Multigroup analysis of the relationship loneliness, fear of missing out, problematic internet usage and peer perception in gifted and normally developing adolescents.

The current study examined the effects of Internet usage characteristics and peer perception on loneliness. The mediating role of Internet usage characteristics was examined in the relationship between loneliness and peer perception. The sample included 661 Turkish adolescents (Ngirls =379, 57.34%; Ngifted= 211, 31.92%) aged 11-18 years. Structural equation model analyzes were conducted to test the hypothesis model across the group. Moreover, multigroup structural model was conducted to test the differences of the relationships across gifted and normally developing adolescents. The results of the structural model showed that Internet use characteristics did not have a mediating role in the relationship between adolescents' peer perception and loneliness. On the other hand, problematic Internet use had a full mediator role in the relationship between fear of missing out and loneliness. The results of the multigroup structural model emphasized the similar effects between the research variables in gifted and normally developing adolescents. The results were discussed with the effects of Internet use characteristics and peer perception on loneliness. We also pointed out that gifted and normally developing adolescents have similar social and technological outcomes and that these outcomes influence mental health.

Positive Peer Perception, Social Anxiety and Classroom Social Adjustment as Risk Factors in Peer Victimization: A Multilevel Study / Percepción Positiva de los Iguales, Ansiedad Social y Ajuste Social enel Aula Como Factores de Riesgo de la Victimización Entre Escolares:un Estudio Multinivel

Objective: Individual risks factors of peer victimization have been widelyidentified in children and adolescents. However, little is known abouthow the classroom context may increase or decrease the frequency ofvictimization. The present short-term prospective longitudinal study useda a person-by-environment approach to examine whether peer perceptionand social anxiety, along with class social adjustment levels as a moderator,affect the likelihood of peer victimization over time. Method: Theseeffects were modelled using a representative sample of 2,512 Andalusian(Southern Spain) (52% girls) aged 10 to 16 years old (M = 12.81; SD =1.69 at Wave 1). Classroom social adjustment was assessed by within-classroom standard deviation in social adjustment. Results: Multilevelmodeling indicated a negative relationship between peer perception at W1and peer victimization at W2, as well as a positive association with socialanxiety at W1, after controlling for gender, age and victimization at W1.The direct association between peer perception and peer victimization wasintensified by class social adjustment. Conclusions: The results provide amore nuanced understanding of the influence of cognitive, emotional, andsocial variables when trying to address vulnerability to victimization

Objetivo: factores individuales de riesgo de lavictimización entre iguales han sido ampliamente identificados. Poco essabido sobre cómo el contexto del aula puede influir en la victimización.El presente estudio longitudinal prospectivo a corto plazo examinó, desdeun enfoque individuo-contexto, si la percepción de los iguales, la ansiedadsocial y los niveles de ajuste social de clase como moderador influyen enla probabilidad ser víctimas a lo largo del tiempo. Método: se contó unamuestra representativa andaluza (sur de España) de 2.512 escolares (52%chicas) entre 10 y 16 años (M = 12,81; DT = 1,69 en Tiempo 1). El ajustesocial en el aula se evaluó mediante la desviación típica de la variable.Resultados: la modelización multinivel indicó una relación negativaentre la percepción positiva de los iguales en T1 y la victimización enT2, y positiva con la ansiedad social en T1, controlando el sexo, la edady la victimización en T1. La asociación directa entre percepción de losiguales y victimización se intensificó por el nivel de ajuste social de laclase. Conclusiones: estos resultados proporcionan una comprensión másmatizada de la influencia de variables cognitivas, emocionales y socialespara abordar la vulnerabilidad a la victimización.

Self-Other Differences in Perceiving Why People Eat What They Eat.

People often view themselves more favorably than others, displaying unrealistic optimism. In the present study, we investigated whether people perceive their reasons for eating as better than those of others. Furthermore, we investigated which mechanisms of inaccuracy might underlie a possible bias when perceiving why people eat what they eat. In Study 1, 117 participants rated the social desirability of eating motives. In Study 2, 772 participants provided information on their own and others' motives for eating behavior. In Study 1, particularly desirable motives were eating because of hunger, health reasons, and liking. Particularly undesirable motives were eating to make a good impression, to comply with social norms, and to regulate negative affect. Study 2 revealed that for socially desirable motives, participants perceived their own motives to be stronger; for undesirable motives, the opposite pattern emerged, with others being attributed stronger motives. Moreover, the perception of others' emotional and social motives varied with participants' own healthy eating behavior. Since the perception of eating motives of others should be independent of one's own behavior, this pattern of results indicates a relative inaccuracy in the perception of others' eating motives. In conclusion, there is evidence for unrealistic optimism in eating motives. For social and emotional motives, this self-favoring view seems to be driven by a relatively inaccurate perception of others.