Showing papers in "Psychological Studies in 2023"

An Initial Examination of Mental Healthcare Providers’ Big 5 Personality and Their Preferences for Clients

Abstract: Compared to clients’ personality and perspectives in psychotherapy (e.g., preferences), less research characterizes mental healthcare providers (i.e., those who have provided direct mental healthcare services). Prior work finds that provider personality configurations are unique relative to other professions, and provider perspectives of clients differ as a function of their own and their client’s personality. The current study expands this literature by utilizing trait and profile-level analyses in a sample of 176 mental healthcare providers (largely US-based). Profile-level findings demonstrated that most providers were high in agreeableness and conscientiousness. When compared to a normative sample, providers demonstrated higher trait-level agreeableness and neuroticism and lower conscientiousness. Providers’ preferences regarding the personality of potential clients were also explored, and these findings indicated that some providers prefer a client with personality traits similar to their own. At the profile level, most providers preferred clients who had (1) high agreeableness and conscientiousness and low neuroticism or (2) average across traits. This preliminary examination can stimulate research regarding the impact of providers’ individual differences on psychotherapy.

Is Authoritative Parenting the Dominant Style in the Contemporary Western Family? A Report on a Cross-Cultural Israeli Sample

Abstract: Recent information on intergenerational differences in parenting styles suggests that parental authority nowadays is becoming more democratic than it was before, as reflected by a growing body of research showing a consistent transition from authoritarian to authoritative parenting across generations. The study tested the hypothesis regarding the dominance of authoritative parenting in the contemporary Western family, using a self-report survey in a sample of Israeli parents and children (N = 937) via the Parental Authority Questionnaire (PAQ, 1991). The obtained data were used to employ a series of multivariate analyses of variance with repeated measures and Chi-square analyses to determine the differences in the parenting styles within this sample of parents. The results affirmed the authoritative parenting as the preferable style in the sample, with its mean scores from parents’ and children’s reports exceeding the non-authoritative parenting styles, regardless of the parental sex. This general pattern was similarly evident within each of the three sector subgroups examined in the study (i.e., Jewish, Arab-Muslim, and Bedouin). While the parents’ parenting style differed by the child’s gender and parent’s education, the mean differences between the parenting styles remained significant even after controlling for those demographics. Finally, the category classification of the sample’s parents yielded significantly more authoritative parents than non-authoritative parents, suggesting that authoritative parenting is the dominant style in the contemporary Israeli family.

Intergenerational Trauma in the Context of the 1947 India–Pakistan Partition

Abstract: The Partition of India evokes tragic images of violence, separation, displacement, loss, and suffering. It was the largest mass migration recorded in human history. With one single decision, millions of people became strangers in the lands of their own ancestors and pushed out to new, unfamiliar territory that they would have to spend the rest of their lives in. However, this was not the end. With this displacement came a life, if only temporary, where mass slaughter became a frightening reality. Amidst this chaotic violence, people had no choice but to watch their lives take a turn they never expected it would and to survive with whatever lay ahead, for as long as they could. The present research was conducted to explore the phenomena of intergenerational trauma in the context of the Partition. Items from the Danieli Inventory for Multigenerational Legacies of Trauma were administered to children and grandchildren of Partition survivors currently living in India. An independent samples t-test was used to assess the significance of the difference between the relevant groups, using SPSS version 27.0.1. The results indicated that both generations scored in the medium range, which was a notable level of intergenerational trauma. It is interesting to note that though intergenerational trauma was numerically higher in grandchildren of Partition survivors, this difference was not significant (p = .49). The paper discusses these results and the implications of the study.

The Interplay of Academic Hardiness, Passion for Studies and Affective Experiences in Undergraduates’ Happiness and GPA Scores: a Person-Oriented Approach

Abstract: Abstract The purpose of the study was to investigate undergraduates’ profiles, taking into account personality traits (academic hardiness and test anxiety), motivational factors (passion for studies) and affective experiences (positive and negative affect). The study explored differences in outcomes such as happiness and grade point average (GPA) scores among student profiles. The sample comprised of 293 undergraduates, studying in a social science department. Participants completed the following scales: (a) Revised Academic Hardiness Scale (RAHS), (b) Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI), (c) Passion scale, (d) Positive and Negative Affect scale (PANAS), (e) Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ). Academic achievement was measured using students’ GPA. Results from hierarchical cluster analysis (which was used for clustering undergraduates into homogenous groups) revealed three profiles: (a) hardy, passionate and non-anxious undergraduates, emotionally positive, (b) anxious-committed, mid-passionate undergraduates, experiencing low positive and mid-negative affect and (c) low hardy, unpassionate and mid-anxious undergraduates, experiencing both positive and negative affect. These profiles were differentially related to student happiness and GPA scores. Hardy, passionate and non-anxious with positive affect undergraduates reported the highest GPA and happiness scores. Results of the study are discussed, practical implications, limitations and future research directions are presented.

The Role of Self-Construal in Child Rearing: A Relational-Physical Comparison

Abstract: Three studies examined the link between physical and relational self-construal and their child-rearing choices. We predicted that the type of self-construal would positively correlate with the corresponding parenting intentions (Study 1) and practices (Study 2 and 3). Participants in Study 1 were undergraduate students (n = 150), and participants in Studies 2 and 3 were parents recruited from Mechanical Turk (n = 173 and 214). In all three studies, participants completed an online survey that assessed their self-construal and their parenting choices. All three studies showed that physical self-construal was positively correlated with physical parenting decisions. Studies 2 and 3 indicated that relational self-construal and relational parenting decisions were positively correlated.

The Management Mantra of the Bhagavad Gita: Key to Organizational Excellence

Abstract: The paper aims to understand and expand the idea of ardent devotees of the Hindu Dharma who devoutly follow the Bhagavad Gita, inarguably the epitome of principles of Hinduism, having imbibed it in their way of living, be it professionally or personally, thereby adhering to the learning out of it, both directly and indirectly thus resulting in decisions which are rational. The present research paper delves on the four levels, namely obedience, anticipation, creation and fulfilment of the public expectation towards Gita, and how the same is relevant in today’s extremely competitive corporate environment. This paper establishes the rationality of teaching of various tenets of Bhagavad Gita while striving for excellence by corporate leaders so as to gain competitive edge as well as the viability of scriptures like Bhagavad Gita so as to carve a niche for the corporate to ensure sustainable development. Keeping the professional challenges of corporate world in consideration, the shlokas of Bhagavad Gita produce a unique solution. The teachings of Bhagavad Gita, as a holy scripture, at one side prepare the managers of today to strive for excellence and on the other side emphasize on importance of humanitarian touch in today’s business world. The paper acts as a catalyst for leaders and managers to facilitate better decision-making in competitive corporate environment as key for organizational excellence, which reinforces to work with self-consciousness and ensures how one can create happiness for their stakeholders.

Introduction

Abstract: The papers included in the section on Perspectives and Voices of Children and Adolescents, provide diverse perspectives on child-parent relationships. They address issues in the context of parenting by fathers, concerns in parenting children with chronic medical conditions, academic stress and its social construction and parental concerns for cyberbullying, in fact, meaning- making of bullying itself by adolescents. The contributions raise several themes and concerns constituting the field of child and adolescent development and socialisation. There are also suggestions for potential inquiry in the field of socialisation and possibilities in methodological innovations.

Language as Ethnicity: Evaluating the Psychometric Properties of the MEIM-R in a Multi-ethnic Population in India

Abstract: The study of ethnic identity has received considerable attention in the field of psychology. However, the literature draws primarily from WEIRD populations and conflates race and ethnicity. Ethnic identity remains understudied in multi-ethnic and diverse contexts like India, where language is often used as a marker of ethnicity. This study conceptualised ethnicity on the basis of language and assessed the psychometric properties of the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure-Revised, in a multi-ethnic sample of young adults in Karnataka, India. The reliability, convergent validity (self-esteem, optimism, familial ethnic socialisation, national identity), concurrent validity (EIS-B) and factor structure of the measure were assessed. Additionally, differences in ethnic identity were examined between the majority and minority ethnic groups. The study provides support for the convergent and concurrent validity of the measure and confirms the correlated two-factor structure of exploration and commitment. Our results also showed that ethnic identity was more significant among majority group members, contradicting previous literature and highlighting the cultural significance of language as ethnicity. The study adds to the literature on the MEIM-R highlighting the applicability of this measure to multicultural settings with multiple definitions of ethnicity.

Cross-Cultural Efficacy of the Acceptance and Cognitive Restructuring Intervention Program (ACRIP) on the Internet Gaming Disorder Symptoms of Selected Asian Adolescents

Abstract: Empirical evidence shows that Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) with poor psychological well-being increases. IGD has become an emerging issue of significant public health concern and the World Health Organization has recently recognized it as a mental health condition. This study examined the efficacy of the Acceptance and Cognitive Restructuring Intervention Program (ACRIP) in reducing the symptoms of IGD and improving the psychological well-being of adolescent gamers from select Asian cultures after proving it effective in a prior study in the Indian setting. The development of the ACRIP employed a sequential exploratory research design and randomized controlled trial on thirty participants. Internet Gaming Disorder (IGDS9-SF) and Ryff's Psychological well-being (PWB) scales were used to measure the severity of the gaming disorder and the state of psychological health of the experimental and control groups. Power analysis ascertained the study with a power of 0.90, indicating a strong probability of obtaining a statistically significant effect. Statistical analyses using paired t-test and MANOVA on post-test mean scores on IGD and PWB of the experimental group showed a significant difference which suggested that the ACRIP is efficacious and culture-free.

The Long-Term Outcomes of Mental Health First Aid Training for University Students

Abstract: Abstract This study aimed to address current gaps in the literature on the impacts of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training by comparing long-term outcomes on different cohorts. University students studying health and non-health degrees, university staff and community members who had completed MHFA within the past three years completed a survey to assess their mental health literacy, and their use of knowledge and skills acquired through the training. The study found few significant differences between the different group outcomes and between different time points post-completion of MHFA. This study found that although participant-reported measures show positive outcomes from MHFA, further research on the common tools used to rate mental health literacy and how mental health literacy impacts behaviours and help-seeking would provide greater insight into the outcomes of running MHFA as a mental health prevention and early intervention program at universities.

The Relationship Between Temperament Characteristics and Emotion Regulation Abilities in Institutionalized and Noninstitutionalized Children

Abstract: This study examined the role of institutionalization and temperament dimensions on emotion regulation and negative lability in school-aged (6-10 years) children. Participants were 46 institutionalized (22 boys; 24 girls) and 48 noninstitutionalized children (23 boys; 25 girls), matched in age and sex. Emotion regulation and negative lability were assessed with the Emotion Regulation Checklist (ERC). The School-Age Temperament Inventory (SATI) was used to measure temperament dimensions. No significant between-group differences emerged in temperament dimensions, emotion regulation and negative lability. After controlling for institutionalization status, results indicated that (a) approach/withdrawal (sociability) and persistence positively predicted emotion regulation, (b) negative reactivity positively predicted negative lability, and (c) persistence negatively predicted negative lability. Institutionalization did not predict emotion regulation or negative lability. The protective role that specific temperament characteristics, such as persistence and approach/withdrawal (sociability), may have for at risk populations (e.g., institutionalized) and typically developing (e.g., noninstitutionalized) children is highlighted.

Perceived Wellbeing, Happiness, and Related Challenges among Indian College Students

Abstract: The present study aimed to examine the conceptualisation and determinants of happiness among Indian college students and identify areas in which they require help. The sample consisted of 362 students in the age group of 18 to 30 years (Mage = 20.9, SDage = 2.25) from two locations in North and South India. Online forms, including the Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener et al., 1985), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (Watson et al. in J Pers Soc Psychol 54:1063-1070, 1998) and a qualitative survey, were used to collect the data. Results indicated that participants from institutions that offered mental health initiatives reported higher well-being than those who did not. Findings from the qualitative survey suggest that most participants conceptualised happiness in terms of need for satisfaction and well-being. The responses also indicated that leisure activities and time spent with the family determined the participants' happiness. Concerns related to interpersonal relationships made the participants unhappy, and most of them were willing to seek help in this regard. Factors beyond immediate self and interpersonal networks had a limited role in participants' perceived happiness and unhappiness. Study findings could guide the development of customised mental health and well-being promotion initiatives to meet the needs of Indian college students.

Positive Facets of Suffering, Meaningful Moments, and Meaning Fulfilment: A Qualitative Approach to Positive Existential Issues in Trauma-Exposed University Students

Abstract: Abstract The possible positive consequences of trauma and its relationship to existential aspects are receiving increasing attention. However, little is known about how young individuals perceive the changed status of these profound aspects of their lives. This study aimed to explore and identify the themes of the possible positive aspects of trauma-related suffering, the most meaningful moments, and the perception of meaning realization in young individuals. A total of 139 trauma-exposed Mexican university students responded to a survey consisting of open-ended questions survey. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. The main benefits of suffering were a better attitude towards life, more maturity and strength, new capabilities, and a reorganization of values, purposes, and beliefs. In reference to significant moments, the themes of the importance of bonds with significant people, spiritual moments, and personal achievements emerged. Both meaning realization and existential frustration were observed. Meaning was mainly oriented towards career goals, other people, personal growth, and financial goals. Findings suggested several patterns of existential concerns for Mexican university students. Both personal and interpersonal levels were cited as pivotal aspects for the transformation of young people after trauma. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed.