Does Imagery Ability Matter for the Relationship Between Temperament and Self-Confidence in Team and Individual Sport Disciplines?

The main purpose of our study was to investigate the relationship among temperamental traits, a general tendency to use imagery, and self-confidence in sport. The specific aim was to verify if general imagery mediates the relationship between temperament and self-confidence in sport, but also with respect to individual and team sport disciplines. The study involved 144 athletes aged 19-25 years (75 men and 69 women) with different lengths of training (from 1 month to 18 years) and presented different sports levels: international (n = 12), national (n = 46), and recreational (n = 86). They also represented individual (n = 73) and team (n = 68) sports. The Imagination in Sport Questionnaire (ISQ), Trait Sports Confidence Inventory (TSCI-PL), and Temperament Questionnaire (EAS) were all completed by the participants. Results indicate that self-confidence is explained in about 13% by temperament and general imagery, but only general imagery (b = 0.22; p < 0.05) and negative axes of the temperament-emotionality (b = -0.26; p < 0.05). The test of the indirect effect of the negative axes of the temperament on self-confidence through general imagery, conducted by Preacher and Hayes bootstrapping procedure, revealed significant mediation [b = 0.37; 95% CI = (0.09; 0.68); R 2 Med = 0.46] suggesting that about 46% of variance explained in self-confidence by emotionality is related to general imagery. The other 3% of variance explained in self-confidence by the positive temperament axes is related to general imagery, however, it was insignificant. The general imagery explains the relationship between emotionality and self-confidence only in individual sports athletes.

Closeness with a partner and parental bond with a child during the transition to parenthood.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this longitudinal study was to examine the dyadic interdependence of the relationships between partners' perception of closeness with one another and their pre- and postnatal bonds with a child. RESEARCH DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 213 first-time expectant couples participated in the study both during pregnancy (1st stage) and after the child's birth (2nd stage). MEASUREMENTS: The participants completed the following measures: the one-item pictorial Inclusion of Other into the Self (IOS) scale and the brief maternal and paternal versions of the Antenatal Attachment Scales (MAAS/PAAS, respectively) and Postnatal Attachment Scales (MPAS/PPAS, respectively). FINDINGS: The Actor-Partner Interdependence Models (APIM) for distinguishable dyads were performed and revealed the positive effect of parents' perceptions of closeness with their partners regarding both their own and their partners' bond with their child during pregnancy. However, after the child's birth, for both mothers and fathers, only their own perception of closeness with their partners was associated with their bond with their child. Moreover, only the actor effects of bonding with a child during pregnancy as well as the change in perception of closeness with a partner on the partner's bond with their child after birth were found (no partner effect). KEY CONCLUSIONS: Couple attributes during the transition to parenthood should be emphasized to promote the development of parental pre- and postnatal bonds.

Higher-Order Language Dysfunctions in Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder.

Patients with alcohol use disorders (AUD) have difficulties with certain aspects of higher-order language functions (HOLF) but there is no data on a wide range of these functions in this group. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare different aspects of HOLF in patients with AUD and healthy controls (HC). A total of 31 patients with AUD and 44 HC took part in the study. We assessed HOLF with the Right Hemisphere Language Battery (RHLB) and measured control variables: depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) as well as the speed of processing and executive functions with the Color Trails Test (CTT). Patients with AUD had lower results on nine RHLB tests. Moreover, AUD patients had higher scores on PHQ and longer reaction times on CTT. The differences in most RHLB results remained significant after co-varying the control variables. Patients with AUD have difficulties with making inferences from the text, understanding the meaning of individual words, metaphorical content, and prosody, which may impede the comprehension and production of discourse in which linguistic elements must be integrated with non-verbal cues and contextual information. These disturbances may impact various spheres of everyday life and negatively influence social, private, and professional functioning.

Dyadic empathy in Polish samples: validation of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index for Couples.

BACKGROUND: Empathy as a multidimensional construct is considered a basis of satisfying intimate relationships. The role of other-oriented focus in empathizing with a partner has been highlighted. The Interpersonal Reactivity Index for Couples (IRIC) measures emotional and cognitive empathy displayed in the context of a romantic relationship and expressed towards the partner. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE: A total sample of 2339 individuals in intimate relationships (including 1006 couples) participated in the research. Three studies are presented on adaptation of the IRIC to Polish in the context of participants' emotional and relational functioning. RESULTS: The two-factor structure of the measure was confirmed. However, the specific content of two factors was modified to better fit the data. A reliable and valid measure of empathic tendencies in couples has been obtained. Emotional dyadic empathic concern and cognitive dyadic perspective taking were associated with general emotional and cognitive empathy as well as with relationship satisfaction. Correlations with emotional contagion, stress and attachment were also explored. CONCLUSIONS: The IRIC is a short, reliable and valid measure of empathic tendencies in couples to be easily implemented in research and practice. Personal traits of both partners should be seen as predictors or correlates of dyadic empathy. The presented research results might be applied to the design of interventions and programs increasing quality of romantic relationships.

Psychometric Properties of the Polish Version of the Frontotemporal Dementia Knowledge Scale.

INTRODUCTION: Taking into account a progressive increase in the number of individuals affected by dementia and the importance of being knowledgeable about its symptoms, it has become crucial to develop well-validated instruments for measuring knowledge about dementia. The aim of this study was to translate and validate the Frontotemporal Dementia Knowledge Scale (FTDKS) in a Polish population. METHODS: The FTDKS was translated into the Polish language based on the most highly recommended methodological approaches for translating and validating instruments for cross-cultural healthcare research. Psychometric properties were evaluated in a sample of 869 individuals (general population, healthcare professionals, and caregivers) who completed the questionnaire. The reliability of the FTDKS was tested as an internal consistency using both Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega factor analysis. The convergent and discriminant validity was assessed using the Heterotrait-monotrait Ratio of Correlation between scores of FTDKS, vocabulary intelligence, and Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (AKDS). RESULTS: The results indicate that the scale produces satisfactory psychometric properties (Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega over 0.80). The internal consistency was slightly higher in the population of healthcare professionals and caregivers than among the general population. DISCUSSION: The internal consistency of the Polish version of FTDKS demonstrates a similar validity to the original version. The FTDKS can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of educational interventions among caregivers, healthcare professionals, and the general population.

Metaphor Processing Dysfunctions in Schizophrenia Patients With and Without Substance Use Disorders.

BACKGROUND: Patients with schizophrenia have difficulties comprehending metaphors, which significantly impedes communication. However, this topic has not been thoroughly studied in people with a dual diagnosis. On this basis, we formulated two research aims: a) to compare the ability to comprehend metaphors in schizophrenia patients without (SZ) and with substance use disorder (SZ-SUD) and b) to determine the relationship between the processing of metaphorical content and the severity of psychopathological symptoms in both clinical groups. METHODS: A total of 40 individuals with SZ and 40 individuals with SZ-SUD took part in the study. The control group was composed of 40 individuals without a psychiatric or neurological diagnosis. Four subtests from the Right Hemisphere Language Battery (Picture Metaphor Test, Written Metaphor Test, Picture Metaphor Explanation Test, Written Metaphor Explanation Test) were used to measure the ability to understand and explain metaphors. RESULTS: Both groups of individuals with schizophrenia (SZ and SZ-SUD) scored lower than individuals from the control group on all tests of metaphor processing. However, no differences were observed between the two clinical groups. SZ-SUD patients had better results for Picture Metaphor Explanation than for Written Metaphor Explanation. Negative symptoms were found to be significant predictors of difficulties with understanding and explaining metaphors. CONCLUSION: Individuals with schizophrenia, regardless of their substance use disorder (SUD) status, exhibit impaired metaphorical content processing. SUD in schizophrenia is not associated with significant impairments in understanding and explaining metaphorical content. Moreover, impairments in processing metaphorical content are associated with more severe negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Parents' personality and maternal experiences in childcare as predictors of postpartum depression in couples in transition to parenthood. / Osobowosc rodziców i doswiadczenia matek w opiece nad dzieckiem jako predyktory depresji poporodowej u par w okresie przejscia do rodzicielstwa.

OBJECTIVES: Analysis of interrelationships between the five global personality dimensions of both parents and mothers' experiences regarding feeding the baby/childcare, as well as determining their role as predictors of postpartum depression. METHODS: 223 first-time expectant couples participated in the study (I stage), and 143 couples from this group were examined about five months after the childbirth (II stage). The following questionnaires were used:the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the Mother and Baby Scale (MBAS). RESULTS: EPDS scores were interrelated in couples. Both parents' Neuroticism measured before the childbirth was associated with higher levels of self-assessed and partner's postpartum depression. Mothers'Neuroticism negatively correlated with global confidence regarding childcare and the child's positive alertness during feeding (which was also associated with a higher female Extraversion). Maternal global confidence in childcare negatively correlated with postpartum depression in both partners. Perceived child's alertness and mother's global confidence significantly mediated the relationship between mothers' Neuroticism (and their Extraversion in the case of child's alertness), and theEPDS scorein women. Partners' similarity in Neuroticism was associated with worse functioning of mothers (higher EPDS scores, lack of confidence), whereas similarity in Openness to experience negatively correlated with fathers' EPDS score, and positively with mothers' global confidence. CONCLUSIONS: Complex associations between postpartum depression scores and personality dimensions of men and women, and mother's experiences indicate the need to include fathers and couples in studies. Offering the possibility to meet with lactation consultants might be an essential element of support system for new parents.

Delays in seeking cancer diagnosis in relation to beliefs about the curability of cancer in patients with different disease locations.

This study is aimed at investigating factors leading to delayed oncologic examinations versus immediate consultation with a physician in patients with various cancers. We analysed the results of a study of patients (n = 291) reporting for their first oncologic examinations. We conducted structured interviews containing social, demographic and clinical data, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory and Harris and Guten's health appraisal scores. Based on an analysis of decision-making trees, the results indicate that it is possible to predict beliefs regarding the curability of cancer and immediate versus delayed reporting to a physician. Delayed reports may be predicted on the basis of two factors: (1) a belief that cancer is incurable combined with increased state anxiety, 'good' or 'very good' self-appraisal of health and low depression; and (2) a belief that cancer is incurable accompanied by increased anxiety and depression. The characteristics of patients delaying a visit to the oncologist suggest the existence of three independent factors leading to both considerable (longer than nine months) and minor (up to one month) delays in seeking treatment.