Robert Balazsi - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Robert Balazsi

Clinical Psychology Review, Apr 1, 2022

Psychology in the Schools, Jul 5, 2023

Previous research, using a variable‐centered approach, points out to the possibility that not all... more Previous research, using a variable‐centered approach, points out to the possibility that not all victims of bullying have the same mental health and social profile. The aim of the current investigation was to explore whether there are different profiles—related to emotional, behavioral, and social problems—of pure victims of bullying and bully‐victims, respectively, by using a person‐centered approach. The analytical sample consisted of 224 children and adolescents, aged 8–17 years old (M = 14, SD = 1.97), who self‐identified as pure victim or bully‐victims. Latent profile analysis (LPA) produced the following four profiles among pure victims of bullying: (1) an asymptomatic profile; (2) a profile with high emotional problems and moderate hyperactivity; (3) a profile with high emotional problems and hyperactivity, but moderate conduct and social problems; and (4) a profile high in conduct and social problems, yet with moderate emotional problems and hyperactivity. Among bully‐victims, LPA yielded the following four profiles: (1) an asymptomatic profile; (2) a profile of high conduct, emotional and social problems, but moderate hyperactivity; (3) a profile with high hyperactivity, moderate emotional, and conduct problems; and (4) a profile characterized by high emotional, social problems, and hyperactivity. The implications, limitations, and future directions will be discussed.

Psihologia resurselor umane, Apr 15, 2007

Lucrarea de faţă aduce in discuţie problema validităţii testelor de selecţie de personal in conte... more Lucrarea de faţă aduce in discuţie problema validităţii testelor de selecţie de personal in contextul adaptării acestora la diferite populaţii. In ce măsură este sau nu necesar un demers de validare a unor probe a căror validitate a fost deja demonstrată in alte contexte? De exemplu, in ce măsură bateriile de teste utilizate in selecţia si evaluarea periodică a personalului din transporturi, pot fi aplicate la fel de bine si altor profesii (ex. electricieni, agenţi comerciali, militari).

The European health psychologist, Dec 1, 2014

Background: As part of a WHO programme to improve child health across Europe, we conducted a stud... more Background: As part of a WHO programme to improve child health across Europe, we conducted a study to evaluate the prevalence of exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACE), and examine relationships between ACE exposure and harming health behaviours and health status in young adults. Methods: The sample consisted from 2088 Romanian university students, aged 18-25. ACE Survey measures emotional, physical and sexual abuse, as well as family dysfunction (e.g., an incarcerated or substance-abusing family member). Individuals were categorised according to number of ACEs experienced. Findings: Modelling identified proportions of health harming behaviours and health complains independently associated with ACEs. The odds of engaging in alcohol and drug consumption, as well sexual risk behaviors were higher as the number of ACEs increased. Increasing of exposure to ACEs has increased significantly the odds for experiencing depression, suicidal behavior, insomnia, as well as digestive symptoms, headaches, low back pain. Discussion: Considering the high prevalence of ACEs, several preventive and health promotion recommendations are presented.

Cognitie, Creier, Comportament, Sep 1, 2009

ABSTRACT Patients of renal diseases treated with different forms of dialysis, waiting for transpl... more ABSTRACT Patients of renal diseases treated with different forms of dialysis, waiting for transplantation experience significant levels of distress. High levels of emotional discomfort may influence different aspects of their quality of life with considerable impact on their qualification for kidney transplantation. One of the main objectives of this paper is to investigate the problematic areas of psychological functioning in dialysis patients where intervention may be successful, and may help patients attain the appropriate levels of functioning necessary to qualify for transplantation. In order to achieve this objective, we compared a group of dialysis and a group of transplant patients regarding depression, anxiety, conscious cognitive emotion regulation strategies, and quality of life. Similarly, in order to evince the level of recovery in patients who have already benefited by successful renal transplantation, we compared the same aspects of functioning with healthy controls, thus identifying in transplant patients those areas of functioning where they may need additional aid. KEYWORDS: chronic renal failure, end-stage renal disease, dialysis, quality of life, positive and negative emotions. INTRODUCTION Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) is a severe disease, when kidneys do not function properly (do not remove excess liquid, minerals, waist; stop producing specific hormones, etc.). Such malfunctioning may lead to increased levels of arterial pressure, deposits of toxic materials, reduced production of blood cells, etc., that put the patient's life at danger. End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is the consequence of chronic renal failure that does not respond to local treatment, with an almost complete failure of kidney-functioning. In both cases, two major interventions are applied: dialysis and/or kidney transplantation. Literature mentions two basic forms of dialysis: (i) peritoneal and (ii) hemodialysis. The first type of dialysis is represented by the introduction of dialysate fluid in the peritoneal space through a catheter, which later is drained out. This type of dialysis may be done at the patient's home using a device during the night (continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis), or manually, at precise intervals (continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis) (Cohen, Levy, Tessier, & Germain, 2005). Hemodialysis is represented by the introduction of dialysate fluid in the extracorporeal circuit in an opposite direction to the blood flow. This type of dialysis may also be done both at the patient's home, as well as in specialized units at strictly defined intervals, determined by the patient's condition (Cohen et al., 2005). The second type of intervention, renal transplantation, is highly conditioned not only by the physical and emotional state of the patient, but also by the availability of donor organs (DiMartini, Dew, & Trzepacz, 2005). Transplants may be both cadaveric and living-donor, with higher rates of survival in the latter (Cohen et al., 2005; Laupacis, Keown, Pus, Krueger, Ferguson, Wong, et al., 1996). Since renal transplantation is the ultimate solution for recovery and survival, which not only significantly improves the patient's physical well-being, but also the quality of his/her mental life (Franke et al., 2003; Schnulle, Lorenz & Trede, 1999; Widows & Rodrigue, 2003), the above-mentioned aspects become imperative when treatment-option decisions are taken. Both CRF and ESRD have a relatively high frequency in the general population. Only in the United States more than 340,000 persons are treated with CRF, and 80,000 are developing ESRD (Cohen et al., 2003). Of the 340,000 treated in the USA, 240,000 receive dialysis and 100,000 kidney transplantation. In Germany, similarly with France, Italy, and Spain over 156 persons/million develop ESRD yearly, 70% receiving hemodialysis, 5% peritoneal dialysis, and 25% being treated by kidney transplantation (Franke, Reimer, Philipp, & Heeman, 2003). …

PubMed, Feb 27, 2020

Objective: To assess the fit between of the Romanian version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (O... more Objective: To assess the fit between of the Romanian version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-49) and Locker's conceptual model of oral health. Basic research design: Cross-sectional interview study. Clinical setting: Convenience sample of hospitalized internal medicine patients, in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Participants: 340 participants (40% male), divided in two samples, sample N1 = 165 to analyse the theoretical model, and a cross-validation sample, N2 = 175. Main outcome measures: Path-analysis was used to assess the fit between the conceptual model proposed by Locker, and the data. Results: Initial results showed an unsatisfactory fit to the data: χ² = 43.8 (df = 5, p = 0.001), χ² was found to be significant; GFI = 0.932, CFI = 0.948, TLI = 0.782, these indices presented values lower than 0.95, while SRMR = 0.053 and RMSEA = 0.22 (90% CI 0.16 - 0.28) were situated above the accepted threshold. Evaluation of the residual matrix and the modification indices lead to the respecification of the first model, obtaining an better fit of the second model: χ² = 17.63 (df = 9, p = 0.04), while GFI = 0.972, CFI = 0.988, TLI = 0.973, were above the threshold and SRMR = 0.036 and RMSEA = 0.07 (90% CI 0.02 - 0.12). Conclusions: The current study indicates that OHIP-49 represents an acceptable operationalization of the Oral Health related Quality of Life, as it was conceptualized by Locker's theoretical model.

The European health psychologist, Dec 1, 2014

Background: Bullying behaviors have a high prevalence in schools worldwide. The short and long te... more Background: Bullying behaviors have a high prevalence in schools worldwide. The short and long term consequences vary from high levels of delinquency, antisocial behaviors, low school achievement to emotional problems for bullies. For perpetration victims, the negative effects vary from somatic complaints, low school achievement and high school drop-out rates to emotional problems. The mechanisms accounting for the high rates of emotional problems in children involved in bullying behaviors are still to be identified. Methods: By using a longitudinal approach, the present study aims to explore one possible mechanism involved in this relationship for school aged children: the use of dysfunctional cognitive emotion regulation strategies (N=154, age range 11-15 years old). The instruments used: Olweus Bullying Questionnaire, Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies, Youth Self Report. The measures were made at a 6 months’ time interval. Findings: By controlling for initial emotional problems, the use of dysfunctional emotion regulation strategies (e.g. catastrophizing) partially mediated the relationship between bullying victimization (T1) and emotional problems (T3). Discussion: Several recommendations for future research, as well intervention strategies are presented. mechanism involved in this relationship for school aged children: the use of dysfunctional cognitive emotion regulation strategies (N=154). Findings: By controlling for initial emotional problems, the use of dysfunctional emotion regulation strategies (e.g. catastrophizing) partially mediated the relationship between bullying victimization (T1) and emotional problems (T3). Discussion: Several recommendations for future research, as well intervention strategies are presented.

Cognitie, Creier, Comportament, Sep 1, 2014

Cognitie, Creier, Comportament, Dec 1, 2014

The aim of the present study was to describe/explain differences in the psychological skills of t... more The aim of the present study was to describe/explain differences in the psychological skills of the British (N=17) and Hungarian (N=16) female gymnasts. Members of both groups who had been preparing for the London Olympic Games were selected to participate in our study. The behavior strategy of female gymnasts was measured with the Test of Performance Strategies (TOPS) instrument. The questionnaire was applied to Hungarian and British participants. Test-retest reliability was between 0.61 and 0.89. Cronbach�s alpha values were between 0.74 and 0.93 during the practice period in Hungarian group. Test-retest values measured during the competition period were between 0.63 and 0.87, while the alpha values ranged from 0.73 to 0.88 also in Hungarian. Differences were hypothesized in the psychological skills between the two samples of gymnasts. The hypotheses were partially confirmed. Results suggest that gymnast groups attain their goals related to sport performance through different behavioral strategies.

Psihologia resurselor umane, Jan 24, 2020

Psihologia resurselor umane, Apr 15, 2006

Journal of Psychosomatic Research, Jun 1, 2015

Psihologia resurselor umane, Jan 24, 2020

Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Sep 10, 2021

The transition from bullying victimization to bullying perpetration is well documented in the lit... more The transition from bullying victimization to bullying perpetration is well documented in the literature. However, the mechanisms linking bullying victimization to perpetration are not fully understood. The main aim of the current study was to conduct a preliminary research investigating the indirect effects of youths bullying victimization on bullying perpetration through irrational cognitions and externalizing problems. The second aim of the study was to explore the moderating role of the type of parental attachment (secure vs. insecure) in the proposed model in explaining the association of bullying victimization and bullying perpetration. Data were collected from 269 adolescents (11-15 years; M = 11.98, SD = .68), enrolled in middle public schools from Romania. Path analysis and moderated path analysis were conducted to explore the direct and indirect effects and moderating effects, respectively. Study findings indicate that bullying victimization was indirectly related to bullying perpetration separately through youths’ irrational cognition as well as through externalizing problems. The serial indirect pathway from victimization to perpetration through irrational cognitions leading further to externalizing problems was also significant. However, the type of attachment that adolescents reported having toward their parents failed to moderate the indirect pathways, since all the interaction terms were nonsignificant. These findings advance the field prevention and intervention by identifying irrational cognitions and externalizing problems as important targets that anti-bullying programs should address to stop the transition from victims of bullying to perpetrators.

Psihologia resurselor umane, Sep 7, 2015

Psihologia resurselor umane, Aug 25, 2015

Journal of Evidence-Based Psychotherapies, Mar 1, 2009

Abstract Insomnia is one of the most prevalent psychological disorders worldwide. Some of the def... more Abstract Insomnia is one of the most prevalent psychological disorders worldwide. Some of the deficiencies of the current treatments of insomnia are: side effects in the case of sleeping pills and high costs in the case of psychotherapeutic treatment. Some suggest that self-help treatments could be a viable alternative, with certain advantages such as low cost, and wide accessibility to a large number of people. In our study we used a modified Latin square experimental design for single subject research to verify the effect of multi-component treatment efficiency in primary insomnia. Another goal of our study was to compare the effects of the three treatment techniques (progressive muscle relaxation, sleep hygiene, binaural beats) included in the multi-component intervention package. Our results reflect the efficiency of the multi-component treatment. Significant differences were found only between muscle relaxation and binaural beat. Based on effects size measures we can say that muscle relaxation and sleep hygiene have a very similar effect. The effect of binaural beat treatment is lower than that of the other two types of intervention. Keywords: insomnia, single subject experiment, progressive muscular relaxation, sleep hygiene, binaural beats Insomnia is a disorder characterized by the qualitative reduction of the sleep duration and efficacy (Morin, Hauri, Espie, Spielman, Buysse, & Bootzin, 1999; Pallesen, 2003). Out of all psychological disorders, insomnia displays some of the highest prevalence rates, epidemiological data reporting frequencies as high as 22% (Stinson et al., 2006) and even 33% (Harvey, 2001). Insomnia causes severe distress, social, interpersonal and professional dysfunction (Harvey, 2002). It affects well-being and the quality of life (Espie, 1991) and is often associated with affective disorders, such as irritability and dysphoria (Morin, 2003). The impredictibility and incontrolability of the sleeping pattern can lead to feelings of helplessness and to the onset of depressive and anxiety disorders (Morin, 2003; Neckelmann, 2007). Longitudinal studies conducted by Ford & Kamerow (1989) showed that persistent untreated insomnia can be a risk factor in the development of the major depressive disorder. The global expenses for the treatment of insomnia and its consequences rise to several billion dollars. For example, in the United States, the cost of insomnia treatments in 2004 rose to over 2.1 billion dollars, and it is estimated to reach 3.2 billion dollars in 2009 (Gershell, 2006). A cost harder to quantify is due to the decrease of daytime performance of people affected by insomnia, due to the reduction of the cognitive and motor performances (Mendelson, Garnett, Gillin & Weingartner, 1984), as well as to the high rates of work absence (Johnson & Spinveber, 1983). Theoretical models in the literature generally attribute insomnia to certain activating factors that interfere with the sleeping pattern. These factors can be organized along two dimensions: a. physiological, emotional and cognitive activation; b. the general level of activation of the person and the person's tendency to respond with activation to aversive life events. These models only consider certain factors in isolation, such as psychological, emotional and cognitive hyperactivity, level of arousal, excitability and habituation to stimuli, and the role of the activating events. According to the integrative model of insomnia recently proposed by Lundh and Broman (2000), an essential component in the development and maintenance of insomnia is the physiological and cognitive arousal before sleep. The physiological processes of sleep interference are those that influence a person's sleeping pattern, independently of the way the person interprets the sleeping pattern and of daytime events (traumatic or stressful events, emotional conflicts, depression, worries). Psychological insomnia processes influence the way the person interprets sleep fluctuations, difficulties and daytime events (personal standards, beliefs and attitudes). …

Clinical Psychology Review, Apr 1, 2022

Psychology in the Schools, Jul 5, 2023

Previous research, using a variable‐centered approach, points out to the possibility that not all... more Previous research, using a variable‐centered approach, points out to the possibility that not all victims of bullying have the same mental health and social profile. The aim of the current investigation was to explore whether there are different profiles—related to emotional, behavioral, and social problems—of pure victims of bullying and bully‐victims, respectively, by using a person‐centered approach. The analytical sample consisted of 224 children and adolescents, aged 8–17 years old (M = 14, SD = 1.97), who self‐identified as pure victim or bully‐victims. Latent profile analysis (LPA) produced the following four profiles among pure victims of bullying: (1) an asymptomatic profile; (2) a profile with high emotional problems and moderate hyperactivity; (3) a profile with high emotional problems and hyperactivity, but moderate conduct and social problems; and (4) a profile high in conduct and social problems, yet with moderate emotional problems and hyperactivity. Among bully‐victims, LPA yielded the following four profiles: (1) an asymptomatic profile; (2) a profile of high conduct, emotional and social problems, but moderate hyperactivity; (3) a profile with high hyperactivity, moderate emotional, and conduct problems; and (4) a profile characterized by high emotional, social problems, and hyperactivity. The implications, limitations, and future directions will be discussed.

Psihologia resurselor umane, Apr 15, 2007

Lucrarea de faţă aduce in discuţie problema validităţii testelor de selecţie de personal in conte... more Lucrarea de faţă aduce in discuţie problema validităţii testelor de selecţie de personal in contextul adaptării acestora la diferite populaţii. In ce măsură este sau nu necesar un demers de validare a unor probe a căror validitate a fost deja demonstrată in alte contexte? De exemplu, in ce măsură bateriile de teste utilizate in selecţia si evaluarea periodică a personalului din transporturi, pot fi aplicate la fel de bine si altor profesii (ex. electricieni, agenţi comerciali, militari).

The European health psychologist, Dec 1, 2014

Background: As part of a WHO programme to improve child health across Europe, we conducted a stud... more Background: As part of a WHO programme to improve child health across Europe, we conducted a study to evaluate the prevalence of exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACE), and examine relationships between ACE exposure and harming health behaviours and health status in young adults. Methods: The sample consisted from 2088 Romanian university students, aged 18-25. ACE Survey measures emotional, physical and sexual abuse, as well as family dysfunction (e.g., an incarcerated or substance-abusing family member). Individuals were categorised according to number of ACEs experienced. Findings: Modelling identified proportions of health harming behaviours and health complains independently associated with ACEs. The odds of engaging in alcohol and drug consumption, as well sexual risk behaviors were higher as the number of ACEs increased. Increasing of exposure to ACEs has increased significantly the odds for experiencing depression, suicidal behavior, insomnia, as well as digestive symptoms, headaches, low back pain. Discussion: Considering the high prevalence of ACEs, several preventive and health promotion recommendations are presented.

Cognitie, Creier, Comportament, Sep 1, 2009

ABSTRACT Patients of renal diseases treated with different forms of dialysis, waiting for transpl... more ABSTRACT Patients of renal diseases treated with different forms of dialysis, waiting for transplantation experience significant levels of distress. High levels of emotional discomfort may influence different aspects of their quality of life with considerable impact on their qualification for kidney transplantation. One of the main objectives of this paper is to investigate the problematic areas of psychological functioning in dialysis patients where intervention may be successful, and may help patients attain the appropriate levels of functioning necessary to qualify for transplantation. In order to achieve this objective, we compared a group of dialysis and a group of transplant patients regarding depression, anxiety, conscious cognitive emotion regulation strategies, and quality of life. Similarly, in order to evince the level of recovery in patients who have already benefited by successful renal transplantation, we compared the same aspects of functioning with healthy controls, thus identifying in transplant patients those areas of functioning where they may need additional aid. KEYWORDS: chronic renal failure, end-stage renal disease, dialysis, quality of life, positive and negative emotions. INTRODUCTION Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) is a severe disease, when kidneys do not function properly (do not remove excess liquid, minerals, waist; stop producing specific hormones, etc.). Such malfunctioning may lead to increased levels of arterial pressure, deposits of toxic materials, reduced production of blood cells, etc., that put the patient's life at danger. End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is the consequence of chronic renal failure that does not respond to local treatment, with an almost complete failure of kidney-functioning. In both cases, two major interventions are applied: dialysis and/or kidney transplantation. Literature mentions two basic forms of dialysis: (i) peritoneal and (ii) hemodialysis. The first type of dialysis is represented by the introduction of dialysate fluid in the peritoneal space through a catheter, which later is drained out. This type of dialysis may be done at the patient's home using a device during the night (continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis), or manually, at precise intervals (continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis) (Cohen, Levy, Tessier, & Germain, 2005). Hemodialysis is represented by the introduction of dialysate fluid in the extracorporeal circuit in an opposite direction to the blood flow. This type of dialysis may also be done both at the patient's home, as well as in specialized units at strictly defined intervals, determined by the patient's condition (Cohen et al., 2005). The second type of intervention, renal transplantation, is highly conditioned not only by the physical and emotional state of the patient, but also by the availability of donor organs (DiMartini, Dew, & Trzepacz, 2005). Transplants may be both cadaveric and living-donor, with higher rates of survival in the latter (Cohen et al., 2005; Laupacis, Keown, Pus, Krueger, Ferguson, Wong, et al., 1996). Since renal transplantation is the ultimate solution for recovery and survival, which not only significantly improves the patient's physical well-being, but also the quality of his/her mental life (Franke et al., 2003; Schnulle, Lorenz & Trede, 1999; Widows & Rodrigue, 2003), the above-mentioned aspects become imperative when treatment-option decisions are taken. Both CRF and ESRD have a relatively high frequency in the general population. Only in the United States more than 340,000 persons are treated with CRF, and 80,000 are developing ESRD (Cohen et al., 2003). Of the 340,000 treated in the USA, 240,000 receive dialysis and 100,000 kidney transplantation. In Germany, similarly with France, Italy, and Spain over 156 persons/million develop ESRD yearly, 70% receiving hemodialysis, 5% peritoneal dialysis, and 25% being treated by kidney transplantation (Franke, Reimer, Philipp, & Heeman, 2003). …

PubMed, Feb 27, 2020

Objective: To assess the fit between of the Romanian version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (O... more Objective: To assess the fit between of the Romanian version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-49) and Locker's conceptual model of oral health. Basic research design: Cross-sectional interview study. Clinical setting: Convenience sample of hospitalized internal medicine patients, in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Participants: 340 participants (40% male), divided in two samples, sample N1 = 165 to analyse the theoretical model, and a cross-validation sample, N2 = 175. Main outcome measures: Path-analysis was used to assess the fit between the conceptual model proposed by Locker, and the data. Results: Initial results showed an unsatisfactory fit to the data: χ² = 43.8 (df = 5, p = 0.001), χ² was found to be significant; GFI = 0.932, CFI = 0.948, TLI = 0.782, these indices presented values lower than 0.95, while SRMR = 0.053 and RMSEA = 0.22 (90% CI 0.16 - 0.28) were situated above the accepted threshold. Evaluation of the residual matrix and the modification indices lead to the respecification of the first model, obtaining an better fit of the second model: χ² = 17.63 (df = 9, p = 0.04), while GFI = 0.972, CFI = 0.988, TLI = 0.973, were above the threshold and SRMR = 0.036 and RMSEA = 0.07 (90% CI 0.02 - 0.12). Conclusions: The current study indicates that OHIP-49 represents an acceptable operationalization of the Oral Health related Quality of Life, as it was conceptualized by Locker's theoretical model.

The European health psychologist, Dec 1, 2014

Background: Bullying behaviors have a high prevalence in schools worldwide. The short and long te... more Background: Bullying behaviors have a high prevalence in schools worldwide. The short and long term consequences vary from high levels of delinquency, antisocial behaviors, low school achievement to emotional problems for bullies. For perpetration victims, the negative effects vary from somatic complaints, low school achievement and high school drop-out rates to emotional problems. The mechanisms accounting for the high rates of emotional problems in children involved in bullying behaviors are still to be identified. Methods: By using a longitudinal approach, the present study aims to explore one possible mechanism involved in this relationship for school aged children: the use of dysfunctional cognitive emotion regulation strategies (N=154, age range 11-15 years old). The instruments used: Olweus Bullying Questionnaire, Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies, Youth Self Report. The measures were made at a 6 months’ time interval. Findings: By controlling for initial emotional problems, the use of dysfunctional emotion regulation strategies (e.g. catastrophizing) partially mediated the relationship between bullying victimization (T1) and emotional problems (T3). Discussion: Several recommendations for future research, as well intervention strategies are presented. mechanism involved in this relationship for school aged children: the use of dysfunctional cognitive emotion regulation strategies (N=154). Findings: By controlling for initial emotional problems, the use of dysfunctional emotion regulation strategies (e.g. catastrophizing) partially mediated the relationship between bullying victimization (T1) and emotional problems (T3). Discussion: Several recommendations for future research, as well intervention strategies are presented.

Cognitie, Creier, Comportament, Sep 1, 2014

Cognitie, Creier, Comportament, Dec 1, 2014

The aim of the present study was to describe/explain differences in the psychological skills of t... more The aim of the present study was to describe/explain differences in the psychological skills of the British (N=17) and Hungarian (N=16) female gymnasts. Members of both groups who had been preparing for the London Olympic Games were selected to participate in our study. The behavior strategy of female gymnasts was measured with the Test of Performance Strategies (TOPS) instrument. The questionnaire was applied to Hungarian and British participants. Test-retest reliability was between 0.61 and 0.89. Cronbach�s alpha values were between 0.74 and 0.93 during the practice period in Hungarian group. Test-retest values measured during the competition period were between 0.63 and 0.87, while the alpha values ranged from 0.73 to 0.88 also in Hungarian. Differences were hypothesized in the psychological skills between the two samples of gymnasts. The hypotheses were partially confirmed. Results suggest that gymnast groups attain their goals related to sport performance through different behavioral strategies.

Psihologia resurselor umane, Jan 24, 2020

Psihologia resurselor umane, Apr 15, 2006

Journal of Psychosomatic Research, Jun 1, 2015

Psihologia resurselor umane, Jan 24, 2020

Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Sep 10, 2021

The transition from bullying victimization to bullying perpetration is well documented in the lit... more The transition from bullying victimization to bullying perpetration is well documented in the literature. However, the mechanisms linking bullying victimization to perpetration are not fully understood. The main aim of the current study was to conduct a preliminary research investigating the indirect effects of youths bullying victimization on bullying perpetration through irrational cognitions and externalizing problems. The second aim of the study was to explore the moderating role of the type of parental attachment (secure vs. insecure) in the proposed model in explaining the association of bullying victimization and bullying perpetration. Data were collected from 269 adolescents (11-15 years; M = 11.98, SD = .68), enrolled in middle public schools from Romania. Path analysis and moderated path analysis were conducted to explore the direct and indirect effects and moderating effects, respectively. Study findings indicate that bullying victimization was indirectly related to bullying perpetration separately through youths’ irrational cognition as well as through externalizing problems. The serial indirect pathway from victimization to perpetration through irrational cognitions leading further to externalizing problems was also significant. However, the type of attachment that adolescents reported having toward their parents failed to moderate the indirect pathways, since all the interaction terms were nonsignificant. These findings advance the field prevention and intervention by identifying irrational cognitions and externalizing problems as important targets that anti-bullying programs should address to stop the transition from victims of bullying to perpetrators.

Psihologia resurselor umane, Sep 7, 2015

Psihologia resurselor umane, Aug 25, 2015

Journal of Evidence-Based Psychotherapies, Mar 1, 2009

Abstract Insomnia is one of the most prevalent psychological disorders worldwide. Some of the def... more Abstract Insomnia is one of the most prevalent psychological disorders worldwide. Some of the deficiencies of the current treatments of insomnia are: side effects in the case of sleeping pills and high costs in the case of psychotherapeutic treatment. Some suggest that self-help treatments could be a viable alternative, with certain advantages such as low cost, and wide accessibility to a large number of people. In our study we used a modified Latin square experimental design for single subject research to verify the effect of multi-component treatment efficiency in primary insomnia. Another goal of our study was to compare the effects of the three treatment techniques (progressive muscle relaxation, sleep hygiene, binaural beats) included in the multi-component intervention package. Our results reflect the efficiency of the multi-component treatment. Significant differences were found only between muscle relaxation and binaural beat. Based on effects size measures we can say that muscle relaxation and sleep hygiene have a very similar effect. The effect of binaural beat treatment is lower than that of the other two types of intervention. Keywords: insomnia, single subject experiment, progressive muscular relaxation, sleep hygiene, binaural beats Insomnia is a disorder characterized by the qualitative reduction of the sleep duration and efficacy (Morin, Hauri, Espie, Spielman, Buysse, & Bootzin, 1999; Pallesen, 2003). Out of all psychological disorders, insomnia displays some of the highest prevalence rates, epidemiological data reporting frequencies as high as 22% (Stinson et al., 2006) and even 33% (Harvey, 2001). Insomnia causes severe distress, social, interpersonal and professional dysfunction (Harvey, 2002). It affects well-being and the quality of life (Espie, 1991) and is often associated with affective disorders, such as irritability and dysphoria (Morin, 2003). The impredictibility and incontrolability of the sleeping pattern can lead to feelings of helplessness and to the onset of depressive and anxiety disorders (Morin, 2003; Neckelmann, 2007). Longitudinal studies conducted by Ford & Kamerow (1989) showed that persistent untreated insomnia can be a risk factor in the development of the major depressive disorder. The global expenses for the treatment of insomnia and its consequences rise to several billion dollars. For example, in the United States, the cost of insomnia treatments in 2004 rose to over 2.1 billion dollars, and it is estimated to reach 3.2 billion dollars in 2009 (Gershell, 2006). A cost harder to quantify is due to the decrease of daytime performance of people affected by insomnia, due to the reduction of the cognitive and motor performances (Mendelson, Garnett, Gillin & Weingartner, 1984), as well as to the high rates of work absence (Johnson & Spinveber, 1983). Theoretical models in the literature generally attribute insomnia to certain activating factors that interfere with the sleeping pattern. These factors can be organized along two dimensions: a. physiological, emotional and cognitive activation; b. the general level of activation of the person and the person's tendency to respond with activation to aversive life events. These models only consider certain factors in isolation, such as psychological, emotional and cognitive hyperactivity, level of arousal, excitability and habituation to stimuli, and the role of the activating events. According to the integrative model of insomnia recently proposed by Lundh and Broman (2000), an essential component in the development and maintenance of insomnia is the physiological and cognitive arousal before sleep. The physiological processes of sleep interference are those that influence a person's sleeping pattern, independently of the way the person interprets the sleeping pattern and of daytime events (traumatic or stressful events, emotional conflicts, depression, worries). Psychological insomnia processes influence the way the person interprets sleep fluctuations, difficulties and daytime events (personal standards, beliefs and attitudes). …