Margarita Ortiz-Tallo

Psychological values as protective factors against sexist attitudes in preadolescents

BACKGROUND Sexist attitudes are one of the factors that justify domestic violence. Positive psychology can provide keys to prevent sexist violence at an early age. Psychological values are a group of psychological strengths in a persons development. They provide important clues for the prevention of gender-based violence. METHOD This study presents an assessment of two groups of variables, sexist attitudes and beliefs and psychological values, in a sample of 449 (213 boys and 236 girls) preadolescents from various schools (mean age: 12). We analyze the relationship between these variables. We used the Values in Action Inventory (VIA-Y), the Questionnaire of Attitudes towards Diversity and Violence (CADV) and the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (ASI). RESULTS The results show that sexism variables are related to each other and negatively to the psychological values in boys and girls. CONCLUSIONS We discuss the importance of prevention programs being appropriately developed and, probably, different programs for each sex.

Subjective quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities: the role of emotional competence on their subjective well-being.

BACKGROUND For decades, the field of quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities has focused on the improving the external life conditions. However, scarce research has examined the contribution of person-related psychological resources such as emotional competence (EC) on well-being in this population. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using a cross-sectional design, 139 adults with intellectual disabilities completed different measures: Subjective Happiness Scale, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scale and Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale. RESULTS Emotional competence shows a positive and significant association with life satisfaction and happiness. EC dimensions were predictors of well-being beyond socio-demographic variables and dispositional affectivity. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide preliminary evidence of the potential value of considering EC in the improvement in the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities. Professionals interested in intellectual disabilities care might consider training programmes based on EC as an additional intervention strategy aimed at improving well-being.

MULTIAXIAL EVALUATION OF VIOLENT CRIMINALS

A multiaxial assessment and personality evaluation was performed on a group of 70 people (65 men and 5 women) who were recently incarcerated in Málaga, Spain for having committed violent crimes, such as murder and sex-based violence. Analysis of scores on the MCMI indicated that there were chiefly two clearly differentiated personality profiles related to two personality disorders present in the group, the antisocial and the dependent personality disorder with compulsive traits. The “antisocial-psychotic group” presented a clear relation with clinical syndromes, specifically alcohol and drug abuse with delusional disorder, and they had committed a higher proportion of murders. On the Big Five Questionnaire, the “dependent-compulsive group” scored higher than average on Emotional Stability and Agreeableness, whereas the antisocial-psychotic group scored lower than average on Emotional Stability. These findings are in accord with those of Megargee, who concluded that violent criminals can be divided into two categories, the undercontrolled (antisocial) and the overcontrolled (dependent).

Sexist attitudes and beliefs during adolescence: A longitudinal study of gender differences

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine changes in sexist attitudes and beliefs in a group of Spanish adolescents over a period of three consecutive years, with specific attention being paid to gender differences. Participants were 279 students (mean age at first assessment of 12.10 years) who, in each of the three years, completed the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory and the Questionnaire on Attitudes towards Diversity and Violence. Longitudinal analysis showed that hostile sexism did not vary over time, whereas scores on benevolent sexism and on sexist beliefs and justification of violence all fell between the ages of 12 and 14, there being an equivalent decrease in boys and girls. Boys scored significantly higher than girls on hostile sexism, as well as on sexist beliefs. These results illustrate how sexist attitudes and beliefs change during adolescence and provide further confirmation that these variables show gender differences from an early age.

Psychological virtues during adolescence: A longitudinal study of gender differences

Adolescence is a key stage in terms of character formation, and it is important to study positive aspects such as character strengths and virtues by means of longitudinal studies. To this end, this study uses longitudinal methodology to analyse character virtues over three consecutive years during adolescence. Participants were 282 school students, whose mean age at the first measurement point was 12.10 years. Results show that character virtues remain relatively stable between the ages of 12 and 14 years, with a slight increase over time in scores on humanity and justice. Girls scored higher than boys on all six virtues analysed, and this trend was maintained over time. The paper discusses these findings and their possible implications for achieving optimal psychological development in adolescence.

Analysis of adolescent profiles by gender: strengths, attitudes toward violence and sexism

The present study analyzes the profiles of boys and girls, considering gender, in the early stages of adolescence in the variables of character strengths, attitudes toward diversity and violence, and sexism. The aim is to explore the gender differences, whether the variables in each set differ from one another and whether these differences are maintained in profiles for boys and girls. The participants were 527 students (mean age = 12.21 and SD = 0.53) from the city of Málaga (Spain). Profile analysis was used to analyze data. The results, using an alpha of 0.0021 for each contrast, indicate that boys and girls differ in their character strengths, particularly in the case of girls, whose prominent strengths relate to pro-social behavior and peer relationships, where Cohen´s d are higher than .30. Moreover, boys justify attitudes of violence to a greater extent (Cohen´s d from .44 to .81) and show greater agreement with sexist beliefs (d = .63). The research suggests that it would be of interest to encourage advancement in character strengths at this age.

Spanish and Chilean Standardizations of the Personality Assessment Inventory: the Influence of Sex

There is growing interest in the adaptation of psychological questionnaires in different countries, due to the need for cross-cultural research using the same tests adapted to diverse populations. This paper presents the standardization of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI; Morey, 1991, 2007) in Spain and Chile (both Spanish-speaking countries). The Spanish sample was made up of 940 people (461 men and 479 women), and the Chilean sample of 569 people (231 men and 338 women). Results revealed that the Chilean means were higher than those of the Spanish sample at confidence level 99.9%, although the associated effect sizes were generally small to moderate (partial eta-square between 0.008 and 0.187). Sex differences in the variables evaluated were commented on, and the importance of cross-cultural research and the influence of sex on personality and psychopathology variables were discussed.

IMPACT ON PERSONALITY LOSS OR SEPARATION FROM LOVED ONES

ABSTRACT The purpose of this work was twofold: (a) using a set of 29 psychological variables to study the personality traits, emotions, and coping styles that emerge with more force in the stressing situation of losing a loved one and (b) determining whether there are significant differences between divorced and widowed persons. The results revealed a profile predominated by emotional instability, introversion, a disorganized lifestyle, anxiety, anger, and maladaptive strategies. This configuration was more pronounced in the group of widowed people because of their notable isolation, lack of motivation, and strong emotional reactions of depression, which, together with their high rate of negative coping behaviors (e.g., ceasing to seek solutions and social support), are risk factors for depression, mood disorders, and anxiety as well as avoidant or depressive personality traits.