Acta Psychologica最新文献

In the context of China's relaxed fertility policies and persistently low fertility rate, this study examines how parental gender preferences - son preference, daughter preference, balanced preference, and no preference - differentially associate with the ideals to have a second child versus a third child. Using nationally representative mixed cross-sectional data from 2017 to 2021 (N = 15,668), we conduct the first systematic comparison across these two parities. The research revealed that (1) notable child heterogeneity exists in gender preferences: a balanced preference is significantly positively associated with the inclination to have a second child but negatively associated with the desire for a third child, whereas gender-specific preference shows the opposite pattern; (2) the gender composition of existing children plays a crucial moderating role, with son preference markedly increasing the willingness to have a third child in families with two daughters compared with other configurations; and (3) traditional preference habituation (son preference) is more pronounced among rural households, male respondents, and youths from low socioeconomic status (SES). This study addresses key gaps in the literature, which has largely focused on a single parity or exclusively on female respondents, by examining both second- and third-child fertility ideals among both men and women. This reveals the complexity of the dynamics of gender preferences in the fertility decisions of Chinese families.

Although number order processing has received increasing research attention due to its association with arithmetic skills, its underlying cognitive mechanisms remain unclear. It has been suggested that highly familiar sequences (e.g., 1-2-3, 2-4-6) are processed faster because they are retrieved from memory. However, the involvement of verbal memory retrieval has not been directly tested and is usually inferred indirectly from participants' response times. In this study, participants completed an order verification task standalone and under verbal working memory load involving articulatory suppression, where participants repeated the syllables "pa-ta-ka" throughout the task. Participants also completed arithmetic production and verification tasks to evaluate the association between order processing and arithmetic. As expected, verbal working memory load increased response times, but this effect was stronger for consecutive than non-consecutive sequences, rather than for familiar versus unfamiliar ones as initially hypothesised. This pattern suggests that articulatory suppression may disrupt sub-vocal routines such as internal counting, which may be more prominent in consecutive sequences compared to non-consecutive, although familiar, sequences. Nevertheless, a robust familiarity effect was observed overall, with familiar sequences processed faster than unfamiliar ones. These findings point to a general involvement of verbal working memory in number order processing, particularly in relation to sequences that align with common counting routines. Finally, order verification performance was more strongly associated with arithmetic production for small problems-likely reflecting greater reliance on memory retrieval-and showed trends toward stronger associations with arithmetic verification and familiar sequences.

Background: Physical exercise is known to enhance both physical and mental health. Surfing, an emerging water sport practiced in "blue space", offers unique well-being benefits, including for individuals with disabilities through Para-Surfing.

Methods: This study analyzed the Quality of Life (QoL) among 146 Spanish participants (126 Surfers and 20 Para-Surfers), comparing competitive and recreational modalities, reasons for engagement, and the relationship between sociodemographic factors, surf practice, and QoL.

Results: Overall, participants reported high scores QoL. Despite the absence of discernible global disparities in Global QoL attributable to practice or surfing modality, Para-Surfers exhibited comparatively diminished QoL in the Physical Health and Level of Independence (PHLI) domain relative to Surfers. The predominant reasons for engaging in surfing activities among the study participants encompassed the enhancement of both mental and physical well-being, augmented personal autonomy, and the fulfillment derived from personal challenges. However, competitive Surfers and Para-Surfers were more likely to highlight performance and recognition as key motivators. Notably, recreational surfers who valued social connections reported higher QoL, unlike competitive surfers who placed less importance on these relationships. For Para-Surfers, equipment adaptation was significantly associated with better overall QoL, as well as improvements in psychological health and spirituality (PHS).

Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of aligning individual motivations with the type of surf practice to maximize QoL benefits. For Para-Surfers, access to safe, enjoyable, and adapted equipment is essential. Promoting surfing as a health-enhancing activity should consider both personal goals and structural support to optimize QoL outcomes.

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) has recently attracted growing attention in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) education, offering opportunities for personalised learning and efficiency gains. Yet, alongside these benefits, learners also face psychological tensions, particularly cognitive dissonance, that remain underexplored in current research. Prior work has often examined GenAI use through acceptance-oriented models, which is informative but leaves less room to capture coexisting tensions and the ways learners manage them in practice. Grounded in Cognitive Dissonance Theory, this study investigates how Chinese university students experience and regulate dissonance when using GenAI for English learning. Employing Q methodology, 25 participants were invited to sort 45 statements representing diverse perspectives on GenAI-assisted EFL learning. The Q-sorts were analysed using principal component analysis with Varimax rotation, supported by PQMethod and KADE software, to identify shared patterns of subjective viewpoints. The analysis revealed three salient dissonance types: efficiency-capacity dissonance (concerns over competence loss despite efficiency gains), instrumental-traditional dissonance (conflict between appreciation of AI tools and commitment to teacher-led methods), and trust-reliance dissonance (dependence on GenAI coupled with skepticism about its reliability and ethical risks). Post-sort interviews further identified six self-regulation strategies, including selective neglect, sequencing, reframing, context-based practice, verification, and conformity-based rationalization. The study presents a data-grounded typology of dissonance patterns and a mapping between dissonance configurations and self-regulatory responses, with implications for classroom guidance and for designing GenAI-supported tools that support learners' evaluation and decision-making.

Preadolescence marks the critical onset period for problem behaviors that shape later adjustment. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether family function is associated with preadolescent problem behaviors through the sequential mediation of generalized trust beliefs and peer attachment, while exploring potential gender differences in these pathways. A total of 371 preadolescents (M_age = 11.58 ± 0.58) completed self-reported questionnaires. Results of latent variable structural equation modeling showed that family function was negatively associated with internalizing problems largely through the sequential mediation of generalized trust beliefs and peer attachment. For externalizing problems, family function showed both a direct association and partially indirect association through the same pathway. Notably, the mediating role of peer attachment between family function and externalizing problems was significant for boys but not for girls. These findings underscore the roles of generalized trust and peer attachment in linking family function to problem behaviors and provide insights for gender-sensitive early interventions to reduce preadolescents' problem behaviors.

Background: Motivation, a fundamental driver of human behavior, is intricately linked with perfectionism, mindfulness, and emotion regulation styles. Although these constructs have been studied separately, their complex interactions remain unclear.

Methods: This study employed network analysis to explore how these dimensions collectively interact in a sample of 350 s-year high school students from Tabriz, Iran, selected via multi-stage cluster sampling. Data were collected using standardized self-report questionnaires. A Graphical Gaussian Model with polychoric correlations was estimated and visualized using qgraph and bootnet in R. Bridge centrality metrics and bootstrap resampling assessed network structure and stability.

Results: Results revealed strong positive partial correlations between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism, and mindfulness with integrated emotion regulation, alongside negative associations between mindfulness and emotion dysregulation. Intrinsic motivation, mindfulness, and self-oriented perfectionism emerged as the most central and influential nodes, supported by stable centrality indices.

Conclusions: These findings highlight intrinsic motivation and mindfulness as key targets for interventions aimed at enhancing psychological functioning. Overall, the study advances understanding of the dynamic interplay among these constructs, offering promising directions for tailored mental health interventions.

Previous research has established an association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and deficient inhibitory control. However, the role of ACEs in adults with heavy alcohol use, who frequently exhibit impaired inhibitory control, has not been well established. The present preliminary study aimed to assess the association between ACEs and inhibitory control in a sample of 32 heavy-drinking adults (43.75% women; 12.5% treatment-seeking) with retrospectively reported ACEs. This cross-sectional fMRI study assessed inhibitory control using the stop-signal task and retrospectively reported ACEs with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). A linear regression model was used to estimate task-related whole brain activation, with CTQ sum score as a predictor. Additionally, the correlation between activation in the left and right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and ACE severity was explored in region of interest (ROI) analyses. Increased ACE severity was significantly associated with shorter stop-signal reaction times (SSRTs; r(25) = -0.55, p = 0.003). The whole-brain and ROI analyses showed no significant associations between brain activation and ACE severity. Greater ACE severity might be associated with better inhibitory control among heavy-drinking individuals, a finding that contrasts with previous research, particularly in pediatric and adolescent samples. However, the cross-sectional nature and small sample size limit the generalizability of the current findings, highlighting the need for longitudinal studies with larger samples. Exploring potential ACE type and timing-related effects on neural changes related to inhibitory control in heavy-drinking populations may be a fruitful avenue for future research.

Cognitive conflict refers to situations in which incompatible representations, response tendencies, or interpretations are simultaneously activated, creating a state of disequilibrium that signals the need for regulatory processing. This review presents a Biopsychosocial perspective for understanding cognitive conflict, integrating evidence from biological, psychological, and social levels of analysis. Biologically, conflict monitoring involves key brain regions such as the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and prefrontal cortex, influenced by genetic factors regulating neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. Psychologically, cognitive conflict arises when individuals encounter incompatible information, goals, or response demands and is shaped by cognitive appraisal, emotion regulation, personality, and value systems. Socially, interpersonal interactions, cultural norms, and identity processes profoundly influence conflict dynamics, with collectivist and individualist orientations affecting tolerance for internal contradiction and preferred resolution strategies. The review synthesizes findings from neuroscience, psychology, education, and cross-cultural studies, underscoring the dual nature (constructive and disruptive) of cognitive conflict by highlighting how moderate conflict can facilitate learning and adaptation, while excessive conflict may overload cognitive resources and impede functioning. We argue that the effects of cognitive conflict are nonlinear and context-dependent, emerging from interactions among biological sensitivity, psychological regulation, and social framing. Practical implications span educational design, mental health intervention, and organizational training, advocating for tailored approaches that consider individual, biological, and socio-cultural factors. The key gaps are identified, including the need for longitudinal, cross-cultural, and multilevel approaches, as well as the use of adaptive technologies to better simulate and understand cognitive conflict.

Priming of Pop-out (PoP), when a target-defining feature repeats, accelerates visual search. While previous studies highlight the influence of display density-sparse versus dense arrays-on PoP, how display density interacts with memory encoding and retrieval stages remains unresolved. The present study disentangled the contributions of encoding (trial n-1) from retrieval (trial n) and tracked their influence on early orienting (pre-selective) versus late identification (post-selective) processes. Participants searched for a uniquely colored target under blocked and interleaved density regimes, with eye movements and manual responses recorded. By crossing sparse and dense displays across consecutive trials, four transition types were probed to determine where density exerts its effect. Color repetition reduced reaction times and first saccadic latency, and boosted first-saccade accuracy, but only when the current (i.e., the retrieval) display remained sparse. In contrast, dense displays showed fast responses, with the absence of PoP, due to saliency-driven guidance. Pre-selective eye-movement metrics showed robust PoP in sparse retrieval arrays, whereas dense retrieval arrays defaulted to saliency-driven guidance. Post-selective decision times were comparable across conditions, indicating that PoP drives only the early attentional guidance. These results indicate that while encoding reliably forms target templates, it is the retrieval context that switches feature-biasing mechanisms on or off, highlighting a dynamic interplay between memory and bottom-up salience in adaptive search.

Background: Work-Family Conflict (WFC) and Family-Work Conflict (FWC) are prevalent psychosocial stressors among working populations, closely associated with mental and behavioral health outcomes. However, the ways in which these conflicts relate to abnormal eating behaviors (EBS) remain insufficiently understood. Personality traits may function as psychological resources that shape individuals' stress responses, offering a potential explanatory account. Guided by the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, this study examined the associations between WFC, FWC, and EBS, and evaluated the independent and moderating roles of the Big Five personality traits.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 4579 working adults assessed WFC, FWC, EBS, and the Big Five traits (Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, Openness). Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses were conducted. Hierarchical regression models were used to test whether WFC/FWC were associated with EBS after adjusting for the Big Five traits. To examine moderation, interaction terms were then tested for personality traits that showed significant associations with EBS in the adjusted models (agreeableness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism). All models controlled for gender, occupation, monthly household income, smoking status, and BMI.

Results: Both WFC and FWC were positively associated with EBS, with FWC showing a stronger association (β = 0.266, p < 0.001) than WFC (β = 0.145, p < 0.001). These associations remained significant after adjusting for the Big Five traits (WFC: β = 0.161, p < 0.001; FWC: β = 0.189, p < 0.001). In terms of personality, agreeableness and conscientiousness were inversely associated with EBS (β = -0.096 and - 0.176, both p < 0.001), whereas neuroticism was positively associated with EBS (β = 0.039, p < 0.001). Moderation analyses indicated that only the WFC × agreeableness interaction was significant (β = 0.051, p < 0.05), while other interaction terms were non-significant, suggesting a trait-specific rather than universal moderation pattern. Higher EBS scores were also observed among males, smokers, and overweight/obese individuals.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that work-family conflicts are robustly associated with abnormal eating behaviors, and that personality traits provide additional explanatory value in terms of independent associations and limited, trait-specific moderation. Consistent with COR theory, the findings suggest that individuals with lower agreeableness or conscientiousness and higher neuroticism may be more vulnerable to stress-related maladaptive eating. Given the cross-sectional design, these findings reflect correlational associations rather than causal effects; longitudinal research is needed to verify these relationships across cultural contexts.