Préférences musicales alternatives et ajustement psychosocial à la fin de l’adolescence : une approche développementale semi-paramétrique

Essai doctoral présenté à la Faculté des études supérieures en vue de l'obtention du grade de Docteur en psychologie (D. Psy,), option clinique

Préférences musicales alternatives et ajustement psychosocial à la fin de l’adolescence : une approche développementale semi-paramétrique

Essai doctoral présenté à la Faculté des études supérieures en vue de l'obtention du grade de Docteur en psychologie (D. Psy,), option clinique

Revision of the Neotropical trahiras of the Hoplias lacerdae species-group (Ostariophysi: Characiformes: Erythrinidae) with descriptions of two new species

Hoplias lacerdae was originally described from the rio Ribeira de Iguape, Iporanga, São Paulo State. The Hoplias lacerdae group is defined as containing generally large trahiras with the medial margins of dentaries running parallel to each other and lacking teeth on the basihyal compared to the H. malabaricus group in which the medial margins of the dentaries converge towards the mandibular symphysis and which have teeth on the basihyal. A taxonomic revision of the group based on meristic and morphometric data identified five distinct species: H. lacerdae distributed in the rio Ribeira de Iguape and rio Uruguai; H. intermedius from the rio São Francisco, upper rio Paraná basin, and rio Doce; H. brasiliensis from rivers of the Atlantic Coastal drainage from the rio Paraguaçu to the rio Jequitinhonha; H. australis new species, endemic to the rio Uruguai; and H. curupira new species present in northern South America, including the rios Negro, Trombetas, Tapajós, Xingu, Tocantins and Capim in the Amazon basin, upper rio Orinoco near the rio Casiquiare (Venezuela), and coastal rivers of Guyana and Suriname. A lectotype for Hoplias intermedius and a neotype for H. brasiliensis are designated.

Rehabilitation of executive dysfunction: A controlled trial of an attention and problem solving treatment group

In this study, the effectiveness of a group-based attention and problem solving (APS) treatment approach to executive impairments in patients with frontal lobe lesions was investigated. Thirty participants with lesions in the frontal lobes, 16 with left frontal (LF) and 14 with right frontal (RF) lesions, were allocated into three groups, each with 10 participants. The APS treatment was initially compared to two other control conditions, an information/education (IE) approach and treatment-as-usual or traditional rehabilitation (TR), with each of the control groups subsequently receiving the APS intervention in a crossover design. This design allowed for an evaluation of the treatment through assessment before and after treatment and on follow up, six months later. There was an improvement on some executive and functional measures after the implementation of the APS programme in the three groups. Size, and to a lesser extent laterality, of lesion affected baseline performance on measures of executive function, but there was no apparent relationship between size, laterality or site of lesion and level of benefit from the treatment intervention. The results were discussed in terms of models of executive functioning and the effectiveness of domain specific interventions in the rehabilitation of executive dysfunction.

Putting the group back into unions: A social psychological contribution to understanding union support

Industrial relations research that attempts to grapple with individuals' union-related sentiments and activities often draws on one of two traditions of psychological research—the individual-level factors tradition (for example, personality and attitude-behaviour relations) and the social context tradition (for example, frustration-aggression and relative deprivation). This paper provides an overview of research conducted from within these traditions to explain union-related phenomena and identifies some of the limitations that arise as a consequence of a shared tendency to treat people in an atomistic fashion. The paper argues for an understanding of the psychological processes that underpin group-based action. To this end, it elaborates a theoretical framework based on social identity theory and self-categorisation theory that would allow us to examine the dynamic interplay between the individual, their cognitions and their environment. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of a specific case of union mobilisation, to indicate how this theoretical framework might aid empirical analysis.

Protocol for the psychotherapeutic group intervention for facilitating posttraumatic growth in nonmetastatic breast cancer patients

Breast cancer can be perceived as a traumatic event with disturbing effects on psychological domains such as depression, anxiety, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. In contrast, growing evidence has shown that posttraumatic growth can occur as a result of coping with breast cancer. Challenging the assumptive world, deliberate rumination, and emotional disclosure are recognized as strong predictors of posttraumatic growth. Group interventions may also increase social support, distress disclosure, and posttraumatic growth. The aim of this study is to evaluate how group-based interventions can facilitate posttraumatic growth and promote improved psychosocial adjustment to breast cancer. This article describes the study protocol and the applied research methods.

Cryptic diversity among Western Palearctic tree frogs: postglacial range expansion, range limits, and secondary contacts of three European tree frog lineages (Hyla arborea group).

We characterize divergence times, intraspecific diversity and distributions for recently recognized lineages within the Hyla arborea species group, based on mitochondrial and nuclear sequences from 160 localities spanning its whole distribution. Lineages of H. arborea, H. orientalis, H. molleri have at least Pliocene age, supporting species level divergence. The genetically uniform Iberian H. molleri, although largely isolated by the Pyrenees, is parapatric to H. arborea, with evidence for successful hybridization in a small Aquitanian corridor (southwestern France), where the distribution also overlaps with H. meridionalis. The genetically uniform H. arborea, spread from Crete to Brittany, exhibits molecular signatures of a postglacial range expansion. It meets different mtDNA clades of H. orientalis in NE-Greece, along the Carpathians, and in Poland along the Vistula River (there including hybridization). The East-European H. orientalis is strongly structured genetically. Five geographic mitochondrial clades are recognized, with a molecular signature of postglacial range expansions for the clade that reached the most northern latitudes. Hybridization with H. savignyi is suggested in southwestern Turkey. Thus, cryptic diversity in these Pliocene Hyla lineages covers three extremes: a genetically poor, quasi-Iberian endemic (H. molleri), a more uniform species distributed from the Balkans to Western Europe (H. arborea), and a well-structured Asia Minor-Eastern European species (H. orientalis).

Parents - child role reversal in trilogue play: case studies of trajectories from pregnancy to toddlerhood

Role reversal, whereby a child attempts to meet her parent's adult needs for parenting, intimacy, or companionship, has been identified as a risk factor for developmental disturbances. It has been defined from diverse perspectives as a child attachment strategy, a parent - toddler relational disturbance, and a boundary disturbance between parents and child. The recently discovered infant's triangular capacity, namely the sharing of her attention and affects with both parents, allows one to analyse the infant's contribution to early family dynamics. Role reversal was detected in 4 out of 45 father - mother - infant interactions observed in trilogue play from pregnancy to toddlerhood. The developmental trajectories towards role reversal are explored by means of case analyses. Results are compared with cases of problematic triangulation encountered in the same sample. In role reversal, family interactions are rigidly organized around a "two against one" coalition, whereby the normative hierarchy between parents and child is reversed. The child's triangular capacity is overactivated, controlling the tension between her parents by provocation - animation strategies

Gender stereotypes of personality : universal and accurate ?

Numerous studies have documented subtle but consistent sex differences in self-reports and observer-ratings of five-factor personality traits, and such effects were found to show well- defined developmental trajectories and remarkable similarity across nations. In contrast, very little is known about perceived gender differences in five-factor traits in spite of their potential implications for gender biases at the interpersonal and societal level. In particular, it is not clear how perceived gender differences in five-factor personality vary across age groups and national contexts and to what extent they accurately reflect assessed sex differences in personality. To address these questions, we analyzed responses from 3,323 individuals across 26 nations (mean age = 22.3 years, 31% male) who were asked to rate the five-factor personality traits of typical men or women in three age groups (adolescent, adult, and older adult) in their respective nations. Raters perceived women as slightly higher in openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness as well as some aspects of extraversion and neuroticism. Perceived gender differences were fairly consistent across nations and target age groups and mapped closely onto assessed sex differences in self- and observer-rated personality. Associations between the average size of perceived gender differences and national variations in sociodemographic characteristics, value systems, or gender equality did not reach statistical significance. Findings contribute to our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of gender stereotypes of personality and suggest that perceptions of actual sex differences may play a more important role than culturally based gender roles and socialization processes.

Prolonged Period of Cortical Plasticity upon Redox Dysregulation in Fast-Spiking Interneurons.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress and the specific impairment of perisomatic gamma-aminobutyric acid circuits are hallmarks of the schizophrenic brain and its animal models. Proper maturation of these fast-spiking inhibitory interneurons normally defines critical periods of experience-dependent cortical plasticity. METHODS: Here, we linked these processes by genetically inducing a redox dysregulation restricted to such parvalbumin-positive cells and examined the impact on critical period plasticity using the visual system as a model (3-6 mice/group). RESULTS: Oxidative stress was accompanied by a significant loss of perineuronal nets, which normally enwrap mature fast-spiking cells to limit adult plasticity. Accordingly, the neocortex remained plastic even beyond the peak of its natural critical period. These effects were not seen when redox dysregulation was targeted in excitatory principal cells. CONCLUSIONS: A cell-specific regulation of redox state thus balances plasticity and stability of cortical networks. Mistimed developmental trajectories of brain plasticity may underlie, in part, the pathophysiology of mental illness. Such prolonged developmental plasticity may, in turn, offer a therapeutic opportunity for cognitive interventions targeting brain plasticity in schizophrenia.

Group mentoring for junior medical students: perceptions of mentees and mentors

Entering medical school can be associated with a number of difficulties that can hinder students' performance. Mentoring programs are designed to help students circumvent difficulties and improve their learning and personal development. The current study aimed to evaluate the perceptions of both students and mentors regarding a recently introduced, group-based mentoring program designed to support first-year students. After one year of regular meetings, students and mentors' perceptions of the program were assessed by means of structured questionnaires. Response content categories were identified through multiple readings. Both regular attendees and non-participating students had positive opinions about the program. Mentors were highly satisfied at having participated and acknowledged that the program has been useful not only for assisting students, but also for fostering their own personal and professional development. In conclusion, the group-based mentoring program is feasible and can elicit positive views from both mentors and students. In addition, faculty members' participation as mentors can also be beneficial, since the program appears to contribute to their own personal and professional development

Perspectives of Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder on a Community-Based Parent Education Program

In 2012 a community-based agency that oversees Intensive Behaviour Intervention services for young children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) began delivering newly developed curricula to parents of eligible children. The curricula’s intent was to inform parents about ASD and Applied Behaviour Analysis, to increase their awareness of available community resources, and assist them to be active and engaged in their child’s learning. This mixed-method study used a program-specific survey and focus groups to explore the perspectives parents had on their involvement in these education sessions. Through constant comparison analysis 4 major and 3 minor themes emerged. In general, parents acknowledged that this parent education program included relevant content and a favourable delivery format. The study summarized a number of well-articulated, practical suggestions parents provided. Implications for practice would be applicable to educators interested in providing quality group-based education to parents of young children with ASD.

Les multiples trajectoires d’activité physique supervisée et non supervisée chez les enfants du primaire au Québec : un modèle écologique

Contexte : L’activité physique est une composante centrale du développement physique, psychologique et social de l'enfant, particulièrement au sein d'une société où l'impact de la sédentarité et de l'obésité devient de plus en plus important. Cependant, les trajectoires d’activité physique hors école et leurs déterminants sont peu étudiés et les connaissances sur ce sujet sont limitées. Il est également notoire que les types d’activité physique sont rarement pris en considération. Objectif : Ce mémoire a pour but (a) de déterminer les trajectoires de pratique d’activité physique au cours du développement des enfants (b) de valider l’association entre l’activité physique supervisée et l’activité non supervisée et (c) d’identifier les déterminants au niveau du quartier, de la famille et des caractéristiques individuelles associés aux trajectoires de pratique d’activité physique supervisée et non supervisée. Participants : 1 814 enfants (51% garçons) nés en 1998 ayant participé à l’Étude Longitudinale du Développement des Enfants du Québec (ELDEQ). Les données récoltées proviennent uniquement de leur mère. Mesures : La fréquence de l’activité physique supervisée et non supervisée a été mesurée à quatre reprises alors que les enfants étaient âgés entre 5 et 8 ans. Les déterminants ainsi que les variables contrôles ont été mesurés alors que les enfants avaient 4 ou 5 ans. Résultats : Trois trajectoires d’activité physique supervisée et non supervisée ont été identifiées. Les résultats suggèrent que les trajectoires d’activité physique supervisée, représentant respectivement 10%, 55.3% et 34.7% de la population, sont relativement stables même si elles subissent une légère augmentation avec le temps. Des trois trajectoires d’activité physique non supervisée représentant respectivement 14.1%, 28.1% et 57.8% de la population, une augmente considérablement avec le temps alors iv que les deux autres sont stables. Ces deux séries de trajectoires ne sont pas associées significativement entre elles. L’éducation de la mère, l’entraide dans le quartier de résidence ainsi que la prosocialité des enfants déterminent les deux types d’activité physique. La suffisance de revenu et la pratique sportive de la mère sont associées seulement aux trajectoires d’activité physique supervisée. La famille intacte discrimine l’appartenance aux trajectoires d’activité physique non supervisée. Conclusion : Premièrement, la pratique de l’activité physique est relativement stable entre 5 et 8 ans. Deuxièmement, l’activité physique supervisée ainsi que l’activité physique non supervisée sont deux pratiques qui se développent différemment et qui possèdent leurs propres déterminants. Troisièmement, une approche écologique permet de mieux saisir la complexité de ces deux processus.

Étude du traitement visuel simple et complexe chez les enfants autistes

Les personnes ayant un trouble du spectre autistique (TSA) manifestent des particularités perceptives. En vision, des travaux influents chez les adultes ont mené à l’élaboration d’un modèle explicatif du fonctionnement perceptif autistique qui suggère que l’efficacité du traitement visuel varie en fonction de la complexité des réseaux neuronaux impliqués (Hypothèse spécifique à la complexité). Ainsi, lorsque plusieurs aires corticales sont recrutées pour traiter un stimulus complexe (e.g., modulations de texture; attributs de deuxième ordre), les adultes autistes démontrent une sensibilité diminuée. À l’inverse, lorsque le traitement repose principalement sur le cortex visuel primaire V1 (e.g., modulations locales de luminance; attributs de premier ordre), leur sensibilité est augmentée (matériel statique) ou intacte (matériel dynamique). Cette dissociation de performance est spécifique aux TSA et peut s’expliquer, entre autre, par une connectivité atypique au sein de leur cortex visuel. Les mécanismes neuronaux précis demeurent néanmoins méconnus. De plus, on ignore si cette signature perceptuelle est présente à l’enfance, information cruciale pour les théories perceptives de l’autisme. Le premier volet de cette thèse cherche à vérifier, à l’aide de la psychophysique et l’électrophysiologie, si la double dissociation de performance entre les attributs statiques de premier et deuxième ordre se retrouve également chez les enfants autistes d’âge scolaire. Le second volet vise à évaluer chez les enfants autistes l’intégrité des connexions visuelles descendantes impliquées dans le traitement des textures. À cet effet, une composante électrophysiologique reflétant principalement des processus de rétroaction corticale a été obtenue lors d’une tâche de ségrégation des textures. Les résultats comportementaux obtenus à l’étude 1 révèlent des seuils sensoriels similaires entre les enfants typiques et autistes à l’égard des stimuli définis par des variations de luminance et de texture. Quant aux données électrophysiologiques, il n’y a pas de différence de groupe en ce qui concerne le traitement cérébral associé aux stimuli définis par des variations de luminance. Cependant, contrairement aux enfants typiques, les enfants autistes ne démontrent pas une augmentation systématique d’activité cérébrale en réponse aux stimuli définis par des variations de texture pendant les fenêtres temporelles préférentiellement associées au traitement de deuxième ordre. Ces différences d’activation émergent après 200 ms et engagent les aires visuelles extrastriées des régions occipito-temporales et pariétales. Concernant la connectivité cérébrale, l’étude 2 indique que les connexions visuelles descendantes sont fortement asymétriques chez les enfants autistes, en défaveur de la région occipito-temporale droite. Ceci diffère des enfants typiques pour qui le signal électrophysiologique reflétant l’intégration visuo-corticale est similaire entre l’hémisphère gauche et droit du cerveau. En somme, en accord avec l’hypothèse spécifique à la complexité, la représentation corticale du traitement de deuxième ordre (texture) est atypiquement diminuée chez les enfants autistes, et un des mécanismes cérébraux impliqués est une altération des processus de rétroaction visuelle entre les aires visuelles de haut et bas niveau. En revanche, contrairement aux résultats obtenus chez les adultes, il n’y a aucun indice qui laisse suggérer la présence de mécanismes supérieurs pour le traitement de premier ordre (luminance) chez les enfants autistes.

Nano Electronics and Computer Science Research Group

This is the website for the Nano Research group based at the University of Southampton ECS department, and details current research topics and the people connected with these. It shows some of the current research topics undertaken at the center, and gives an outline of what can be done for post graduate courses.