Pro-environmental behavior, personality and emotional intelligence in adolescents: a systematic review

Introduction

Human behavior significantly contributes to environmental problems, making the study of pro-environmental behavior an important task for psychology. In this context, it is crucial to understand the pro-environmental behavior of adolescents, as young people play a fundamental role in facilitating long-term changes in environmental consciousness and encouraging decision-makers to take action. However, little is currently known about the pro-environmental behavior of adolescents. Recently, there has been growing interest in examining the influence of personality traits and emotional intelligence on pro-environmental behavior.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review to enhance our understanding of adolescent pro-environmental behavior. Thus, this systematic review was designed to enhance understanding of adolescent's pro-environmental behavior by summarizing existing evidence on how it relates to personality and emotional intelligence.

Results

Our findings suggest associations between specific personality traits and dimensions of emotional intelligence with adolescent pro-environmental behavior, aligning with similar studies conducted on adults.

Discussion

While our findings offer valuable insights, further research is needed to establish causality and deepen our understanding of the interplay between multiple variables influencing pro-environmental behavior among adolescents.

Systematic review registration

[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023387836], identifier [CRD42023387836].

Dark Personality Traits and Online Behaviors: Portuguese Versions of Cyberstalking, Online Harassment, Flaming and Trolling Scales

The main objective of this study is to assess moderation effects of online behaviors between personality traits and addiction to Internet. To this end, four instruments were validated for Portuguese version through confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory factor analysis (Study 1) Multiple regression analysis was applied to examine the personality predictors of specific online behaviors while controlling for gender and age; and moderation effects were assessed (Study 2). Results showed good psychometric properties for the four validated scales. Machiavellianism is positively associated with all the dimensions of this study. Psychopathy is positively associated with total Cyberstalking, Cyberstalking Control, Flaming and Trolling. Narcissism is positively associated with all the dimensions, except Online Harassment and Flaming. Machiavellianism is positively associated with Addiction to Internet through Cyberstalking, Flaming and Trolling. Psychopathy is positively associated with Addiction to Internet through Cyberstalking Control and Flaming. Narcissism is also positively associated with Addiction to Internet through Cyberstalking and Trolling. This study demonstrates that dimensions of the dark triad of personality play an important role in Internet addiction through online behaviors. The results of this study have theoretical and practical implications: on the one hand, they reinforces the findings of other studies showing that dimensions of the dark personality triad play an important role in Internet and social network addition, contributing to the literature; and, on the other hand, on a practical level, they allow to conduct awareness campaigns in communities, schools, and work to understand that one can be exposed to unpleasant situations due to behaviors that some people with personality traits of Machiavellianism, narcissism and/or psychopathy that may cause problems affecting the mental, emotional and psychological health of others.

Ciberabuso no namoro em estudantes do ensino superior: autoestima e tempo de duração da relação

O aumento da popularidade, quer das novas tecnologias, quer da Internet, tem dado oportunidade ao surgimento de novas formas de violência. O ciberabuso no namoro representa uma nova forma de violência no namoro, tendo o mesmo vindo a ganhar dimensões preocupantes. Assim, este estudo tem como objetivos caraterizar a prevalência do ciberabuso no namoro, estudar a relação entre o ciberabuso no namoro e a autoestima, e averiguar se existem diferenças no ciberabuso no namoro consoante o tempo de duração da relação. Participaram 894 estudantes do ensino superior com idades compreendidas entre os 17 e os 56 anos (M = 21.27, DP = 3.69). Foram aplicados um Questionário Sociodemográfico, o Questionário sobre Ciberabuso no Namoro e a Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que mais de 50% dos participantes sofreram e/ou perpetraram ciberabuso no namoro, verificando-se uma prevalência superior de ciberabuso no namoro por controlo. A autoestima relacionou-se significativamente com alguns fatores desta tipologia de violência, verificando-se ainda que indivíduos que nunca tinham sido vítimas de ciberabuso no namoro, bem como aqueles que nunca tinham perpetrado ciberabuso no namoro, apresentaram uma autoestima mais baixa. Por fim, observou-se que os participantes que estavam há mais tempo numa relação praticaram mais atos de agressão por controlo. Assim, parece pertinente adotar medidas de consciencialização acerca deste fenómeno.

Multicultural competencies training programs for health care staff and health students in academic and professional settings: a scoping review protocol

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the proposed scoping review is to identify training programs in multicultural competencies for health care staff and health students in professional and academic settings.

INTRODUCTION

Cultural competence training for health care professionals is an imperative challenge in today's culturally diverse societies to ensure all people receive equitable and effective health care, particularly those from culturally diverse backgrounds.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

This scoping review will consider literature with adult participants aged ≥ 18 years, health care staff, and health students who may have received or are receiving multicultural competencies training. Literature published since 1960 in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French will be considered for inclusion. Literature will be excluded if reporting multicultural competencies training programs for students outside the health domain or for non-professional high school programs.

METHODS

The search strategy, designed according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, will aim to find both published and unpublished literature. The following electronic databases will be searched: MEDLINE , CINAHL, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Web of Science, Open Access Scientific Repository of Portugal (RCAAP), and Open Grey. Other sites to be searched are ClinicalTrials.gov, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), International Organization for Migration (IOM), and International Migration, Integration and Social Cohesion in Europe (IMISCOE). The screening process will entail two steps carried out by two independent reviewers: firstly, screening by title and abstract; and second ly, by full text. Data will be charted to describe the body of literature according to the review research questions that were defined following the P (population) C (Concept) C (Context) mnemonic. Data will be presented graphically when possible, and accompanied by a narrative that describes the characteristics of the training programs.

The allergic response mediated by fire ant venom proteins

Fire ants are widely studied, invasive and venomous arthropod pests. There is significant biomedical interest in immunotherapy against fire ant stings. However, mainly due to practical reasons, the physiological effects of envenomation has remained poorly characterized. The present study takes advantage of a recently-described venom protein extract to delineate the immunological pathways underlying the allergic reaction to fire ant venom toxins. Mice were injected with controlled doses of venom protein extract. Following sensitization and a second exposure, a marked footpad swelling was observed. Based on eosinophil recruitment and production of Th2 cytokines, we hereby establish that fire ant proteins per se can lead to an allergic response, which casts a new light into the mechanism of action of these toxins.

Adaptação e validação da escala de gestão de conflitos entre professores-alunos

O Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory–II (ROCI-II) é uma escala de avaliação dos estilos de gestão de conflito, nomeadamente, integração, anuência, dominação, evitação e compromisso. Da adaptação e validação da versão Portuguesa deste instrumento, ao contexto escolar, avaliando os estilos de gestão de conflito fizeram parte 745 professores do Ensino Básico e Secundário. Os resultados da análise fatorial confirmatória demonstram o ajustamento da estrutura fatorial original na amostra. A consistência interna das dimensões revela valores adequados. As diversas características psicométricas evidenciam a adequada validade e fiabilidade desta escala, constituindo um bom instrumento para estudos sobre estilos de gestão do conflito.

Inteligência emocional na gestão da disciplina em sala de aula

A ocorrência de comportamentos disruptivos em sala de aula integra um dos piores problemas vivenciados pelos professores atualmente.Este estudo investigou-se a relação entre a inteligência emocional (IE) e a gestão da disciplina na sala de aula. Participaram na investigação 559 professores do Ensino Básico e Secundário. Foram utilizados como instrumentos o Questionário de Competência Emocional, a Escala de Eficácia dos Professores na Gestão da Sala de Aula e uma ficha de dados pessoais e profissionais. Os resultados mostram que os docentes que apresentam mais capacidade para lidar com a emoção demonstram maior gestão da disciplina na sala de aula.

Validation of the School Conflict Negotiation Effectiveness Questionnaire

This research aimed to construct and validate the School Conflict Negotiation Effectiveness Questionnaire (SCNEQ). This objective is both based on the increasing relevance of the area of constructive conflict management in schools and also in the scarcity of instruments that try to measure these dimensions in the educational context. We used two samples of students from middle and high school in two urban public schools, one with 622 students and another with 505, the last one to confirm validation. The results of the samples show values of Cronbach’s alpha of .84 and .87, respectively. The data suggest the feasibility and validity of SCNEQ to assess the construct under study. We consider it relevant to continue the psychometric studies of the scale, so future research should address this topic in depth. Concerning the findings, results of the present study reveal that affective groups statistically differ in their self-reported conflict management styles.

Massage application for occupational low back pain in nursing staff

This is a clinical trial which aims to evaluate the efficiency of massage in the reduction of occupational low back pain, and its influence on the performance of work and life activities for the nursing team. The sample consisted of 18 employees who received seven to eight sessions after their work period. From the Numerical Pain Rating Scale, significant improvements were found between the 3rd and 1st evaluations (p=0.000) and between the 3rd and 2nd (p=0.004), using the Wilcoxon test. Regarding the Oswestry Disability Index, the paired t test showed a statistical difference (p=0.02) between the baseline, with a mean of 21.33% and the second evaluation (18.78%), which was also seen between the second and third evaluation (16.67%). The score for the Handling and Transfer Risk Evaluation Scale was 18 points (medium risk). It is concluded that massage was effective in reducing occupational low back pain, and provided improvement in activities of work and life. Clinical Trials Identifier: NCT01315197.

Antianxiety and antidepressant effects of riparin III from Aniba riparia (Nees) Mez (Lauraceae) in mice

This work presents behavioral effects of methyl ethers of N-(2,6-dihydroxybenzoyl) tyramine (riparin III) isolated from the unripe fruit of Aniba riparia on the open field, elevated plus maze (EPM), rotarod, hole board, barbiturate-induced sleeping time, tail suspension and forced swimming tests in mice. Riparin III was administered intraperitoneally to male mice at single doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg. The results showed that riparin III with both doses had no effects on spontaneous motor activity in mice or in the rotarod test, but decreased the number of grooming and rearing. At the dose of 50 mg/kg, riparin III increased the number of entries in the open arms of the EPM test as compared with control. Similarly, in the hole-board test, both doses increased the number of head dips. There was a reduction on the sleeping latency with both doses and a prolongation of the pentobarbital-induced sleeping time with the dose of 25 mg/kg. In the tail suspension test, similar to imipramine (30 mg/kg), riparin III at the dose of 50 mg/kg presented a reduction in the immobility time. In the forced swimming test, both doses of riparin III decreased the immobility time. These results showed that riparin III potentiated the barbiturate-induced sleeping time and presented antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects.

[Clinical and nutritional aspects in patients with cystic fibrosis: 20 years of follow-up in the Clinical Hospital-Federal University of Minas Gerais (HC-UFMG)]

BACKGROUND

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common severe autosomal recessive disease in caucasian population. The life expectancy of patients with CF has improved dramatically during the past three decades. A better approach to these patients depends on a better knowledge of clinical course and prognosis of CF. The purpose of the present study was to identify aspects clinical and nutritional on admission at Center of CF (HC-UFMG).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Over a period of 20 years 127 patients with CF were admitted, submitted to a systematic protocol and prospectively followed. Data associated with demographic conditions, clinical presentation, nutritional and laboratory findings on admission were studied. The median follow-up was 44 months. The genotype was performed by PCR method. The survival analysis was carried out by Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

The median age at diagnosis was 33 months. Sixty-one per cent of patients at diagnosis had chronic pulmonary and gastrointestinal symptoms. Seventeen patients (16%) were homozygous for DF508 mutation and 30 (28%) were heterozygous. There was a standard prevalence of malnutrition of 63% at diagnosis and of 45% at the end of follow up. Twenty patients (15,7%) died during follow up. The estimated probability of survival after one year from diagnosis was 96% and after five years was 80%.

CONCLUSIONS

CF diagnosis has been later in our country and the survival is shorter than in developed countries. Management of cystic fibrosis in pediatric specializing centers results in a better nutritional state in spite of clinical progression of the disease.

[Influence of the use of Swan-Ganz catheter on the mortality from acute myocardial infarction]

OBJECTIVE

to evaluate the statistical significance of the haemodynamic examination making use of the Swan-Ganz catheter (S-G) on the hospitalary mortality of patients (pts) with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). CONCEPTION: Not randomized, not controlled and retrospective study.

SETTING

Intensive coronary care unit (CCU).

PATIENTS

2562 pts with AMI sequentially admitted to a CCU were studied.

METHODS

The 2562 pts were divided in two groups: Group A--involving 2117 pts not submitted to haemodynamic examination; Group B-constituted by 445 pts (17% of all pts) submitted to haemodynamic examination. All pts admitted to the study were distributed according to the four classes of Killip. The pts included in each Killip class were distributed by the groups A (not catheterized) and B (catheterized). Hospitalary mortalities of the pts included in the global A and B groups, and the mortalities of the patients included in the particular A and B groups in each Killip class were determined. To evaluate the statistical significance of the differences in distributions of the number of pts who survived and who died in each set of A and B groups square chi test was used. Values of p less than 0.05 were considered as statistical significant.

RESULTS

The distributions of the pts who died and who survived during the stay in the hospital by the A and B groups, be it in the total group of patients be it in each Killip class, were not significant different (p greater than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The mortalities of pts with AMI submitted or not to haemodynamic examination with S-G catheter did not significantly differ even in each Killip class, which means that it was not demonstrated a benefit with the S-G catheter use in the pts with AMI. In the presence of this conclusion and considering that retrospective studies must be interpreted with circumspection, it seems necessary to accomplish a prospective randomized and controlled study for evaluation the risk/benefit relation of the haemodynamic examination with the S-G catheter in pts with AMI.

[Role of the systolic time interval in evaluating left ventricular dysfunction]

The systolic time intervals (STI) and specially the PEP/LVET ratio, can be used as noninvasives indexes of left ventricle performance. They can provide effective informations about left ventricle disfunction in situations such as acute myocardial infarction. So we emphasize the estimate of evolution of STI in the same patient more than its comparison with normal values. The measurements of STI proved to be simple and can be repeated serially. We conclude that this is an useful method for the monitoring of cardiac function and the evaluation of the impact of therapy on its course.

[2 cases of acute myocardial infarct complicated by fatal pulmonary embolism]

Two cases of pulmonary embolism with lethal course in the setting of acute myocardial infarction are presented. Both cases are clinically characterized by a late pulmonary embolism occurrence (2nd and 3rd week, respectively), and the presence of a large infarct, heart failure during acute myocardial infarction evolution and the interruption of anticoagulant therapy due to a complication. From the anatomic point of view, both cases had large hearts and very large biventricular infarctions. On the other hand, deep venous plexus constituted the pulmonary embolism origin in one case, and right ventricular thrombosis in the other.