Psychology Hub

Exploring the Coping Strategies, Emotion Regulation and Well-Being Indicators of Parents of Neurodivergent Children: A Comparative Study Between Mothers and Fathers in India

Adya Sinha — 2024-07-10

The study explores maternal and paternal differences in the coping strategies, emotion regulation and well-being indicators of parents of neurodivergent children in India. Research has shown that the impact of raising a neurodivergent child is different for mothers and fathers. However, most studies focus solely on mothers, and there is insufficient research in the Indian context. It was hypothesised that the emotion regulation, well-being indicators and coping strategies used by fathers and mothers of neurodivergent children are significantly different. 19 mothers and 10 fathers of children (aged 10-16 years) diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Learning Disabilities, from the Aatman Academy, Thane participated in the study. The Brief-Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (Carver, 1997), Multidimensional Flourishing Scale (Mesurado et al., 2018), Peace of Mind Scale (Lee et al., 2012), and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire-Short Version (Garnefski & Kraaij, 2006) were used to assess coping strategies, well-being and emotion regulation, respectively. A Mann-Whitney U test revealed differences in maternal and paternal results, but they were not significant. Plausible explanations include increased paternal involvement in child-rearing, the dyadic stress model, emotional interdependence in mothers and fathers and communal coping. This study is comprehensive, uses standardised questionnaires, and includes fathers. It can aid mixed methods and longitudinal research on the topic, and in designing timely interventions for parents of neurodivergent children in India.

Psychosocial Support and Well-being of Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy

Aysha Thasleema — 2024-07-10

Adolescent well-being emerges from a confluence of factors, encompassing social support from family, peers, and educators, a safe and supportive environment, and a strong sense of self-belief. This study investigates the mediating influence of self-efficacy in the association between adolescents' perceived psychosocial support and their well-being. Students aged 13 to 19 from different schools and colleges in Southern India, participated in the study (n= 229, Boys= 46.29%, Girls= 53.71%). Self-report scales, viz. The Psychosocial Support Scale (PSYCHOSS-22), the Indian Scale of Adolescent Well-being (ISAW), and the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE) were used to assess the study variables. The data were analysed using Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient and structural equation modelling. The study's findings revealed positive and significant correlations between psychosocial support, self-efficacy, and the well-being of participants. Self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between psychosocial support and well-being, which suggests that adolescents' belief in themselves develops as a result of the psychological and tangible support they receive from their surroundings, contributing to enhanced well-being. Furthermore, self-efficacy facilitates adolescents' perception and pursuit of psychosocial support, highlighting the importance of recognizing and utilizing available social support for their psychological well-being. The findings underscore the importance of endorsing strategies aimed at bolstering adolescents' self-efficacy during their formative years.

Victimization: Child's characteristics, parenting practices, and peer relationships. A mixed methods study

Louiza Ioannidou — 2024-07-10

The present study aimed to investigate the role of children’s characteristics, parenting practices, and peer relationships in school victimization. The research employed a mixed methodology. The quantitative phase of the research included 374 children and their parents. The children completed the Revised Olweus Bullying and Victimization Questionnaire, the Behavioral Inhibition Instrument, the Parental Bonding Instrument, and the Social Acceptance Scale. The qualitative phase of the research included eight children, who were randomly selected from the quantitative phase. Data in this phase were collected through a focus group. The results of the quantitative phase showed that victimization is positively predicted by behavioral inhibition, while it is negatively predicted by maternal and paternal care, and peer relationships. The results of the qualitative phase were consistent with the results of the quantitative phase. In addition, new characteristics and concepts emerged from the qualitative data, such as the victim’s characteristics (low self-esteem, inability to support oneself and express one’s opinion, low success, victim diversity). Therefore, a complex and comprehensive profile of school victims was developed through the mixed methodology, which includes the child's behaviors and characteristics and parental and social factors. The research results are useful for designing prevention and intervention programs related to children and adolescents' psycho-emotional empowerment.

Well-being in doctoral students: Considerations for the academic community

Claudia A. Cornejo-Araya — 2024-07-10

Undertaking doctoral studies is a highly demanding academic activity, so it is important that those who embark on this challenge can experience the process positively. This article aims to expose and reflect on the relevance of the well-being of doctoral students as a need that must be addressed by the doctoral programs and higher education institutions. Considerations that the academic community, especially in the Latin American context, must take into account for an adequate development and training process for doctoral students, should include elements beyond the academic aspects. Based on the literature, these considerations include the student’s relationship with their thesis supervisors, motherhood and family, the constant pressure to publish, and procrastination. Finally, some areas are included to consider possible interventions to benefit the well-being of doctoral students, and the need for further research in the area is emphasized.

Exploring Social Theatre's Impact on Soft Skills Development in Adolescents: A Qualitative Inquiry

Laura Morelli — 2024-07-10

Through the thematic analysis of interviews with adolescents participating in a social theater course, the article explores the effectiveness of social theater as a device for developing soft skills in adolescents. The results show that the social theater course allowed participants to develop subjective and intersubjective knowledge, regarding emotions and communication skills. Participants also acquired skills related to memory, role playing and improvisation. The findings of this research suggest that social theater can be a valuable educational resource for developing a range of transversal skills in young people that can be transferred and applied in a variety of contexts, in personal, social, and professional settings. Further research will be able to verify the presence of the specific skills identified in other contexts and on a larger number of participants.

The influence of cultural worldviews on the association between wildfire risk perception and preventive behaviors

Matteo Reho — 2024-07-10

Wildfire prevention is one of the most important contemporary environmental challenges. Risk perception appears to be a relevant variable in influencing preventive behaviors, and this association is influenced by several variables. In this regard, cultural worldviews directly influenced environmental risk perception, although, in the context of wildfires, research has not investigated their role in the association between risk perception and preventive behaviors.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between wildfire risk perception and preventive behaviors, and to examine the extent to which this relationship was affected by different cultural worldviews.

A survey was administered to 108 Italian participants to assess cultural worldviews, wildfire risk perception and prevention behaviors.

Results showed that higher levels of wildfire risk perception were associated with higher prevention behaviors, and that this association was stronger in people with the optimistic engaged worldview than in people with the cautiously engaged worldview.

The results suggest that the development of specific policies and interventions on particularly prudent and conservative people could increase enactment of wildfire prevention behaviors.

The Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (NSFS): An in-depth psychometric validation among Italian workers

Paolo Soraci — 2024-07-10

Studies have suggested that basic psychological needs are associated with a variety of workplace dimensions across different cultures such as psychological well-being, burnout, motivation, and job design. Consequently, adopting validated cross-cultural psychometric scales could facilitate researchers and consultants to better understand employee’s motivational processes. Therefore, the present paper evaluated the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (NSFS). The evaluation included confirmatory factor analyses (CFA), internal consistency, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and measurement invariance across gender. The sample comprised 309 Italian workers (61.6% females), with a mean age of 41.94 years (SD= ±10.71). The survey including the Needs Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (NSFS), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the cognitive weariness subscale of the Shirom-Melamed Burnout Questionnaire (SMBQ). The results of CFA supported a first-order six-factor. The NSFS subscales showed good internal consistencies (Cronbach alphas ranging from 0.88 to 0.95; McDonald omegas ranging from 0.88 to 0.95). Overall, need satisfaction was positively associated with life satisfaction, and need frustration was positively associated with cognitive weariness. Measurement invariance across gender was established. The findings indicate that the NSFS is a psychometrically reliable and valid measure for assessing the basic psychological need satisfaction and frustration among Italian workers. The study expands the literature regarding basic psychological need and demonstrates important associational dimensions in the Italian context.

Exploring Doctor-Patient Communication in Oncology: a Literature Synthesis on Coding Schemes and Self-Report Measures

Francesca Alby — 2024-07-10

This literature synthesis collects instruments used to analyze doctor-patient interactions in oncology consultations. Oncology visits are complex and demanding, requiring doctors to communicate difficult information to patients under high-stress conditions. Effective communication is crucial for successful cancer treatment and informed decision-making. Medical interaction coding systems and self-reporting questionnaires offer valuable tools for evaluating communication, research, physician training, and assessing training program efficacy. This review explores various coding systems and self-report measures, their applications, and distinctions between observation-based and self-report systems. The review highlights recent developments in the field, gaps in current research, and potential future directions, emphasizing the importance of addressing local healthcare system influences and incorporating intercultural considerations in coding systems to promote patient-centered care.