The Extent to Which Technostress Is Related to Employees' Work-Life Fit: A Multilevel Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: This multilevel meta-analytic review is designed to analyze and quantify the effect size of the association between technostress and work-life fit among employees. METHOD: By adhering to the PRISMA 2020 Statement, seven databases (i.e., PubMed, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, the Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, MEDLINE, Wiley Online Library, and Web of Science) were searched for studies reporting the association between technostress and work-life fit. RESULTS: Out of the 476 articles that were screened, 7 met the established criteria and were subsequently included in this multilevel meta-analytic review. A majority of these studies highlighted the existence and intensity of the association between technostress and work-life fit, as evidenced by multiple Pearson's r. Our findings supported a medium association (Cohen's d = -0.41). Noteworthy differences were found when considering the interdependence of effect sizes within and between studies. CONCLUSION: The results of this multilevel meta-analytic review underscore the significance of understanding this association to inform optimal choices in terms of welfare policies and organizational decisions that promote employee well-being. This knowledge may serve as a scientific foundation for viewing new technologies not merely as hurdles but also as potential resources.

The Beck Hopelessness Scale's psychometric features: A new short form based on item response theory.

BACKGROUND: The assessment of hopelessness plays a significant role in preventing various psychological disorders and major life events within the general population. However, the psychometric properties of the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) have been a subject of controversy, primarily studied in clinical groups. The aim of the present study was to gain new psychometric insights and propose a new short version of the BHS for the general population using the Item Response Theory (IRT) approach. METHODS: A total of 2164 Argentinean individuals completed the BHS alongside the Inventory of Suicide Orientation-30. We compared IRT models with two and three parameters for the original BHS version, exploring the removal of redundant and less informative items. Convergent and discriminant validity was also examined. RESULTS: Our results support the 2PL model for the BHS-19. In addition, the BHS-10 short version adequately depicted the same range of the measured trait as the original version, showing reasonable measurement accuracy in the middle-high levels of the trait (marginal reliability = 0.70, Cronbach's α = 0.86). Notably, a positive correlation was found between the factorial score of BHS-10, BHS-19, and suicide orientation. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our findings support the use of a simplified version as a practical and valuable tool for both research and clinical practice in the future.

Internet Addiction and Psychological Distress: Can Social Networking Site Addiction Affect Body Uneasiness Across Gender? A Mediation Model.

Introduction: The Internet, with its unlimited information, revolutionary communication capabilities, and innovative potential to expand knowledge, is ubiquitous throughout the world, but it also has significant implications for users' mental health. Given the not yet clearly defined and distinguishable nosographic categories of online addiction and the resulting difficulties in describing the impact on users' mental health, the present cross-sectional study aimed to gain new insights into the relationship between Internet addiction (especially social networking site [SNS] addiction), psychological distress, and physical discomfort, as well as gender differences in impact among users. Method: A sample of 583 Italian speakers (50.8% males; 48.7% females) with a mean age of 30.96 (SD = 12.12) completed an online survey in July 2021. A set of psychometric self-report instruments was administered to assess the study variables. Mediation analyses were performed for both the whole sample and across genders. Results: The study found that men exhibited higher levels of Internet addiction and craving than women, but no differences were found for SNS addiction. Furthermore, indicators of psychological distress (i.e., anxiety, depression, stress, loneliness, insomnia, and self-esteem) mediated the association between SNS addiction and body uneasiness, with slight differences across genders. Conclusion: This paper contributes to the existing literature on online addictive behaviors by also highlighting gender differences. The findings underscore the need for educational experiences that can prevent problematic use of the Internet and SNSs.

Assessing the Two Sources of Construct-Relevant Psychometric Multidimensionality of the Nomophobia Questionnaire: The Integrated Framework of Bifactor Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling.

The current study aimed at investigating the two sources of construct-relevant psychometric multidimensionality of the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q), applying the newly developed bifactor exploratory structural equation modeling (B-ESEM) approach. We first contrasted several CFA and ESEM models to test the psychometric multidimensionality due to the fallibility of indicators. Then, we compared the first-order structures with those specifying both global and specific factors to test the coexistence of hierarchically ordered factors. Results from 469 participants to the 20-item questionnaire showed the superiority of a B-ESEM representation with a well-defined G-factor and four weaker S-factors. On a methodological level, our findings provide additional support for the utility of using B-ESEM's integrative perspective to better capture the complexity of multidimensional constructs.

Assessment of an Epidemic Urgency: Psychometric Evidence for the UCLA Loneliness Scale.

Background: In modern industrialized countries, loneliness has been declared an epidemic. The present paper aimed to replicate previous findings about the dimensionality of the UCLA Loneliness Scale-3 version (LS-3) in a sample of Italian adults using Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM). Methods: In Study 1, 1676 participants (Mage= 31.15; SD = 11.89) completed the LS-3. The three-factor ESEM model was performed to replicate the previous Italian version, and a Confirmatory Factor Analysis compared the three- and ten-item short versions. In Studies 2, 3, and 4, we administered measures of anxiety, depression, stress, internet addiction, self-esteem, and social interaction anxiety to 3513 participants (Mage= 30.81; SD = 11.77) to assess the convergent and discriminant validity of LS-3. Results: The ESEM 3-factor model was replicated using a Target rotation (X2 = 847.597; df = 133; CFI = 0.942; TLI = 0.917; RMSEA = 0.062), whereas the already-known LS-3 short version raised psychometric concerns. Positive relationships with anxiety, depression, stress, internet addiction, and social interaction anxiety, as well as negative association with self-esteem were found. Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings support the use of the LS-3 in the Italian sample and discourage the administration of the current short forms. The implications for research and clinical practice have been discussed.

A New Short Version of Internet Gaming Disorder-20: An Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling.

Objective: The purpose of this paper was to contribute to the psychometric properties and dimensionality of the IGD-20. Method: An online survey was completed by 392 Italian online gamers (Mage = 29.2, SD = 11.3; 45.2% males). A battery of self-report questionnaires was administered to assess internet gaming disorder, internet addiction, loneliness, anxiety, depression, stress, social-interaction anxiety, self-esteem, and perceived social support. To test the factor structure of IGD-20, both traditional (i.e., EFA and CFA) and innovative (i.e., ESEM) techniques were applied. Convergent, concurrent, discriminant, and criterion-related validity were evaluated. Results: Our study revealed the outperforming 3-factor ESEM model (χ2=39.951, p = 0.0021; RMSEA = 0.056, 90% C.I. [0.032 - 0.079]; CFI = 0.986; TLI = 0.965; and SRMR = 0.017; ω = .76, .77, and .79, respectively) as a new short version (IGD-10SV) for the IGD-20. The validity of the IGD-10SV was supported by significant associations with theoretically related measures. Conclusions: The current findings support the adoption of the analytic ESEM approach for complex multidimensional measures and the use of the IGD-10SV for the assessment of internet gaming disorder.

What is the direction of the association between social support and coping in cancer patients? A systematic review.

The aims of this systematic review were (a) to analyze recent studies about the association between social support and coping strategies in cancer patients after an established diagnosis; (b) to evaluate the direction of this association; and (c) to highlight any differences among different cancer types. Seven databases were searched for studies reporting the association between coping and social support for cancer patients in the last 51 years. Most of the 52 included studies highlighted the association between coping and social support, regardless of the source. Our findings supported a bidirectional association. No significant differences were found among the different types of cancer. In conclusion, our results sustain the importance of knowledge in studying this association to identify social limits and resources for the well-being of oncological patients. This knowledge could lead to the creation of holistic protocols to prevent poor adjustment to cancer.

The Association Between Upper Disorders and Psychological Well-Being and its Implication in Text Neck Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

Objective: Non-specific/chronic musculoskeletal disorder in neck, head or low back (that we called Upper Disorders; UD) are widely common health problem in high-income, urban, and industrialized countries, especially for sedentary people who use electronic devices. This systematic review aims to analyse the association between UD and psychological disease. Method: The database searches were conducted in 8 different databases, using relevant keywords. According to PRISMA Statements, full-text peer-reviewed articles in English which analysed the association between UD and indicators of psychological disease (i.e., mood disturbance, anxiety, depression, stress, social support, and alexithymia) in non-clinical sample were included. Results: Of 8798 abstracts and titles, 10 full-text papers were included. The overall results showed a strong association between UD and mood disturbance, anxiety, depression, stress, alexithymia, and low social support. Thus, high levels of UD were associated with high levels of psychological disease. Conclusions: The results supported the assessment of physical and psychological symptoms in a holistic perspective. Their implications in terms of holistic care and text neck syndrome were discussed.

Association Between Perceived Social Support, Illness Perception, Life Orientation, Life Satisfaction, and Quality of Life Within a Sample of Cancer Patients.

Introduction: The impact of cancer represents a severe crisis for both patients and relatives. The implications of social support on well-being were well studied but several classifications have been proposed. Objective: The present cross-sectional study was aimed at examining the association between perceived social support (PSS) from family, friends, and significant other and psychological well-being (illness perception, life orientation, life satisfaction, and quality of life). Method: Participants were 138 cancer patients recruited during waiting time for medical treatment or examination, mostly diagnosed for more than six months. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the Illness Perception Questionnaire, the Life Orientation Test-Revised, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire were administered. Multiple regression analyses were performed. Results: Patients reported fatigue and loss of energy, and environmental pollution and change or bad luck as probable illness causes. Associations between (i) PSS from family and optimism, (ii) PSS from friends and personal control, coherence of disease, optimism, and physical functioning, (iii) PSS from significant other and life satisfaction were found. Conclusions: Our results revealed a specific role for each different PSS source.

Introducción: El impacto del cáncer representa una crisis severa tanto para los pacientes como para los familiares. Las implicaciones del apoyo social en el bienestar fueron bien estudiadas, pero se han propuesto varias clasificaciones. Objetivo: El presente estudio transversal tuvo como objetivo examinar la relación entre el apoyo social percibido (ASP), en relación a los familiares, amigos y la pareja, y el bienestar psicológico (percepción de la enfermedad, orientación, satisfacción y calidad de vida). Método: 138 pacientes con cáncer, en su mayoría diagnosticados durante más de tres años, quienes estaban a la espera de tratamiento. Se les aplicó la Escala Multidimensional de Apoyo Social Percibido, el Cuestionario de Percepción de la Enfermedad, la Prueba de Orientación a la Vida Revisada, la Escala de Satisfacción con la Vida y el Cuestionario de Calidad de Vida para la Investigación del Cáncer. Se realizaron análisis de regresión múltiple. Resultados: Los pacientes informaron que la fatiga y la pérdida de energía, además de la contaminación ambiental y el cambio o la mala suerte eran las causas de enfermedad más elegidas. Se encontraron asociaciones entre ASP de la familia y optimismo, ASP de amigos y control personal, coherencia de la enfermedad, optimismo, funcionamiento físico y ASP de pareja y satisfacción de vida. Conclusiones: Los hallazgos revelaron una relevancia específica de las diversas fuentes de apoyo social percibido.

The Use of Social Networking Sites and Its Impact on Adolescents' Emotional Well-Being: a Scoping Review.

Purpose of Review: The rapid development of social networking sites (SNSs) has affected adolescents' well-being with great impact on social experience. In this scoping review, we aimed to map out what is known from the most recent literature about adolescents' emotional well-being and the role of emotional regulation skills in preventing problematic SNS use. We used the Arksey and O'Malley methodological framework, and we based the study selection procedure on the PRISMA process. Then, we selected 52 English and peer-reviewed papers from PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Wiley Online Library, and Web of Science. Recent Findings: We found both positive and negative effects of SNS use on adolescents' emotions with online self-presentation and social comparison as key mechanisms to explain differences in subjective well-being. The risk of developing problematic use of SNSs is influenced by time spent on SNSs, active or passive use, and adolescents' social and emotional skills. Summary: This review suggested the importance of emotional experiences and social support in both in-person and online interactions. Future research is needed to provide the basis for a better forthcoming classification of problematic SNS use.

Effects of Difficulty in Handling Emotions and Social Interactions on Nomophobia: Examining the Mediating Role of Feelings of Loneliness.

This study was addressed to assess nomophobia in an Italian sample (N = 456, 53.1% men, M age = 31.8, SD = 11.1), also providing a deeper knowledge about how it is distributed across demographics, as well as identifying its best predictors. The main goal was to investigate the direct and indirect effects of difficulty in emotion regulation and social interaction anxiety on nomophobia through loneliness. Our findings indicated that loneliness explained the effect of the expressive suppression strategy (fully) and social interaction anxiety (partially) on nomophobia, whereas it was not a significant mediator when the cognitive reappraisal strategy was taken into account. Our study suggests that loneliness during the pandemic plays a crucial role in explaining the associations between the investigated predictors and the outcome variable, offering a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms of this emerging construct. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed, and shortcomings and suggestions for future works are presented.

The influence of socio-demographics and clinical characteristics on coping strategies in cancer patients: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: Cancer is a frequent illness and a traumatic experience for both patients and their families. This systematic review aims to analyse studies that examine socio-demographic and clinical characteristics that predict the coping strategies in cancer patients. METHODS: From January 2000 to March 2021, the database searches were conducted in 7 different databases, using relevant keywords. According to PRISMA Statements, full-text, peer-reviewed articles in English which used socio-demographics as independent variables and coping as dependent variables were included. RESULTS: Of 1101 abstracts and titles, 30 full-text papers were included. Overall results showed a great influence of socio-demographic characteristics (such as women, younger, in a relationship, with high educational level, with active work status, and high income) on positive coping strategies adopted by cancer patients. Regarding clinical characteristics, no-metastatic patients who have recently been diagnosed, especially in the early stage of cancer, and who know the characteristics of their illness and treatments, more frequently used adaptive coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Both socio-demographics and clinical characteristics showed considerable influence on the coping strategies adopted by patients in most of the investigations. These results supported the assessment of basic patients' information (sociodemographic and clinical characteristics) as fundamental to quickly outline an efficient, supportive, and holistic taking-over, before all the essential and in-depth considerations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This systematic review was recorded in PROSPERO with the registration number: CRD42021254776.

Emotional experiences and study motivation among Italian university students during the second wave of COVID-19.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationships between emotional experiences and study motivation in a group of nonworking and never-infected university students, during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants: Participants (N = 353; aged M = 21.5; SD = 2.8) were mostly female (76.2%) Italian university students. Methods: They completed an online assessment that included self-report measures of fear during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, intolerance of uncertainty, optimism, and study motivation. Results: Our findings showed that older students were more optimistic than younger students. Besides, fear of COVID-19, intolerance of uncertainty, and pessimism predicted worse study motivation. Conclusions: Greater psychological support should be reserved for younger students to prevent emotional experiences that might affect the learning goal.

Psychological Well-Being During the Second Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic: The Mediation Role of Generalized Anxiety.

Introduction: The outbreak of the COVID-19 has largely impacted individuals' health and lifestyles. This study aimed to investigate people's psychological well-being during the second phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We selected six indicators of psychological well-being: fear of COVID-19, loneliness, social interaction anxiety, generalized anxiety, PTSD, and depression. A sample of 231 Italian participants (56.3% women), with a mean age of 32.7 (SD=12.61), completed an online survey from February to March 2021, during the so called "second wave". It included the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), the UCLA Loneliness Scale- Version 3, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS). Results: Apart from loneliness, women reported lower levels of psychological well-being than men. Fairly good associations between all the detected variables were found. Based on a mediation model evaluation (in which generalized anxiety was introduced as a mediator in the relationship between fear of COVID-19, PTSD, loneliness, social interaction anxiety, and depression), except for social interaction anxiety, total and partial mediation effects suggested that generalized anxiety played a crucial role in exacerbating depressive symptoms during the pandemic. Conclusion: Our outcomes may expand the knowledge about the psychological well-being during the pandemic experience, with a focus on the mediating role of generalized anxiety.

A Cross-Sectional Study Examining the Relationship Between Socio-Demographics and Coping Styles in a Group of Cancer Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The global number of oncological patients is expected to rise worldwide. However, the increase in the number of cases is linked with an increase in life expectancy. Hence, it's worth knowing about patients' resources for managing life with chronic illness. Specifically, the present study was aimed to examine the association between socio-demographic characteristics and coping strategies. METHOD: Participants were one-hundred and twenty-one cancer patients (70.2% females), aged 26 to 88 years (M=61.90, SD=12.16). Socio-demographic characteristics and coping styles were measured by a self-report questionnaire and the mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale. A series of standard multiple regression analyses were performed to predict coping styles based on gender, age, education level, marital status, working status, disability pension, income, and time since diagnosis at the moment of the survey. RESULTS: The female gender showed a positive association with hopelessness/ helplessness, anxious preoccupation, fatalism, and avoidance. Being a worker seemed positively related to the fighting spirit strategy. Age, marital status, and disability pension did not reveal any association with coping. Having an active-work status was positively associated with fighting spirit. Finally, both educational level and income were negatively associated with the use of fatalism coping strategy, whereas the cancer patients with longer elapsed time since diagnosis showed tendency to fatalism style. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with the recognized relevance of individual differences for gathering data about patients' risk and protective factors, our findings might be useful for both research purpose and clinical practice.