Stefanos Mastrotheodoros

Socially desirable responding : enhancement and denial in 20 countries

This article investigated the dimensionality, measurement invariance, and cross-cultural variations of social desirability. A total of 3,471 university students from 20 countries completed an adapted version of the Marlowe–Crowne scale. A two-dimensional structure was revealed in the pooled sample, distinguishing enhancement (endorsement of positive self-description) and denial (rejection of negative self-description). The factor structure was supported in most countries; medium-sized item bias was found in two denial items. In a multilevel analysis, we found that (a) there was more cross-cultural variation in denial than enhancement; (b) females tended to score higher on enhancement whereas males tended to score higher on denial; (c) the Human Development Index, an indicator of country socioeconomic development, was the best (negative) predictor of denial; and (d) both enhancement and denial seemed to be associated with country-level values and personality pertinent to “fitting in.” We conclude that social desirability has a positive and a negative impression management dimension that are meaningfully associated with country-level characteristics, and we argue that social desirability is better interpreted as culturally regulated response amplification.

Experiences in close relationships-revised (ECR-R): Measurement (non-) invariance across Chinese and Greek samples

Attachment is an important relational construct. Many studies have shown concurrent as well as longitudinal associations between attachment and many indices of adolescent and adult adaptation. The experiences in close relationships-revised (ECR-R) is one of the most commonly used self-report instruments of romantic attachment and therefore it is important to extend knowledge on its applicability in understudied non-Western samples. The purpose of this paper was threefold: (1) to examine the factor structure of the ECR-R in a Chinese sample, (2) to test the factorial equivalence of the instrument between Chinese and Greek samples, (3) to examine the measurement invariance of the instrument between those samples. Results supported the well-known two-factor structure of the instrument in the Chinese sample and the common factor structure between the two groups. Applying a multiple testing procedure we were able to detect those parameters for which invariance did not hold. Implications of results are discussed.

Measurement invariance of the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM) across Bulgarian, Dutch and Greek samples

The Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM; Phinney, 1992) is a widely used instrument to quantify the way people think, feel, and behave regarding their ethnic origin. This instrument is commonly used to compare groups of people from different ethnic and/or cultural backgrounds. However, in order for these comparisons to be accurate, measurement invariance between groups needs to be tested and this is what has been done in the current study. First, confirmatory factor analyses were conducted separately for data sets with Bulgarian, Dutch, and Greek adolescents. Second, configural and scalar invariance were tested. Finally, comparisons between Bulgarian, Dutch, and Greek adolescents were made on their scores on MEIM.

Dimensions of Identity Development Scale (DIDS): A test of longitudinal measurement invariance in Greek adolescents

Abstract Identity is one core developmental task of adolescence. Although Marcia’s model, comprising of the dimensions of exploration and commitment, has dominated identity research for decades new models have recently been proposed. Luyckx and colleagues’ model poses that identity is a process consisting of five aspects: Exploration in Breadth, Commitment Making, Ruminative Exploration, Exploration in Depth and Identification with Commitments. The Dimensions of Identity Development Scale (DIDS) is a 25-item instrument developed to assess those five aspects. The goal of this study is: (a) to test the applicability of DIDS in a sample of Greek adolescents, and (b) to investigate the longitudinal measurement invariance of the scale. The results support the use of DIDS in Greek context and show that strong measurement invariance holds longitudinally in the course of 12 months. Echoing recent studies, the six-factor model showed significantly better fit, with Exploration in Depth splitting to Exploration in Depth and Reconsideration of Commitment. The scale is suitable for studies of longitudinal change in identity development.

Experiences in Close Relationships Revised Child version (ECR-RC): Psychometric evidence in support of a Security factor

Abstract Attachment refers to the innate tendency to form strong and close interpersonal bonds, from infancy through adulthood. Many different ways to assess attachment have been developed, one of them being the use of self-report questionnaires. The Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised is one of the most commonly used instruments to assess adult and late adolescent attachment. Recently, a new and brief child version of this instrument has been published, the 12-item ECR-RC short form. The purpose of the current study was threefold: (1) to test the factorial structure of this form in a sample of Italian adolescents, (2) to test the loadings overlap between the mother and the father forms, and (3) to investigate factors reliability. Using a sample of 961 adolescents (Mage = 14.25, SDage = 1.57), a series of Confirmatory Factor Analyses were performed. The Avoidance – Anxiety structure was not supported, whereas a factor structure including Anxiety, Avoidance, and Security, had a very good fit. Item loadings on these factors were largely equal across mother and father, and internal reliability was high. The results of this study show that the ECR-RC short form is a quick and reliable way to assess attachment in early adolescents. This study also initiates the proposal of an ECR-RC Security factor, to be further validated in future studies.

Avoidant romantic attachment in adolescence: Gender, excessive internet use and romantic relationship engagement effects

Romantic development is a distinctive characteristic of puberty. However, a significant proportion of adolescents present with avoidant romantic attachment (ARA) tendencies, which have significant impact on their general adaptation. ARA variations have been suggested in relation to age, gender, engagement with a romantic partner and Excessive Internet Use (EIU) behaviours. In this longitudinal, two-wave study of a normative sample of 515 Greek adolescents at 16 and 18 years, ARA was assessed with the relevant subscale of the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised and EIU with the Internet Addiction Test. A three-level hierarchical linear model found ARA tendencies to decrease between 16 and 18 while engagement in a romantic relationship and EIU were associated with lower and higher ARA tendencies respectively. Gender did not differentiate ARA severity either at the age of 16 or its changes over time. Results highlight the need of adopting a longitudinal-contextualized approach and provide implications for prevention and intervention initiatives in relation to the romantic development of adolescents.

Is There a Paradox of Adaptation in Immigrant Children and Youth across Europe? : A Literature Review

This review examines how well children of immigrants in Europe are doing in terms of educational, psychological, and behavioral outcomes. Based on theory and research in developmental, social and acculturation psychology fields, we explore the immigrant paradox (e.g., first-generation immigrant children show better adaptation in comparison to their native and second-generation counterparts) and migration morbidity (e.g., immigrants display less favorable outcomes than natives) in 102 studies conducted in 14 European countries. We conclude that theoretical assumptions of developmental (e.g., promoting context in families, schools, neighborhoods), social (e.g., intercultural behaviors and attitudes, lack of discrimination) and acculturation psychology (e.g., cultural maintenance and adoption, biculturalism) are powerful constituents for optimal adaptation of immigrant children and youth. Taken together, these constituents should guide policies and programs targeting optimal outcomes for children of immigrants. A discussion within empirically based policy practices to promote positive outcomes of young immigrant populations in Europe is offered.

Goal Orientation Profiles, Academic Achievement and Well-Being of Adolescents in Greece

Adolescents differ in the way they motivate themselves, and the way they choose, perceive, and approach their goals. Goal orientations have been proposed to be a significant aspect of individual differences. In general, some students aim at gaining a higher level of skills, whereas other students aim at showing a high level of performance in relation to their classmates. This chapter aimed at exploring the links between goal orientation profiles and psychological well-being in adolescent students in Greece. Using a sample of 576 high-school students (Mage = 15.2, 44% girls), person-centered analyses were performed on goal orientations scales whereas GPA, self-esteem and symptoms were used to measure adaptation and psychological well-being. Four profiles emerged, on the basis of the scores on the four goal orientation dimensions. Statistically significant mean differences were found between the four groups on all measures of adaptation. Mastery-oriented students were found to show the best adaptation, overall. The results support the notion that approaching learning tasks for the sake of learning and the resulting personal development is a strong indicator of positive adaptation.

Measurement invariance: The case of measuring romantic attachment in Greek and Cypriot adolescents

Abstract The experiences in close relationships revised (ECR-R) is widely used to assess romantic attachment dimensions. Investigating cultural limitations in its applicability is imperative. This study aims to examine the instrument’s: (1) factor structure in two large and normative samples of Greek (N = 1706, M age = 16.16; SD = 2.16; 49.7% male) and Cypriot (N = 1279; M age = 15.54; SD = 0.65; 44.9% male) adolescents; (2) measurement invariance between these groups, accounting for potential gender and age effects. Results supported the two-factor structure and indicated partial invariance of the constructs between Greek and Cypriot adolescents. Findings support limitations in the use of instruments adapted for Greece in Cyprus.