The Relationship between Anger Expression and Performance Score in Parents and Coaches: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy and Assertiveness.

BACKGROUND: Youth sport provides regular physical activity for millions of children. It is a global system, which includes coaches, referees, athletes, and parent spectators; consequently, the behavior of each member can influence the experiences of others. This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of self-efficacy and assertiveness in the relationship between the degree of anger expression and the performance children's score in a group of parents and coaches. METHODS: 200 parents (96 fathers, 104 mothers) and 200 coaches (119 males, 81 females) responded to the General Self-efficacy Scale, The Scale for Interpersonal Behavior, and the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2; an indicator of performance was asked of each coach. The age range of parents was 28-59 years (M = 41.39, SD = 7.07), while that of coaches was 27-43 years (M = 35.91, SD = 3.35). RESULTS: Results revealed that self-efficacy and assertiveness were the direct and indirect predictors of performance score. CONCLUSIONS: The study provided an understanding of the nature and magnitude of this profoundly interpersonal experience. Future studies may advance relevant education programs and effective interventions aimed at reducing angry expressions and lack of communication.

Exploring the Association between Attachment Style, Psychological Well-Being, and Relationship Status in Young Adults and Adults-A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: This study aimed to analyze the associations of adult attachment styles with psychological well-being in relation to age groups (young adults vs adults) and relationship status (singleness vs close relationships). Method: The study sample consisted of 393 Italian young adults and adults, aged 18 to 62 years, with stable close relationships (n = 219) or identified in this study as singles (n = 174). The Psychological Well-being Scale was used to analyze psychological well-being, and the Attachment Style Questionnaire was chosen to evaluate adult attachment dimensions. Results: Individuals with stable close relationships reported higher levels of psychological well-being than singles. Furthermore, compared to people with stable close relationships, singles had an attachment style associated with discomfort with closeness, relationships as secondary, and avoidance. Finally, in single people, psychological well-being was moderately and positively predicted by attachment style characterized by confidence but strongly and negatively by attachment characterized by the need for approval. Regarding individuals with stable relationships, psychological well-being was strongly and negatively predicted by attachment style characterized by the need for approval. Conclusions: In adult attachment styles, close relationships can be viewed as a protective factor for long-term emotional stability and psychological well-being.

Uso del método de observación: una propuesta de aplicación al análisis de estrategias de resolución de problemas en niños con discapacidad / Use of observational method: a proposal for application to the analysis of problem-solving strategies in children with disabilities

El presente trabajo se ocupa de evaluar posibilidades del método de observación aplicado al análisis de estrategias de resolución de problemas en niños con discapacidad mediante juegos y tareas estructuradas. El marco teórico de referencia de esta contribución está representado por la teoría de la resolución de problemas, que contiene los principales procesos que intervienen en la gestión de los problemas y que nosotros aplicamos al desarrollo cognitivo y metacognitivo atípico. Junto con tres tareas diferentes estructuradas(Torre de Hanoi, Tetris y Bloques de construcción), usamos dos listas de comportamientos para codificar estrategias de resolución de problemas adoptadas por niños y/o adolescentes con desarrollo atípico. La aplicación de este tipo de observación con el uso de listas de comportamientos podría ser útil para crear en relación entre la investigación cualitativa y cuantitativa para mejorar el conocimiento de las estrategias de resolución de problemas y competencias metacognitivas en niños desarrollados atípicos(AU)

This paper is concerned with evaluating the possibilities of the observational method applied to the analysis of problem-solving strategies in children with disabilities through structured tasks. The theoretical framework of reference for this contribution is represented by the theory of problem-solving, containing the main processes involved in problem management,which we apply to atypical cognitive and metacognitive development. Together with three different structured tasks (Tower of Hanoi, Tetris, and Building Blocks), we used two lists of behaviors to code problem-solving strategies adopted by children and/or adolescents with atypical development. The application of this type of observation with the use of lists of behaviors could be useful to create a link between qualitative and quantitative research to improve the knowledge of problem-solving strategies and metacognitive competencies in atypically developed children(AU)

Interpersonal Adaptation, Self-Efficacy, and Metacognitive Skills in Italian Adolescents with Specific Learning Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aimed to explore interpersonal adaptation, generalized self-efficacy, and metacognitive skills in a sample of Italian adolescents with and without a specific learning disorder (SLD). A total of 564 secondary and high school students (males = 236; females = 328; age range: 11-19; M = 16.14, SD = 1.70) completed a set of standardized tests assessing social and interpersonal skills (non-affirmation, impulsiveness, narcissism, social preoccupation, and stress in social situations), general self-efficacy, and metacognition. Students with SLD reported a lower interpersonal adaptation than students without SLD. Furthermore, students with SLD were more impulsive and had more problems handling social situations. They also reported lower levels of self-efficacy but higher metacognition scores than peers without SLD. The use of compensatory tools was associated with better interpersonal skills and higher levels of self-efficacy in students with SLD. Finally, using these instruments is predictive of high levels of metacognitive skills in adolescents with SLD. In line with the previous literature, this study showed the presence of a gap between adolescents with and without an SLD in terms of interpersonal adaptation, general self-efficacy, and metacognitive skills in the school context. Further studies are needed on the psychological well-being of adolescents with SLD and especially on the protective role of personal, social, and environmental characteristics.

Are Coping Strategies with Well-Being in Deaf and Blind Parents Related?

The main purpose of this cross-sectional study, carried out with deaf parents and blind parents, is to analyze the association of coping strategies, life satisfaction, well-being, and generalized self-efficacy, compared to a group of parents without a sensory loss. The Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced, Satisfaction with Life, Generalized Self-efficacy, and Psychological Well-Being scales were applied. Results indicate that: (1) deaf parents and blind parents search for social support, use avoidance, and turn to religion more than those without a sensory loss; (2) deaf parents are more satisfied with life than blind parents and those without a sensory loss; (3) deaf parents and blind parents perceive themselves as less efficacious than those without a sensory loss; (4) deaf parents and blind parents report lower psychological well-being (autonomy and personal growth) than those without a sensory loss, except for self-acceptance. Searching for social support and turning to religion are negatively associated with life satisfaction in deaf parents and those without a sensory loss; further, these coping strategies (together with avoidance) affect the psychological well-being of deaf parents and parents without a sensory loss. Future research could investigate deeper into the effects of these dimensions on well-being and the styles of parenting in these families.

Are humor styles predictors of hope? sex and age differences in Italian adolescents and young adults

The study analyzed relationships among humor styles and hope and deepen the role of humor styles as predictors of hope in 582 Italian adolescents and young adults (with age ranged between 14 and 27). Sex and age differences were observed. The Humor Styles Questionnaire was used to assess the inclination to adopt positive (affiliative/self-enhancing) and negative (aggressive/self-defeating) humor styles, and Hope Scale was used to evaluate the general level of hope ("overall" hope score) and its two components (agency/pathways). Significant differences for sex and age-groups were found. Correlation analyses pointed out that positive humor styles were positively related to hope, and self-defeating humor was negatively associated to hope. Linear regressions displayed that self-enhancing and affiliative styles positively influenced hope while self-defeating negatively affected hope. The emerged relationships suggested that promoting the use of humor to amuse the others facilitate interpersonal relationships especially in developmental age

No disponible

The 2D:4D ratio is associated with performance in the 'TEACCH program' of subjects with autism spectrum disorder.

Problems arising on the autistic spectrum are more common in male individuals, leading scholars to attempt to determine whether there is a correlation with testosterone levels to which fetuses were exposed during intrauterine life. The aim of the present study was to investigate, through the digit ratio technique, the possible correlation between testosterone exposure during intrauterine life and the achievement of predetermined objectives during the educational program Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH) in a group of subjects with different forms of autism. The results showed a positive correlation of the TEACCH program and 2D:4D ratio. Therefore, we hypothesize that a base screening may be useful to pinpoint the optimal teaching strategies to obtain the best possible performance from each subject.

Flexibility of Gender Stereotypes: Italian Study on Comparative Gender-consistent and Gender-inconsistent Information / La flexibilidad de los estereotipos de género: estudio italiano sobre la información comparativa congruente e incongruente con el género

The topic of this study is flexibility in gender stereotyping linked to attribution of toys, socio-cognitive traits, and occupations in 160 Italian children aged 6 to 12 years. We used the Gender Toys Choice, the Gender Traits Choice, and the Gender Jobs Choice, a ed set of colored cards containing masculine and feminine stimuli to assign to a male or female or both male and female silhouette (the flexible-choice technique). In order to verify the change of flexibility in gender stereotyping, we made use of four cartoon stories with male and female characters with typical or atypical traits and performing gender-consistent or gender-inconsistent activities. Results indicated that the exposure to cartoon stories with gender-inconsistent information rather than cartoon stories with gender-consistent information increased flexibility in gender stereotyping, showing age differences in favor of children aged 11-12. Implications in relation to the developmental-constructivist approach were noted

Esta investigación aborda la flexibilidad de los estereotipos de género asociados a la atribución de juguetes, rasgos sociocognitivos y ocupaciones en 160 niños italianos de entre 6 y 12 años. Las pruebas utilizadas fueron la elección de juguetes de género, de rasgos de género y de tareas de género, representados en un conjunto seleccionado de tarjetas de colores que utilizan estímulos asociados típicamente al género para asignar a una silueta masculina o femenina o a la vez masculina y femenina (técnica de elección flexible). Para determinar el cambio de flexibilidad de los estereotipos de género, hicimos uso de cuatro historias de dibujos animados con personajes masculinos y femeninos, con rasgos típicos o atípicos, realizando actividades congruentes o incongruentes con el género. Los resultados muestran que la exposición a dibujos animados con información incongruente con el género en lugar de dibujos animados con información congruente con el género aumenta la flexibilidad de los estereotipos de género, habiendo diferencias en los niños entre 11 y 12 años. Se observaron implicaciones en relación con el enfoque del desarrollo constructivista

Italian and Swedish adolescents: differences and associations in subjective well-being and psychological well-being.

BACKGROUND: One important aspect of subjective judgments about one's well-being (i.e., subjective well-being: life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect) is that cultural features, such as, nationality seem to shape cognitive judgments about the "the ideal life." In this comparative study we examined differences in subjective well-being and psychological well-being between Italian and Swedish adolescents and tested if the relationship between the three constructs of subjective well-being (i.e., satisfaction with life, positive affect, and negative affect) and psychological well-being was moderated by the adolescents' nationality. METHOD: Italian (n = 255) and Swedish (n = 277) adolescents answered to the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Positive Affect Negative Affect Schedule, and Ryff's Scales of Psychological Well-Being. Differences between samples were tested using a Multiple Analysis of Variance. We also conducted a multiple group analysis (Italy and Sweden) using Structural Equation Modelling to investigate the relationship between all three subjective well-being constructs and psychological well-being. RESULTS: Italian adolescents scored significantly higher in satisfaction with life than Swedish adolescents. Additionally, across countries, girls scored significantly higher in negative affect than boys. In both countries, all three constructs of subjective well-being were significantly associated to adolescents' psychological well-being. Nevertheless, while the effect of the relationship between affect and psychological well-being was almost the same across countries, life satisfaction was more strongly related to psychological well-being among Swedish adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that there are larger variations between these two cultures in the cognitive construct of subjective well-being than in the affective construct. Accordingly, associations between the cognitive component, not the affective component, of subjective well-being and psychological well-being differ between countries as well.

Creative thinking and Big Five factors of personality measured in Italian schoolchildren.

This study examined the relations of creative thinking with Big Five factors of personality and the differences by sex and age on creativity. A sample of Italian schoolchildren (56 boys, 56 girls), between 8 to 10 years of age, completed the Test of Creative Thinking and the Big Five Questionnaire for Children. Analysis of results indicated that older children obtained significantly higher scores than the younger ones on Elaboration and Production of titles. Girls obtained significantly higher scores than boys on Originality and Elaboration. The results suggested a modest and negative relation of Flexibility with Conscientiousness and Production of titles with Emotional instability. These findings support the need to explore the connection between creativity and personality with developmental age by means of multiple tasks for evaluating creative thinking.

Toys, sociocognitive traits, and occupations: Italian children's endorsement of gender stereotypes.

In a sample of 136 Italian children ages 8 to 12 years (M = 9.6, SD = 1.2; 68 boys, 68 girls), gender stereotypes related to gender-typed toys, traits, and occupational choices were examined, using the forced-choice technique between a male and a female silhouette. Stereotypy was established considering boys' and girls' choices for the 70%-100% range. Differences in gender stereotyping for age and sex of participants were verified. Analysis indicated children attributed toys prevalently connected with aesthetic aspect and domestic activities to the female silhouette, while technology, warfare, locomotion, and construction toys were attributed to the male. Children attributed physical and verbal aggressiveness and dominance to the male silhouette; the female profile was exclusively characterized by sweetness. The occupational stereotypical male model was structured in both practical-manual activities and of highly cultural and specialist relevance, while for the female model the number of activities, mainly of a domestic type, were reduced. Significant main effect of sex of children was found, but no significant age-related differences in the three domains. Results were discussed within the framework of gender-stereotype theories.