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Individuals who have faced childhood emotional abuse (CEA) may develop vulnerable narcissistic tendencies and experience difficulties in regulating their emotions. These psychological vulnerabilities can contribute to the adoption of binge watching as a maladaptive coping mechanism. The present study aimed to investigate the potential mediating role of vulnerable narcissism and emotion dysregulation in the relationship between CEA and binge watching. Additionally, this study examined whether this model was gender-invariant. A sample of 1082 emerging adults, aged 18 to 25 (50% women), completed self-report questionnaires. The results revealed significant direct and indirect relationships among all the variables of interest, and the model was found to be invariant across genders. Notably, both men and women who experienced CEA and exhibited higher levels of vulnerable narcissism and emotion dysregulation reported engaging in higher levels of binge watching. These findings highlight the importance of the early identification of CEA, the implementation of targeted interventions, and the provision of trauma-informed care to address the negative consequences of CEA and mitigate the development of binge-watching behaviors. Moreover, the results emphasize the need for tailored prevention and intervention programs that address vulnerable narcissism and emotion dysregulation as potential pathways to inform effective therapeutic strategies.

The study explores how different dimensions of perfectionism influence psychological well-being (PWB) in emerging adults. Literature has deepened the relationships between maladaptive perfectionism (e.g., excessive self-criticism, perceived discrepancy from the standards) and low PWB. Less is known about whether and how adaptive perfectionism (e.g., pursuing personal standards) relates to PWB. Secondly, the study has investigated whether self-compassion (i.e., self-benevolence, seeing personal imperfections as a common condition) may mediate the relationships between adaptive/maladaptive perfectionism and PWB. Participants (N = 217, 18–35 y. o.) completed self-report questionnaires measuring: adaptive/maladaptive perfectionism (Almost Perfect Scale-Revised, APS-R: high standards and order/discrepancy, respectively), PWB, and self-compassion (SCS). Adaptive perfectionism was associated with PWB, particularly a higher presence of purpose in life, environmental mastery, self-acceptance, and personal growth. Conversely, discrepancy resulted in the most robust predictor of low PWB (β = −0.68), followed by high standards with a positive direction (β = 0.23; Rc2 = 0.514, p < 0.001). A strong negative association emerged between discrepancy and SCS (r = −0.67, p < 0.001). A mediation analysis shows that self-compassion has an indirect effect, reducing the strength of the relationship between discrepancy and low PWB. Results suggest focusing on self-compassion as a buffer factor that reduces the negative impact of maladaptive perfectionism on psychological well-being. Implications for education and health psychology are discussed.

Over the past two years, the consequences of the severe restrictions imposed by the rapid spread of COVID-19 among the global population have been a central focus of scientific research. The pandemic has been a singular and unexpected event that found people unprepared and vulnerable in responding to its emergence, resulting in substantial psychological distress. Scientific evidence has highlighted that adolescents and emerging adults have been among those populations at greatest risk of adverse psychological outcomes, even in the long term. In particular, more than one-third of young adults reported high levels of loneliness, and nearly half of 18- to 24-year-olds felt lonely during the pandemic, experiencing both psychological and emotional distress. The lockdown, the consequent suspension of face-to-face academic activities and the severe restriction of social life have disrupted the daily routines of students already involved in coping with developmental tasks related to identity formation and the relational experience. Under such conditions, emotions and emotional regulation skills are crucial in adapting behavior to reach academic goals and face mounting levels of distress. Therefore, several studies have investigated resilience mechanisms and coping strategies of emerging adults during the pandemic. The present study focuses on university students and explores the impact of resilience and emotional regulation on adverse psychological outcomes related to persistent distress conditions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Students were administered a self-report assessment battery through an online platform at the beginning (T0) and the end of the lockdown (T1). A structural equation model (SEM) was used to explore the relationship between resilience, emotional regulation difficulties and psychological distress (depression, anxiety and stress). The findings indicate that psychological resilience and emotion regulation are protective factors that buffer the extent of possible distress resulting from an adverse condition such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Never in Spain’s history have sexual minorities enjoyed the current rights. However, LGBTIphobic rhetoric displayed by extreme-right activism threats the gains made. An online survey among LGBTI+ people between 16 and 29 years was conducted. 152 people answered. Results show that Spanish LGBTI+ youth is mostly prone to activism, they were quite informed about legal initiatives and they mostly think that LGBTI+ people continue to suffer discrimination, the group of friends and peers appears to be the safest context and teachers seem to fail on the duty of help LGBTI+ young people. Additionally, LGBTI+ young people often use inclusive language, especially in casual context, and they seek referents in social media, where they follow influencers who openly declared themselves part of the LGBTI+ collective. The study serves as an example of the changing cultural and political practices of non-cis-hetero youth in a society moving fast towards equality but attending the raising of regressive movements.

Referring to the theoretical assumptions of Positive Technology, the study examined attitudes towards ICTs, the use of specific technologies and their relationship with eudaimonic psychological well-being (PWB) in emerging adults. 204 emerging adults (mean age 21.61, SD = 2.99; range 19-30; female 85 (49%), male 108; (56%) participated in the research. The use of specific information technologies is positively associated with the possession of attitudes favorable to them, and with different components of eudaimonic psychological well-being. The use of emails is positively linked to greater global eudaimonic well-being, a greater sense of personal growth, the presence of numerous life projects and satisfactory social relations. The use of predominantly iconic systems such as Instagram appears instead linked to a lower perceived autonomy.

Adolescence and emerging adulthood facing COVID-19 in Spain and the Dominican Republic. COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact worldwide. The aim of this study is to analyze the psychological impact during confinement on adolescents and emerging adults. The convenience sample is composed by (n = 399) residents of Spain and the Dominican Republic (DR). The age range is 12 to 29 years old (M = 22.57; SD = 3.67). The assessment was conducted online, with the following instruments: an ad hoc survey to measure socio-demographic variables, Fear of COVID-19 Scale, Impact of Event Scale-Revised, The Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experience and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. The results show differences by age, sex and residence. Adults reported more fear of COVID-19 (p < .05) and acute stress than adolescents (p < .01), more fear and stress in women than men (p < .01) and more fear to the disease in residents of the DR than in Spain (p < .01). Linear regression analysis showed that fear of COVID-19 was a good predictor of acute stress. In conclusion, it is suggested to expand the study in these populations in situations of stress, specifically the one derived from COVID-19, that allow the prevention of acute stress and training in adaptive coping strategies in the face of crisis situations.

This publication discusses foster care in the United States, risk of experiencing homelessness among foster care youth, and possible interventions. Written by Francesca Michelini, Randall Cantrell, and Kate Fogarty, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, January 2022.

This publication discusses foster care in the United States, risk of experiencing homelessness among foster care youth, and possible interventions. Written by Francesca Michelini, Randall Cantrell, and Kate Fogarty, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, January 2022.

Personal values and social connectedness influence the development of identity. Through a quantitative design and a sample of 275 emerging adults, the present study sought to analyze: the relationship between personal collectivist and individualist values, the two cycles of identity development (the formation and evaluation of commitments) and social connectedness; whether personal values may predict the cycles of one’s identity development; and the mediating role of social connectedness in the relationship between personal values and the cycles of identity development. Results showed that social connectedness mediated the relationship between personal values and the cycles of identity development, suggesting that a sense of interpersonal closeness can act as an endorsement mechanism for personal values and that it may contribute to the development of identity. This study has implications for the literature related to the development of identity in emerging adulthood.