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Justice-involved youth experience significantly higher rates of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) compared to the general population, which lead to negative outcomes such as greater criminal involvement and mental health disorders. Such effects emphasize the need to examine the role of protective factors on the development of these negative outcomes. This study uses data from 519 youth referred to a probation department in Southeast Texas to examine the effects of ACEs and the direct and mitigating effects of protective factors on a youth's criminal involvement and mental health symptoms. Results from hierarchical linear regression models emphasize the negative effects of ACEs on these outcomes, as well as the potential ceiling effect of protective factors based on ACE severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: While the lack of relation between performance- and inventory-based executive function (EF) measures is well documented, there remains ambiguity between self-report EFs and closely related constructs (e.g., impulsivity) assessed via the same method. The degree of convergence between purported EF measures with similar yet distinct constructs contain important theoretical implications for available EF assessment strategies and their construct validity. A newer measure of EF, the Behavior Regulation Inventory of Executive Functions—Adult (BRIEF-A), allows for more direct comparisons to self-reported measures of impulsivity, such as the commonly used Urgency, Planning, Perseverance, Sensation Seeking—Positive Urgency (UPPS-P) assessment. Method: The present study used factor analysis and hierarchical regression to explore the associations between the BRIEF-A and UPPS-P, using alcohol and cannabis consumption across various outcomes (i.e., quantity-frequency and consequences) as an external criterion. Participants were 339 undergraduate students (Mage = 19.35; Female = 63%) from a large southwestern university. Results: The BRIEF-A and UPPS-P demonstrated strong correlations at both higher- and lower order facets. While the BRIEF-A was a significant correlate to many substance use outcomes, these relations were generally weaker than those seen with the UPPS-P. Hierarchical regression suggested limited contributions of the BRIEF-A over and above the UPPS-P. Conclusions: Overall, this study suggested substantial overlap between impulsigenic factors and EFs when measured by self-report, and limited utility of EF measures to account for unique variance with substance use outcomes in this sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disability is an important facet of diversity. Although diversity in clinical training in health service psychology has improved considerably, training often neglects accessibility and inclusion for individuals with sensory disabilities. The limited research to date documents that trainees with sensory disabilities (TSDs) report extensive barriers and are consistently underrepresented in clinical settings. Furthermore, few resources have been developed to guide accommodating TSD in clinical training. Accordingly, our goals in this article are twofold as follows: (a) to highlight the barriers in clinical training faced by TSD and (b) to provide recommendations for trainees, supervisors, clinical leadership, and directors of clinical training to improve accessibility and inclusion for TSD. We offer vignettes to illustrate barriers faced by TSD and suggest guidelines to improve access for TSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessment is critical to health service psychology and represents a core area of coverage during doctoral training. Despite this, training practices in assessment are understudied. Accordingly, this study utilized a national sampling of students (n = 534) enrolled in an American Psychological Association-accredited health service psychology doctoral program with substantive training in clinical or counseling psychology. We asked trainees to rate their competency for instruments in which they had training. We examined trends in training experiences, including both theory-based education and applied clinical opportunities, and explored differences in instrument training trends across program type (PhD/PsyD) and program discipline (clinical/counseling). Results of this study suggest a general convergence with professional practice trends in terms of instrument coverage, less clinical training, and exposure compared with didactic methods and generally small differences across program type and discipline in perceived competence and instrument exposure. Implications for training and education in psychological assessment are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined whether childhood externalizing group subtypes were uniquely related to maternal depression and victimization and whether these subtypes differentially predicted adolescent delinquency. Data were drawn from the Longitudinal Study on Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN) consortium (N = 1091; 51.3% female, 52.2% African American). Latent class analysis indicated three groups at age 4 (titled "well-adjusted," "hyperactive/oppositional," and "aggressive/rule-breaking"). Caregiver victimization and depression significantly predicted group membership such that aggressive/rule-breaking group had higher levels of maternal depression and victimization although the well-adjusted group had higher levels of maternal victimization relative to the hyperactive/oppositional group. Further, membership in higher externalizing groups at age four is associated with greater risk of adolescent delinquency at age 16. These findings underscore the need to address maternal risk factors in the treatment of childhood disruptive behavior and provide evidence of the continuity of disruptive behaviors from early childhood to adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This cross‐sectional study examined how perceived partner drinking relates to relationship satisfaction and symptoms of anxiety and depression across romantic drinking partnerships. Participants included 239 cisgender, heterosexual undergraduate students in current romantic relationships (Mage = 19.74; 76.15% female; 87.87% White) who reported their own and their romantic partner's drinking. Associations between drinking partnerships, identified via K‐medoid cluster analysis, and internalizing symptomatology were examined utilizing hierarchical linear regression. Perceived partner drinking problems were associated with symptoms of depression but not anxiety. Two drinking quantity (concordant light, concordant heavy) and three drinking problem (concordant light, discordant female high, discordant male high) partnerships were identified. Broadly, men's anxiety and relationship satisfaction were significantly impacted by their drinking quantity and problem partnerships, respectively; this effect was not observed for women. The findings of this study extend extant research on the impact of romantic partner drinking to unmarried, collegiate emerging adults who are at an increased risk of internalizing symptomatology and alcohol use and inform conceptualization of drinking partnerships at the drinking quantity and drinking problem level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children with internalizing and externalizing difficulties are at risk for long-term negative effects in adulthood and are impacted by several caregiver factors. Findings of the present study are consistent with previous studies that found direct associations between caregiver victimization history (e.g., physical and sexual abuse) and child behavior problems. Examination of potential mechanisms revealed that caregiver everyday stress related to relationships/responsibilities (RR) served as a mediator between caregiver victimization history and increased children's internalizing symptoms. Though there may be other pathways that contribute to this relation, there does seem to be clinical and policy utility of this knowledge, particularly for at-risk families that are faced with high levels of everyday RR stress. Attenuation of this impact may be accomplished through connection to community resources such as access to family counseling to mitigate relational stress and policy addressing disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At-risk youth are more likely to engage in delinquent behaviors and be involved in the juvenile justice system (JJS). Improving outcomes for such youth increasingly include long-term administration of psychotropic medications (PM). Current research addresses short-term utility of PM, but evidence is mixed regarding long-term effectiveness. Using a large, cross-national, at-risk youth sample (n = 2065), this study examined how PM influenced total delinquent behaviors in a given year, and JJS entry, over a seven-year time period. PM treatment did not significantly decrease delinquent behaviors among youth; nor prevent entry into the JJS. Implications for policy and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is known to contribute to deficits in executive functioning (EF). Executive functioning abilities are disrupted in adolescents with either conduct disorder or oppositional defiant disorder, collectively known as disruptive behavior disorders (DBDs). There is little research on the relationship between executive dysfunction and DBDs in a group with a confirmed history of TBI. The current study endeavored to examine EF abilities, as measured by parent report on the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF), in four groups: (1) adolescents with a TBI history and co-occurring DBDs history, (2) adolescents with a TBI history and no DBDs history, (3) adolescents with an orthopedic injury (OI) history and co-occurring DBDs history, and (4) adolescents with an OI history and no DBDs history. Groups were matched on the basis of age at injury and estimated socioeconomic status. Participants were evaluated at five time-points throughout the study, within 1 month of injury (initial assessment), 3, 12, 18, and 24 months post-injury. Results indicated the TBI and DBDs group was not significantly different from the OI and DBDs group, and both DBDs groups suffered higher levels of executive dysfunction than the TBI only and OI only groups, which were not significantly different from each other. Results also showed across the four groups, EF deficits were significantly lower at 1 month and 24 months post-injury, suggesting a positive trajectory in EF skill development. Results are discussed in terms of the prognostic importance of EF deficits in children with DBDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the greatest contributing cause of death and disability among children and young adults in the United States. The current paper briefly summarizes contemporary literature on factors that can improve outcomes (i.e., promote resilience) for children and adults following TBI. For the purpose of this paper, the authors divided these factors into static or unmodifiable factors (i.e., age, sex, intellectual abilities/education, and preinjury psychiatric history) and dynamic or modifiable factors (i.e., socioeconomic status, family functioning/social support, nutrition, and exercise). Drawing on human and animal studies, the research reviewed indicated that these various factors can improve outcomes in multiple domains of functioning (e.g., cognition, emotion regulation, health and wellness, behavior, etc.) following a TBI. However, many of these factors have not been studied across populations, have been limited to preclinical investigations, have been limited in their scope or follow-up, or have not involved a thorough evaluation of outcomes. Thus, although promising, continued research is vital in the area of factors promoting resilience following TBI in children and adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Low birth weight (LBW; below 2500 grams) is a general risk factor for a variety of neurodevelopmental difficulties. However, these children may remain more vulnerable to neurologic and environmental insults occurring years later. This prospective case series reports on children who sustained a mild, moderate, or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in middle childhood but who had also been born with birth weights below 2500 grams. Participants: Participants were 14 children with mild, moderate, or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), 5 of whom had birth weights under 2500 grams (LBW) and 9 children with normal birth weight (NBW). All participants were drawn from a larger study on the long-term cognitive and behavioral impact of pediatric TBI and were matched on age, estimated socioeconomic status (SES), and severity of TBI (with NBW children actually having a slightly worse overall injury severity). Results: At baseline, both groups exhibited similar scores on WJ-R Letter Word Identification and Calculations, Tower of London number solved, and CVLT-C total correct. Baseline group differences were observed on the CELF-III Formulated Sentences (NBW > LBW) and on the VABS Adaptive Behavior Composite and Socialization subdomain (LBW > NBW). Over 2 years, relative to the NBW group, the LBW group evidenced declines on both WJ-R subtests, CVLT-C total correct, CELF-III Formulated Sentences, and VABS Adaptive Behavior Composite and Socialization. Conclusions: Although preliminary in nature due to small sample size, findings suggest a history of LBW influences the recovery trajectory following childhood TBI. Academic and adaptive functioning and verbal memory appeared particularly affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary objective: Brain structures and their white matter connections that may contribute to emotion processing and may be vulnerable to disruption by a traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurring in childhood have not been thoroughly explored. Research design and methods: The current investigation examines the relationship between diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics, including fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and 3-month post-injury performance on a task of emotion prosody recognition and a control task of phonological discrimination in a group of 91 children who sustained either a moderate-to-severe TBI ( n = 45) or orthopaedic injury (OI) ( n = 46). Main outcomes and results: Brain-behaviour findings within OI participants confirmed relationships between several significant white matter tracts in emotional prosody performance (i.e. the cingulum bundle, genu of the corpus callosum, inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF) and the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (IFOF). The cingulum and genu were also related to phonological discrimination performance. The TBI group demonstrated few strong brain behaviour relationships, with significant findings emerging only in the cingulum bundle for Emotional Prosody and the genu for Phonological Processing. Conclusion: The lack of clear relationships in the TBI group is discussed in terms of the likely disruption to cortical networks secondary to significant brain injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of the study was to examine longitudinal patterns of decision making based on risk and reward using a modified version of the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) in children who had sustained traumatic brain injury (TBI) and children with orthopedic injury (OI). Participants were 135 children and adolescents with TBI (n =71) or OI (n =64) who were 7–17 years at the time of injury were enrolled and assessed prospectively at baseline and at follow-up intervals of 3, 12, 18, and 24 months after injury. Groups were similar in age, socioeconomic status, and gender. Participants chose from four decks of cards with the aim of maximizing earnings across 100 trials. Two of the decks offered relatively small rewards and relatively small losses, but were advantageous over the course of the experiment. The other two decks offered large rewards, but also introduced occasional large losses, and were considered disadvantageous over the course of the experiment. The variable of interest was the proportion of advantageous decks chosen across trials. Longitudinal analysis of the pattern of change across 2 years revealed a three-way interaction among injury group, age, and the quadratic term of interval-since-injury. In this interaction, the effect of age weakened in the TBI group across time, as compared to the OI group, which showed stronger quadratic patterns across the recovery intervals that differed by age. The OI group generally outperformed the TBI group. In addition, analyses revealed a three-way interaction among group, gender and the cubic term of post-injury interval, such that overall, males improved a great deal with time, but females showed small gains, regardless of injury group. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: This study investigated the relationship between family functioning and performance on two tasks of emotion recognition (emotional prosody and face emotion recognition) and a cognitive control procedure (the Flanker task) following paediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) or orthopaedic injury (OI). Methods: A total of 142 children (75 TBI, 67 OI) were assessed on three occasions: baseline, 3 months and 1 year post-injury on the two emotion recognition tasks and the Flanker task. Caregivers also completed the Life Stressors and Resources Scale (LISRES) on each occasion. Growth curve analysis was used to analyse the data. Results: Results indicated that family functioning influenced performance on the emotional prosody and Flanker tasks but not on the face emotion recognition task. Findings on both the emotional prosody and Flanker tasks were generally similar across groups. However, financial resources emerged as significantly related to emotional prosody performance in the TBI group only ( p = 0.0123). Conclusions: Findings suggest family functioning variables-especially financial resources-can influence performance on an emotional processing task following TBI in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Early iron deficiency (ID) is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in both developed and developing countries. This condition has been linked to perturbations in myelin formation, alterations of monoamine neurotransmitter systems particularly in the striatum, and deficits in energy metabolism particularly in the hippocampus (HP) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) in rats. Early ID has also been traced to long-term behavioral consequences in children in domains linked to these neuropathologies. The current experiment assesses formerly iron deficient (FID) adult rats on a delayed alternation (DA) task — a procedure thought to be sensitive to PFC dysfunction. Rat dams were started on an iron deficient chow at gestational day (G) 2 and maintained on this diet until postnatal day (P) 7; behavioral training began at P 65 when animals were iron replete. FID animals exhibited accelerated acquisition (p=0.002) and fewer errors (p=0.003) on the DA task compared to controls. These findings may reflect an imbalance between hippocampal and prefrontal modulation of this behavior most likely emanating from long-term hippocampal disinhibition by early ID that persists in spite of early iron treatment from P 7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Children with closed head injuries often experience significant and persistent disruptions in their social and behavioral functioning. Studies with adults sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI) indicate deficits in emotion recognition and suggest that these difficulties may underlie some of the social deficits. The goal of the current study was to examine if children sustaining a TBI exhibit difficulties with emotion recognition in terms of emotional prosody and face emotion recognition and to determine (1) how these abilities change over time and (2) what, if any, additional factors such as sex, age, and socioeconomic status (SES) affected the findings. Results provide general support for the idea that children sustaining a TBI exhibit deficits in emotional prosody and face emotion recognition performance. Further, although some gains were noted in the TBI group over the two-years following injury, factors such as SES and age at injury influenced the trajectory of recovery. The current findings indicate the relationship between TBI and emotion recognition is complex and may be influenced by a number of developmental and environmental factors. Results are discussed in terms of their similarity to previous investigations demonstrating the influence of environmental factors on behavioral recovery following pediatric TBI, and with regard to future investigations that can further explore the link between emotion recognition deficits and long-term behavioral and psychosocial recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron deficiency (ID) is a common nutrient deficiency worldwide. This condition is linked to changes in myelin formation, dopaminergic function, and energy metabolism. Early ID results in persistent long-term cognitive and behavioral disturbances in children, despite a return to normal iron status. The present study assesses formerly ID adult rats on maze learning tasks that depend on specific brain regions related to learning, specifically the hippocampus, striatum, and amygdala. Rat dams were fed ID chow starting on gestational Day 2 through postnatal Day 7, and behavioral testing began at postnatal Day 65-following a return to normal iron status. Formerly ID rats exhibited delayed acquisition of the hippocampus-dependant task and no differences from controls on the striatum- and amygdala-dependent tasks. These findings likely reflect long-term reduction in but not abolition of hippocampus-dependent learning and preserved function in other brain structures (e.g., striatum and amygdala). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suicide is a leading cause of death worldwide. Although inconsistent, impulsivity has been identified as a risk factor for suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and these inconsistent findings can largely be attributed to varying operationalizations of impulsivity. As such, the UPPS model of impulsivity provides a clear definition of impulsivity and its associated features that may provide utility in clarifying unreliable findings between impulsivity and suicide. This review aimed to summarize relevant information pertaining to the UPPS model of impulsivity and suicide. This systematic review followed the a priori guide outlined by the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement. Articles were gathered from PsycINFO, PsycArticles, Scopus, and PubMed. Twenty-eight articles were reviewed and analyzed. Most articles reviewed reported on indirect (i.e., through mediators and moderators) associations between the UPPS dimensions and suicidal behaviors. Additionally, results noted limited between-group differences in UPPS facets among individuals with a history of suicide attempts and those without a history of suicide attempts, those with a history of suicide attempts and individuals with suicide ideation, and those with suicide ideation and those without suicide ideation, with the exception of lack of premeditation. The results of this review indicate support for the UPPS model of impulsivity as a theoretical starting point when examining the relation between impulsivity and suicide. Further, findings are helpful for clinicians and case conceptualization. Particularly, suicide risk assessment and treatment would be impacted based on impulsivity traits and suicide history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study integrates previous research on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and long-term health outcomes to examine associations between ACEs, sleep duration, and depression in a diverse, mostly healthy, sample of young adults. We examine whether sleep duration mediates the association between ACEs and depression among young adults, and whether ethnicity may moderate observed relationships between ACEs, sleep duration and depression. Data were collected from 518 young adults (66.8% female, Mage=19.79 years, SDage=3.43 years) enrolled in undergraduate Psychology courses at a large Southwestern university. Participants primarily reported their racial/ethnic background as Non-Hispanic White (60.6%) and Hispanic/Latino (25.1%). Participants self-reported their ACEs exposure, sleep characteristics, and depressive symptoms. In addition to calculating overall exposure to ACEs, scores for the specific dimensions of adversity were also calculated (Abuse, Neglect, Exposure to Violence). Results supported a mediation model whereby higher reports of ACEs were associated with depressive symptoms both directly and through sleep duration. Results were not moderated by ethnicity. Findings provide support for sleep duration as one potential pathway through which ACEs may be associated with depressive symptoms in young adulthood, and suggest that this pathway is similar in Hispanic and non-Hispanic young adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preschool children with externalizing problems are at risk for short- and long-term difficulties and preschool externalizing problems (PEP) are influenced by several caregiver factors. One such factor is caregiver adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Researchers have investigated how caregiver ACEs are related to PEP by identifying risk factors to account for this association. However, research on caregiver factors associated with fewer PEP is limited. Particularly, factors that contribute to caregiver resilience may be adaptive caregiver characteristics that negatively relate to PEP, even when adjusting for caregiver ACEs. The present study sought to address a gap in the literature by examining the impact of different types of factors that contribute to caregiver resilience (e.g., caregiver social-ecological factors or caregiver positive childhood experiences) as promotive factors of lower PEP. Participants included 125 caregiver-child dyads recruited from the community. Participating caregivers completed measures of their own and their child's demographic information, caregiver ACEs, caregiver social-ecological factors, caregiver positive childhood experiences, and PEP. Overall, positive caregiver childhood experiences (r = −0.25, p <.01), and not caregiver social-ecological factors (r = −0.13, p =.15), demonstrated a significant negative association with PEP. However, this relation became statistically non-significant when adjusting for caregiver ACEs (β = −0.12, p =.20). Given the association between caregiver ACEs and PEP, this study highlights the importance of assessing a caregiver's ACEs, specifically when working with caregivers seeking parent training for disruptive child behaviors. There should be a continued focus on ecological and family strengths and differential impacts as they relate to PEP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mentoring provides a relational intervention that can promote positive youth development among adolescents who are involved in the juvenile justice system. The perspectives of mentors engaging these youth, particularly insights considered through a cultural humility lens, have been largely absent from the literature to date. This study examined predominately White, middle‐ to upper‐class adult mentors' experiences mentoring racially diverse, working‐class youth. Semi‐structured qualitative interviews were completed with 23 mentors participating in a community‐based mentoring program. Themes were derived from inductive content analysis. Emergent themes illustrative of the mentoring process included (a) establishing a connection despite differences, (b) identifying mentees' personal and environmental challenges, and (c) raising consciousness around structural issues. Despite coming from different backgrounds and experiences, mentors who worked with justice‐involved adolescents were motivated to connect with their mentees. Mentors developed a greater awareness of structural challenges influencing adolescents by learning about the multifaceted experiences and needs of their mentees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation surveyed students (n = 91) from 16 American Psychological Association accredited doctoral programs in clinical and counseling psychology about knowledge and training in personality assessment. We report self-perceived competency on specific instruments as well as training trends in coursework and instrument exposure in clinical settings. We also evaluate skill at interpretation on a popular personality instrument using two tasks, a narrative interpretation where trainees estimate an originating score profile using a standardized interpretive report and a symptom probability task where trainees predict the likelihood of symptoms based on a score profile. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) and Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) were the most frequently trained and utilized and had the highest self-perceived competence. When given interpretation tasks to evaluate assessment skills using the MMPI-2-RF, trainee performance was variable and discrepant from a comparison expert panel given the same tasks. Overall, our results suggest that there is a need for further, and more comprehensive, study on competence and training according to the experience of trainees. We note that there is variability across instruction on instrument use, exposure to instruments in practice, and practical skill level. We highlight our findings across four conceptual areas and discuss the implications for the observed trends: frequency of instrument exposure, trainee beliefs of competence, trainee interpretation skills, and reporting of testing interpretation. This pilot study provides the first evaluation of assessment training patterns as reported by health service psychology trainees. Results indicate that, in general, trainee instrument exposure and use mirror those of practicing psychologists; however, there is notable variability in how assessment results are reported and in trainee competency. Additional research evaluating health service psychology training should utilize student participants so that direct evaluations of competency and outcomes are possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study expands upon the Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide (IPTS), examining its relationship with the need for affect (NFA), a construct explaining attitudes toward seeking both positive and negative emotions. A sample of 576 emerging adults completed measures of NFA, IPTS, suicide proneness, and demographics online. Findings include NFA accounting for a small significant amount of suicide proneness, a positive association between approaching emotions and one indicator of suicide proneness, negative association between approaching emotions and thwarted belongingness, and positive associations between avoidance of emotions with both perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. Findings are discussed concerning NFA as a theoretically and practically relevant factor for understanding suicide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Articles in this series (Callahan & Watkins, 2018a, 2018b, 2018c, 2018d) elucidate a concerning lack of research on training in the field of health service psychology. There are many factors that impact the scant evidence available, including aspects of training programs themselves, aspects of our current funding climate, the structure and influence of universities, a lack of diversity in graduate students and faculty, and the flexibility (or the perception of a lack thereof) inherent in the practice of psychology and the accrediting bodies that influence our training. There are numerous ways to improve our evidence base for training, especially those related to supporting and growing the number of researchers engaged in this area of study. Some external factors outside individual program control will likely limit the speed with which improvements can be made, but a great deal can be done within our programs to make significant changes that have the potential to influence both training and client outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This brief report summarizes the basic principles and common applications of the flipped classroom, highlighting its use in the teaching of psychology. Evidence regarding the effectiveness of the inverted teaching model is reviewed and an argument for its use within graduate-level psychology courses is provided. Two examples of graduate-level psychology courses (i.e., cognitive abilities and objective personality assessment) that incorporate elements of the flipped classroom are presented, along with suggestions for other applied courses. Finally, the authors discuss potential benefits and barriers for redesigning a traditionally formatted class to adhere to an inverted format. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers have found providing employment opportunities for ex-offenders through job training programs to be effective at reducing recidivism. Examining various community-based programs for ex-offenders can be beneficial as they may be able to provide more stable and consistent programming without relying on the justice system. This study examined employment outcomes of graduates with and without criminal histories ( n = 617) from a community-based vocational training program. Results showed that ex-offender graduates obtained employment at equal rates to nonoffender graduates and received equal pay to their nonoffender counterparts. This could indicate that for the vocationally educated ex-offender, employment outcomes may be able to equal those of other job-searching individuals with similar backgrounds but without a criminal history. Community-based programs for ex-offenders may be able to provide effective programming to improve vocational attainment within this group, thereby potentially easing the burden on criminal justice institutions as the sole provider of offender rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article investigates the traumatic brain injury (TBI)-suicide link, assessing whether (a) TBI accounts for variance in suicide risk, and (b) the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide can be applied to TBI status. Matched case-control procedures applied to archival college student health data identified TBI and non-TBI subsamples (84 total). Individuals with a TBI possessed higher suicide risk than those without. Even accounting for the relative influence of strong suicide risk factors (i.e., depression, perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and acquired capability), TBI was robustly associated with suicide risk. TBI history would be valuable to ascertain in assessing suicide risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Attaining competence in assessment is a necessary step in graduate training and has been defined to include multiple domains of training relevant to this attainment. While important to ensure trainees meet these standards of training, it is critical to understand how and if competence shapes a trainees' professional identity, therein promoting lifelong competency. Methods: The current study assessed currently enrolled graduate trainees' knowledge and perception of their capabilities related to assessment to determine if self‐reported and performance‐based competence would incrementally predict their intention to use assessment in their future above basic training characteristics and intended career interests. Results: Self‐reported competence, but not performance‐based competence, played an incremental role in trainees' intention to use assessments in their careers. Multiple graduate training characteristics and practice experiences were insignificant predictors after accounting for other relative predictors (i.e., intended career settings, integrated reports). Conclusion: Findings are discussed about the critical importance of incorporating a hybrid competency‐capability assessment training framework to further emphasize the role of trainee self‐efficacy in hopes of promoting lifelong competence in their continued use of assessments. Significance Statement: This study examines health service psychology trainees' intention to engage in psychological assessment and the incremental role of self‐reported competence. Findings highlight the significance of self‐reported competence above performance‐based competence in assessment when predicting long‐term professional identity, which in turn promotes lifelong competence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are related to a host of deleterious physical and mental health outcomes. The ACE-International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) was developed to assess categories of ACEs (e.g., sexual, emotional, and physical abuse) in internationally representative samples. Though the ACE-IQ has been used world-wide, little work has examined the structure of this measure. Further, much of the modeling techniques implemented lacked theoretical rationale. The present work used two principal components analyses (PCA) to evaluate the ACE-IQ structure using both the identified ACE categories as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) and using the ACE-IQ items as individual indicators. Using theWHOmethod, a twocomponent structure was indicated. Alternatively, a PCA of the individual items yielded a six-component structure. Results highlight the importance of theoretically grounded measure evaluation and the potential distinctions amongst types of ACEs. Implications and future directions for research and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing interest in saliva microRNAs (miRNAs) as non-invasive biomarkers for human disease. Such an approach requires understanding how differences in experimental design affect miRNA expression. Variations in technical methodologies, coupled with inter-individual variability may reduce study reproducibility and generalizability. Another barrier facing salivary miRNA biomarker research is a lack of recognized "control miRNAs". In one of the largest studies of human salivary miRNA to date (922 healthy individuals), we utilized 1225 saliva samples to quantify variability in miRNA expression resulting from aligner selection (Bowtie1 vs. Bowtie2), saliva collection method (expectorated vs. swabbed), RNA stabilizer (presence vs. absence), and individual biological factors (sex, age, body mass index, exercise, caloric intake). Differential expression analyses revealed that absence of RNA stabilizer introduced the greatest variability, followed by differences in methods of collection and aligner. Biological factors generally affected a smaller number of miRNAs. We also reported coefficients of variations for 643 miRNAs consistently present in saliva, highlighting several salivary miRNAs to serve as reference genes. Thus, the results of this analysis can be used by researchers to optimize parameters of salivary miRNA measurement, exclude miRNAs confounded by numerous biologic factors, and identify appropriate miRNA controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The predoctoral internshipAQ4 training year is the capstone training experience for health service doctoral students. Previous research has explored what applicant characteristics are desired by internship sites and has not thoroughly explored differences between types of sites or criteria importance at different stages of applicant consideration (interview vs. ranking). Aims: We evaluate current perceptions of doctoral student internship applications by training directors. Materials and Methods: Internship training directors of APA‐accredited sites report on the importance of different application materials during interview and ranking decisions. We also compare these rankings across site types. Results: Results indicate that internship sites were generally consistent in their criteria rankings; however, there were also some differences. Intern applicant "fit" continues to be the most important criteria by which applicants are judged at all stages of consideration. Qualitative analysis found that "fit" varied by site across themes of treatment, applicant, and site characteristics. Discussion: We discuss implications in their preparation of internship applications. In addition to the practical guidance for students, we discuss how program changes can increase applicant site competitiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Perinatal iron deficiency results in persistent hippocampus-based cognitive deficits in adulthood despite iron supplementation. The objective of the present study was to determine the long-term effects of perinatal iron deficiency and its treatment on hippocampal anatomy and neurochemistry in formerly iron-deficient young adult rats. Methods Perinatal iron deficiency was induced using a low-iron diet during gestation and the first postnatal week in male rats. Hippocampal size was determined using volumetric magnetic resonance imaging at 8 weeks of age. Hippocampal neurochemical profile, consisting of 17 metabolites indexing neuronal and glial integrity, energy reserves, amino acids, and myelination, was quantified using high-field in vivo 1H NMR spectroscopy at 9.4 T (N = 11) and compared with iron-sufficient control group (N = 10). Results The brain iron concentration was 56% lower than the control group at 7 days of age in the iron-deficient group, but had recovered completely at 8 weeks. The cross-sectional area of the hippocampus was decreased by 12% in the formerly iron-deficient group (P = 0.0002). The hippocampal neurochemical profile was altered: relative to the control group, creatine, lactate, N-acetylaspartylglutamate, and taurine concentrations were 6-29% lower, and glutamine concentration 18% higher in the formerly iron-deficient hippocampus (P < 0.05). Discussion Perinatal iron deficiency was associated with reduced hippocampal size and altered neurochemistry in adulthood, despite correction of brain iron deficiency. The neurochemical changes suggest suppressed energy metabolism, neuronal activity, and plasticity in the formerly iron-deficient hippocampus. These anatomic and neurochemical changes are consistent with previous structural and behavioral studies demonstrating long-term hippocampal dysfunction following perinatal iron deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to control one's own emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in early life predicts a range of positive outcomes in later life, including longevity. Does it also predict how well people age? We studied the association between self-control and midlife aging in a population-representative cohort of children followed from birth to age 45 y, the Dunedin Study. We measured children's self-control across their first decade of life using a multi-occasion/multi-informant strategy. We measured their pace of aging and aging preparedness in midlife using measures derived from biological and physiological assessments, structural brain-imaging scans, observer ratings, self-reports, informant reports, and administrative records. As adults, children with better self-control aged more slowly in their bodies and showed fewer signs of aging in their brains. By midlife, these children were also better equipped to manage a range of later-life health, financial, and social demands. Associations with children's self-control could be separated from their social class origins and intelligence, indicating that self-control might be an active ingredient in healthy aging. Children also shifted naturally in their level of self-control across adult life, suggesting the possibility that self-control may be a malleable target for intervention. Furthermore, individuals' self-control in adulthood was associated with their aging outcomes after accounting for their self-control in childhood, indicating that midlife might offer another window of opportunity to promote healthy aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess patterns of cortical development over time in children who had sustained traumatic brain injury (TBI) as compared to children with orthopedic injury (OI), and to examine how these patterns related to emotional control and behavioral dysregulation, two common post-TBI symptoms. Cortical thickness was measured at approximately 3 and 18 months post-injury in 20 children aged 8.2–17.5 years who had sustained moderate-to-severe closed head injury and 21 children aged 7.4–16.7 years who had sustained OI. At approximately 3 months post-injury, the TBI group evidenced decreased cortical thickness bilaterally in aspects of the superior frontal, dorsolateral frontal, orbital frontal, and anterior cingulate regions compared to the control cohort, areas of anticipated vulnerability to TBI-induced change. At 18 months post-injury, some of the regions previously evident at 3 months post-injury remained significantly decreased in the TBI group, including bilateral frontal, fusiform, and lingual regions. Additional regions of significant cortical thinning emerged at this time interval (bilateral frontal regions and fusiform gyrus and left parietal regions). However, differences in other regions appeared attenuated (no longer areas of significant cortical thinning) by 18 months post-injury including large bilateral regions of the medial aspects of the frontal lobes and anterior cingulate. Cortical thinning within the OI group was evident over time in dorsolateral frontal and temporal regions bilaterally and aspects of the left medial frontal and precuneus, and right inferior parietal regions. Longitudinal analyses within the TBI group revealed decreases in cortical thickness over time in numerous aspects throughout the right and left cortical surface, but with notable “sparing” of the right and left frontal and temporal poles, the medial aspects of both the frontal lobes, the left fusiform gyrus, and the cingulate bilaterally. An analysis of longitudinal changes in cortical thickness over time (18 months–3 months) in the TBI versus OI group demonstrated regions of relative cortical thinning in the TBI group in bilateral superior parietal and right paracentral regions, but relative cortical thickness increases in aspects of the medial orbital frontal lobes and bilateral cingulate and in the right lateral orbital frontal lobe. Finally, findings from analyses correlating the longitudinal cortical thickness changes in TBI with symptom report on the Emotional Control subscale of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) demonstrated a region of significant correlation in the right medial frontal and right anterior cingulate gyrus. A region of significant correlation between the longitudinal cortical thickness changes in the TBI group and symptom report on the Behavioral Regulation Index was also seen in the medial aspect of the left frontal lobe. Longitudinal analyses of cortical thickness highlight an important deviation from the expected pattern of developmental change in children and adolescents with TBI, particularly in the medial frontal lobes, where typical patterns of thinning fail to occur over time. Regions which fail to undergo expected cortical thinning in the medial aspects of the frontal lobes correlate with difficulties in emotional control and behavioral regulation, common problems for youth with TBI. Examination of post-TBI brain development in children may be critical to identification of children that may be at risk for persistent problems with executive functioning deficits and the development of interventions to address these issues. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]