Background Guilt proneness is considered an important factor influencing social and ethical behavior, but excessive guilt proneness may also be associated with adverse mental health outcomes. The aim of this study was therefore to provide empirical infor-mation on guilt proneness and associated factors in the German adult population. Participants and procedure The results are based on the weighted data from 1,070 participants (aged 18-79) who took part in a standardized, nation-wide online survey in Germany. Guilt proneness was assessed using weighted scores from the Guilt and Shame Proneness Scale (GASP). The GASP includes two subscales: Guilt-NBE, which assesses negative behavior evaluations, and Guilt-Repair, which assesses repair action tendencies following transgressions. Group differences and associations with socio-demographic characteristics and depression were analyzed using nonparametric tests, Pearson correlations, and multivaria-ble linear regression. Results With weighted mean scores of 5.6, guilt proneness findings were comparable for both guilt subscales (on a scale of 1 to 7, where higher scores indicate a greater extent of guilt proneness; the SDs were 1.3 for Guilt-NBE and 1.0 for Guilt-Repair). Guilt proneness was higher in older age groups and in women than in men, but it was not associated with probable major depression. Conclusions Guilt proneness was generally high in German adults and was associated with age and gender, but not with a positive screen for probable major depression. These findings provide initial population-based data on guilt proneness in Germany and highlight the need for further research on its psychological and behavioral correlates.
Background Most research on the relationship between well-being and sexual satisfaction has focused on hedonic or eudaimonic well-being. In contrast, the PERMA model integrates both axes of this phenomenon. In addition, Latin American samples are underrepresented in sexuality research. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the direct relation between PERMA well-being and subjective sexual satisfaction in a Mexican sample. Participants and procedure This research was a quantitative, non-experimental cross-sectional study and included 237 people from a northwest state in Mexico. The scales implemented were Subjective Sexual Satisfaction and PERMA-Profiler. The database was downloaded and adapted for analysis through SPSS and AMOS. Five analyses were performed: a) confirmatory factor analysis, b) Cronbach’s alpha, c) descriptive and data distribution statistics, d) correlation matrix, and e) structural equation model. Results According to the correlation matrix, subjective sexual satisfaction presents significant associations with PERMA well-being (.21, p < .01). In addition, the structural equation model (SEM) indicated that PERMA well-being presents a positive and direct relation with sexual satisfaction (.31, p < .01). Conclusions As expected, well-being was directly associated with sexual satisfaction, suggesting that higher perceived well-being may contribute to increased sexual satisfaction. These results provide evidence of the close relationship between these two constructs.
Background Sociocultural pressures can influence perceptions of physical appearance ideals, often driving the internalization of unrealis-tic standards, which can contribute to eating disorders (ED). Today, there is a strong focus on health ideals, promoting personal responsibility for leading a healthier lifestyle. For some, this pursuit can escalate into disordered eating behaviours or orthorexia nervosa (ON), an obsessive focus on consuming only “healthy” foods. This study explored the impact of ap-pearance-related sociocultural pressures on symptoms of ED and ON, focusing on the role of internalizing thin and muscu-lar body ideals. It also investigated whether this internalization mediates the association between sociocultural pressures and these symptoms. Participants and procedure The study surveyed 1,318 young women aged 18-21 from Croatia, who completed online assessments measuring appear-ance-related sociocultural pressures and internalization (thin/muscular) body ideals (SATAQ-4), eating disorder (EAT-11 – revised EAT-26) and orthorexia symptoms (DOS) using a cross-sectional design. Results The results show that sociocultural pressures significantly contribute to the severity of ED and ON symptoms. Thinness ideals are a central factor driving both ED and ON symptoms, whereas muscularity ideals are more specifically associated with ON. Sociocultural pressures exert their influence on ED and ON indirectly through the internalization of thinness ide-als. However, while muscularity ideals did not mediate the relationship between sociocultural pressures and ED symptoms, they did mediate the effects on ON symptoms. Conclusions The findings highlight the critical role of sociocultural pressures and the internalization of thinness and muscularity ideals in the development of disordered eating behaviours. Interventions could therefore focus on educating young women and their social circles on the impact of sociocultural influences, promoting a supportive environment to challenge harmful norms.
Background Academic burnout poses a serious challenge for today’s students, reducing their psychological well-being and increasing the risk of adjustment problems. Research indicates that stress coping strategies can play both protective and potentially harm-ful roles in this process. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between academic burnout and students’ psychological well-being, with particular emphasis on the role of coping strategies. Participants and procedure The study involved 371 Polish psychology students who completed standardised questionnaires measuring academic burn-out (OLBI-S), psychological well-being (C. Ryff scale) and stress coping strategies (Mini-COPE). The age of the respondents ranged from 18 to 28 years. The study was conducted between April and May 2025 by reaching out to respondents directly. Results The results confirmed that higher levels of burnout were significantly associated with lower psychological well-being. Prob-lem-focused coping strategies promoted higher well-being and mitigated the negative impact of burnout, while avoidance strategies exacerbated the effect. Notably, emotion-focused strategies did not show significant associations with the stud-ied variables, which may indicate their limited role in the context of academic demands. Conclusions Academic burnout poses a significant threat to students’ well-being, and the long-term consequences are likely to persist in their professional lives. Developing adaptive coping strategies and limiting escape strategies can have a protective effect, supporting mental health and preparing students for future professional life.
Background This study aimed to examine psychosocial adjustment to illness and resilience among outpatients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Serbia and to evaluate the predictive role of resilience. Participants and procedure A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 109 IBD outpatients (47 with Crohn’s disease and 62 with ulcerative colitis). Participants completed standardized measures of resilience and psychosocial adjustment across multiple life domains, along with sociodemographic data. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, correlations, and multivariate regression to assess associations between resilience and psychosocial adjustment. Results Participants demonstrated moderate to high levels of resilience and psychosocial adjustment. The highest adjustment scores were observed in personal health care, illness-related behavior, and treatment comprehension, whereas vocational and domestic domains were more affected. Regression analysis revealed that resilience significantly predicted psychosocial adjustment across several domains (i.e., personal health care, emotional response and hope for recovery, physician-provided information, treatment comprehension, social environment, and psychological distress). Notably, resilience was inversely associated with reliance on physician-provided illness information. Conclusions Resilience emerged as a key predictor of psychosocial adjustment in IBD, influencing emotional, social, and cognitive do-mains of functioning. Strengthening resilience and adaptive coping capacities should be considered essential components of comprehensive IBD care, complementing medical interventions and enhancing overall functioning and long-term outcomes. Future research should examine longitudinal effects of resilience and evaluate targeted interventions aimed at improving quality of life in IBD populations.
Background This study aimed to (1) validate the Sport Motivation Scale (SMS) for Indian athletes and (2) compare sports motivation among judokas from India, Poland, and Brazil to explore cultural differences in motivational patterns. Participants and procedure Study 1 involved 305 Indian athletes across various sports. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), reliability testing, and measurement invariance were conducted using the Indian-adapted SMS, Anxiety-Depression-Stress Scale, and Achievement Motivation Scale. Study 2 included 104 judokas (India: 37, Poland: 32, Brazil: 35). Culturally validated versions of SMS were used to assess intrinsic, extrinsic motivation, and amotivation. Statistical analysis included the Tukey test, correlation analy-sis, and trend analysis. Results The Indian SMS showed good model fit (CFI = .95, TLI = .94, RMSEA = .05), high internal consistency (α = .81-.96), and strong convergent/discriminant validity. Cross-cultural comparisons showed no significant differences in intrinsic motiva-tion, introjected regulation, or identified regulation among judokas, reflecting the standardized philosophy of judo. Differ-ences were mainly observed in externally regulated motivation and amotivation, highlighting the role of sociocultural and structural factors. Career-related factors revealed distinct motivational patterns: career length was associated with identified motivation in Indian judokas and with intrinsic motivation to experience stimulation in Polish judokas, whereas career qual-ity showed associations with both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation across all groups. These findings highlight the im-portance of autonomy-supportive and culturally sensitive sport environments in sustaining long-term athletic engagement. Conclusions This study validates the SMS for Indian athletes and reveals that, while core motivational components in judo are largely consistent across cultures, differences in external regulation and amotivation reflect sociocultural and structural influences. These findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive and autonomy-supportive environments to sustain long-term motivation in judo.
The study aimed to adapt the Body, Eating, and Exercise Comparison Orientation Measure (BEECOM) for the Polish popu-lation and assess its psychometric properties, including factor structure, reliability, validity, and temporal stability. Social comparison processes, particularly in the domains of body image, eating, and exercise, are increasingly recognized as im-portant factors influencing psychological well-being and the development of disordered eating behaviors. Study 1 involved 408 participants (Mage = 26.26, SD = 9.60; 49.9% female) and focused on scale adaptation through explora-tory and confirmatory factor analyses. Study 2 (N = 70; Mage = 41.23, SD = 13.21) and Study 3 (N = 129; Mage = 20.68, SD = 2.77) assessed the temporal stability of the 18-, 12-, and 9-item BEECOM versions across three one-month intervals. A revised factor structure led to the Polish BEECOM-R, which demonstrated good internal consistency, convergent validity (with PACS and SATAQ-3), and measurement invariance across gender and age groups. Temporal stability analyses showed satisfactory to strong consistency (r = .48-.87) and minimal mean-level change, though some variability appeared in the Body and Exercise subscales. The 18- and 9-item versions outperformed the 12-item version in terms of stability. The Polish BEECOM-R is a valid and reliable tool for measuring appearance-related social comparisons and can be effective-ly used in both cross-sectional and longitudinal research.
BACKGROUND Post-COVID syndrome (PCS) affects mental health, but knowledge of PCS remains limited. Investigating key motives, such as personal achievement, might help in understanding the behavior of patients with PCS. This study examined the associations between hope of success (HS) and fear of failure (FF) and health indicators in a PCS sample. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE In total, 332 patients completed questionnaires of PCS symptom severity (PCS-S), post-exertional malaise (PEM), fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale, FSS), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-9), and anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, GAD-7), as well as HS and FF. Correlations among these constructs and multiple linear regression analysis with PCS-S as a dependent variable were examined. A two-step cluster analysis identified clusters based on HS and FF scores, which were compared with each other. RESULTS The strength of the correlations between increased HS and elevated levels of depression and anxiety was moderate, while the correlations of strength with higher fatigue and PEM were weak. In the linear regression model, high HS was associated with lower PCS-S levels. Clusters with high HS tended to show more symptoms of depression and anxiety. The cluster with both high HS and FF exhibited the highest levels of these symptoms. CONCLUSIONS HS appeared to be a relevant achievement motive for mental health impairment of PCS patients. Clusters demonstrated differing effects of combinations of HS and FF on health. To understand the underlying mechanisms, further research is necessary.
BACKGROUND Non-binary youth has been described as a particularly vulnerable group, facing unique challenges regarding their health and lifestyle. It is urgent to identify these challenges and to promote well-being in this population. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE This study aimed to analyze gender differences in health and lifestyles in a sample of Portuguese adolescents. It is part of the Cuida-te+ Program of the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth (IPDJ, I.P.), which aims to promote the health and lifestyles of young people aged 12 to 25. This program includes Mobile Units, which consist of awareness-raising actions in places where there is a significant presence of the target population (i.e., schools). To assess the mentioned indicators, a questionnaire was shared at the end of these actions. RESULTS The results showed no significant differences when comparing binary and non-binary genders, regarding life sat isfaction and the practice of physical activity, smoking, inebriation, general drug use, screen time, and hours of sleep. However, in other areas, non-binary people reported worse results compared to their peers. Namely, they reported poorer eating habits, more frequent lifetime alcohol consumption, and use of some types of illegal drugs (e.g., LSD), less use of screen time for the purpose of studying, working and/or researching, more arguments with family, friends and/or partner, more often not sleeping enough, and more negative results regarding health and well-being (e.g., more symptoms of sadness and exhaustion). CONCLUSIONS These results highlight the importance of monitoring and creating adjusted responses, tailored to the needs of non binary youth.
BACKGROUND Research indicates that narcissistic traits negatively correlate with empathy and may significantly predict interpersonal behaviors. Narcissism is also associated with a higher risk of addiction and mental health issues, making its analysis among future healthcare workers particularly important. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE A cross-sectional study was conducted using a quantitative method with the computer-assisted web interview (CAWI) technique on a group of 1,092 medical and psychology students in Poland and France. The NPI-40 test was used to analyze narcissism. The study was fully anonymous and voluntary. Students were invited to participate through university mailing systems and information posted on social media platforms. RESULTS Our study found differences in NPI-40 scores based on gender, country, and field of study. Men scored higher than women in both France (M = 10.60, SD = 6.00) and Poland (M = 12.90, SD = 6.60), with a statistically significant gender effect. While medical students had slightly higher scores than psychology students, the difference was not significant. However, gender-field interactions varied by country: in France, male medical students scored higher than male psychology students, whereas in Poland, psychology students had higher scores than medical students. Despite these findings, the models explained only 5% of the variance in France and 3% in Poland, suggesting that other factors contribute to narcissism levels in this studied population. CONCLUSIONS These results may prove important in designing programs that support students' mental health and interventions aimed at improving interpersonal relationships, especially in the case of Polish medical students.
BACKGROUND Alopecia and psoriasis are autoimmune dermatological conditions that significantly impact body image. Individuals living with these conditions often experience body shame, which has been linked to increased symptoms of anxiety and depression. Self-compassion refers to the capacity to be sensitive to one's own suffering and the motivation to alleviate it, and may act as a protective factor against psychological distress. This study aimed to compare psychological outcomes between the general population and individuals living with alopecia or psoriasis, and to test the mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between external shame and symptoms of anxiety and depression among those with these dermatological conditions. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE Participants included 377 adults from the general population, 78 individuals with alopecia, and 67 individuals with psoriasis. All participants completed self-report questionnaires measuring symptoms of depression, anxiety, internal and external body shame, and self-compassion. RESULTS The results showed that the general population generally experiences lower levels of body shame and depressive symptoms and higher self-compassion than people with alopecia and psoriasis. Also, in both groups with dermatological conditions, self-compassion was moderately to strongly negatively correlated with internal and external shame and depressive symptoms, and moderately negatively correlated with anxiety symptoms. Mediation analyses showed that self-compassion mediated both relationships between external shame and depression and anxiety, with models explaining 50% and 22%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the potential utility of compassion-focused therapies to mitigate body image shame and associated psychopathology in individuals living with visible dermatological conditions such as alopecia and psoriasis.
BACKGROUND:Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) frequently co-occurs with anxiety and depression, intensifying psychological distress and functional impairment. Although exposure and response prevention (ERP) is well established for treating core OCD symptoms, its effects on these common comorbid emotional disturbances remain underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate rigorously the effectiveness of ERP in reducing both anxiety and depressive symptoms in adults with OCD. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE:In a randomized controlled trial at Razi Clinic, Tabriz, Iran (April 2022-May 2023), 50 adults (18-60 years) meeting DSM-5 criteria for OCD were recruited and randomly assigned to either an ERP intervention group or a wait-list control group (n = 25 each). Both groups completed the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) at baseline and after intervention. The ERP group received eight weekly 90-minute sessions. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), controlling for baseline scores. RESULTS:The ERP group demonstrated a significant reduction in anxiety scores, decreasing from 33.80 ± 4.15 to 24.24 ± 3.80 after treatment (p = .030), and in depression scores from 31.15 ± 3.20 to 17.44 ± 3.60 (p < .001). These improvements likely reflect ERP's capacity to decrease avoidance behaviors and enhance emotion regulation. CONCLUSIONS:ERP is an effective evidence-based intervention not only for OCD's core symptoms but also for co-occurring anxiety and depression. Incorporating ERP into routine clinical practice may therefore yield broader emotional benefits for individuals with OCD.
BACKGROUND Endometriosis, a chronic and often painful gynecological condition characterized by the presence of endometriallike tissue outside the uterine cavity, significantly impacts multiple facets of women's lives, including their sexual health, psychological well-being, and overall quality of life. The heterogeneous presentation of symptoms, ranging from dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia to infertility, exerts not only a physical toll but also an emotional and social burden. This cross-sectional study explored how social support contributed to the quality of life in Portuguese-speaking women residing in Portugal with endometriosis and how sexual satisfaction could contribute to explaining these associations. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE A total of 106 women with a self-reported diagnosis of endometriosis, with a mean age of 33.54 years (SD = 7.43), participated in the study. Data were collected online between January and May 2024 using self-report measures of quality of life, sexual satisfaction, and perceived social support. RESULTS The results revealed that higher social support is significantly associated with greater sexual satisfaction (B = .17, SE = .06, t = 2.84, p < .001, 95% CI [.05, .29]) and improved overall quality of life (B = .19, SE = .03, t = 5.44, p < .001, 95% CI [.12, .26]). Sexual satisfaction significantly mediated the relationship between social support and quality of life (indirect effect = .05, SE = .02, 95% CI [.01, .09]. CONCLUSIONS These findings underscore the importance of social connections and sexual health in managing endometriosis among Portuguese-speaking women residing in Portugal, offering valuable insights for clinical practice and future research on holistic care for women with chronic conditions.
Background Pregnancy involves dynamic neuropsychological changes, particularly in executive functions such as attention and cognitive control. Although physical activity is known to support cognitive and emotional health, the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on objective cognitive functioning during pregnancy remain unclear. This study examined whether supervised prenatal HIIT influences executive functioning and explored the role of psychological and personality-related factors in cognitive performance. Participants and procedure In this randomized controlled trial, 54 healthy pregnant participants with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies were as-signed to either an 8-week supervised prenatal HIIT programme or an educational intervention focused on healthy lifestyle and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Executive functioning was assessed before and after the intervention using the Stroop Colour–Word Test. Psychological well-being, depression, fear of childbirth, health-related quality of life, optimism, and personality traits were also measured. Results Post-intervention between-group differences in Stroop interference indices were limited; however, the HIIT group demon-strated superior performance in reading-related processing efficiency under congruent conditions. Within-group analyses indicated improvements in executive functioning in both groups. The HIIT group showed broader gains in processing speed, accuracy, and overall task efficiency, while the educational group exhibited greater reductions in interference-related out-comes. Personality traits and psychological variables, including depression, fear of childbirth, and perceived health, signifi-cantly predicted cognitive performance. Conclusions Both prenatal HIIT and educational interventions were associated with improvements in executive functioning during preg-nancy, albeit with distinct cognitive profiles. HIIT appeared to support global cognitive efficiency, whereas educational inter-vention was associated with reduced cognitive interference. Psychological and dispositional factors substantially influenced cognitive outcomes, highlighting the importance of individual differences in prenatal intervention research.
BACKGROUND:Early adolescence is a crucial period when social connections form an important basis for children's self-concept and also for their subjective well-being (SWB). Although research has focused on the interactions between SWB of children and their social connections, few studies have examined more than one social aspect simultaneously. In this study, we aimed to address this research gap by investigating acceptance, rejection, friendships, popularity, and involvement in bullying as predictors of children's SWB, hypothesizing that each makes an independent contribution. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE:This study examined the interrelations between SWB and key aspects of peer relationships - sociometric position, friendships, popularity, and bullying - among 498 Hungarian upper elementary-school children aged 10-14. Using a computerized data-collection method, we assessed peer-nominated social variables and administered measures of SWB (Happiness Measure for Schoolchildren and Mental Health Test). RESULTS:The results confirmed the previous findings that SWB is moderately but significantly associated with the number of mutual friendships, rejection, outgoing friendship ties, and victimization experiences. CONCLUSIONS:The novelty of this research lies in the simultaneous examination of variables typically studied in isolation, allowing for an analysis of their unique contributions as predictors. These findings advance our understanding of the complex interplay between peer relationships and SWB in early adolescence and highlight the importance of fostering positive social connections in school settings to promote children's well-being.
BACKGROUND:Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after exposure to traumatic events such as those involving actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. This survey was conducted to assess the prevalence of PTSD among adolescents attending public schools in the city of Salé in Morocco and to study the levels of anxiety and depression - the most common disorders associated with PTSD. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE:Based on a cross-sectional survey, 900 schoolchildren with an age between 11 and 16 years old were selected. The percentage of participants who agreed to take part was 89%. The validated questionnaires (socio-demographic data, list of life events, CPTS-RI, CDI and STAIY) were completed by the schoolchildren. Using SPSS statistical software, Student's t-test, Cohen's d test, chi-square (χ2), Cramer's V, and Pearson's correlation (r) were calculated. The research project began after receiving research authorization from the Ministry of National Education, and consent forms were signed by participants. RESULTS:The prevalence of PTSD was 31.7%. Factors such as adolescent developmental characteristics, socioeconomic status, and parental education level may contribute to the observed prevalence. A higher percentage of this disorder was observed in girls (60.7%) than in boys (39.3%) (p = .008, d = 0.75). This prevalence reflects the proportion of schoolchildren currently exhibiting PTSD symptoms. Among participants, 77.2% exhibited anxiety symptoms and 51.3% exhibited depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS:PTSD has negative consequences for the well-being of school-age adolescents, affecting their emotional, social, and academic functioning. Interventions are available to treat this disorder in affected adolescents. Adolescents with PTSD should have access to professional psychological care from trained specialists, as well as support from their families.
This article proposes a multidimensional, person-centered framework for diagnosing mild intellectual disability (MID), chal-lenging the traditional reliance on fixed IQ thresholds as the primary diagnostic criterion. Anchored in the Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory of intelligence, the framework advocates for an integrative assessment approach that combines broad (Stratum II) and narrow (Stratum I) cognitive abilities with evaluations of adaptive behavior, clinical observation, and in-formant reports. This comprehensive model reflects the complexity and heterogeneity of MID, emphasizing that intellectual functioning cannot be accurately captured by a single numerical score. The framework underscores the importance of using ecologically valid and culturally sensitive tools, particularly for assessing functionally relevant domains such as memory, language, and literacy. It highlights the need for clinical judgment to be informed by structured tools that map individual cognitive profiles and guide intervention planning in alignment with real-world demands. Central to this approach is the recognition of intra-group variability and the presence of distinct cognitive subprofiles, which call for tailored interventions based on individual strengths and needs rather than rigid diagnostic categories. Drawing on recent empirical studies, the article provides evidence supporting the existence of these cognitive subtypes within MID populations and advocates for individualized, strength-based assessment and support strategies. It calls for a longitudinal, multi-method, and context-sensitive diagnostic process grounded in both theoretical models and clinical expertise. Ultimately, the proposed paradigm promotes diagnostic accuracy, ethical integrity, and equity by shifting from reductionist classification toward a nuanced understanding of cognitive functioning and human potential.
Background Dyslexia, a prevalent learning disability, is associated with specific cognitive profiles. This study investigated the cognitive profiles of children and adolescents with dyslexia in Poland utilizing the Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory to understand patterns of strengths and weaknesses. Participants and procedure The study analyzed intelligence assessment data from 3,458 Polish children and adolescents (age 10-19 years) diagnosed with dyslexia. Data were obtained from a national research panel. Participants underwent comprehensive intelli-gence assessments using the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales, Fifth Edition (SB5). One-sample t-tests were conducted to compare the sample’s SB5 scores to population norms. Results Participants with dyslexia scored significantly lower than the population average across all 18 SB5 measures (subtests and IQ indices), with effect sizes ranging from small to large. The largest deficits were observed in verbal abilities (knowledge and visual-spatial processing) and specific IQ indices including verbal IQ, general IQ, knowledge IQ, visual-spatial pro-cessing IQ, and working memory IQ. Conclusions The findings support the applicability of the CHC theory in understanding the cognitive profiles of individuals with dyslexia. The study highlights specific cognitive weaknesses in crystallized intelligence, visual-spatial processing, and working memory. These results challenge the reliance on the pattern of strengths and weaknesses (PSW) model as a primary diag-nostic tool and underscore the importance of comprehensive cognitive assessments for individuals with dyslexia. These find-ings have implications for targeted interventions and a balanced approach to dyslexia diagnosis.
Background Adolescents’ mental health was significantly affected during the COVID-19 pandemic, with evidence of socioeconomic and gender disparities. Knowledge about psychological factors that could protect adolescents against poor mental health during stressful times is thus necessary. Participants and procedure Data were collected mid-2021 among 498 Dutch adolescents (52.21% female, age M = 13.73, SD = 0.80). Measures included mental health and loneliness as dependent variables (DVs), subjective socioeconomic position as the independent variable (IV), and social support and psychological capital (PsyCap) as mediators. Results The findings revealed that particularly girls and pupils with a lower socioeconomic position reported poorer mental health and higher loneliness. Furthermore, whereas PsyCap mediated the relationship between socioeconomic position and mental health/loneliness for both genders, social support mediated these relationships primarily for girls. Conclusions This study highlights the importance of protective psychological resources to help adolescents cope with the adverse effects of socioeconomic and pandemic-related stressors. Interventions targeting these factors may be beneficial in promoting ado-lescent well-being.
BACKGROUND Infertility significantly impacts couples' quality of life (QoL), with women often reporting a greater psychological burden. However, evidence regarding the effects of socioeconomic and medical variables remains mixed, particularly for couples with primary infertility in Central/Eastern Europe. This study used a dyadic approach to investigate how gender, medical history, and sociodemographic factors affect fertility-related QoL (FertiQoL) in Czech couples seeking treatment for primary infertility. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE This cross-sectional multicenter study included 469 heterosexual couples diagnosed with primary infertility from four Czech fertility clinics. Participants completed the FertiQoL questionnaire and a sociodemographic survey. Medical data were provided by attending physicians. The Actor Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) was employed to analyze the interdependent data from the couples. RESULTS A significant gender effect was found, with women reporting lower total, Emotional, Mind-Body, and Social FertiQoL scores than their male partners. The cause of infertility was a key moderator: men with a male-factor or mixed-factor diagnosis reported lower Emotional and Mind-Body QoL, whereas women's scores were consistently low regardless of etiology. Prior experience with assisted reproductive technology (ART) was associated with lower Emotional scores for both partners, while lower Mind-Body scores were observed for women only. Residing in mid-sized cities and having a higher household income were associated with better QoL. Conversely, longer relationship duration was negatively associated with total, Relational, and Social scores. CONCLUSIONS The findings underscore the necessity of integrating psychological support into standard fertility care. A dyadic, context-sensitive approach is crucial for identifying and supporting at-risk groups. Interventions should be proactively offered to all patients, with a targeted focus on women-especially those with prior ART experience-and men diagnosed with male-factor infertility, who represent a distinct vulnerable population requiring tailored support.
