Article Summary

Article Summary: Developmental Psychology Articles

Within the first selected article, Stress Processors Linking to Parent-Child Disconnection

to Disease Risk in Young Adulthood-Amplification by Genotype, authors Bae and Wickrama

presents a strong argument regarding the connection between a weak family unit identified at

early childhood and the susceptibility of poor health in young adulthood. Bae and Wickrama

hypothesize that, if a child does not have a supportive family unit early on in life, then that child

is mostly prone to develop physiological diseases, some in which can ultimately be life-

threatening.

Per the authors, numerous studies have been conducted that supports this articles

hypothesis. Parents that present stressful living environments and show very little to no affection

tend to have children that become isolated and withdrawn. Such an environment can have a

negative impact on how a child may interaction in school, among peers, and even in their overall

cognitive behavior. “Adverse parent–child relationships in early years and stressful life

experiences in later years can be considered as two psychologically distinct constructs, both of

which contribute to young adults’ health outcomes through different etiological processes

(McCutcheon et al. 2010)”, (Bae & Wickrama, pg.2, 2017).

The hypothesis presented by the authors of the selected article is that, if a child is

provided with a strong family dynamic early on in life that address stressor in a constructive

manner, then that child will have the ability to better handle confrontation, future life stressors,

obtain healthy relationships, and will have a lesser chance of suffering from various diseases that

can be brought on by stressors that are poorly handled.

Researchers Bae and Wickrama sought to prove their hypothesis by measuring the

disconnection between parent and child utilizing a relationship measurement report. Within the

This study source was downloaded by 100000825965683 from CourseHero.com on 01-07-2025 20:30:51 GMT -06:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/216537078/Article-Summary-Developmental-Psychology-Articlesdocx/

first portion of the research the researchers focused on the non-bonding families. There was a

total of five questions that were presented to the mothers of each child, these five questions were

used to gauge the relationship between the mother and the child; scales were used for measuring.

In turn the adolescents were asked a total of six questions, also measured utilizing scales. The

overall study consisted of 20,745 adolescent participants from 134 middle and high schools.

From each of the adolescents the mother was selected as the respondent.

The data collected front the study showed that individuals that felt less connected to their

parent(s) showed to have a greater risk of experiencing health problems in their future. “As

expected, parent–child disconnection, stressful life events, and cardio-metabolic disease risk

were significantly intercorrelated in the expected directions; parent–child dis- connection was

significantly correlated with stressful life events in young adulthood, which, in turn, was

significantly correlated with young adults’ cardio- metabolic disease risk” (Bae & Wickrama, pg.

6, 2017).

The conclusion reached by Bae and Wickrama indicated that their hypothesis was indeed

supported. Bae and Wickrama conveyed that the data collected throughout the study enabled

them to develop methods and tools that can assist with the prevention and intervention of

potential health risks in young adults when taught to deal with stressors within a more connected

family unit. Researchers Bae and Wickrama are under no illusion that children will not avoid

health risks when entering into their young adulthood, this duo of researchers are just presenting

an argument that will help others to see that there are ways to minimize such health risks.

While the second selected article strongly aligns with Bae and Wickrama’s hypothesis

and the presented data, the researchers within the selected article is less specific when discussing

the effects of early-on stressors on future health issues. The researchers within the article titled,

This study source was downloaded by 100000825965683 from CourseHero.com on 01-07-2025 20:30:51 GMT -06:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/216537078/Article-Summary-Developmental-Psychology-Articlesdocx/

The Effects of Childhood and Adolescent Adversity on Substance Use Disorders and Poor Health

in Early Adulthood, echos Bae and Wickrama’s concern for the health of current and future well-

being of the youth living within bond-less/disconnected family units. However, Walitsky et al.

(2017) argue that it is not just the stressors within the home, but the stressors that with the child’s

overall environment. “Childhood and adolescent adversity includes difficult, stressful, or

traumatic life experiences (e.g., physical, sexual, or emotional abuse) of varying frequency,

severity, and duration. Such experiences appear to be associated with later poorer physical

health, including chronic medical conditions and several leading causes of death” (Wolisky-

Taylor et al., pg. 16, 2017).

Wolitsky-Taylor et al. (2017) presents a hypothesis that somewhat mirrors that of Bae and

Wickarama hypothesis. Wolitsky and team of researchers are seeking to connect early-on

stressful events (continuous adversities, traumas, disconnect family units, violence, poverty, etc.)

as one of the contributing factors to the poor health later discovered within a particular group of

young adults. The researchers within this article are aware that there has been a very large

number of studies that have shown a connection, however, the prior studies presented limitations

that did not offer data that could be considered construed as skewed results.

With that stated, Walitsky-Taylor et al. (2017) decided to conduct their study in a manner

that aimed to remove any possible limitations. “To inform developmentally-minded

interventions and address the above limitations, we followed a sample of adolescents into young

adulthood to better understand the relationship between childhood and adolescent adversities and

physical health outcomes, and in particular to determine whether substance use disorders might

account for an association between adversities and poor health” (Walitsky-Taylor et al., pg. 17,

2017). While Walitsky et al. (2017) know of the large contribution to poor health by disconnect

This study source was downloaded by 100000825965683 from CourseHero.com on 01-07-2025 20:30:51 GMT -06:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/216537078/Article-Summary-Developmental-Psychology-Articlesdocx/

families and negative sociocultural environments, this team of researchers sought out to

eliminate other possible factor that led to future poor health or to show that one factor may out

way the other.

The participants in this study agreed to enter into a 10-year longitudinal study. Ages 15

to 18 years were selected, and the researchers focused on identifying those individuals within

that age group from two large cities (Chicago and Los Angeles). In addition, the researchers

focused on two demographics from the suburbs of the selected cities. Each participant was to

complete an adversity interview early-on, and psychopathology was examined in both early

childhood and late adolescence. DSM-IV scales “Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic

and Statistical Manual—IV” was utilized throughout the duration of the clinical trial. The semi-

structured Childhood Trauma Interview was administered to the participants from early

childhood to mid-adolescence as well. This team of researchers were seeking to ensure that no

stone was left uncovered.

With the gathering of their data, Walitsky and team discovered that it was hard to truly

isolate one variable from another. Meaning, the researchers concluded that more testing was

needed to connect stressors/adverse to later health issues in young adults without considering

substance abuse. Substance abuse could be the leading cause of the poor health in young adults

more so than stressors, however, the stressors may be encouraging substance abuse that later

welcomes poor health. Due to not all early-on stressor ending in substance abuse, Walitsky et al.

(2017) seeks to see just when the road splits.

Overall, the researchers in the second article continue to work to bring life to their

hypothesis. Extended studies continue and more limitations are also being identified in the

process. The ultimate goal that this team of researchers aim to achieve is to provide various

This study source was downloaded by 100000825965683 from CourseHero.com on 01-07-2025 20:30:51 GMT -06:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/216537078/Article-Summary-Developmental-Psychology-Articlesdocx/

groups with tools that reconnect families, the adoption of coping strategies, and tools to avoid the

increase of substance abuse and future poor health. When looking at both of the studies, a reader

can see various similarities, whether it be targeted demographic, research methods, and most

importantly a common goal that could bring hope to many communities.

This study source was downloaded by 100000825965683 from CourseHero.com on 01-07-2025 20:30:51 GMT -06:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/216537078/Article-Summary-Developmental-Psychology-Articlesdocx/

References

Bae, D., & Wickrama, K. A. (2017). Stress Processes Linking Parent–Child Disconnection to

Disease Risk in Young Adulthood: Amplification by Genotype. Journal of Youth and

Adolescence, 46(5), 1137–1148. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-017-0666-8

Wolitzky-Taylor, K., Sewart, A., Vrshek-Schallhorn, S., Zinbarg, R., Mineka, S., Hammen, C.,

Bobova, L., Adam, E. K., & Craske, M. G. (2016). The Effects of Childhood and

Adolescent Adversity on Substance Use Disorders and Poor Health in Early

Adulthood. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 46(1), 15–27.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-016-0566-3

This study source was downloaded by 100000825965683 from CourseHero.com on 01-07-2025 20:30:51 GMT -06:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/216537078/Article-Summary-Developmental-Psychology-Articlesdocx/ Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

PSYC 725

ARTICLE SUMMARY ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS OVERVIEW

Reading and understanding original research is an important skill for developmental psychologists. Understanding research methodology and the sections of a journal article is critical for doctoral-level psychologists. This assignment will help you learn to objectively evaluate research and to seek and understand scholarly sources of information and to use them as a source of knowledge. This assignment can also help you begin your Research Paper: Topic and References Assignment, as the summary you write may later be used in your Research Paper: Final Submission Assignment. INSTRUCTIONS

You will write two brief summaries of peer-reviewed, research-based journal articles of your choice that pertain to developmental psychology.

Each summary must be 1 to 3 pages in length. A title page and abstract are not necessary. A reference page should be included that lists the APA-formatted reference of the article or chapter you summarized. No additional references are needed other than the reference for the article you are summarizing.

The summary should focus on: Link to Topics: https://www.apa.org/topics

• what was hypothesized. • what was done. • what was found. • what was concluded.

You can find a list of journals affiliated with the American Psychological Association (APA) on the Article Summary Assignment pages under Article Summary Resources. These are not the only acceptable journals – many others are available and may be used for the assignment – but this list is provided to give you examples of scholarly journals. If you click “By Subject” and then click “Developmental Psychology,” you will see journals specific to developmental psychology. Child Development is another well-respected developmental psychology journal that is not affiliated with the APA. Some of the databases have the option to select “peer-reviewed” sources; selecting this option will help you eliminate non-scholarly sources from your search results. The Jerry Falwell Library is a reliable place to conduct your searches. You do not need to pay for articles. Articles that ask you to pay for access can generally be accessed through the Jerry Falwell Library without requiring payment. You may incorporate the summary into your Research Paper: Final Submission Assignment later in the course, if you choose. Be sure to review the criteria on the Article Summary Grading Rubric before beginning this assignment. Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.

Criteria Ratings Points

Content, Focus, and Organization

53 to >48 pts

Advanced

The assignment meets or exceeds all of the following content requirements: A peer-reviewed journal article that describes a research study related to developmental psychology is summarized. The summary includes a brief synopsis of • hypothesis(es) (what was predicted), • methods (what was done), • results (what was found), and • discussion (what was concluded).

48 to >43 pts

Proficient

The assignment meets most or some of the following content requirements: A peer-reviewed journal article that describes a research study related to developmental psychology is summarized. The summary includes a brief synopsis of • hypothesis(es) (what was predicted), • methods (what was done), • results (what was found), and • discussion (what was concluded).

43 to >0 pts

Developing

The assignment inadequately meets the following content requirements: A peer-reviewed journal article that describes a research study related to developmental psychology is summarized. The summary includes a brief synopsis of • hypothesis(es) (what was predicted), • methods (what was done), • results (what was found), and • discussion (what was concluded).

0 pts

Not Present

53 pts

Grammar and Spelling, Current APA Format Compliance, Length

22 to >20 pts

Advanced

The assignment meets or exceeds all of the following structure requirements: • The paper is written in current APA format and includes an APA-formatted reference for the article. • Proper spelling and grammar are used. • Paper is free of typographical errors. • Paper is 1 to 3 pages.

20 to >18 pts

Proficient

The assignment meets most or some of the following structure requirements: • The paper is written in current APA format and includes an APA-formatted reference for the article. • Proper spelling and grammar are used. • Paper is free of typographical errors. • Paper is 1 to 3 pages.

18 to >0 pts

Developing

The assignment inadequately meets the following structure requirements: • The paper is written in current APA format and includes an APA-formatted reference for the article. • Proper spelling and grammar are used. • Paper is free of typographical errors. • Paper is 1 to 3 pages.

0 pts

Not Present

22 pts

Total Points: 75

Article Summary Grading Rubric | PSYC725_B01_202520

Article Summary: Developmental Psychology Articles

Within the first selected article, Stress Processors Linking to Parent-Child Disconnection

to Disease Risk in Young Adulthood-Amplification by Genotype, authors Bae and Wickrama

presents a strong argument regarding the connection between a weak family unit identified at

early childhood and the susceptibility of poor health in young adulthood. Bae and Wickrama

hypothesize that, if a child does not have a supportive family unit early on in life, then that child

is mostly prone to develop physiological diseases, some in which can ultimately be life-

threatening.

Per the authors, numerous studies have been conducted that supports this articles

hypothesis. Parents that present stressful living environments and show very little to no affection

tend to have children that become isolated and withdrawn. Such an environment can have a

negative impact on how a child may interaction in school, among peers, and even in their overall

cognitive behavior. “Adverse parent–child relationships in early years and stressful life

experiences in later years can be considered as two psychologically distinct constructs, both of

which contribute to young adults’ health outcomes through different etiological processes

(McCutcheon et al. 2010)”, (Bae & Wickrama, pg.2, 2017).

The hypothesis presented by the authors of the selected article is that, if a child is

provided with a strong family dynamic early on in life that address stressor in a constructive

manner, then that child will have the ability to better handle confrontation, future life stressors,

obtain healthy relationships, and will have a lesser chance of suffering from various diseases that

can be brought on by stressors that are poorly handled.

Researchers Bae and Wickrama sought to prove their hypothesis by measuring the

disconnection between parent and child utilizing a relationship measurement report. Within the

This study source was downloaded by 100000825965683 from CourseHero.com on 01-07-2025 20:30:51 GMT -06:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/216537078/Article-Summary-Developmental-Psychology-Articlesdocx/

first portion of the research the researchers focused on the non-bonding families. There was a

total of five questions that were presented to the mothers of each child, these five questions were

used to gauge the relationship between the mother and the child; scales were used for measuring.

In turn the adolescents were asked a total of six questions, also measured utilizing scales. The

overall study consisted of 20,745 adolescent participants from 134 middle and high schools.

From each of the adolescents the mother was selected as the respondent.

The data collected front the study showed that individuals that felt less connected to their

parent(s) showed to have a greater risk of experiencing health problems in their future. “As

expected, parent–child disconnection, stressful life events, and cardio-metabolic disease risk

were significantly intercorrelated in the expected directions; parent–child dis- connection was

significantly correlated with stressful life events in young adulthood, which, in turn, was

significantly correlated with young adults’ cardio- metabolic disease risk” (Bae & Wickrama, pg.

6, 2017).

The conclusion reached by Bae and Wickrama indicated that their hypothesis was indeed

supported. Bae and Wickrama conveyed that the data collected throughout the study enabled

them to develop methods and tools that can assist with the prevention and intervention of

potential health risks in young adults when taught to deal with stressors within a more connected

family unit. Researchers Bae and Wickrama are under no illusion that children will not avoid

health risks when entering into their young adulthood, this duo of researchers are just presenting

an argument that will help others to see that there are ways to minimize such health risks.

While the second selected article strongly aligns with Bae and Wickrama’s hypothesis

and the presented data, the researchers within the selected article is less specific when discussing

the effects of early-on stressors on future health issues. The researchers within the article titled,

This study source was downloaded by 100000825965683 from CourseHero.com on 01-07-2025 20:30:51 GMT -06:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/216537078/Article-Summary-Developmental-Psychology-Articlesdocx/

The Effects of Childhood and Adolescent Adversity on Substance Use Disorders and Poor Health

in Early Adulthood, echos Bae and Wickrama’s concern for the health of current and future well-

being of the youth living within bond-less/disconnected family units. However, Walitsky et al.

(2017) argue that it is not just the stressors within the home, but the stressors that with the child’s

overall environment. “Childhood and adolescent adversity includes difficult, stressful, or

traumatic life experiences (e.g., physical, sexual, or emotional abuse) of varying frequency,

severity, and duration. Such experiences appear to be associated with later poorer physical

health, including chronic medical conditions and several leading causes of death” (Wolisky-

Taylor et al., pg. 16, 2017).

Wolitsky-Taylor et al. (2017) presents a hypothesis that somewhat mirrors that of Bae and

Wickarama hypothesis. Wolitsky and team of researchers are seeking to connect early-on

stressful events (continuous adversities, traumas, disconnect family units, violence, poverty, etc.)

as one of the contributing factors to the poor health later discovered within a particular group of

young adults. The researchers within this article are aware that there has been a very large

number of studies that have shown a connection, however, the prior studies presented limitations

that did not offer data that could be considered construed as skewed results.

With that stated, Walitsky-Taylor et al. (2017) decided to conduct their study in a manner

that aimed to remove any possible limitations. “To inform developmentally-minded

interventions and address the above limitations, we followed a sample of adolescents into young

adulthood to better understand the relationship between childhood and adolescent adversities and

physical health outcomes, and in particular to determine whether substance use disorders might

account for an association between adversities and poor health” (Walitsky-Taylor et al., pg. 17,

2017). While Walitsky et al. (2017) know of the large contribution to poor health by disconnect

This study source was downloaded by 100000825965683 from CourseHero.com on 01-07-2025 20:30:51 GMT -06:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/216537078/Article-Summary-Developmental-Psychology-Articlesdocx/

families and negative sociocultural environments, this team of researchers sought out to

eliminate other possible factor that led to future poor health or to show that one factor may out

way the other.

The participants in this study agreed to enter into a 10-year longitudinal study. Ages 15

to 18 years were selected, and the researchers focused on identifying those individuals within

that age group from two large cities (Chicago and Los Angeles). In addition, the researchers

focused on two demographics from the suburbs of the selected cities. Each participant was to

complete an adversity interview early-on, and psychopathology was examined in both early

childhood and late adolescence. DSM-IV scales “Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic

and Statistical Manual—IV” was utilized throughout the duration of the clinical trial. The semi-

structured Childhood Trauma Interview was administered to the participants from early

childhood to mid-adolescence as well. This team of researchers were seeking to ensure that no

stone was left uncovered.

With the gathering of their data, Walitsky and team discovered that it was hard to truly

isolate one variable from another. Meaning, the researchers concluded that more testing was

needed to connect stressors/adverse to later health issues in young adults without considering

substance abuse. Substance abuse could be the leading cause of the poor health in young adults

more so than stressors, however, the stressors may be encouraging substance abuse that later

welcomes poor health. Due to not all early-on stressor ending in substance abuse, Walitsky et al.

(2017) seeks to see just when the road splits.

Overall, the researchers in the second article continue to work to bring life to their

hypothesis. Extended studies continue and more limitations are also being identified in the

process. The ultimate goal that this team of researchers aim to achieve is to provide various

This study source was downloaded by 100000825965683 from CourseHero.com on 01-07-2025 20:30:51 GMT -06:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/216537078/Article-Summary-Developmental-Psychology-Articlesdocx/

groups with tools that reconnect families, the adoption of coping strategies, and tools to avoid the

increase of substance abuse and future poor health. When looking at both of the studies, a reader

can see various similarities, whether it be targeted demographic, research methods, and most

importantly a common goal that could bring hope to many communities.

This study source was downloaded by 100000825965683 from CourseHero.com on 01-07-2025 20:30:51 GMT -06:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/216537078/Article-Summary-Developmental-Psychology-Articlesdocx/

References

Bae, D., & Wickrama, K. A. (2017). Stress Processes Linking Parent–Child Disconnection to

Disease Risk in Young Adulthood: Amplification by Genotype. Journal of Youth and

Adolescence, 46(5), 1137–1148. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-017-0666-8

Wolitzky-Taylor, K., Sewart, A., Vrshek-Schallhorn, S., Zinbarg, R., Mineka, S., Hammen, C.,

Bobova, L., Adam, E. K., & Craske, M. G. (2016). The Effects of Childhood and

Adolescent Adversity on Substance Use Disorders and Poor Health in Early

Adulthood. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 46(1), 15–27.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-016-0566-3

This study source was downloaded by 100000825965683 from CourseHero.com on 01-07-2025 20:30:51 GMT -06:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/216537078/Article-Summary-Developmental-Psychology-Articlesdocx/ Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)