Psychology
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Item COMPATIBILITY IN TEAM COGNITION: MOVING BEYOND SIMILARITY(2024) Strauss, Joshua; Grand, James A; Psychology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Team cognition is a well-recognized antecedent of team processes and performance. Compatibility of mental representations is critical to many theoretical frameworks and approaches to team cognition. However, compatibility is often relegated to an unexplored assumption or assumed to be sufficiently captured by the similarity or overlap of mental representations. This paper extends the Team-Task Representation (TTR) framework proposed by Strauss (2022) to (1) define and (2) operationalize compatibility, (3) proposes a process through which compatibility relates to team processes and performance, and (4) provide empirical tests of these relationships. A study was conducted using an online, cooperative, gamified task to test the relationship between TTR compatibility and coordination and the extent to which coordination mediated the relationship between compatibility and performance. Compatibility did not predict coordination and coordination was not found to mediate the relationship between compatibility and performance. Conclusions and consequences for the field of team cognition are discussed.Item PSYCHOSOCIAL STRESS AND INTERNALIZING SYMPTOMS IN BLACK EMERGING ADULTS: THE ROLE OF PHYSIOLOGICAL DYSREGULATION AND CULTURAL SOCIALIZATION(2024) Wang, Yuqi; Tyrell, Fanita A; Psychology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Research suggests that ethnic-racial minority emerging adults disproportionately experience higher levels of internalizing problems due to exposure to higher levels of generalized stress (e.g., perceived stress) and unique, race-related stress (e.g., discrimination), which is especially relevant for Black emerging adults. However, few studies have examined the unique contributions of these types of stress and the mechanisms that facilitate their detrimental mental health effects. Informed by existing theoretical models, the current study evaluated the unique contribution of both generalized and discriminatory stress on internalizing symptoms (i.e., anxiety and depression) as well as the mediating role of physiological functioning (i.e., diurnal cortisol slope, C-reactive protein) on these associations. Further, the current study takes astrength-based approach by examining the potential protective role of cultural socialization on the links among psychosocial stress, physiological functioning, and internalizing symptoms. Findings indicate that generalized stress and discriminatory stress both contribute to depressive symptoms and physiological functioning in Black emerging adults, although the links between psychosocial stress and internalizing symptoms were not mediated by physiological functioning. In addition, cultural socialization protected or exacerbated the effects of psychosocial stress on mental and physiological health outcomes depending on the type and severity of the stressor. These findings suggest that therapeutic treatment and intervention efforts for Black emerging adults should consider the impact of both types of stress on these youth’s mental and physiological health as well as the nuanced role of cultural socialization on these links. Future research should examine how other types of psychosocial stress, mediating mechanisms, and resilience processes may impact the mental and physiological health outcomes of Black emerging adults.Item Examining pre-training interpersonal skills as a predictor of post-training competence in mental health care among lay health workers in South Africa(2023) Rose, Alexandra Leah; Magidson, Jessica F.; Psychology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)A worldwide shortage of mental health specialists contributes to a substantial global mental health treatment gap. Despite evidence that lay health workers (LHWs), or health workers with little formal training, can effectively deliver mental health care, LHWs vary widely in their abilities to competently deliver mental health care, which undermines the quality of care and patient safety. Prior research from both high-income and low- and middle-income countries suggests this variability may be predicted by LHW interpersonal skills, yet this relationship is little explored to date. The first aim of the current study, which uses an exploratory sequential mixed methods design, was to explore qualitative perspectives through semi-structured individual interviews (n=20, researchers, policymakers, NGO staff, LHWs) in Cape Town, South Africa on interpersonal skills relevant to delivery of mental health interventions by LHWs. The second aim was to quantitatively examine the preliminary effectiveness of pre-training interpersonal skills in predicting post-training competence following a mental health training among LHWs in Cape Town (n=26). Using a standardized LHW assessment measure adapted to the setting, two raters rated ten-minute standardized role plays conducted before and after the training for pre-training interpersonal skills and post-training competence. Qualitative findings highlight the perceived importance of and challenges with assessing interpersonal skills among LHWs being trained in psychological intervention. Quantitative analyses did not identify any interpersonal skills as significant predictors of post-training competence. However, interpersonal skills improved during the training itself, specifically verbal communication, suggesting the potential promise of further research in this area. Recruitment of larger samples with more variable training outcomes would be important in future studies examining predictors of LHW competence. Further research may ultimately help identify areas of intervention to support more LHWs in attaining competence and can help play an important role in increasing access to psychological services globally.Item Early adolescent romantic experiences and psychosocial functioning in sexual minority youth(2023) Hubachek, Samantha Qirko; Dougherty, Lea R; Psychology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Sexual minority youth are at greater risk for negative psychosocial outcomes starting in early adolescence, in part due to stress related to stigma and discrimination. We examined early adolescent romantic involvement as a potential risk or protective factor for the development of psychosocial concerns in sexual minority youth using two independent samples of youth assessed in early adolescence. Study 1 utilized prospective, longitudinal data from the Stony Brook Temperament Study (SBTS) to examine associations between youth romantic experiences, sexual orientation, and psychosocial functioning from early (age 12) to middle (age 15) adolescence (N=392; n=348 heterosexual youth, n=44 sexual minority youth). Study 2 utilized cross-sectional data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, a study with a larger and more diverse sample, to further examine the interaction between romantic experiences and sexual orientation in association with psychiatric symptoms in early adolescence (age 12), as well as whether interactive effects of romantic experiences and sexual orientation on psychiatric symptoms vary based on race/ethnicity or socioeconomic status (N=7184; n=6633 heterosexual youth, n=551 sexual minority youth). Although heterosexual and sexual minority youth were equally likely to have romantic and sexual experience in the SBTS sample, sexual minority youth were more likely to participate in romantic and sexual activity in early adolescence than their heterosexual peers in the ABCD sample. Across both samples, romantic experience in early adolescence was associated with poorer concurrent and subsequent psychosocial outcomes for sexual minority youth. Further, the interactive effects of romantic experience and sexual orientation in association with psychosocial outcomes did not vary based on race/ethnicity or parental education in the ABCD sample. These findings begin to characterize early adolescent romantic experiences in sexual minority youth and suggest that romantic involvement during this period may be linked to psychosocial concerns. This work may inform future clinical interventions targeting mental health in sexual minority youth.Item PREDICTING PSYCHOLOGICAL ADJUSTMENT IN GRIEF: CROSS-NATIONAL DIFFERENCES AMONG KOREANS AND AMERICANS(2023) Yang, NaYeon; O'Brien, Karen M.; Psychology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Grieving the death of a significant individual is a universal experience. However, the rituals, beliefs, and meanings surrounding death are shaped by one’s cultural values. Recent scholars stressed the importance of recognizing cultural differences in bereavement, as Western-centric perspectives on grief in the bereavement literature could adversely affect clients with different cultural backgrounds (Rosenblatt, 2008). Prior research demonstrated that the constructs contributing to healthy grieving may differ across cultures. Specifically, continuing bonds, meaning-making, and social support have been identified as three constructs associated with bereaved individuals’ psychological adjustment in several cultures (e.g., Gillies et al., 2015; Kim et al., 2008; Scholtes & Browne, 2015; Yang & Lee, 2020). Thus, the purpose of the present study was to examine the similarities and differences in the relations among psychological distress, salient grief-related variables (i.e., internalized/externalized continuing bonds, meaning-making, and implicit/explicit social support), and psychological adjustment among Koreans and Americans during their grieving process. The data were collected in the United States and South Korea. The results indicated that psychological distress and one subscale of meaning-making (i.e., emptiness and meaninglessness) were associated with psychological adjustment for both US and Korean bereaved individuals. For US bereaved individuals, externalized continuing bonds and one subscale of meaning-making (i.e., being present) were positively associated with psychological adjustment, whereas one subscale of meaning-making (i.e., sense of peace) was negatively associated with psychological adjustment. For Korean individuals, implicit social support was positively associated with psychological adjustment. Overall, the results indicated that there may be both universal and culturally unique aspects of grieving. Clinical implications and future research considerations are discussed.Item Examining the Joint Contribution of Trauma and Adverse Neighborhood Characteristics to Paranoid Ideation: A Multi-Method Approach in a Transdiagnostic Sample.(2024) Todd, Imani; Blanchard, Jack J; Psychology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Paranoid ideation is common in psychosis and is associated with impairment. Multiple cognitive factors influence paranoid ideation, including lack of belief flexibility and hostile attributions. Separately, negative affect precedes and maintains later paranoid ideation. Research on what provokes these cognitive and affective biases highlights the influence of trauma and environmental stress. Traumatic experiences are a reliable risk factor for psychotic disorders and suspiciousness. Prior literature examining trauma and paranoid ideation only uses broad indicators of positive symptoms or single-item assessments. Aside from trauma, environmental research identifies two major facets that contribute to the development and maintenance of psychotic symptoms: neighborhood deprivation and crime. Population studies show that individuals who reside in deprived neighborhoods are more likely to experience increased paranoid ideation. Crime may also influence perceptions of threat and hostility and has been related to paranoid ideation. Neighborhood deprivation and crime can be measured through objective assessments and neighborhood perceptions. Evidence suggests that neighborhood perceptions impact paranoid ideation, above and beyond area-level assessments of neighborhood features, but findings vary. Although trauma, neighborhood deprivation, and crime have been shown to impact paranoid ideation, few have examined these constructs in Tandem. The current study seeks to examine the association between individual-level (i.e., trauma, neighborhood perceptions) and system-level (i.e., neighborhood deprivation and crime) factors and paranoid ideation. Results indicated that greater trauma and perceptions of neighborhood violence concurrently contributed to more severe paranoid ideation. However, administrative data on neighborhood deprivation and crime were not related. These results indicate that violence perceptions interact with existing vulnerabilities in exacerbating perpetuating psychotic symptomatology. Thus, interventions focused on reducing paranoia in this population would benefit from considering past traumas and one's current environment.Item Facilitators and Barriers of Neighborhood Social Integration(2024) Fuchs, Joelle; Gard, Arianna M; Psychology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Social isolation has reached concerning rates, particularly in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. Social integration can combat social isolation and loneliness and promote feelings of belonging. Social integration within the neighborhood context (e.g., chatting with neighbors, participating in local organizations) can be used combat loneliness, but less is known about the process of social integration across various social identities. The current study examines variability in the patterns and mechanisms of neighborhood social integration across sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., developmental stage-social role, ethnic-racial identity, and housing tenure). Thematic analyses were conducted on interviews with 29 residents of Wards 4 and 5 of Washington, D.C. Results suggested that youth were far less socially integrated with their neighborhoods due to gentrification-induced transience and school choice programming. Despite sociodemographic differences in the perceived facilitators and barriers to neighborhood social integration, many residents called for more community programming and shared spaces to facilitate neighborhood connections.Item Family Reputation in Asian Indian American Women: An Exploration of Its Implications and Emotional Consequences(2023) Sheth, Anjali; O'Neal, Colleen R; Psychology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Asian Indian American young women are often torn between two incompatible cultures, Eastern and Western. The former promotes collectivism while the latter promotes individualism. In addition to this internal cultural conflict, there is the added obligation of maintaining one’s family reputation which can create challenges for young women who are navigating these opposing cultures. The specific goal of this study was to understand how Asian Indian American undergraduate women experience and perceive family reputation, in addition to its impacts on their emotional experience, emotional coping, and mental health. The method involved semi-structured interviews with ten participants who identified as (a) Asian Indian American, (b) cis-gendered woman, (c) second-generation immigrant, (d) the child of two parents born in India, and (e) an undergraduate student at the University of Maryland. For analyses, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to code and develop themes that emerged from the interview narratives. Results yielded six superordinate themes that defined family reputation through the perspective of the participants as well as their conceptualization of the various factors that are related to the construct (e.g., gender). The discussion addresses the importance of understanding this construct as it shows up for this sample given its relevance in various aspects of their lives.Item Social Networks and Fears of Stigma by Association with the LGBTQ+ Community(2024) Guberman, Lucas; Lemay, Edward P. Jr.Members of the LGBTQ+ community face unjust stigma and discrimination. People may not want to associate with members of this community due to fear that their association will cause them to be similarly stigmatized, termed fears of stigma by association. The purpose of the current research is to examine whether fears of stigma by association mediate the relationship between indirect contact and microaggressions towards members of the LGBTQ+ community. The results of this study point to reduced fears of stigma-by-association as a novel mechanism through which intergroup contact improves intergroup relations. However, there was no significant relationship found between fears of stigma by association and microaggressions. These results suggest people with inclusive social networks may be more accepting of the LGBTQ+ community because they are less fearful of being stigmatized by their network members.Item Information Uncertainty Influences Learning Strategy from Sequentially Delayed Rewards(2023) Maulhardt, Sean Richard; Charpentier, Caroline; Psychology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)The problem of temporal credit assignment has long been posed as a nontrivial obstacle to identifying signal from data. However, human solutions in complex environments, involving repeated and intervening decisions, as well as uncertainty in reward timing, remain elusive. To this end, our task manipulated uncertainty via the amount of information given in their feedback stage. Using computational modeling, two learning strategies were developed that differentiated participants’ updates of sequentially delayed rewards: eligibility trace whereby previously selected actions are updated as a function of the temporal sequence - and tabular update - whereby additional feedback information is used to only update systematically-related rather than randomly related past actions. In both models, values were discounted over time with an exponential decay. We hypothesized that higher uncertainty would be associated with (i) a switch from tabular to eligibility strategy and (ii) higher rates of discounting. Participants’ data (N = 142) confirmed our first hypothesis, additionally revealing an effect of the starting condition. However, our discounting hypothesis had only weak evidence of an effect and remains an open question for future studies. We explore potential explanations for these effects and possibilities of future directions, models, and designs.