INTRODUCTION: Feeding difficulties are commonly multifactorial in nature, and no uniformly agreed-upon classification system for feeding difficulties currently exists. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-V included a new diagnosis called Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), created in order to address the weaknesses of the DSM-IV-text revision (TR) classification system by better capturing the range of feeding difficulties typically found in clinical practice. Little is known about the clinical characteristics associated with meeting the ARFID criteria, and no studies have investigated ARFID prevalence and associated clinical characteristics in patients below the age of 8 years. AIM: To describe the clinical characteristics of a sample of patients referred to Boston Children Hospital’s Growth and Nutrition Program, including the prevalence of ARFID, and identify clinical characteristics associated with meeting the criteria for ARFID. METHODS: We examined prospectively collected data from 69 subjects, age 9 months to 7 years, referred to the Growth and Nutrition Program for feeding difficulties and/or malnutrition between November 2013 and April 2016. Data was collected from caregiver-completed questionnaires, including the Behavioral Pediatrics Assessment Scale (BPFAS), and each patient’s electronic medical record. RESULTS: Premature birth (32.3%), digestive conditions (69.2%), developmental conditions (56.9%), food allergy (20.3%), and meal duration of over 30 minutes (36.2%) were common. Problematic feeding behaviors such as refusing to eat (62.1%) and gagging or vomiting when given new foods (29.2%) were also common. Strategies caregivers used to increase food and liquid consumption included offering only foods the child likes (60.9%) and feeding in front of the television or electronic devices (30.4%). 90.8% had a BPFAS score above threshold. 83.1% of the sample met criteria for ARFID. No statistically significant relationship was found between meeting ARFID criteria and having a BPFAS score above threshold, and there was no statistically significant relationship between meeting ARFID criteria and having a food allergy, having a first-degree relative with a food allergy, or with any of the feeding behaviors or strategies we investigated. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the majority of patients between the ages of 9 months to 7 years with feeding difficulties referred to the Growth and Nutrition Program meet the criteria for ARFID. While no statistically significant relationship was found between ARFID and the investigated clinical characteristics, further analysis involving a larger sample of patients will be useful for better understanding the clinical characteristics associated with ARFID, and assessing ARFID’s clinical utility. / 2019-07-11T00:00:00Z

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Magister Artium - MA / Adolescence is a phase when youth engage in risk-taking behaviour, which could result in poor physical and psychological adjustment. Risk behaviour is a result of poor decision- making. Decision-making is associated with exploration and commitment, also referred to as identity styles. During the phase of developing an identity style, parenting is challenging; however, research reveals that parental involvement, as well as a more positive approaches to parenting, have been observed to influence child behaviour and outcomes. For parenting and identity styles, this is not very clear. Therefore, the aim of this current study was to assess the effect of parental involvement on the identity styles of adolescents. The study employed a quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational research design. The respondents were conveniently sampled. The final sample was Grade 10 learners in the Metro East Education District, with a mean age of 16.01 (SD=1.04). Data were collected through a self-reported questionnaire, which comprised three parts: demographic details of participants, Parent Involvement Mechanisms Measure, and Identity Styles Scale. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The results revealed that informational identity style was the most prevalent identity style, which was significantly and positively predicted, with 18% of variance. For mothers, maternal modelling and maternal instruction significantly predicted the informational style. For fathers, paternal reinforcement significantly and positively predicted commitment style, with 14% of variance. Recommendations are provided based on the findings of this current study.

Parental attachment style is an important element when delinquent behavior seems to be an issue for a child. In the past, a number of parents have found it difficult to effectively bond with their children because most had to work long hours to provide their child with necessities. Bonding with their children was not a high priority when lower income was a factor. Some parents began to realize that bonding is an important aspect in a child's life and must be nurtured to assure that antisocial tendencies do not erupt. Many theorists have linked criminal behavior to ineffective parenting styles. These styles usually left the child insecurely attached, with no one to talk to when stress and anxiety were felt. In turn, these feelings of stress and anxiety can surface and cause the child to display deviant behaviors toward others. The Cambridge Delinquent Data were used to measure the relationship between parental attachment variables and convictions in adolescence and adulthood. Chi-square analyses were used to measure the variables. The results of the analysis revealed a significant relationship between seven of the nine parental attachment variables and convictions.

Adult attachment theory continues to play an important role in explaining pathology within couples. Pornography is becoming more and more pervasive since the inception of the internet. This study looked at the relationship between insecure attachment, accessibility, responsiveness, and engagement with frequency of male pornography use. Little is known about pornography use and its impact on couple dynamics. This study specifically looked at pornography use predicting insecure attachment within couples. The sample was taken from the RELATionship Evaluation (RELATE) and consisted of 189 couples. Male pornography use was found to be a predictor of insecure attachment and low levels of responsiveness in him. The female partner's assessment of her male partner's low engagement, responsiveness, and accessibility in their relationship was predicted by his pornography use. These findings may inform therapists of the possibilities for direction in therapy when a couple is struggling with insecure attachment development.

Study 1 examined the role closeness to father plays in the developmental-like process associating family form (divorced/non-divorced) with later young adulthood attachment style in a sample of 525 men and women. Participants reported their closeness to father while growing up and current comfort with closeness. As expected, closeness to father fully mediated the association between family form and comfort with closeness for both men and women, but more strongly for women. The association between family form and comfort with closeness was only evident for women; women who experienced parental divorce reported feeling less comfortable with closeness in relationships. Contrary to expectation, the mediating role of closeness to father in the association between family and form and comfort with closeness was not moderated by gender. The key role fathers may play in fostering their male and female children’s later attachment style in divorced and nondivorced families, as well as the attenuated role of gender in explaining young adults’ attachment style, are discussed. Study 2 examined the role of dyadic and family environment factors which are implicated in young adults’ insecure attachment in predicting relational resilience. Relationally resilient women were defined as women who experienced parental divorce yet experience comfort with closeness. Ninety-three women reported on the level of overt and subtle conflict in their families-of- origin, the effectiveness of their parents’ coparenting, and their closeness to father. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses predicted membership in the relationally resilient group based on these dyadic and family environment predictors. As expected, results demonstrate that lower pre-divorce subtle and overt conflict; higher levels of coparenting before separation, during separation, and after separation; and closeness to father while growing up all predicted membership in the relationally resilient group. However, no one variable uniquely predicted membership in the relationally resilient group. Study 2’s results are translated to preventative implications at the family, parental, dyadic and individual levels. Final remarks integrating the results of both studies follow. / Graduate

Magister Commercii (Industrial Psychology) - MCom(IPS) / Purpose - The landscape of the world of work as we know has changed dramatically in the last decade. We have complex organizations compounded by multiple generations co-existing in the workplace. This phenomenon brings about different dynamics in organizations, progressive leaders if understood and managed correctly, could potentially capitalize on. The purpose of this paper is to understand the different generations and whether these generations require different leadership styles. The paper furthermore attempts to investigate whether different generations prefer different job resources. Design/Methodology/Approach – This research study uses a quantitative approach to determine whether there are indeed significant differences between the different generations and the leadership style they prefer as well as the job resources they prefer. Findings - Although no statistically significant differences were found between the different generations and their preferences for the specific leadership styles, the descriptive statistics regarding preference for leadership style across the generations, indicated that individuals from all generations indicated a preference for transformational leadership. Regarding preference for job resource dimensions, the results yielded a statistically significant difference in the preference for Advancement in Generation Y. Originality and Value – This research paper sheds further light on the understanding of different generations namely Baby boomers, Generation X and Generation Y. The paper maps out the preferred leadership style and preferred job resources of generations and allows business leaders an enhanced understanding of their employees.

The current study examined the Transformational, Transactional, and Passive/Avoidant Leadership styles as defined by Burns (1978) and Bass (1985) and how they are perceived by subordinates in predicting subordinate Extra Effort, manager Effectiveness, and Satisfaction with management. One hundred fifty IT professionals from AITP, Association of Information Technology Professionals, were administered the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire 5X-Short form (MLQ 5X-Short). The survey measured all nine full range leadership variables and results were analyzed using multiple regression. Three hypotheses examined the relationship between the subordinate's perception of the leadership style of IT managers and one of three dependent measures: predicting subordinate Extra Effort, manager Effectiveness, and Satisfaction with management. Partial support was found for all three hypotheses. In the first, Transformational Leadership and Passive/Avoidant Leadership, but not Transactional Leadership was able to predict Extra Effort. In the second, Transformational Leadership, Transactional Leadership (via a slightly modified "reversed" form as well as the two subscales individually), and Passive/Avoidant Leadership were able to predict management Effectiveness. In the last, Transformational Leadership, Transactional Leadership (reversed and subscales), were able to predict subordinates' Satisfaction with their leaders. Most findings were consistent with existing literature. In addition, this study also identified several areas of further study.

Recent trauma research argues trauma results in distinct positive and negative consequences, however; many trauma variables positively correlate with both outcomes. This study examined posttraumatic growth (PTG) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms as positive and negative trauma outcomes. Behavioral, cognitive, and demographic correlates and predictors were assessed to help clarify differences between the two outcomes. While several behavioral factors were common to both PTG and PTSD symptoms, centrality of event and problem focused coping were the strongest PTG predictors, whereas centrality of event and avoidant coping were the strongest PTSD predictors. These findings indicate while greater incorporation of a trauma/stressful event into one’s identity is a key component of both PTG and PTSD development, behavioral response may be a determining factor between growth or debilitation.

This study is a research synthesis that aims to explain the possible connection between the attachment in parent and child relationship and antisocial/ deviant behaviour.The purpose is to chart and discuss how previous science views the attachments effect on the risk of developing antisocial behaviour. The issue of this study is following: Can the attachment between parent and child affect the risk of developing antisocial behaviour? Which attachment pattern is specifically riskful and why is that? The data in this study is based on earlier research collected from databases such as Psycinfo and Sociological Abstract etc. The results from different studies and articles are analysed by Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory.The results show that there is a possible connection between attachment and the development of antisocial behaviour, but there are also indicators that show that there are more factors that play a role in the risk of developing antisocial behaviour such as environmental and structural factors. In other words, attachment affects the risk, but there are also other indicators that enlarge the risks of developing antisocial or deviant behaviour. Avoidant and anxious/ ambivalent attachment are two attachment styles that previous studies have found to have an increased risk to develop antisocial and deviant behaviour.