Special Issues

Volume 25,  Issue 1a / Suppl., August, 2017
21st Workshop on Aggression
November 18-19, 2016, Băile Felix, Romania

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“Socio-emotional programs; preventing aggression: Emerging themes from 21st Workshop on Aggression 2016″ Oradea / Băile Felix, Romania
Trip, S.Author(s): Simona Trip
Subject(s): Psychology
Issue: 1a/25/2017
Page Range: 7-25
No. of Pages: 19
Keywords: 21st Workshop on Aggression; bullying; cyberbullying; anger; aggression; prevention and intervention programs; forensic assessment; social and civic behaviors; 20th anniversary of Psychology
Summary/Abstract: At the 21st Workshop on Aggression, organized by Department of Psychology, University of Oradea, held in Băile Felix, Romania, on November 18-19th, 2016, approximately 103 researchers, psychologists, educators and students met together. The first objective of this event was to introduce, disseminate and promote the results of scientific and technological development on explanatory models of aggressive behavior, prosocial behavior, and methods of assessment. The second aim was to present state of the art applications of socio-emotional programs in a large variety of contexts where aggression takes place. Participants submitted symposia, oral, and poster presentations which can be grouped to the following main topics: Bullying and cyberbullying, Anger, aggression and violence prevention and intervention programs, Forensic Assessment and Intervention, Aggressive behavior in work, Social and civic behaviors. In 2016, the Workshop on Aggression gave us the opportunity to have a wonderful celebration of 20 years of education and research in Psychology at the University of Oradea. Download full article

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The impact of cyber – activity on youth development
Farnicka, M.Author(s): Marzanna Farnicka
Subject(s): Psychology
Issue: 1a/25/2017
Page Range: 26-43
No. of Pages: 18
Keywords: brain; cyber-activity; mental health; youth
Summary/Abstract: The article focused on the impact of cyber-activity on individual as a risk’ factor in development. The aim of this work was description the cyberspace and it impact to young people. Some psychological changes in human mind caused by cyber-activity were presented, as well as their socio-psychological and cognitive-emotional consequences. The analysis of chosen psychological conditions (attachment, temper, one’s own experience) and motives for undertaking cyber-violence and cyber-bullying by young people were taking into consideration. In the conclusion, the way of re-interpretation this new threats was presented.

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Romanian translation and linguistic validation of the Children and Adolescent Social Support Scale (CASSS)
Chiș, A., Copaci, I., & Rusu, A. S.Author(s): Alexandra Chiș, Iulia Copaci, Alina S. Rusu
Subject(s): Psychology
Issue: 1a/25/2017
Page Range: 44-56
No. of Pages: 13
Keywords: social support; adolescents; linguistic validation; protective factors
Summary/Abstract: A growing body of research is focusing on identifying protective factors that may increase the chances of positive psychosocial functioning in adolescents facing adversity. Previous studies documented the role of perceived social support in risky and aggressive behavior and the need for psychometric instruments to assess this variable. The present study aims to validate at linguistic level the Romanian version of Children and Adolescent Social Support Scale (CASSS; Malecki, Demaray, & Elliott, 2000). CASSS is a 60-item measure divided into five subscales, each subscale corresponding to a specific component of the social network (parents, teachers, friends, classmates and school). The scale was piloted for content and general linguistic clarity, following standard methods of linguistic validation. Participants (secondary school students, 13-19 years) completed on-line the Romanian translated version of CASSS. Two weeks later, students filled in the original English version of the scale. A Wilcoxon signed rank test was conducted to determine whether there was a statistically significant difference between the original and translated versions of the instrument. Subsequently, Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated. Psychometric properties of the translated version of CASSS and recommendations are further discussed. Download full article

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Developing a Sexuality Education Program for parents in Romania – preliminary analysis
Pop, M. V., & Rus, A. S.Author(s): Meda V. Pop, Alina S. Rusu
Subject(s): Psychology
Issue: 1a/25/2017
Page Range: 57-73
No. of Pages: 17
Keywords: sexuality education; parenting; children; young people; sexual risk behavior
Summary/Abstract: The main purpose of this study is to contribute to the scientific knowledge regarding young people's sexual development and health by identifying and examining empirically validated theoretical models and parental interventions, which might be adequate to the specificity of a population in Romania (parents of young people aged 10 to 14 years). Specifically, the study proposes a concise summary of the literature on parents’ contribution to the sexual competence and health of their children by reviewing psychological and social factors characterizing individuals and family processes which might be associated to young people’s sexual health. It also suggests lines along which young people’s sexual competence and health could be improved by future sexuality education parenting programs. There exist a considerable variety of parental sexuality education interventions and programs, designed and evaluated on a multitude of levels based on their approach to sexuality, health and education and available information about their effectiveness is analyzed here. The study also presents the situation regarding sexuality education and sexual health of young people in Romania and it outlines a few components of a future sexuality education program to be developed for parents in Romania aiming to prevent the sexual risk behavior for their children. Download full article

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Functions of aggressive behaviors – implications for interventions
Dârjan, I., Predescu, M., & Tomiță, M.Author(s): Ioana Dârjan, Mihai Predescu, Mihaela Tomiță
Subject(s): Psychology
Issue: 1a/25/2017
Page Range: 74-91
No. of Pages: 18
Keywords: aggressive behavior; functions of behavior; LSCI
Summary/Abstract: The same type of aggressive behavior may have totally different underlying motives and functions. The main functions of all human behaviors are attention seeking, power exhibition, revenge or retreat. In the light of behavior management efficacy, it is crucial to identify what function a manifested behavior responds. The same symptomatic behaviors may have completely different emotional fuel: fear, anger, joy, or sadness. If we, as professionals, assess a kid/students behavior merely based on its overt manifestations, and we fail on accurately identify its main function, we might risk implementing ineffective intervention strategies. That is why we have to conduct an expert clinical interview, develop attentive functional behavioral analysis, based on direct observation and discussion with the main subject (author) of the undesirable/conflictual events. In this paper, we will present the process of clinical interview and the building of conceptual framework of different self-defeating behavioral patterns (based on their specific beliefs, emotional states, and behavioral manifestation), developed through Life Space Crisis Intervention (LSCI) Method. We will present the diagnostic stages and the criteria for six patterns of self-defeating behavioral patterns identified in LSCI Method.

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Romanian translation and linguistic validation of the Civic Attitudes and Skills Questionnaire: Implications for pre-service teachers’ evaluation
Copaci, I. A., Soos, A., & Rusu, A. S.Author(s): Iulia Copaci, Anna Soon, Alina S. Rusu
Subject(s): Psychology
Issue: 1a/25/2017
Page Range: 92-107
No. of Pages: 16 Keywords: civic attitudes; pre-service teachers’ training; assessment tool
Summary/Abstract: Attitudes have been extensively studied in several areas of psychology, considering their potential to influence, stimulate, justify and predict a person’s response and relationship with different instances. Positive civic attitudes and civic engagement are evolutionary essential components of a functional society, especially when embodied by pre-service teachers, as they become behavioral role-models for future generations. Furthermore, educational civic engagement and Service-Learning practices have multivalent, mutual benefits such as enhancing academic performance, socio-emotional learning and preventing risk behaviors. This study aims to expand the use of Civic Attitudes and Skills Questionnaire (CASQ; Moely, Mercer, Ilustre, Miron, & McFarland, 2002) as a valid assessment tool for the Romanian pre-service teacher population and extend its diagnostic value to examine students’ attitudes towards the community, also known as civic responsibility, and their intention to pursue positive civic behaviors, the preceding step to actual civic engagement. Following a backward and forward translation of the instrument, data were collected from 24 Romanian pedagogy students who completed the on-line English and Romanian versions of the CASQ. The internal consistency and linguistic equivalence of the two versions were assessed. Further recommendations and implications for educational use are addressed, such as the assessment of the psychosocial effects of community-oriented activities, including student-for-students ones. Download full article