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Behav. Sci., Volume 10, Issue 12 (December 2020) – 17 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): Considered a prevalent occurrence in academic settings, procrastination refers to a behavioral disposition of postponing tasks. Indeed, procrastinators lack a self-regulatory pattern including learning goals and metacognitive processes. This study investigated the role played by self-regulated learning strategies in predicting procrastination among university students. To this end, the relationships of procrastination with cognitive–metacognitive learning strategies and time management were explored in the total sample, in male and female groups. Gender differences were considered. Findings indicated that temporal and metacognitive components play an important role in academic achievement and that males procrastinate more than females due to poor time management skills and metacognitive strategies. Practical implications were suggested to help students to overcome dilatory behaviors. View this paper.
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20 pages, 1334 KiB  
Article
Anxiety-Related Attention Bias in Four- to Eight-Year-Olds: An Eye-Tracking Study
by Suzannah Stuijfzand, Bobby Stuijfzand, Shirley Reynolds and Helen Dodd
Behav. Sci. 2020, 10(12), 194; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs10120194 - 17 Dec 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3755
Abstract
(1) Background: There is evidence of an attention bias–anxiety relationship in children, but lack of appropriate methods has limited the number of studies with children younger than eight years old. This study used eye tracking as a measure of overt attention in young [...] Read more.
(1) Background: There is evidence of an attention bias–anxiety relationship in children, but lack of appropriate methods has limited the number of studies with children younger than eight years old. This study used eye tracking as a measure of overt attention in young children. The aim of this study was to assess anxiety-related attention bias in children aged four to eight years. Age was considered a moderator, and the influence of effortful control was investigated. (2) Method: A community sample of 104 children was shown pairs of happy–neutral and angry–neutral faces. Growth curve analyses were used to examine patterns of gaze over time. (3) Results: Analyses revealed moderation by age and anxiety, with distinct patterns of anxiety-related biases seen in different age groups in the angry–neutral face trials. Effortful control did not account for age-related effects. (4) Conclusions: The results support a moderation model of the development of anxiety in children. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)
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22 pages, 978 KiB  
Article
Innovative Self-Confidence Webinar Intervention for Depression in the Workplace: A Focus Group Study and Systematic Development
by Wan Mohd Azam Wan Mohd Yunus, Peter Musiat and June S. L. Brown
Behav. Sci. 2020, 10(12), 193; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs10120193 - 16 Dec 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3884
Abstract
Brief face-to-face self-confidence workshops were effective in reducing depression among the public. Technological advances have enabled traditional face-to-face interventions to be adapted using unique technology-mediated platforms. This article details the formative development of a self-confidence web-based seminar (webinar) intervention for workplace depression. The [...] Read more.
Brief face-to-face self-confidence workshops were effective in reducing depression among the public. Technological advances have enabled traditional face-to-face interventions to be adapted using unique technology-mediated platforms. This article details the formative development of a self-confidence web-based seminar (webinar) intervention for workplace depression. The first section discusses a qualitative study that explores the feasibility and acceptability of adapting the self-confidence workshops into a webinar platform on employees in the workplace. The second section describes the systematic development of this new webinar intervention informed by the qualitative study findings, a published systematic review, and previous face-to-face self-confidence workshops. The qualitative study involves three focus groups (n = 10) conducted in a small organization. Three themes were identified relevant to the running of the new self-confidence webinars in the workplace: personal (content, time and duration preference, features of the webinar, individual participation, personalization), interpersonal (stigma from others, engagement with participants/presenter, moderated interaction), and organizational (endorsement from management, work demand). For the intervention development, the format, structure, features, and content of the self-confidence webinar intervention are described. Features such as file sharing, virtual whiteboard, live chat, and poll are explained with the intervention primarily based on cognitive behavior therapy and coping flexibility concepts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Psychiatric, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders)
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11 pages, 328 KiB  
Brief Report
Negative (Workaholic) Emotions and Emotional Exhaustion: Might Job Autonomy Have Played a Strategic Role in Workers with Responsibility during the Covid-19 Crisis Lockdown?
by Paola Spagnoli and Danila Molinaro
Behav. Sci. 2020, 10(12), 192; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs10120192 - 15 Dec 2020
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 10103
Abstract
Decision-making autonomy may have played a crucial role in protecting, or on the contrary, intensifying the onset of negative psychological outcomes for workers with roles with responsibilities during the lockdown due to the Covid-19 crisis. The present study analyzed the emotional dimension of [...] Read more.
Decision-making autonomy may have played a crucial role in protecting, or on the contrary, intensifying the onset of negative psychological outcomes for workers with roles with responsibilities during the lockdown due to the Covid-19 crisis. The present study analyzed the emotional dimension of workaholism in relation to emotional exhaustion, considering decision-making autonomy as a moderator of this relationship, in a sample of 101 managers and freelancers in the middle of the lockdown in Italy (early April 2020). Results showed that the relationship between negative (workaholic) emotions and emotional exhaustion was moderated by decision-making autonomy and this moderation differed for managers and freelancers. In particular, the results showed that in the target of managers high levels of negative emotional experiences related to workaholism and low decision-making autonomy are associated with higher levels emotional exhaustion, while high levels of emotional experiences linked to workaholism and high decision-making autonomy produced significantly lower levels of emotional exhaustion. On the contrary, low levels of job autonomy were associated to higher level of emotional exhaustion when negative (workaholic) emotions were low for the freelancers. Limitations are related to the limited sample and the cross-sectional nature of the study. Practical implications lie in considering decision-making autonomy as a double-edged sword, such that when low it could be a risk for managers and when high it could be a risk for freelancers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Organizational Behaviors)
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14 pages, 1033 KiB  
Article
The Impacts of the Presence of an Unfamiliar Dog on Emerging Adults’ Physiological and Behavioral Responses Following Social Exclusion
by Ilona Papousek, Katharina Reiter-Scheidl, Helmut K. Lackner, Elisabeth M. Weiss, Corinna M. Perchtold-Stefan and Nilüfer Aydin
Behav. Sci. 2020, 10(12), 191; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs10120191 - 14 Dec 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4059
Abstract
Research indicates that non-human attachment figures may mitigate the negative consequences of social exclusion. In the current experiment, we examined how the presence of an unfamiliar companion dog in the laboratory effects physiological and behavioral reactions in female emerging adults after social exclusion [...] Read more.
Research indicates that non-human attachment figures may mitigate the negative consequences of social exclusion. In the current experiment, we examined how the presence of an unfamiliar companion dog in the laboratory effects physiological and behavioral reactions in female emerging adults after social exclusion compared to inclusion. Results revealed the beneficial effects of the dog: Socially excluded participants in the company of a dog showed less aggressive behavior in response to the hot sauce paradigm compared to excluded participants in the control condition. Furthermore, cardiac responses indicated mitigated perception of threat in a subsequent insult episode when a dog was present. The presence of a dog did not impact the most instantaneous, “reflexive” response to the social exclusion as revealed by characteristic cardiac changes. Together, the findings indicate that the presence of a companion dog takes effect in a later, reflective period following a social exclusion experience, which implicates relevant social elaboration and appraisal processes. Full article
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14 pages, 292 KiB  
Article
Coping Styles among People with Parkinson’s Disease: A Three-Year Follow-Up Study
by Maria H. Nilsson, Frank Oswald, Sebastian Palmqvist and Björn Slaug
Behav. Sci. 2020, 10(12), 190; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs10120190 - 12 Dec 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2919
Abstract
People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experience a gradual loss of functional abilities that affects all facets of their daily life. There is a lack of longitudinal studies on coping styles in relation to the disease progression among people with PD. The aim of [...] Read more.
People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experience a gradual loss of functional abilities that affects all facets of their daily life. There is a lack of longitudinal studies on coping styles in relation to the disease progression among people with PD. The aim of this study was to explore how coping styles in PD evolve over a 3-year period. Data from the longitudinal project “Home and Health in People Ageing with PD” was utilized (N = 158), including baseline and 3-year follow-up assessments. Coping was captured by ratings of 13 different coping styles. A factor analysis was conducted to analyse patterns of coping styles. Stability and change were analysed for each of the 13 styles with respect to the course of the disease. The factor analysis revealed four coping patterns: pessimistic, optimistic, persistent and support-seeking. The stability of each coping style over time ranged from 75.3% to 90.5%. Those who experienced a worsening of the disease were most inclined to change their coping style (p = 0.006). The results suggest that even when facing severe challenges due to PD in daily life, coping styles remain relatively stable over time. However, a worsening in PD severity appeared to trigger a certain re-evaluation of coping styles. Full article
12 pages, 269 KiB  
Article
Cognitive Functioning, Life Satisfaction, and Their Relationship with the Financial Attitudes of Older Individuals Who Participate in an Active Aging Program
by Claudia Idárraga-Cabrera, Jorge-Manuel Dueñas, Marina-Begoña Martínez-González, Regina Navarro-Blanco, Marianela Denegri-Coria and Mariana Pino
Behav. Sci. 2020, 10(12), 189; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs10120189 - 10 Dec 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3050
Abstract
Life expectancy has increased in many countries throughout the world over recent years, leading to new challenges related to aging. A large part of the population is over 60 years old, and therefore studies that focus on financial autonomy and active aging are [...] Read more.
Life expectancy has increased in many countries throughout the world over recent years, leading to new challenges related to aging. A large part of the population is over 60 years old, and therefore studies that focus on financial autonomy and active aging are necessary. In this paper, we analyze the relationship between cognitive functioning and life satisfaction in relation to financial attitudes in a sample of 251 elderly adults (71% women) participating in an active aging program (M = 67.5, SD = 4.5). We used the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Satisfaction with Life scale, and a questionnaire about financial attitudes to gather data. Our results show that cognitive functioning and life satisfaction are related to certain financial attitudes. We also observed differences associated with gender, education level, and financial independence. According to our findings, life satisfaction should be taken into account when the financial attitudes of older adults are evaluated. The importance of support groups for the elderly is highlighted as well as of all those recreation and health programs, since they constitute a means of promoting well-being. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Developmental Psychology)
13 pages, 260 KiB  
Review
Arts Therapies Interventions and Their Outcomes in the Treatment of Eating Disorders: Scoping Review Protocol
by Monika Bucharová, Andrea Malá, Jiří Kantor and Zuzana Svobodová
Behav. Sci. 2020, 10(12), 188; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs10120188 - 9 Dec 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 9448
Abstract
Arts therapies (AsTs) are considered a valuable intervention for people with eating disorders, however the range of research studies and the comparison between the types of arts therapies are unknown. The goal of the future scoping review is to explore the therapeutic outcomes [...] Read more.
Arts therapies (AsTs) are considered a valuable intervention for people with eating disorders, however the range of research studies and the comparison between the types of arts therapies are unknown. The goal of the future scoping review is to explore the therapeutic outcomes addressed by arts therapists in research studies on people with eating disorders and compare the different types of arts-based interventions. This scoping review will be conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Included will be research studies and sources oriented towards people with eating disorders of all ages and AsTs of any type (art therapy, drama therapy, music therapy, dance/movement therapy, and expressive therapies). There is no language/publication period limitation. The following databases will be searched: CINAHL Plus, EMBASE, MEDLINE (OvidSP), ProQuest Central, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Sources of unpublished studies and grey literature will include Google Scholar, MedNar, clinical trials, and current controlled trials. Titles/abstracts and full texts of studies will be assessed against the inclusion criteria, and the data extracted by two independent reviewers. Based on the results, we will compare the types of AsTs according to the research designs, country/settings, intervention methods/materials, adverse effects reported, and therapeutic outcomes related to AsTs. Full article
16 pages, 1023 KiB  
Article
Influence of Mothers’ Habits on Reading Skills and Emotional Intelligence of University Students: Relationships in the Social and Educational Context
by Elena Jiménez-Pérez, Almudena Barrientos-Báez, David Caldevilla-Domínguez and José Gómez-Galán
Behav. Sci. 2020, 10(12), 187; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs10120187 - 7 Dec 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3656
Abstract
Numerous studies show that the family plays a crucial role not only in the education of children but also in the acquisition of skills in the process of teaching and formal learning, especially in their reading competence. Furthermore, within the family, studies point [...] Read more.
Numerous studies show that the family plays a crucial role not only in the education of children but also in the acquisition of skills in the process of teaching and formal learning, especially in their reading competence. Furthermore, within the family, studies point to the basic role of the mother as the main axis of both educational and social teaching. The approach of this research aims to analyze whether maternal habits can influence the reading competence of their children. On the other hand, numerous studies point to the relationship between reading skills and emotional intelligence. Its inclusion in the equation of this construct can give information that will nuance the learning process in this evolutionary process. Thus, in this research, the objective is to establish the existence of a relationship between maternal reading habits with respect to reading competence and emotional intelligence in post-adolescents. Four-hundred-twenty first-year university students participated between the ages of 18 and 20 (43.8% men and 56.2% women) from the Andalusian universities of Granada, Malaga, and Jaen, all of them located in areas of medium socio-cultural context. Moderate mediation and factorial ANCOVA analyses have been carried out. The results point to the fact that the profile of the post-adolescents with the best score in reading competence also scores better in emotional intelligence and their mothers are those who score highest in reading habits. Thus, the role of the mother within the family is even more important than it appears in a society that seeks parity. New forms of work–family conciliation are necessary in order not to break the mother–child bond. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Foundational Approaches to Learning Behaviors)
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14 pages, 382 KiB  
Article
Process Evaluation of a Personality Targeted Intervention for Addictive Eating in Australian Adults
by Yive Yang, Li Kheng Chai, Rebecca Collins, Mark Leary, Megan Whatnall and Tracy Burrows
Behav. Sci. 2020, 10(12), 186; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs10120186 - 3 Dec 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2716
Abstract
Addictive eating prevalence is estimated at 15–20% in studied populations, and is associated with concurrent mental health conditions and eating disorders as well as overweight and obesity. However, few evidence-based interventions targeting addictive eating are available. The further development of evidence-based interventions requires [...] Read more.
Addictive eating prevalence is estimated at 15–20% in studied populations, and is associated with concurrent mental health conditions and eating disorders as well as overweight and obesity. However, few evidence-based interventions targeting addictive eating are available. The further development of evidence-based interventions requires assessment of intervention feasibility and efficacy. This study aimed to determine the feasibility, including intervention delivery and program acceptability, of FoodFix; a personality targeted intervention for the treatment of addictive eating behaviours in Australian adults. Participants (n = 52) were randomised to intervention (n = 26) or wait-list control groups (n = 26) and received three personalised telehealth sessions with an Accredited Practising Dietitian over seven weeks. Intervention delivery was assessed by tracking adherence to scheduled timing of intervention sessions. Program acceptability of participants was assessed via an online process evaluation survey and program acceptability of intervention providers was assessed via semi-structured phone interviews. In total, 79% of participants adhered to scheduled timing for session two and 43% for session three, defined as within one week (before/after) of the scheduled date. Further, 21% of participants completed the process evaluation survey (n = 11). The majority of participants were extremely/very satisfied with FoodFix (n = 7, 63%). Intervention providers (n = 2) expressed that they felt adequately trained to deliver the intervention, and that the overall session format, timing, and content of FoodFix was appropriate for participants. These findings highlight the importance of assessing intervention feasibility to further understand intervention efficacy. Full article
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12 pages, 238 KiB  
Article
Underlying Motives for Selected Adventure Recreation Activities: The Case for Eudaimonics and Hedonics
by Alan Ewert, Ryan Zwart and Curt Davidson
Behav. Sci. 2020, 10(12), 185; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs10120185 - 3 Dec 2020
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2911
Abstract
One of the interesting behaviors practiced by citizens across the globe is the pursuit of outdoor recreational activities featuring elements of personal risk and danger. These types of activities are now becoming a global mainstay for many individuals, economies, and organizations. This study [...] Read more.
One of the interesting behaviors practiced by citizens across the globe is the pursuit of outdoor recreational activities featuring elements of personal risk and danger. These types of activities are now becoming a global mainstay for many individuals, economies, and organizations. This study examined the underlying motivations and subsequent behaviors associated with risk-taking recreational activities and used the concepts of eudaimonics and hedonics to examine the motivations for participation from individuals engaging in three different adventure activities occurring in eight different locations. Recruitment took place in several forms, including in-person solicitation of participants at the activity areas, which consisted of mountain biking trailheads, rock climbing areas, and whitewater sites. Data were collected from three popular outdoor adventure activities (OAAs), including mountain biking, rock climbing, and whitewater boating. This study employed the use of multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) to investigate the relationship between two independent variable sets, including (1) the activity type, and (2) the level of experience, gender, type of activity, and the dependent variables of the Hedonic and Eudaimonic Motives for Activities (HEMA) scale (eudaimonic and hedonic). In addition, a cumulative odds ordinal logistic regression with proportional odds was utilized to determine the effects of expertise level and activity type on reported eudaimonic and hedonic motivations. A qualitative interview process was utilized to further investigate participant responses surrounding eudaimonic and hedonic motivational perspectives. The results indicated slight variations in experience level in the underlying motivations. Furthermore, qualitative inquiry revealed several motivation categories and diversity in the way those motivations were present throughout the recreation activity. Full article
10 pages, 235 KiB  
Article
Examining Procrastination among University Students through the Lens of the Self-Regulated Learning Model
by Pierpaolo Limone, Maria Sinatra, Flavio Ceglie and Lucia Monacis
Behav. Sci. 2020, 10(12), 184; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs10120184 - 1 Dec 2020
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 14113
Abstract
Generally considered as a prevalent occurrence in academic settings, procrastination was analyzed in association with constructs such as self-efficacy, self-esteem, anxiety, stress, and fear of failure. This study investigated the role played by self-regulated learning strategies in predicting procrastination among university students. To [...] Read more.
Generally considered as a prevalent occurrence in academic settings, procrastination was analyzed in association with constructs such as self-efficacy, self-esteem, anxiety, stress, and fear of failure. This study investigated the role played by self-regulated learning strategies in predicting procrastination among university students. To this purpose, the relationships of procrastination with cognitive and metacognitive learning strategies and time management were explored in the entire sample, as well as in male and female groups. Gender differences were taken into account due to the mixed results that emerged in previous studies. This cross-sectional study involved 450 university students (M = 230; F = 220; Mage = 21.08, DS = 3.25) who completed a self-reported questionnaire including a sociodemographic section, the Tuckman Procrastination Scale, the Time Management Scale, and the Metacognitive Self-Regulation and Critical Thinking Scales. Descriptive and inferential analyses were applied to the data. The main findings indicated that temporal and metacognitive components play an important role in students’ academic achievement and that, compared to females, males procrastinate more due to poor time management skills and metacognitive strategies. Practical implications were suggested to help students to overcome their dilatory behavior. Full article
16 pages, 2527 KiB  
Article
Levels and Factors Associated with Resilience in Italian Healthcare Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Web-Based Survey
by Lucia Lisi, Jacopo Ciaffi, Antonella Bruni, Luana Mancarella, Veronica Brusi, Pasquale Gramegna, Claudio Ripamonti, Elisabetta Quaranta, Elena Borlandelli, Gaetano Gallo, Eugenio Garofalo, Agostino Chiaravalloti, Pasquale Viola, Piero Ruscitti, Giacomo Caio, Martina D’Onghia, Andrea D’Amuri, Antonio Cimellaro, Giancarlo Facchini, Micaela La Regina, Luca Spinardi, Roberto De Giorgio, Roberto Giacomelli, Maria Paola Landini, Domenico Berardi, Riccardo Meliconi and Francesco Ursiniadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Behav. Sci. 2020, 10(12), 183; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs10120183 - 29 Nov 2020
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4190
Abstract
Background: Resilience is defined as the capacity to cope successfully with change or adversity. The aims of our study were to investigate levels of resilience in Italian healthcare professionals (HCPs) during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to identify potential predictors of [...] Read more.
Background: Resilience is defined as the capacity to cope successfully with change or adversity. The aims of our study were to investigate levels of resilience in Italian healthcare professionals (HCPs) during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to identify potential predictors of resilience. Methods: We performed a web-based survey of HCPs (n = 1009) working in Italian hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey contained a 14-item resilience scale (RS14) and questionnaires to evaluate depression and anxiety symptoms. Non-HCP individuals (n = 375) from the general population were used for comparison. Results: HCPs showed significantly lower resilience compared to the control group (p = 0.001). No significant differences were observed after stratification for geographical area, work setting, role, or suspected/confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. In a linear regression analysis, RS14 was inversely correlated with depression (R2 = 0.227, p < 0.001) and anxiety (R2 = 0.117, p < 0.001) and directly correlated with age (R2 = 0.012, p < 0.001) but not with body mass index (BMI, R2 = 0.002, p = 0.213). In male HCPs, higher depression score (odds ratio (OR) 1.147, p < 0.001) or BMI (OR 1.136, p = 0.011) significantly predicted having low resilience. In female HCPs, higher depression score (OR 1.111, p < 0.0001) and working in a COVID-19 free setting (OR 2.308, p = 0.002) significantly predicted having low resilience. HCPs satisfied with personal protective equipment had higher levels of resilience (p < 0.010). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that resilience was lower in Italian HCPs than in the general population after the first COVID-19 wave. Specific factors can be identified, and targeted interventions may have an important role to foster resilience of HCPs. Full article
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8 pages, 745 KiB  
Brief Report
Effects of Self-Mastery on Adolescent and Parental Mental Health through the Mediation of Coping Ability Applying Dyadic Analysis
by Chiara Filipponi, Peter J. Schulz and Serena Petrocchi
Behav. Sci. 2020, 10(12), 182; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs10120182 - 27 Nov 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2877
Abstract
Evidence demonstrated that self-mastery and coping ability predict mental health in adults and children. However, there is a lack of research analyzing the relationships between those constructs in parents and children. Self-report data from 89 dyads (adolescents’ mean of age = 14.47, SD [...] Read more.
Evidence demonstrated that self-mastery and coping ability predict mental health in adults and children. However, there is a lack of research analyzing the relationships between those constructs in parents and children. Self-report data from 89 dyads (adolescents’ mean of age = 14.47, SD = 0.50; parents’ mean of age = 47.24, SD = 4.54) who participated in waves 17, 18, and 19 (following T1, T2, and T3) of a nineteen-wave longitudinal study were analyzed using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model’s extended Mediation. Results showed significant actor effects of parents’ and adolescents’ self-mastery (T1) on mental health (T3) and the mediator effect of their coping abilities in managing stress (T2). Both a higher parental education level and being a mother positively influenced adolescents’ coping ability. The mutually beneficial relationships between parents’ and adolescents’ self-mastery, coping ability, and mental health were not demonstrated. Self-mastery is a significant predictor of adolescents’ and parents’ mental health, and coping ability serves as a good mediator between them. Qualitative research may clarify reasons why partner effects in the model were found to be non-significant. Further research should re-test this model with a larger sample size during childhood, when parents provide significant behavioral models for their children—as well as in adolescence, considering the peer group—to develop guidelines for behavioral interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Developmental Psychology)
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19 pages, 290 KiB  
Article
Eliciting Willingness and Beliefs towards Participation in Genetic Psychiatric Testing in Black/African American Mothers at Risk for Depression
by Rahshida Atkins, Terri-Ann Kelly, Shanda Johnson, Wanda Williams, Yolanda Nelson, Paule V. Joseph, Deirdre Jackson, Deborah King, Tiffany Stellmacher, Nisoni-Davis Halty, Michelle Tinglin and Gale Gage
Behav. Sci. 2020, 10(12), 181; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs10120181 - 26 Nov 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3582
Abstract
Black/African American women are at high risk for depression, yet are underrepresented in psychiatric genetic research for depression prevention and treatment. Little is known about the factors that influence participation in genetic testing for Black/African American women at risk. The purpose of this [...] Read more.
Black/African American women are at high risk for depression, yet are underrepresented in psychiatric genetic research for depression prevention and treatment. Little is known about the factors that influence participation in genetic testing for Black/African American women at risk. The purpose of this study was to elicit the beliefs that underlie participation in genetic testing for depression in Black/African American mothers, a subgroup at high risk. Willingness to participate in genetic testing procedures was also determined. A qualitative, descriptive design was employed. Exactly 19 mothers aged 21–42 completed open-ended questionnaires. Directed content and descriptive analyses of the text were conducted based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. Salient beliefs included: behavioral advantages—diagnosing/detecting depression (31.6%), finding cure/treatment (21.1%); disadvantages—not finding follow-up treatment/help (21.1%); salient referents, who approves—family members (47.4%), agencies/organizations (26.3%); who disapproves—church associates (21.1%). Control beliefs included: barriers—unpleasant/difficult testing procedures (42.1%), limited knowledge about the purpose of testing (26.3%); facilitator—a convenient location (21.1%). Most mothers (89.5%) indicated willingness to participate in testing. Interventions can target families, address barriers, emphasize future benefits, and use convenient locations and community-based participatory research methods. Policies can address social determinants of participation to increase inclusion of these mothers in psychiatric genetic research. Full article
10 pages, 245 KiB  
Protocol
Cognitive Conflict in Borderline Personality Disorder: A Study Protocol
by Victor Suarez and Guillem Feixas
Behav. Sci. 2020, 10(12), 180; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs10120180 - 26 Nov 2020
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4148
Abstract
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) represents a severe mental condition that is usually characterized by distressing identity disturbances. Although most prevailing explanatory models and psychotherapy approaches consider and intervene on self-concept, they seem not to recognize or explore idiosyncratic cognitive conflicts that patients may [...] Read more.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) represents a severe mental condition that is usually characterized by distressing identity disturbances. Although most prevailing explanatory models and psychotherapy approaches consider and intervene on self-concept, they seem not to recognize or explore idiosyncratic cognitive conflicts that patients may experience. These conflicts, which have been conceptualized as “implicative dilemmas” and “dilemmatic constructs” by personal construct theorists, could be considered as key elements of the explanatory model for BPD to provide a better understanding of this disorder and possibly enhance the effectiveness of contemporary psychotherapeutic approaches. The current study (Identifier: NCT04498104) aims to examine the characteristics of the interpersonal cognitive system of a group of patients diagnosed with BPD, using the repertory grid technique, and to compare them with those of a community sample. We will test if BPD participants are more affected by cognitive conflicts than controls. Additionally, we will gauge the association between cognitive conflicts and symptom severity as well as their predictive capacity of treatment outcome. The obtained results will be a necessary step to determine if cognitive conflicts have a substantial role on the explanation of BPD. It could also help to consider the development of a conflict resolution intervention module for this disorder. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Psychiatric, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders)
14 pages, 443 KiB  
Article
Sexual Minority Status, Anxiety–Depression, and Academic Outcomes: The Role of Campus Climate Perceptions among Italian Higher Education Students
by Anna Lisa Amodeo, Concetta Esposito, Camilla Esposito and Dario Bacchini
Behav. Sci. 2020, 10(12), 179; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs10120179 - 26 Nov 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2649
Abstract
Students from sexual minorities generally describe Higher Education contexts as unwelcoming and chilly environments. Based on the Minority Stress theory, these disparities in climate perceptions may lead sexual minority students to negative health and academic outcomes. To date, research documenting the experience of [...] Read more.
Students from sexual minorities generally describe Higher Education contexts as unwelcoming and chilly environments. Based on the Minority Stress theory, these disparities in climate perceptions may lead sexual minority students to negative health and academic outcomes. To date, research documenting the experience of sexual minority students within European Higher Education Institutions is limited. Framed within campus climate literature, the current study aimed to expand on previous knowledge by investigating the associations between sexual minority status, students’ perceptions of campus climate and psychological (i.e., anxiety–depression), and academic outcomes (i.e., intellectual and academic success and considering leaving the university) using a self-selected sample of 868 Italian university students (17.9% sexual minority students). The results showed that sexual minority status was associated with negative perceptions of campus climate, which, in turn, were associated with higher levels of anxiety–depression symptoms, lowered academic success, and a high probability of considering leaving university. Further research is needed to investigate the experience of sexual minority students within European Higher Education contexts and to explore possible actions that could contribute to fostering a greater sense of belonging to the campus community for all students, and particularly for students from sexual minority groups. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Health Psychology)
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14 pages, 257 KiB  
Review
Improving Dignity of Care in Community-Dwelling Elderly Patients with Cognitive Decline and Their Caregivers. The Role of Dignity Therapy
by Heifa Ounalli, David Mamo, Ines Testoni, Martino Belvederi Murri, Rosangela Caruso and Luigi Grassi
Behav. Sci. 2020, 10(12), 178; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs10120178 - 24 Nov 2020
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 6278
Abstract
Demographic changes have placed age-related mental health disorders at the forefront of public health challenges over the next three decades worldwide. Within the context of cognitive impairment and neurocognitive disorders among elderly people, the fragmentation of the self is associated with existential suffering, [...] Read more.
Demographic changes have placed age-related mental health disorders at the forefront of public health challenges over the next three decades worldwide. Within the context of cognitive impairment and neurocognitive disorders among elderly people, the fragmentation of the self is associated with existential suffering, loss of meaning and dignity for the patient, as well as with a significant burden for the caregiver. Psychosocial interventions are part of a person-centered approach to cognitive impairment (including early stage dementia and dementia). Dignity therapy (DT) is a therapeutic intervention that has been shown to be effective in reducing existential distress, mood, and anxiety symptoms and improving dignity in persons with cancer and other terminal conditions in palliative care settings. The aims of this paper were: (i) To briefly summarize key issues and challenges related to care in gerontology considering specifically frail elderly/elderly with cognitive decline and their caregivers; and (ii) to provide a narrative review of the recent knowledge and evidence on DT in the elderly population with cognitive impairment. We searched the electronic data base (CINAHL, SCOPUS, PSycInfo, and PubMed studies) for studies regarding the application of DT in the elderly. Additionally, given the caregiver’s role as a custodian of diachronic unity of the cared-for and the need to help caregivers to cope with their own existential distress and anticipatory grief, we also propose a DT-dyadic approach addressing the needs of the family as a whole. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Social Psychology)
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