Objectives The high-five model (HFM) categorizes five positive human characteristics—erudition, peace, joviality, honesty, and tenacity — on the basis of an inductive psycholexical approach. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive power of the HFM in a sample of university students to assess whether these traits could predict optimal functioning after 20 months. Optimal functioning was defined as high academic performance; emotional, personal, and social well-being; and low levels of psychopathology. Methods The study included 136 university students with a mean age of 30.8 years ( SD = 1.86; 83% female; 17% male). The predictor variables were high factors (HFI – High Five Inventory –), and the criterion variables were emotional, personal, and social well-being (Mental Health Continuum-Short Form – MHC-SF –), psychopathological symptoms (Symptom Checklist-27, SCL-27), and academic achievement (self-reported academic grades). The data were analyzed both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Results The findings indicated that the HFI, particularly the factors of Honesty (β = .64, p = .05) and Tenacity (β = .49, p = .01), demonstrated high predictive power in identifying profiles of optimal functioning (high complete mental well-being) in university students after 20 months. The predictive power of the model was greater when predictors and criteria were analyzed cross-sectionally rather than longitudinally (explaining 35% vs. 17% of the variance). Conclusions HFM effectively distinguished between high- and low-complete mental well-being groups both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, demonstrating its robustness in predicting optimal functioning at various time points.
Objectives While sleep deprivation has been thoroughly researched in association to cognitive and physiological effects, very few have evaluated its association with irritability. This study addresses the relationship between sleep and irritability using physiological data and includes a research model to aid future experiments on irritability and neighboring mood concepts. Methods Thirty-four US undergraduate students participated in a physiologically based study on irritability. Participants were separated into two groups based on sleep recommendations adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for college students. The experiment consisted of three cognitive tasks paired with irritable stimuli, all done while undergoing heart rate (HR) measurements. Results The mean length of time participants slept throughout the study was 7.70 hours, which was higher than initially expected. Significant increases seen in HR during periods of the Insoluble Puzzle task possibly indicate that task duration, perceived reward blocking, and participant expectation can play a significant role in inducing irritability when sleep deprived ( p = .014, p = .045). Conclusions These findings indicate that exposure to an irritating stimulus can have a physiological impact on a sleep-deprived individual. Importantly, this study is also practically applicable to other researchers as it presents a research model that serves as a guideline for future research on irritability and its neighboring concepts.
Background This meta-analysis examines the relationship between unethical leadership and employees’ engagement in unethical pro-organizational behaviours. When leaders lack moral integrity, it can undermine employees’ ethical decision-making. By synthesizing evidence across studies, this research aims to clarify the scale and impact of this link, informing interventions to mitigate the harmful effects of unethical leadership on employee behaviour. Method A systematic literature search across five online databases identified 129 empirical studies published between 2014 and 2024. These studies investigated the relationship between unethical leadership and unethical pro-organizational behaviours, examining constructs such as exploitative leadership, authoritarian leadership, and abusive supervision. Only studies that were rated as having moderate or strong overall quality based on the QATQS risk of bias assessment were included. The meta-analysis employed a univariate random-effects model, with effect sizes calculated using Fisher’s Z coefficient. Results A total of 20 effect sizes from 12 studies were included, involving 6,892 participants across five countries, four from Asia (i.e., China, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, and Iran) and the United States. The overall effect size was positively significant, indicating that unethical leadership moderately increases employees’ unethical pro-organizational behaviours. The substantial heterogeneity suggests variability beyond chance. While the funnel plot and Egger’s regression test indicate potential publication bias in the included studies, Duval and Tweedie’s trim-and-fill method did not identify sufficient evidence of missing studies to warrant adjusting the effect size. Conclusion Unethical leadership demonstrates a moderate positive effect on employees’ engagement in unethical pro-organizational behaviours. Leaders’ unethical conduct directly shapes this trend. However, potential mediating factors, such as a moral engagement, value-congruence, and moderating factors, such as organizational culture and ethical climate, may also influence these associations.
This study aimed to investigate the predictors of fear of childbirth (FoC) in nulliparous women by focusing on the effects of childhood trauma and attachment styles. Identifying psychological factors contributing to FoC is important for improving early intervention strategies and maternal well-being. The study included 496 nulliparous women who had never experienced pregnancy or childbirth. Participants completed the Women’s Childbirth Fear–Prior to Pregnancy Scale (WCF-PPS), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire–Short Form (CTQ-SF), and the Experiences in Close Relationships–Relationship Structures Questionnaire (ECR-RS). Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between FoC, childhood trauma, and attachment styles. Fear of childbirth showed a significant positive correlation with anxious attachment ( r = .257, p < .001). Weak but statistically significant associations were also found with emotional abuse ( r = .094, p = .039) and total childhood trauma ( r = .090, p = .049). However, in the regression analysis, only anxious attachment significantly predicted FoC (β = .172, p < .001), while childhood trauma and avoidant attachment did not emerge as significant predictors. Anxious attachment was identified as the most prominent psychological predictor of FoC in nulliparous women. These results suggest that addressing attachment-related anxiety and early traumatic experiences in pre-pregnancy or prenatal psychological evaluations may reduce fear of childbirth and support maternal mental health.
In the context of prolonged martial law and pervasive uncertainty, the psychological well-being of student populations becomes especially vulnerable. This study examines how personality dispositions — namely, the Big Five traits and tolerance for uncertainty — relate to subjective well-being among Ukrainian university students navigating wartime conditions. Using data from 147 participants ( M age = 24), predominantly women (78%), studying across various programs in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Zhytomyr, the research explored direct, mediating, and moderating pathways of influence. The analysis revealed a complex web of interrelations: openness partially mediated the effects of extraversion ( p = .031), novelty tolerance ( p = .012), and general uncertainty tolerance ( p = .008) on subjective well-being. Novelty tolerance also mediated the link between agreeableness and well-being ( p = .004). Emotional stability emerged as a significant moderator, enabling the protective effects of openness on well-being ( p = .010), while the protective role of extraversion declined with age ( p = .018). One particularly noteworthy finding was the unexpected negative association between agreeableness and well-being. In the wartime context, this may reflect a psychological overload among highly agreeable individuals — especially women — facing intense social expectations and emotional caregiving demands, often at the expense of their resources. Future research may benefit from exploring additional mediating variables such as optimism, perceived social support, coping strategies, and cognitive flexibility to better understand adaptive mechanisms under sustained stress.
Objectives Dual processing theory is among the most influential theories in cognitive psychology. It distinguishes two kinds of human thinking: one that is fast, intuitive, and effortless; and the other that is slow, deliberate, and effortful. Interestingly, these two types of human thinking have been described using many different terms by various researchers. How similar or different are these terms and related constructs? Methods We analyzed the dual-processing literature, conducted a thought experiment, and analyses using the machine learning model BERT (SCEPTER) to compare the similarity and difference between the terms and constructs. Results Findings show that, though these terms are lexically different, what researchers describe is, at the core, very similar. The various terms are ‘old wine in a new bottle.’ Conclusions We provide possible reasons for this coinage of terminology and present a rationale for careful deliberation before introducing new terms.
Adolescents’ online engagement offers both opportunities and risks: whereas moderate use can foster learning, social connection, and entertainment, excessive use has been associated with sleep problems, lower academic performance, and psychosocial difficulties. The family context plays a central role in shaping adolescents’ daily routines, including online behaviours, through support, monitoring, and the quality of parent–child relationships. Despite growing concern about compulsive Internet use, evidence linking family factors to distinct patterns of online activity remains limited. This study examined the association between family characteristics and typologies of adolescent Internet use. Latent class analysis was conducted on data from a nationally representative sample of 3,202 16-year-old students in Greece to determine distinct classes of adolescents based on the frequencies of six online activities. Four classes of Internet users were identified: “heavy-with-gaming/gambling”, with high probability of very frequent involvement in all Internet-related activities (14.3%, mostly boys); “heavy-without-gaming/gambling” (44.1%, mostly girls); “moderate” (21.4%, mostly boys); and “light” users (20.3%, mostly girls). Compared with the group of “light” Internet users, the “heavy-with” and “heavy-without-gaming/gambling” groups had seven times and twice the odds, respectively, of reporting compulsive Internet use according to the Compulsive Internet Use Scale score. Multinomial multivariable logistic regression testing for associations with family variables showed that low satisfaction with the relationship with the father was associated with membership of the class of “heavy-with-gaming/gambling” users. Interventions tailored to the specific needs of adolescents engaging in heavy online activity, particularly when including gaming and gambling, should take into account the adolescent–father relationship.
This tutorial provides a comprehensive, open-source collection of tasks, adapted and designed to measure key cognitive functions including inhibition, working memory, and processing speed. While a substantial body of research in experimental psychology focuses on these cognitive functions, many of the corresponding tasks are not readily accessible in one place — at least to the best of our knowledge. This lack of availability can create barriers for researchers seeking to investigate cognitive variability, necessitating additional time and effort to collate, design or code tasks that may already exist in some form. To address this issue, the present tutorial aims to make a battery of cognitive tasks freely available to the research community. By sharing these tools, we hope to enhance reproducibility in studies of cognitive variability and reduce the redundancy of repeatedly creating similar tasks from scratch. This resource is intended for researchers with an interest in exploring individual differences in cognitive and linguistic performance, offering a practical and efficient solution for accessing standardized tasks. Overall, this tutorial serves as a valuable contribution to the field, providing accessible tools to facilitate research, promote consistency across studies, and save researchers significant time and resources.
In today’s media-saturated environment, young children are increasingly exposed to diverse and sometimes conflicting information. Developing critical thinking skills early is essential for evaluating, interpreting, and making informed judgments. To address this need, we developed and validated the Critical Thinking Assessment for Children (CTAC), an instrument designed to systematically measure critical thinking abilities in primary school learners. Given the multidimensional nature of critical thinking, item generation followed a rigorous process involving expert evaluation and pilot testing. An initial pilot study with 72 Italian children aged 6 to 8 years led to a refined 22-item version, selected based on item discrimination indices. Study 1 examined the psychometric properties of the CTAC in a sample of 112 children ( M = 7.43, SD = 1.12) across different grades. Results from an exploratory factor analysis identified a three-factor structure: Open-Minded Inquiry, Media Literacy and Critical Analysis, and Contradiction Recognition and Critical Awareness. Study 2 validated this structure in a larger sample of 356 children ( M = 8.45, SD = 1.20), incorporating concurrent validity measures, including Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices and teacher-reported academic performance. Results from a confirmatory factor analysis supported the robustness of a second-order three-factor model. The findings indicate that the CTAC is a reliable and valid tool for assessing critical thinking within the Italian primary school context. Its application can provide educators and researchers with insights into early cognitive development and serve as a foundation for designing targeted educational interventions. Future studies should examine its longitudinal sensitivity and evaluate its adaptability across different cultural and linguistic contexts.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine relations of formal volunteering (FV) rates to neuroticism, socioeconomic grade (SEG), trust of neighbors, and racial/ethnic diversity (RED) in 316 local authority districts (LADs) in England to determine the replicability of earlier research on the US states. Method: A national indicator dataset provided the percentage of adults who engaged in FV in each LAD during 2008. LAD neuroticism scores were based on internet responses of 386,375 UK residents to the Big Five Inventory. SEG was based on four occupation grades from the 2011 UK census. RED was based on 2011 UK census data and the premise that maximum diversity occurs when each racial/ethnic group has equal proportions. Based on 2009 to 2015 data, the neighbor trust variable indicates the percent of persons in each LAD who believe they can trust their neighbors. The present research employed correlation and multiple regression strategies. It also evaluated the impacts of spatial autocorrelation. Results: LAD FV rates correlated negatively with neuroticism and RED, and positively with SEG and trust. The most important finding is that the significant negative relation between RED and FV was rendered nonsignificant or was greatly reduced when trust was controlled in sequential multiple regressions. Adjusting for spatial autocorrelation or not, the results were substantively the same. Conclusions: These results essentially replicate those of two earlier analyses using US states. Findings strongly suggest that trust is a mediator between RED and FV. Speculative interpretations focus on relations between homophily, RED, and trust.
COVID-19 has profoundly impacted physical and mental health worldwide, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, including immigrants. While subjective health (SH) is widely used as a measure of well-being, little is known about how personal values influence SH differently between immigrants and nonimmigrants during crises. This study explores the relationship between personal values and SH, focusing on differences between immigrant and nonimmigrant groups. Using data from the European Social Survey (ESS), we analyzed responses from 32,963 individuals across 20 countries (Round 10: 2020-22). Multilevel modeling showed that Axis_open (Openness to change over Conservation) was positively associated with SH in both immigrant and nonimmigrant groups. However, Axis_self (Self-transcendence over Self-enhancement) was not significant among nonimmigrants, while in the immigrant group, higher Axis_self scores were significantly associated with poorer SH. These findings underscore the importance of considering cultural and migratory contexts when addressing the health implications of personal values.
Objective: By 2021, researchers reported limited access to evidence-based mental health interventions in Ukraine, which became more crucial after the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Evidence-based practice in psychology (EBPP) requires professionals to consider equal contributions of the best available research, practical experience, and the context of the unique client. This study aimed to reveal the possible predictors of EBPP implementation among Ukrainian psychologists (n = 366) by developing and testing multivariable prediction models. Methods: The research design followed the methodology of "Transparent reporting of a multivariable prediction model for individual prognosis or diagnosis" - TRIPOD checklist. The online survey included a questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, educational and professional background, and a purposely developed part regarding the knowledge, attitudes, and utilization of the EBPP approach. Results: Regression analysis revealed different prediction models for the belief that the respondent implements EBPP and the intensity of EBPP elements implementation, explaining 24.4% and 18.5% of their variance with 3 and 5 predictors, respectively. Conclusion: Psychologists believed they were implementing EBPP when they used interventions/ methods with proven efficacy, were members of psychological associations, and assessed their knowledge regarding EBPP higher. However, more intensive use of EBPP elements was predicted by a psychologist's experience in personal therapy and supervision, a positive attitude toward EBPP elements, membership in a psychological association, and a perceived level of knowledge regarding EBPP. The belief that the psychologist's practice aligns with the EBPP requirements and the intensity of using EBPP elements had a rather moderate correlation.
According to creative writing experts, adding conflict to dialogue improves story quality and audience reaction to that story. This idea draws from the widely held theory that conflict is vital for dramatic stories. Yet despite conflict's seeming centrality, experimental research into its effects is limited. We take a small step in addressing this shortfall, by examining whether one type of conflict - adversarial dialogue - improves story quality, and audience response. In a pilot, and two similar studies, we manipulated stories to create different levels of conflictual dialogue, in repeated measures experiments. Forty-seven participants in the first study and 194 in the second, read stories with different levels of conflict, and then rated them on a series of measures (the Perceived Quality Index in the first experiment, the Audience Response Scale, with supplementary questions on boredom and story quality in the second). While the conflict manipulation was successful, it produced no significant difference in these outcome measures in the two experiments. These results do not support the study hypothesis that manipulating isolated adversarial dialogue has a positive effect on stories but would be compatible with alternative theories of conflict in stories.
The preservation of peace is a key concern of the Cameroonian people and the subject of debate within the political class. The public's marked interest in this issue prompted us to look at social representations of peace in Cameroon through the prism of religious commitment. Adopting a structural approach to social representations, we conducted a study among respondents with different levels of religious commitment (N = 156). Data collected via free association and characterization questionnaires were submitted to hierarchical and Q-sort analyses. Results indicated that unity is the factor that best characterizes peace. A comparative analysis of the organization of representations between groups with different levels of religious commitment failed to reveal any major differences. Based on the elements identified by participants, we argue that proximity to the object is the main factor underlying the construction of social representations of peace in Cameroon.
This study explores the role of cognitive reserve (CR) as a protective factor in late adulthood, focusing on its associations with cognitive performance, dysfunctional beliefs, and motivational orientation. A total of 100 older adults aged 65 to 93 completed standardized assessments: the Cognitive Reserve Index questionnaire (CRIq), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and the Dysfunctional Beliefs Questionnaire (DBQ). Motivation was also assessed through qualitative responses categorized into thematic domains. Correlation analyses revealed that higher CR was significantly associated with better cognitive functioning ( r = .62, p < .001) and fewer overall dysfunctional beliefs ( r = -.26, p < .05), particularly self-criticism and frustration intolerance (both r = -.40, p < .01). No significant correlations were found with catastrophizing or absolute duty beliefs. Individuals with higher CR also showed a greater tendency toward positive motivational themes (χ 2 = 7.98, p < .01), while those with lower CR more frequently reported negative motivations (χ 2 = 5.55, p < .01). Structural equation modelling supported a model in which CR predicted cognitive performance, dysfunctional beliefs, and motivational orientation, with good overall fit (CFI = .97, TLI = .90, RMSEA = .08, SRMR = .03). Notably, CR had direct positive effects on MoCA scores (β = .62, p < .001) and positive motivation (β = .31, p < .01), and negative effects on dysfunctional beliefs (β = -.26, p < .05) and negative motivation (β = -.30, p < .05). These findings support the view that cognitive reserve contributes not only to cognitive resilience but also to more adaptive motivational and emotional patterns in aging. The results highlight the role of CR in enhancing cognitive performance and reducing maladaptive beliefs, suggesting a dynamic relationship between cognitive resources, emotional-motivational functioning, and individual differences in late adulthood.
Nowadays, digital devices (DD) overuse is an increasing risk factor to develop anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances in young population. Objectives: This study aims to validate the Digital Addiction Scale for Children (DASC) in Spanish, the second most spoken language globally, and to examine its relationship with anxiety, depression, and sleep patterns in children and adolescents. Methods: A sample of 977 children aged 9 to 14 completed self-reported measures of sleep duration, the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) and the DASC. The statistical analyses, including confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha, McDonald's omega, and Pearson correlations, revealed that the DASC has a bifactorial structure and good reliability. Results: Higher problematic DD levels were associated with increased anxiety and depression symptoms and reduced sleep hours. Although the DASC-Spanish version shows only partial gender and age invariance, it demonstrates strong psychometric properties, supporting its use in psychological practice and research. Conclusions: The observed correlates of the Spanish-DASC with anxiety, depression, and sleep; emphasize its relevance in the presence of negative emotional symptoms and for the promotion of psychological well-being and health in late childhood and adolescence.
Discussions about potential intervention targets, antecedents, and consequences of conspiracy beliefs often rely on comparing bivariate correlations, which can mask intricate patterns. Therefore, the present study adopts a multivariate network approach to gain nuanced insights into the relationships between personality variables and conspiracy mentality. Established and less-studied correlates of conspiracy mentality (i.e., bedtime procrastination, life satisfaction, locus of control, neuroticism, political cynicism, self-efficacy, and self-esteem) were examined together in network models at the aggregate score level and item level. Notably, network stability was examined across different samples before (N = 403) and during (N = 193) the COVID-19 pandemic. The main findings are: (a) the strength and sign of the relationships were often stable across bivariate and network analyses (e.g., positive relationships between political cynicism and conspiracy mentality), however, there were exceptions, such as an inconsistent link between life satisfaction and conspiracy mentality; (b) while many network relationships and centrality indices were similar before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, some noteworthy exceptions indicate that interventions targeting implausible conspiracy beliefs may benefit from tailoring to external circumstances; (c) certain influential network elements were identified that could inform future interventions (e.g., increasing politicians' transparency and accountability).
Objectives The article focuses on the death of the Greek philosopher Socrates from the 5 th century BCE as a significant inspiration for contemporary discourse on suicide (an essential voice against the pathologisation of suicide). It aims to highlight how an individual and their socio-cultural environment interact when dealing with the problem of death. Methods The psychobiographical approach used a single-case analysis as the starting point for theoretical discussion on suicide. The essential feature of the presented study is an interpretive-descriptive approach. Results An analysis reveals Socrates’ motivations in the context of ancient Greek culture, particularly regarding the concept of honour-shame, which played an important role in the organisation of social and mental life in the Mediterranean world. However, the honour-shame dimension is not limited to ancient Greek culture; it is closely related to the universal concept of ‘social status’. Honour-shame and social status can identify and explain the motivational processes behind the suicidal decision. Conclusions The example of Socrates (who chooses death to avoid shame and preserve his honour) allows us to receive an alternative perspective on suicide, especially concerning the right to suicide and the problem of its medicalisation and pathologisation. In this light, we should also ask for an alternative design of preventive programs and legal assessments of suicide.
The universal awareness of death is central to the framework of existential psychology. However, its subjective confrontation remains deeply personal. Marilyn Yalom (1938-2019), distinguished feminist scholar and cultural historian, documented her intimate reflections on dying in a book co-authored with her husband, Irvin Yalom, renowned existential psychotherapist and author. This single-case psychobiography sought to examine her experience, focusing on her diarised reflections on living with and dying from a terminal illness in this book as the primary data source. Data analysis examined Marilyn's reflections through the lens of Irving Yalom's existential psychotherapy propositions to construct a theoretically informed overview of her experiences. Given her observation of feeling prepared to face death as a concept, as opposed to dying as a process, thematic analysis uncovered additional insights regarding this transition. Traditionally, psychobiographies explore the lives of significant figures in their entirety, and few have focused specifically on an individual's confrontation with death. The findings are presented within the framework of the four existential concerns, and additional experiential themes are conceptualised as end-of-life variations of lifelong existential concerns. These illuminated underexplored concerns, such as the process of detaching from loved ones, physician-assisted suicide as an expression of autonomy, and the potential for pain and impairment to re-awaken the crises of isolation and meaninglessness. Practice recommendations are made from the findings, in line with Marilyn and Irving Yalom's goal of contributing to a broader discourse on end-of-life concerns, as Marilyn endeavoured to fight against despair and live meaningfully until the very end.
Self-esteem and self-compassion are both associated with psychological well-being, but they differ in their underlying mechanisms. Some studies have found that self-compassion mediates the relationship between self-esteem and well-being, yet they have overlooked the distinct roles of its cognitive, affective, and behavioral components. This study examined whether specific self-compassion facets mediate the relationship between self-esteem and well-being, using the Italian adaptation of the Sussex-Oxford Compassion Scales (SOCS), whose psychometric properties were also assessed. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 408 Italian high school and undergraduate healthcare students. Participants completed the SOCS, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale. The Italian SOCS was psychometrically evaluated through confirmatory factor analyses and showed good validity and reliability. Correlations and path analyses were used to examine the mediating roles of cognitive, affective, and behavioral self-compassion facets. Emotional and behavioral components of self-compassion — such as “feeling for one’s suffering”, “tolerating uncomfortable feelings”, and “acting to alleviate suffering” — significantly mediated the link between self-esteem and well-being. These facets accounted for 39% of its variance, while cognitive components did not show significant effects. These findings highlight the importance of affective and behavioral self-compassion in therapeutic interventions, emphasizing their role in enhancing well-being.
