Genetic identification of wild and domestic cats (Felis silvestris) and their hybrids using Bayesian clustering methods

Crossbreeding with free-ranging domestic cats is supposed to threaten the genetic integrity of wildcat populations in Europe, although the diagnostic markers to identify "pure" or "admixed" wildcats have never been clearly defined. Here we use mitochondrial (mt) DNA sequences and allelic variation at 12 microsatellite loci to genotype 128 wild and domestic cats sampled in Italy which were preclassified into three separate groups: European wildcats (Felis silvestris silvestris), Sardinian wildcats (Felis silvestris libyca), and domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus), according to their coat color patterns, collection localities, and other phenotypical traits, independently of any genetic information. For comparison, we included some captive-reared hybrids of European wild and domestic cats. Genetic variability was significantly partitioned among the three groups (mtDNA estimate of F(ST) = 0.36; microsatellite estimate of R(ST) = 0.30; P < 0.001), suggesting that morphological diversity reflects the existence of distinct gene pools. Multivariate ordination of individual genotypes and clustering of interindividual genetic distances also showed evidence of distinct cat groups, partially congruent with the morphological classification. Cluster analysis, however, did not enable hybrid cats to be identified from genetic information alone, nor were all individuals assigned to their populations. In contrast, a Bayesian admixture analysis simultaneously assigned the European wildcats, the Sardinian wildcats, and the domestic cats to different clusters, independent of any prior information, and pointed out the admixed gene composition of the hybrids, which were assigned to more than one cluster. Only one putative Sardinian wildcat was assigned to the domestic cat cluster, and one presumed European wildcat showed mixed (hybrid) ancestry in the domestic cat gene pool. Mitochondrial DNA sequences indicated that three additional presumed European wildcats might have hybrid ancestry. These four cats were sampled from the same area in the northernmost edge of the European wildcat distribution in the Italian Apennines. Admixture analyses suggest that wild and domestic cats in Italy are distinct, reproductively isolated gene pools and that introgression of domestic alleles into the wild-living population is very limited and geographically localized.

Bayesian analyses of admixture in wild and domestic cats (Felis silvestris) using linked microsatellite loci

Methods recently developed to infer population structure and admixture mostly use individual genotypes described by unlinked neutral markers. However, Hardy-Weinberg and linkage disequilibria among independent markers decline rapidly with admixture time, and the admixture signals could be lost in a few generations. In this study, we aimed to describe genetic admixture in 182 European wild and domestic cats (Felis silvestris), which hybridize sporadically in Italy and extensively in Hungary. Cats were genotyped at 27 microsatellites, including 21 linked loci mapping on five distinct feline linkage groups. Genotypes were analysed with structure 2.1, a Bayesian procedure designed to model admixture linkage disequilibrium, which promises to assess efficiently older admixture events using tightly linked markers. Results showed that domestic and wild cats sampled in Italy were split into two distinct clusters with average proportions of membership Q > 0.90, congruent with prior morphological identifications. In contrast, free-living cats sampled in Hungary were assigned partly to the domestic and the wild cat clusters, with Q < 0.50. Admixture analyses of individual genotypes identified, respectively, 5/61 (8%), and 16-20/65 (25-31%) hybrids among the Italian wildcats and Hungarian free-living cats. Similar results were obtained in the past using unlinked loci, although the new linked markers identified additional admixed wildcats in Italy. Linkage analyses confirm that hybridization is limited in Italian, but widespread in Hungarian wildcats, a population that is threatened by cross-breeding with free-ranging domestic cats. The total panel of 27 loci performed better than the linked loci alone in the identification of domestic and known hybrid cats, suggesting that a large number of linked plus unlinked markers can improve the results of admixture analyses. Inferred recombination events led to identify the population of origin of chromosomal segments, suggesting that admixture mapping experiments can be designed also in wild populations.

Genetic distinction of wildcat (Felis silvestris) populations in Europe, and hybridization with domestic cats in Hungary

The genetic integrity and evolutionary persistence of declining wildcat populations are threatened by crossbreeding with widespread free-living domestic cats. Here we use allelic variation at 12 microsatellite loci to describe genetic variation in 336 cats sampled from nine European countries. Cats were identified as European wildcats (Felis silvestris silvestris), Sardinian wildcats (F. s. libyca) and domestic cats (F. s. catus), according to phenotypic traits, geographical locations and independently of any genetic information. Genetic variability was significantly partitioned among taxonomic groups (FST = 0.11; RST = 0.41; P < 0.001) and sampling locations (FST = 0.07; RST = 0.06; P < 0.001), suggesting that wild and domestic cats are subdivided into distinct gene pools in Europe. Multivariate and Bayesian clustering of individual genotypes also showed evidence of distinct cat groups, congruent with current taxonomy, and suggesting geographical population structuring. Admixture analyses identified cryptic hybrids among wildcats in Portugal, Italy and Bulgaria, and evidenced instances of extensive hybridization between wild and domestic cats sampled in Hungary. Cats in Hungary include a composite assemblage of variable phenotypes and genotypes, which, as previously documented in Scotland, might originate from long lasting hybridization and introgression. A number of historical, demographic and ecological conditions can lead to extensive crossbreeding between wild and domestic cats, thus threatening the genetic integrity of wildcat populations in Europe.

Effect of Teachers' Happiness on Teachers' Health. The Mediating Role of Happiness at Work

The present study aims to expand the understanding of the effects of dispositional happiness and self-esteem, as dispositional traits, on the health of teachers, as well as to understand the role played by the working environment in generating positive affection, thus mediating between the dispositional traits and teachers' health. Two hundred and eighty-two full-time in-service teachers (93.6% female) from Rome (Italy) took part in this study. Their ages ranged from 26 to 55 (M = 40.49 years, SD = 5.93). Participants' teaching experience ranged from 1 to 31 years (M = 9.95 years, SD = 5.65). 30.6% of participants taught in kindergarten (for children aged 0-5 years), 42.6% in primary schools (for children aged 6-11 years), 15.8% in middle schools and 10.9% in high schools. A questionnaire was administered, containing: the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS); the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES); The adapted version for teachers of the School Children Happiness Inventory (Ivens, 2007); the Physical and Mental Health Scales (SF12). The data were analyzed using the MPLUS software, version 8. Our results showed that teacher happiness at work partially mediates the relationship between dispositional happiness and teacher health, and fully mediates the relationship between self-esteem and teacher health. To the best of our knowledge, the mediational role of teacher happiness has not been addressed before, concerning these dimensions. At the same time, our findings confirmed the role of self-esteem in endorsing health-related behaviors, thus promoting physical and mental health. Moreover, according to our study findings, when teachers acknowledge their workplace as a context in which they feel happy, the impact of dispositional happiness and self-esteem on health conditions is higher. Effective measures to promote teachers' well-being are discussed.

Parental Mental Health, Fathers' Involvement and Bedtime Resistance in Infants

BACKGROUND

Around the age of 6 months, difficulties in settling to sleep and frequent night awakenings are generally occurring in 20 to 30% of infants. According to the transactional model parental factors can play a significant role in influencing infant sleep development. The purpose of the current study was to explore the combined effect of infants' factors (temperament and sleep onset problems), and parental factors (parental mental health in terms of post-partum affective disorders, consistent bedtime routines and fathers' involvement at bedtime), on infant bedtime difficulties (e.g. fussing, crying or protesting), including both maternal and paternal perspectives.

METHODS

Sixty Italian intact two-parent families of infants (34 boys and 26 girls) ageing from 8 to 12 months (M = 10.73, SD = 2.54) were enrolled in the study. The parents filled out self-report questionnaires to measure the aforementioned variables. To investigate which infant and parental factors predicted infants' bedtime difficulties, two multiple linear regressions (MR), one for fathers and one for mothers, and relative weight analyses (RWA) were conducted.

RESULTS

With regard to infants' bedtime difficulties reported by fathers (R2 = .35) they were explained by infant involvement in constant bedtime routines (β = -.35, p = .030) and paternal involvement at bedtime (β = -.45, p = .007). Instead infants' bedtime difficulties reported by mothers (R2 = .32) were explained by minutes the child taken to fall asleep (β = .24, p = .04), infant involvement in constant bedtime routines (β = -.31, p = .01) and bedtime paternal involvement (β = -.27, p = .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The main results of this study emphasized the protective role of consistent bedtime routines and bedtime paternal involvement in reducing infants' bedtime difficulties perceived both from mothers and fathers. Future research could help to raise awareness and improve understanding of the familial influences on children's sleep, providing recommendations for educating families, school professionals, healthcare providers, and the general public on risk and protective factors that could play a meaningful role in infants and children's developing sleep patterns.

Psycho-educational preparation of children for anaesthesia: A review of intervention methods

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the different methods available for the psycho-educational preparation of children for anaesthesia induction.

METHODS

Articles were searched in Academic Search Premier, OvidSP, Web of Science, and PsycINFO. Inclusion criteria were psychological and educational preparation of children for anaesthesia and anxiety reduction. The titles of papers and abstracts were reviewed and full copies of selected papers were scrutinized.

RESULTS

Forty-four empirical studies were identified. Twenty-one articles described preoperative preparation programmes, twelve examined the effects of distractive techniques and eleven reported the effect of parental presence during anaesthesia's induction. Some general characteristics of the different interventions are discussed together with some key psychological and educational factors mediating anxiety in children undergoing anaesthesia.

CONCLUSION

The effectiveness of interventions were linked to several factors. Psychological and contextual aspects are discussed. Psycho-educational activities should be better described when reporting their effectiveness in children's preparation for an anaesthesia.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Patient and family characteristics together with organizational and systemic aspects are described in order to guide the choice of the most appropriate preparation method for diverse health care setting.

The Interplay of Compassion, Subjective Happiness and Proactive Strategies on Kindergarten Teachers' Work Engagement and Perceived Working Environment Fit

BACKGROUND

The current cross-sectional study examines a model that was designed to advance understanding of the interplay between compassion towards teachers expressed by teaching colleagues, subjective happiness, proactive strategies and kindergarten teachers' levels of work engagement, and perceived working environment fit.

METHODS

The research was conducted with a sample of 319 full-time in-service kindergarten teachers at Italian public preschools-a context in which a few previous studies have been carried out. Self-report questionnaires were administered: The Subjective Happiness Scale, the Santa Clara Brief Compassion Scale, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, the Proactive Strategy Scale, and the Teacher-working environment fit scale. Data were analyzed by using the structural equation modelling (SEM) approach.

RESULTS

Results show that compassion and subjective happiness have a direct positive total effect on work engagement, whereas the effects of compassion and subjective happiness on experienced working environment fit suggest that the association among constructs is mediated by the role of proactive strategies.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on these findings, we strongly advocate that educational policy makers and head teachers' pay close attention to the areas of personal and collective resources and work-related well-being, with a view to effectively address the promotion of early childhood teachers' work engagement and working environment fit.

The epidemiology and effects of video game addiction: A systematic review and meta-analysis

With the increasing popularity and accessibility of video games, the public concern about their effects - positive and negative - has also increased. In this regard, this systematic review sought to identify and thematically analyze recent studies (in the last five years) and report on video games' epidemiological characteristics and outcomes. A systematic database search was done on ScienceDirect, APA PsycINFO, Emerald, and Scopus databases for articles published from January 1, 2017, to April 1, 2022. The Meta XL software - an add-in for Microsoft Excel - was used to calculate the pooled prevalence level of video game addiction. The database search yielded a total of 693 non-duplicate articles. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 27 articles were selected to be included in the systematic review. Along with this, 12 articles were considered for the final meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence level of gaming addiction was 5.0 % (95 % CI, 2.1-8.8 %). The I2 value was 99.297 with a p-value of 0.000. The factors that accompanied addictive video gaming were psychological, social, and personal. An addictive gaming behavior was characterized by spending an above-average time on gaming, doing most of the gaming online, and gaming activities interfering with sleep patterns. Some predictors of addictive gaming were emotional dependence, social detachment, increased gaming time, preference for playing online than offline, and increased emotional and psychological stress. Engaging in addictive gaming led to adverse outcomes such as lower academic scores, depression, and anxiety, as well as decreased self-esteem, life satisfaction, and social support. From the collected findings it could be concluded that extreme playing of video games can be classified as addictive. Following the identification of risk factors, appropriate corrective or interventional measures should be developed and applied coherently to newer statistical data.

Subjective Happiness and Compassion Are Enough to Increase Teachers' Work Engagement?

The present quantitative multi-trait cross-sectional study aims to gain a better understanding of the network of relationship between subjective happiness, compassion, levels of work engagement, and proactive strategies (self- and co-regulation) in a sample of teachers. Participants were 187 full-time in-service teachers (89% female; age M = 48.5; SD = 7.88) from Rome, Italy. We hypothesized that subjective happiness and compassion of early childhood teachers would be related with work engagement in such a way that subjective happiness would promote the engagement of teachers. In a similar fashion, we theorized that subjective happiness would be positively related to self- and co-regulation strategies and that proactive strategies would be in turn associated to work engagement. As expected, the results revealed that subjective happiness and compassion showed effects on work engagement and that this association among constructs was mediated by the role of proactive strategies (β = 0.22, p < 0.001; β = 0.37, p < 0.001, respectively). Proactive strategies also have a significant direct effect on work engagement (β = 0.56, p < 0.001). The study's findings suggest the importance of investing in the quality of the working environment.

Pediatric medical traumatic stress (PMTS) in parents of newborns with a congenital anomaly requiring surgery at birth

BACKGROUND

Pediatric medical traumatic stress (PMTS) is a psychological and physiological response of children and their families to pain, serious illness, and invasive medical procedures. We aimed to apply the PMTS model to parents of newborns operated at birth for a congenital malformation and to identify clinical and sociodemographic risk factors associated with PMTS symptoms at 6 months.

METHODS

We designed a cross-sectional study to assess PMTS symptoms (avoidance, arousal, reexperiencing) in parents of six months children operated on for a congenital anomaly, with the Italian version of the Impact of Event Scale - Revised (IES-R).

RESULTS

One-hundred-seventy parents form the object of the study. Eighty-two parents (48.2%) fell over the clinical cut-off. Ventilatory time (p = 0.0001), length of hospital stay (p = 0.0001), associated anomalies (p = 0.0002), medical devices at discharge (p = 0.0001) and Bayley motor scale (p = 0.0002) were significantly correlated with IES-R Total and Subscale Scores. Multivariate linear regression showed length of hospital stay and number of associated anomalies as significant predictors of IES-R Scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Regardless the type of anomaly and sociodemographic factors, it is the clinical history of the child which seems to predict the severity of PMTS symptoms in this population of parents. PMTS represents a useful model to describe the psychological reactions of parents of newborns operated at birth for a congenital malformation. NICU and outpatient pediatric staff should be aware of risk factors to identify families who may request early multidisciplinary interventions since the first admission.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognosis study, level II.

Bridge Over Troubled Water: Perspective Connections between Coping and Play in Children

We propose that children's play and coping strategies are connected. However, this connection has often been overlooked in the literature. To prove our hypothesis, the principal developmental functions of play are reviewed and compared with the different stages of the coping process. Our results show that coping and play are essential elements in child development, and indicate the presence of several overlapping areas where play and coping intersect. In spite of this, their interrelationship has seldom been examined. We explore the possible reasons for this omission with reference to the different natures of play and coping constructs, and also to the definitive psychometric and cognitive characteristics of most common coping measurement instruments. We conclude by proposing that play should be considered an elective form of coping in most aspects of children's lives. We also propose that methods to measure coping in children should be improved and a more analogical approach should be adopted toward play to enable accurate recognition of coping.

Fixed the gap, solved the problem? Eating skills in esophageal atresia patients at 3 years

Although eating problems have been described as long-term morbidities of esophageal atresia (EA), there have been few studies exploring eating outcomes in children born with EA as primary aim. Parents of children operated on for EA in our Institution from January 2012 to January 2016, answered a telephone structured interview developed specifically to conduct the present study, assessing eating skills at 3 years of age. Clinical data were collected from children's medical records. Parents (45 mothers and 6 fathers) of 51 children (male = 34; female = 17) with a median age of 3.5 years form the object of the study. Considering eating problems, parents reported that 23 children (45%) still have episodes of choking during meals at 3 years of age, 9 (45%) of these have more than one episode a week, and 19 parents (39%) reported higher levels of anxiety during mealtimes. Forty-four children (86%) were described by their parents as able to eat alone, 32 (65%) accepted all food textures and 45 (90%) was described as curious about food (3 years). Forty-three (86%) parents let their children eat with other people. Correlations showed that weaning age was significantly associated with number of dilatations (rs = 0.35, P = 0.012), days of mechanical ventilation (rs = 0.40, P < 0.001), and presence of gastrostomy tube at discharge (rs = 0.45, P < 0.001). Chewing age resulted associated with number of dilatations (rs = 0.34, P < 0.01) and days of mechanical ventilation (rs = 0.38, P < 0.01). Presence of choking episodes was associated with curiosity about food (rs = 0.29, P < 0.05), while frequent choking episodes were associated with higher parental anxiety during mealtimes (rs = 0.45, P < 0.05). In order to prevent delay in the achievement of eating developmental milestones in children operated on of EA, we advocate a dedicated preventive intervention from birth to follow-up.

The Efficacy of Parent Training Interventions with Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities

Parenting children with developmental disabilities (DD) can be generally characterized by a considerable psychological burden. The effects on parental and familial psychological well-being and, consequently, on children's developmental outcomes should not be underestimated, especially in early childhood. The current review aims to advance our understanding of the key factors (e.g., formats, sample characteristics, research design) that characterize parent training interventions, and that could be related to their outcomes, to guide researchers and clinical practitioners to develop and provide efficient programs. Studies were identified via an Internet search from three electronic databases, following PRIMSA guidelines. Studies published until November 2021 were taken into account. The initial search yielded a total of 2475 studies. Among them, 101 studies were fully reviewed. Finally, ten of the studies, which met all the inclusion criteria, formed the basis for this review. Participants' characteristics, main features of the interventions (i.e., study design, structure, and contents), outcome variables and treatment efficacy were deeply examined and discussed. Key factors of parent training interventions with parents of children affected by DD are enlightened, to guide researchers and clinicians in the design and implementation of tailored specific programs, aimed to sustain parenting and foster children's developmental outcomes, from early stages of life.

Fathers and Sleep: A Systematic Literature Review of Bidirectional Links Between Paternal Factors and Children's Sleep in the First Three Years of Life

Objective

During childhood, sleep problems are a common concern for parents and families. The literature on children’s sleep documents a strong association between parental factors and infant sleep quality. However, most studies have only examined maternal attitudes and behaviors. To systematically identify and assess the existing literature on the role of fathers in children’s sleep over the first three years of life.

Method

Studies were identified from January 1993 to July 2020 in four electronic databases, following PRIMSA guidelines.

Results

The initial search yielded a total of 657 records. Fifty-nine studies were full review, and 26 studies met all inclusion criteria and formed the basis for the review. Studies were divided into thematic groups as a function of the paternal variables they investigated: Extrinsic Parenting factors, Parent-child Interaction Context, and Distal Environmental Influences.

Conclusions

This review points up a range of paternal variables that can represent risk or protective factors for child sleep. Our results may help parents and healthcare practitioners to identify evidence-based knowledge about sleep. Furthermore, identifying paternal factors that contribute to sleep problems can usefully inform the design of individualized interventions.

Health-related quality of life in Italian children and adolescents with congenital heart diseases

Background

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital anomaly at birth, affecting approximately 1% of live births. In recent decades great medical and surgical advances have significantly increased life expectancy, shifting healthcare professionals' and researchers’ interests in patients' Quality of Life (QoL). The main aims of our study were to evaluate generic and condition-specific QoL in a group of Italian children and adolescents with CHD and their parents and examine the level of agreement and directional disagreement between child/adolescent and parents reports on generic and condition-specific QoL.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was designed with CHD children and adolescents and their parents referred to the Cardiology Department of “Bambino Gesù” Children’s Hospital. The PedsQL scale was used, including generic (PedsQL 4.0) and cardiac-specific modules (PedsQL 3.0) were administered to patients and caregivers. A Kruskal–Wallis test was used to compare generic and cardiac module scores between patients with different ages, CHD diagnoses, and between patients who underwent surgery interventions and/or are currently taking cardiac medications.

Results

498 families were enrolled in this study. On average, patients reported a good level of generic and condition-specific QoL, as well as their mothers and fathers. Children aged between 5–7 years old reported lower generic and cardiac-specific total QoL levels than children aged 8–12 years and adolescents (13–18 years). With regard to the agreement, patient-parent agreement on condition-specific QoL ranged from 25 to 75% while on generic QoL, it ranged from 19 to 76%. The highest percentage of disagreement between parents and children was found in patients aged 5–7 years old, both for condition-specific and generic QoL rates.

Conclusions

Our study contributed to the growing body of knowledge on QoL in CHD, emphasizing the need for these families to receive support from multidisciplinary standardized care, including psychological consultations and support.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12872-022-02611-y.

Parental postpartum affective disorders as a risk factor for infant bedtime resistance

Introduction

Infant intrinsic factors, parental mental health, and parenting functioning could influence infant sleep development (Camerota et al., 2019). The current study was designed to advance understanding of parental mental health in influencing bedtime resistance in infants aging 8-12 months.

Objectives

The main aim of the present study was to examine the role of parental postpartum affective disorders, infants’ temperament and paternal involvement at bedtime in predicting infants’ bedtime resistance (e.g. fussing, crying or protesting).

Methods

60 Italian families of infants (34 boys and 26 girls) aging from 8 to 12months (M =10.73, SD = 2.54) participated in this study. Parents completed Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire (Sadeh et al., 2009), Perinatal Assessment of Paternal and Maternal Affectivity (Baldoni et al., 2018), QUIT for infants’ temperament (Axia, 2002) and an ad-hoc questionnaire for fathers’ involvement. Two multiple linear regressions (MR), one for fathers and one for mothers, and relative weight analyses (RWA) were conducted.

Results

Infants’ involvement in constant bedtime routines (reported by fathers: β = −.35, p < .05; mothers: β = −.31, p < .05) and paternal involvement at bedtime (fathers: β = −.45, p < .01; mothers: β = −.27, p < .05) represented protective factors for infants’ bedtime difficulties. Paternal affective disorders, accounted for 17.2% of the explained variance for mothers’ and 12.5% for fathers’ reports of infant bedtime difficulties, more than did maternal postpartum affective disorders.

Conclusions

Findings support that parental mental health can interfere with infants’ bedtime resistance.

The Italian version of the "tool to measure parental self-efficacy-short form": psychometric properties of the measure and initial validation

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Parental self-efficacy is recognized as a core element of the transition to parenthood process. It affects parental mental health, as well as children's psychosocial, neurodevelopmental and health outcomes since early infancy. Parents with higher parenting self-efficacy have a higher likelihood of engaging in quality parenting practices that support optimal self-regulation development in children. Our study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Italian TOPSE-Short Form (I-TOPSE-SF) questionnaire.

METHODS

673 Italian mothers (Mage=37.5; SD=5.7) of children aging 0 to 6 years (Mage=3.9; SD=1.7) were involved in this study.

RESULTS

Initial results of Confirmatory Factor Analysis highlighted that the fit indices of the hypothesized 6-factor structure of the TOPSE weren't satisfactory. Acceptable internal consistencies for the total score and the six dimensions of the measure were observed. Evidence for convergent and divergent validity were provided.

CONCLUSIONS

The I-TOPSE-SF could be a valuable tool to assess parental self-efficacy up to school age, but it is in need of further considerations about its measurement properties.

Validation of the self-compassion scale in a sample of Italian special needs teacher

Introduction

Special needs teachers deliver crucial care to their students by showing a particular attitude toward them. However, they usually face stressful situations that negatively impact their capacity to support their students, often reporting higher levels of burnout compared to teachers from mainstream education. Self-compassion has been seen to function as a protective factor against teacher stress, enhancing their resilience and coping abilities.

Methods

The current study aimed to evaluate the factorial structure, reliability, and validity of the Self-compassion Scale (SCS) in a sample of Italian special needs teachers (R1). In addition, it was investigated whether the satisfactory internal reliability of the SCS is confirmed (R2). Finally, the validity of the SCS criterion was assessed, assuming that each of its subscales would be related to anxiety, measured with GAD-7, and with resilience, measured with the BRS (R3). A sample of 629 teachers was enrolled in this study and completed an online questionnaire.

Results

Overall, the confirmatory factor analysis showed good or acceptable indices of fit to the data supporting the use of SCS to measure self-compassion in Italian special needs teachers.

Discussion

The tool could be helpful for future research to start exploring the self-compassion dimension at school as a protective factor that may foster teachers' and, consequently, students' well-being.

Resilience, Positivity and Social Support as Perceived Stress Predictors among University Students

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers have been trying to identify which personal resources can contribute to minimizing the mental health costs in students incurred due to the restrictions that disrupted safety and predictability in their academic lives. The aim of the study was to verify if and how individual factors (resilience and positivity) and socio-environmental factors (social support and nationality) allow prediction of the level of perceived stress. University students (n = 559) from Poland, Serbia, and Italy were surveyed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), the Positivity Scale (PS), and the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL-12). Personal resources-positivity, resilience, and support-were found to be positively interrelated and significantly associated with stress levels. Additionally, gender and nationality differentiated stress levels. A general linear model (GLM) showed that levels of perceived stress are best explained by resilience, positivity, tangible support, and gender. The results obtained can strengthen students' awareness of personal resources and their protective role in maintaining mental health, as well as contribute to the creation of prevention-oriented educational activities. Nationality was not a significant predictor of the level of perceived stress, which highlights the universality of examined predictors among university students from different countries and suggests that interventions aimed at enhancing these resources could benefit students across different cultural contexts.