Instagram Stories Unveiled: Exploring Links with Psychological Distress, Personality, and Gender

Instagram is one of the most used platforms, and ephemeral stories are proving to be the most used medium for users to share content on the platform. However, there have been few studies examining this type of content in relation to emotional well-being. This study examined the association between the number of published Instagram stories, psychological well-being, personality traits, and gender in a sample of 734 Instagram users from Italy, including 281 men and 453 women, with a mean age of 25.19 years (SD = 7.08). Participants were recruited online and asked to complete an online questionnaire. Differences were found between genders in terms of time spent on Instagram, but not in terms of the number of stories posted in the past week. In the overall sample, a small positive correlation was found between the number of Instagram stories posted and extraversion. When considering gender differences, small effect sizes were observed for emotional dysregulation, agreeableness, and neuroticism, indicating a stronger association with Instagram stories in the female group, and for openness, indicating a stronger association in the male group. Results of multiple regression analyses suggest that among females, psychological variables, including personality and emotional distress, may have a stronger association with Instagram stories. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report these differences. The findings help to clarify how certain characteristics of social media platforms relate to psychological well-being and personality differently in men and women in their journey to using social media.

Influence of cognition on the correlation between objective and subjective upper limb measures in people with multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND

A comprehensive assessment of upper limb (UL) function is mandatory in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), and the use of multiple objective and subjective measures is advisable. Findings on the role of cognitive impairment on the assessment of UL function are scant and inconclusive. The present study investigated the influence of cognitive function on the distribution of objective and subjective UL measures and on their association.

METHODS

In the cross-sectional study, subjects with a diagnosis of MS, age ≥ 18 years, right-hand dominance, no presence of orthopedic UL impairment, or other neurological diseases were recruited. The assessment protocol included the Nine-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT), Box and Block Test (BBT), and hand grip strength (HGS), a validated PROM (MAM-36), and the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT).

RESULTS

Two hundred forty-six PwMS were recruited (158 females, mean age = 51.65 ± 13.45 years; mean EDSS = 5.10 ± 1.88) Subject with mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment (SDMT ≤  - 2 SD of normative values) scored lower on the 9-HPT and higher on the BBT and MAM-36 when compared with subject with no cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment showed a small but significant effect on the association between 9-HPT scores and the MAM-36.

DISCUSSION

Findings suggest that cognitive impairment is associated with subjects' performance on 9-HPT, BBT, and MAM-36 (but not HGS), resulting in scores indicating a poorer UL function. Interestingly, cognitive impairment slightly affected the congruence between subjective and objective UL measures, although only minor differences in the correlation pattern across groups reporting different cognitive performances emerged.

Predicting Big Five personality traits from smartphone data: A meta-analysis on the potential of digital phenotyping

OBJECTIVE

Since the first study linking recorded smartphone variables to self-reported personality in 2011, many additional studies have been published investigating this association. In the present meta-analyses, we aimed to understand how strongly personality can be predicted via smartphone data.

METHOD

Meta-analytical calculations were used to assess the association between smartphone data and Big Five traits. Because of the lack of independence of many included studies, analyses were performed using a multilevel approach.

RESULTS

Based on data collected from 21 distinct studies, extraversion showed the largest association with the digital footprints derived from smartphone data (r = .35), while remaining traits showed smaller associations (ranging from 0.23 to 0.25). For all traits except neuroticism, moderator analyses showed that prediction performance was improved when multiple features were combined together in a single predictive model. Additionally, the strength of the prediction of extraversion was improved when call and text log data were used to perform the prediction, as opposed to other types of smartphone data CONCLUSIONS: Our synthesis reveals small-to-moderate associations between smartphone activity data and Big Five traits. The opportunities, but also dangers of the digital phenotyping of personality traits based on traces of users' activity on a smartphone data are discussed.

Evaluation of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 through dual-task paradigm: a longitudinal case-controlled study

INTRODUCTION

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was associated with cognitive alterations affecting everyday life activities. These need input integration of both motor and cognitive systems. The study aim is to evaluate cognitive-motor interference phenomenon in previously independent patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 (PwMCOVID-19) compared with healthy controls (HC), through dual-task (DT) paradigm.

METHODS

PwMCOVID-19 were included if being independent at home, had no previous referred cognitive impairment, mechanical ventilation or oxygen need. They were assessed at admission and after 6 months with a motor-cognitive DT test (counting backward by twos while walking 2 min). HC were enrolled as control group. Differences between single-task (ST) and DT performance, DT effect (DTE) and task prioritization amongst groups and during time points were analyzed.

RESULTS

One-hundred PwMCOVID-19 [mean age=67.32(12.08) years; 53 M/47 F] and 39 HC [mean age=63.11(9.90) years; 20 M/19 F] were recruited. Upon T0, PwMCOVID-19 showed lower cognitive and motor DT performances than ST and HC. Mutual interference pattern was predominant in PwMCOVID-19. At T1, 41 PwMCOVID-19 were examined [mean age=64.85(10.75); 22 M/19 F]. They had a worse DT performance compared to ST, although DT improved at T1. A stronger cognitive ST-DT difference was present at T0, compared to ST-DT difference at T1, while motor ST-DT difference was unchanged over time in PwCOVID-19.

CONCLUSION

In PwMCOVID-19, there is an impairment of DT counting while walking at baseline and after 6 months from hospitalization, with a more pronounced DT mutual interference pattern at T0. After 6 months, the motor and cognitive ST and DT performances ameliorated, not reaching the HC level.

The correlation between 9-HPT and patient-reported measures of upper limb function in multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Upper limb function is one of the most affected domains in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), as self-reported by 50% of patients. Heterogeneous results have been found about the correlation between objective and subjective upper limb function. The aim of the present study is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies presenting data on the strength of association between the gold standard for 9-Hole Peg Test scores and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) of manual ability. Primary research studies including assessments of 9-Hole Peg Test scores and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures were searched in Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed. Meta analytical calculations were performed using a random-effects model. We retrieved n = 27 studies including n = 75 distinct effect sizes (N of subjects = 3263). The central tendency analysis showed a strong correlation between 9-HPT scores and PROMs (r = 0.51, 95% CI [0.44, 0.58]). Moderator analysis showed the effect size to be significantly larger in studies with a mean or median EDSS level indicating severe disability. The publication bias hypothesis was not supported; instead, we noted that studies based on larger samples also tend to report stronger effect sizes. Results of the study indicate that the correlation between 9-HPT and PROMs is strong, although the constructs measured by these instrument does not fully overlap. The correlation between 9-HPT and PROMs was stronger in larger studies and when samples include a sizeable subgroup of PwMS with severe disability, pointing out the importance of sample diversity.

Sense of Belonging at School and on Social Media in Adolescence: Associations with Educational Achievement and Psychosocial Maladjustment

Belongingness is a key factor in the psychological development and school adjustment of children and adolescents. Going beyond the existing literature, the present study evaluated the association between two sources of belongingness, namely sense of belonging at school (SOBAS) and on social media (SOBOSM), and both psychological maladjustment and educational achievement. Sample consisted of 698 early-to-late adolescents (52.3% female, mean age = 13.79 ± 2.09). Both SOBAS and SOBOSM showed negative direct associations with psychological maladjustment. SOBOSM showed a negative direct association with educational achievement. Social media addiction mediated the links between both SOBAS and SOBOSM and psychological maladjustment and education achievement. Overall, findings suggest that adolescents reporting high sense of belonging both at school and on social media may at lower risk for psychological maladjustment. However, adolescents reporting low SOBAS and high SOBOSM may also be a greater risk of SMA, possibly impacting their psychological health and school adjustement.

Correlation between patient-reported manual ability and three objective measures of upper limb function in people with multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Upper limb (UL) function is often affected in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and is typically assessed through objective measures, including the Nine Hole Peg Test (9-HPT), Box and Block Test (BBT), and Hand Grip Strength (HGS). It is important to include the subjective perspective of PwMS in the assessment. This study aims to evaluate associations between Manual Ability Measure-36 (MAM-36) and 9-HPT, BBT, and HGS in MS.

METHODS

The cross-sectional study included five Italian centers. Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 18 years, MS diagnosis, and stable disease course. Exclusion criteria were bilateral UL paralysis, and concomitant orthopedic or neurological diseases.

RESULTS

A total of 199 PwMS were included: 128 female, mean age = 50.7 ± 13.0 years, 119 relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), 31 primary and 49 secondary progressive MS, mean disease duration = 14.0 ± 10.4, years, mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) = 4.6 ± 2.0. The MAM-36 showed small correlations with 9-HPT, BBT, and HGS. Correlations between MAM-36 and 9-HPT and BBT were highest among subjects with EDSS ≥ 6 and progressive MS. MAM-36 and HGS showed the highest correlations in subjects with EDSS ≤ 5 and RRMS. Combining 9-HPT and HGS provided the strongest predictive power over the MAM-36.

CONCLUSIONS

Correlations between objective measures and MAM-36 were small to moderate, meaning that objective measures do not match subjects' perception of UL function. The combination of 9-HPT and HGS measures can help improve the assessment of UL function in activities of daily living.

Internal and External Causal Explanations of Happiness

The present study extends previous research on the folk concept of happiness by investigating people's causal attributions toward the things that make them happy. Six hundred ten Italian adults (18–55 years old) took part in a questionnaire study. Respondents were asked to report five happiness sources and to provide ratings for both the attainment of these sources and the internal and external factors potentially causing them (self, other people, luck, chance). We also measured the participants’ levels of psychological well-being. Results showed that the participants’ happiness conceptions incorporated 27 categories of happiness sources referring to four semantic domains: relational life, personal life, hedonic psychological sources, and eudaimonic psychological sources. Multilevel analyses showed that internal attributions exceeded external attributions across all these domains; moreover, internal attributions positively predicted happiness attainment, whereas the latter was negatively associated with attributions to other people. Findings were interpreted in the Italian cultural and linguistic context.

Text mining to improve screening for trauma-related symptoms in a global sample

Previous studies showed that textual information could be used to screen respondents for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this study, we explored the feasibility of using language features extracted from short text descriptions respondents provided of stressful events to predict trauma-related symptoms assessed using the Global Psychotrauma Screen. Texts were analyzed with both closed- and open-vocabulary methods to extract language features representing the occurrence of words, phrases, or specific topics in the description of stressful events. We also evaluated whether combining language features with self-report information, including respondents' demographics, event characteristics, and risk factors for trauma-related disorders, would improve the prediction performance. Data were collected using an online survey on a cross-national sample of 5048 respondents. Results showed that language data achieved the highest predictive power when both closed- and open-vocabulary features were included as predictors. Combining language data and self-report information resulted in a significant increase in performance and in a model which achieved good accuracy as a screener for probable PTSD diagnosis (.7 < AUC ≤ .8), with similar results regardless of the length of the text description of the event. Overall, results indicated that short texts add to the detection of trauma-related symptoms and probable PTSD diagnosis.

The representation of bullying in Italian primary school children: A mixed-method study comparing drawing and interview data and their association with self-report involvement in bullying events

Bullying continues to be a social issue affecting millions of students of all ages worldwide. Research on bullying seems to be dominated by quantitative research approaches employed standardized categories and measures, ultimately limiting our knowledge about children’s own view on bullying. Our research follows another direction, aiming to explore the representation of bullying in a sample of Italian primary school children by using and comparing the functioning of two qualitative research instruments: interviews, and children’s drawings. In addition, aided by quantitative analyses, we aimed to investigate whether students’ involvement in different bullying roles (as bullies, victims, or defenders), as measured by self-assessment, correlated with different characteristics of the representation of bullying emerging from children’s drawings and interviews. We recruited a convenient sample of 640 primary school students (mean age = 9.44; SD = 0.67), 53.3% of whom were male. The results showed that all forms of bullying, i.e., physical, verbal, and social bullying, could be identified in interview and drawing data, although references to all types of bullying were more frequent in interview data. In terms of bullying criteria, the presence of a power imbalance between the bully and the victim was most frequently detected in both the interview data and the drawing data, while repetition was more easily detected in the interview data. The interview data showed that sadness was the most frequently reported victim emotions, followed by fear, anger, and lack of emotion. The drawing data showed a similar pattern, although victims were more frequently described as lacking emotions compared to the interview data. In both interview and drawing data, age and female gender were positively associated with references to verbal bullying, and negatively associated with references to physical bullying. Additionally, bully/victim children were more likely than uninvolved children to depict physical bullying in the drawings, while this association was not detected in interview data. In summary, our study shows that, compared with drawings, interviews tend to provide a more comprehensive view of children’s own representation of bullying, while drawing data tend to show stronger connections with children’s current personal experiences of bullying.

Exploring Multivariate Profiles of Psychological Distress and Empathy in Early Adolescent Victims, Bullies, and Bystanders Involved in Cyberbullying Episodes

(1) Background: Adolescents may be involved in cyberbullying as victims, perpetrators, or to a lesser extent, victim-perpetrators simultaneously. The present research investigated differences between participants acting in different bullying roles-namely, bully, victim, or bully/victim-and bystander roles-namely, defending, passive bystander, and passive/defending; (2) Methods: We used multivariate analysis of covariance to determine how, in the same individuals, direct involvement in cyberbullying episodes compares to participating in them as by-standers in relation to both psychological distress and empathy; (3) Results: Both victims and bully/victims were found to be at increased risk for suicidal ideation, internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and emotional dysregulation compared with students who were neither victims nor perpetrators of cyberbullying episodes. Additionally, victims showed higher empathy scores when compared with bullies and bully/victims. All bystander roles showed increased emotional dysregulation compared with uninvolved students, but no differences emerged on other psychological distress measures. Finally, defending bystanders showed increased cognitive empathy. (4) Conclusions: During early adolescence, the direct experience of cyberbullying, as a bully or a victim (or both), show a stronger association with psychological distress than the mere participation in cyberbullying as a witness, regardless of the witness acting defensive toward the victim, or passive. However, both cyberbullying and bystanding roles provide a similar (small) explicative power over empathy variables.

Dataset on individual differences in self-reported personality and inferred emotional expression in profile pictures of Italian Facebook users

We retrieved the current profile picture of 2234 Italian Facebook users who also answered self-report questionnaires on demographic variables and personality. Data were collected between March and June 2018 using a Facebook web application. Profile pictures consisting of 200 × 200 resolution jpegs were obtained by sending a request via the Facebook Graph API and analyzed using online commercial services allowing for the scoring of facial expressions in image data, namely Microsoft Azure Face API and MEGVII Face++ Detect API. Both services provide emotional expression scores if at least one face is successfully detected in the picture. Using the Microsoft Azure Face API we obtained scores for anger, contempt, disgust, fear, joy, sadness, surprise, and neutrality. Using the MEGVII Face++ Detect API, pictures were scored for the presence of anger, disgust, fear, joy, sadness, and surprise, and neutrality. Higher scores on each emotion refer to a stronger expression of the respective emotion. The dataset presented here consists of data of N =728 Facebook users with a profile picture in which both APIs detected only one face. Regarding self-report data, the dataset includes the following demographic information about the participants: gender and age. The dataset also includes participants’ personality scores based on a short validated assessment of Big Five traits (Ten Item Personality Inventory), and Impulsivity/Sensation Seeking (IMPSS8). A document including the questions administered in the online survey is attached to the dataset. This dataset can be useful to generate insights on the association between demographic variables, including age and gender, and personality (Big Five traits and Impulsivity/Sensation Seeking), and emotional expression as derived from social media pictures. It can be useful for researchers and data scientists who do research in social sciences, in particular psychoinformatics, to train models in order to infer personality of users of social media platforms from profile pictures.

Mining Digital Traces of Facebook Activity for the Prediction of Individual Differences in Tendencies Toward Social Networks Use Disorder: A Machine Learning Approach

More than three billion users are currently on one of Meta's online platforms with Facebook being still their most prominent social media service. It is well known that Facebook has designed a highly immersive social media service with the aim to prolong online time of its users, as this results in more digital footprints to be studied and monetized (via psychological targeting). In this context, it is debated if social media platforms can elicit addictive behaviors. In the present work, we demonstrate in N = 1,094 users that it is possible to predict from digital footprints of the Facebook users their self-reported addictive tendencies toward social media (R > 0.30) by applying machine-learning strategies. More specifically, we analyzed the predictive power of a set of models based on different sets of features extracted from digital traces, namely posting activity, language use, and page Likes. To maximize the predictive power of the models, we used an ensemble of linear and non-linear prediction algorithms. This work showed also sufficient accuracy rates (AUC above 0.70) in distinguishing between disordered and non-disordered social media users. In sum, individual differences in tendencies toward "social networks use disorder" can be inferred from digital traces left on the social media platform Facebook. Please note that the present work is limited by its cross-sectional design.

Smartphone and social media use contributed to individual tendencies towards social media addiction in Italian adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic

INTRODUCTION

Adolescents in remote education during the COVID-19 pandemic had few opportunities to socialize in person, resulting in a significant rise in the use of social networks or instant messaging applications. However, excessive use may promote addictive tendencies towards these platforms, with negative consequences for adolescents' well-being.

AIMS

In this study, we investigated the prevalence of smartphone and social media application use in early-to-late adolescents in remote education. We examined the relative impact of different social media applications on self-reported tendencies toward social media addiction.

METHODS

The sample consisted of 765 Italian adolescents (Age: M = 14.11 ± 2.2; 401 females) who reported on use of the smartphone, social media applications, namely WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Telegram, Messenger, and YouTube. Mean differences in social media addiction across group reporting different patterns of social media use were investigated. The contribution of each social media application in predicting social media addiction was determined using a random forest algorithm.

RESULTS

On average, adolescents using just WhatsApp and YouTube reported the lowest social media addiction compared with peers also using Instagram or TikTok (or both of them). Overall, we found time spent on smartphone, and use of TikTok were the strongest predictors of social media addiction, followed by use of Facebook, Telegram, Messenger, and Twitter. Instagram, Snapchat, and WhatsApp use showed no effect when examined together with the other platforms.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings indicated that TikTok was the most addictive application during the COVID-19 pandemic, overshadowing other very popular applications with similar visual affordances.

Exploring the Associations Between Self-reported Tendencies Toward Smartphone Use Disorder and Objective Recordings of Smartphone, Instant Messaging, and Social Networking App Usage: Correlational Study

Background

Social communication via instant messaging (IM) and social networking (SN) apps makes up a large part of the time that smartphone users spend on their devices. Previous research has indicated that the excessive use of these apps is positively associated with problematic smartphone use behaviors. In particular, image-based SN apps, such as Instagram (Facebook Inc) and Snapchat (Snap Inc), have been shown to exert stronger detrimental effects than those exerted by traditional apps, such as Facebook (Facebook Inc) and Twitter (Twitter Inc).

Objective

In this study, we investigated the correlation between individuals’ tendencies toward smartphone use disorder (SmUD) and objective measures of the frequency of smartphone usage. Additionally, we put to test the hypothesis that the pathway linking the frequency of actual smartphone usage to self-reported tendencies toward SmUD was mediated by the increased frequency of IM and SN app usage.

Methods

We recruited a sample of 124 adult smartphone users (females: 78/124, 62.9%; age: mean 23.84 years, SD 8.29 years) and collected objective information about the frequency of smartphone and SN app usage over 1 week. Participants also filled in a self-report measure for assessing the multiple components of tendencies toward SmUD. Bivariate associations were investigated by using Spearman correlation analyses. A parallel mediation analysis was conducted via multiple regression analysis.

Results

The frequency of smartphone usage, as well as the use of IM apps (Messenger, Telegram, and WhatsApp [Facebook Inc]), Facebook, and image-based apps (Instagram and Snapchat), had significant positive associations with at least 1 component of SmUD, and the cyberspace-oriented relationships factor exhibited the strongest associations overall. We found support for an indirect effect that linked actual smartphone usage to SmUD tendencies via the frequency of the use of image-based SN apps.

Conclusions

Our novel results shed light on the factors that promote SmUD tendencies and essentially indicate that image-based SN apps seem to be more strongly associated with problematic smartphone behaviors compared to IM apps and traditional SN apps, such as Facebook.

Italian translation and psychometric validation of the ABILHAND-26 and its correlation with upper limb objective and subjective measures in multiple sclerosis subjects

BACKGROUND

Upper limb (UL) function is affected in about 50% of people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS). In the last decade, Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROM) are playing an important role in clinical trial and practice. ABILIHAND-26 is a PROM that assess self-perceived manual ability defined as the capacity to manage daily activities using the upper limbs. The aim of the study is to translate the ABILHAND-26 into Italian, to explore its psychometric properties examining the associations with demographics, clinical variables, 9-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT) and Manual Ability Measures-36 (MAM-36).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Subjects were recruited in five Italian neurological centers. They were evaluated through ABILHAND-26, 9-HPT and MAM-36. Confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch analysis were adopted to investigate the psychometric properties of the ABILHAND-26.

RESULTS

Two hundred and forty-five patients were recruited. Rasch analyses showed adequate functioning and supported the unidimensionality of the scale. ABILHAND-26 showed negative correlations with age and disease duration, moderate negative correlation with EDSS and the 9-HPT scores for both arms and strong positive associations (ρ ≥ .84) with the MAM-36. Difference in ABILHAND-26 scores only emerged when comparing patients with severe disability (EDSS ≥ 6) with patients with either mild or moderate disability. t) and when comapring relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive patients.

CONCLUSION

The Italian version of the ABILHAND-26 is now available. It shows adequate reliability of the score, moderate criterion validity and strong convergent validity. ABILHAND-26 could represent a valid assessment for self-perceived ability to perform manual activity, especially for PwMS with moderate-to-high level of disability.

A meta-analysis on individual differences in primary emotional systems and Big Five personality traits

The Affective Neuroscience Personality Scales (ANPS) were constructed as a self-report assessment to measure individual differences in Jaak Panksepp's cross-species primary emotional systems: SEEKING, PLAY, CARE (positive emotions) and FEAR, SADNESS, ANGER (negative emotions). Beginning with the first published work on the ANPS in 2003, individual differences on the ANPS measures of these six primary emotional systems have been consistently linked to Big Five personality traits. From a theoretical perspective, these primary emotional systems arising from subcortical regions, shed light on the nature of the Big Five personality traits from an evolutionary perspective, because each of these primary emotional systems represent a tool for survival endowing mammalian species with inherited behavioral programs to react appropriately to complex environments. The present work revisited 21 available samples where both ANPS and Big Five measures have been administered. Our meta-analytical analysis provides solid evidence that high SEEKING relates to high Openness to Experience, high PLAY to high Extraversion, high CARE/low ANGER to high Agreeableness and high FEAR/SADNESS/ANGER to high Neuroticism. This seems to be true regardless of the ANPS inventory chosen, although much more work is needed in this area. Associations between primary emotional systems and Conscientiousness were in the lower effect size area across all six primary emotions, thereby supporting the idea that Conscientiousness rather seems to be less directly related with the subcortical primary emotions and likely is the most cognitive/cortical personality construct out of the Big Five. In sum, the present work underlines the idea that individual differences in primary emotional systems represent evolutionarily ancient foundations of human personality, given their a) meaningful links to the prominent Big Five model and b) their origins lying in subcortical areas of the human brain.

The links between students’ relationships with teachers, likeability among peers, and bullying victimization: the intervening role of teacher responsiveness

Highly responsive teachers tend to foster behaviors that are low in conflict and high in prosociality, among their students, leading to a positive classroom climate and to a decrease in bullying victimization. However, little is known about the interaction between teacher responsiveness and both student–teacher, and student–student relationship characteristics, in influencing students’ bullying victimization at school. Here, we examined student–teacher relationship quality and students’ likeability among peers as predictors of in-school victimization. Additionally, we investigated the moderating role of teacher responsiveness over this link. Study sample consisted of 386 early-adolescent students (55.2% female, mean age [SD] = 12.17 [0.73]) and 19 main teachers (females, n = 14). Findings indicated that students’ exposure to victimization was positively associated with student–teacher conflict and negatively associated with likeability among classroom peers. Teacher responsiveness did not show a significant direct association with bullying victimization. However, when teachers showed high responsiveness, the strength of the association between student–teacher conflict and students’ likelihood of bullying victimization was slightly increased. The present study highlights the importance of considering the role of teacher responsiveness when modeling the link between student and teacher relationship quality and in school bullying victimization.

Student-teacher conflict moderates the link between students' social status in the classroom and involvement in bullying behaviors and exposure to peer victimization

INTRODUCTION

Student-teacher relationships have been shown to influence bullying-related behaviors in students. In this study we considered the moderating role of student-teacher conflict and students' social status in the classroom and involvement in bullying behaviors and peer victimization.

METHODS

Sample consisted of 1742 students (47.2% females, mean age = 10.79; SD = 1.36; range = 8-14) clustered in 113 classrooms, of which 1017 (58.4%) attended primary schools and 725 (41.6%) attended lower secondary schools. We implemented a series of multilevel analyses aimed at determining the role of student-teacher conflict, and students' social status among classroom peers (i.e., average, popular, rejected, neglected, and controversial statuses), as well their interaction, in influencing verbal, physical, and social forms of bullying and victimization at school.

RESULTS

Student-teacher conflict had a significant positive effect on all bullying and victimization variables. Regarding students' social status, rejected students showed increased bullying and victimization when compared with average students, except in social bullying. Significant interactions emerged indicating that a highly conflictual student-teacher relationship exacerbated bullying behaviors and the risk of victimization among rejected students. Additionally, popular students who had conflictual relationship with their teachers were more likely to engage in physical bullying then average students.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests the importance of low conflictual student-teacher relationships in acting as a buffer for aggressive student-student interactions in the classroom, especially when these interactions involve students rejected by their classroom peers.

The association between the Big Five personality traits and smartphone use disorder: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Personality is one of the most frequently investigated variables to shed light on the putatively addictive use of the smartphone. By investigating associations between personality and individual differences in addictive smartphone use, researchers aim to understand if some personality traits predispose technology users to develop addictive behaviors. Here, based on existing empirical literature, we aimed at determining the strength of associations between Big Five personality traits and smartphone use disorder (SmUD) by a meta-analytic approach.

METHOD

For each Big Five personality trait, we performed a meta-analysis of correlations representing their association with SmUD. We also investigated possible publication bias and the moderating effects of age, gender, nationality, length of personality assessments, and time of publication.

RESULTS

We found n = 26 eligible studies. In line with both the Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution (I-PACE) model and the framework on problematic mobile-phone use by Billieux, we observed a positive association between Neuroticism and SmUD (r = 0.25), while the association between Extraversion and SmUD was not significant. Partially in line with the aforementioned theoretical frameworks, Conscientiousness was negatively associated with SmUD (r = -0.16). Remaining traits showed smaller associations. No significant publication bias emerged. Moderator analyses showed that time of publication moderated the link between Conscientiousness and SmUD. Moreover, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness showed a heightened inverse association with SmUD among older samples.

CONCLUSIONS

The present meta-analysis provides robust empirical evidence that Big Five personality traits can help to understand individual differences in SmUD, supporting the usefulness of their assessment when planning and targeting interventions aimed at at-risk individuals.

Box and block test, hand grip strength and nine-hole peg test: correlations between three upper limb objective measures in multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Limited data are available in the literature for upper limb impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS). This study aimed to report the distribution of values of hand grip strength (HGS), of the box and block test (BBT) and of the nine-hole peg test (9HPT) correlated with demographic and clinical data in subjects with MS.

METHODS

This study involved five Italian neurological centres. The inclusion criteria were age ≥ 18, MS diagnosis, stable disease phase, right-hand dominance. All subjects underwent HGS, BBT and 9-HPT evaluation.

RESULTS

In all, 202 subjects with MS were enrolled: 137 females; mean age 48.4 years; mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 4.17; mean disease duration 14.12 years; disease course 129 relapsing-remitting, 21 primary progressive and 52 secondary progressive MS subjects; mean right HGS 25.3 kg, left 23.2 kg; mean right BBT 45.7 blocks, left 44.9 blocks; mean right 9-HPT 30.7 s, left 33.4 s. All results were statistically significantly different compared to healthy controls. HGS, BBT and 9-HPT were associated with age, EDSS and disease duration, whilst disease course correlated with BBT and 9-HPT. The BBT and 9-HPT scores significantly differed according to level of disability (EDSS ≤3.0, 3.5-5.5, ≥6.0).

CONCLUSION

Hand grip strength and BBT value distribution in a large MS population is reported. Correlations between HGS, BBT and 9-HPT were generally low.

Nine Hole Peg Test asymmetry in refining upper limb assessment in multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND

The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) is the most frequently used scale to measure neurologic impairment and quantify the level of disability in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) even though the scale focuses on ambulation and undervalues upper limb (UL) impairment. The 9-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT) is the gold standard for UL assessment in MS, calculating a mean score from right and left arms, even though subjects with MS often show a lateralization of neurological deficit.

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to determine whether an interaction exists between mean right-left 9-HPT scores or 9HPT score asymmetry (difference between right and left side) in predicting EDSS in MS subjects.

METHODS

Demographic and disease variables and 9-HPT scores were obtained from medical records of individuals with MS collected in an ad-hoc database. Subjects with 9-HPT score ≤180 s for each arm were included. An asymmetry score was represented as the absolute value of the difference between 9-HPT scores for both arms.

RESULTS

549 subjects were included: 67.8% female, mean age 45±13.14 years, mean EDSS 3.98±2.12, 356 relapsing-remitting, 68 primary and 125 secondary progressive, mean 9-HPT scores: right arm 30.20 ± 19.99 s, left arm 31.80 ± 20.35 s. Mean asymmetry was 9.35±18.20 s. Correlation between mean right-left 9-HPT scores and EDSS was 0.58 (p<.001). Significant interaction between mean right-left 9-HPT scores and 9-HPT asymmetry in predicting EDSS scores was found. Regression slope of EDSS on mean right-left 9-HPT score decreases as asymmetry value increases (non-significance area values ≥ 40.93 s).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest interaction exists between mean right-left 9-HPT scores and asymmetry in predicting EDSS. A consequence of this is that, by disregarding information about asymmetry, studies exploring the association between mean right-left 9-HPT scores and global measures of disability may provide biased results. The bias tends to increase as asymmetry increases, and to be most prevalent among patients with EDSS scores > 6.

Investigating the links between fear of missing out, social media addiction, and emotional symptoms in adolescence: The role of stress associated with neglect and negative reactions on social media

Fear of missing out (FoMO) is known to be associated with a decrease in emotional well-being in adolescents. However, few studies have investigated the possible mediating factors between FoMO and emotional symptoms. In this study, we studied the relationship between FoMO and emotional symptoms in a sample of 472 Italian adolescents aged 11-19. In particular, the study investigated the possible mediating role of perceived stress associated with experiences of neglect and negative reactions by other social media users, and social media addiction. Self-report measures were used. Results show that FoMO directly and indirectly predicts emotional symptoms. Additionally, FoMO is associated with increased sensitivity to stress associated with experiences of neglect and negative reactions by online peers, and social media addiction. Sensitivity to stress associated with neglect (but not to negative reactions) by online peers is found to mediate the relationship between FoMO and social media addiction, which, in turn, mediates the relationship with emotional symptoms. In general, the study shows that FoMO is a factor in experiencing higher sensitivity to stress associated with neglect by online peers, which in turn my act as a trigger for social media addiction, and ultimately showing a negative impact on emotional well-being of adolescents. Limits and future directions for research are discussed.

One Social Media Company to Rule Them All: Associations Between Use of Facebook-Owned Social Media Platforms, Sociodemographic Characteristics, and the Big Five Personality Traits

Currently, 2.7 billion people use at least one of the Facebook-owned social media platforms - Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. Previous research investigating individual differences between users and non-users of these platforms has typically focused on one platform. However, individuals typically use a combination of Facebook-owned platforms. Therefore, we aim (1) to identify the relative prevalence of different patterns of social media use, and (2) to evaluate potential between-group differences in the distributions of age, gender, education, and Big Five personality traits. Data collection was performed using a cross-sectional design. Specifically, we administered a survey assessing participants' demographic variables, current use of Facebook-owned platforms, and Big Five personality traits. In N = 3003 participants from the general population (60.67% females; mean age = 35.53 years, SD = 13.53), WhatsApp emerged as the most widely used application in the sample, and hence, has the strongest reach. A pattern consisting of a combined use of WhatsApp and Instagram appeared to be most prevalent among the youngest participants. Further, individuals using at least one social media platform were generally younger, more often female, and more extraverted than non-users. Small differences in Conscientiousness and Neuroticism also emerged across groups reporting different combinations of social media use. Interestingly, when examined as control variables, we found demographic characteristics partially accounted for differences in broad personality factors and facets across different patterns of social media use. Our findings are relevant to researchers carrying out their studies via social media platforms, as sample characteristics appear to be different depending on the platform used.

The interplay between neuroticism, extraversion, and social media addiction in young adult Facebook users: Testing the mediating role of online activity using objective data

Studies indicate neuroticism and extraversion as factors explaining individual differences in online activity, and social media addiction. The present study investigates the hypothesis that extraversion and neuroticism may be linked with social media addiction because of their association with higher online posting activity. Further, we test the additional hypothesis that the level of positive social feedback received online (i.e., number of Likes) could play a role in mediating this effect, i.e., a serial mediation effect. Sample consisted of 1094 Facebook users, 72% females, aged 18-35. Social media activity was assessed collecting Facebook passive data consisting of the number of status updates, and Likes received during the last 12 months. Personality and social media addiction were assessed via self-report measures. Results showed neuroticism had a direct positive association with addictive social media use, while extraversion did not. Further, frequency of status updates mediated of the link between each personality trait and addictive social media use. Received Likes mediated the link between extraversion and addictive social media use, while no effect emerged for neuroticism. Finally, we found support for the hypothesis of a serial mediation effect linking personality, number of status updates, received Likes, and social media addiction. For both extroverts and neurotics, receiving positive feedback because of increased activity was linked to an increase in the risk for social media addiction. These results highlight the existence of different patterns of associations linking these personality traits, online activity, and social media addiction.

A Parent-Report Gender Identity Questionnaire for Children: Psychometric Properties of an Italian Version

This article presents an Italian version of the Gender Identity Questionnaire for Children (GIQC) (Cohen-Kettenis et al., 2006; Johnson et al., 2004), a parent-report questionnaire covering a range of gender characteristics of children. We developed the GIQC-Italian version with the translation/back translation method and administered it, with a sociodemographic data sheet, to the parents of 1148 children aged 3-12 years (non-clinical sample). After obtaining descriptive data for each item, in line with Johnson et al. (2004), we examined dimensionality through exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Considering the results and that our sample was entirely non-clinical, we developed a new scoring procedure. The EFA on the new scores generated three scales: (1) a Female-Typical Behavior Scale, (2) a Male-Typical Behavior Scale, and (3) a Cross-Gender Scale. Additional EFA and confirmatory factor analyses (WLSMV estimator by using a 80/20 random-split-sample analytical approach) confirmed the three-factor solution as the best fitting dimensional structure for the revised GIQC. The Cronbach's α of the scales showed a satisfactory internal consistency. The frequency distribution of the scales scores showed it is possible to find atypical gender behavior and preferences in non-clinical samples. Independent samples t test confirmed a significant difference between boys' and girls' scores. Older children reported scores indicating less gender non-conforming characteristics than younger, except for the Female-Typical Behavior Scale in the girls' subsample. Results are discussed in the light of the existing literature about gender development. Our findings suggest that the GIQC-Italian version could be a useful tool for studying gender development in the Italian context.

Students' Psychological Adjustment in Normative School Transitions From Kindergarten to High School: Investigating the Role of Teacher-Student Relationship Quality

School transitions require students to adapt to new challenges and situations and can increase the risk of externalizing and internalizing psychological symptoms. The teacher-student relationship seems to be a protective factor for the risk of developing psychological symptoms during school transitions. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether the quality of the teacher-student relationship predicts the decrease of internalizing and externalizing symptoms during three school transitions, namely: from kindergarten to primary school (T1), from primary to middle school (T2), and from middle to high school (T3). We recruited 127 kindergarten students (mean age = 5.40, SD = 0.49), 113 fifth grade primary school students (mean age = 10.64, SD = 0.54), and 240 eighth grade students (mean age = 13.88, SD = 0.37) and their teachers (response rate = 95%). Data were collected from 2016 to 2018. Teachers filled out an anonymous survey, acting as informants for the students, reporting demographic details (age, gender), psychological symptoms, and quality of the teacher-student relationship. The data show that a positive teacher-student relationship quality tends to be associated with a reduction of psychological symptoms. A stable, low-conflict teacher-student relationship was confirmed as a protective factor from increased internalizing and externalizing symptoms during all normative school transitions. Furthermore, we see that an increase in teacher-student conflict during the transitions from primary to middle school, and from middle to high school is linked to an exacerbation in students’ externalizing symptoms during the first year of attendance of the new school. Our study confirms the importance of the teacher-student relationship in reducing psychological symptoms associated with school transitions, in every type of transition, favoring an improved psychological adjustment to the new environment. A positive teacher-student relationship represents a protective factor for the development of students. Study limitations are discussed.

Exploring the Dimensional Structure of Bullying Victimization Among Primary and Lower-Secondary School Students: Is One Factor Enough, or Do We Need More?

In adolescence, bullying victimization is typically represented in terms of a three-fold factor structure reflecting three components of verbal, physical, and social victimization. Recent studies have suggested the usefulness of alternativte models including both general and component-specific factors. In this study, we assessed the empirical and theoretical validity of an instrument assessing verbal, physical and social victimization using a set of alternative models of victimization: a unidimensional model, a three-factor model, and a bifactor model. Association between emerging factors and student variables were explored to establish theoretical fit of the models. Sample consisted of upper primary and lower secondary school students [N = 1311; 53% Male; Mean age (SD) = 10.73 (1.45)] and their teachers. The three factor and bifactor models showed good fit. In spite of acceptable fit, the unidimensional model showed lower empirical support when compared with the other models. The dimensions of the three-factor model showed similar associations with most student variables, while the bifactor showed more heterogeneous, and theoretically coherent associations. General victimization decreased with age and was positively related with externalizing and internalizing symptoms, student-teacher conflict and negative expectations. Verbal victimization showed increased prevalence among girls and older students. Physical victimization showed increased prevalence among boys and younger students, and positive associations with externalizing symptoms and student-teacher conflict. Social victimization was more frequent among girls, and positively related with internalizing symptoms and negative expectations toward teachers. These findings highlight the usefulness of modeling victimization using both general and form-specific dimensions for both assessment and theory-building purposes.

Ecoconception des caves : réduction de la consommation d'énergie et intégration paysagère du traitement des effuents de cave avec le dispositif de lit planté de roseaux sur support de zéolithe Zeofito®

Le traitement aérobie des effuents vinicoles est majoritairement utilisé dans les caves. Au-delà des impératifs de performance d'épuration, avec les orientations de développement durable, le traitement doit intégrer plusieurs orientations : faible consommation d'énergie, limitation des boues, valorisation paysagère et de la biodiversité, limitation des nuisances olfactives et sonores, et éventuellement la réutilisation des effuents traités pour l'irrigation. Les dispositifs classiques de phyto-épuration sur lit de sable, qui permettent de traiter des effuents avec une DCO généralement inférieure à 2 g/l, imposent le plus souvent un bassin de stockage aéré conséquent, consommateur d'énergie, source éventuelle de nuisance olfactive, visuelle et sonore. Le procédé Zeofito®, qui équipe maintenant une centaine de caves dans différentes régions italiennes, accentue grâce au support de zéolithe, les mécanismes d'adsorption et de biodégradation. Ainsi, il est possible de réaliser un traitement direct ou éventuellement avec un petit bassin de stockage d'égalisation/aération, correspondant à quelques jours de rejet. La réutilisation de l'eau pour le dispositif de refroidissement de la cave ou l'irrigation des vignes est facilitée comparativement aux dispositifs classiques. Parallèlement au principe et aux performances, l'objectif de la communication est de présenter des installations représentatives de la diversité des caves.

The Self-Efficacy in Multiple Sclerosis (SEMS) Scale

Abstract. This research developed a new scale to evaluate Self-Efficacy in Multiple Sclerosis (SEMS). The aim of this study was to investigate dimensionality, item functioning, measurement invariance, and concurrent validity of the SEMS scale. Data were collected from 203 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients (mean age, 39.5 years; 66% women; 95% having a relapsing remitting form of MS). Fifteen items of the SEMS scale were submitted to patients along with measures of psychological well-being, sense of coherence, depression, and coping strategies. Data underwent Rasch analysis and correlation analysis. Rasch analysis indicates the SEMS as a multidimensional construct characterized by two correlated dimensions: goal setting and symptom management, with satisfactory reliability coefficients. Overall, the 15 items reported acceptable fit statistics; the scale demonstrated measurement invariance (with respect to gender and disease duration) and good concurrent validity (positive correlations with psychological well-being, sense of coherence, and coping strategies and negative correlations with depression). Preliminary evidence suggests that SEMS is a psychometrically sound measure to evaluate perceived self-efficacy of MS patients with moderate disability, and it would be a valuable instrument for both research and clinical applications.

From Their Point of View: Identifying Socio-Behavioral Profiles of Primary School Pupils Based on Peer Group Perception

Our study adopted a person-based approach with the aim to identify socio-behavioral profiles of primary school students based on peer group perception. The study involved 109 classes and their teachers, from the first three grades of elementary school. The final student sample consisted of 424 children, aged 6–9 years (M = 94.9 months; SD = 9.7), of whom 58.3% were male. We used peer-group nomination to investigate the aspects that are linked to peer group acceptance and perception of classroom behaviors, with reference to academic and relational criteria. We identified and defined six clusters. We validated these clusters by taking into consideration the children’s academic performances and the teacher’s perceptions of their relationship with the single students. The identified clusters were related to both of these aspects, and they show predictive value when referring to children’s behaviors as evaluated by their teachers. Implications for theory and educational policies are discussed.

Student-Teacher Relationships As a Protective Factor for School Adjustment during the Transition from Middle to High School

A robust body of research has identified school transitions during adolescence, and in particular the transition from middle to high school, as one of the riskiest phases for school failure, being characterized by significant social, emotional and behavioral changes. This transition is critical even with respect to academic achievement: in Italy, the highest frequency of school dropout can be observed in the 9th and 10th grades, partly as a consequence of poor adjustment to the new school context. The impact of students' relationships with their teachers may be particularly relevant during critical developmental periods. Indeed, student-teacher relationships have been widely recognized as protective factors in school adjustment and, in case of negative relationships, also as a factor that increases the risk of maladjustment. Positive and affective student-teacher relationships may play an important role in students' adaptation to the school environment, favoring both academic achievement and adaptive behaviors. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the quality of teacher-student relationships, as perceived by pupils, on academic achievement, and problem and prosocial behaviors during the relevant school transition. The sample consisted of 122 students (55% female). We employed a self-report questionnaire to collect information on: demographic characteristics, quality of the relationship with teachers, problem and prosocial behaviors, and academic achievement. Students filled in the questionnaires twice: once during the 8th grade and 1 year later, during their first year of high school (9th grade). Regression analyses indicated that both average and varying levels of closeness with teachers significantly predicted changes in academic achievement: A perceived increase in closeness in 9th grade, as well as a higher mean closeness level, was associated with an increase in academic achievement. In turn, an increase in the level of perceived conflict with teachers significantly predicted an increase in conduct problems and hyperactive behaviors. This study supports the significance of student-teacher relationships as a protective factor during students' transition to high-school. Our findings also highlight the importance of relationship quality in preventing students' risk of school failure.

Illness perception in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: The roles of alexithymia and depression

OBJECTIVE

Alexithymia and depressive mood have been described as important dimensions of several medical diseases. Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic condition characterized by unpredictable clinical manifestations. The relationships between alexithymia, depression, and illness perception were examined in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. The interrelationships between psychological factors, such as alexithymia and depressive mood, were explored in systemic lupus erythematosus patients, and associations between these factors and illness perception in SLE were examined. We hypothesized that alexithymia and negative perceptions of illness would be associated in SLE patients, and depression would mediate this relationship.

METHODS

Subjects were 100 consecutive systemic lupus erythematosus patients attending the outpatient clinic at the University of Pisa rheumatology unit. They completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Revised Illness Perceptions Questionnaire. Clinical variables were measured, disease activity was evaluated using the European Consensus Lupus Activity Measure, and damage was assessed using the Systemic Lupus International Collaborative Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index.

RESULTS

There were no associations between clinical variables, alexithymia, and depression. The results highlight the existence of significant links between alexithymia and illness perception for systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Moreover, our data suggest that some of these links are mediated by depression, which is the direct predictor of different aspects of perceived health.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that studying the role of psychological factors, such as alexithymia and depression, may contribute to a more comprehensive perspective of systemic lupus erythematosus, including their impact on patients' beliefs about treatment effectiveness and emotional adaptation to chronic disease.

Sharing feelings online: studying emotional well-being via automated text analysis of Facebook posts

Digital traces of activity on social network sites represent a vast source of ecological data with potential connections with individual behavioral and psychological characteristics. The present study investigates the relationship between user-generated textual content shared on Facebook and emotional well-being. Self-report measures of depression, anxiety, and stress were collected from 201 adult Facebook users from North Italy. Emotion-related textual indicators, including emoticon use, were extracted form users’ Facebook posts via automated text analysis. Correlation analyses revealed that individuals with higher levels of depression, anxiety expressed negative emotions on Facebook more frequently. In addition, use of emoticons expressing positive emotions correlated negatively with stress level. When comparing age groups, younger users reported higher frequency of both emotion-related words and emoticon use in their posts. Also, the relationship between online emotional expression and self-report emotional well-being was generally stronger in the younger group. Overall, findings support the feasibility and validity of studying individual emotional well-being by means of examination of Facebook profiles. Implications for online screening purposes and future research directions are discussed.