Marta Ferragut

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.

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.

Prevalence and profile of sexting among adolescents in Ecuador

ABSTRACT Sexting is an emergent phenomenon in adolescents that has been studied in the USA and Europe, but scarcely in Latin American countries. This study examined the psychometric properties of an instrument to measure sexting and analyzed the prevalence, correlators, and profile of sexting among Ecuadorian adolescents. Participants were 664 students aged between 12 and 18 years (M = 14.6, SD = 1.74) who completed a battery of questionnaires. Results showed a higher prevalence of passive sexting (18.5%–22.3%) than of active sexting (3.5%–18.5%). Sexting was not related to socioeconomic status, but was more prevalent among boys, late and middle adolescents, and those in a romantic relationship. In these groups, wanting to have sex was the main motivation for sexting, whereas joking with people was the main reason endorsed by girls and early adolescents. Those adolescents who scored higher on active sexting were more likely to sext with someone regarded as attractive and more likely to endorse wanting to have sex or dating as the motivation for sexting. The findings suggest that sexting is a way of expressing sexuality and that it is related to romantic interaction. The results are discussed in relation to preventing possible risks and negative consequences of sexting.