Smith-Chant, Brenda

This study aimed to explore relationships between impulsivity scores, cannabis use, and performance on vigilance, attention, and decision making tasks. We also investigated whether cannabis use related to self-reported risk taking behaviours, including risky driving, openness to engage with cryptocurrency markets, or gambling behaviour. The regular recreational cannabis users had significantly higher impulsivity scores and tendency to use other substances than non-users. The regular cannabis users had better performance efficiency than non-users for hit targets on the vigilance task, but not the other two target trial types. The regular cannabis users made significantly fewer errors than non-users on the verbal Stroop task. There were no significant performance differences on the Iowa Gambling Task between the regular recreational cannabis users and non-users. None of our other hypotheses explorations yielded statistically significant results.

Author Keywords: cannabis, cryptocurrency, gambling, impulsivity, Stroop, vigilance

Previous researchers have linked lower levels of stress and greater ability to mobilize energy toward a goal (self-motivation); confidence in their ability to complete/achieve a particular task or goal (self-efficacy), and ability to willfully control their thoughts, emotions and behaviour (self-control) to regular physical activity (PA). In an effort to provide further insight into the processes underlying regular PA researches have begun to explore the interplay among stress and multiple self-regulatory variables when predicting level of PA (i.e., intensity and duration). In line with this integrated approach the present study aimed to examine the interplay among self-motivation, self-efficacy, and self-control when predicting daily PA. The study was a correlational design with cross-sectional data on trait self-motivation and self-efficacy collected at baseline, and longitudinal data collected on stress, PA, state self-control, self-motivation and self-efficacy over a 2 day period. The results from the regression model (n = 418) revealed a negative indirect effect of stress on participants level of PA through its negative relationship with state multifactor self-regulation. This mediation effect appeared to be moderated by trait SE and SM. In conclusion, these results support the notion of a stress related depletion effect acting on individuals state self-regulatory resources which was associated with lower levels of PA (i.e. intensity and duration). However, the negative effect of stress appeared to be buffered by high levels of trait SE and SM.

Author Keywords: exercise, physical activity, self-control, self-efficacy, self-motivation, self-regulation

It is well known that pain can heighten sensitivity to stimuli that signal threat in most species. In rodents, exposure to predator odor, such as 2,5-dihydro-2,4,5-trimethylthiazoline (TMT), induces anxiety and alters pain sensitivity. This study explored the effect of predator odor stress on mechanical pain sensitivity in a rat model of acute inflammatory pain induced by suboptimal doses of Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected intraplantarly with 50% or 25% (v/v) of CFA in the hindpaw and then exposed the next day to 5 minutes of either 10% TMT (synthetic fox urine) or a neutral odor. Both groups showed reduced paw withdrawal thresholds in the von Frey test. However, TMT-exposed rats displayed persistent mechanical hypersensitivity, which never returned to baseline (pre-CFA) levels when compared to CFA-rats exposed to the neutral odor or control rats exposed to TMT. In addition, TMT exposure after CFA induced greater anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze without affecting locomotor activity in the open field or altering learned responses in a backward paired shock-tone conditioning task. Finally, systemic administration of a CCK2 antagonist before exposure to TMT partially rescued the mechanical hypersensitivity in these animals but had little effect on CFA-treated rats exposed to the neutral odor. These results suggest that naturalistic stress can lead to a long-lasting nociceptive sensitization that extends beyond the duration of the initial inflammatory injury. Our findings also highlight the importance of CCK2 signaling as a potential mediator of and therapeutic target for stress-induced pain hypersensitivity.

Author Keywords: allodynia, CCK, CFA, mechanical sensitivity, stress, TMT

Previous researchers have linked lower levels of stress and greater ability to mobilize energy toward a goal (self-motivation); confidence in their ability to complete/achieve a particular task or goal (self-efficacy), and ability to willfully control their thoughts, emotions and behaviour (self-control) to regular physical activity (PA). In an effort to provide further insight into the processes underlying regular PA researches have begun to explore the interplay among stress and multiple self-regulatory variables when predicting level of PA (i.e., intensity and duration). In line with this integrated approach the present study aimed to examine the interplay among self-motivation, self-efficacy, and self-control when predicting daily PA. The study was a correlational design with cross-sectional data on trait self-motivation and self-efficacy collected at baseline, and longitudinal data collected on stress, PA, state self-control, self-motivation and self-efficacy over a 2 day period. The results from the regression model (n = 418) revealed a negative indirect effect of stress on participants level of PA through its negative relationship with state multifactor self-regulation. This mediation effect appeared to be moderated by trait SE and SM. In conclusion, these results support the notion of a stress related depletion effect acting on individuals state self-regulatory resources which was associated with lower levels of PA (i.e. intensity and duration). However, the negative effect of stress appeared to be buffered by high levels of trait SE and SM.

Author Keywords: exercise, physical activity, self-control, self-efficacy, self-motivation, self-regulation

Children may be spending less time outdoors in nature than in previous generations, with one potential reason being parents in their role as 'gatekeepers' to the outdoors. This study investigated how families are spending their time during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how parents may influence children's outdoor nature experiences. Parents (N = 121) from across Canada completed measures related to their family's activities as well as their own connection with nature, attitudes about nature, and childhood nature contact. Results suggest that having easy access to nature, a greater connection with nature, believing in the importance of outdoor experiences, and doing outdoor activities in childhood may be associated with more current family time outside in nature. By understanding the reasons behind parental decisions regarding where and how families spend time outside, strategies can be developed to help parents increase their children's nature time in the future.

Author Keywords: children, family, nature, nature-relatedness, outdoors, parents

Recently, a distinction has been made between cognitive theory of mind, the ability to make inferences about other's beliefs and thoughts, and affective theory of mind, the ability to make inferences about other's emotional states. The purpose of this study is to determine if the distinction between cognitive and affective theory of mind is developmentally appropriate and whether the relation between language and theory of mind is maintained when cognitive and affective theory of mind are examined separately. The sample consisted of 20 children aged 6 to 9 years, and 27 children aged 11 to 15 years. Results showed that the older group outperformed the younger group on both cognitive and affective theory of mind, and that different aspects of language were related to each type of theory of mind. This suggests the distinction between cognitive and affective theory of mind may in fact be valid in this age range.

Author Keywords: Affective Theory of Mind, Cognitive Theory of Mind, Development, Language

The purpose of this study was to determine whether students at the Royal Military College (RMC) preferred electronic or print texts, their reasoning for this preference, and whether preference was related to student characteristics. Students (N=139) in a core course were provided with both formats. Due to a limited number of e-text users, statistical analyses of most variables were not possible. Instead, qualitative responses were analyzed to gain insight into student preferences. Students reported on the benefits and concerns of using each format. Their discussion of the benefits to the e-text and concerns about the print text were related to the level of convenience of each format. When considering the benefits of print and drawbacks of e-texts, students explained how these features could impact their reading experience. This study provides qualitative support for the continued use of print texts. Although they frequently use various forms of technology in the classroom, students are reluctant to study using electronic devices and feel their reading experience is best with print.

Author Keywords: Educational technology, Qualitative, Textbooks, Text preferences

The literature to date that investigates the development of social perspective taking in children primarily focuses on preschool aged children. These studies provide evidence that implicates language as being crucial for social perspective taking in young children but less is known about the importance of language to social perspective taking during middle childhood and early adolescence. The current study uses Selman's theory of socio-cognitive development to investigate the maturation of social perspective taking and the importance of language to social problem solving in 8 year olds (n = 111) and 12 year olds (n = 112). Analysis of variance and scalogram analysis shows a developmental progression of social perspective taking across the social problem solving process. Children may be able to demonstrate reciprocal perspective taking when generating strategies before they are able to demonstrate reciprocal perspective taking for other steps of social problem solving. Flexibility in interpersonal orientation is shown to be a predictor of social problem solving ability. Correlations and multiple regression analysis demonstrate that language is important to overall social problem solving but that the role of semantic and syntactic language may differ at age 8 compared to age 12.

Author Keywords: interpersonal orientation, language, Selman, social cognition, social perspective taking, social problem solving

Past research has predominately supported an association between insecure attachment and substance use. More recent research has found that while individuals with secure attachment may use substances, they do so with less risk. The current study attempted to replicate the finding regarding secure attachment and substance use and examined the motivational drives behind why students use substances. A total of 318 undergraduate students completed self-report questionnaires examining peer attachment, alcohol and marijuana use, as well as motivations for use. Results indicated that students who reported low frequency use of alcohol or marijuana did not have significantly higher security ratings compared to students who reported increased use. Additionally, although hypothesized, secure attachment ratings were not associated with social facilitation or enhancement motivations. However, fearful and dismissing attachment ratings were both significantly associated with coping motives as predicted, while preoccupied and fearful attachment ratings were significantly associated with conformity motives. Lastly, results from multiple regressions suggest that coping and enhancement motivations are significant predictors of alcohol use, while enhancement motivations are marginally significant in predicting marijuana use.

Author Keywords: alcohol, attachment, marijuana, motivation

Physical activity and classroom design changes are beneficial means to reduce stress, and enhance well-being. Results across some studies however, are mixed. Shanker Self-Reg™ supports the use of physical equipment and design as a means of managing arousal and tension levels. Previous research lacks rich description of educators' understanding of equipment and design, Self-Reg, and how this understanding affects the way it is implemented. In the current study, educators' understanding of Self-Reg, how this understanding influenced educators' approach to the school environment, and if one workshop was enough to inspire individuals to adopt a Self-Reg approach were explored using thematic analysis. Participants included educators from schools with beginner and intermediate-level experience in Self-Reg. The analysis produced eight themes and 8 sub-themes. Participants' knowledge of Self-Reg influenced their approach to their environments. Although one workshop may have inspired interest in the framework, it was not enough to shift educators' current practice.

Author Keywords: Arousal, Classroom, Self-Reg, Self-regulation, Stress, Teachers