Measurement Invariance of Children’s SEL Competencies

Abstract. Although children use social and emotional learning skills (SEL) across the world, the expression of these skills may vary across cultures and developmental levels. Such variability complicates the process of assessing SEL competencies with consequences for understanding differences in SEL skills and developing interventions. To address these challenges, the current study examined the measurement invariance of translated versions of a brief, multi-informant (Teacher, Parent, Student) measure of SEL skills developed in the US with data from six European countries (Croatia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Portugal, and Romania; n = 10,602; 8,520; 6,611, for the SSIS SEL b – Teacher, Parent, and Student versions, respectively). In addition to cross-country invariance testing, we conducted measurement invariance testing across ages (Primary and Secondary students) for the Teacher and Student forms of the measure. Results revealed a high degree of measurement invariance across countries (Scalar for the Teacher form and Partial Scalar for the Parent and Student form) and developmental levels (Scalar for the Teacher form and Partial Scalar for the Student form), supporting the use of translated versions of the SSIS SEL b for international research across these countries and developmental levels. Implications are discussed for assessment and promoting children’s SEL competencies globally.

Multi-informant validity evidence for the SSIS SEL Brief Scales across six European countries

The SSIS SEL Brief Scales (SSIS SELb) are multi-informant (teacher, parent, and student) measures that were developed to efficiently assess the SEL competencies of school-age youth in the United States. Recently, the SSIS SELb was translated into multiple languages for use in a multi-site study across six European countries (Croatia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Portugal, and Romania). The purpose of the current study was to examine concurrent and predictive evidence for the SEL Composite scores from the translated versions of the SSIS SELb Scales. Results indicated that SSIS SELb Composite scores demonstrated expected positive concurrent and predictive relationships with scores from the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and negative relationships with scores from the problem behavior scales of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Although there were a few exceptions, these patterns generally were consistent across informants (parents, teachers, and students) and samples providing initial validity evidence for the Composite score from the translated versions of the SSIS SELb Scales. Limitations and future research directions are discussed.

Higher education students' achievement emotions and their antecedents in e-learning amid COVID-19 pandemic: A multi-country survey

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a wide range of negative consequences for higher education students. We explored the generalizability of the control-value theory of achievement emotions for e-learning, focusing on their antecedents. We involved 17019 higher education students from 13 countries, who completed an online survey during the first wave of the pandemic. A structural equation model revealed that proximal antecedents (e-learning self-efficacy, computer self-efficacy) mediated the relation between environmental antecedents (cognitive and motivational quality of the task) and positive and negative achievement emotions, with some exceptions. The model was invariant across country, area of study, and gender. The rates of achievement emotions varied according to these same factors. Beyond their theoretical relevance, these findings could be the basis for policy recommendations to support stakeholders in coping with the challenges of e-learning and the current and future sequelae of the pandemic.

Measuring Preschool Children Temperament: Implications for Preschool Care and Education Practice

<div><p class="hppag28TextAbstract">With the aim of measuring preschool children temperament, EASI temperament Survey has been applied. Preschool teachers (N=192), all female, rated a total of N=3275 children (1612 girls and 1639 boys) with mean age M 4.368 (SD=1.482) within age range between 7 months and 7.7 years. Validation for the instrument was run. Factor analysis on principal components with Oblimin rotation and reliability analysis were performed on data based on preschool teachers’ ratings. Three-factor solution has been determined: Emotionality, Activity and Sociability, which have explained 57.427% variance. As it was expected, impulsivity component was not replicated. Subscales inter-correlations and gender and age differences confirmed results from prior research. Overall, the findings were discussed within the frame of preschool children temperament development and variables related to the characteristics of observers. Several significant implications for preschool teachers practice and the quality of educational process have been emphasized</p></div>

The relationship between personality traits and anxiety/depression levels in different drug abusers' groups

Aim. Since psychosocial characteristics of drug abuse involve mainly specific personality and emotional changes, it is very important to investigate characteristics of addictive personality in relationship with emotional state of the individual. Considering that, the objective of this study was to analyse the relationship between personality structure and emotional state of two different groups: heroin addicts and recreate drug abusers. Methods. The total of 288 (219 males and 69 females; 191 heroin addicts and 97 recreate drug users) clients of Centre for the prevention and treatment of drug abuse in Rijeka completed Eysenck's Personality Questionnaire (EPQ R/A), Beck's Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI). Their average age was 22. Results. In the group of heroin addicts, higher levels of anxiety and depression were significantly correlated with higher levels of psychoticism, neuroticism, criminality and addiction. In the group of recreate drug users, higher extraversion and social conformity were determined. Furthermore, in the first group was found even higher depression. However when the anxiety level was compared between these two groups, there was no significant difference. Conclusion. Overall, the findings implied that the used measurement instruments could serve as the useful diagnostic tools that could ensure advantageous treatment directions.

Internal and external factors in professional burnout of substance abuse counsellors in Croatia

AIM

In this study, burnout and its internal and external factors were investigated among substance abuse counsellors (no. = 68) who worked in Centres for Prevention and Substance Abuse Treatment (no. = 18) in Croatia.

METHODS

Maslach Burnout Inventory was used which measured three burnout dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment; and questionnaire of internal and external burnout factors.

RESULTS

The higher levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, and the higher level of personal accomplishment were determined. Factors such as work conditions, emotions about us and work, work organization and certain personality traits showed significant relationship with three burnout dimensions.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, findings implicated a certain specificity of professional burnout in substance abuse counsellors, and the need for specific design of mental health care for them.

Biological correlates of P300 and extraversion relationship

Because of the great sensitivity of P300 determined in prior research, the aim of this study was to investigate the mediate impact of some biological determinants of P300 on its relationship with extraversion. The sample consisted of 54 female psychology students, right-handers, in the age range of 19-23 years. The P300 was measured by visual oddball paradigm in two trials using EMG/EP device Medelec/TECA Sapphire(II), 4E. Results showed that those subjects who had glasses, drink coffee, do not take any medications and do not smoke showed significant negative correlation between P300-latency and extraversion. Only those subjects who had glasses showed significant negative correlation between P300-amplitude and extraversion. Also, there were differences between those group subjects in P300-amplitude regarding measuring trial. So, it was concluded that findings have confirmed expected great sensitivity and variability in P300 that mediate its relationship with extraversion and should be controlled in future studies.