Abstracts, Implications, and APA Citation
Perfectionism, Psychological Distress, and Career Indecision Among Chinese College Students: The Mediation Effect of Coping
Lu Tian, and Zhijin Hou
Published Online: February 5, 2024
APA Style Citation:
Tian, L., & Hou, Z. (2024). Perfectionism, psychological distress, and career indecision among Chinese college Students: The mediation effect of coping. International Perspectives in Psychology, 13(2), 55-67. https://doi.org/10.1027/2157-3891/a000092
Abstract: To aid in developing effective interventions on perfectionism, it is important to understand how different types of perfectionism may relate to psychological outcomes and identify possible mechanism explaining their relationships among Chinese college students. To address the problem, the present study examined (a) how adaptive perfectionism and maladaptive perfectionism were associated with psychological distress and career indecision among Chinese college students and (b) how coping mediated the relationships between two forms of perfectionism and psychological distress and career indecision. The results of path analysis models using a sample of Chinese college students (total n = 389) indicated that (a) maladaptive perfectionism was positively associated with psychological distress (r = .48) and career indecision (r = .31), while adaptive perfectionism was not associated with psychological distress (r = .12) and career indecision (r = −.05); (b) coping served as a suppressor and fully mediated the relationships between adaptive perfectionism and psychological distress (Bid = −.07, p < .01, CI99.5 = −.17, −.04) and career indecision (Bid = −.11, p < .001, CI99.5 = −.12, −.01); and (c) coping partially mediated the relationships between maladaptive perfectionism and psychological distress (Bid = .08, p < .01, CI99.5 = .02, .15) and career indecision (Bid = .14, p < .001, CI99.5 = .06, .21). The findings suggest that different forms of perfectionism relate to psychological outcomes differently and coping is critical in explaining how perfectionism relates to psychological outcomes. Therefore, perfectionism interventions should consider the characteristics of two forms of perfectionism and the role of coping.
Impact and Implications: Our study found that effective coping can weaken the relationships between maladaptive perfectionism and psychological outcomes, such as psychological distress and career indecision among Chinese college students. Therefore, interventions that aim at reducing the negative impact of perfectionism should include teaching effective coping strategies. The study contributes toward the 2016–2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in that it facilitates psychological well-being and productive employment for Chinese college students.
The Role of Social Capital in Depression During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Lucas Heiki Matsunaga, Daniel P. Aldrich, Cristiane Faiad, Toshiaki Aoki, Po-Hsing Tseng, and Jun Aida
Published Online: February 5, 2024
APA Style Citation:
Matsunaga, L. H., Aldrich, D. P., Faiad, C., Aoki, T., Tseng, P.-H., & Aida, J. (2024). The role of social capital in depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. International Perspectives in Psychology, 13(2), 68-78. https://doi.org/10.1027/2157-3891/a000093
Abstract: Depression remains a major concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. Social capital provides support for those struggling with this condition. However, we know little about its multidimensional role as a correlate of mental health. We collected data from 896 participants in three major cities in the United States, Brazil, and Japan between December 31, 2020, and March 3, 2021. Using these data, we conducted a multiple linear regression for correlates with depression measured with the PHQ-4 using social cohesion and controls for demographic factors, such as age and gender. Bonding social capital strongly correlated with depression across the three cultures, while other factors varied according to the location. In Brazil and the United States, a substantial correlate was age. To manage the high prevalence of depression, policymakers should encourage strong social ties within communities.
Impact and Implications: Given the rise of depression due to the pandemic, the findings show how countries, despite their differences in culture and inequalities, need social networks in their communities as a shield for mental health. This is the first quantitative, cross-national survey using the same questionnaire to make this investigation. Thus, it provides a commitment to diversity and inclusion, revealing new steps to understanding the role of personal relationships in global mental health policymaking and research.
Cross-Cultural Collaborative Translation/Adaptation of Assessments Via International Working Groups: A Case Study With the Cognitive and Linguistic Scale
Stephanie Ruth Young, Caroline Freer, Naomi Gefen, Isabel Gonzalez, Rachèl Kemps, Marita Partanen, and Alison Colbert
Published Online: February 5, 2024
APA Style Citation:
Young, S. R., Freer, C., Gefen, N., Gonzalez, I., Kemps, R., Partanen, M., & Colbert, A. (2024). Cross-cultural collaborative translation/adaptation of assessments via international working groups: A case study with the Cognitive and Linguistic Scale. International Perspectives in Psychology, 13(2), 79-87. https://doi.org/10.1027/2157-3891/a000094
Abstract: Most neuropsychological assessments are developed in English, yet nearly 95% of the global population are not native English speakers. To further compound this problem, translating and adapting assessments is a complex, expensive, and time-consuming process that few individual psychologists can undertake on their own. To overcome these obstacles, we formed an international consulting group of bilingual pediatric rehabilitation/hospital clinicians to translate and adapt a common assessment of cognitive recovery, the Cognitive and Linguistic Scale (CALS), for use with youth in three linguistic/cultural groups: Spanish-speaking youth residing in the United States, Dutch-speaking youth residing in the Netherlands, and Hebrew-speaking youth residing in Israel. We describe the collaborative process of translating and adapting the CALS for the respective populations following the first two stages of the International Test Committee guidelines (Precondition and Test Development). We also present new, more culturally accessible versions of visual stimuli that can be used across many linguistic/cultural groups in the Western world. Initial examination of responses from a preliminary pilot sample of US youth (N = 11) supported the acceptability of the Spanish translation and new visual stimuli. Next steps for each translated/adapted version of the CALS are discussed, including plans for validation in each respective population. We hope this overview will serve as a model for other groups to help decrease the translation burden on individual clinicians and promote higher-quality translated/adapted assessments that better serve diverse and often underserved patient populations.
Impact and Implications: We describe our international consulting groups’ process of translating/adapting a measure of cognitive recovery for use with youth in three diverse linguistic and cultural groups and provide preliminary evidence to support the acceptability of the Spanish translation. Our cross-cultural collaborative approach to translation/adaptation decreases the translation burden on individual psychologists and promotes the development of higher-quality neuropsychological assessments for underserved linguistic populations. We hope this work will serve as a model for other teams interested in translating/adapting measures for diverse cultural-linguistic groups and thus reduce inequality in the access to neuropsychological assessment services within and across cultures.
Ethnic Disparities in Betel Nut Use: A Focus on Adolescents From Micronesia
Yoshito Kawabata, Francis Dalisay, and Pallav Pokhrel
Published Online: February 5, 2024
APA Style Citation:
Kawabata, Y., Dalisay, F., & Pokhrel, P. (2024). Ethnic disparities in betel nut use: A focus on adolescents from Micronesia. International Perspectives in Psychology, 13(2), 88-98. https://doi.org/10.1027/2157-3891/a000097
Abstract: Adolescent substance use has been extensively studied in Western countries. However, knowledge of substance use, particularly betel nut use, among adolescents in the Pacific Islands, remains limited. The present study examined ethnic differences in betel nut use and intention to use, and factors explaining such ethnic differences, in Guam, a US-Affiliated Pacific Islands in the Western Pacific. Participants were 674 ethnically diverse students (49% female; Mage = 12.7, SD = 0.89) from eight local public middle schools. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess study variables. The results indicated that although the majority of participants did not use betel nut, there were significant differences in rates of betel nut use and intentions to use between ethnic groups. Compared with adolescents from other ethnic groups represented in the study, adolescents from the Freely Associated States (FAS) of Micronesia, or non-CHamoru Micronesians were more likely to use betel nut in the past 30 days and in their lifetime and to expect to use betel nut in the near future. These ethnic differences were partially mediated by proposed factors such as observation or familiarity with and access to betel nut and approval by parents, peers, and the community. In other words, FAS ethnicity was a significant predictor of higher levels of familiarity with betel nut; FAS ethnicity also predicted lower levels of difficulty in accessing betel nut and perceived disapproval of betel nut use from parents, peers, and the community. These, in turn, predicted more betel nut use and intention as reported by FAS adolescents. These findings can be used to inform the design and implementation of intervention and prevention programs to reduce ethnic disparities among at-risk youth vulnerable to betel nut use in the Pacific.
Impact and Implications: The results of the present study suggest that ethnic differences in betel nut use and intentions may be due in part to adolescents’ familiarity with, access to, and beliefs about betel nut. They can be used to design and implement culturally sensitive intervention and prevention programs for at-risk betel nut-dependent youth in the Pacific region.
A Phenomenological Study on the Experiences of Filipino Migrant Workers
Ma. Tonirose D. Mactal, Mendiola Teng-Calleja, Jaimee Felice Caringal-Go, Rae Mark S. Zantua
Published Online: February 5, 2024
APA Style Citation:
Ma. Mactal, T. D., Teng-Calleja, M., Caringal-Go, J. F., Zantua, R. M. S. (2024). A phenomenological study on the experiences of Filipino migrant workers. International Perspectives in Psychology, 13(2), 99-114. https://doi.org/10.1027/2157-3891/a000098
Abstract: Massive involuntary job loss is one of the most damaging consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a distressful life event, studies revealed how it can adversely impact one’s well-being, especially when challenges are unmanaged. Using phenomenology as its theoretical lens, this study aimed to provide an understanding of the experiences of sudden job loss among 12 Filipino migrant workers through semistructured online interviews. In particular, it explored the difficulties, coping mechanisms, and critical resources that enabled them to deal with the transition from being substantial income earners to jobless individuals. The analysis underscored the need for a concerted response, especially at the government level, to help mitigate the adverse psychological and economic impact of unemployment among migrant workers.
Impact and Implications: This article underscores the importance of understanding migrant workers’ experiences in times of crises. Specifically, it addresses two objectives from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Goal 3 (i.e., good health and well-being) is emphasized by featuring coping and resources that helped migrant workers adapt to job loss, and Goal 8 (i.e., decent work and economic growth) is acknowledged by highlighting how institutions should assist vulnerable groups in need (https://sdgs.un.org/goals).