Hungarian University Research Articles

Phenotypic Variations and Bioactive Constituents among Selected Ocimum Species.

Basil (Ocimum species) represents an extraordinary group of aromatic plants that have gained considerable economic importance, primarily due to their essential oils, which have applications in medicine, culinary, and perfumery. The Ocimum genus encompasses more than 60 species of herbs and shrubs originally native to tropical regions. This genus stands out for its remarkable diversity, displaying a wide spectrum of variations in phenotype, chemical composition, and genetic makeup. In addition to genetic factors, the growth, development, and essential oil production of basil are also influenced by environmental conditions, ontogeny, and various other factors. Consequently, the primary objective of this study was to explore the diversity in both the morphological characteristics and essential oil composition among basil genotypes preserved within the gene bank of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences' Department of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. The investigation involved the assessment of fifteen basil genotypes, representing four distinct species: Ocimum basilicum (including 'Anise', 'Clove', 'Fino Verde', 'Licorice', 'Mammoth', 'Mrs. Burns', 'Thai tömzsi', 'Thai hosszú', and 'Vietnamese basil'), Ocimum sanctum (green holy basils), Ocimum citrodora (Lemon basil), and Ocimum gratissimum (African and Vana holy basil). The genotypes exhibited significant variations in their morphological growth, essential oil content (EOC), and composition. African basil produced more biomass (408.3 g/plant) and showed robust growth. The sweet basil cultivars clove, licorice, Thai tömzsi, and Thai hosszú also exhibited similar robust growth trends. Vietnamese basil, on the other hand, displayed the lowest fresh biomass of 82.0 g per plant. Both holy basils showed EOC levels below 0.5%, while Mrihani basil stood out with the highest EOC of 1.7%. The predominant constituents of the essential oil among these genotypes comprised estragole, thymol, methyl cinnamate, linalool, and eugenol. In conclusion, this study showed that the genotypes of basil stored in the department's gene bank exhibit a wide range of variability, both within and between species.

The Relations between Students’ Intercultural Communication Competencies and Employability

In today’s globalised world, businesses operate on an international level. Most business and economics graduates will interact with colleagues, clients, and partners from diverse cultural backgrounds. Intercultural competencies are essential for their success and effective collaboration in the labour market. A special questionnaire was compiled to investigate students’ intercultural competencies. Based on the statements and responses of the questionnaire, the examination aimed to establish the principal components of the intercultural communication competencies of the students of a Hungarian university. In the next phase of the research, the principal components served to create student clusters which were analysed from a labour market point of view, focusing on advantages and disadvantages. The crucial question was: which cluster is in demand the most in the labour market? By utilizing a principal component analysis, the dataset was reduced to three key components. Subsequently, to classify the students into groups, a multivariate statistical procedure, i.e., cluster analysis, was used to reveal the structures by clearly considering the similarities of a relatively heterogeneous population and to create a relatively homogeneous subset. The study revealed five distinct student clusters, each with varying advantages and disadvantages for employers. In this context, the Interculturally Active and Open with Good Language Skills cluster proved to be the most competent, with the least ideal collection indisputably being the Interculturally Reluctant in Cooperating cluster. The research underscores the importance of intercultural communication competencies for employees and enriches our understanding of the dynamics between intercultural communication competencies and workforce readiness. Developing these competencies in foreign language classes will significantly facilitate our students’ employment.

The effects of virtual business events on attitudes and behavioural intentions of Generation Z

THE AIMS OF THE PAPER The virtual form of business events has grown in popularity as a result of smart technology. The MICE industry is being challenged by the emergence of a new type of consumer on the business events market: members of Generation Z, who were born in the age of digital technology and some of them are currently enrolled in undergraduate programmes at universities. The relationship between members of Generation Z studying in higher education and virtual events is determined by unique characteristics. This paper focuses on identifying virtual business event challenges from the perspective of undergraduate students, as the younger generation becomes more involved in business events. METHODOLOGY Primary research was conducted among students enrolled in undergraduate economics programmes at two Hungarian universities. Our quantitative research reveals (1) roles in which university students tend to appear at virtual and face-to-face (F2F) business events and (2) lessons drawn regarding the organisation of virtual business events from the perspective of university students. We used an online self-filled questionnaire survey with 556 valid responses. MOST IMPORTANT RESULTS The main characteristic of Generation Z is their high level of knowledge of technology and their dependence on it. The results of the research show that students attend virtual business events as participants and speakers alike and that they find such events at least as useful as F2F business events. Nevertheless, it can be seen that university students represent a business potential for event organisers. Although university students found virtual events to be slightly more efficient, they still consider F2F events important. RECOMMENDATIONS In light of these findings, managerial implications are defined so that they represent innovative technologies and can encourage Generation Z members to become more involved in business events.

Fusarium head blight in wheat: Impact of growing season, wheat variety and nitrogen fertilization under natural infection

AbstractThe fungal genus Fusarium encompasses a diverse group of species responsible for synthesizing mycotoxins, particularly deoxynivalenol, fumonisin, and zearalenone and inducing Fusarium head blight in wheat. The research was undertaken over a period of two consecutive growing seasons (2020 and 2021) on the premises and facilities of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE). The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of growing season, nitrogen fertilization, and wheat variety on Fusarium infection as well as mycotoxin contamination in wheat kernel. Zearalenone was absent throughout the course of the two growing seasons, whereas deoxynivalenol was found solely in 2020. The findings demonstrate that nitrogen fertilization failed to exhibit a statistically significant impact on both Fusarium infection and mycotoxin production. The impact of wheat variety on Fusarium infection and deoxynivalenol was not found to be statistically significant. However, it exerted a significant effect on fumonisin production. The growing season exerted a statistically significant impact on the incidence of Fusarium infection and the ensuing contamination with mycotoxins, attributable to augmented precipitation levels in 2021 compared to 2020, specifically during the flowering period when the spike of wheat is highly susceptible to Fusarium infection.

A Comparative study of the flowering phenology of wild growing geophytes in two different mesoclimatic areas in the Carpathian Basin

Plant phenology - timing of cyclical or seasonal biological events - has proven to be a very sensitive indicator for climate change impacts. The phenology of many plant species has been advanced by warming, with earlier spring species being more sensitive. To understand better the driving factors of the changing phenology we investigated the phenology of different wild growing geophytes in the Carpathian Basin for three consecutive years. The study has been carried out as an ex situ experiment in two different mesoclimatic sites, one in the Gödöllő Botanical Garden of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (average temperature 11,35 °C), other in the Eötvös Loránd University Botanical Garden, Füvészkert in the central part of Budapest (average temperature 13,16 °C). During the experiment 5 replicates of 5 wild growing geophytes were examined. The results show an advance of 3.64 days in Budapest, with strong variation across species. The earliest flowering species didn’t bloom (Galanthus nivalis) or died (Eranthis hyemalis) by the 3rd year in the site Budapest. If global warming continues, this advance and negative effects on wild growing plant species might be more serious in the future.

The Impact of Language Socialization on the Linguacultural and Motivational Profiles of Multilingual Learners

The study discusses how different language socialization (Ochs & Schieffelin, 2017) experiences and processes result in learners’ different linguistic and cultural backgrounds affecting their attitudes toward language learning, their self-perception as language learners, and ultimately their motivation to learn languages. Data were collected via linguistic autobiographies written by 14 students who came from five different countries in a multicultural classroom at a Hungarian university. The content analysis of the rich textual data pointed out a sharp contrast between the socialization of Hungarian and international students resulting in two distinct linguacultural and language learning motivational profiles. Exposure to multiple linguacultures (Risager, 2005) during socialization in the contexts of home, ethnic/multicultural communities, or sojourn generates positive attitudes toward language learning and favorable self-images as language learners. This makes learners more likely to take up additional languages in their spare time in addition to languages learned at school and enables them to move smoothly between different cultures and use their languages in authentic cultural contexts with ease. The results corroborated the inherent connection between choice, autonomy, motivation, and identity in second language acquisition (SLA). Learner testimonies pinpointed the changed status of English and German in Europe and in the world resulting in increased motivation to learn English for various reasons at the expense of German learning. In short, the findings revealed that the linguacultural vitality of a language as an environmental factor and learners’ choice to learn a language along with their desire to fulfil themselves via the chosen language as learner-internal factors greatly impact the success of SLA.

The Role of a Landscape Rehabilitation Student Project in Current Landscape Education - Healing Urbanization’s Footprint

Abstract The Giurgeului Depression has been significantly impacted by human intervention, resulting in numerous scars on the landscape. A comprehensive rehabilitation plan is imperative for the Suseni quarry area to restore its natural features. This initiative, spearheaded by the local council and municipality, collaborates with the Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania’s Department of Horticulture and the Babeș-Bolyai University’s Faculty of Biology and Geology. They’ve launched a research scholarship program for students focused on a research and landscape rehabilitation plan tender within Suseni’s administrative region. Large scars created by human activities, adjacent to a valuable natural environment, significantly alter the natural landscape features and are detrimental to the visual and ecological relationship systems. Those need urgent rehabilitation. Student projects serves as a potential model for transforming natural landscapes affected by human actions. It aims to teach landscape design through experimental approaches, aligning with modern research-driven design methods for strategic planning. Moreover, it seeks to enhance student projects for practical implementation by local authorities, contributing positively to the area’s ecosystem and landscape. Much has already been taken from this landscape, and it is now time to give something back to the area, the local ecosystem, and the landscape.

Influence of temperature and variety on seed germination of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr) at different germination times

Seed germination is an important stage in crop development that affects plant performance, crop yield, and quality. Many factors influence seed germination, and one of the most important factors is temperature. The closer the temperature is to the optimum, the faster germination will occur. Temperature affects seed germination in various plants and varies depending on the variety. Therefore, the effect of temperature on seed germination is necessary to investigate, also for soybean varieties. Soybean is one of the world's most valuable oil-seed crops. Generally, proper seedling establishment and germination of soybean seeds are crucial processes in the survival and growth cycle of the crop. Thus, a study was done to investigate the influence of temperature and variety on soybean seed germination at different times after sowing. The experiment was carried out at the Institute of Agronomy, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE), Crop Production Laboratory. Seeds of two soybean varieties were subjected to three different temperatures: 15, 25, and 35 °C, and two soybean varieties, Martina and Johanna were tested. There were four germination times based on the days after sowing: Days 3, 5, 7, and 9. This experiment was set up with a completely randomized block design and four replications. According to the findings of this study, the Martina variety showed a better germination rate as well as higher vigor and viability than the Johanna variety in the first 12 days after sowing. At temperatures of 15 °C and 25 °C, both varieties achieved comparable percentages of viability, but they were more vigorous at 25 °C due to better total seedling length. Thus, the information gained from this study will indirectly determine and confirm the proper temperature for the initial growth of the Martina and Johanna varieties.

Language Attitudes and Policy Preferences: Insights From International Scholarship Applicants to Hungarian Universities

Abstract This study examined the attitudes of individuals seeking scholarships to study abroad, exploring whether their views on languages and language policy models vary based on gender, study programs, and countries. An online survey was administered to approximately 130 Hungarian government scholarship applicants from diverse nations. Statistical methods were employed to analyze responses, revealing variations and correlations between demographic and attitudinal variables. Participants expressed preferences for multilingual and monolingual language policies, aligning with their attitudes. The findings indicate that most participants pursued language learning with instrumental motivation, aiming to achieve educational and career objectives. Most participants expressed a desire for a multilingual language policy model in their home countries. While many embraced the proposal to adopt English as the medium of instruction, others maintained a critical perspective, acknowledging both the positive and negative impacts of English and multilingualism. Additionally, participants underscored the significance of preserving native languages in their respective countries.

Academic essay writing in an English medium instruction environment: Indonesian graduate students’ experiences at Hungarian universities

Academic writing is a key indicator of academic success in higher education, and high-quality academic text production may pose a great challenge to L2 English students within the framework of English-Medium Instruction (EMI). In Higher Education, one of the genres students are most frequently required to master is the academic essay. This small-scale qualitative study focuses on Indonesian graduate students' challenges when writing high-stakes academic essays in Hungarian EMI environments. The investigation aims to discover what challenges this environment poses to Indonesian students, with a specific focus on in-class and out-of-class support. The participants were four Indonesian graduate students required to write academic essays at Social Sciences Faculties of Hungarian universities. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed by applying the technique of qualitative coding. Findings indicate that the extent and quality of support students receive at institutional and subject course levels has a profound influence on academic essay writing achievements. A major implication is that offering courses in English academic writing and providing access to e-library, ensuring subject teachers' sufficient English proficiency levels and pedagogical skills, clarifying the content and requirements of essay assignments as soon as possible, and providing guidance and training regarding secondary research and online writing tools can effectively contribute to the development of students’ English academic essay writing skills.

Sustainable Aspects of Startups among Generation Z—Motivations and Uncertainties among Students in Higher Educations

While technology is developing rapidly, natural resources are being exploited with more and more factories. Global environmental problems draw attention to the issue of sustainability as a warning sign. In this situation, encouraging the development of green innovative technologies and supporting green startups has become particularly important. Sustainable development is an important goal for every country, and it means a global competitive advantage if the given country supports the spread of green technologies. It is therefore the responsibility of leading politicians to create an enabling economic environment to encourage young people to become conscious, green-minded entrepreneurs. In this study, we delve into the driving factors compelling young individuals to venture into entrepreneurship. This exploration combines both quantitative and qualitative research methods. A cohort of 280 Hungarian university students participated in an online questionnaire survey as part of the quantitative segment, while the qualitative research component involved scrutinizing young people’s perspectives on enterprises and startups through focus group discussions. The research aims to unveil the motivations and primary concerns of Z-generation university students when contemplating entrepreneurship, as well as their perspectives on the significance of sustainability in this context. The outcomes of this study could serve as a catalyst for the establishment of more environmentally-conscious and sustainable businesses and startups.

Medical Texts and Their Translation in Translator Training

Abstract With the development of medicine, the demand for the translation of medical texts has increased significantly. Translations play an important role in disseminating medical knowledge and new medical discoveries and are vital in the provision of health services to foreigners, tourists, or minorities. Translating medical texts requires a variety of skills. In our study, we assess the extent to which translation and interpretation students at Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania are able to translate medical texts from English into their mother tongue (Hungarian) and Romanian (the official language of the country). With the purpose of curriculum development, we examine whether the lack of medical knowledge affects the work of translators and what strategies can be used in translation in the absence of this expertise. We also examine our students’ attitude related to translating medical texts and becoming a medical translator.

The Decision to Study Abroad at Hungarian University

Globalisation is driving the internationalisation of higher education, promoting open access to universities, enhancing educational programs with an international focus, and stronger presence in the international higher education market. Thus, globalisation stimulates the internationalisation of universities. For universities to attract international students successfully, it is necessary to understand general issues regarding the decision-making process. The study aims to analyse the benefits of studying abroad at a Hungarian university among international students. To fulfil the aim of this study, a questionnaire was administered to 100 international students, aged 18 to 38. The study results showed that international students had been looking for benefits while studying abroad, such as personal development, cultural experience, career prospects, and the possibility of travelling. Some benefits were also related to social and economic factors such as access to unique courses and knowledge, positive country image, safety situation, and affordable living costs in Hungary. The decision to study at a Hungarian university was made according to such benefits, including a desired program of study, comfortable facilities, flexible schedule, admission criteria, opportunity to improve English language skills, good reputation of the university, European degree, supportive environment, related costs, and future career prospects. At the same time, different age groups of international students considered the importance of benefits differently. Also, different groups of international students based on perceived social family status paid attention to different benefits. The findings of this study can be used for the promotion of Hungarian universities internationally to attract more international students with benefits that they look for when studying abroad.

Semmelweis Caring University Model Program: A Holistic Approach to Promoting Healthy Ageing through a Longitudinal Cohort Study, Preventive Services and Workplace Health Promotion

Abstract Hungary is facing an alarming public health situation due to the unhealthy ageing of its population, calling for innovative and effective approaches to promote healthy ageing. This presentation showcases the Semmelweis Caring University Model Program, a unique and holistic program developed by the leading health sciences university in Hungary to address this societal challenge. The program serves as a model for the ongoing primary care reform, which incorporates preventive services, the first study to address determinants of unhealthy ageing in Hungary, and includes a workplace-based health promotion program that could be implemented nationally. The Semmelweis Caring University Model Program aims to promote the health and wellbeing of its 8500 employees and provides potential answers to the unfavorable public health situation in Hungary. The Semmelweis Study, a longitudinal occupational cohort of university employees, investigates the complex relationships between lifestyle, environmental, and occupational risk factors and the development and progression of chronic age-associated diseases. Data is collected through computer-assisted questionnaires, physical health examination, physiological measurements, biomarker assessment and data linkage to national registers. The results of the Semmelweis Study inform the development of the Centre of Preventive Services (CPS), which provides health risk assessment, screening, and counseling services to employees, with medical specialists in preventive medicine and primary care, public health professionals, dieticians, physiotherapists, and psychologists. The CPS units also serve as practical training sites for medical and health sciences students. The Semmelweis Workplace Health Promotion Program is a personalized public health model program that utilizes infrastructure and human resources of Semmelweis University to encourage healthy behaviors and environments in the workplace, with a potential for nationwide implementation.

3.K. Workshop: Challenges and opportunities for healthy ageing in Europe in the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing

Abstract With 19% of its population above 60, Europe is experiencing a rapid increase in ageing demographics, which presents unique challenges and opportunities for healthcare systems and society as a whole. The WHO document on ‘Healthy Ageing’ emphasizes that developing and maintaining functional ability enables older people to remain a resource to their families, communities, and economies, representing a paradigm shift where healthy ageing is viewed as an opportunity rather than a challenge to society. Basic science breakthroughs in geroscience have revolutionized how we think about ageing in biological terms and raised the question of how to translate these discoveries into public health practice to enhance programmes promoting healthy ageing. There is growing recognition that a causal relationship exists between biological mechanisms of ageing and pathogenesis of diverse age-related diseases. Experimental studies have identified interventions, including dietary interventions, that delay biological ageing, extend lifespan, and delay/prevent several age-related diseases. To promote healthy ageing, public health research must consider advancements in geroscience and develop interventions that target fundamental ageing processes, such as lifestyle risk factors, using newly developed biomarkers of ageing, while keeping cellular and molecular mechanisms of ageing in mind. This workshop provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities for healthy ageing in Europe, with a focus on the targets of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing. The objectives are to provide an overview of novel discoveries in ageing research and their impact on public health practices, examine specific issues related to unhealthy ageing in Europe, showcase a holistic programme developed by a leading health sciences university in Hungary to promote healthy ageing, which integrates academic research, education, and health services with a focus on preventive interventions, and contextualize these discussions within the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing. The added value of the workshop lies in bringing together experts and stakeholders from different fields to exchange knowledge and experience, promote collaboration, and identify practical solutions to improve healthy ageing in Europe. The coherence between the presentations lies in their common focus on promoting healthy ageing and their relevance to the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing. The workshop format includes oral presentations and interactive discussions, providing a platform for participants to engage with each other and share their perspectives and insights. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities for healthy ageing in Europe and be able to identify practical steps to address them within the framework of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing. Key messages • To promote healthy aging, a holistic approach is needed that considers geroscience discoveries and lifestyle, environmental, and occupational risk factors for age-related diseases. • Studies on policies promoting healthy aging, including preventive services, workplace health promotion, and integrated care are needed, with the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing providing a framework.

Cognitive and non-cognitive predictors of academic success in higher education: a large-scale longitudinal study

ABSTRACT How important are learning strategies or personal attributes for learning outside of domain-specific knowledge or twenty-first-century transversal skills when predicting academic success in higher education? To address this question, we conducted a longitudinal study among 1,681 students at one of the leading universities in Hungary. Students took four tests and questionnaires when they entered the university. They measured knowledge from their previous studies (reading and mathematics), twenty-first-century skills like problem-solving and non-cognitive variables in learning strategies, motivation and attitudes. In the next five years, we followed their academic progress with the aim of detecting cognitive and non-cognitive predictors of academic success toward obtaining a degree and developing training programmes for the most important predictors to boost the probability of academic success. The overarching model, which was controlled for students’ socio-economic background, determined 18.4% of the variance in later academic success. Domain-specific knowledge from previous studies and learning motivation emerged as the strongest predictor, learning strategies proved to be the most stable of the other mediating factors as an independent predictor, and twenty-first-century transversal skills proved to be unimportant in earning a university degree. Results highlight the importance of transforming higher education so that it is consistent with the expectations of the twenty-first-century labour market, a future-fit education in Hungary.

Effects of Seed Quality and Hybrid Type on Maize Germination and Yield in Hungary

After wheat and rice, maize is one of the most significant cereal crops worldwide. However, high-quality seed materials are prerequisites for stable yields, and low-quality maize seeds significantly contribute to low yields and deteriorate over time. Therefore, the present investigation aims to investigate the effects of seed quality and hybrid types on maize germination by emphasizing seed viability and vigor and their impact on maize crops’ overall performance and productivity. The study was separately conducted in the laboratory and on a field experiment plot under the Department of Crop Production, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, in spring 2022. Nine parental lines, six hybrids, and a controlled hybrid were tested in this study. The studies were laid out using a complete randomization design (CRD) and a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in the laboratory and in the field. The results of the study showed that there was a statistically significant difference between genotypes and number of days and their interaction in seed vigor. The parental lines showed better performance in terms of germination percentage and radicle elongation, whereas single-cross hybrids (SC) produced better plumule length. The radicle and plumule length also expanded significantly as incubation days increased. In field evaluations, as expected, hybrid lines produced better performance than parental lines, and SC hybrids were more prevalent than the other hybrids. In addition, the number of rows per ear, number of kernels per ear, 1000-kernel weight, and ear weight directly affected the final grain yield. However, further research is needed on new approaches that can assist researchers in advancing their work by considering biotic and abiotic factors to address seed-quality issues and enhance yield production.

Mobile devices in Hungarian university statistical education

The methodological renewal of university statistics education has been continuous for the last 30 years. During this time, the involvement of technology tools in learning statistics played an important role. In the Introduction, we emphasize the importance of using technological tools in learning statistics, also referring to international research. After that, we firstly examine the methodological development of university statistical education over the past three decades. To do this, we analyze the writings of statistics teachers teaching at various universities in the country. To assess the use of innovative tools, in the second half of the study, we briefly present an online questionnaire survey of students in tertiary economics and an interview survey conducted with statistics teachers.
 Subject Classification: 97-01, 97U70, 87K80

Multilingualism, culture, museum learning

AbstractLanguage difficulties can be a problem for foreign students studying in Hungary: they see as Hungarians do not speak foreign languages, which hinders the well-being of foreigners. At the same time, students studying at Hungarian universities also have different cultural expectations: it is important for them to gain cultural experiences, expand their knowledge of Hungarian culture and history. Classical public cultural institutions, such as museums, can be perfect places to learn about the culture and history of a country.The aim of this study is to introduce our research findings whether foreigner students studying at the University of Szeged have to face these problems. Our goal is to find out how important it is to them to get to know Hungarian culture, and whether they think about museums from this point of view and what kinds of language barriers do they have. In our study, we present the results of focus group research with foreign students studying at the University of Szeged.The results show that the students who took part in the research had language difficulties in Hungary which has affected their knowledge of Hungarian culture and history. They don't usually go to museums to gain more information but they think museums can be great places for this purpose although the students have problems with museums' multilingual aspects.We have come to the conclusion that foreign students are interested in Hungarian culture but the language barriers are building walls between them and the museums.

Exploring social problem-solving profiles among Hungarian high school and university students

Treating social problem-solving as a construct comprised of a number of components enables us to examine patterns formed by the components. However, variable-centered research has paid little attention to exploring these patterns to date. A person-centered approach may enable us to identify distinct profiles for groups. Our study aimed to investigate whether it is possible to establish homogeneous profiles for groups based on social problem-solving factors (positive and negative orientation, rationality, impulsivity, and avoidance). Furthermore, the study sought to explore whether there is any difference among these groups regarding self-efficacy, a fundamental component of social problem-solving. We used cluster analysis to examine social problem-solving and self-efficacy among 543 Hungarian secondary school students and 277 Hungarian university students. We identified three homogeneous groups that had shared characteristics in the two age samples (optimistic–hasty; optimistic–reflective; resigned–procrastinator). Four further groups were identified among adolescents (resigned–distancer; insecure–reflective; insecure–hasty; resigned–brooder); and an additional three among young adults (optimistic–modest; tense–hasty; tense–reflective). The relationships among the social problem-solving factors and self-efficacy differed among the profiles. Taking into account the profiles explored in this study may help identify groups that need improvement, and contribute to interventions being better suited to the needs of a particular group.