The study tested 13 individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 12 individuals with typical development (TD) using video clips that depicted interactions between an adult actor (who played the “mother” role) and a child. This study aimed to examine the use of pragmatic and relevant information in terms of ASD traits. The results demonstrated that the number of cues used by the participants differed between the two groups in which 60% of the ASD group used only one cue, whereas the majority of the TD group used multiple cues. We then classified all participants into two groups based on the number of cues used. The results of the cue-based analysis illustrated that the single-cue group looked at the eye area of the “mother” less frequently than did the multiple-cue group. The single-cue group exhibited a higher total AQ score and higher subtest scores. These results suggested that a relationship exists between the use of pragmatic information and ASD traits. Thus, we need to consider that information integration may vary according to the degree of ASD traits.

Adolescents with congenital heart disease (CHD) are reported to be highly dependent on their parents, with some exceptions. Thus, this study measured the psychological independence of a sample of adolescents and young adults with CHD by using a two-dimensional dependency and autonomy scale. In the questionnaire survey, participants with CHD and those in the control group rated their dependency, autonomy, and psychological adjustment, including their self-esteem and feelings while asking for help from their parents; additionally, they rated their condition's subjective severity. Overall, the psychological independence-related analysis revealed a higher number of autonomous and dependent adolescents and young adults in the “lower subjective severity” CHD group, those who reported no limitations, as compared to the “higher subjective severity” CHD group, those who reported some limitations, and the control group. Multiple regression analysis revealed that regardless of the existence of CHD or the condition's subjective severity, dependence was significantly associated with feelings of self-growth and emotional stability, whereas autonomy was significantly associated with feelings of self-esteem, self-growth, emotional stability, and stunted growth. Adolescents with CHD make decisions as autonomously as adolescents without CHD. It is hoped that these results can change medical professionals' perspectives on the importance of autonomy over dependency.

【Research Impact】

For adolescents with a congenital heart defect (CHD), a tendency toward dependence on their parents is an issue. The importance of autonomy (self-determination) in psychological adjustment is also highlighted. Some CHD adolescents are autonomous as well as dependent on their parents. Therefore, autonomy is a crucial factor in addition to dependence that medical professionals consider while understanding a CHD adolescent's journey to independence.

This study examined the understanding of reciprocal and non-reciprocal helping behavior in 4–6-year old children. A total of 65 children evaluated actors and their partners in conditions that addressed whether one could help the other. The results revealed no significant differences in evaluations of actors who helped their partners, regardless of whether the partner had previously helped the actor. However, actors who did not help their partners were more negatively evaluated if they had previously received help from their partners. This suggests that young children make judgments based on reciprocity when evaluating an actor who does not engage in helping behaviors. Furthermore, even young children with a certain understanding of reciprocity might not judge actors and partners based on reciprocity depending on the context.

【Research Impact】

Reciprocity is a mechanism that promotes and sustains cooperation, and its development has been focused on from an evolutionary viewpoint. Previous studies have reported contradictory findings regarding the understanding of reciprocity in early childhood. This study proposed a framework to facilitate the interpretation of these findings in an integrated manner and clarified children's understanding of reciprocity.

This study conducted a survey on 526 mothers of preschool-aged children to elucidate how the content of family conversations regarding the temporally extended self (TES) changes in children with the increase in age. The questionnaire included 15 items. The mothers rated the frequency of their children's participation in family conversations at home. The findings revealed that middle-aged (4–5 years) children engaged in conversations more about their infant self than older children did, while conversations about the future self and events at preschool and home were more frequent among older children compared with younger and middle-aged children. Furthermore, conversations about the past and future of the family were more frequent among older children. These results suggested that conversations at home expand to include a broad range of time and people as children grow, which aligns with the development of TES.