Assessment of Family Functioning and Eating Disorders – The Mediating Role of Self-Esteem

The aim of the study was to measure whether people at increased risk for eating disorders (EDs) and people without an increased risk of EDs differ from each other in the assessment of family functioning (FF) and self-esteem (SE) dimensions. Moreover, the correlations between FF, EDs, and SE were verified, looking for the mediating role of SE in the context of the FF and EDs. The research was conducted on the group of 160 people aged from 18 to 47 years, including 74 people at increased risk for EDs. We used: The Family APGAR (Adaptability, Partnership, Growth, Affection, and Resolve); The SCOFF Questionnaire; The Multidimensional Self-Esteem Inventory, MSEI. Analyses indicate that the compared groups differ significantly in terms of EDs, assessment of FF, and all components of SE, in such a way that people without an increased risk of EDs are characterized by a more positive assessment of FF and higher SE in all its dimensions. All SE dimensions, except defensive high SE, are mediators in the relationship of FF with EDs. In therapeutic interactions, it is worth focusing on the SE dimensions, as they are one of the mediation elements in the relationship between the assessment of FF and EDs

Sense of happiness in Polish patients with multiple sclerosis

Introduction. Happiness is crucial to patient well-being and their acceptance of their disease. The aim of this study was to assess the sense of happiness in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), compare it to the level of happiness in patients with other neurological conditions, and determine which factors affect the sense of happiness in PwMS. Material and methods. Five hundred and eighty-nine PwMS and 145 control subjects (post-stroke patients with chronic pain syndromes and neuropathies) were included in the study. Due to the differences between the groups in terms of demographic variables, an adjusted group of PwMS (n = 145) was selected from the entire group of PwMS. All patients were assessed using the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SLS), and the Family APGAR Questionnaire. Based on regression analysis, the study examined which variables affected the level of happiness in the groups. Results. Analysis of the OHQ scores showed that PwMS had a lower sense of happiness compared to the control group in the overall score [113.21 (25–42) vs. 119.88 (25–49), respectively; p = 0.031] and the subscales (OHQ subscale 1 — 54.52 vs. 57.84, respectively; p = 0.027; subscale 2 — 35.61 vs. 37.67; respectively; p = 0.044). Based on linear regression analysis, life satisfaction (β = 0.40; p < 0.001), positive orientation (β = 0.32; p < 0.001), and primary education (β = 0.08; p = 0.009) were the most significant predictors of a higher level of happiness in PwMS. Similar results were found in the control group. Conclusions. The sense of happiness in PwMS was lower than in patients with other conditions. The most important factors influencing happiness included life satisfaction and positive orientation. Influencing these predictors should be the aim of psychological interventions, especially in patients with a reduced sense of happiness

Racjonalność procesu argumentacji teologicznej.

Following presentation content synthetic model of rationality of theological argumentation demonstrating these factors which are important for acknowledging whether the argumentation is rational or not, or demonstrating the level of the concentration of rationality. The following paper doesn’t contain analyses concerning rationality of theology as a knowledge but it contains the factors which are important in estimating rationality of mental processes taking part in the process of theological argumentation from psychological point of view. The model concerns theological argumentation as a mental process (including process of reasoning, process of drawing inferences and other mental processes) which is taking part in a mind of theologian speculating on the truths which he/she believes in and which he/she deliberate. This paper shows at one hand a model which can be used by theologian to estimate the rationality of his/her process of theological argumentation and at the other hand a model which can be used by others trying to estimate the rationality of the theologian mental processes. Following presentation content synthetic model of rationality of theological argumentation demonstrating these factors which are important for acknowledging whether the argumentation is rational or not, or demonstrating the level of the concentration of rationality. The following paper doesn’t contain analyses concerning rationality of theology as a knowledge but it contains the factors which are important in estimating rationality of mental processes taking part in the process of theological argumentation from psychological point of view. The model concerns theological argumentation as a mental process (including process of reasoning, process of drawing inferences and other mental processes) which is taking part in a mind of theologian speculating on the truths which he/she believes in and which he/she deliberate. This paper shows at one hand a model which can be used by theologian to estimate the rationality of his/her process of theological argumentation and at the other hand a model which can be used by others trying to estimate the rationality of the theologian mental processes

An Attempt at a Characteristic of the Process of Reasoning

In the present paper the author collects and critically evaluates some model, psychological grasps of the process of deductive reasoning. The theories based on formal logic are subjected to analysis (Piaget, Henle) and those based on natural logic (Braine, Rips, Johnson-Laird) as well as the two-element, cognitive-affective theories (Lewicka, McGuire, Evans). In view of the cognitive description the theories which are most in accord with the real process of reasoning are those models which adhere to the natural logical principles. The two-element models, however, seem to be more general, giving an opportunity for complete grasps of the elements which take part in the process of reasoning. To sum up this synthetic study the author presents his own model of the process of reasoning

Neurological Mechanisms of Diagnosis and Therapy in School Children with ADHD in Poland

The paper aims to present a holistic view of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in pedagogical, psychological, legal, and social dimensions in Polish schools. The authors present the benefits of neurofeedback therapy for elementary school pupils. In order to verify the validity, the paper compares the concordance of a medical diagnosis confirming ADHD syndrome with the occurrence of abnormal electrical brain function recording and abnormalities therein as well as the effectiveness of the neurofeedback therapy. The study confirms that the reported problems faced by pupils and affecting their emotional functioning are reflected in their EEG records. Conclusions from the study lead to the proposal that the neurofeedback assessment should be performed at schools, which should result in the implementation of effective therapy. Moreover, the neurofeedback method should be promoted in Polish schools as an alternative to pharmacological therapy, which, as the research proves, is not always effective. Neurofeedback therapy, similarly to behavioral therapy, is very much needed and useful because it provides optimal conditions for the child’s development and shapes their relations with the environment effectively and harmlessly

A Preliminary Validation of the Polish Version of the Comprehensive Intellectual Humility Scale (CIHS)

Background: In the last few years, empirical research on intellectual humility has grown notably, involving the elaboration of promising measures that provide a different outlook on the construct. Although all of them offer valid, theoretically sound, and meaningful contributions, we selected the 22-item Comprehensive Intellectual Humility Scale (CIHS) by Krumrei-Mancuso and Rouse for validation. The rationale for choosing this questionnaire for Polish validation stands in its multidimensional nature, which enables the study of various nuances of this psychological concept. Methods: The research was carried out with the participation of 260 adults (Study 1) and 210 adults (Study 2). The respondents completed a Polish translation of the original version of the CIHS, the Gratitude Questionnaire—Six Item Form (GQ-6), the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and the Positive Orientation Scale (P-Scale). Results: The findings obtained in both studies support the four-factor model of the CIHS with the higher order factor. The good fit indices of the CFA and MGCFA show the psychometric solidity of the 22-item structure of the Polish version of the CIHS. With respect to convergent validity, the validation study (Study 2) confirmed that gratitude, self-efficacy, and positive orientation are significant correlates of the CIHS. Conclusion: Since intellectual humility is still a little-known psychological construct, both as a concept and as a possible antecedent or consequence, it would be worth examining it in the future with other variables of an intraindividual and interindividual nature

The Loss of Self-Dignity and Anger among Polish Young Adults: The Moderating Role of Religiosity

Does the way we think or feel about ourselves have an impact on our anger-based reactions? Is the direction and strength of this relationship direct, or affected by other factors as well? Given that there is a lack of research on the loss of self-dignity and anger, the first aim of the present study consisted in examining whether or not there is a connection between both variables, with particular emphasis on early adulthood. The second purpose was to explore the moderating role of religiosity on the relationship between loss of self-dignity and anger. Methods: Data were gathered from 462 participants aged 18 to 35. The main methods applied were the Questionnaire of Sense of Self-Dignity, Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire, and Religious Meaning System Questionnaire. The results show a statistically significant positive correlation between loss of self-dignity and anger, a negative correlation between religiosity and anger, and no significant association between the loss of self-dignity and religiosity. However, all other dimensions of the sense of self-dignity correlated positively with religiosity. Our findings also confirm that the level of anger resulting from the loss of self-dignity is significantly lower as the level of religiosity increases. Such outcomes seem to support the conception that religiosity may act as a protective factor between the risk (loss of self-dignity) and the outcome factor (anger)

Validation of the Polish Version of the Brief Measure of Perceived Divine Engagement and Disengagement in Response to Prayer (PDED)

Divine engagement applies to a positive relationship with God in which people feel that God is close to them and answers their prayers. Divine disengagement pertains to an unsteady connection and a sense of God’s absence. Although several questionnaires consider the concerns of the human experience of prayer, only one deals precisely with the subject of the human perception of divine engagement and disengagement in response to one’s prayer. The main goals of the present research were to: (1) determine the latent structure of the Brief Measure of Perceived Divine Engagement and Disengagement in Response to Prayer (PDED) in a sample set; (2) test whether the factor structure indicated by EFA matches the data and provides an equivalent goodness-of-fit index to Exline’s model; and (3) confirm that perceived divine engagement and disengagement are correlated with religious meaning, gratitude to God, and dimensions of religious centrality. The results show that the proposed two-factor structure of the eight-item version of the PDED is a suitable and reliable solution of the original PDED (Study 1). Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) revealed a good fit of the data to the model in both the second and third studies. Both dimensions of the PDED correlated significantly with all of the subscales of the RMS, GGQ–6, and CRS–15. The Polish version of the PDED demonstrated very good psychometric properties

Validation of the Polish Version of the Brief Measure of Perceived Divine Engagement and Disengagement in Response to Prayer (PDED)

Divine engagement applies to a positive relationship with God in which people feel that God is close to them and answers their prayers. Divine disengagement pertains to an unsteady connection and a sense of God’s absence. Although several questionnaires consider the concerns of the human experience of prayer, only one deals precisely with the subject of the human perception of divine engagement and disengagement in response to one’s prayer. The main goals of the present research were to: (1) determine the latent structure of the Brief Measure of Perceived Divine Engagement and Disengagement in Response to Prayer (PDED) in a sample set; (2) test whether the factor structure indicated by EFA matches the data and provides an equivalent goodness-of-fit index to Exline’s model; and (3) confirm that perceived divine engagement and disengagement are correlated with religious meaning, gratitude to God, and dimensions of religious centrality. The results show that the proposed two-factor structure of the eight-item version of the PDED is a suitable and reliable solution of the original PDED (Study 1). Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) revealed a good fit of the data to the model in both the second and third studies. Both dimensions of the PDED correlated significantly with all of the subscales of the RMS, GGQ–6, and CRS–15. The Polish version of the PDED demonstrated very good psychometric properties

Model of the Relationship of Religiosity and Happiness of Multiple Sclerosis Patients from Poland: The Role of Mediating and Moderating Variables

Religiosity and spirituality can be both beneficial and harmful to happiness. It depends on its operationalization and the measures of religiosity and sociodemographics used, together with cultural and psychosocial factors, still not comprehensively explored. This topic is especially important for religious-affiliated chronic patients such as those diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Religion can deliver a sense of meaning, direction, and purpose in life and be an additional source of support to cope with the stress and limitations connected with the disease. The aim of the present study was to verify whether religiosity, directly and indirectly, through finding meaning in life, is related to one’s level of happiness and whether gender, the drinking of alcohol, financial status, and age are moderators in this relationship. In sum, 600 patients from Poland who suffered from multiple sclerosis were included in the study. Firstly, some gender differences were noticed. In women, religiosity was both directly and indirectly, through finding significance, positively related to happiness. Secondly, it was found that in women, the direct effect of age on happiness was generally negative but was positively affected by religiosity; however, among men, age was not correlated with happiness. In the group of women, religiosity and a lower propensity to drink alcohol in an interactive way explained happiness. Thirdly, both in men and women, financial status positively correlated with happiness, but in the group of wealthy men only, religiosity was negatively related to happiness. In conclusion, religion was found to show a positive correlation with the happiness of Roman Catholic multiple sclerosis patients from Poland. In this group of patients, religious involvement can be suggested and implemented as a factor positively related to happiness, with the one exception regarding wealthy men