The study examined individual factors and social factors that influence adolescent studentsʼ achievement in mathematics. The predictive model suggested direct positive effects of student intelligence, self-rated openness and parental education on achievement in mathematics, whereas direct effects of extraversion on measures of achievement were negative. Indirect positive effects of intelligence, self-rated conscientiousness, student-perceived mathematics teacherʼs press for understanding and mastery goal, and a negative effect of student-rated parental academic pressure on course achievement were mediated through the studentsʼ self-efficacy in mathematics. The findings highlight the important role that individual differences in ability and personality, as well as student perceptions of parent and teacher academically related variables, play in the studentsʼ performance in mathematics.
COBISS.SI-ID: 49405794
This study analyzed the psychometric properties of scores on the Slovene version of the Questionnaire about Interpersonal Difficulties for Adolescents (QIDA) in a sample of 1,334 adolescents (44% boys), ranging in age from 12 to 18 years (M = 15.61). Confirmatory factor analyses replicated the correlated five-factor structure of the QIDA: Assertiveness, Heterosexual Relationships, Public Speaking, Family Relationships, and Close Friendships. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were reasonable. Correlations of scores on the QIDA with scores of neuroticism, low extraversion, and low openness, as measured by the Inventory of Child/Adolescent Individual Differences, and scores of fear of negative evaluation, and tension and inhibition in social contacts, as measured by the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents were found, revealing differential links with QIDA subscale scores. Girls reported more difficulties than boys. Age differences showed a small but significant decrease in QIDA total score over adolescence.
COBISS.SI-ID: 44851042
Objective: This exploratory study examined the role that illness representations and personality play in the various adherence behaviors of adolescents diagnosed with essential hypertension. Methods: The participants were 97 hypertensive adolescents. They completed self-report questionnaires pertaining to (1) demographic and medical data, (2) adherence, (3) illness representations, and (4) personality. Medical charts were also assessed. Results: The hierarchical regression analyses indicated that: (1) conscientiousness, agreeableness, and perception of treatment effectiveness account for a significant amount of variance in general adherence; (2) perception of treatment effectiveness is predictive of overall specific adherence; and (3) for adherence to most of the individual specific regimen recommendations, illness representations are more predictive compared to personality dimensions. Conclusions: The personality domains of conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and illness representation dimensions (treatment control, concern, and emotional burden) were shown to predict adherence behaviors in adolescent hypertensive patients differentially. Study implications and limitations are discussed.
COBISS.SI-ID: 42292578
Aim: To examine the role of 5-HTTLPR, rs25531 and 5-HTT VNTR Intron 2 variants in subjects with psychotic disorders manifesting suicide ideation and behaviour. Methods: The study included 519 subsequently hospitalized subjects who were genotyped for 5-HTTLPR, rs25531 and 5-HTT VNTR In2 variants. Clinical assessments included structured psychiatric interview, sociodemographic characteristics, suicide ideation and behaviour (SIBQ), severity of psychopathology (PANSS) and depression (CDSS). Results: Three subgroups were identified: suicide attempters (N = 161), suicide ideators (N =174) and subjects who never reported suicide ideation or behaviour (comparative group, N = 184). Major findings: 1) Suicide attempters scored highest on the CDSS, while no differences between the three clinical subgroups were detected in the PANSS scores; 2) Suicide attempters were more frequently the carriers of LA allele, while subjects in the comparative group were more frequently the carriers of low expression 5-HTTLPR/5-HTT rs25531 haplotype SLG; 3) No difference was found between the three clinical groups inthe 5-HTT VNTR In2 variants; 4) Subjects with 5-HTTLPR/5-HTT rs25531 intermediate expression haplotype (LALG,SLA) scored higher on the PANSS general psychopathology subscale; 5) There was no association between suicide attempt or ideation and 5-HTTLPR/In2 or 5-HTTLPR/rs25531/In2 haplotype distribution. Conclusion: The suicide ideators, attempters and controls did not differ significantly in 5-HTTLPR or 5-HTT VNTR In 2 variants, but 5-HTTLPR/5-HTT rs25531 haplotype might be a useful genetic marker in distinguishing these three clinical groups.
COBISS.SI-ID: 48636002
This study explored children, preschool, and family characteristics that contribute to individual differences in the developmental trajectories of social competence and internalizing and externalizing behavior. Teachers reported on personality and social adjustment of 304 children at ages 3, 4, 5,and 6 years. Predictors of social adjustment included: (1) childrenʼs genderand the ratings of extraversion, conscientiousness, disagreeableness, and neuroticism; (2) maternal and paternal education, and parent-reported parenting practices at the beginning of the study; and (3) the childʼs age of entry to preschool. Child social adjustment was most strongly predicted by teacher-rated child personality. The change in a child's rank-order position on social competence was related to the change in the rankorder position on extraversion; the change in internalizing behavior was related particularly toa change in neuroticism, and the change in externalizing behavior especially to a change in disagreeableness. Specific family variables and the child's age at the time of entry into preschool played a minor but statistically significant role.
COBISS.SI-ID: 48890210