27 research outputs found
Character strengths: A study of Argentinean soldiers
The primary objective of this research was to study the differences in positive traits between military and civilian college students and between cadets in their first and final years at a military academy. Second, the research aimed to study the relations between positive traits and the academic and military performance of cadets in their first and final years, according to the classification of positive traits by Peterson and Seligman (2004). To accomplish these objectives, a sample of university students from a military educational institution and a sample of civilian university students were studied. The instruments used were a 24-item self-report measure of positive traits, a measure of social desirability, and objective scores of academic and military performance. The results generally showed that when age and career stage were held constant, the scores of the military students were higher than the scores of the civilian students across various strengths. Military students reported higher levels of the character strength of spirituality than did civilian students. The relationships between strengths and performance differed for students in their first and final years at the military academy. In particular, cadets with the higher levels of academic or military performance in their last year, i.e., the cadets best adapted to the academy, reported higher levels of the character strength of persistence when compared to low-performing cadets in the same year of study.Fil: Cosentino, Alejandro César. Universidad de Palermo; ArgentinaFil: Castro Solano, Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin
The high five: Associations of the five positive factors with the big five and well-being
The study of individual differences in positive characteristics has mainly focused on moral traits. The objectives of this research were to study individual differences in positive characteristics from the point of view of the layperson, including non-moral individual characteristics, and to generate a replicable model of positive factors. Three studies based on a lexical approach were conducted. The first study generated a corpus of words which resulted in a refined list of socially shared positive characteristics. The second study produced a five-factor model of positive characteristics: erudition, peace, cheerfulness, honesty, and tenacity. The third study confirmed the model with a different sample. The five-positive-factor model not only showed positive associations with emotional, psychological and social well-being, but it also accounted for the variance beyond that accounted for by the Big Five factors in predicting these well-being dimensions. In addition, the presence of convergent and divergent validity of the five positive factors is shown with relation to the Values-in-Action (VIA) classification of character strengths proposed by Peterson and Seligman (2004).Fil: Cosentino, Alejandro César. Universidad de Palermo; ArgentinaFil: Castro Solano, Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Psicología; Argentin
The High Five Model: Associations of the high factors with complete mental well-being and academic adjustment in university students
Traditionally, models of positive personality traits have referred to moral characteristics. The High Five Model (HFM) is a factor model of individual positive traits based on an inductive psycho-lexical approach. Unlike other models, in the HFM the positive characteristics were freely determined by lay people, beyond any moral tones. The HFM comprises the following factors: erudition, peace, cheerfulness, honesty, and tenacity, known as ?the high factors.? This model was shown to positively exceed the capacity of normal personality to predict emotional, social, and psychological well-being. Additionally, this model is negatively associated with non-transmissible diseases, psychopathological symptoms, and psychopathological personality traits. This study aimed to increase the validation of the HFM, by analyzing the relationships among this model and positive mental health, psychopathological symptoms, academic adjustment, and academic performance in university students. Another objective was to study the association between complete mental well-being (i.e., high well-being and low psychopathological symptomatology) and the high factors of the HFM. The sample consisted of 256 university students. Correlations were calculated, and the two-step cluster analysis was used to obtain profiles. The results showed that tenacity and erudition high factors are positively associated with academic achievement and academic adjustment. Finally, each of the high factors was positively associated with complete mental well-being. The HFM has a broad scope, as it is related not only to psychological variables (e.g., well-being or psychopathological symptomatology) but also to academic performance (e.g., adjustment and achievement) in university students.Fil: Castro Solano, Alejandro. Universidad de Palermo. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Departamento de Psicología. Centro de Investigación y Posgrados; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Cosentino, Alejandro César. Universidad de Palermo. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Departamento de Psicología. Centro de Investigación y Posgrados; Argentin
High Five Model: The High Factors are Associated with Low-Risk of Medical, Mental and Personality Diseases
El Modelo de los Cinco Altos (MCA; High Five Model, HFM, por sus siglas en inglés) establece cinco rasgos positivos de la personalidad: erudición, paz, jovialidad, honestidad, y tenacidad, llamados factores altos. Un estudio previo había mostrado la validez convergente, discriminante y estructural del MCA. Este estudio tuvo por objetivo corroborar que el MCA está asociado positivamente a variables relacionadas con la salud física y mental de los individuos. Se realizó este estudio con una muestra de participantes de población general no consultante. Específicamente, se estudió la asociación entre los factores del MCA y el modelo de Salud Mental Positiva, el bajo riesgo de enfermedad médica, la ausencia de síntomas psicopatológicos y de rasgos asociados con la personalidad psicopatológica. Para tal fin, se realizaron dos análisis de correspondencia múltiples que estudiaron las relaciones entre los factores del MCA con, por una parte, la Salud Mental Positiva y el bajo riesgo de enfermedad médica, y, por otra parte, indicadores de trastorno mental o de personalidad. Los resultados mostraron que, en términos generales, puntuaciones elevadas en los factores del MCA están asociadas a indicadores de salud y, contrariamente, puntuaciones bajas en esos factores se asocian a indicadores de enfermedad. Estos resultados aportan a la validez de constructo del MCA.The High Five Model (HFM; Modelo de los Cinco Altos, MCA, in Spanish) establishes five positive traits of personality: erudition, peace, joviality, honesty, and tenacity, called high factors. A previous study had shown the convergent, discriminating, and structural validity of the HFM. This study aimed to corroborate that the HFM is positively associated with variables related to the physical and mental health of individuals. This study was carried out with a sample of participants from the non-consulting general population. Specifically, the associations between the HFM factors with the Positive Mental Health model, the low risk of medical disease, the absence of psychopathological symptoms and psychopathological personality traits were studied. To that end, two multiple correspondence analyzes were carried out to study the relationships between HFM factors with, on the one hand, Positive Mental Health and the low risk of medical illness, and, on the other hand, indicators of mental disorder or personality. The results showed that, in general terms, high scores on HFM factors are associated with health indicators, and conversely, low scores on those factors are associated with disease indicators. These results contribute to the construct validity of the HFM
IVyF Abreviado (IVyFabre): Análise Psicométrico e de Estrutura Fatorial na Argentina
The study of character virtues and strenghts is an important one in positive psychology A measurement instrument, consisting of 24-single-item global self-rating to assess the 24 character strengths of Peterson and Seligman (2004) classification, was developed. The instrument is a brief version of the Strength of Character Inventory (sci). Psychometric characteristics of this instrument, named Strength of Character Inventory Brief Form (sci-bf; IVyF Abreviado, IVyFabre, in Spanish), in both genders, were analyzed. The results showed adequate test-retest reliability, as well as validity, assessed with external criterion (observers), and the expected associations with the big five personality traits, life satisfaction and social desirability. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses conducted with different samples support a three-factor structure of character strengths in Argentinean population, that represent characteristics associated with social (interpersonal factor), individual (intelligencefactor) and the harmony between the individual and the social (restriction factor) features. These findings are consistent with previous studies carried out by local investigators in Argentina, the United States and China. Keywords: Positive psychology, virtue, character strengths, test construction, factor structure. El estudio de las virtudes y fortalezas del carácter es uno de los temas más importantes dentro de la psicología positiva. Peterson y Seligman (2004) determinaron que 24 fortalezas del carácter estaban vinculadas a 6 virtudes y llamaron via a esa clasificación. Nuestro trabajo está incluido en la investigación sobre esa clasificación. Se desarrolló un instrumento de medición de 24 ítems de autopuntuación global directa para evaluar las 24 fortalezas del carácter de la clasificación de Peterson y Seligman (2004). Este instrumento es la versión corta del IVyF. Se analizaron las características psicométricas de este instrumento llamado IVyF abreviado (IVyFabre; Strength of Character Inventory Brief Form, sci-bf, en inglés) con muestras que incluyeron mujeres y hombres. Los resultados mostraron que el IVyFabre tiene tanto adecuada confiabilidad de tipo test-retest y validez con un criterio externo (observadores), como las esperadas asociaciones con los rasgos de personalidad del Big Five, satisfacción con la vida y deseabilidad social. Análisis factoriales exploratorios y confirmatorios, realizados con muestras diferentes, respaldan que la estructura factorial de las fortalezas en población argentina está compuesta por tres factores que representan las características vinculadas a lo social (factor interpersonal), lo individual (factor empuje/inteligencia) y la armonía de lo individual con lo social (factor restricción). Este resultado es consistente con estudios previos realizados por investigadores locales de Argentina, Estados Unidos y China.Palabras clave: psicología positiva, virtud, fortalezas del carácter, construcción de test, estructura factorial.Se desenvolveu um instrumento de medição de 24itens de auto pontuação global direta para avaliar as24 fortalezas do carácter da classificação de Petersone Seligman (2004). Este instrumento é a versão curtado IVyF. Se analisaram as características psicométricasdeste instrumento chamado IVyF Abreviado (IVyFabre;Strength of Character Inventory Brief Form, sci-bf, eminglês) com amostras que incluíram mulheres e homens.Os resultados mostraram que o IVyFabre tem adequadaconfiabilidade de tipo teste-reteste, e validade com umcritério externo (observadores), assim como as esperadasassociações com os rasgos de personalidade do Big Five,satisfação com a vida e desejabilidade social. Análisesfatoriais exploratórias e confirmatórias, realizadas comamostras diferentes, respaldam que a estrutura fatorialdas fortalezas em população argentina está compostapor três fatores que representam as características vinculadasao social (fator interpessoal), o individual (fatorestímulo/inteligência) e a harmonia do individual como social (fator restrição). Este resultado é consistentecom estudos prévios realizados por pesquisadores locaisda Argentina, dos Estados Unidos e da China.Palavras-chave: psicologia positiva, virtude, fortalezasdo carácter, construção de teste, estrutura fatorial
A Lexical Approach to the Study of Positive Psychological Human Characteristics: A General Population Study in Argentina
El estudio de las diferencias individuales en características positivas se ha focalizado en el estudio de características morales que son atribuidas por las personas a sí mismas. El objetivo de esta investigación fue estudiar las características positivas que son atribuidas a personajes admirados desde el punto de vista de las personas comunes. Se incluyeron características individuales morales y no morales. Como resultado, se halló un modelo de cinco factores de características positivas de los personajes admirados: humor y sociabilidad, intuición e inteligencia, laboriosidad, serenidad,y espiritualidad. Un segundo análisis determinó que 4 perfiles caracterizan a los personajes admirados: Baja Espiritualidad, Bajos Humor y Sociabilidad, Perfil Ideal, y Baja Serenidad. El último análisis determinó la asociación de los diferentes perfiles con los personajes admirados.The study of individual differences in positive characteristics has focused on the study of moral characteristics that people attribute to themselves. The objective of this research was to study positive characteristics attributed to admired characters from the point of view of laypeople. Moral and not moral individual characteristics were included. As a result, a model of five positive factors of admired characteristics was found, comprising humor and sociability, intuition and intelligence, industriousness, serenity, and spirituality A second analysis revealed four profiles that characterize admired figures: low spirituality, low humor and sociability, ideal profile, and low serenity. The last analysis determined the association of the different profiles with the admired characters.Fil: Castro Solano, Alejandro. Universidad de Palermo. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Departamento de Psicología. Centro de Investigación y Posgrados; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Cosentino, Alejandro César. Universidad de Palermo. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Departamento de Psicología. Centro de Investigación y Posgrados; Argentin
The High Five Model as a predictor of academic performance over conventional psychological predictors in university students
IntroductionThe High Five Model (HFM) categorizes five positive human characteristics-erudition, peace, joviality, honesty, and tenacity-utilizing an inductive psycholexic approach. This study examines the predictive power of HFM on academic performance among university students, hypothesizing that it surpasses conventional predictors such as academic motivation, exam anxiety, and academic procrastination.MethodsA non-experimental cross-sectional correlational design was implemented using a non-probabilistic convenience sample of 1,007 Ecuadorian university students (403 females). Self-reported measures of the “high factors,” academic motivation, exam anxiety, and academic procrastination were collected. Linear regression analysis was utilized to evaluate the predictive capacity of the HFM on academic performance.ResultsThe analysis revealed that the high factors of the HFM significantly predict academic performance, demonstrating a stronger predictive ability than traditional psychological predictors.DiscussionThe findings suggest that incorporating the HFM into academic settings could enhance understanding and prediction of student performance. This could potentially inform targeted interventions that leverage these high factors, thereby fostering better academic outcomes. Further research could explore the integration of the HFM with other educational strategies and its applicability across diverse educational contexts
Assessment of the affective and rational bases for urgent decision-making under extreme circumstances
In the framework of dual-type theories, decision making is based on two types of information processing: intuitive and reflective. Inspired by that framework, our aims were to develop a brief self-rating measurement instrument to assess the affective and reflective bases for urgent decision-making under extreme circumstances, and to study its psychometric properties. Samples comprising cadets from a military academy, military peacekeeper personnel, and the general population were used. The results showed evidence of acceptable reliability as well as structural, convergent, and known group validity for the Bases for Urgent Decisions under Extreme Circumstances inventory (BUDECI), the new 8-item inventory
Applications of Psychological First Aid in Disaster and Emergency Situations: Its Relationship with Decision-Making
Many people in the world are highly vulnerable to being affected by events of great vitalimpact. A disaster, which is known as an unexpected and brutal event, causes great socialdisorganization and significant psychological disorders. The protocol on PsychologicalFirst Aid (PFA) establishes certain actions to take on victims who are in the area of theevent. Through these actions, the victims are assisted in a non-invasive protocol and theyare helped to feel calm but not passive. The study of the processes of decision-making is atopic of great interest for the advancement of Cognitive Psychology and Neuroscience.Regarding the implementation of PFA in disaster situations, the type of decision-making,analytic or intuitive, could represent an important factor for the effectiveness of theactions of aid provided by volunteers. Thus, the evaluation and decision-making trainingwould be taken as a key factor. In this sense, intuitive or emotional decisions are moreeffective than analytical ones according to cultural experts who have studied similarsituations. This paper presents results and conclusions regarding the associations betweenthe implementation of PFA and the types of decisions made by the volunteers in asimulated disaster. To do so, the use of software, which stages a transport accident,provides the necessary instructions to the users through a set of four videos to be chosen.Fil: Azzollini, Susana Celeste. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Psicología. Instituto de Investigaciones; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Depaula, Pablo Domingo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Psicología. Instituto de Investigaciones; ArgentinaFil: Cosentino, Alejandro César. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Psicología; ArgentinaFil: Bail Pupko, Vera. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Psicología. Instituto de Investigaciones; Argentin
A tomada de decisão emocional afeta negativamente a eficácia dos primeiros auxílios psicológicos: além do perfil psicológico do socorrista
The psychological first aid protocol according to the 4C model (PFA-4C) sets out actions to assist people on the spot and immediately after being affected by a disaster. The present work aims to determine the psychological characteristics linked to the tendency to efficacy in PFA-4C in non-professional individuals without previous disaster training. In addition, it investigates the effects of decision making and brief training in PFA-4C on that efficacy assessed one week after the training. We carried an explanatory study with factorial design. A sample of 175 university students from a military academy was taken. Correlations were analyzed and a factorial ANCOVA was carried out. The results of the analyses showed a series of psychological variables associated with efficacy in PFA-4C. The following efficacy psychological profile was found: high tenacity and honesty, openness to experience, joviality, agreeableness, affective attraction and taking the other’s perspective, low affective aversion towards the other and high levels of cognitive coping strategies for change the situation and cognitive and behavioral motor coping aimed at reducing emotion and a low level of avoidant coping. Results of the factorial ANCOVA showed that emotional decision making causes a lower efficacy in PFA-4C compared to rational decision making. The results allow us to guide a selection of personnel without previous training for disaster help.El protocolo de primera ayuda psicológica según el modelo de las 4C (PAP-4C) establece acciones para asistir a las personas en el lugar e inmediatamente después de ser afectadas por un desastre. El presente trabajo se propone determinar las características psicológicas que están vinculadas a la tendencia a la eficacia en PAP-4C en individuos no profesionales y sin formación previa en desastres. Asimismo, se indaga en los efectos de la toma de decisión y del entrenamiento breve en PAP-4C que tiene sobre esa eficacia evaluada una semana después del entrenamiento. Se realizó un estudio explicativo con diseño factorial. Se contó con una muestra de 175 estudiantes universitarios de una academia militar. Se analizaron correlaciones y se realizó un ANCOVA factorial. Los resultados de los análisis mostraron una serie de variables psicológicas asociadas a la alta eficacia en PAP-4C. Por una parte, se hallaron asociaciones positivas con tenacidad, honestidad, apertura a la experiencia, jovialidad, agradabilidad, atracción afectiva hacia el otro, toma de la perspectiva del otro, estrategias de afrontamiento cognitivo dirigido a cambiar la situación, afrontamientos cognitivo y conductual motor dirigidos a reducir la emoción, y, por otra parte, asociaciones negativas con aversión afectiva hacia el otro y afrontamiento evitativo. Los resultados del ANCOVA factorial mostraron que la toma de decisión emocional provoca una menor eficacia en PAP-4C en comparación con la toma de decisión racional. Los de este estudio resultados permiten guiar una selección de personal sin formación previa para la asistencia en desastres.O protocolo de primeiros socorros de acordo com o modelo 4C (PAP-4C) estabelece ações para ajudar as pessoas no local e imediatamente após serem afetadas por um desastre. O presente projeto visa determinar as características psicológicas que estão ligadas à tendência à eficácia do PAP-4C em indivíduos não-profissionais sem treinamento prévio em desastres. Da mesma forma, investiga os efeitos da tomada de decisão e do breve treinamento no PAP-4C sobre essa eficácia avaliada uma semana após o treinamento. Foi realizado um estudo explicativo com um desenho fatorial. Foi utilizada uma amostra de 175 estudantes universitários de uma academia militar. As correlações foram analisadas e um ANCOVA fatorial foi realizado. Os resultados das análises mostraram uma série de variáveis psicológicas associadas a uma alta eficácia no PAP-4C. Por um lado, foram encontradas associações positivas com tenacidade, honestidade, abertura à experiência, jovialidade, agradabilidade, atração afetiva em relação ao outro, tomando a perspectiva do outro, estratégias cognitivas de enfrentamento visando mudar a situação, enfrentamento cognitivo e comportamental motor visando reduzir a emoção, e, por outro lado, associações negativas com aversão afetiva em relação ao outro e evitar enfrentamento. Os resultados do fatorial ANCOVA mostraram que a tomada de decisão emocional causa uma eficácia menor no PAP-4C em comparação com a tomada de decisão racional. Os resultados deste estudo nos permitem orientar uma seleção de pessoal sem treinamento prévio para assistência em catástrofes