The World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF) is predicated on a multidimensional perspective on quality of life (QOL); yet studies are unclear about the latent structure underlying responses. This article reports on a study conducted to investigate the structure of WHOQOL-BREF scores. Competing latent structures of the data were examined in a general population sample. In addition, the complete factorial invariance of the retained model was investigated across gender. We also investigated latent mean differences in the QOL dimensions over age as well as age by gender interactions effects. Based on responses to the WHOQOL-BREF, support was found for a bifactor exploratory structural equation modeling representation of the data. This measurement structure accounts for construct-relevant multidimensionality in item responses due to the presence of general and specific factors underlying the data and the fallibility of indictors as pure reflections of only the single constructs they are purported to measure. Furthermore, support was found for measurement and structural invariance across gender. Finally, evidence was obtained for a curvilinear relationship of age with QOL, characterized by a midlife nadir. Taken together, the results of the study yield important validation data for the WHOQOL-BREF and tentatively resolve the dimensionality issues in the measurement of QOL using this instrument.

This study assesses interpersonal acceptance-rejection theory’s (IPARTheory’s) prediction that adults’ (both men’s and women’s) remembrances of parental (both maternal and paternal) rejection in childhood are likely to be associated with adults’ fear of intimacy, as mediated by adults’ psychological maladjustment and relationship anxiety. The study also assesses the prediction that these associations will not vary significantly by gender, ethnicity, language, culture, or other such defining conditions. To test these predictions a sample of 3,483 young adults in 13 nations responded to the mother and father versions of the Adult Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire (short forms), Adult Personality Assessment Questionnaire (short form), the Interpersonal Relationship Anxiety Questionnaire, the Fear of Intimacy Scale, and the Revised Personal Information Form. Results of multigroup analyses showed that adults’ remembrances of both maternal and paternal rejection in childhood independently predicted men’s and women’s fear of intimacy in all 13 countries. However, remembered maternal rejection was a significantly stronger predictor of adults’ fear of intimacy than was remembered paternal rejection. Results also confirmed the prediction in all 13 countries and across both genders that both maternal and paternal rejection independently predicted adults’ psychological maladjustment and relationship anxiety, which in turn predicted fear of intimacy. In addition, psychological maladjustment partially mediated the relation between remembrances of maternal and paternal rejection, and adults’ fear of intimacy in all 13 countries and both genders.

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These results suggest that Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing may be an effective treatment modality for postoperative pain.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of existing psychological interventions on the social adjustment of young refugees. From 51 peer-reviewed articles identified in the literature, 11 studies with 25 therapeutic effect sizes met criteria for inclusion (N = 1,736). Hedges’ g was used to measure effect sizes and a random-effects model was conducted. The number of sessions and participant age were considered as potential moderator variables in moderator analyses through meta-regression. The effect sizes of the included studies were compared based on the type of intervention. The results showed that the aggregated effect size for all included interventions was significant, computed as g = 0.14, p < 0.01, 95% confidence interval [0.06, 0.21]. The effect size is considered small, based on Cohen's (1992) guidelines. The results of the meta-regression showed that the effectiveness of the included psychological interventions on social adjustment was not moderated by either the number of sessions (b = 0.006 p = 0.35) or age (b = –0.008, p = 0.59). Furthermore, there were no significant differences between different therapeutic approaches (Q = 7.37, df (Q) = 6; p = 0.28). This meta-analysis demonstrates that mental-health interventions in young refugees mildly improve their social adjustment. Due to the importance of social adjustment in refugees, we suggest that existing interventions place greater specific focus on improving social adjustment. The details of implications for future studies are discussed.