Development of an early memories of warmth and safeness scale and its relationship to psychopathology

Abstract

Experiences of early childhood have a major impact on physiological, psychological, and social aspects of maturation and functioning. One avenue of work explores the recall and memory of positive or negative rearing experiences and their association with psychopathology measures. However, while many self-report studies have focused on the recall of parental behaviours this study developed a new measure called the early memories of warmth and safeness scale (EMWSS), which focuses on recall of one's own inner positive feelings, emotions and experiences in childhood. Student participants (N = 180) completed the new scale and a series of self-report scales measuring different types of early recall, psychopathology, types of positive affect, and self-criticism/reassurance. The EMWSS was found to have good psychometric properties and reliability. Recall of parental behaviour and recall of positive emotional memories were highly related, but recall of positive emotional memories was a better predictor of psychopathology, styles of self-criticism/self-reassurance and disposition to experience positive affect, than recall of parental behaviour.

Mapping non suicidal self-injury in adolescence: Development and confirmatory factor analysis of the Impulse, Self-harm and Suicide Ideation Questionnaire for Adolescents (ISSIQ-A)

“…It is a onedimensional scale. Original validation studies by Richter et al, (Richter et al, 2009) presented good internal consistency (α = .97) as well as in the Portuguese validations studies of this scale (α = .95) (Cunha et al, 2014). The reference values are accordingly to those suggested by Kline (2010) and Maroco (Maroco, 2010).…”

Biting myself so I don’t bite the dust: prevalence and predictors of deliberate self-harm and suicide ideation in Azorean youths

“…The scale is one-dimensional; higher scores indicate the presence of positive and nurturing rearing experiences. Original studies by Richter et al 36 reported good internal consistency (alpha = 0.97), as did validation studies of the Portuguese version of this scale (alpha = 0.95). 37 In the current study, internal consistency was also very good (alpha = 0.95).…”

“…Early Memories of Warmth and Safeness ScaleAdolescent Version (EMWSS-A) 36,37 The EMWSS-A is a 21-item self-report scale that assesses retrospectively memories of experiences of warmth and affection during childhood. Each item is rated on a five-point Likert-type frequency scale (1 = rarely to 4 = most times).…”

How can the recall of early affiliative memories with peers influence on disordered eating behaviours?

“…The EMWSS_peers is a self-report questionnaire, with 12 items, adapted from the EMWSS [4], that aims at measuring the recall of peer-related positive early emotional and relational memories. Participants are asked to select the frequency of emotional experiences characterized by warmth, care, safeness, soothing and positive affection in their relationship with peers (e.g., "I felt safe and secure with my peers/friends" or "I felt part of the peer group that I valued"), using a 5-point Likert scale (0 = "No, Never" to 4 = "Yes, Most of the time").…”

“…In fact, literature has consistently demonstrated that early affiliative experiences, either positive or negative, seem to play an important role on physiological, psychological and social aspects of human development and functioning [4][5][6].…”