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The Adult Prosocialness Behavior Scale (APBS) is most often used to measure adult prosociality. We conducted a reliability generalization meta-analysis to compute the average APBS reliability and examine the heterogeneity among reliability estimations and the influence of moderator variables. An exhaustive search identified 74 articles that applied the APBS with 16 items assessed on a 5-point Likert-type scale. Of these, 58 had reliability coefficients with the current data, and 76 reliability estimates were provided. Random- and mixed-effects models were used. The average reliability coefficient was 0.903 for Cronbach's alpha, 0.896 for McDonald's omega, and 0.674 for test-retest. Moderator analyses were used to create a predictive model in which the target population and study language accounted for 48.7% of the total variability among Cronbach's alpha coefficients. Although the APBS has shown satisfactory internal consistency, it can vary as a function of several factors.

Moral reasoning is a field of investigation that has been raising more and more interest. It is necessary to have valid tools for evaluating moral reasoning. To this end, this article provides an update review about existing tools that evaluate moral reasoning, focusing on the description of their characteristics as well as their psychometric properties. In a literature review using the Web of Science, the scientific literature was reviewed between 1900 and 2017, focusing on the last 30 years. Three search processes were performed: an initial one to observe the current situation, a system applying inclusion-exclusion criteria, and a manual search to evaluate the obtained results. A total of 21 instruments were found that evaluate moral reasoning. Possible aspects of improvement in lines of future research are discussed., Author(s): Manuel Martí-Vilar [sup.1] , José Miguel Escrig-Espuig [sup.1] , César Merino-Soto [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.5338.d, 0000 0001 2173 938X, Department of Basic Psychology, Universitat de València, , València, [...]

Background and Objectives: Animal-assisted therapies have been utilized in various profiles to improve people's quality of life. This systematic review aims to assess the impact of dog-assisted therapies (DAT) on children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The benefits provided, the feasibility of implementation, and potential limitations are analysed. Methods: An exhaustive search was carried out in the following databases: Web of Science (WoS), Scopus, ERIC, PubMed, PubPsych, CINAHL, PsycInfo and Dialnet. The procedure was preregistered on PROSPERO. Results: This review included 19 scientific articles. Of these, 84% suggest that DAT has a positive impact on communication and social interaction during the development of children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD. The dog is often perceived as a communication facilitator that serves as a reinforcer, capturing the individual's attention. Emotional benefits have also been reported, including reducing stereotyped and self-harming behaviours. Additionally, an increase in smiling frequency and self-esteem levels was observed. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of DAT as a component of socio-educational intervention for children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD. However, further research is necessary due to the limited sample sizes in the studies reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Research on gaming and gaming habits has predominantly focused on younger populations, particularly males. The main objective of this study was to analyze gender-based differences in gamer profiles, considering variables related to gaming habits and the gaming community. Methods: A total of 180 Spanish university students currently engaged in video gaming (M = 21.51 years, SD = 3.09, 57.4% male) participated in the study by completing an online questionnaire addressing gaming characteristics such as the age of onset, gaming hours, motives of gaming, and perceived toxicity in the video gaming community. Results: The results revealed statistically significant gender differences in the age of gaming initiation, weekly gaming hours, community toxicity, and several gaming motivations, including customization, cognitive challenge, violent gratification, and social interaction. Linear discriminant analysis identified that higher scores in the age of initiation and customization, along with lower scores in violent gratification and community toxicity, formed the combination of predictor variables that most strongly distinguished between genders. Conclusion: Understanding these gender differences is essential for capturing current gaming trends and addressing the needs of diverse gamers. Finally, the potential clinical implications of these findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Internet addiction (IA) and related behaviors, such as Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and social media addiction (SMA), have gained increasing research attention. Studies show gender differences, with males more likely to develop gaming-related addictions and females more prone to social media and phubbing behaviors. This study aimed to explore gender differences in Internet addiction and related behaviors in a Spanish sample, with the goal of identifying predictors and gender-specific patterns of IA. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 585 participants (265 male, 320 female) aged 18 to 35 years (M = 22.11, SD = 3.08). Data were collected using standardized questionnaires to assess IA, IGD, SMA, phubbing, Fear of Missing Out (FoMO), emotional dysregulation, personality traits, and prosociality. Correlation and regression analyses were used to identify gender-specific predictors of IA. Results: Males exhibited significantly higher scores for IA and IGD, while females showed higher scores for SMA and the "phone obsession" dimension of phubbing. No significant gender differences were found in the "communication disturbance" dimension of phubbing or in FoMO. Correlation analyses revealed significant associations between IA and psychological as well as technological variables. Gender-specific predictors of IA included social media engagement and emotional regulation for females, while gaming behaviors and communication patterns were more relevant for males. Conclusions: These findings highlight gender differences in IA, suggesting that tailored interventions should address unique online behaviors and emotional regulation challenges in males and females. Future research should refine gender-specific patterns to develop more effective, targeted prevention and treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dementia increases dependence in older adults and decreases their quality of life and that of their family members. These family members often take on the responsibility of caregiving and suffer from burden and health deterioration due to facing various stressors. The aim is to verify the effectiveness of existing interventions aimed at relieving the burden and stress of informal caregivers of older people with dementia. A scoping review was conducted by consulting the Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, and PubMed databases, following the guidelines of the PRISMA 2020 Statement. The review protocol has been registered in PROSPERO under number CRD42024558609. Twenty-six articles met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed, studying the type of intervention design, the sample size of caregivers and their main characteristics, the duration and follow-up, and the variables investigated with their respective measurement instruments. The analysis of the different studies showed that the most developed types of interventions are psychoeducational and cognitive-behavioral therapies, both individual and group. These interventions were mainly effective in reducing the burden and depressive symptoms of caregivers. It is considered advisable to implement more randomized controlled trials for further research, because as the number of caregivers increases, so does the need for affordable and effective interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several studies focused on the escalating prevalence of Problematic Use of Internet (PUI) and its consequential impact on mental health globally. This study investigates the relationship between PUI and associated psychological variables across different cultural contexts in Italy, Spain, Ecuador, and Peru. Method: A total of 675 participants, aged 18 to 54 (M = 22.73; SD = 4.05), completed measures assessing Internet addiction, social media addiction, Fear of Missing Out, Internet Gaming Disorder, and Phubbing. Results: Significant cultural variations were found, with Italian participants showing higher levels of Internet addiction but lower levels of social media addiction compared to other countries. Fear of Missing Out was higher in Italy, while the Italian sample exhibited lower Internet Gaming Disorder levels compared to Peru. As regards the communication disturbance caused by Phubbing, the Italian sample demonstrated significantly higher scores than the Peruvian sample. Linear regression analyses revealed distinct predictors for problematic Internet use in each country, emphasizing the importance of considering the cultural context in understanding this phenomenon. Conclusions: These findings contribute valuable insights into the interplay of cultural factors, psychological variables, and problematic Internet use, guiding future research and interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to promote wellbeing in current society, it is necessary to understand which variables predict prosocial behaviour. The objectives of this research were: 1) To establish prosociality as a phenomenon which is related to emotional, contextual and cognitive factors. 2) To establish a model for emotional intelligence which explains prosocial behaviour in Spanish university students. 3) To determine which factors in individual culture explain, to a larger extent, prosocial behaviour. The sample was composed of 180 Spanish college students aged 18 to 25 (135 women; mean of age = 21.17; standard deviation = 1.53). Correlation analysis showed a positive relationship in emotional intelligence, individual culture and criminal thinking. The regression analyses showed that the mixed model of emotional intelligence is the best predictor of prosocial behaviours. Regarding individual culture, high levels in collectivism and long term orientation, and low levels in distance to power, were the best predictors of these behaviours. These findings confirm the importance of understanding prosocial behaviour as a multidimensional phenomenon., Author(s): Manuel Martí-Vilar [sup.1] , Lucas Serrano-Pastor [sup.1] , Francisco González Sala [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (Aff1) 0000 0001 2173 938X, grid.5338.d, Departamento de Psicología Básica, Facultad de Psicología, Universitat de [...]

This document is an editorial published in Frontiers in Psychology titled "Online prosocial behavior and altruism in adolescence and youth." The editorial highlights the importance of studying positive actions such as prosocial behavior in adolescents and young people's use of social networks. It emphasizes the interdependence of online and offline life and the transformative effect of the digital context on adolescent development. The editorial presents four articles that explore various aspects of online prosocial behavior, including the influence of family functioning on cyberbullying bystanders, the contribution of online and offline prosocial behaviors to identity development, the impact of social media campaigns on online donations, and the effect of mindfulness interventions on online charitable behavior. The editorial concludes by emphasizing the need for further research on online prosocial behavior and its role in psychosocial development during adolescence and young adulthood. [Extracted from the article]

This study is intended to determine, from a systematic review, the importance and effectiveness of different interventions aimed at improving social skills in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through theatrical techniques. For this purpose, a systematic review of the literature published from 2011 to 2021 in the ERIC, Web of Science, EuropePMC, PubPsych, Índices-Csic, Redalyc, Roderic, Scopus, PubMed, Scielo, and Dialnet databases was carried out, and a total of 29 articles were reviewed. The results indicate an improvement in socioemotional functioning, self-esteem, emotion management, empathy and listening, communication and social interaction, adaptive skills, as well as an increase in body awareness in people with ASD. It can be concluded that theater creates a safe environment in which people with ASD can engage with their own emotions and those of others, thereby offering a therapeutic setting in which to promote mental health in different aspects of both prevention and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]