Exploring the associations between early maladaptive schemas and impulsive and compulsive buying tendencies.

The main purpose of this preliminary study was to investigate a potential relationship between early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) and impulsive and compulsive buying tendencies in a sample of young adults (college students). This research adds to the cognitive perspective of consumer behavior that the cognitive schemas putatively associated with early experiences may have a strong impact on impulsive and compulsive buying. Data was obtained from 365 participants in a cross-sectional study design. Participants completed an online survey with the following instruments: Young Schema Questionnaire; Impulsive Buying Tendency Measurement Scale; Richmond Compulsive Buying Scale; and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Using multiple linear hierarchical regressions, we confirmed that the domain of over vigilance and inhibition schemas was positively associated with impulsive and compulsive buying tendencies, while an opposite association was found for the domain of impaired limits. Being a female was also a predictor of impulsive buying and compulsive buying. The results were discussed in terms of the coping mechanisms to deal with negative emotions, as a way to obtain rewards, or as a way to escape painful self-awareness. Other mechanisms related to the internalization of perfectionist expectations and the propensity to shame were also explored.

A qualitative approach to the study of the characteristics of individuals convicted of road traffic offences.

Significant changes have been applied to the regulation of criminal law concerning road traffic in Spain, in a similar way to many of the countries surrounding us. This has led to a gradual increase in the number of individuals who are convicted with custodial sentences or sentenced to community service. Nevertheless, the available data on the psychosocial traits of road traffic offence convicts is highly limited. The objective of this qualitative study is to provide more insight into those convicted of road traffic offences through the use of focus groups, thus enabling the analysis of their attitudes towards sentences related to road safety offences, opinions regarding their driving styles, the profile of convicts of road traffic offences and how they feel about being labelled as delinquents. The results of this study are particularly relevant with regards to improving the rehabilitation process of convicts of road safety offences.

Bullying in Spanish secondary schools: gender-based differences.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of bullying in its various forms from the perspective of all of the individuals involved (victims, bullies, and witnesses) and to explore its distribution as a function of gender. The study had a correlational design and used a representative sample of 1500 Spanish students attending compulsory secondary education in the academic year 2007-2008. It applied an instrument measuring different types of bullying, taken from the studies conducted by Díaz-Aguado, Martínez, and Martín (2004) and the Defensor del Pueblo (Spanish Ombudsman's Office)-UNICEF (2007). The findings reveal that all the types of bullying considered take place at school and that there is an inverse relationship between the severity and the prevalence of bullying behaviors, with verbal abuse proving to be the most common type of abusive behavior. Boys are involved in all kinds of bullying incidents as bullies significantly more often than girls are, except in cases involving 'talking about someone behind their back'; in these situations, girls are involved significantly more often as bullies than boys are. As for victimization, boys are victims of direct physical abuse significantly more often than girls are, while girls are more often the subject of malicious gossip.

Organizaçao e funcionamento duma casa de abrigo de solidariedade social / Organization and operating of a shelter of social solidarity

A organização e o funcionamento de uma casa de abrigo de uma instituição humanista não feminista (chamada de "Solidariedade Social") constituiu o foco central desta pesquisa. Para isto, realizaram-se entrevistas semi-estruturadas às profissionais: à diretora da instituição, à diretora técnica e ao psicólogo. A análise apresenta uma visão de uma casa de abrigo normativa sobre o que deve ser uma mulher, incluindo as suas rotinas diárias, associada a uma organização rígida no que diz respeito a regras e horários. Mais ainda, perspectivando a mulher apenas como mãe e doméstica, esta perspectiva apresenta uma elevada tolerância à violência de gênero. A este respeito, este tipo de instituições corre sério risco de cair na perspectiva de "revitimizar" a vítima.

The organization and functioning of a shelter of a humanistic and non feminist institution (called "Social Solidarity") was the main focus of this study. For this purpose, three semi-structured interviews were conducted with professionals working in the shelter: the director of the Executive Border, the coordinator who is social worker and the psychologist. The analysis shows a normative vision about the way women ought to behave and set their daily routines, associated with a rigid organization of regulations and schedules. Furthermore, visioning the woman only as mother, this perspective shows a high level of tolerance to gender violence, in "some circumstances". In this respect, this kind of institutions risks to fall into the "blaming the victim" perspective.

Assessing female condom acceptability among heterosexual Spanish couples.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the acceptability of the female condom in a sample of young heterosexual Spanish couples. METHODS: The sample was made up of 45 couples (90 participants) from Spain. The age range was from 19 to 42 years. The study was carried out in three stages: pre-trial, post-trial, and follow-up (one year later). RESULTS: Before the intervention, 88 participants (97.8%) had heard about the female condom, although 73 participants (81.2%) claimed to know very little about the method, and barely one-third had seen one. The appraisals after the trial period reveal differing levels of satisfaction with the method, with no significant differences found by gender. Those participants who used a greater number of condoms during the trial period pointed out more positive points about the method, but also more negative points. Of the 17 couples who continued to participate in the follow-up stage (one year after the trial stage), only one (5.9%) still used the female condom. However, 10 men (58.8%) and 8 women (47.1%) expressed a willingness to use it in the future, and 12 women (70.6%) and 11 men (64.7%) had told friends and acquaintances about it. CONCLUSION: This study reveals that although the female condom is considered to be a useful method, it is still largely unknown and requires further promotion if it is to be used by young couples.