Analysis of adolescents' views on the role of vaccination and limitations in psychosocial functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced entering numerous changes and restrictions on daily psychosocial functioning. The purpose of our research was to explore the views of adolescents aged 14-20 years attending secondary schools on the role of vaccination and the restrictions put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods. The study was conducted with 504 secondary school students in a small town in Poland. Students were aged between 14 and 20 years (M = 16.6, SD = 1.3). The groups were homogeneous in terms of age and gender. 250 males (M = 16.5; SD = 1.3) and 254 females (M = 16.7; SD = 1.4) completed the sheets.   The survey took place between January 7 and 11, 2022. The study used the author's “Pandemic and My Life” survey method. It contained 7 closed-ended questions covering adolescents' attitudes towards COVID-19. Results. More than half of the students have been vaccinated against COVID-19, and they are convinced of the effectiveness of the vaccines. Females were more likely to reveal anxiety before infection. Despite the presence of the COVID-19 virus in many families’ homes, concerns about infection were rather small. A great number of the respondents assessed restrictions as “more burdensome than beneficial”. Males were more prone to accepting distant education. There was a relationship between students' fear of the COVID-19 infection and the anxiety observed by pupils in their families. Conclusions. The majority of the adolescents surveyed have been vaccinated against COVID-19 and have positive opinions about the effectiveness of the vaccines. There is a strong polarisation of views on some issues. The results obtained can be helpful in building preventive programmes and shaping pupils' health-promoting attitudes.                   &nbsp

Cognitive and psychomotor performance of Polish and Ukrainian drivers

Introduction. Recent years have seen a dynamic increase in people from eastern countries employed in Polish road transport. The aim of the study was to compare the cognitive and psychomotor performance of Polish and Ukrainian drivers.   Material and Methods. The results of 336 male truck drivers aged between 22 and 64 years were analysed. There were 174 respondents in the Polish sample (M = 38.6 years; SD = 10.3) and 162 respondents in the Ukrainian sample (M = 36.8 years; SD = 8.3). The level of intellectual performance was assessed using the Raven's Matrix Test (TMS) and the Precision of Movement and Quick Thinking (PIM) Index. Psychomotor performance was verified using computer tests belonging to the SDP System.   Results. Ukrainian drivers, compared to Polish drivers, were characterised by analogous results in terms of cognitive processes and psychomotor performance. The mean scores of the Raven's test, PIM index and also coordination tests were comparable in both groups. A strong positive correlation was found between TMS and PIM.   Conclusions. 1. Drivers from Ukraine and Poland have similar intellectual and psychomotor abilities. 2. The PIM index correlates strongly positively with TMS and can be a reliable tool in intelligence screening. 3. The presented methods of the SDP System are not culturally loaded. Standardised scales addressed to the Polish driver population should be used to assess these areas in Ukrainian subjects. &nbsp

E-sport related intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in practice. Initial psychometric properties of the “E-sport and ME” questionnaire

Background. The popularity of eSports is rapidly increasing, and PC gamers are watched by crowds of spectators similarly to traditional sports. The aim. E-Sport and ME questionnaire was created to assess motivation for playing video games and competing in tournaments. Material and methods. The theoretical background was grounded in self-determination theory (SDT). The results of 203 men aged 14 to 33 years (M = 20.4; SD = 3.4) were studied. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA and CFA) were conducted. Results. Both EFA and CFA indicated two solid factors: extrinsic and intrinsic motivation [Comparative Fit Index = 0.995, Tucker Lewis Index = 0.994, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.046 (CI 0.00 – 0.08), Standardized Root Mean Square Residual = 0.075 (χ2 = 64.16, df = 53)]. Both scales had a high level of internal consistency (> α = 0.8). Respondents from professional e-sports clubs have higher extrinsic motivation than amateurs; intrinsic motivation takes place on similar level.  Conclusions. The statistical analysis of e-sport and myself revealed a high level of internal consistency as well as the identification of two distinct factors. This could aid coaches and players in outlining the dominant type of motivation for playing video games. The shown version should be further explored and validated to increase its generalizability

Psychomotor performance in video games

Introduction: Interactive electronic games allow to access virtual environments and interact using a computer or TV screen. Anyone who has played a video game, or seen others playing, is aware of the importance of reaction speed and eye-hand coordination skills. Objective: To determine the differences in psychomotor performance between professional gamers and amateurs. Material and Methods:  A total of 62 gamers took part in the study, including 31 people - professional video game users who had participated in e-tournaments in the last month (age: M = 20.6, SD = 6.3) and 31 people who did not play video games or played very rarely (they declared that they did not participate in e-sports tournaments), who constituted the control group (age: M = 17.9, SD = 5.4). Integrated computer SDP-System with an executive module for stimulus generation and reception was used to assess psychomotor performance. Results: Professional gamers have higher psychomotor skills than amateurs. They reveal better results for fast thinking, motor reactions, perception, attention, and working memory. Conclusion: Playing video games has a positive impact on players' psychomotor performance and can promote improvements in elementary cognitive functions. Key words: video-games; e-sport; psychomotor performance; cognitive functions         &nbsp

Traffic Risk Image in The Light of the Road Situation Assessment Questionnaire

Introduction: Drivers often lack reflection on their behaviour. For predictive purposes and educational interventions, it is useful to know the individual traffic risk picture of the driver under investigation. Objective: This paper aimed to show the psychometric properties of the questionnaire and to establish a hierarchy of traffic situations in terms of perceptions of associated danger. Material and Methods: A total of 548 people aged between 18 and 68 years participated in the study. A self-administered questionnaire method was used to measure situational (road) awareness and the ability to anticipate the consequences of engaging in unsafe road traffic actions. The tool's accuracy was verified with the 'Controversy' questionnaire, which is used to measure the severity of drivers' normative beliefs about breaking traffic laws. Results: Satisfactory psychometric values of the questionnaire were obtained. After taking into account the correlation of measurement errors, an acceptable fit was obtained: χ2 /df = 2.48; GFI = 0.95; AGFI = 0.92; CFI = 0.96; RMSEA = 0.06 (0.048-0.072). Mean values and standard deviations for 14 descriptions of unsafe traffic situations were shown. Conclusions: The satisfactory reliability and accuracy of the measurement allow the method to be used in research and individual diagnosis in the areas of transport psychology and education. Overtaking at pedestrian crossings, on a bend, uphill, and continuing to drive despite fatigue are the most dangerous traffic situations associated with the risk of traffic accidents

Trafność i rzetelność inwentarza TIPI-PL w komputerowej wersji systemu SDP na przykładzie badań kierowców

Celem artykułu jest ocena trafności i rzetelności polskiej adaptacji testu TIPI-PL w komputerowej wersji systemowej zwanej w skrócie SDP, w kontekście możliwości i zakresu jego stosowania w diagnozie psychologicznej kierowców. Inwentarz TIPI składa się zaledwie z 10 twierdzeń obejmujących 5 czynników „Wielkiej Piątki” i charakteryzuje się zadowalającą rzetelnością i trafnością rekomendowaną w badaniach naukowych. Za pomocą tego kwestionariusza zbadano 414 osób kierujących pojazdami (371 mężczyzn i 43 kobiety), które uczestniczyły w profilaktycznych badaniach psychologicznych w związku z kierowaniem pojazdem samochodowym w pracy. Wykazano, że kobiety cechowały się większą ugodowością, sumiennością i otwartością w porównaniu z badanymi mężczyznami. Porównano siłę powiązań pomiędzy czynnikami TIPI a miarami podobnych konstruktów oraz dowiedziono satysfakcjonującej trafności i rzetelności poszczególnych podskal. Współczynniki rzetelności tych podskal były często podobne do tych, które opisywane są w naukowej literaturze, choć najbardziej korzystne okazały się dla stabilności emocjonalnej. Z badań wynika, że stosowanie tej metody wraz z innymi zadaniami testowymi zwiększa trafność i rzetelność otrzymanych rezultatów. Ograniczanie analizy badanego obszaru wyłącznie do wyników jednego testu zarówno w wersji SDP, jak i wersji „papierowej” mogłoby nie tylko okazać się mylące i niedokładne, ale przede wszystkim obarczone dużym ryzykiem błędów interpretacyjnych

Level of fluid intelligence and behavior related to work at truck drivers

Artykuł podejmuje próbę określenia zależności pomiędzy poziomem inteligencji płynnej a typami zachowań i przeżyć związanych z pracą w grupie kierowców z uwzględnieniem ich wieku. Badaniami zostali objęci kierowcy samochodów ciężarowych, którzy uczestniczyli w badaniach okresowych w zakresie psychologii transportu. Badania obejmowały ocenę sprawności intelektualnej oraz czynników osobowościowych z uwzględnieniem poziomu zaangażowania zawodowego, radzenia sobie ze stresem i obciążeniami w pracy oraz emocjonalnego stosunku do pracy. Zastosowano Test Matryc Ravena w wersji Standard oraz Kwestionariusz Avem. Wykazano, że wyższy poziom inteligencji płynnej sprzyja podejmowaniu zachowań w pracy typu „oszczędnościowego”, natomiast niższy – wiąże się z tendencją do zachowań ryzyka typu A (nadmiernego przeciążenia pracą). Wiek nie różnicował badanych osób w kontekście radzenia sobie ze stresem i obciążeniami w pracy. Starsi kierowcy preferowali strategię opartą na rezygnacji w sytuacji porażki. Autorzy wnioskują, aby uwzględniać badanie inteligencji i wzorców zachowań związanych z pracą w diagnostyce przydatności do zawodu kierowcy.The article attempts to assess the relationship between the level of fluid intelligence and types of behaviors and experiences related to work in a group of drivers, due to their age. The research covered drivers of lorries who participated in periodic research in the field of transport psychology. The research included the assessment of intellectual performance and personality factors, taking into account the level of professional involvement, coping with stress and workload as well as emotional attitude to work using the Raven’s Standard Matrices Test and the Avem Questionnaire. It has been shown that a higher level of fluid intelligence is conducive to behavior in “savings” type of work, while a lower one is associated with a tendency to type A (excessive workload) behavior. It was observed that age did not affect the subjects in the context of coping with stress and workloads. Older drivers preferred resigning when failing. Authors concluded that to assess the level of fluid intelligence and types of behavior and experiences connected with drivers’ work in the suitability diagnostics for the driver’s profession

Przydatność narzędzia AUDIT w ocenie wzorców spożywania alkoholu przez kierowców, którzy utracili uprawnienia do kierowania pojazdami samochodowymi

Alcohol consumption by drivers has a negative impact on the driving behaviour and the risk of an accident. The objective of the work the usefulness of the AUDIT tool in relation to alcohol consumption patterns of people who lost their driving license for drunk driving. The study used a 10-item AUDIT questionnaire, which included 196 people aged 19 to 71 years. The experimental group (Group 1) consisted of people who lost their driving license "after drinking", and the control group (Group 2) consisted of people who drive motor vehicles at work. It has been shown that the majority of people who had their authorization to drive a car revoked, faced difficulties in controlling their alcohol consumption. There were no statistically significant differences in the results of the AUDIT questionnaire, taking into account the group and gender criteria. The surveyed drivers most often revealed a low and moderate pattern of alcohol consumption. People who drink, in the problem model (risky) significantly more often lost their driving license than people in the control group.Spożywanie alkoholu przez kierowców ma negatywny wpływ na sposób prowadzenia pojazdu i ryzyko wypadku. Celem pracy była ocena przydatności narzędzia AUDIT w odniesieniu do wzorców spożywania alkoholu przez osoby, które utraciły prawo jazdy za kierowanie pojazdem samochodowym pod wpływem alkoholu. W badaniach zastosowano 10-itemowy kwestionariusz AUDIT, którym objęto 196 osób w wieku od 19 do 71 lat. Grupę eksperymentalną (Grupa 1) stanowiły osoby, które utraciły prawo jazdy „po alkoholu”, a grupę kontrolną (Grupa 2) tworzyły osoby, które kierują pojazdami samochodowymi w pracy. Wykazano, że większość osób, którym odebrano uprawnienia do kierowania, napotykała na większe trudności w zakresie kontroli spożywanego alkoholu. Nie odnotowano istotnych statystycznie różnic w zakresie wyników kwestionariusza AUDIT z uwzględnieniem kryterium grupy i płci. Badani kierowcy ujawniali najczęściej niski i umiarkowany wzorzec spożywania alkoholu. Osoby pijące w modelu problemowym (ryzykownym) istotnie częściej utraciły prawo jazdy od osób z grupy kontrolnej

Protection of winter wheat against diseases with the use of decision support system

Wprowadzenie od 1 stycznia 2014 roku zasad integrowanej ochrony roślin ma na celu zapewnienie bezpieczeństwa wytwarzanej w procesie produkcji rolniczej żywności. Jednym z elementów zagwarantowania konsumentom zdrowej żywności jest racjonalne stosowanie środków ochrony roślin. Do możliwości prawidłowej ochrony roślin należy stosowanie środków ochrony roślin w optymalnym terminie, kiedy przekroczony został wyznaczony próg ekonomicznej szkodliwości. Do tego celu służą m.in. wcześniej ustalone wartości progów szkodliwości oraz systemy wspomagania decyzji. W łanowych doświadczeniach z pszenicą ozimą porównano zastosowanie ochrony fungicydowej na podstawie tradycyjnego schematu (faz rozwojowych), w których rolnicy wykonują zabiegi opryskiwania, z ochroną według wskazań systemu wspomagania decyzji. Zastosowanie ochrony z uwzględnieniem wskazań systemu wspomagania decyzji pozwoliło na zmniejszenie występowania chorób liści i kłosów oraz wpłynęło na zwiększenie plonu i masy tysiąca ziaren.Introduction of integrated plant protection on 1 January 2014 has been aimed at ensuring safety of food coming from the agricultural production process. One of the elements of providing consumers with healthy food is reasonable use of plant protection products. Right plant protection includes use of plant protection products at the optimal time, when the established threshold of economic harmfulness is reached. This purpose is served by, among other things, earlier establishment of the values of thresholds of harmfulness and decision support systems. Stand experiments on winter wheat compared use of fungicide protection according to the traditional scheme (of developmental stages), where farmers conduct spraying procedures with protection according to recommendations of decision support system. Adopting protection according to recommendations of the system enabled to reduce the prevalence of leaf and ear diseases and resulted in higher yield and thousand grain weight