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The purpose of this investigation is to develop and validate a short form of the Generalized Ethnocentrism Scale (GENE). The GENE scale measures people's tendency to consider their culture as the center of the world. A total of four studies were conducted using samples of college students. In the Study 1 has been examined the underlying factor structure of the GENE measure. Based on this study, the Short Form Generalized Ethnocentrism Scale is proposed (SFGENE-7). In the second study, the two-factor structure evidenced in Study 1, was supported by a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The psychometric properties of the short form of the GENE scale were also satisfactory. In the third study, the two-factor structure was submitted again to CFA. The investigation of the relationship between ethnocentrism and external variables was also examined. The results supported the convergent, discriminant and incremental validities. Finally, in the fourth study, temporal stability of the short form of the GENE scale has been assessed. The results demonstrated that the SFGENE-7 had adequate test-retest reliability. Overall, results reveal that the SFGENE-7 has adequate levels of reliability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and incremental validity. We obtained a short, reliable, and valid instrument to assess ethnocentrism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cybervictimization is a public health concern in adolescence. Victims of cyberbullying may present with important short- and long-term sequelae. Specifically, past research has demonstrated positive associations between being cybervictimized and risk of suicide among adolescents. Nonetheless, the underlying mechanisms that may mediate or moderate this relationship remain unclear. The present research examined perceived stress as a mediator and forgiveness as a moderator to explore the relationship between cybervictimization and suicidal ideation. Specifically, vengeance, avoidance, and benevolence motivations, as a means of measuring forgiveness experienced, were analyzed as moderators in the relations between cybervictimization and suicidal ideation. The sample included 1,821 adolescents (954 girls) who ranged in age from 12 to 17 years from nine centers. Adolescents' self-reported perceived stress levels, cybervictimization, and forgiveness were collected. A mediation and a moderated mediation analyses were used to explore the aim of the present study. Results suggest that, after controlling for sex and age, perceived stress partially mediates the association between cybervictimization and suicidal ideation. Furthermore, the mediation effects of perceived stress were independently moderated by vengeance and avoidance. Thus, revenge and avoidance might intensify the adverse impact of perceived stress on suicidal ideation. These results highlight how and when cybervictimization is related to suicidal ideation. We discuss the results in relation to previous research and consider their practical implications. These findings suggest that adolescents' perceived stress, together with vengeance and avoidance motivations, may be key targets for prevention and intervention programs dealing with cybervictimization. This highlights the need to implement treatment and prevention programs focused on decreasing such motivations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saudade is a psychological experience resulting from the absence of significant others or familiar places. Four studies were conducted in view of creating a measure of saudade derived from previous prototype analyses. Data from four samples were collected: two samples of Portuguese undergraduate students, one sample of Portuguese adults, and one sample of Portuguese adolescents. Through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, a three-factor latent structure of saudade was identified: Missing Close Others, Lack of Intimacy, and Longing for the Past. This three-factor structure was meaningfully associated with theoretically related constructs such as life satisfaction, negative affect, loneliness, love satisfaction, self-esteem, or neuroticism and was not associated with theoretically unrelated constructs such as tolerance or openness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the subjective well-being (SWB) of international students. International students represent one of the biggest and most relevant sojourners groups. The sample included 204 Angolan international students who attended Portuguese universities and a control group of native-born Portuguese students. Using quantitative survey research methods, the relative strengths of demographic, acculturation, and sociocultural adaptation factors in predicting two indicators of SWB (overall well-being and academic satisfaction) were explored. Angolan students revealed lower levels of well-being and higher levels of academic satisfaction than Portuguese students. As expected, language proficiency, interaction with conationals, ethnic identity, and sociocultural adaptation were significantly correlated with SWB. In addition, results indicated that acculturation and sociocultural adaptation variables accounted for a larger proportion of explained variance in SWB than demographic variables. Academic satisfaction predicted well-being beyond demographic, acculturation, and sociocultural factors. Some implications of the findings for improving SWB of international students and future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The series of studies explored the role of visual, auditory, tactile-kinesthetic, and olfactory modalities in physical attraction toward a romantic partner in four cultures. Participants (N = 1,330) from four European countries, Russia (n = 433), Portugal (n = 248), Georgia (n = 436), and France (n = 213) completed the surveys rating the degree of their physical attraction and how important the various sensory modalities are in their romantic attraction to a partner. Factor analysis revealed 13 sensory factors, among those are expressive behavior, dancing, singing, facial structure, body characteristics, hair and eye features, voice, expressive manner of speaking, skin, dressing, and lips. ANOVA showed cross-culturally common and most prevalent sensory factors of romantic attraction as well as differences among cultures. These differences are explained by climate variations, cultural values, and traditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study looked at the self-estimation of the new “reversal multiple intelligences.” A sample of 200 adults completed a questionnaire that asked them to estimate their “overall” intelligence and their scores on the Apter’s eight multiple intelligences for self: telic, paratelic, negativistic, conformist, autic mastery, autic sympathy, alloic mastery, and alloic sympathy intelligence. They also completed a short measure of the Big Five, as well as six questions on their beliefs about intelligence. Sex differences were found regarding self-estimate of autic sympathy. A regression showed that participants think only three of the eight self-estimates are related to overall IQ (g). Regressing each self-estimate onto demography and the Big Five showed a clear interpretable pattern. Personality traits predicted self-estimated intelligence beyond demographic factors. Intelligence test experience predicted significantly overall reversal intelligence. Limitations of the study are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This investigation includes a differential study (Study 1) and a quasi-experimental research (Study 2). In Study 1, the objective was to establish to what extent students' rights existed and analyse the differentiation between students' rights with Portuguese and immigrant mothers, throughout school years. The sample consisted of 537 students with Portuguese and immigrant mothers, distributed by different school years (7th, 9th and 11th grades). The Children's Rights Scale (Hart et al., 1996; Veiga, 2001) was used. In Study 2, the purpose was to analyse the effects on students' rights of the use by teachers of a communicational intervention program, supervised by school psychologists. The sample involved 7th and 9th grade students, in a total of four classes, two forming the experimental groups (n = 36) and two the control groups (n = 43); as in Study 1, the Children's Rights Scale was used. The results indicated the effectiveness of the communicational intervention program on students' rights and are consistent with previous studies. An implication is that psychologists and teachers, working together and taking a human rights perspective, may develop an important role in projects to promote the students' rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To facilitate use of the Forgiveness Likelihood Scale in cross-cultural studies, the psychometric characteristics of the translated scale were examined among 192 adolescents in Portugal (86 men and 106 women). The Forgiveness Likelihood Scale is a 10-item Likert-type scale designed to measure tendency to forgive across situations. Cronbach a was .89. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the questionnaire was unidimensional among Portuguese high school students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advertisements from "Lonely Hearts" columns in the major daily Portuguese newspaper (Jornal de Notícias) were used to test hypotheses about the mate preferences of men and women. A total of 484 advertisements were coded for demographic descriptors and offers of and appeals for attractiveness, financial security, sincerity, expressiveness, and instrumentality, e.g., intelligence and ambition. Some results supported social exchange and evolutionary predictions: men sought younger women and offered security; women sought older men with status and resources. However, other results challenged such predictions: attractiveness and expressiveness did not differ by sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between forgivingness (enduring resentment, sensitivity to circumstances, and overall propensity to forgive) and a number of personality dimensions relevant to forgivingness was examined. These dimensions were self-esteem, shyness and embarrassment, on one hand, and self-construal and perceived loneliness, on the other hand. The main relationships between forgivingness and personality concerned the interpersonal dimensions of personality: shyness, embarrassment, independence from others, and interdependence with others. However, the intra-personal, strictly self-referential concomitants of these dimensions (self-esteem and loneliness) were not much linked to forgivingness. Furthermore, each personality factor had a distinct link with forgivingness: independence made the resentment still more enduring, shyness and social embarrassment exacerbated the sensitivity to circumstances, and interdependence increased the willingness to forgive. These findings throw light on the double aspect of forgiveness as intra- and inter-individual and on the relative independence of these aspects. The observed pattern of relationships varied notably (and significantly) as a function of the participants' genders. It could be therefore important, in future studies, to compute systematically correlation coefficients or assess main effects separately for women and men. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To facilitate use of the adult form of the Francis Scale of Attitude Towards Christianity in cross-cultural studies, the psychometric characteristics of the translated scale were examined among 323 university students in Portugal (130 men and 193 women). Their ages ranged from 18 to 31 years. Analysis supported the unidimensionality, internal consistency, and construct validity of this scale in this sample of Portuguese university students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the colors associated with different love attitudes using the Hendrick and Hendrick Love Attitudes Scale for six love styles. Representation of the love-color analogy; Issues concerning the nature of love; Influential approach to the psychology of love.