predictor, moderator and mediator analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arguments about the associations between child maltreatment and empathy remain controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to estimate the direction and magnitude of the relationships between child abuse and neglect and empathy. Four English databases (Web of Science, PsycInfo, PubMed, and Cochrane Library), three Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and Weipu), and grey literature were systematically searched. We extracted data related to the associations between child maltreatment and empathy and pooled them using random effects models. A total of 24 eligible studies involving 22,580 participants and 176 estimates were included in the analyses. Overall, child maltreatment was significantly related to reduced empathy ( r _ = −0.15, 95% CI [−0.17, −0.13]). Specifically, the rank-order mean effect size of subtypes of maltreatment on empathy is: emotional neglect ( r _ = −0.18, 95% CI [−0.25, −0.12]) > physical neglect ( r _ = −0.16, 95% CI [−0.23, −0.09]) > emotional abuse ( r _ = −0.15, 95% CI [−0.21, −0.10]) > physical abuse ( r _ = −0.12, 95% CI [−0.17, −0.07]) > sexual abuse ( r _ = −0.07, 95% CI [−0.14, −0.01]). Furthermore, the meta-regression results suggested that the aggregated associations between child maltreatment and empathy were not inflated by publication bias, but they were moderated by the age of respondents, sample size, publication language, empathy measurement, and maltreatment type. The results indicate that general maltreatment and its subtypes are associated with reduced empathy. Parent training and empathy enhancement programs should be designed to help children with a history of childhood maltreatment, respectively, from an early stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Narcissistic individuals have a strong desire for attracting short-term mates, being influential in groups, and attaining prestige and material wealth. Past research suggests that narcissistic individuals are also quite successful in attaining these outcomes and these effects are due to narcissists' grandiose self-image and admiration-seeking tendency (i.e., admiration component of narcissism). In the current research, we investigated whether the effects of narcissistic admiration are moderated by specific qualities that are helpful for attaining the respective outcomes. Specifically, we tested whether physical attractiveness moderates the effect of narcissistic admiration on short-term mate appeal, whether intelligence and socio-emotional abilities moderate the effect on social influence, and whether intelligence moderates the effects on occupational prestige and material wealth. Analyzing data from a speed-dating study (Study 1, N = 397), a round-robin laboratory study (Study 2, N = 256), and a panel study representative of the German population (Study 3, N = 1,477), we found that narcissistic admiration and the respective qualities predicted the outcomes, but in most cases, their interactions were non-significant. There was one exception: Narcissistic admiration interacted with verbal intelligence in the sense that the effects of narcissistic admiration on occupational prestige and material wealth were more positive, the higher verbal intelligence was. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to apply psychological strain theory to explore the relationship between psychological strain and suicidality among Chinese young adults with a moderating effect of perceived social support. A questionnaire was administered with the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire‐Revised, and Psychological Strain Scale among 13,250 college students across China. The main determinants of suicidal behavior were examined with multiple linear regression. Two steps of multiple regression were employed to define the moderating effect of social support. A positive relationship between psychological strain and suicidality was reported in the study, and social support was confirmed as a moderating factor between psychological strain and suicidal behavior. Practitioner points: Psychological strain is positively associated with suicidal behavior among Chinese young adults.Social support is negatively related to both psychological strain and suicidal behavior among Chinese young adults.Social support acts as a moderator of the adverse effect of psychological strain on suicidal behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine how social support might moderate the relationship between intrinsic capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) based on the buffering model of social support. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with a sample of 1181 Chinese community-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 60 years in 2016. Social support was assessed using the Social Support Rating Scale. Intrinsic capacity was assessed using the revised integrated care for older people screening tool. HRQoL was measured by the 12-item Short Form Health Survey. Hierarchical linear regression analysis was implemented to test the moderating effect of social support. Results: Support utilization attenuated the relationship between lower intrinsic capacity and poor physical HRQoL while subjective support attenuated the relationship between lower intrinsic capacity and poor mental HRQoL. However, objective support had no significant moderating effect on the relationship between intrinsic capacity and specific domains of HRQoL. Conclusion: The moderating effects of social support on the association between intrinsic capacity and HRQoL vary by support types. Effective interventions should target the perception and utilization of available support among older adults with lower intrinsic capacity to maintain their physical and mental HRQoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High baseline pain self-efficacy (PSE) predicts a better outcome for people attending physiotherapy for musculoskeletal shoulder pain. A potential contributing factor is that PSE moderates the relationship between some treatment modalities and outcome. Our aim was to investigate whether there is a difference in outcome between participants with high compared to low PSE receiving manual therapy, acupuncture, and electrotherapy. Methods: Participants were stratified into high or low baseline (i) PSE, (ii) shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI), and (iii) did or did not receive the treatment. Whether the effect of treatment differs for people with high compared to low PSE was assessed using the 95% confidence interval of the difference of difference (DoD) at a 5% significance level (p < 0.05). Results: Six-month SPADI scores were consistently lower (less pain and disability) for those who did not receive passive treatments compared to those who did (statistically significant less pain and disability in 7 of 24 models). However, DoD was statistically insignificant. Conclusion: PSE did not moderate the relationship between treatment and outcome. However, participants who received passive treatment experienced equal or more pain and disability at 6 months compared to those who did not. Results are subject to confounding by indication but do indicate the need for further appropriately designed research. Level of Evidence: Level of evidence II-b. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the relations among perceived chronic social adversity, hope and suicidal ideation among Chinese college students. 535 college students completed the Perceived Chronic Social Adversity Questionnaire (PCSAQ), the Suicidal Ideation Scale (SIS), and the Revised Adult Dispositional Hope Scale (RADHS). The results showed that perceived chronic social adversity was positively associated with suicidal ideation, and hope was negatively associated with suicidal ideation. The results also confirmed that hope negatively moderated the relationship between perceived chronic social adversity and suicidal ideation. Further study showed that there was a significant positive relation between perceived chronic social adversity and suicidal ideation under the low hope level, however, there was a non-significant relation between perceived chronic social adversity and suicidal ideation under the high hope level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depressive and anxiety symptoms in adolescents have experienced increase their risk of peripheral mental health and social problems. For adolescents, the role of family environmental factors should be taken into consideration. This study aimed to explore the association between resilience and depressive and anxiety symptoms in adolescents and to extend the findings by examining the moderating effects of family environment. A total of 35,573 adolescents in middle schools were recruited in China. Childhood abuse, resilience, and symptoms of depression and anxiety were evaluated in adolescents. We found a significant association between resilience and symptoms of depression and anxiety [OR = 0.976 (0.975–0.978), P < 0.001; OR = 0.980 (0.978–0.981), P < 0.001]. The adjusted ORs (95 % CIs) for mental health across the categories of resilience were as follows: 1 (reference) for low resilience, 0.660 (0.620–0.703) for medium resilience, 0.309 (0.286–0.333) for high resilience. The relationship between resilience and depressive symptoms was stronger for girls, non-only children, and those without child abuse experience compared to boys, only child, and those with child abuse experience (all p < 0.05). Our findings of a nationally representative sample in China suggest that gender, only child, parent-child relationship and child abuse moderated the relationship between resilience and symptoms of depression and anxiety. • 35,573 middle school students were recruited in China. • Resilience was strongly associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety. • Examining the moderating effects of family environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this review was to identify and critically appraise predictors and moderators of outcomes of psychological and pharmacological treatments for late-life anxiety disorders. Their identification may guide the development of personalised treatments for older people with anxiety disorders. Web of Science, PsychINFO, CINAHL, Embase, and Pubmed were searched for studies published up to 12 May 2022. Randomised controlled trials and observational studies reporting treatment predictors and moderators were included. Participants with a diagnosis of any anxiety disorder who were aged over 60 years were included. Treatment outcomes included response, remission, and change in anxiety score. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-three out of 49 predictors or moderators assessed at post-treatment, and 14 out of 33 predictors or moderators assessed at follow-up were statistically significant. Only one predictor, baseline worry severity at post-treatment, was reported in at least three studies. Most studies were rated as having a low risk of bias in at least three areas and satisfied important quality criteria for predictor and moderator analyses. Samples were predominantly white, female and highly educated, and most studies were secondary analyses. There is evidence that baseline worry severity appears to predict treatment outcome in late-life anxiety disorders. However, this was only explored in psychological intervention studies and therefore its predictive ability in pharmacotherapy remains unknown. Future research should explore predictors and moderators in a range of anxiety disorders and design methodologically-strong and adequately-powered studies with the primary aim of assessing predictors of treatment outcomes. • Identifying predictors/moderators of treatment outcome may aid clinical decisions. • No previous systematic reviews have examined these in late-life anxiety disorders. • Thirteen studies were identified that assessed treatment predictors/moderators. • Only baseline anxiety severity predicted treatment outcome in ≥three studies. • Further adequately powered studies of treatment predictors/moderators are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Insomnia is associated with fatigue, but it is unclear whether response to cognitive behaviour therapy for insomnia is altered in individuals with co‐occurring symptoms of insomnia and chronic fatigue. This is a secondary analysis using data from 1717 participants with self‐reported insomnia in a community‐based randomized controlled trial of digital cognitive behaviour therapy for insomnia compared with patient education. We employed baseline ratings of the Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire to identify participants with more or fewer symptoms of self‐reported chronic fatigue (chronic fatigue, n = 592; no chronic fatigue, n = 1125). We used linear mixed models with Insomnia Severity Index, Short Form‐12 mental health, Short Form‐12 physical health, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale separately as outcome variables. The main covariates were main effects and interactions for time (baseline versus 9‐week follow‐up), intervention, and chronic fatigue. Participants with chronic fatigue reported significantly greater improvements following digital cognitive behaviour therapy for insomnia compared with patient education on the Insomnia Severity Index (Cohen's d = 1.36, p < 0.001), Short Form‐12 mental health (Cohen's d = 0.19, p = 0.029), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (Cohen's d = 0.18, p = 0.010). There were no significant differences in the effectiveness of digital cognitive behaviour therapy for insomnia between chronic fatigue and no chronic fatigue participants on any outcome. We conclude that in a large community‐based sample of adults with insomnia, co‐occurring chronic fatigue did not moderate the effectiveness of digital cognitive behaviour therapy for insomnia on any of the tested outcomes. This may further establish digital cognitive behaviour therapy for insomnia as an adjunctive intervention in individuals with physical and mental disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adding short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP) to antidepressants increases treatment efficacy, but it is unclear which patients benefit specifically. This study examined efficacy moderators of combined treatment (STPP + antidepressants) v. antidepressants for adults with depression. Methods: For this systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42017056029), we searched PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase.com, and the Cochrane Library from inception to 1 January 2022. We included randomized clinical trials comparing combined treatment (antidepressants + individual outpatient STPP) v. antidepressants in the acute-phase treatment of depression in adults. Individual participant data were requested and analyzed combinedly using mixed-effects models (adding Cochrane risk of bias items as covariates) and an exploratory machine learning technique. The primary outcome was post-treatment depression symptom level. Results: Data were obtained for all seven trials identified (100%, n = 482, combined: n = 238, antidepressants: n = 244). Adding STPP to antidepressants was more efficacious for patients with high rather than low baseline depression levels [ B = −0.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.61 to −0.37, p < 0.0001] and for patients with a depressive episode duration of >2 years rather than <1 year (B = −0.68, 95% CI −1.31 to −0.05, p = 0.03) and than 1–2 years (B = −0.86, 95% CI −1.66 to −0.06, p = 0.04). Heterogeneity was low. Effects were replicated in analyses controlling for risk of bias. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study that examines moderators across trials assessing the addition of STPP to antidepressants. These findings need validation but suggest that depression severity and episode duration are factors to consider when adding STPP to antidepressants and might contribute to personalizing treatment selection for depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Externalizing problems are a key predictor of individual functioning in adulthood. Therefore, identifying possible risk factors for externalising problems is valuable for optimising prevention and treatment programmes. Previous research has shown that (domains of) neuropsychological functioning predict externalising problems later in life. However, the influence of callous traits, and sex as potential moderators in this relation remains unclear. The aim of this study was to examine associations between neuropsychological functioning in children (at age 8 years) and later externalising behaviour in adolescence (at age 14 years), as well as to test the role of callous traits (at age 10 years) and sex as moderating factors. The analyses were conducted using data from 661 Dutch children from the population-based Generation R Study (47.2% female). We found no association between neuropsychological functioning and later externalising behaviour. However, callous traits predicted externalising problems at age 14 years. Further, callous traits moderated the association between neuropsychological functioning and externalising behaviour, though this association dropped below the statistical significance level when adjusted for confounders. Specifically, while higher neuropsychological functioning was associated with more externalising behaviour in children with high callous traits, lower neuropsychological functioning was not associated with externalising behaviour in children with low callous traits. Although boys showed significantly higher externalising behaviours compared to girls, no moderating effect of sex was found on the association between neuropsychological functioning and externalising behaviour. These results add to a growing body of evidence supporting a distinct neurocognitive profile in children with high vs low callousness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the relevance of cognitive processes such as rumination, worry, negative metacognitive beliefs in emotional disorders, the existing literature about how these cognitive processes moderate the effect of treatment in treatment outcomes is limited. The aim of the present study was to explore the potential moderator effect of baseline cognitive processes—worry, rumination and negative metacognitive beliefs—on the relationship between treatment allocation (transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioural therapy —TD-CBT plus treatment as usual—TAU vs. TAU alone) and treatment outcomes (anxiety and depressive symptoms, quality of life [QoL], and functioning) in primary care patients with emotional disorders. A total of 631 participants completed scales to evaluate worry, rumination, negative metacognitive beliefs, QoL, functioning, and anxiety and depressive symptoms. Worry and rumination acted as moderators on the effect of treatment for anxiety (b = −1.25, p =.003; b = −0.98, p =.048 respectively) and depressive symptoms (b = −1.21, p =.017; b = −1.34, p =.024 respectively). Individuals with higher baseline levels of worry and rumination obtained a greater reduction in emotional symptoms from the addition TD-CBT to TAU. Negative metacognitive beliefs were not a significant moderator of any treatment outcome. The study assesses cognitive processes over a relatively short period of time and uses self-reported instruments. In addition, it only includes individuals with mild or moderate anxiety or depressive disorders, which limits generalization to other populations. These results underscore the generalization of the TD-CBT to individuals with emotional disorders in primary care with different cognitive profiles, especially those with high levels of worry and rumination. • Examined cognitive processes as a moderator of treatment outcome. • Initial higher levels of worry and rumination amplified symptoms reduction. • Negative metacognitive beliefs were not a significant moderator. • Results underline the relevance of psychological therapy for emotional disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zirconium carbide (ZrC) is a candidate material for advanced high temperature reactors, including space nuclear thermal propulsion applications. Thermal scattering laws (TSLs) are generated in the incoherent approximation for carbon bound in ZrC [C(ZrC)] and zirconium bound in ZrC [Zr(ZrC)], using ab initio lattice dynamics methods. Disordered alloy theory is introduced to improve treatment of isotopic composition within the elastic scattering cross section. Localized higher-energy vibrational modes and the presence of a phonon band gap in C(ZrC) cause quantized oscillation in the TSL atypical of nonhydrogenous solids. These oscillations yield a significant likelihood of large energy downscattering and upscattering interactions such that the quanta of energy transfer affecting neutron thermalization is substantially greater than classically expected. MC21 critical mass calculations of ZrC mixtures with high-enriched uranium demonstrate an impact of TSLs when compared to a free-gas treatment for thermal neutron–driven 235U loadings. The critical mass of homogenous mixed moderator systems of ZrC and reactor-grade graphite are also sensitive to the ZrC TSL. Moreover, the effect of quantized energy exchange on the neutron spectra is found to influence the temperature feedback coefficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global pandemic has caused a great problem to the psychological well-being of people around the world. Iran is one of the most affected countries in pandemic situation. Resilience is the most common outcome after life-threatening events. In fact, studies have proven that positive emotions such as gratitude and resilience were able to improve well-being. This study used the theory of broaden-and-build to explore the association of gratitude, resilience, and well-being among Iranian adults during the pandemic. The convenience sampling method was utilized to recruit 441 Iranian adults aged between 18 to 35 years. The data was analyzed using Structural Equation Modelling using SmartPLS. The results supported the role of gratitude and resilience in improving the well-being of Iranian adults. Besides, the results supported the role of resilience as the moderator for the effect of gratitude on well-being. The findings of this study may have implications for mental health professionals and policymakers to promote gratitude and resilience intervention to increase positive emotions and well-being in young adults in this time of need and help society to be prepared for challenging times of adversity in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have shown that physical appearance perfectionism could play an important role in social physique anxiety; however, the moderating role of body compassion has not been studied. The current study aims to explore the moderating role of body compassion in the relationship between physical appearance perfectionism and social physique anxiety in undergraduate students. Methods: A sample of 418 undergraduates (n = 418; 217 female and 201 males) from three universities in Tehran, Iran completed online questionnaires measuring physical appearance perfectionism, body compassion and social physique anxiety. Results: The results of structural equation modeling showed that physical appearance perfectionism (β = 0.68, p < 0.001) positively predicted the social physique anxiety and body compassion negatively predicted (β = −.56, p < 0.001) the social physique anxiety in undergraduate students. A multi-group analysis showed that body compassion acted as a moderator between physical appearance perfectionism and social physique anxiety. Conclusions: The results suggested that individuals with greater levels of physical appearance perfectionism are more likely to experience social physique anxiety. Also, the results suggested that individuals who were at a high level of the body-compassion group experienced lower levels of social physical anxiety if they also had high levels of physical appearance perfectionism. Therefore, body-compassion acted as a protective role in the relationship between physical appearance perfectionism and social physique anxiety. Plain English summary: Anxiety over one's physical appearance in social situations is known as social physique anxiety. One of the variables that plays an important role social physique anxiety is physical appearance perfectionism. General perfectionism, body dissatisfaction, the symptoms of eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia and obsessive exercise are all linked to physical appearance perfectionism. The results of the current study showed individuals with high levels of physical appearance perfectionism are more likely to experience social physique anxiety. In the current study, we tested the moderating role of self-compassion in the relationship between physical appearance perfectionism and social physique anxiety. Body compassion is characterized by diffusion, common humanity, and acceptance of one's own body as opposed to being judgmental, critical, isolated, and over-identifying with unpleasant experiences and emotions. The findings showed in the group with high body- compassion, the relationship between physical appearance perfectionism and social physique anxiety was not significant, which means that body-compassion played a buffering role in this relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Professional jockeys experience high rates of concussion, workplace stress, and poor mental health. The present cross-sectional study, for the first time, concurrently assessed the potential interplay between concussion history and workplace stress with current depression symptoms. Method Seventy-two professional flat-track jockeys (male = 49, female = 23) were grouped based on self-reported concussion history (CG; n  = 56) and those who did not report a concussion history (NCG; total n  = 16). Analyses featured both between (CG vs NCG) and within group (CG only) assessment on self-reported measures of workplace stress and depression symptoms (affect, daily functioning). Results Jockeys in the CG had more symptoms of negative affect than the NCG. This association, however, was nonsignificant after covarying for age, gender, and workplace stress. Higher workplace stress (p  = .005) and gender (p  = .001) were associated with poorer daily functioning after controlling for concussion history (CG vs. NCG) and age. Gender moderated the association between concussion group and poorer daily functioning (β = −18.739, t (71) = −2.924, p  = .005), with the difference between CG and NCG significant for females, but not males (β = 33.648, t (71) = 3.420, p  = .001). Conclusions The findings provide preliminary evidence that previously concussed females may be more likely to report poorer daily functioning than males with a history of concussion, and that workplace stress may reduce the association between a history of concussion and depression symptoms. Prospective studies are required to validate and extend these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consistent hearing aid use is essential for spoken language development of children who are hard of hearing. A recent randomised controlled trial of an eHealth hearing aid management education program found the intervention increased knowledge, perceptions, confidence, and device monitoring among parents of young children. Yet, it is not known which variables can be a point of emphasis to improve treatment outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate potential moderators and predictors in the eHealth program. Randomised controlled trial Parents (N = 78) of children (42 months or younger) were randomised to the intervention or treatment-as-usual (TAU) group. Results revealed that high psychological inflexibility, low parent activation, and low hours of hearing aid use may moderate device monitoring frequency and knowledge; parents in the intervention improved over time compared to the TAU group. Psychological inflexibility and parent activation also predicted treatment outcomes. The findings suggest the need to address parent psychological inflexibility related to hearing loss management, parents' role in their child's hearing aid management, and reported hours of hearing aid use as part of hearing aid service delivery. Identification of barriers to hearing aid management can assist audiologists in adjusting support to improve outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Categorical moderators are often included in mixed‐effects meta‐analysis to explain heterogeneity in effect sizes. An assumption in tests of categorical moderator effects is that of a constant between‐study variance across all levels of the moderator. Although it rarely receives serious thought, there can be statistical ramifications to upholding this assumption. We propose that researchers should instead default to assuming unequal between‐study variances when analysing categorical moderators. To achieve this, we suggest using a mixed‐effects location‐scale model (MELSM) to allow group‐specific estimates for the between‐study variance. In two extensive simulation studies, we show that in terms of Type I error and statistical power, little is lost by using the MELSM for moderator tests, but there can be serious costs when an equal variance mixed‐effects model (MEM) is used. Most notably, in scenarios with balanced sample sizes or equal between‐study variance, the Type I error and power rates are nearly identical between the MEM and the MELSM. On the other hand, with imbalanced sample sizes and unequal variances, the Type I error rate under the MEM can be grossly inflated or overly conservative, whereas the MELSM does comparatively well in controlling the Type I error across the majority of cases. A notable exception where the MELSM did not clearly outperform the MEM was in the case of few studies (e.g., 5). With respect to power, the MELSM had similar or higher power than the MEM in conditions where the latter produced non‐inflated Type 1 error rates. Together, our results support the idea that assuming unequal between‐study variances is preferred as a default strategy when testing categorical moderators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the relationship between regulatory focus and creativity in combination with adaptive‐innovative cognitive style and school climate. A total of 687 middle school and high school students (Mage = 13.98 years; 52.8% males) completed a creative task and questionnaires concerning regulatory focus, adaptive‐innovative cognitive style, school climate, and creativity. Structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that promotion focus positively predicted creativity through innovative style and negatively predicted creativity through adaptive style, and prevention focus negatively predicted creativity through adaptive style. SEM also showed that school climate strengthened the positive association between promotion focus and innovative style and inhibited the positive association between prevention focus and adaptive style. Furthermore, conditional process analysis suggested that school climate moderated the mediating effect of adaptive‐innovative cognitive style in the relationship between regulatory focus and creativity, that is, the negative prediction of promotion focus for creativity through adaptive style occurred only when school climate was at a low level. Adaptive‐innovative cognitive style mediated the association between regulatory focus and creativity. School climate moderated not only the association between regulatory focus and adaptive‐innovative cognitive style but also the mediating effect of adaptive‐innovative cognitive style in the association between regulatory focus and creativity. Practitioner points: Adaptive‐innovative cognitive style mediated the relationship between regulatory focus and creativity.School climate strengthened the positive association between promotion focus and innovative style and inhibited the positive association between prevention focus and adaptive style.School climate strengthened the positive predictive effect of promotion focus on creativity through innovative cognitive style and inhibited the negative predictive effect of prevention focus on creativity through adaptive cognitive style. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Although the short-video-based application TikTok and its AI-enhanced technology have achieved enormous success and reshaped the user experience, few studies have focused on the user experience in the TikTok context. This study adopts a technology affordance theory lens to identify the main mechanisms contributing to the user experience in the short-video platform context while including user experience level and video length as moderating effects. Design/methodology/approach: This study collected 401 valid questionnaires from TikTok users and used the structural equation modeling approach to examine the proposed research model. Findings: Three technology affordances (perceived effortlessness, perceived recommendation accuracy, and perceived recommendation serendipity) contribute to TikTok users' optimal flow experience. Multi-group analysis results further indicate that individuals react differently to the same stimuli as their experience level increases. Finally, video length critically influences the impact of technology affordances on users' cognitive responses. Originality/value: As a burgeoning industry, the mechanisms enabling short-video platforms to engage users remain unclear to practitioners and researchers. Thus, this study's technology affordance lens provides necessary insights into how TikTok's innovative and advanced technologies contribute to user flow experience from a context-dependent perspective. Furthermore, given that most existing studies have neglected possible variations in user preferences when investigating the effects of technology, this study enriches the existing literature by employing user experience level and video length as moderators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to explore the potential moderating effect of foreign language anxiety (FLA) on the relationship between second language (L2) competence and willingness to communicate (WTC) in 129 Chinese study-abroad English learners in Belgium. Descriptive analyses revealed fairly low levels of FLA and high levels of WTC of the participants. Furthermore, correlation analyses confirmed strong links between L2 competence (including overall competence and listening, speaking, reading, and writing competence) and WTC of Chinese study-abroad learners beyond the classroom context. More importantly, hierarchical regression analyses confirmed that FLA moderated the relationships between overall competence and WTC, between reading competence and WTC, and between writing competence and WTC, whereas it did not moderate the relationships between listening competence and WTC, and between speaking competence and WTC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxytocin, popularly known as the "social hormone", has wide implications for the regulation of socially relevant cognitions, emotions and behaviors. Individual differences in oxytocin may be relevant to mental health treatment outcomes, given the centrality of the therapeutic relationship in psychotherapy. This systematic review aimed to synthesize findings from psychotherapy studies that examined oxytocin measurement and augmentation methods and their association with treatment outcomes. The methodology was preregistered in the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/xtyvc/?view%5fonly=2bc37dc0b2cd41f8939e2964bd8b884f). Five databases were searched on 30th of March 2023 (PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Medline, PsycINFO). Eligible studies were assessed for risk of bias and findings were summarized using narrative synthesis and vote counting methods. Overall, 24 studies (n=881 participants) including experimental and observational designs and covering various diagnostic groups were reviewed. Findings from 9 studies (n=406) indicate that oxytocin measures were associated with psychotherapy treatment outcomes for depression, and oxytocin-augmentation improved depression outcomes. Results regarding other mental disorders were mixed and inconclusive. Current evidence indicates that oxytocin-augmented psychotherapy for depression warrants further research. Currently there is not sufficient evidence to draw firm conclusions regarding the clinical relevance of oxytocin in the context of other disorders. Key limitations are the lack of meta-analytic synthesis and small sample sizes for primary studies. • Baseline measures of oxytocin, reactivity and synchrony are associated with depression treatment outcomes. • Oxytocin-augmented psychotherapy for depression warrants further research. • There was no consistent evidence to draw any firm conclusions about the relevance of oxytocin in the psychological treatment of other mental health problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to explore the association between stressful life events and coronary plaque vulnerability, and examine the moderating effects of psychological distress and physiological indices. A total of 311 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) completed Life Events Scale, Zung Self-Rating Depression and Anxiety Scales. Plaque vulnerability was assessed by in vivo optical coherence tomography (OCT). The regression analysis showed that that stressful life events were independent predictors of plaque vulnerability including lipid-rich plaque (OR = 1.018, 95% CI = 1.005, 1.031, p = 0.005), thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) (OR = 1.038, 95% CI = 1.025, 1.051, p < 0.001), rupture (OR = 1.025, 95% CI = 1.013, 1.037, p < 0.001) and thrombus (OR = 1.030, 95% CI = 1.012, 1.048, p = 0.001). The moderated mediation model revealed that there were significant indirect effects of stressful life events on TCFA through total cholesterol, and the path between stressful life events and TCFA can be moderated by depression. Stressful life events increase the risk of vulnerable plaque in ACS patients. The relationship could be moderated by depression and mediated by physiological indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Internet-cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) for depression can include multiple components. This study explored depressive symptom improvement prognostic factors (PFs) and effect modifiers (EMs) for five common iCBT components including behavioural activation, cognitive restructuring, problem solving, self-monitoring, and assertion training.Methods: We used data from a factorial trial of iCBT for subthreshold depression among Japanese university students (N = 1093). The primary outcome was the change in PHQ-9 scores at 8 weeks from baseline. Interactions between each component and various baseline characteristics were estimated using a mixed-effects model for repeated measures. We calculated multiplicity-adjusted p-values at 5 % false discovery rate using the Benjamini-Hochberg procedure.Results: After multiplicity adjustment, the baseline PHQ-9 total score emerged as a PF and exercise habits as an EM for self-monitoring (adjusted p-values <0.05). The higher the PHQ-9 total score at baseline (range: 5-14), the greater the decrease after 8 weeks. For each 5-point increase at baseline, the change from baseline to 8 weeks was bigger by 2.8 points. The more frequent the exercise habits (range: 0-2 points), the less effective the self-monitoring component. The difference in PHQ-9 change scores between presence or absence of self-monitoring was smaller by 0.94 points when the participant exercised one level more frequently. Additionally, the study suggested seven out of 36 PFs and 14 out of 160 EMs examined were candidates for future research.Limitations: Generalizability is limited to university students with subthreshold depression.Conclusions: These results provide some helpful information for the future development of individualized iCBT algorithms for depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]