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Problem Statement: Subjective feeling of happiness with life is an intensely studied domain in positive psychology because its correlates with health, mental health and social factors. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate levels of happiness depending on three major factors that are considered to influence level of happiness: religious believes, money and health. Research methods: N= 1444 (860 woman, 584 man) Romanian young adults were included in our study who just finished school and entered universities or started to work. Happiness religion, education, financial situation, relationships, were assessed with an online questionnaire. The present study is a part of a longitudinal research project aiming to investigate transition from adolescents into adulthood. Data presented in this paper belongs to the first wave of the study. Findings: All three important variables counted for variance in happiness level. Happiness level increased significantly according to monthly earnings and subjective evaluation of own health. The most unhappy participants were Greco-Catholics and those with no religion (atheists). Baptists, Buddhist and orthodox participants reported above average happiness. Conclusion: This data makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of the role of sociodemographic factors in youth well-being and it provides further evidence to cultural generalizability of this model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem Statement: There is international consensus that there is there is a close connection between conscientiousness as personality trait and occupational interests. The research is based on the theories developed by the Costa and McCrae on personality trait, and by the Holland on vocational interests, taken by Miclea et al. in the platform of the Psychological Evaluation Cognitrom Assessment System (CAS). Aim of Study: The aim of this study was to analize the relationship between conscientiousness, as a personality trait, and vocational interests. This paper study emphasizes the importance of knowing the implication of relationship between conscientiousness, as a personality trait, and vocational interests Holland of students from the final year from the Faculty of Dental Medicine. Research Methods: This study was conducted in july 2015, on a sample of 56 students from the final year from the Faculty of Dental Medicine, Ovidius University of Constanta. Assessments were made at Center of counseling and career guidance within the Ovidius University of Constanta. Assessment tools used in the study are taken from the Platform of Psychological Evaluation Cognitrom Assessment System. Data from the students' questionnaires were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software for MS Windows, version 15.0. The main analysis method used is descriptive statistics test which used to consider the mean level and standard deviation for the variables. Findings: The descriptive statistics test of the obtained results reveal a high positive correlation between conscientiousness, as a personality trait and investigative realistic, and social interests as well as a moderate positive correlation with the enterprising personality type. There was no correlation between conscientiousness, as a personality trait and artistic and conventional interests. Conclusions: These results confirm that all the Dental Medicine graduates meet the requirements relating to occupational interests described by the ideal profile of a dental practitioner. The results of this study will be useful both Center of Counseling and Career guidance from the University to establish a benchmark in terms of the relationship between personality and vocational interests of both current students and the future dental practitioner, as an indicator of profile of its graduates . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we present the results of a study on the level of knowledge of Psychology's students on two topics: homosexuality and domestic violence in same-sex couples. Assuming that stereotypes and prejudices about lesbian and gay (LG) population are still widespread in society and that, in the scientific literature, there are several theories and conflicting points of view on the origin and nature of sexual orientation, we investigated the level and quality knowledge about LG issues in 419 heterosexual students attending degree programs in Psychology at the University of Turin. The 18.6% of the subjects were men and 81.4% women, with a mean age of 25.08 years (SD = 4.16). As for domestic violence in same-sex couples, we explored the knowledge of the phenomenon, considering that interpersonal violence is a traumatic experience and its impact, if it happens within a romantic couple bond, is even greater. International scientific studies on this issue show that the severity and types of experience of abuse in gay and lesbians would be similar to those of heterosexual people: this phenomenon exerts, in fact, its incidence regardless of sexual orientation. Our data seem to show that a large percentage of students of Psychology, regardless of their course of study (Bachelor or Master degree), believes that the phenomenon is prevalent in heterosexual couples or does not know the DV in same-sex couples. Even the perception of difficulty in receiving help from the homosexual victims seems to be widespread among students who, presumably, will be professionals in the field of mental health. About knowledge, the answers given by the participants and the level of knowledge seem to reflect the lack of uniformity in the scientific research results and the gaps that remain in the dissemination of a scientific, specific, clear and detailed knowledge about sexual orientation. Overall, the survey results show how much there is still a lack of clarity in the knowledge possessed by the students and how important it is to invest further on the training of future mental health professionals on issues object of our investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The qualitative approach is focused on the cognitive representation about space starting from a text by Herta Müller-taken as the stimulus. The paper aims to identify the semantic network connected to space representation and to examine the space images of the target population by quantitative metrics of the actual space. Data were collected at the University of Bucharest in academic year 2014 and the questionnaires were administrated individually in paper- and- pencil format. In this paper we examine the item referring to the cognitive representation of space. The target population was invited to use the words expressing the images of space. The qualitative findings were measured in terms of quantitative metrics. The spatial language sustains the semantic network of the research in terms of philosophy of communication and meaning. The quantitative metrics of qualitative findings infer various images of space topological space, mathematic features of space, three dimensions 3D pictures, absolute space portrayal, concrete images, metaphoric images, etc. that can be processed by segmentation, invariance and distributed representations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem Statement: Massive unemployment, loss of traditional crafts ethnicity, keeping customs related to marriage at an early age resulted in many Roma families occurrence of extreme poverty and dysfunctional relationships with domestic violence Purpose of the study: the objective is to determine whether parenting education module adapted for Roma families can have the effect of increasing family cohesion and adaptability, increasing emotional parent-child relationship, reducing rejection or overprotection of children by parents. Research methods: 20 Roma children from a village in the north of the country were included in the research. For 10 of them, their families attended a parenting module for 10 sessions that focused on psycho-education, identifying ways of managing stress and anger, learning effective communication skills and conflict resolution, knowledge about child's needs and the effects of child's abuse, different styles of attachment and parenting and learning the ways of behavioral change. The variables were: cohesion and family adaptability, emotional warmth, rejection, overprotection evaluated by Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (Olson, Portner & Lavee) built on two dimensions of family functioning: cohesion and adaptability; short-Embu (Swedish acronym for Egna Minnen Beträffande Uppfostran) containing 23 items and is built on three dimensions: emotional warmth, rejection and overprotection. Findings and results: The results highlight that the parental education module has a positive effect on improving the emotional bonds between parents and children: emotional relation between children and parents increased (p = 0.0001), increased family cohesion (p = 0.020), decreased rejection (p = 0.0001). No positive influence on the family adaptability or the overprotection behavior was found. The research includes a detailed case study. Conclusions: Parental education can bring beneficial changes in family relationships Very traditionalist, from many points of view, Roma family can capture the willingness to learn new behaviors that result in a better relationship with the children. Since childhood emotional relationships and parental models are often at the root of the difficulties of adapting adult parenting. These results are very important and useful especially for vulnerable groups such as the Roma community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem Statement: We choose to highlight the case of a 55 years old patient, with diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder in order to try to identify a possible link between psychiatric diagnosis and cumulative traumas suffered by the patient during all development stages. Purpose of Study: - Identification of trauma events that can be assigned as trigger events of various episodes of her psychic disorder - Identification of defence mechanisms specific to this patient and their contribution in creation of existent vulnerability. - Identification of positive and negative prognostic elements, that can sustain the patient to follow a psychiatric treatment and in a sustained qualitative and long term remission of the disease. We started from the following hypothesis: - we supposed that cumulative traumas have favored the occurrence of present psychiatric disorder - we supposed that identifying the patient resources can have a major contribution in her reinsertion (social and professional) Research Methods: We followed the patient by psychiatric and psychological examination Findings: Late onset of psychopathological manifestations for this patient rises the problem of a differential diagnosis between a schizoaffective disorder and a bipolar affective disorder. What tip the balance is the richness of perceptual phenomenon, significantly disorganization on thinking level and on speech level, increase persistence of symptomatology, the bizarre and spectacular delirant ideation. Conclusions: The patient is using the delirant interpretative defense mechanism while in her attempt for finding the truth, feels that somewhere she loses the essence of the things, loosing in this way the capacity of reality testing. During clinical interviews, she is dysphoric with circumstantial speech, she has as a distinctive element the lookalike illusion, she states that the presence of a thought as a third entity and gives symbolic signification to the events that took place in her life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to identify the relations between self-esteem and parent autonomy support and involvement in the Romanian high school student's education. In the present study are included a sample of 152 high school students from Brasov County. The instruments used in this study were two questionnaires: the first was Rosenberg's Self-esteem questionnaire and the second questionnaire was Perception of Parents which investigated mothers and fathers autonomy support and involvement. Results showed that there are strong associations between self-esteem and parent autonomy support and involvement suggesting that the two concepts are in an interdependent relationship. We also found differences between students with high self-esteem and low self-esteem regarding whether students feel that their parents encourage autonomy and if are involved and preoccupied with them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem Statement: Studies investigating cross-cultural differences in socialization goals focus mainly on individualism-collectivism as a source of variations. Since this approach raises several issues, we decided to investigate cross-cultural differences in socialization goals also as a function of power distance, given the relationship of this dimension to child socialization. Taking power distance into consideration is also important because it might be associated with cross-cultural variations in the relationship between parental education and socialization goals. Purpose of Study: Our first objective was to investigate cross-cultural differences in socialization goals as a function of power distance and individualism-collectivism. Our second objective was to investigate if power distance moderates the relationship between education and socialization goals. Research Methods: The research was conducted on a sample of 41.017 parents from 42 countries from 5 continents that participated in the sixth wave of World Values Survey. Using Hofstede's cultural dimensions, countries were categorized as a function of their positioning on power distance, respectively individualism-collectivism. Participants answered a question about highest education level and were presented with a list of eleven socialization goals, being requested to mention the five most important socialization goals. Findings: Using a series of chi-square analysis we found the following results: a) parents from individualistic countries mention more frequently socialization goals like independence, responsibility, imagination, tolerance, determination and self-expression and less frequently hard work, thrift, religious faith, unselfishness and obedience then collectivistic parents; b) parents from high power distance countries mention less frequently socialization goals like independence, imagination, tolerance, determination, and self expression and more frequently hard work, responsibility, thrift, religious faith, unselfishness, and obedience. Power distance moderates the relationship between education and the following socialization goals: hard work, responsibility, imagination, unselfishness, obedience, self-expression. Conclusions: Differences in socialization goals between individualistic and collectivistic cultures were relatively small but congruent with prior findings. Power distance is similar to individualism-collectivism in its association with socialization goals, so taking this dimension into consideration might not improve our prediction of socialization goals differences. Power distance moderated relationships between education and certain socialization goals. The implications for the influence of culture on parenting are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem Statement: Communication within the working group is carried out in limited human communities and enables exchange of ideas, feelings, providing conditions for sharing experiences, discussions in order to calm conflicts or find solutions to address them when the state of the issues is escalated. Purpose of Study: The present study aims to investigate the level of efficiency inside a working group based on the act of communication; another objective is represented by the study of relationships between communication and ways of solving conflicts within the working group (N=60). Research Methods: The research lot is composed of 60 employees, 15 of the respondents are female and 45 are male. They are working for a Construction Company in Bucharest. The age of the participants is between 22 and 51 years, with the mean age of 38.9 years and the standard deviation of 7.37. The instruments used in this study were The Communication Group Inventory, The Questionnaire of Professional Motivation and The Inventory for the Assessment of Conflicts. Findings: Regarding the first hypothesis of the research, the Pearson correlation coefficient obtained, r(60) = 0.705, p <0.000 (2-tailed) indicates a significant positive correlation between total scores reported for interpersonal communication and those reported by the subjects investigated for the cooperation technique, as a chosen technique for solving the conflict. In other words, if the level of interpersonal communication between group members will be realized at an optimal level then the chosen conflict resolution technique will be one that is based on cooperation. Conclusions The objectives of this initiative focused on the study of the relation between communication and ways of solving conflicts in the working group and identifying the professional motivation configuration and the interactions with conflict resolution techniques in determining an effective communication. The research hypotheses were built in such a way that it would comprise the main coordinates of interest for the study: communication - conflict solving techniques - and the work group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem Statement: Psycho therapeutically use of fairy tales started with psycho dynamic school, following humanistic-experiential orientation and cognitive science, recognizing their importance for mental development in childhood but also in therapeutically frame by activating inner resources, coping mechanisms, increasing reliance and reframing personal experiences. Purpose of Study: To identify any differences and connections from narrative content elements and processes of fairy tales produced by participants (clinically normal vs. mild depressive condition), in order to revel the specificity of mental patterns associated with pathology or health. Research Methods: A new post-modernist approach combining quantitative and qualitative methods as thematic analysis (guided by structural morphology of fairy tales, Propp, 1958) and content discourse analysis using two models: Content narrative analysis model (Gonçalves et al., 2001) and Narrative Processuality model (Angus et al., 1996). Findings: Quantitative analyzes used SPSS.20 package. BDI.II scores divide sample in two subgroups: normally clinic (N= 29, m = 4.05) and mild depressive disorder (N = 25, m = 16.35). Findings reflect important differences about: personal relationships, contact with fairy tales over time, psychological themes. T-test reflects no significant differences between groups regarding dimensions of Setting, Characters and Events, but thematic diversity for normal condition. Similar findings reflect slightly lower level of positive subjectifying and objectifying in depressive condition and higher for negative subjectifying and metaphorisation. Pearson coefficient revels differences between groups regarding dynamics and connections of narrative content and processes, such as: Events and Characters (r=.648, p<.001), Setting and Events (r=.436, p<.001) and Themes and Characters (r=.338, p<.001) for clinically normal, and non for depressive condition but metaphorisation and negative subjectifying (r=.579, p<.005) and also with cognitive subjectifying (r=.562, p<.005). Conclusions: Differences reveled in narrative content and processes sustain capacity of fairy tales to identify patterns and template for social interaction, ability level of decoding social interactions, stimulating emotional experience and deep reflection about significant personal issue; mental mechanism for future projects; increasing empathy, developing creativity in generate new perspective and possibilities, etc. A new multidisciplinary approach could open an integrative vision on fairy tales, discovering their realistic, specific and useful therapeutically role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out on 370 pupils in the 9th and 11th grades of four high schools in Brasov, out of which two have a high value standard, one has an average value standard and one has a lower value standard. The main purpose of the study was to validate a newly created Battery of Vocational Aptitudes (BVA). Secondarily I tried to highlight the gender differences and the differences that appear at the beginning and at the end of high school when we speak about school results. For this I took into consideration the conjugated action of cognitive and personality factors, and of occupational domains in order to obtain academic performances which are expressed by grade point average (GPA). The results show the predominant role cognitive factors have in obtaining school achievements at high school level, and confirm the e11stence of important differences in connection to gender, parents' studies, structure of the investigated pupils' interests and personality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem Statement: Academic dishonesty is a phenomenon with multiple social implications, which has spread more and more in recent years, not only in Romania, but in other countries as well, questioning the integrity of the degrees offered by educational institutions, as well as the values that we foster in modern society. Moreover, these types of behaviors have proved to be a good predictor for unethical decisions in later professional practice. The theoretical model used in the present research is Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) (Ajzen, 1985; 1991; 2001). Purpose of Study: The main objective of this study was to construct a set of questionnaires that could enable us to conduct a subsequent quantitative research in Romanian universities, in an attempt to test the predictive validity of an extended version of the TPB on academic cheating intentions and to design an intervention plan that might reduce the impact of this phenomenon at university level. Research Methods: We constructed a TPB questionnaire on academic cheating intentions according to the methodology suggested by Ajzen (2002, 2006). We translated from English the LOGO II questionnaire (Eison, 1983). We constructed an additional mixed questionnaire targeted to measure two of the variables included in previous extended versions of the TPB--moral obligation and justifications for cheating, as well as two variables we consider critical for academic dishonesty--academic climate and student's motivations for cheating. Findings: The overall internal consistency for the TPB questionnaire was α = .83, which indicates a very good internal consistency. For the scales of LOGO II questionnaire, Cronbach's α values were quite low as compared to the English variant of the questionnaire: (αen = .76/ αro = .59; αen = .73/ αro = .53). For the mixed questionnaires the Cronbach's α values were very good, except for the Academic climate scale, which was very close to the .70 threshold (α = .68). Conclusions: The results enabled us to revise the questionnaires and to construct the final version of the TPB questionnaire, shading light as well on the underlying motivation behind student's academic dishonesty and on the students' easily accessible beliefs about cheating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aggressive driving is becoming an increasingly important topic, as the number of driving aggression incidents have increased. Aggressive driving is taken into consideration as a potentially important factor that could lead to the escalation of traffic accidents, and thus leading to more severe consequences. Aggressive driving is usually understood as any driving behavior directed towards harming another road user (physically or verbally). The aim of this study was to analyze and compare driving aggression in two samples (Romanian and French) and to investigate its role in predicting self-reported speeding. Two samples were used for this study: a Romanian one comprising 88 young drivers (18- 25 years, M = 22.5; SD = 1.91, and 69% women) having 3.5 years of driving experience (SD = 2.1) and a French one comprising 87 young drivers (M = 21.6; SD = 2.25) with 3 years of driving experience (SD = 2). All participants answered an online questionnaire on driving anger (Driving Anger Expression Inventory, DAX) and on self-reported speeding behavior. Results showed significant differences between Romanian and French drivers on all the three main factors of DAX, Romanian drivers obtaining higher values. Furthermore, our analysis indicated that the some of the DAX factors represent good predictors of selfreported speeding behavior among our samples. Our results seem to indicate that within the Romanian sample, driving anger could represent an important predictor of speeding. It is noteworthy to observe that young Romanians drivers have reported higher values on all DAX factors. These results could be used in order to increase road users' safety and potentially reduce the number of traffic accidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study aims to clarify the relationship between physical activity and depression in adolescents. The research sample was 165 adolescents with mean age 16. A questionnaire was used to estimate the level of physical activity and depression was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory. Results of the study indicated that there is an inverse relationship between the level of physical activity and adolescent depression. Also confirmed that the physical activity is so important by participating in reducing the rate of depression, given that people who practice a physical activity continuously according to a special pace, have shown less depression results, as well as, the results have shown the existence of differences between the two sexes in depression degrees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem Statement: The changing of the marital status of the parents due to divorce or death of one parent parent, forces children to adapt, in a short period of time, to a large number of negative changes. Poor ability of children to cope with these situations causes a decline in the psychological functioning. Purpose of Study: The research aims at involving 180 subjects in the study in order to determine if the parents' marital status affects children in the use of coping strategies. Research Methods: In order to achieve the objectives proposed, we have used as a working instrument "The Children's Coping Questionnaire" (CCQ) made by dr. Anne E. Fedorowicz, to which it has been also added a questionnaire identifying personal data on biological gender, age and marital status of the subject parents participating in the study. Findings: Following the survey, the resulting data indicates that at general level, distraction and avoidance strategies (cognitive avoidance, wishful thinking, retaining the expression of feelings, coping effortlessly) used by children vary according to the parents' marital status. Furthermore, recorded scores for active coping strategies (cognitive decision making, positive cognitive restructuring) and seeking support revealed significant differences according to the gender affiliation of subjects. Conclusions: Parents' divorce or death of a parent, imposes on children finding ways to cope with a multitude of stressors. The children's coping to their parents' marital status change depends on how they perceive this change and on coping resources.We consider it appropriate, nationwide, to implement programs of psychological intervention for children in vulnerable situations, programs that might lead to the development of adjusting resources and diversification of coping strategies and thereby offering them sanogenetic alternatives to face life's challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem Statement: The Internet has developed significantly over the past decades and has become an integrant part of the modern life. Although the Internet offers numerous benefits, its excessive use can have negative consequences on all dimensions: physical, psychological, social and professional. The term "online shopping addiction" still remains controversial. However, a series of studies has emphasized that problematic Internet use is associated with a series of mental disorders. Purpose of Study: The present study aims to explore the psychological aspects of online shopping addiction, by highlighting the differences in the depression level between three groups of people with different degrees of addiction. Another objective of the study is to investigate the degree of association between the level of online shopping addiction and the level of depression. Research Methods: Three separate samples were used, each of them consisting of 30 members, aged 19-33. The instruments used were Beck Depression Inventory (BDI II) and The Online Shopping Addiction Questionnaire. Findings: The results show that there is a significant difference in the level of depression between the three groups and the fact that depression positively correlates with online shopping addiction. Conclusions: After the statistical data processing, it was found that, averagely speaking, people with a severe degree of online shopping addiction have higher depression scores, compared to people whose addiction is moderate or inexistent. It does not seem to be any significant difference regarding the depression level between people with no addiction and those with moderate addiction. The statistical data analysis revealed a significant positive global correlation between the addiction level and the depression level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem Statement: The full and thorough development of children (also) means attention, orientation towards music education, harmony and movement. Getting children vibrate to the sound of music involves the real involvement, dedication and interest of teachers to raise children' sensitivity to this activity since early childhood. For this, primary and pre-primary school teachers chooses different ways of involvement and teaching strategies that are various, motivating and appropriate to the interests and attention span of young school children. Predominantly, for starters, they use practical music activities, musical games, singing by ear, musical auditions. However, not all teachers give enough attention or show great interest in this discipline, depriving children of an important dimension of their developing personality: the aesthetic dimension. Purpose of Study: we are interested in how this study captures the way in which primary and pre-primary education teachers engage emotionally and cognitively in the design and implementation of interesting activities, with an integrated approach, both attractive and effective in involving children in education for music and movement. Research Methods: I asked the opinion of teachers on the methodical approach of the discipline named Music and Movement for primary school education through a focus group interview. The interview covers several interest areas: didactic training for the discipline Music and Movement, designing additional optional programs to stimulate aesthetic education by music and movement, children's attitude towards this discipline. Findings: Focus group analysis leads us to some observations, sometimes contradictory. Although primary and pre-primary education teachers assert the importance of the aesthetic side in/ for education and the harmonious development of personality, they admit to often proposing activities in the area of language and communication or mathematics (changing pupils' schedule), instead of activities that stimulate musical taste, enjoyment of musical audition, rhythmic exercise, exercising voice, singing movement to rhythm, etc. Conclusions: There is a need for more care, didactic training, professional awareness in terms of the real growth of the aesthetic dimension in the personality development and becoming of little school children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem Statement: One of the issues during the past two decades that has attracted the attention of experimental and theoretical debate is emotional factor. This interest could be partly due to the role that emotional stability in individual professional behaviors plays. Aim of Study: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationships between emotional stability as a personality traits with professional interests of students from the final year from the Faculty of Dental Medicine, Ovidius University of Constanta. Research Methods: To achieve the main goal of the study, research data were collected by means of questionnaire from a sample of 56 students from the final year. Assessments were made at Center of Counseling and Career Guidance within the Ovidius University of Constanta. Assessment tools used in the study are taken from the Platform of Psychological Evaluation Cognitrom Assessment System. The present study is correlation. Data were studied using Pearson correlation coefficient, Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software for MS Windows, version 15.0. Findings: Pearson's correlation coefficient showed that a significant positive correlation between emotional stability, as a personality trait and investigative, realistic and social interests as well as a moderate positive correlation with the enterprising interests. There was no correlation between emotional stability, as a personality trait and artistic and conventional interests. Conclusions: Regarding the emotional stability, they can face the stressful situations, without extreme and inconsistencies events in any situation. These results confirm that all the Dental Medicine final year students meet the requirements relating to professional interests described by the ideal profile of a dental practitioner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem Statement: World Health Organization defines quality of life as the perceptions of an individual regarding its position in life in the context of culture and system of values, in which one lives, and social, sanogenous, environmental and psycho-social influences. COHIP questionnaire was designed as a generic instrument sensitive to the impact of self-reported oral health quality of life (OHRQoL) for children and adolescents. Purpose of Study: We proposed to evaluate the impact of OHRQoL and investigate students' motivation for choosing orthodontic treatment on a sample of 114 teenage students from an urban public college from North-Eastern Romania (Suceava) with different socio-economic status, divided into a group with orthodontic treatments (N=43) and another group without orthodontic treatments (N=71). Research Methods: We used a cross-sectional survey based on two standardized questionnaires. COHIP questionnaire for measuring OHRQoL consisted of 38 questions, grouped into seven sub-scales: oral health, functional well-being, social-emotional wellbeing, school-environment, self-image, treatment's expectations and overall health. We calculated the scores of COHIP sub-scales and overall score of OHRQoL and we compared them between groups, genders and background environment. The second questionnaire consisting of 7 items was applied to adolescents with orthodontic appliances to find their reasoning for choosing orthodontic treatment. Findings: Using SPSS, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, t-Student and Mann-Whitney tests we found statistically significant differences between the two groups comparing the mean scores of sub-scales for oral health (p=0.001), functional well-being (p=0.004), social-emotional well-being (p=0.000), self-image (p=0.019), overall score of OHRQoL (p=0.000), and also comparing the intensity of social-emotional well-being sub-scales' scores (p=0.031), school-environment (p=0.002) and overall score of OHRQoL (p=0.015). The group of students with orthodontic treatments showed statistically significant differences between genders comparing the average score of self-image sub-scale (p=0.050). They presented aesthetic reasons (67.4%), dissatisfaction of teeth irregularities (53.5%), at parents' request (41.9%) and at dentists' indications (39.5%) for orthodontic treatment. No statistically significant differences were found between genders and background environment (p>0.05), using Pearson's Chi-square test. Conclusions: COHIP questionnaire proved the ability to discriminate the groups of teenage students and psychological impact of OHRQoL, which was better at those who had aesthetic reasons for choosing orthodontic treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem statement: Throughout history, procrastination is seen as an unwanted behaviour that can bring about negative consequences. Researches show that procrastinators have higher levels of stress than people who do not procrastinate and thus, lower levels of well-being. Because procrastinators tend to delay the actions that are necessary in order to reach a goal, they engage more frequently in avoidant coping behaviours. Studies have revealed that younger people are inclined to procrastinate more than older people, and that procrastination levels decrease with age. Purpose of Study: The purpose of this study was to analyse the relations between procrastination, coping styles and stress in a group of 134 people comprised of 86 employees and 48 high school students, coming from both an urban and a rural area. Research Methods: This study has a correlational design and the data was collected from the participants through a series of questionnaires that measure procrastination (General Procrastination Scale), coping styles (The Proactive Coping Inventory), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale) and proactive competences (Utrecht Proactive Competence scale). Findings: The findings show that procrastination is positively linked to stress and avoidance coping, and negatively linked to proactive coping, proactive competences, reflective coping, strategic planning and emotional support seeking. There is a negative correlation between perceived stress and proactive coping. After computing the independent samples t test we found significant differences between students and employees regarding the procrastination and stress levels, strategic planning and proactive competences. On the one hand, students tend to procrastinate more than employees and have higher levels of stress, while on the other hand, they use strategic planning less than employees and have less proactive competences. Conclusions: The results are in accordance with other studies' findings and illustrate that both procrastination and stress decrease with age and the use of proactive coping increases with age. Longitudinal studies are needed in order to better explore the changes that occur over time in each of these variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem Statement: Diabetes is a disease often associated with secondary morbidity and mortality. Patients with diabetes are at increased risk for complications of the disease. Many of these complications can be prevented by an appropriate diabetes management. Purpose of Study:The study examines the knowledge level and motivational profile of people with diabetes. The study seeks to answer the question whether in the knowledge of diabetes and in the motivational profile can be identified differences and similarities between diabetics in relation to the quality of glucose metabolism, so that we can define some characteristics needed for a proper self-care. Research Methods:The study sample consists of 167 (N = 167) of type 2 diabetic participants. Subjects were divided in two subgroups, depending on glycemic control, homogeneous by age, sex and education. Participants were asked to provide biographical data and some details from the medical records (last known values for glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c)). In the next step the patients were asked to complete the following questionnaires: Diabetic Knowledge Questionnaire (DKQ -24) and the Self- Determination Theory Questionnaire Packet for Diabetes (TSRQ -D, PCDS, HCCQ - D). Findings: The results show that there is no significant negative association between knowledge of diabetes and glycaemic control (HbA1c), although the data showed no association between glycaemic control and knowledge. We investigated the motivational profile of the persons with diabetes based on Self-Determination Theory (SDT, autonomy, competence, relationship). Our data do not fit in all respects to those of the original model from the U.S., being unable to reproduce the exact structure of the original model. In the last stage, we investigated the inter-relationship between knowledge related to diabetes and motivational profile of people with diabetes in relation to glycaemic control. The results show a strong association between diabetes-related knowledge and autonomy index. Pearson correlation indices show a tendency of negative association between controlled regulation and the knowledge of diabetes. Conclusions:We assume that the disease knowledge alone is not enough to manage the glycemic control without appropriate motivation dimensions. This needs further investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem statement: The dynamic of the Romanian Society implies new strategies for integration of the pupils with special needs, in particular in the socialization area The experts in the special education field have tried to emphasized the necessity of knowing the main features of the structure of the personal relationships as a base to suitable social integration Purpose of the study: Our hypothesis was that we find, depending of the hearing impairment, different manners of the structuring the relationships at Romanian deaf little pupils in relation with the emotional strengths that are with different , Methods of research. We used in our research on 30 Romanian deaf little pupils the following projective tests: The projective test of the tree and The projective test of the family Findings. We find different features of the structuring of the personal relationships at Romanian deaf little pupils. Conclusions. Our conclusions allow us to establish a significant relation' patterns at Romanian deaf little pupils in order to develop proper interventional therapeutic strategies for better integration in normal community of those pupils [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem statement: Mass media is a constant and persistent environment in our lives, so its influence goes very deep. It has a significant impact on the people's beliefs, attitudes, opinions, emotions, values and even behavior. But what are the psychological effects of consuming mass media? Can be mass media considered a public threat, like some of the authors argued? Purpose of study: This study aims to make a review of the literature on the mass media psychological effects on the public and to propose some solutions for the negative ones. We will analyze the media psychological effects following their polarization. Research Methods: This study represents a literature review on the mass media psychological effects on the public. Findings: The negative effects of mass-media, as the recent researches show, are: television violence causes an increase in violent and aggressive behavior, for both male and females, children, adolescents and adults, for people who are normally aggressive or nonaggressive; longitudinal studies have shown correlations over time of childhood viewing of media violence with later adolescent and adult aggressive behavior. Violence in video games and in news also increases the aggressive behavior. Highly publicized suicides are followed by an increase in suicides among the populace in short term. The positive effects of mass media mentioned by the literature are: positive influence on health behavior change, through health communication campaigns; a cathartic effect on people, due to the cultural content of the media. Films and cartoons can be intentionally used by the therapists, with positive effects on people's personality. Conclusions: Both pro-social and antisocial attitudes and behaviors can be learned from mass media. The effects of mass media exposure should include as mediators the social and material environment, the influence of the family and school, individual characteristics. We think that the most important solution is educating the children and the young people to select and criticize the mass media content. More education and more information about these effects should be given to people. An increased collaboration between cultural institutions and mass media is needed, in order to improve the quality of the media content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, the human interactions demand more and more emotional resources. , that influence, in particular the process of making social decisions In our investigation we used mainly: The Romanian Questionnaire of Emotionality for Mental Deficiency, developed in 2007 by R. Urea for Romanian preadolescents with mental disability, The Making Social Decision Questionnaire for Mental Deficiency developed in 2006 by R. Urea for Romanian with mental disability The conclusions that came through allows us to establish a specific typology between the emotionality profile of Romanian mental deficient preadolescents and type of making social decisions at these preadolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem statement: The influence of media messages on individuals' behavior has been long tested. The Papageno effect states that public presentations in mass-media of suicidal ideation, not accompanied by attempted or completed suicide, is associated with a decrease in suicide rates whereas the Werther effect states that suicide rates increases along with the frequency of exposure in media of suicidal attempts or completed suicide (Niederkrotenthaler et al., 2010). Therefore, understanding the influence of mass media content upon individuals' behavior is mandatory. Purpose of study: Through this study we tested the hypothesis that the type of message content from mass-media influences drivers' aggressive and risky behavior. Moreover, we also presume that media content may have an influence on the tendency of violating traffic norms. Research methods: Three experimental conditions were created using information about the frequency of risky and aggressive behavior, and norms violating in traffic, namely positive, negative and neutral media message. The instruments used for measuring driver's behavior were DAX 49 (Driver Anger Expression), DATQ 65 (Driver's Angry Thoughts Questionnaire), DBQ (Driver's Behavior Questionnaire) and 18 items meant to asses driver's risky behavior in traffic. Background data such as age, gender, and average mileage were recorded. Findings: One hundred and fifty drivers (nmen = 75) were randomly assigned in one of the three experimental conditions, namely negative, positive or neutral media messages. Using One way ANOVA and Independent Samples T-Test we found out that there is a significant effect of the experimental condition (positive, negative and neutral media message) on driver's aggressive behavior, angry thoughts, and risky behavior. Driver's aggressive behavior, angry thoughts, and risky behavior increase when being encountered with a positive media message. Conclusions: Through this study we managed tofind out that the content of media messages does have an impact on driver's behavior, namely a positive message decreases aggressive and risky behavior tendencies. This being said, we consider that mass media could emphasize on presenting examples of positive behaviors in traffic in order to decrease the frequency of driver's aggressive and risky behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research is to contribute to the understanding of behavioural characteristics of four students with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) who were studying at Kasetsart University, Thailand after given specific treatments for their behaviour modification. Four students who participated in the Development of Autistic Students Project (DASP) were cases in this experimental research. The behavioural characteristics in this study included; 1) Personal and emotional characteristics, 2) Communication Skills, 3) Social interactions, and 4) Learning behaviours. Data collected during 2010 to 2015 to gain in-depth understanding of each case. The researcher employed observations, interviews, and focus group discussions as data collection techniques. Thematic analysis was performed through the process of coding to establish meaningful patterns of students' behaviour. Finding showed significant development on personal and emotional characteristics and communication skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have shown that aggressive violations, which contain an interpersonally aggressive component, are linked to an increases in the risk of crash involvement. Personality traits, conceptualized as consistent patterns of cognitions, emotions and behavior, can predispose a person to a high level of aggressive behavior in traffic. The present study attempts to understand which personality factors are the best predictors of aggressive violation on the road. Previous studies also showed that driving experience could determine the level of the drivers' aggressiveness. For this reason, both personality factors and driving experience are considered in this study. We hypothesized that the relation between personality factors and aggressive violation will be moderated by driving experience. A total of 219 young drivers (51.6 % women; mean age of 22.12 years, SD = 1.85) completed measures of personality factors and aggressive violation in traffic. Demographic information about mileage, the year obtaining the driving license, gender, and age were also reported. The results emphasized the importance of honesty, emotional stability, agreeability, and conscientiousness as negative predictors of aggressive violation, while extraversion and openness did not predicted the aggressive violation. Moreover, driving experience moderated the relation between aggressive violation and two personality factors: honesty and conscientiousness. Specifically, when the level of honesty and conscientiousness is high, the participants present the lower levels of aggressive violation, whatever their driving experience. On the contrary, when the level of honesty and conscientiousness is low, the participants with a high level of driving experience report the highest level of aggressive violation. For the participants with a low level of driving experience, there are not significant differences between those with a low and those with a high level of honesty and conscientiousness. The implications of these findings for initiatives to reduce aggressive driving behavior are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem Statement: Spatial orientation is the ability to anticipate and to imagine a fixed array after a change in perspective. Attention ensures the triggering, maintaining and optimization of the cognitive and psychomotor functioning. Purpose of Study: The purpose of our research consists of investigating the spatial orientation and attention concentration and mobility (expressed through attention efficiency coefficient) at 12 years old female artistic gymnasts, handball players and non-athletes. Research Methods: Observation, conversation, test - Spatial Orientation test (component of the computerized platform of psychological evaluation Cognitrom Assessment System, developed by Cognitrom), Attention Concentration and Mobility CMA test (within PSISELTEVA tests, elaborated by RQ Plus), statistical processing methods - SPSS and data interpreting. Findings: - There are statistically significant differences between the female handball players and the participants who aren't involved in any systematic physical activities, in terms of spatial orientation; - There are significant differences between the female practicing artistic gymnastics and non-athletes regarding the attention efficiency coefficient (the number of correctly issued answers in tasks demanding concentration and mobility of attention). Conclusions: Our research emphasizes statistically significant differences between the handball players and non-athletes, in connection to the spatial orientation. For this dimension we didn't found significant differences between the artistic gymnasts and the participants who do not conduct systematic physical activities. This aspect can be explained by the fact that in handball, the spatial memory is needed in order to understand the complex situations generated by the athletes own actions or by the opponents. The study results also show that there are significant differences between artistic gymnasts and non-athletes regarding the attention efficiency coefficient. In the case of the handball players this finding does not apply. This aspect can be related with the fact that, in artistic gymnastics the athletes perform antigravitational movements on different apparatus (for example: uneven bars, horizontal bar, vault), the risk of injury being high. At the same time, the phenomenon of social loafing may manifest in handball, while in artistic gymnastics, being an individual sport, the effort to achieve the goal (which involves intense focusing of psychic energy) "falls" only on one's shoulder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem Statement: Analogical transfer involves three components: retrieving a prior exemplar, creating a mapping between it and the current problem or situation, and then using that mapping to draw an inference relevant to the application context. The discrimination reaction time measures the basic time (the speed of the nervous influx) combined with the identification time - the decision time concerning the significance of the stimulus (capable or not to generate a motor response). Purpose of Study: The aim of our research was to investigate the analogical transfer capacity, the simple reaction time (measures the speed of the nervous influx), the discrimination reaction time (measures the speed of the nervous influx combined with the identification time) and the sports performance of elite junior female tennis players. Research Methods: Observation, conversation, test - ANALOGIE Test, TR and TRD Tests, within PSISELTEVA tests, elaborated by RQ Plus, statistical processing methods - SPSS and data interpreting. Findings: The result analysis for female athletes shows that: - There is a negatively significant correlation (-0,719) between the operativity coefficient (the athletes give faster answers during tasks demanding analogical transfer capacity) and the results registered by the tennis players, expressed through the official ranking system (p < 0,05); - There is a positively significant correlation (0,714) between the discrimination reaction time and the performance obtained by the athletes, expressed through the ranking position (p < 0,05); Conclusions: If the junior female tennis players give faster answers during tasks demanding analogical reasoning ability, this aspect is related to a better performance of the players on the tennis court (expressed through the official ranking system). Also, if the female tennis players register less time in order to identify the correct stimuli during tasks that supose reaction to a certain event, this aspect is associated with a better performance in competitions. The research data will be used by the coach and by the sport psychologist, who will conceive stimulation programs for the characteristics - analogical reasoning ability and discrimination reaction time, related with sports performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this present cross-sectional study is to examine the relationship between emotional intelligence, anxiety and defence mechanisms in patients diagnosed with glaucoma. Although the current literature unequivocally suggests increasing anxiety in chronically ill patients, there is little empirical research addressing the influence of emotional intelligence on defence mechanisms and anxiety in patients diagnosed with glaucoma. The authors proposed a set of hypotheses that aim to address precisely these issues. Fifty glaucoma patients were assessed for anxiety, emotional inteligence and defence mechanisms with the Somatic, Cognitive, Behavioral Anxiety Inventory (SCBA), the Adaptation of the Defensive Style Questionnaire (DSQ) and the Assessing Emotions Scale (AES). Data analysis reveals confirmation for a number of assumptions, as well as uncertainty for others, fact which encourages discussions for future research on people suffering from glaucoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The attention ability influences the effectiveness of all performed activities, and especially the professional training process. This paper presents a study conducted on 34 physical education and sports male students between the ages of 18 and 22 years old (males), regarding their attention level. The level was measured through the Attention Shift Test, applied in February 2013, with the results recorded and assessed using the EMAS scale. The conclusions validate the hypothesis stating that "at the age of 18-22 the values of the assessment indices for attention are at a good level, represented by the class IV assessment level" and emphasize the importance of knowing the attention level throughout the training process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enjoyment of school can be one of the factors which affect the young generations' academic life and achievements in both, positive or negative way. This paper is a part of a PhD. thesis and analyses if there is any difference according to gender variable about the above mentioned factor and possible predictors of 'Enjoyment of school' variable. Results for the factor 'Enjoyment of school' may possibly fluctuate regarding mostly the 'in school' variables like, area, school building, facilities, school staff, teacher quality, teacher support, correct guidance, tuition fee, peer factor, class environment, class size, 'personal' variables like age, gender, ethnicity, health, mental condition, physical appearance, ability, and 'out-of school' variables like distance, financial means, family background, family support and student's personal performance. School- Family Interaction factor also can be mentioned in the 'out-of school' part because well-treated and well-informed parent's attitude may affect student's enjoyment disposition in positive way. Any of the mentioned variables' impacts on student's enjoyment of school can be investigated separately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although an important number of studies support the view of self-control as a limited resource, recent studies pointed out that self-control capacity does not diminish invariably. Success expectancies and willpower beliefs might play an important role in this context. This study tested a mediation model, considering success expectancies in consecutive tasks requiring self-control as a mediator of the relationship between willpower beliefs and performance in these kind of tasks. An experiment involving 163 participants, adolescents, (88 females and 75 males, age range: 14-18 years old) was conducted. Participants were randomized in two experimental groups (manipulated to believe willpower is limited or unlimited) and a control group. Afterwards, participants reported their performance expectancies for two following tasks requiring self-control and solved it (task 1 - stimuli detection; task 2 - vicarious depletion by transposing in a character's struggling with temptation shoes). At the end, they received a menu and ordered the meal, but also estimated the maximum patience until its arrival, as if they were still in the story character's shoes (the dependent variables). Lastly, they completed the Romanian version of the General Self-Efficacy Scale. The results supported the mediation model but also indicated the possibility that willpower beliefs might affect self-control capacity through other mechanisms. The perception of the energy consumed proved to be particularly influenced by the belief that willpower is limited. The mechanism by which limited and unlimited willpower beliefs influence self-control capacity after consecutive tasks involving self-control needs more investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]