Hadarics M. · Jul 1, 2026
A growing body of evidence shows that national identity is positively related to attitudes toward societal and political systems. Yet much less is known about contextual factors that may modify this relationship. Distinguishing two facets of national identity-attachment and pride-and focusing on perceived democratic quality as a core system attitude, we test whether the links between these identity dimensions and system attitudes vary with the actual quality of democracy. Using data from 92 countries in the combined World Values Survey/European Values Study (N = 156,658), augmented with country-level indicators, multilevel structural equation models show that the association between national pride and perceived democratic quality is stronger in less democratic countries, whereas the effect of attachment is context-invariant. These findings suggest that national pride is associated with a positively biased perception of democratic quality that diverges from reality in illiberal or weak democracies, thereby complicating the predominantly positive framing of national pride in the social psychological literature on national identity.
Psychology
do Carmo Júnior NM et al. · Jul 1, 2026
Purpose To determine the trajectories of benzodiazepine (BZD) and Z-drug use among older adults (n = 3590) followed in a network of geriatric outpatient clinics in Brazil. Methods This longitudinal study evaluated BZD and Z-drug use over a 24-month follow-up period. The proportion of use at baseline and at the end of the study period was compared using the McNemar test. Two trajectories were considered: started using and stopped using. Comparisons between trajectories and independent variables were performed using Pearson's chi-square test. Variables with p Results A small but significant reduction in overall BZD or Z-drug use was observed (17.4% to 16.0%; p = 0.007), with a marked decrease in isolated Z-drug use (6.1% to 4.0%; p Conclusions Clinical vulnerability and psychiatric conditions were associated with BZD or Z-drug use and initiation, while pharmacist consultations were associated with both initiation and discontinuation trajectories.
Psychology
Martin LN et al. · Jul 1, 2026
This study explored how a history of childhood maltreatment shapes the transition to parenthood, with a focus on how partners jointly negotiate this adjustment within the couple relationship. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 heterosexual couples (22 individuals) living in the United States, in which at least one partner reported a history of childhood maltreatment. Interviews were analyzed for emergent themes related to adjustment to parenthood, relational functioning, and dyadic support processes. Four overarching dyadic themes emerged: (1) relational meaning-making of childhood maltreatment, (2) relational challenges activated by maltreatment history, (3) dyadic support as co-regulation for maltreatment-related vulnerability, and (4) couples' resilient and intentional orientation toward family life. Findings suggest that supportive romantic partnerships may function as a relational context through which parenting-related self-doubt is negotiated, emotional safety is fostered, and caregiving approaches distinct from participants' own childhood experiences are collaboratively constructed. These insights have implications for dyadic interventions during the transition to parenthood that aim to support reflective parenting and relational resilience.
Psychology
Akimoto Y et al. · Jul 1, 2026
The prosodic characteristics of a native language greatly influence early language acquisition. Yet, Japanese mothers are known to use a specific prosodic structure in infant-directed vocabulary (IDV)-specifically, three-mora, two-syllable words with a heavy-light pattern-which, crucially, differs from the standard prosodic rhythm of adult vocabulary. This study used near-infrared spectroscopy to examine hemodynamic responses to the Japanese IDV form in 5-month-old (n = 31) and 9-month-old (n = 34) Japanese infants, targeting the period before and during the emergence of this preference. The results revealed that oxygenated hemoglobin was greater for the IDV form than for the non-IDV form in the left superior temporal gyrus (STG) for both age groups, consistent with the advantage of the IDV form observed in previous behavioral studies. Furthermore, this effect was localized to the left middle and left posterior STG in 5- and 9-month-old infants, respectively, highlighting early sensitivity to its prosodic structure followed by the emergence of phonological representation. This cortical shift, along with an observed trend toward adult-like patterns, may suggest a broader transition from perceptually accessible IDV structures to the more diverse patterns of standard adult vocabulary. Although 5-month-old infants who have not yet exhibited a preference for the IDV form may not have developed specific phonological representations, their brains' ability to process its prosodic pattern could serve as a foundation for subsequent learning. These findings demonstrate that the specific structure of Japanese IDV acts as a foundational scaffold, guiding the transition from initial prosodic tuning to mature word-level processing. SUMMARY: Early sensitivity to prosodic structure was observed in 5-month-old Japanese infants. Emerging phonological representation was observed in 9-month-old Japanese infants. Japanese infant-directed vocabulary form serves as a prosodic template.
Psychology
Nakao M et al. · Jul 1, 2026
Objectives Etizolam is a short-acting thienodiazepine widely prescribed for anxiety and insomnia despite increasing concerns regarding dependence and guideline recommendations limiting long-term benzodiazepine use. This study examined long-term prescribing trends of etizolam compared with benzodiazepine and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics. Methods We conducted a retrospective database study including 16,886,524 prescriptions issued between April 2001 and March 2022 at a tertiary university hospital in Japan. Seventeen hypnotic agents were identified (10 benzodiazepines and 7 non-benzodiazepines). Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with prescribing hypnotic etizolam versus non-benzodiazepine hypnotics. Results Among 124,179 etizolam prescriptions, 83,927 (67.6%) were issued for hypnotic use. Although the absolute number of prescriptions declined over time, the proportion prescribed for hypnotic use remained stable. The ratio of hypnotic etizolam prescriptions to non-benzodiazepine hypnotics was higher in internal medicine than in psychiatry. In multivariable analysis, prescribing hypnotic etizolam was independently associated with internal medicine (adjusted OR 1.57), female sex, outpatient status, younger age, and earlier calendar year. Conclusions Despite declining overall use, etizolam continues to be prescribed as a hypnotic, particularly in non-psychiatric settings. These findings highlight the persistence of specialty-specific prescribing patterns and underscore the importance of targeted educational and policy interventions to promote safer hypnotic prescribing practices.
Psychology
Tejakum W et al. · Jul 1, 2026
Background Raising adolescents with intellectual disabilities in Thailand is challenging. Whilst some mothers show resilience, limited understanding exists of the factors within these cultural contexts that contribute to resilience. This qualitative study explores experiences of mothers caring for adolescent children with intellectual disabilities in Thailand. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 Thai mothers of adolescents with intellectual disabilities at the Rajanukul Institute in Thailand. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis, guided by Braun and Clarke (2006). Results Six themes were developed, detailing mothers' resilience journeys: becoming a mother of a child with intellectual disabilities, finding my way, navigating challenges, support systems, holding on to faith, and forward-thinking strategies. Conclusion This study reveals that resilience amongst mothers is a dynamic process shaped by personal attributes, coping strategies, social support, and cultural and spiritual beliefs. These findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive interventions to strengthen parental resilience.
Psychology
Ricotti A et al. · Jul 1, 2026
Background Language development in early childhood varies considerably, making early detection of Developmental Language Disorders (DLDs) challenging despite their high prevalence and long-term effects on learning and mental health. In Italy, no culturally adapted, easy-to-use screening tools are currently available in primary care. To address this gap, a screening tool was developed to support the early identification of children aged 24-72 months at risk of DLD and other clinically relevant language difficulties. Aims To evaluate the psychometric properties and accuracy of the Comunicazione e Linguaggio in Ambulatorio Pediatrico (CLAP), a brief age-specific screening tool designed for use in Italian paediatric outpatient settings. Methods and procedures In this pilot validation study, children were recruited by primary care paediatricians during routine well-child visits and stratified into four age groups: 24-30, 36-42, 48-54, and 60-72 months. After administration of the CLAP screening tool, each child underwent a blinded speech-language pathologist (SLP) assessment. Psychometric evaluation included internal consistency, item-total correlations, confirmatory factor analysis, and item response theory indices (discrimination and difficulty). Diagnostic accuracy was assessed using ROC curves, area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and optimal cut-offs. Analyses were conducted separately for each age group. Outcomes and results Fifty children were enrolled in each age group; overall, 24% of the sample fell into the pathological subgroup after the blinded SLP assessment. Internal consistency was acceptable in the 24-30-month (KR-20 = 0.695) and 36-42-month (KR-20 = 0.777) groups, but lower in older children. Factor analyses supported a mainly unidimensional structure in the younger groups. Item response theory showed good discrimination and informativeness for several items. ROC analyses indicated excellent diagnostic accuracy in the 24-30-month group (AUC = 0.93; sensitivity = 92%; specificity = 87%), fair accuracy in the 36-42- and 48-54-month groups (AUC = 0.75 and 0.74), and poor performance in the 60-72-month group (AUC = 0.46). Conclusion and implications The CLAP demonstrates promising psychometric properties and good-to-fair accuracy as a brief screening tool for identifying children aged 24-54 months at risk of clinically relevant language difficulties, including those who may need further assessment for DLD. Its age-specific design, quick administration, and non-invasive nature support its potential integration into routine primary care. For older children, an age-specific revision or an alternative tool might be required. A larger validation study is currently in progress. What this paper adds What is already known on this subject Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is common in early childhood; however, early identification remains difficult due to variable developmental pathways and the absence of validated screening tools in primary care. Currently, no brief, culturally adapted instrument is available for routine use in Italian paediatric settings. What does this study add to existing knowledge This study demonstrates that the CLAP tool has promising psychometric properties, with good accuracy in the youngest age group and fair accuracy up to 54 months for identifying children at risk of clinically relevant language difficulties, including those who may later meet criteria for DLD. It provides the first evidence supporting an age-specific, feasible screening option that can be integrated into Italian primary care, while also identifying areas requiring revision for older pre-schoolers. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? CLAP can assist paediatricians in the early detection of clinically relevant language difficulties in children during routine well-child visits. Its adoption could help standardize early language screening in Italy, leading to earlier referral for further diagnostic assessment and appropriate speech-language evaluation.
Psychology
Ji D et al. · Jul 1, 2026
Background Migrant youth are at disproportionate risk of mental health challenges. Overcoming barriers to accessing services requires large-scale data to inform policies and interventions. This study maps mental health outcome trends of migrant youth over 8 years. Methods Canadian Health Behavior in School-aged Children study data from 2014, 2018, and 2022 were analyzed for mental health outcome trends. Age-adjusted logistic regressions examined health across years stratified by migrant status, separately by sex. Using nonmigrants as the referent group and 2014 as the referent year, contrasts for disparities were examined across migrant status to test widening, narrowing, or stability in differences of outcome prevalences between migrant and nonmigrant youth. Results Health worsened from 2014 to 2022 among migrants, especially migrant girls. Compared to 2014, life satisfaction, health, and self-confidence for migrant youth dropped in 2022. Health complaints and feeling sad/hopeless increased in 2022 among girls. Migrant youth reported fewer health complaints than nonmigrants in 2018 and 2022. Implications Investment in free/affordable, culturally safe/relevant, confidential school-based mental health supports with avenues for community collaboration are recommended. Conclusions Mental health outcomes worsened from 2014 to 2022, especially among migrants and girls; however, migrant youth exhibit resilience to adversity.
Psychology
Markova G et al. · Jul 1, 2026
In this study, we applied machine learning tools to automatically track the positions of preschool children in a natural free play setting and derived spatial and temporal features from these data to identify social interactions between them. We observed a sample of 20 preschool children (10 female, 10 male; M ± SD = 3.95 ± 0.82 years) in groups of three children each. Friendship among children was assessed, and friend dyads were paired either with a mutual friend (n = 12 groups) or with a mutually disliked peer (n = 11 groups). We used a ceiling-mounted camera to record 10-min free play sessions of the 23 groups and used an automated keypoint tracking software to extract children's locations over time from the videos. From this data, we derived the following measures for each dyad within the group: distance, social orientation, and paired correlations of children's position and speed. Additionally, a human rater coded all occurrences of social interactions in the videos. Automated measures reliably predicted the occurrence of children's social interactions, validating our choice of spatial and temporal features. Friend dyads were closer, oriented more toward each other, and showed higher position and speed correlations than non-friends. Social orientation and speed correlation varied over time, and speed correlation increased in mixed-group contexts, especially among friends. These findings highlight the value of tracking-based approaches for detecting both fine-grained interactive behavior and affiliative ties, offering key insights into the spatial dynamics of young children's peer interactions.
Psychology