How people experience aging is linked to health, well-being, and engagement in later life, but Spanish-language measures for capture self-perceptions of aging in Latin America remain limited. To adapt the Personal Experience of Aging Scale (PEAS) into Spanish and evaluate its psychometric properties in Chilean adults aged 50 and older. The instrument was translated into Spanish, and content validity was examined by expert judges. Two independent community samples from Chile (exploratory sample: N = 207; confirmatory sample: N = 361) completed the PEAS. Dimensionality was examined using factor-analytic and network-based approaches, followed by confirmatory testing. Reliability, convergent/discriminant validity, measurement invariance across age groups (<60 vs. ≥ 60), and construct validity were assessed using measures of ageist stereotypes and perceived age discrimination. Expert ratings supported content validity. Exploratory and confirmatory evidence supported a three-factor structure. A 12-item model demonstrated good fit (CFI = .993, TLI = .992, SRMR = .068, RMSEA = .079) with strong standardized loadings ranging from .721 to .989. Although the adapted version retains the original 12-item length, it differs from the original structure in the distribution of items across dimensions due to the addition of one item and the removal of another during the adaptation process. This distinction should be considered when comparing findings across studies. Measurement invariance up to thresholds was supported across age groups (< 60 vs. ≥ 60; ΔCFI ≤ .01). Reliability was adequate to excellent across factors (α = .771 to .883; ω = .776 to .888). Physical Decline and Social Loss correlated positively with ageist stereotypes and perceived age discrimination (ρ = .286 to .427), whereas Continuous Growth showed small negative correlations (ρ = -.129 to -.167). The Spanish PEAS shows robust evidence for a three-dimensional structure, good reliability, and measurement invariance up to thresholds across age groups in Chilean adults. The adapted 12-item version provides a parsimonious option with strong item functioning.
Emotional competence is central to preschoolers’ socioemotional development and is embedded in everyday family interactions. However, relatively little is known about how parenting processes operate in parent-grandparent co-parenting contexts in China. Guided by Belsky’s process model of parenting, this study examined how mindful parenting and parental involvement were associated with family resources, intergenerational caregiving, and preschoolers’ emotional competence within parent-grandparent co-parenting families. This study used an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. In the quantitative phase, 4,020 parents from parent-grandparent co-parenting families in 40 kindergartens across eight provinces in China completed questionnaires. Hierarchical regression and Gaussian graphical network analysis were used to examine associations among parent characteristics, family resources, child characteristics, mindful parenting, parental involvement, and preschoolers’ emotional competence. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews with 20 parents were analyzed using constructivist grounded theory. Quantitative results showed that mindful parenting, parental involvement, and grandparent support were positively associated with preschoolers’ emotional competence in the final regression model, whereas parental depression and child social withdrawal were negatively associated with it. In the network analysis, home-based parental involvement, mindful discipline, and grandparent support had relatively prominent positive bridge expected-influence point estimates, but these estimates did not differ significantly from one another. Qualitative findings elaborated how parents described emotional regulation, mindful responses, everyday involvement, intergenerational coordination, and adjustments to children’s behavior as interconnected aspects of family emotional caregiving. The findings highlight an associative parent-grandparent co-parenting ecology in which mindful parenting and parental involvement were related to family resources, intergenerational coordination, and preschoolers’ emotional competence. Efforts to support preschoolers’ emotional competence may therefore consider not only the extent of parental involvement, but also the emotional quality of parenting and the coordination of caregiving between parents and grandparents.
Most cross-cultural research in Africa often relies on tools developed in Western contexts, yet these instruments are not universally valid. The Cultural Values Scale (CVS), though widely used, has not been validated in Uganda or the broader East African region. The objective of this study was to psychometrically evaluate the Cultural Values Scale (CVS) as a first step toward its potential application in the East African context. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 324 final-year students from business and non-business programs at a university in Uganda. The validation process involved exploratory factor analysis (EFA), reliability testing, convergent and discriminant validity assessment, split-sample cross-validation through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), measurement invariance testing, and hierarchical regression to establish predictive validity. • Exploratory factor analysis: Produced a five-factor solution consistent with the theoretical model. • Reliability: Internal consistency was high across dimensions (Cronbach’s α = 0.81–0.92). • Convergent and discriminant validity: Convergent validity was achieved (Average Variance Extracted (AVE) > 0.50), and discriminant validity was confirmed, as the square root of each construct’s AVE exceeded its correlations with all other constructs. • Split-sample cross-validation (CFA): Dividing the sample into two equal groups demonstrated model stability across subsamples, with acceptable fit indices (Group 1: CFI = 0.90, RMSEA = 0.080; Group 2: CFI = 0.903, RMSEA = 0.042). • Measurement invariance: Configural invariance was established across gender groups (CFI = 0.901; RMSEA = 0.049), followed by partial metric invariance after freeing two masculinity items, and partial scalar invariance after intercept adjustments, enabling meaningful latent mean comparisons. • Predictive validity: Hierarchical regression revealed that collectivism (β = .62, p <.001), uncertainty avoidance (β = .57, p <.001), and long-term orientation (β = .51, p <.001) significantly predicted entrepreneurial intentions within a multivariate model, jointly explaining 66.1
Work status in later life has been linked to psychological resilience, social engagement, and overall well-being, all of which may shape how individuals experience and manage stress as they ageObjective This study examined the moderating effects of resilience and work status on the relationship between perceived stress and successful aging among older adults.Methods Participants were N = 538 brazilian community-dwelling older adults (≥ 60 years) of both sexes. Measures included a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Brief Resilience Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale (independent variable), and the Successful Aging Scale (dependent variable). Resilience and current work status (employed vs. not employed) were tested as moderators using a cross-sectional, quantitative design. Data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics, followed by a moderated moderation analysis. Results The three-way interaction among perceived stress, resilience, and work status was statistically significant (p < .05). Among non-working older adults, perceived stress was negatively associated with successful aging at all levels of resilience, with this association being attenuated at higher levels of resilience. In contrast, among working older adults, perceived stress was not significantly associated with successful aging at any level of resilience.Conclusion Perceived stress is negatively associated with successful aging, moderated by resilience and work status. Resilience buffered this association among non-working older adults, whereas no significant association was observed among those employed. These findings suggest that employment may alter stress processes and highlight the importance of supporting adaptive transitions into retirement and access to psychosocial resources.
Multiple factors contribute to cognitive maintenance and the development of cognitive reserve in aging, including life experiences and behaviors. Among these, education plays a key role, particularly through language-related activities such as reading and writing. This study investigates the impact of Reading and Writing Habits (RWH), alongside educational level and socioeconomic status (SES), on word and pseudoword naming across the lifespan in Brazilian Portuguese. Using a stepwise linear regression model, we analyzed the predictive value of age, SES, education, and RWH on naming performance in young and older adults, utilizing response time and accuracy as dependent variables. Results indicate that age, SES, education, and RWH significantly influence naming latencies and accuracy. While education showed the strongest effect on response time, RWH also contributed meaningfully, particularly in populations with limited formal education and low SES. These findings suggest that RWH may serve as an important compensatory factor in cognitive processing. Overall, the study highlights the combined role of formal education and lifelong reading and writing habits in supporting language-related cognitive performance and maintaining cognitive reserve, especially in socioeconomically disadvantaged populations.
In Brazil, ultra-processed food consumption has increased disproportionately among lower-income groups, and food insecurity has been linked to food addiction. Previous studies have examined income and food addiction separately as predictors of ultra-processed food intake. This study evaluated the joint contribution of household income and food addiction to ultra-processed food intake in Brazilian university students. A cross-sectional online study was conducted with 368 Brazilian university students aged 18–30 years. Ultra-processed food intake was assessed using a score based on the Nova classification, reflecting the number of ultra-processed food subgroups consumed on the previous day. Food addiction was measured with the modified Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 and operationalized as diagnostic severity (none, mild, moderate, severe) and symptom presence (zero vs. one or more symptoms). Household income was categorized into four classes (A-D/E). Associations were examined using negative binomial regression, with multivariable models adjusted for body mass index and additional models including gender, race, and perceived stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lower household income was consistently associated with higher intake of ultra-processed foods. Compared with the highest income class, participants in income classes C and D/E showed expected intakes 39
Abstract Background This study analyzes the social and emotional skills of students at the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau , Gujranwala (CP&WB ). The CP&WB in Gujranwala, Pakistan, is an important organization that safeguards children’s rights and well-being in precarious circumstances. The development of children’s social and emotional skills in protective institutions such as CP&WB Gujranwala is crucial, as these have a direct impact on their overall growth, well-being, and learning outcomes. Objectives This study aimed to (a) analyze the levels of social and emotional skills among the students enrolled at CP&WB Gujranwala , (b) examine the difference in social and emotional skills levels between students with shorter institutional stay (less than six months) and those with longer institutional stay (six months and more) at CP&WB Gujranwala , and (c) investigate the relationship between institutional stay duration and students’ social and emotional skills at CP&WB Gujranwala. Methodology The research adopts a sequential exploratory mixed-method design, combining in-depth interviews with teachers using a semi-structured interview guide and a structured quantitative survey of students with an adapted social-emotional tool. This study encompasses all (7) teachers and (105) students as a universal sample. Validity and reliability were assessed. Thematic analysis for the qualitative part and descriptive (mean, SD, frequency) and inferential statistical (t-test, Pearson correlation) analyses were conducted for the quantitative part of the study. Results Findings indicate that an extended institutional stay is associated with higher levels of students’ social and emotional competencies, with significant correlations linking longer durations to improved self-regulation, empathy, and positive social interactions. Quantitative analysis highlighted notable progress in skills such as sharing, self-expression, and relationship-building, while thematic analysis of teacher interviews revealed variations in students’ adaptation, highlighting personal backgrounds as influencing factors. Conclusion The study’s results underscore the CP&WB ’s role in fostering social and emotional growth through structured support. Statistical analyses revealed highly significant associations between longer institutional stay duration and social and emotional skills. This research contributes original insights into the effectiveness of institutional interventions for marginalized youth, suggesting that prolonged, supportive stays enhance students’ social and emotional well-being.
Abstract Aim This study was conducted to determine the relationship between parental acceptance-rejection theory and emotional intelligence, emotional coping, and family life satisfaction levels in individuals. Method This descriptive and correlational study was conducted between 01.11.2021 and 01.04.2022 using the online snowball sampling method via the Google platform with 750 individuals aged 18 and over who agreed to participate. The data were collected using the Personal Data Form, Parental Acceptance-Rejection Scale (PARS), Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS), Emotional Approach Coping Scale (EACS), and Family Life Satisfaction Scale (FLSS). Findings According to the results of the study, the mean PARS score was 39.17 ± 12.06, the mean EIS score was 71.12 ± 15.76, the mean EACS score was 56.97 ± 14.26 and the mean FLSS score was 45.45 ± 22.14. A significant and negative correlation was found between the PARS and the EIS and EACS, while a significant and positive correlation was observed with the FLSS. A significant and positive correlation was found between the EIS and the EACS, while a significant and negative correlation was found between the EACS and the FLSS. Furthermore, a significant and negative correlation was also found between the EACS and the FLSS. Regression analyses revealed that the PARS score was significantly predicted by gender, having children, income level, consultation with a psychological professional, and a history of psychological treatment within the family. Having children and consultation with a psychological professional increased the score, while male gender and high income had a decreasing effect. The EIS score was significantly predicted only by the mother’s living situation, the EACS score by the father’s living situation, and the FLSS score by marital status and consultation with a psychological professional. These findings summarize the explanatory power of the relationships between the psychosocial variables central to the study and parental perception, emotional intelligence, and family life satisfaction. Conclusion In our study, it was observed that those who experienced parental rejection had lower emotional intelligence and emotional coping scores and higher family life scores. The results confirmed our assumption and supported Rohner’s parental acceptance-rejection theory.
Abstract Background Financial well-being is a key determinant of quality of life, since it reflects the individual's ability to meet current and ongoing financial obligations, feel secure about their financial future, and make choices that allow enjoyment of life. This is particularly important contexts with high inequality and uncertainty such as the case of Chile where many individuals rely on consumer credit from retail and banking institutions for monthly expenses. Therefore, having an instrument the reliably measures said variable across different sociodemographic groups, such as gender, ethnicity, and employment status is essential. Methods This study examined the psychometric properties of the Personal Financial Wellness Scale (PFWS) among Chilean emerging adults. An adapted version of the PFWS was administered to 624 university and technical students (64.1% women), aged 18 to 29 years (M = 20.44, SD = 3.35). Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM) was used to test the factorial structure, and multigroup analyses evaluated measurement invariance across gender, ethnicity, and employment status. Results Results supported a two-factor model, financial distress and financial well-being, with satisfactory internal consistency and model fit. Partial measurement invariance was established across ethnicity and employment status, with changes in fit indices remaining within acceptable thresholds (ΔCFI ≤ .01, ΔRMSEA ≤ .015, ΔSRMR ≤ .030). For ethnicity, constraints on item 7 were released, and for employment status, intercepts of items 4 and 7 were relaxed. In contrast, full invariance was achieved across gender, with non-significant model comparisons (χ 2 (26) = 42.350, p = .023; χ 2 (52) = 61.946, p = .163) and stable fit indices across nested models (ΔCFI = 0.000, ΔRMSEA = 0.005, ΔSRMR = 0.013). Conclusions These findings confirm that the PFWS captures essential dimensions of financial well-being in a culturally sensitive way, supporting its use as an early detection tool for financial distress and for guiding targeted interventions in socioeconomically vulnerable young adults.
Abstract Background The Young Adult Attachment to Phone Scale (YAPS) is a 6-item self-report measure assessing emotional attachment to smartphones across two dimensions: using the phone as a source of comfort (Refuge) and experiencing it as burdensome (Burden). This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the YAPS in a Portuguese young adult sample. Methods Participants were 648 Portuguese young adults (aged 18–35). We examined factorial structure via confirmatory factor analysis, reliability, convergent and discriminant validity, and measurement invariance across gender and education level. Given the ordinal nature of the items, analyses employed the DWLS estimator. Results The two-factor structure was confirmed with excellent model fit (CFI = 0.990, RMSEA = 0.069). Internal consistency was good for Refuge (ω = 0.83) and acceptable for Burden (ω = 0.74). Both factors demonstrated convergent and discriminant validity. Full measurement invariance was established across gender, and partial invariance across education levels. Latent mean differences emerged by education but not by gender. Conclusion The Portuguese YAPS is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing phone-specific attachment in young adults. Findings support its use in research and practice, while highlighting the need for further refinement of the Burden dimension. The scale offers a culturally appropriate tool for understanding technology engagement in Portugal's highly connected youth population.
Abstract Background Anxiety and depression frequently co-occur and represent a major global mental health burden, highlighting the need for efficient and psychometrically sound screening tools. The Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) is an ultra-brief instrument widely used across cultures; however, evidence regarding its internal structure and cross-cultural equivalence from a psychometric network perspective remains limited, particularly in Latin America. The study aims to investigate the psychometric properties of the PHQ-4 from the perspective of psychometric networks in four Latin American countries. Methods A total of 1,887 participants aged 18 to 40 years were included in the study, distributed across the following countries: Chile ( n = 353), Colombia ( n = 467), Ecuador ( n = 373), and Peru ( n = 499). Results The EGA analysis showed that the items form a single community composed of four nodes with large network loadings in all four countries. The UVA analysis demonstrated that all items are relevant to the network model in all the countries analyzed. Evidence of structural consistency and item stability was also found, with the items being stable and systematically organized into a single community across all countries. Furthermore, the bootEGA analysis demonstrated that the PHQ-4 exhibits metric invariance across countries. Conclusions The results of this study provide solid evidence of the psychometric performance of the PHQ-4 in the four countries studied. Therefore, a single-community structure is proposed to explain the internal structure of the PHQ-4.
Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the psychometric quality of the Game Addiction Scale for Adolescents (GASA shortened version) in its adapted version for Mexican children. Methods The instrument was administered to 289 primary school students using a non-probability quota sampling method. The average age of the participants was 10.47 years, with a standard deviation of 1.003 years, with 55% being boys and 45% being girls. Descriptive statistics were obtained from the seven items which make(made) up the scale to proceed with the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), which was carried out using the robust estimation method Satorra-Bentler and the fit indices RMSEA (Root-mean square error of approximation), CFI (Comparative fit index), and SRMR (Standardized root mean square residual), as well as the X2/df ratio. Likewise Nevertheless, an analysis of the invariance of the factorial structure according to the sex of the participants was performed. Finally, reliability was determined by subscales using the McDonald’s omega coefficient. Results The CFA shows a good adjustment data for the uni-factorial proposed model (X2/df = 1.26, p = .223; CFI = 0.992; RMSEA = 0.030, CI 90: 0.000 − 0.068; SRMR = 0.029). The Hoelter’s statistic was around 388. Conclusión The post-COVID-19 context has created profitable conditions for the use or abuse of video games. The identification of addiction symptoms allows the strategies design of promotion and health intervention in vulnerable populations, such as the development of healthy games.
Gratitude has been increasingly studied as a key psychological strength associated with subjective well-being, positive interpersonal relationships, and mental health. The assessment of gratitude through validated instruments is essential for both research and clinical practice. Although the Gratitude Questionnaire 6 items (GQ-6) is widely used in various cultural contexts, there is a need to evaluate its psychometric properties and cultural relevance in Portuguese-speaking populations, particularly among adults. The present study aimed to examine the psychometric properties and validity evidence of the Portuguese version of the Gratitude Questionnaire, with a focus on its internal structure, score reliability, and evidence based on relations to other variables. A final sample of 810 Portuguese adults (Mage = 43.79; SD = 23.69) completed the Portuguese version of the GQ-6. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to evaluate the instrument’s internal structure. A subsample of 362 adults completed the revised 5-item version (GQ-5), along with measures of life satisfaction and loneliness, to assess evidence based on relations to other variables. Findings supported a one-factor structure, with the 5-item version showing a better model fit than the original 6-item scale. The GQ-5 demonstrated significant positive correlations with life satisfaction and negative correlations with loneliness, supporting this source of validity evidence. The instrument also exhibited adequate internal consistency. The Portuguese version of the GQ-5 is a psychometrically sound and culturally appropriate measure for assessing gratitude in adult populations.
Background Preschoolers' learning dispositions are shaped by both family environments and child-level characteristics, but less is known about how these factors operate together in Chinese family contexts. This study examined how parenting self-efficacy, socioeconomic status, parenting arrangements, parental involvement, and parent-reported children's self-efficacy were associated with preschoolers' learning dispositions.Methods An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was used. In the quantitative phase, 481 parents from four kindergartens in northern and southern China completed questionnaires on family factors, parental involvement, parent-reported children's self-efficacy, and children's learning dispositions. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analyses, hierarchical regression analyses, and network analysis were conducted. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews with 23 purposively selected parents were analyzed using constructivist grounded theory to further interpret the quantitative findings.Results Hierarchical regression showed that parent-reported children's self-efficacy had the strongest association with learning dispositions in the final model, followed by parenting self-efficacy and parental involvement. The association between socioeconomic status and learning dispositions weakened after parental involvement and parent-reported children's self-efficacy were included. Network analysis further identified children's self-efficacy and home participation as important bridge nodes connecting family resources, parental involvement, and learning dispositions. Qualitative findings showed that family atmosphere, home-based participation, teacher feedback, and children's mastery experiences were linked to children's confidence, curiosity, initiative, and persistence.Conclusions Children's self-efficacy emerged as a central child-level correlate linking family resources and parental involvement with preschoolers' learning dispositions. The findings suggest that supportive family interactions may be most relevant to learning dispositions when they are translated into children's observable confidence, initiative, and persistence in everyday learning activities.
Abstract Objective To examine the reliability and validity of a Chinese version of PERMA-Profiler for left-behind children in rural China, and to provide a reliable tool for measuring their well-being. Methods Brislin’s model was used to form a Chinese version of the PERMA-Profiler through translation, backward translation and cross-cultural adaptation. A survey was then conducted on 802 left-behind children selected using convenience sampling from rural schools in Hunan Province, China. Evidence of reliability of the test scores was evaluated by its internal consistency and test–retest reliability, validity of the test scores was evaluated by its internal structure and relations to other variables. Results The Chinese version of PERMA-Profiler included a total of 15 items in 5 dimensions. The Cronbach's α coefficient of the total score of the scale was .888; the Cronbach’s α coefficients of all dimensions ranged from .78 to .80; its test–retest reliability was .85. The results of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) show that the fitting indexes of the model met the standard. The evidence based on relations to other variables show a significant positive correlation between the scale and the gold standard, indicating good validity of the scale. Conclusion The Chinese version of PERMA-Profiler has good reliability and validity, and can be used for evaluating Chinese left-behind children’s well-being.
BACKGROUND: Network analysis has emerged as a powerful approach for examining the complex interrelationships among psychiatric symptoms. In the context of depression, this method allows for identifying the most central symptoms that sustain the overall clinical picture, offering new possibilities for targeted interventions. Depression is a prevalent mental disorder that significantly affects university students, especially those belonging to sexual minorities. Understanding the interplay between depressive symptoms can inform more effective interventions by targeting the symptoms most central to the disorder. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the interrelationship between depressive symptoms between groups of heterosexual and sexual minority students through network analysis. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, depressive symptoms were evaluated through the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) among 1,271 university students. A network analysis was then conducted to identify the most influential symptoms and their associated patterns, based on centrality indices. RESULTS: The analysis revealed that sexual minority students reported significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms compared to their heterosexual students. In the network of heterosexual students, suicidal ideation showed the highest centrality, whereas feelings of guilt emerged as the most central symptom among sexual minority students. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest group-specific patterns of symptom centrality, with different symptoms appearing more central within each group. These patterns inform assessment and monitoring priorities in university settings.
BACKGROUND: Resilience is understood as a person’s ability to adapt positively in the face of adversity, overcome difficult situations, and, in many cases, emerge stronger from them. The objective of this study was to conduct a transcultural validation of the Engineering, Ecological and Adaptive Resilience Scale in health sciences students from eight Latin American countries. METHODS: A total of 18,528 students participated in instrumental cross-sectional design. Internal structure was assessed through confirmatory factor analysis, reliability was estimated using the omega coefficient, factorial invariance by sex and country was examined, sex differences were analyzed, and percentile norms were established. RESULTS: The three-dimensional structure of the EEA Resilience Scale showed adequate fit indices in all countries and in the total sample, although Ecuador, Panama, and Peru exhibited Root Mean Square Error of Approximation values slightly above expected thresholds. Reliability was satisfactory, except in El Salvador. Strict invariance by sex and country was confirmed. Country and sex differences showed trivial effect sizes. Percentile-based norms were proposed at five levels. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the findings indicate that the EEA Resilience Scale is a valid, reliable, and transculturally robust measure for assessing resilience. The scope of the study is discussed.
BACKGROUND: COVID-19 containment measures have led to an increase in emotional and behavioral problems (EBP) in children. Studies show positive effects of interventions with teacher training in reducing EBP in children. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to implement and verify the effects of an online ABA-based teacher training program on prosocial behaviors and EBP in students returning to in-person classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Participants included 345 parents/caregivers of 2nd and 3rd grade elementary school students and their 37 teachers, divided into a control group (CG) and an intervention group (IG). Teachers in the IG received online ABA-based training focused on EBP and prosocial behaviors contents, while those in the CG were exposed to reading strategies contents. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) (parents and teachers), sociodemographic and socioeconomic questionnaires, and checklists to monitor strategies used by teachers were used. RESULTS: The results showed that parents in the IG perceived a decrease in EBP, with statistically significant results in conduct problems (p=0.046) and hyperactivity (p=0.039), while teachers perceived a reduction in hyperactivity (p=0.007) and emotional problems (p=0.043) in the post-intervention (Time 2). The greater the use of ABA-based strategies by teachers, the lower the occurrence of EBPs among students (r=-0.31). No significant reductions in EBP were observed in the CG. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that online ABA-based teacher training is a low-cost intervention that has produced positive effects in promoting students' mental health, including reducing EBP and improving students' prosocial behavior.
Abstract Background The “pulling-together effect” has been widely studied in the context of large-scale crises, such as wars, natural disasters, epidemics, and pandemics. This study was conducted from November 2020 to June 2021 and suggests a possible association with this effect, as this period may represent one of the most intense phases of the pulling-together effect ever studied in the context of global catastrophes. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the association between life-threatening behavior and satisfaction with social relationships in online psychotherapy patients, which may be related to the pulling-together effect and the COVID-19 pandemic. Method The clinical sample was composed mostly of females (80%), aged from 21 to 30 years. Patients were selected from the psychotherapy services of five major hospitals in Porto Alegre, a state capital in southern Brazil. Results Preliminary results indicated that 41 individuals (44%) had some form of life-threatening behavior, and 62 (66%) rated their satisfaction with personal relationships as satisfactory or indifferent. After adjustment for other variables—gender, skin-color, and marital status—satisfaction with social relationships showed a protective effect, reducing life-threatening behavior by 29% (95%CI: 0.59–0.86, p < 0.001). Conclusions Our results suggest that satisfaction with social relationships was protective against suicidal behavior in the early stages of the pandemic. In this sample, we identified a possible association with the pulling-together effect.
BACKGROUND: This study looks at how men of different ages represent their bodies through verbal and visual modalities and explores their aspirations for their bodies in the future. Drawing on the perspective of social representations, it highlights how culture, tradition, and personal experience shape perceptions of the body. Understanding these representations is important, as they influence how people think about and relate to their bodies. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to map out everyday beliefs and social representations about the body produced by young and middle-aged men and observe their connections with health and well-being. The study also examines how men anticipate bodily changes over the life course, and which physical attributes are considered most ideal and valued. METHODS: Using a mixed-method approach, the study explores bodily representations through word associations, and drawing techniques. A total of 112 men from Brazil aged 18 to 50 participated in this study. Group 1 consists of 68 men aged 18 to 25 and Group 2 consists of 44 men aged 26 to 50. The software Evoc (2000) was used to analyse data from the word association, while content and image analysis techniques were applied to examine textual and visual data from the image-based tasks. RESULTS: The results show patterns in body-representations as well as unique and diverse perspectives on body, well-being, and health. They also highlight both adherence to norms and conventions and ongoing shifts in traditional views about the male body. CONCLUSION: Different age groups integrate cultural norms and personal life experiences in distinct ways. The study contributes to the literature on age-related differences in men’s body-representations and explores their possible implications for health related behaviour, and body maintenance protocols.
