Psychology Programs Research Articles

Influence of Perceived Organisational Support on the Dimensions of Psychological Well-being of Police Personnel in Nigeria

Psychological well-being of police personnel may be dependent on the kind of support they received in the organisation, especially in the heat of challenges and stress encountered in the course of performing their duties. Against this backdrop, this study investigated how the levels of perceived organisational support (low, moderate and high) influence the dimensions (control of self and events, happiness, social involvement, self-esteem, mental balance and sociability) and overall psychological well-being of police personnel in Nigeria. Purposive, proportionate, and accidental sampling techniques were used to select 1193 police personnel (652 males; 541 females) from two states in Nigeria. Their ages ranged from 24 to 59 years with a mean age of 38.08 years (SD = 8.27). They responded to measures of perceived organisational support and psychological well-being. Results of the One-way ANOVA and Bonferroni’s post hoc analyses showed that perceived organisational support significantly influenced all the dimensions of psychological well-being, except mental balance, such that police personnel who had high level of perceived organisational support  had higher control of self and events, happier, socially more involving, had higher positive evaluation of themselves, more sociable, and higher overall psychological well-being than those who had moderate or low level of perceived organisational support. This study recommends that police organisations and the supervisory agencies should institute psychological programs that target and improve the dimensions, with special focus on mental balance, and overall psychological well-being of police personnel.

Adapting to Thrive: How the Evolution of Brain Physiology Shapes Human Behavior

In this paper we analyze diverse theories about the workings of the mind and the evolutionary trajectory of brain physiology, giving rise to species-typical mechanisms in human cognition. Evolutionary psychology has shed light on how a computational theory of the mind elucidates the development of specialized psychological programs, enhancing our fitness based on ancestral conditions. An example of such adaptation is the expansion of the prefrontal cortex relative to body size, particularly among primates. This enlargement fosters the formation of intricate social structures, leading to more extensive groups and refined social dynamics. Interestingly, this positive link between brain size and social structure holds true for both humans and non-human primates. Recent strides in neuroscience and brain technology have enabled us to uncover the primary brain regions influencing social cognition, executive function, and emotional processing. Brain areas including the frontal lobe, prefrontal cortex, insular cortex, cingulate cortex, hypothalamus, and others intricately shape learning, emotion regulation, and decision-making processes. Therefore, the evidence for the evolutionary theory of the mind and its implications for behavioral neuroscience are undeniable.

Teachers’ Perspective on the Applicability of Neuro-linguistic Programming to Address EFL Learners’ Speaking Anxiety (Case of the Universities in Georgia)

Effective communication skill has gained a huge priority on every path of an individual’s life and in a professional context. Speaking in the target language helps learners to create the context and produce the language. Anxiety encountered while speaking in a foreign language is one of the major factors that may lead to preventing the learners from achieving academic goals and lowering their motivation and self-esteem. The impact of anxiety in foreign language acquisition and speaking performance has been widely researched, while the implementation of NLP (Neuro-linguistic programming) in EFL classes in order to address speaking anxiety has not been investigated sufficiently. The teachers’ awareness of NLP techniques in foreign language classrooms in order to address anxiety is not explored as well. The primary objective of the current paper was to explore the applicability of NLP techniques in EFL classes for reducing learners’ speaking anxiety. The paper also attempted to explore EFL teachers’ awareness of the topic under investigation. Participants of the study were 61 EFL teachers at the universities in Georgia. According to the research findings, teachers are familiar with NLP techniques at some level and most frequently use Modeling, Visualization, and Rapport. They also showed a positive attitude towards further implementation of NLP techniques. Overall, the current paper revealed that teachers need to be equipped with practical tools for implementing NLP techniques in EFL classrooms to address speaking anxiety among learners. A more thorough examination of the topic under investigation is also strongly recommended.

Making Psychological Literacy an Integral Part of the Psychology Bachelor Curriculum: Exploring Teacher Experiences and Student Views

To promote psychological literacy (PL) in our bachelor psychology teaching, over recent years we have implemented various modifications to our curriculum at the Utrecht University psychology bachelor program, with a focus on the societal application of psychology knowledge. To support psychology programs around the world in integrating PL in their curriculum, knowledge about experiences may offer valuable suggestions for future initiatives. We therefore aim to share our experiences in implementing PL-related courses in our curriculum. We systematically explored teachers’ and students’ views and experiences, using course evaluations and questionnaires. Results showed that both teachers and students value PL as a learning objective for psychology teaching. However, they were often unaware of these learning objectives (students) or felt not enough attention was being paid to them (teachers). Teachers encountered several obstacles while integrating PL in their teaching, relating to aspects such as a lack of an explicit focus on these objectives, and felt ability. Teachers offer valuable suggestions related to being explicit about definition and goals, implementing learning trajectories, and training teachers. We discuss the main practical considerations and highlight issues of motivation and assessment that may guide future research in this area.

The Efficiency of Psychological Cognitive-behavioral Program for Developing Psychosocial Integration among ISIS Survivors

The Efficiency of Psychological Cognitive-behavioral Program for Developing Psychosocial Integration among ISIS Survivors

Metabolic effects of colour- and odour-induced sweetness enhancement

Can the mere expectation of drinking a sweeter beverage induce changes in taste perception and blood metabolism? Recent evidence has shown that sweetness perception can be altered by other senses, such as vision, audition, and olfaction. However, it is still unclear whether such crossmodal influences have a physiological basis. The present study examined how subjective mental states, such as the expectation of drinking a sweeter beverage due to colour and odour associations, may influence taste perception and metabolism. Twenty-seven healthy participants consumed two beverages containing identical sucrose and citric acid concentrations but altered in colour and aroma, namely a green, lemon-flavoured beverage and a red, strawberry-flavoured beverage. On average, the strawberry manipulation resulted in significantly higher sweetness ratings and lower sourness ratings compared to the lemon manipulation, although there were clear individual differences in the direction of sweetness enhancement. Blood glucose and insulin levels measured at −15, 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60 and 90 min after consumption showed no direct difference between the two beverage conditions. However, we found a significant indirect effect of perceived sweetness on insulin release, whereby consuming the beverage perceived to be sweeter resulted in higher overall levels of insulin release compared to the beverage that was less sweet. These results show a partial role of subjective sweetness perception influencing metabolism in accordance with an anticipatory budging model, suggesting that psychological intervention programs may be important for diabetes and metabolic syndrome management.

Are Training Programs Addressing Anti-Black Racism and White Supremacy? A Descriptive Analysis

Counseling psychology increasingly centers addressing and dismantling anti-Black racism and White supremacy among its values. It is unclear, however, whether training programs are attending to antiracist paradigm shifts. We conducted a study of counseling psychology programs’ attention to antiracism and White supremacy. Students and faculty in counseling psychology programs were asked to complete an online survey. Faculty were also asked to submit multicultural course syllabi. Qualitative results demonstrate that syllabi ( N = 29) generally do not reflect modern antiracist paradigms. Both faculty and student participants ( N = 179) rate their programs as above-average on social justice and antiracism commitments, social justice program norms, and multicultural training, but students ( n = 127) observed greater discrepancies between what their programs claim to do and what their programs actually do; and, faculty ( n = 52) rate their programs more positively than students. There also appeared to be individual-level differences in ethnic-racial identity, such that White students were more critical of Whiteness.

Presence of meaning in life mediates the effects of gratitude and caring for bliss on flourishing in college students: a three-wave longitudinal study

ABSTRACT The well-being of college students is critical to their academic engagement and achievement. This study therefore investigated a mechanism - presence of meaning in life – that might account for the associations between gratitude and caring for bliss and an indicator of well-being, flourishing, using a longitudinal design. Participants were 402 students from the United States who completed questionnaires at three time points over the course of approximately 12 weeks. Gratitude and caring for bliss at time 1 predicted the presence of meaning in life at time 2, which, in turn, predicted flourishing at time 3 controlling for the presence of meaning in life at time 1 and flourishing at time 2. In addition, the presence of meaning in life at time 2 mediated the associations between gratitude and caring for bliss at time 1 and flourishing at time 3. These findings can help refine positive psychology programs to promote students’ well-being.

Real-world evaluation of an acceptance and commitment therapy–based group programme for breast cancer survivors with fear of cancer recurrence

PurposeTo evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of a 6-week acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)–based group programme on participants’ fear of cancer recurrence (FCR), quality of life (QoL), psychological distress and psychological flexibility at the end of the programme and 12-week follow-up.MethodsA one-group, post-test service evaluation of a real-world psychological programme was carried out to evaluate collected outcome measures and attendance for a total of 21 groups facilitated between 2017 and 2019. Participants were breast cancer survivors who attended a 6-week group programme led by NHS clinicians. Descriptive statistics and repeated measures ANOVA analyses were carried out for each outcome measure. Attendance levels were examined to assess acceptability.ResultsA total of 97 group participants who had completed curative treatment for breast cancer took part. Of whom, 89% completed at least 4 of the 6 weekly group sessions and 76% attended the 12-week follow-up session. Eighty-four (87%) participants returned outcome measures at all three time points relative to group participation (T1 = pre, T2 = post T3 = 12-week follow-up). Group participants were female, mean age 51.9 years. FCR was highest at T1 (mean 25.2, SD 4.7), reduced T2 (mean 21.2, SD 5.4) and further lowered T3 (mean 19.5, SD 6.2). This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). QoL was lowest at T1 (mean 62.4, SD 15.7), increased T2 (mean 71.7, SD 18.1) and further increased at T3 (mean 75.9, SD 17.5). This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Psychological distress measures were shown to reduce, and psychological flexibility increased.ConclusionsThis real-world evaluation of an ACT-based group programme led to improvements in FCR, QoL, psychological distress and psychological flexibility in this population. This evaluation provides basis for further investigation to determine if these results can be replicated by controlled research design across diverse populations.

Prevalencia y factores de riesgo de depresión y ansiedad en trabajadores de salud de primera línea en la pandemia de COVID-19 en Bucaramanga y su área metropolitana

Introduction: The rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide has created a health emergency leading to overloading health systems and exposing the personnel who work in these health institutions to stressors that impact their physical and emotional health. Available information on conditions caused by viral outbreaks and previous pandemics indicates that healthcare workers and others on the front lines are at increased risk of infection and various adverse outcomes. Objective: To establish the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms and associated factors in frontline care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bucaramanga and its Metropolitan Area, Santander, Colombia. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study. The outcomes were symptoms of anxiety and depression assessed with the Hopkins Checklist-25 Scale (HSCL-25) questionnaire. The prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms was calculated, and bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression. Results: A total of 1118 participants were included. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms was 5.55% (95% CI 4.27-7.05), depression 4.56% (95% CI 3.41-5.95), and both 7.42% (95% CI 5.95-9.12). In the bivariate analysis, seven factors were associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression, however, only four of them remained in the multivariate model: marital status OR: 2.65 (95% CI 1.17-5.98); obesity (OR: 3.21 ,95% CI 1.67-6.17); “someone in your household has been diagnosed with COVID-19” (OR: 2.28 ,95% CI 1.39-3.76) and “has symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 14 days” (OR: 2.09 ,95% CI 1.25-3.50). Conclusions: The prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression was lower than that reported in other studies. However, it is important to continue taking these symptoms into account and, as necessary, conduct an intervention with psychological support programs by mental health specialists.

ANALYSIS OF STUDIES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL PECULIARITIES OF STUDENT YOUTH IN THE CONDITIONS OF WAR

The purpose of the article is to analyze studies of the psychological peculiarities of student youth in the context of social processes related to the Russian-Ukrainian war. The implementation of this research objective is based on the usage of a set of theoretical methods - analysis, synthesis, generalization, and modeling. It has been determined that the actual directions of scientific research on this issue are the study of the emotional sphere of young people, adaptation to military conditions of students, and their psychological characteristics in the context of distance learning. It has been determined that the emotional sphere of students is characterized by anxiety, depression, predominance of verbal aggression, and irritability. The factors of student stress are various and depend on the specific course of hostilities. Adaptation to the educational process in the conditions of war is complicated by the loss of motivation to study, lack of systemic psychological assistance, and potential discrimination. Conditions of wartime change attitudes toward the chosen profession which can potentially change the evaluation of personal future. It has been determined that the key changes in the conditions of war are carried out in such mental phenomena of student youth as the emotional sphere, motivation to study, professional self-awareness, and professional orientation. The practical value of the obtained results consists in the substantiation of planning and implementation of psychological assistance programs for higher education students. Prospects for further research on the problem are seen in planning and conducting empirical studies of the cognitive, emotional, and communicative spheres of student youth in conditions of war.

Internet technologies in the psychological rehabilitation of patients with cardiovascular diseases: literature review

The review includes an analysis of the literature sources PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and eLibrary databases for the last 5 years (20182022) and the current year 2023 concerning Internet technologies used in the psychological rehabilitation of patients with cardiovascular diseases. Several options for using the Internet in the psychological rehabilitation of patients with cardiovascular diseases are considered, including online resources for interactive information exchange and psychological support, Internet-based psychoeducation, online programs for improving psychological state, and remote psychocorrection. Modern Internet technologies are becoming increasingly important in patients with cardiovascular diseases, opening up new avenues for implementing psychological rehabilitation programs in cardiorehabilitation. Because of its accessibility and effectiveness in lowering anxiety and depressive symptoms, Internet programs based on cognitive behavioral psychotherapy are increasingly being used to improve the psychological state of patients with cardiovascular diseases. The use of Internet technologies in the psychological rehabilitation of patients with cardiovascular diseases helps patients adhere to cardiac rehabilitation. The results show the importance of incorporating Internet technologies into the psychological rehabilitation of patients with cardiovascular diseases and the need for further research to comprehensively study existing and developing new options for using the Internet in psychological rehabilitation.

Social support and self-concept clarity as mediators between college students’ passive social network site use and loneliness

The current study tested the mediating roles of social support and self-concept clarity in the relationship between passive social network site use and loneliness. A total of 709 undergraduate students (females = 44.15%, mean age = 19.10, SD = 0.95) completed the Passive Social Network Questionnaire, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Self-Concept Clarity Scale as well as the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Latent variables structural equation modelling analysis indicated that passive social network site use was negatively associated with loneliness. Social support and self-concept clarity significantly mediated the relationship between passive social network site use and loneliness, reducing the risk for loneliness, and with sequential mediating effects of social support and self-esteem. This study’s findings suggest that the passive use of social networking sites can help students gain more social support, improve self-concept clarity, and in turn reduce loneliness. Increasing social support and enhancing self-concept clarity through psychological intervention programmes may be an effective way to reduce individual loneliness.

Substantiation of strategies for individual psychological support of basketball players

The purpose of the study is to determine the effectiveness of individualized psychological strategies developed for basketball players aged 12-14 years and aimed at improving their sports competence. Material and methods. The study was conducted among 24 basketball players aged 12 to 14 years. Participants were divided into the main group (MG) and the control group (CG). Athletes from the MG took part in a remote psychological support program. To evaluate the effectiveness of psychological support strategies, the "Self-perceptions for children: manual and questionnaires" method was used according to the standardized procedure outlined in the original manual by Susan Harter (2012). Written consent from the parents of the participants was obtained before the survey, ensuring that their data would be processed confidentially and used only within the scope of the research. Young athletes were asked to complete a questionnaire covering aspects of their self-perception of sporting achievements, social perception, academic competence, physical fitness, overall self-esteem, and more. Within the framework of the individual trajectory of psychological support, athletes from the MG participated in remote sessions where developed individualized psychological support strategies were employed. It has been demonstrated that individual and group psychological strategies, developed based on contemporary theories and scientific research, effectively enhance the self-perception and social skills of young basketball players aged 12-14 years. It is substantiated that the use of remote technologies, such as video conferences and chats, allows for an individualized approach to each player, even at a distance, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the psychological support program. It has been proven that the integration of modern theories of self-regulation, positive thinking, and other psychological approaches into the practice of psychological support for young athletes contributes to overcoming internal barriers and achieving new heights in sports performance. The analysis highlights the importance of an individualized approach in psychological support, emphasizing its role as a key factor in the development and self-realization strategies of athletes.

Evaluating mentoring programs in health service psychology: An example of the society of pediatric psychology mentoring project.

Evaluating mentoring programs in health service psychology: An example of the society of pediatric psychology mentoring project.

Comprehensive and qualifying examinations: A qualitative review of APA-accredited doctoral psychology programs.

Comprehensive and qualifying examinations: A qualitative review of APA-accredited doctoral psychology programs.

25 The Hybrid Learning Environment During Covid-19: A Case Study on IEP Implementation for a Student with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Objective:An effective support system for families with children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) consists of multiple methods of educational and therapeutic delivery. Such methods are adapted to meet a family’s needs and needs of the time, like the COVID-19 pandemic. Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) are established by schools to support success in academics for children with ASD. IEPs can vary depending on the district and accessibility, thus, the effective implementation and communication between this support system is important for its success. The current case study examines academic and therapeutic outcomes of an IEP implementation during hybrid learning of a child with ASD and their family.Participants and Methods:Purposeful sampling identified a participant from a previous IRB approved study through the UNLV Educational Psychology program that interviewed parents on their remote learning experience. A qualitative case study was applied to further investigate student outcomes. Parent interview and the child’s progress report were coded and analyzed systematically. The identified family included correspondence from the mother (Lisa, 37) and her son (Noah, 9). Noah attended third grade at a Charter School and was diagnosed with ASD in 2019. His IEP included 80% in General Education (online) with Special Education assistance (in person; reading, writing, and mathematics) and Occupational (OT), Speech/Language (SLP), and Physical Therapy (PT) (hybrid).Results:Noah began hybrid learning in October 2020, with in-person learning two days a week and remote learning everyday for two to three hours each day. Progress report and interview were collected in April 2021 at the halfway point of his IEP implementation which described Noah’s current special education and therapy services goals/outcomes in March 2021. This included 11 goals that were observed and assessed in OT (2), PT(2), Reading (2), Writing (1), Math (2), and SLP (2). Noah progressed in 9 of 11 goals, with 1 being met and 8 classified as satisfactory by displaying some improvement in respective skills mid year. The remaining OT (2) goals showed no definitive conclusion. Lisa mentioned that lack of direct observation of particular skills and too many online classes to attend led to inconclusive outcomes. Lisa and Noah came across difficulties while engaging in OT online sessions encountering emotional stress when adjusting to the mode of delivery. Lisa expressed positive emotions when referring to the support system and described it as collaborative with adequate attention to multiple aspects of his development. She voiced understanding of her’s and other professionals’ role and the extent of their abilities in the context of the pandemic.Conclusions:Of the 11 IEP goals, there was adequate progress for the child amid hybrid learning. The parent preferred that OT be delivered in person as certain procedures require direct contact and affected outcomes. Hybrid learning has allowed for parents to directly access their children’s endeavors and heighten communication with professionals. This suggests that maintenance of IEP standards can be satisfactory in a hybrid learning model with adequate monitoring from parents and treatment teams for children with ASD.

The psychopharmacology training gap in accredited clinical psychology programs.

The psychopharmacology training gap in accredited clinical psychology programs.

ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТЬ МЕДИКО-ПСИХОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ МЕРОПРИЯТИЙ У ЖЕНЩИН В СИТУАЦИИ РЕПРОДУКТИВНОГО ВЫБОРА

This paper analyzes the effectiveness of medical and psychological measures in women who are in a situation of reproductive choice and who applied for the termination of an unwanted pregnancy. The study was conducted on the basis of the Center for Medical and Social Assistance to Pregnant Women in Difficult Life Situations (GBUZ "MC Dynasty"). Research methods: sociological, analytical, statistical. The study included 151 women aged 16 to 45 years (mean age 32.3+3.4 years) who applied to the medical center for abortion. From January to June 2023, an anonymous monitoring was conducted to study the causes of abortion in this group of women, as well as a study of the relationship between meaningful life orientations and psychological readiness in women who decided to have an abortion. Based on the data obtained, medical and psychological measures were developed and their effectiveness was assessed. Results: the proposed medical and psychological measures can significantly increase the frequency of refusal to terminate a pregnancy, and are recommended for implementation. Out of 151 women who applied to the center for termination of pregnancy and completed the medical and psychological program in full, 38 women changed their decisions in favor of maintaining the pregnancy, which amounted to 25.2%.

The Effect of Virtual Reality-based Psychological Stability Intervention Program on the Respiration Rate and Heart Rate Stability Students with Developmental Disabilities

The Effect of Virtual Reality-based Psychological Stability Intervention Program on the Respiration Rate and Heart Rate Stability Students with Developmental Disabilities