"Why are you single, baby?" Reasons for being single based on a Brazilian research

Author(s): Darlane Silva Vieira Andrade,Maria Gabriela Hita / Language(s): English / Issue: 78/2021

Single people are often asked about the reasons for non-marriage, in a context where, despite several changes in the field of intimacy, adults are still expected to marry. Based on a thesis study on the subject of singleness in Brazil, in the city of Salvador, Bahia, this text presents the main reasons for singleness, declared by single middle-class adults who live alone in this city. The study used a feminist perspective, with the category gender as the basis for data analysis, in an intersectional way with social class, race, generation, sexuality and territoriality. It used mixed methods with a combination of instruments: questionnaire, focus groups, biographical interviews, and field observations. The findings collaborate to observe gender differences and closeness in reasons for singleness: relational reasons prevailing for women and being single as a choice for men.

4th International Scientific Conference SEC - IASR 2019

Author(s): Simona Marin,Petronel Moisescu / Language(s): English

4th International Scientific Conference "Sports, Education, Culture - Interdisciplinary Approaches in Scientific Research", SEC-IASR 2019, Galati, Romania, 7th – 8th June, 2019

A cognitive intervention program for reduction of stress in parents of children with intellectual and multiple disabilities: the effect on behavior problems and program adaptation through COVID-19 pandemic

Author(s): Alexandru Tiba,Cezar Morar / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2021

Much evidence suggests that parents of children with special needs have elevated levels of stress when confronting with children’s problems. This article presents a validation of a multimodal cognitive program for reducing parental stress in parents and children behavior problems of children with special needs that can be applied during COVID-19 pandemic. A study including 63 parents of children with special needs shows that the program is effective both in reducing parental stress and children’s behavior problems reported by parents. Recommendations for the online use of the program and adaptations to the COVID-19 pandemic characteristics are made.

A Comparison of The Adult Attachment Styles in Bulgaria and The United Kingdom

Author(s): Galina Kabadzhova / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2021

Attachment styles play a pivotal role in psychological research. Researchers indicates that a big part of the analysis how adult attachment theory is functioning in others is based on the patterns and models acquired and begun during childhood and the relationship with parents (Fraley & Shaver, 2000) The present article focuses on a cross cultural study conducted between two samples – Bulgarian (N=150) and United Kingdom (N=120) populations. Attachment Styles were measured by items from the Adult Style Questionnaire (ASQ). The results have a theoretical and a practical implication – although preliminary, our empirical evidence demonstrates significant cultural differences in the attachment preferences: the UK respondents are showing signs of anxiety to be in a relationship and having some difficulty in sharing feelings with others. There are also more likely to show more signs of strong dependence, unlike the BG representatives who are showing higher results in Confidence and lower in Attachment anxiety.

A Critical Review of the Literature on the Relationships between Personality Variables, Parenting and Marital Satisfaction

Author(s): Roxana M. Chis / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2022

The aim of the paper is to examine the relevant literature on the relation-ships between personality variables, parenting correlates and marital satisfaction. It should also contribute to reader’s knowledge and under-standing through a critical review of the literature published in recent years. Data source: empirical studies were searched from for in scientific data-bases: Ebsco, ScienceDirect, PsychInfo, and Proquest. The searches generated 4477 articles, of which 28 studies met the criteria for inclusion in the analysis. Systematic searches of studies published in English in the period 2005–2019 were carried out. The key search terms in English were adapted according to the search options in each database and included variations on the components or dimensions of the topic of interest: marital satisfaction, marital stress, marriage, co-parenting, married couples, marital disharmony, marital quality, marital relationship, personality, and factors involved in marital satisfaction. The studies were selected based on their relevance according to the identification of the search terms in the title, abstract, or in the keywords/ or topic, or, where necessary and possible, in the main text. The most commonly identified predictors of marital satisfaction and well-being for the couple included neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, parental stress, openness to experience, impulsivity, parenting, immature defence mechanism, communication, emotional stability, and marital support.

A cross-cultural study of purposive “traits of action”: Measurement invariance of scales based on the action–trait theory of human motivation using exploratory structural equation modeling

Author(s): Larry C. Bernard,Jan Cieciuch,Andrew Lac,Barbara Žuro,Dino Krupić,Michael Richter,Nicolas Silvestrini,Bettina von Helversen / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2021

The Action–Trait theory of human motivation posits that individual differences in predispositional traits of action may account for variance in contemporary purposeful human behavior. Prior research has supported the theory, psychometric properties of scales designed to assess the motive dimensions of the theory, and the utility of these scales to predict an array of behaviors, but this is the first study to evaluate the cross-linguistical invariance of the 15-factor theoretical model. This study evaluated translations of the English language 60-item Quick AIM in 5 samples – Croatian (N = 614), French (N = 246), German (N = 154), Polish (M = 314), and U.S. English (N = 490) – recruited from 4 countries (Croatia, Poland, Switzerland, and the U.S.). Exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) supported the theoretical model on which the traits of action are based and scrutinized the measurement invariance (configural, metric, scalar invariance) of the scale across the languages.

A Faceted Eye on Intellectual Giftedness: Examining the Personality of Gifted Students Using FFM Domains and Facets

Author(s): Ana Altaras-Dimitrijević / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2012

The study examines the personality profile of gifted vs. average-ability students from the perspective of the FFM. The issue was approached by (1) reviewing the literature for well-established personality characteristics of the gifted, (2) establishing correspondences between these traits and FFM domains/facets, and (3) formulating a domain and a facet-level model which were hypothesized to discriminate significantly between gifted and nongifted students. The domain-level model consisted of Openness and Agreeableness. The facet-level model included 14 traits: Anxiety, Impulsiveness, Gregariousness, Assertiveness, Fantasy, Feelings, Aesthetics, Ideas, Compliance, Modesty, Tendermindedness, Order, Achievement, and Deliberation. The models were tested on three samples (N1 =515 high-school students, 155 gifted; N2 =132 psychology students, 28 gifted; N3 =443 psychology students, 91 gifted). Results indicate that the domain-level model does not discriminate significantly between gifted and nongifted students in each sample, whereas the proposed 14-facet model yields a significant discrimination across all samples. The latter model may be further adjusted by removing facets which proved inconsistent or unsubstantial in distinguishing between the two groups. This yields a 7-facet discriminant function, which is also significant across samples, indicating that gifted students are consistently distinguished by a combination of high Ideas, Fantasy, Aesthetics, and Assertiveness, but low Gregariuosness, Modesty, and Tendermindeness. Educational implications and limitations are discussed.

A General Factor of Personality in a sample of inmates: associations with indicators of life-history strategy and covitality

Author(s): Daliborka Kujačić,Janko Međedović / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2017

This study looked for a General Factor of Personality (GFP) in a sample of male convicts (N=226; mean age 32 years). The GFP was extracted from seven broad personality traits: FFM factors, Amoralism (the negative pole of the lexical Honesty-Humility factor) and Disintegration (operationalization of Schizotypy). Three first-order factors were extracted, labeled Dysfunctionality, Antisociality and Openness, and GFP was found through the hierarchical factor analysis. The nature of the GFP was explored through analysis of its relations with markers of fast Life-History strategy and covitality. The results demonstrated that the GFP is associated with unrestricted sexual behavior, medical problems, mental problems, early involvement in criminal activity and stability of criminal behavior. The evidence shows that the GFP is a meaningful construct on the highest level of personality structure. It may represent a personality indicator of fitness-related characteristics and could be useful in research of personality in an evolutionary context.

A model of attitudinal outcomes of teachers’ psychological capital

Author(s): Mehmet Karakus,Alpay Ersozlu,Selcuk Demir,Muhammet Usak,Helen Wildy / Language(s): English / Issue: 4/2019

This study aims to determine the relationship between psychological capital and job satisfaction, organizational commitment, motivation, and the intent to leave. The sample of this study consists of 323 teachers in 25 schools that were selected randomly with clustered sampling method from the schools. The structural equation model that yields the best-fit indices, states that as teachers’ psychological capital levels increase, job satisfaction levels also increase. Psychological capital has a positive effect on teachers’ commitment and motivation through the full mediation effect of job satisfaction. Psychological capital has a negative effect on intent to leave through the full mediation effects of job satisfaction and organizational commitment. It is beneficial for school managers to invest in developing and strengthening the psychological capital of teachers if they want to increase job satisfaction, organizational commitment and motivation levels of teachers and to decrease their intent to leave school

A model of the relationships between the Big Five personality traits and the motivations to deliver word-of-mouth online

Author(s): Bogdan Anastasiei,Nicoleta Dospinescu / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2018

The goal of this research is to establish the relationships between the Big Five personality traits – Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism and Openness – and the motivations to deliver electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) in the social media. The research method was based on a survey administered to 262 subjects, mostly students and young professionals. The personality traits that are most related to eWOM are Extraversion (that influences the need for social appreciation and Positive self-enhancement) and Openness to experience (that determines the concern for others and the desire to help good companies). Conscientiousness has a negative relationship with the tendency to Vent negative feelings about a bad buy, while Neuroticism has a slight influence on the motivation to get Social benefits and Self-enhancement. Knowing the prevalent personality traits and motivations of the eWOM transmitters, the company communication strategist can figure out the most proper ways to approach them. This paper is one of the few that throughly investigates the relationship between personality traits and the intrinsic motivations to write online reviews about companies and brands. Key words: big five model, electronic word of mouth, word of mouth communication.

A Polish Adaptation and Validation of the Distress Tolerance Scale

Author(s): Marta Rokosz,Ryszard Poprawa / Language(s): English / Issue: 4/2020

Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS; Simons & Gaher, 2005) measures individual differences in experiencing and enduring negative emotional states. It consists of four dimensions: tolerance of perceived distress, assessment and acceptance of emotions, absorption of attention, and emotion regulation. The study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of a Polish adaptation of the Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS). A total of 1,210 individuals aged between 18 and 69 participated in the study (45% men, 51% women). After obtaining a Polish translation, we conducted EFA and CFA to examine the validity of the construct. EFA revealed a two-factor structure of the DTS, with Regulation as a separate factor. The original and modified CFA model with Regulation as a separate first-order factor showed an unsatisfactory fit to the data. Better CFA parameters were obtained with the reduced, three-factor version of the DTS. Four- and three-factor versions both show good internal consistency, temporal stability, convergent, and discriminant validity, with the exception of the Regulation subscale. As expected, distress tolerance is positively associated with positive affectivity, satisfaction with life, and self-control ability, but negatively with negative affectivity, perceived stress, and difficulties in emotion regulation. Men declared higher levels of distress tolerance than women. The Regulation subscale showed the weakest validity results; in terms of content, it seems to deviate from the concept of distress tolerance. With all those findings in mind, we recommend the valid and reliable three-factor version to be used in further studies.

A Polish Adaptation and Validation of the Positive–Negative Relationship Quality (PN-RQ) Scale

Author(s): Anna Papińska,Dariusz Kuncewicz / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2021

The Positive–Negative Relationship Quality (PN-RQ) scale is used to test the quality of close relationships, taking into account their positive and negative dimensions. The aim of our study was to check the factor structure and criterion validity of the Polish version of this scale, and the possibilities offered by two-dimensional estimation of relationship quality. The validation study involved 740 people (369 female and 371 male) who were in romantic relationships. In addition to the PN-RQ scale, the respondents completed two other relationship quality measures: the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) and the Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR) attachment questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed that the bi-factor model is suitable for the multidimensional nature of PN-RQ. The results showed the following: high internal consistency of the subscales and the entire scale; compliance with the results obtained with RAS; the possibility of a nuanced assessment of the quality of close relationships, also taking into account the unique differences that arise as a result of anxious or avoidant attachment. The Polish version of the PN-RQ scale is characterized by good psychometric properties and measurement sensitivity; it could be useful in both research and clinical diagnostics.

A Response to Tomáš Urbánek

Author(s): Petra Anýžová / Language(s): English / Issue: 03/2017

A six-factor model of brand personality and its predictive validity

Author(s): Marko Živanović,Sofija Čerović,Jovana Bjekić / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2017

The study examines applicability and usefulness of HEXACO-based model in the description of brand personality. Following contemporary theoretical developments in human personality research, Study 1 explored the latent personality structure of 120 brands using descriptors of six personality traits as defined in HEXACO model: Honesty-Humility, Emotionality, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Openness. The results of exploratory factor analyses have supported HEXACO personality six-factor structure to a large extent. InStudy 2 we addressed the question of predictive validity of HEXACO-based brand personality. Brand personality traits, but predominantly Honesty-Humility, accounted for substantial amount of variance in prediction of important aspects of consumer-brand relationship: attitude toward brand, perceived quality of a brand, and brand loyalty. The implications of applying HEXACO-based brand personality in marketing research are discussed.

A study on the relationship between compulsive exercise, depression and anxiety

Author(s): Aviv Weinstein,Yitzhak Weinstein,Gavriel Maayan / Language(s): English / Issue: 4/2015

Exercise and physical activity are beneficial both physically and psychologically but a few individuals use exercise excessively resulting in physical and even psychological damage. There is evidence for bidirectional relationship between exercise with depression and anxiety showing that exercise can reduce anxiety and depression, whereas a lack of exercise is associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression. Methods: This study used questionnaires assessing compulsive exercise, anxiety and depression among 20 professional regular exercisers and 51 recreational regular exercisers. Results: Results showed that ratings of compulsive exercise were associated with ratings of anxiety and depression among individuals who exercise for professional and recreational purpose. Secondly, individuals who exercise for professional purpose were more depressed than individuals who exercise for recreational purpose, but did not exhibit higher trait anxiety ratings. Thirdly, individuals who exercise for recreational purpose showed an association between ratings of compulsive exercise and depression but not with ratings of trait anxiety. Discussion: Individuals who exercise for professional and recreational purpose may use it as a means for alleviating depression and anxiety although this small sample of recreational and professional sportsmen showed clinical levels of anxiety and depression that may require further clinical treatment.

A THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS: THE COLLECTION AND FORMALIZATION OF INFORMATION RELATING TO THE NEEDS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Author(s): Mabrouka El Hachani,Omar Larouk / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2017

This article addresses the issue of technical documents and the impact their structuring has on professionals working in the field of disability. A model was developed to accompany users with disabilities when entering information; it was based on the linguistic analysis of an assortment of technical documents (institutional forms). We studied the problems related to technical documents by using a methodological approach which was based on a combination of complementary studies. The first was a terminological study, which aimed to look for relevant themes. It was complemented by a second one, which analyzed the discourse that was transmitted by the texts and which was centered on exploring the logical links between propositions and paragraphs. We completed these two studies with a final one, the logico-cognitive analysis. This which allowed us to look for contextual clues, which were produced by the texts in the documentary environment. It was therefore possible to formalize information and communication operations thanks to the reference discourse’s targeted environment in view of designing an automated information system.

Aberrational Socialization as a New Type of Socialization of an Individual in Modern Information Society

Author(s): Vitalii Kurylo,Sergii Savchenko,Olena Karaman / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2020

The article deals with the substantiation of the notion of “aberrational socialization” as a new type of socialization of an individual in modern information society.Based on the analysis of the main provisions of the classical theory of socialization of individuals and taking into account the peculiarities of modern information and psychological warfare aimed at unleashing military conflicts, affecting people’s mass and individual consciousness that causes transformation of a man’s psychic, change of system of values, attitudes, views, thoughts, opinions, activities and behavior, the authors introduce the notion of “aberrational socialization” which they understand as a negative, distorted, misinterpreted, strained socialization, i.e. a formation of an individual with explicit negative and distorted social characteristics under the influence of external factors and aggravated by a person’s individual features.The authors describe the essential characteristics of aberrational socialization of an individual and work out social and psychological mechanisms that can prevent the development of this negative type of socialization in conditions of modern information society.The conclusion is made about the necessity to work out a social and pedagogical content and technologies of the formation of an individual’s psychological resistance, his information and psychological security which have to become a foundation for the transformation of aberrational socialization into a successful socialization and self-realization of a person.

Abordarea conceptului de fericire în mediul studențesc

Author(s): Ioana Așevschi,Svetlana Rusnac / Language(s): Romanian / Issue: 1-2/2019

This research presents the results of the focus group on views on the concept ofhappiness. The focus group was made on a sample of 45 students from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd year ofstudy, which were divided into three groups: 1) Law specialty – 17 persons; 2) ecology andenvironmental protection – 11 persons; 3) International Relations and Economic Sciences – 17persons. Questions addressed in the focus group: discussion and appreciation of ten aphorisms abouthappiness; analyzing and arranging by importance ten words of the social representation ofhappiness, previously researched by the author on a larger sample; defining the notion of happinessetc.

Academic integrity “captured” by a personality-based test

Author(s): Predrag Okanović,Dragana Okanović,Dušanka Mitrović,Nebojša Majstorović / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2013

The main goal of this study was to develop and validate a personality-based academic integrity test which could serve as a predictor of students’ academic dishonesty. A new Academic Integrity Test (AIT), based on methodological principles accepted in the field of work integrity, was created during this study. The test was developed on one student sample (N=350), and then validated on another (N=471). Validation of the AIT confirmed its relations with three dimensions previously found to be consistent correlates of work integrity measures – Conscientiousness, Aggressiveness and Neuroticism, with the addition of Negative Valence. The correlation between the AIT and a cognitive ability measure was not significant, which is in accordance with previous research. The test retained significant relations with the aforementioned personality measures in simulated applicant condition (except with Neuroticism), leading to the conclusion that the AIT maintains construct validity in situations susceptible to self-presentation.

Acculturation Process and Ethnic Identity of Immigrants in Germany

Author(s): Liudmyla Smokova / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2015

In the present study, we discuss psychological acculturation, by which we mean the internal processes of change that immigrants experience when they come into direct contact with members of the host culture. The model we present builds on research in the areas of social and ethnic identity. Each of these perspectives is discussed in accordance with its relevance to the acculturative processes operating in immigrants. We understand ethnic identity as a dynamic state, that is determined by three components: (1) by the degree of inclusion in the group of one’s cultural origin; (2) the tendency to assimilate to the ethnic group of origin; and (3) the complementary tendency to differentiate from one’s own ethnic group. Social identity conveys belonging of the individual to different social categories and the value as well as emotional significance of this membership. We have sought to explain how the processes of social categorization, inand out-group identification and social comparison predetermine the direction of the acculturation process and hence the intercultural interaction and wellbeing of the youth from immigrant backgrounds in Germany. Results indicated that immigrants who have more identified themselves with dominant society have expressed the strong preference to integration strategies. The immigrants that had a high degree of ethnic identification have expressed the low preference to the integration as well to marginalization and assimilation. In its turn, the powerful feeling of belonging to an ethnic group and attitude towards the group promotes immigrants segregation choice.