THE AFFECT BALANCE SCALE (ABS): PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES IN ARGENTINA

The Affect Balance Scale (ABS) was developed to assess the affective component of subjective well-being. This study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of ABS in a non-probabilistic sample composed of 2241 individuals in the general population in Argentina, ages ranging from 18 to 89 years (M = 37.53; SD = 14.80). The results suggest acceptable psychometric properties within the sample. Excellent adjustment to the data of the two-dimensional model is observed through confirmatory factor analysis. Results of the factorial invariance analysis of gender conducted indicate that both groups are equivalent in terms of the factor structure under investigation. Internal consistency was also found to be adequate. As a result, the study contributed to assessing positive and negative affect in Spanish speaking populations.

A “GENERAL THEORY OF MENTAL SUFFERING”, AND THE ROLE OF AN INNOVATIVE NARRATIVE THERAPEUTIC APPROACH

This article proposes alternative understandings of certain structuralist informed (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - DSM-IIIrd to 5th Eds.) configurations of mental disorders. Life’s negative discourses and the mind’s captive responses present a “general theory of mental suffering” which phenomena are classified as modernist, DSM mental disorders, such as addictions, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Recent research has indicated that the psychedelic drug, psilocybin, has produced safe and effective outcomes for these mental suffering states. In this context, the article draws on the concept of brain plasticity order, firstly, to identify the means for a person to move away from subjection of life’s negative, dominant discourses that “capture” the brain, and then to intentionally move towards more acceptable, preferred, ethical subjectivities. These explanations, using the phenomenon of depression, provide the foundation for further proposals that an innovative form of narrative therapy could be a safe, effective and meaningful approach for persons in relationship with other similar ways of mental suffering, such as, anxiety, addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anorexia nervosa.

THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PARENTAL ATTACHMENT AND THE PARENTING: A REVIEW AND PRELIMINARY META-ANALYSIS

According to the internal working model, attachment is rooted in one's previous interactive experience, which can affect further interpersonal relationships through reaction to others, including the parent-child relationships. However, no meta-analysis examining the link between parental attachments and parenting styles was done before. This meta-analysis study aimed to examine the associations between parents' patterns of attachment and parenting styles. Sixteen published articles and 2342 participants were included in the analysis. It was found that parental secure attachment correlated with positive parenting, but no significant negative correlation emerged between secure attachment and negative parenting. Regarding maternal insecure attachment, the results showed it correlated with positive parenting negatively and significantly. Also, there was a significant association between the insecure attachment and negative parenting. This research suggests that parental attachment pattern is linked to parenting styles.

TECHNOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY: THE APPLICATION OF VR TECHNOLOGY

The development of technologies and their use in various fields of life and for different purposes have recently increased because of mandatory restrictive measures implemented by worldwide governments (to limit the spread of Covid-19). In this editorial are presented some notions about artificial reality and virtually created environments. It is discussed the opportunity to experience authentic emotions through virtual scenarios where people immerse themselves for teaching, training skills, or even when the real environment cannot be reproduced and only a simulated environment can help to enrich the experience and overcome some fears. It is shown that personal experience in a simulated reality, not only as an observer but also as a protagonist, stimulates and helps to acquire specific practical skills, and develop behavioral models leading to better learning and psychotherapeutic outcomes.

CRITERIA FOR THE TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD, DEVELOPMENTAL FEATURES AND PERCEIVED ADULT STATUS AMONG BULGARIAN STUDENTS

The study focuses on emerging adulthood and the transition to adulthood in Bulgaria, a topic that is rarely studied in the country. The participants were 233 students aged 18-30. Indicators such as criteria for the transition to adulthood, developmental features, and perceived adult status are examined. The results confirm the presence of a specificity that highlights a period of emerging adulthood in Bulgaria. More than two-thirds of the sample is perceived as emerging adults. The most preferred criteria for the transition to adulthood is Starting a family, and the least preferred Chronological age. Identity and Opportunities / Experimentation are the most valued as dimensions of maturity during the emerging adulthood period. Similarities with data from other studies within EU countries have been identified and discussed.

VR TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION IN PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIAL SCIENCES AND BUSINESS: AN INTERVIEW WITH BOYAN MILUSHEV

In this interview are presented some terms related to the simulated environment and virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR). Some peculiarities of VR immersion are discussed and its use for psychological, scientific, educational, and business purposes. Boyan Milushev revealed the benefits of VR application in different life areas.

MEDIATING ROLE OF MENTORING BETWEEN JOB STRESS AND JOB SATISFACTION IN EMPLOYEES OF AN IRANIAN STATE BANK

A large number of research studies have been conducted on mentoring; however, a few of them have been done in developing countries (e.g., Iran). In addition, few researchers have investigated the mediating effect of mentoring functions on job stress and job satisfaction in bank staff. This study is aimed at exploring the mediating role of mentoring in the relationship between job stress and job satisfaction in employees. The study population consisted of all employees of state bank branches in Rasht city (north Iran). The participants of this study were 214 bank employees. The results revealed the mediating role of mentoring in the relationship of job satisfaction and job stress, showing that mentoring mediates the destructive effects of job stress and improves job satisfaction. The present study showed that mentoring is a general form of organizational support that can be effective in reducing job stress. Therefore, having a good mentor may act as a buffer against the destructive effect of job stress toward job satisfaction for employees within an organization. These results supported the proposed structural model.

SELF-COMPASSION AND SELF-PROTECTION IN TWO-CHAIR TECHNIQUE: CONSENSUAL QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF TRANSCRIBED VIDEO-RECORDINGS

Even though self-compassion and self-protection are associated with well-being and mental and physical health, qualitative research in this area is very rare. As no study has compared self-compassionate and self-protective responses during the two-chair technique, the aim was to analyze participants’ subjective responses in reacting to self-criticism during the technique and compare self-compassionate and self-protective statements. The research sample comprised 80 participants; 60 women and 20 men (M = 23.86; SD = 5.98). The investigation underwent consensual qualitative analysis. The results showed four main domains for self-compassion and self-protection: cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and interpersonal aspects. In several cases, the participants utilized self-compassion and self-protection simultaneously or subsequently, and both types of responses to some degree supplemented each other or were intertwined. Self-protection and self-compassion are complimentary. Only by combining these two constructs can individuals assertively protect themselves while being kind to themselves and others. In the case of self-compassion, the results confirm several findings from previous studies, but in the case of self-protection, this is the first more detailed exploration of this construct because it has not been studied sufficiently to date.

EXTRAVERSION AND NEUROTICISM IN RELATION TO WELL-BEING – DO SOME SOCIAL CATEGORIES AND PERSONALITY TRAITS MODIFY THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THEM?

The theoretical assumptions and research findings have established some connections between extraversion/introversion, and neuroticism on the one hand, and well-being on the other hand. There is scarce scientific literature specifying these connections in different social categories or their possible modification in different levels of such personality traits as psychoticism and social desirability. The goal of the current study was to specify if the relationships between extraversion, neuroticism and well-being varied, according to gender, age, degree of manifestation of psychoticism and social desirability. The sample consisted of 470 Bulgarians from 18 to 55 years old using Bulgarian adaptation of Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and a dichotomized analogous scale measuring subjectively assessed well-being. This study found that higher well-being was related to higher extraversion and lower neuroticism, no matter of gender, age, or the degree of manifestation of other personality traits such as psychoticism and social desirability. Social isolation during COVID-19 pandemic may reflect negatively on well-being, as due to various constraints the extrovert people limit their social contacts and because of increased emotional lability in emergency situations that deserves further being investigated.

COPING STRATEGIES AND MENTAL HEALTH OF THE LGBTQ WITH HIV/AIDS – A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Facing stigma on both HIV and sexuality by the larger society puts significant pressure and stress on the LGBTQ living with HIV to cope with their diagnosis. The promotion of coping strategies as an intervention to increase well-being among PLHIV needs to consider current findings to remain relevant. This systematic review took 17 articles from 2008 to 2018 to provide a comprehensive analysis of issues that influenced coping strategies and investigate the association of the chosen coping strategy with their mental health. The results indicated that the impact of double stigma amplifies the challenge faced by the LGBTQ community to deal with their HIV diagnosis and had a significant impact on their mental health wellbeing. Both positive and negative coping styles were present as coping strategies employed with positive coping being used more as a chosen strategy. Each presenting coping strategy was reviewed, with depression and anxiety becoming the baseline indicator to reflect mental health status. This systematic review also revealed that the positive coping strategy does not necessarily lead to a positive psychological state as it is dependent on the changeability of the stressor faced. The findings emphasized the complexities in untangling the influence of coping on wellbeing among PLHIV. More attention should be paid to the mechanisms of stressor appraisal in selecting a more suitable coping strategy.