Search

Eveningness has been associated with poor sleep quality and depression. However, chronotype has also been shown to be a multidimensional construct, not limited to a merely morningness-eveningness orientation. It has also been proposed that other factors may also mediate the relationship between chronotype and its mental health sequelae. This pilot study explores the role of rumination as a mediator between chronotype and sleep quality, chronotype and depressive symptoms.A sample of 144 participants completed The Morningness-Eveningness-Stability-Scale Improved (MESSi), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Rumination-Reflection Questionnaire (RRQ) and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)). The results were tested using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, multiple linear regression and the Sobel test.Rumination was linked to poor sleep quality and increased depression. Morning affect and Distinctness (i.e. rigidity, or the subjective amplitude of the circadian rhythm) correlated with rumination. Rumination was a partial mediator of the associations between Morning Affect and sleep quality, Morning Affect and depression.Rumination may play a role in the association between chronotype (particularly Morning Affect and Distinction) and sleep quality and depression. The recognition of this association might serve as a basis for clinical psychoeducational and therapeutic programs targeting both adjustment of the circadian rhythm and rumination as a psychopathological sign.

The purpose of this chapter is to extend and explore the definition of collective hope as the shared desire for a better future not only for oneself, but for the entire social community, the belief that a better future for all is possible but not necessarily guaranteed or even likely, and the trust in the human capacity to cooperate and support each other towards the realization of a better world despite current struggles and challenges. Conceptually we chose an interdisciplinary approach, integrating insights from Positive Psychology, Futures Studies, and Pragmatic Hope Philosophy. After introducing the concept of collective hope we present the nature and role of images of the future in terms of probable, possible and desired future trends and scenarios. Based on data collected with the Hope Barometer across 12 countries in November 2019 (N = 10,665), we evaluated people’s long-term future expectations regarding the general quality of life, social trends and expected as well as wished-for future scenarios. We then related these expectations to perceived hope and social well-being. Our results suggest that long-term social expectations are significantly more pessimistic in European than in non-European countries and that personal hope levels are significantly higher in countries outside Europe. Moreover, an overwhelming majority of participants in this study preferred a social-sustainable over an individualist-competitive future scenario. Whereas future prospects had a significant effect on hope and (social) well-being, desirable images of the future hardly displayed an effect. Our findings highlight the importance of encouraging people to develop new positive pictures of the future which could foster hope, belief, and trust in a flourishing and sustainable world and to get engaged in its realization.

To further elaborate on the concept of hope outlined in Chap. 2, the purpose of this contribution is to investigate the role of basic beliefs and worldviews in sustaining the general perception of hope in different cultures. We begin by introducing the theoretical concepts about the nature of basic beliefs and worldviews, especially with regard to a future-oriented thinking. Employing the Perceived Hope Scale, the Dispositional Hope Scale, the Assumptive Worldviews, and several variables of subjective and psychological well-being, we investigate the levels and predictors of hope in six distinct samples of the Hope Barometer 2017 (N = 6548). Our findings support the notion of hope as a multidimensional phenomenon with certain universal features across cultures while recognizing that people in different cultures experience hope based on specific worldviews, independently from the nation’s economic wealth.

This chapter presents selected results of the Hope Barometer survey during the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021. Against the background of the intense feelings of stress and anxiety in these times of crisis, we first review current theories on psychological stress and coping, present results of our empirical studies during the pandemic and then focus on the role and importance of hope in relation to positive coping styles, well-being, and stress-related personal growth. A central aim of our research is to investigate the role of culture in the perception of stress and hope (as the counterpart of anxiety) and in the choice of different coping strategies, as evident in their relationship to experiences of well-being and personal growth. We compared the results of 11 countries with cross-sectional data collected in November 2019 (N = 9092), November 2020 (N = 9536) and November 2021 (N = 9093). After reporting general findings, we engage in an analysis of the most striking differences between the countries. Our results revealed that a majority of the participants experienced moderate stress levels, but with significant differences between the samples and notable changes between 2020 and 2021. Most people, especially in more collectivistic countries such as Nigeria, South Africa, India, and Portugal, remained hopeful, applied positive coping strategies, and enjoyed moderate to high levels of well-being and personal growth. Our findings highlight the importance of emotion-focused, social, and religious coping sources, besides problem-focused coping, for mastering the crisis, which are predominant in collectivistic societies.

Czechia and Poland underwent a significant sociopolitical change following the fall of communism in the 1980s. Despite having a lot in common (i.e., culture, language), the two significantly differ in other areas, such as religiosity. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the role of hope in the context of depression and anxiety, positive mental health, and loneliness and to explore age- and religion-related differences between their citizens.The sample consisted of 526 Czech and 481 Polish adults. The 2019 Hope Barometer questionnaire included measures of satisfaction with the past year and expectations for the upcoming year, perceived and dispositional hope, anxiety and depression, positive mental health, and loneliness.All respondents were most satisfied with their personal lives and shared a generally low level of optimism about their national politics. However, significant differences were observed in positive and negative indicators of mental health, where Czechs obtained generally higher positive indicators than Poles. Compared to both older generations, the youngest respondents in both countries reported lower levels of perceived hope, positive mental health, and satisfaction with the climate and environment, and greater loneliness, anxiety, and depression; they also reported more pessimistic expectations for the national economy. However, regardless of cultural background, religious participants showed higher levels of perceived hope. Both samples demonstrated similar patterns in predictors of positive mental health, as found by regression analysis. Perceived hope and dispositional hope positively predicted mental health, while negative emotivity and loneliness predicted mental health negatively.These results are discussed within a broader framework of life experiences on the micro- and macrolevel in the context of Central European countries that recently underwent macrosocial transitions.

The current chapter is dedicated to the exploration of different sources and activities of hope across countries. In particular, we explore how these serve as expressions of trust and confidence in the availability of resources, nourishing the belief in the feasibility and supporting the realization of wished-for goods considered to be possible, although not necessarily probable. Following an interdisciplinary approach, we integrated perspectives from the disciplines of Positive Psychology, Risk Management, and the Philosophy of Hope to elucidate the difference between trust and confidence. We further differentiate between perceived hope, on the one hand, and dispositional hope and optimism, on the other, backed in this interdisciplinary approach. Using data from the Hope Barometer in 2018 and 2019 we investigated the role of internal and external sources and activities of hope in two studies. Study 1 comprised 12 countries (N = 10,193) and aimed to analyze several personal and external hope sources with a specific focus on social support, religiosity and the feeling of luck in relation to hope. Study 2 was performed with 8 samples from 7 countries (N = 6245), centering on the assessment of several hope activities and their effects on perceived hope. Our findings highlight the importance of social, religious and other external factors of hope, demonstrate the differential nature of perceived and dispositional hope, and show significant differences between countries regarding the role of trust in individual capabilities, in emotional and instrumental support as well as in religious/spiritual experiences and practices.

Simulation sessions can produce high-fidelity emergency situations that facilitate the learning process. These sessions may also generate a complex stress response in the learners. This prospective observational study assessed psychological, physiological, immunological, and humoral levels of stress during high-fidelity simulation training. Fifty-six undergraduate medicine students who took part in a medical simulation session were assigned team roles (physician, nurse or assistant). Subsequently, each participant was assessed before the scenario (T0), after the procedure (T1), and two hours later (T2). Psychological stress and anxiety were measured at T0 and T1, using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Dundee Stress State Questionnaire (DSSQ). Cortisol, testosterone, secretory immunoglobulin class A (sIgA), alpha-amylase, and oxygen saturation level were measured at T0, T1, and T2, as was the physiological response indicated by heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP). It was found that the onset of task performance was related to increased anticipatory worry and higher oxygen saturation. The participants reported decreased worry, followed by increased emotional distress after the simulation training (T1). Participants trait anxiety predicted the intensity of worry, distress and task engagement. In contrast, no clear relationships were found between trait anxiety and biological stress markers. Testosterone levels were growing significantly in each phase of measurement, while physiological responses (BP, HR) increased at T1 and declined at T2. The levels of stress markers varied depending on the assigned roles; however, the trajectories of responses were similar among all team members. No evidence for prolonged cortisol response (T1, T2) was found based on psychological stress at the onset of simulation (T0). Regression analysis followed by receiver operating characteristics analyses showed uncertain evidence that initial state anxiety and worry predicted the levels of sIgA. Medical students are relatively resilient in terms of stress responses to medical simulation. The observed stress patterns and interrelationships between its psychological, physiological, hormonal, and immunological markers are discussed in accordance with theoretical concepts, previous research work, and further recommendations.

Cel pracyAstma oskrzelowa (AO) i przewlekła obturacyjna choroba płuc (POChP) są związane z ogromnym obciążeniem finansowym dla budżetu oraz opieki zdrowotnej na świecie. Cechy osobowości, preferowane sposoby radzenia sobie ze stresem oraz poziom lęku wpływają na funkcjonowanie ludzi chorych. Celem badania była ocena związku pomiędzy tymi zmiennymi a częstością pobytów w szpitalu i wizyt w poradni specjalistycznej u chorych z przewlekłymi chorobami układu oddechowego.MetodaSto osób chorujących na astmę oskrzelową i POChP zostało przebadanych testami psychologicznymi: Inwentarzem Osobowości NEO-FFI, Inwentarzem Stanu i Cechy Lęku (STAI), Inwentarzem do Pomiaru Radzenia Sobie ze Stresem Mini-COPE. Została także wykorzystana ankieta socjodemograficzna.WynikiWykazano zależność pomiędzy częstością wizyt w szpitalu a neurotycznością (korelacja pozytywna). Liczba wizyt w poradni korelowała dodatnio z poziomem sumienności, korzystaniem ze wsparcia emocjonalnego oraz ujemnie z zaprzestawaniem działań.WnioskiUzyskane wyniki mogą wskazywać na potrzebę objęcia osób z chorobami układu oddechowego działaniami psychoterapeutycznymi służącymi budowaniu bardziej konstruktywnemu funkcjonowaniu, zmniejszeniu niepokoju, zwiększaniu poczucia kontroli.

Clinical and epidemiological studies have demonstrated a relationship between alcohol addiction and mood disorders. Alcohol-dependent patients with depression tend to demonstrate clinically more severe manic symptoms, which complicates the process of diagnosis and therapy. However, the predictors indicating the risk of mood disorders in addicted patients remain unclear. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between personal dispositions, bipolar traits, depth of addiction, quality of sleep, and depressive symptoms in alcohol-dependent men. The study group comprised 70 men (age M = 46.06, SD = 11.29) diagnosed with alcohol addiction. The participants completed a battery of questionnaires: BDI, HCL-32, PSQI, EPQ-R and MAST. The results were tested using Pearson’s correlation quotient and general linear model. The findings indicate that some of the studied patients are likely to have mood disorders of clinically significant severity. High neuroticism and poor sleep quality are independent predictors of depressive symptoms in alcohol-dependent patients. Among the components of sleep quality, problems with falling asleep and waking up at night appear to be most strongly associated with depressive symptoms. The intensity of depressive symptoms may relate to the intensity of certain bipolar features, such as risk-taking activity and irritability. High neuroticism and poor sleep quality are independent predictors of depressive symptoms in the studied group.

This study evaluates the potential value of eudaimonic well-being in assessing pro-preventive orientation towards suicide and recognizing suicide as a solution. The aim was to integrate positive and negative conceptualizations of mental health for predicting attitudes towards suicide, and towards suicide prevention, among students of the helping professions. The study participants (166 women and 73 men, mean age 22.84 ± 5.15) answered a set of questionnaires, including a Questionnaire on Attitudes Towards Suicide, Goldberg Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWB-42) and Centrality of Religiosity Scale. Multiple regression analysis showed that environmental mastery, purpose in life and positive relationships, controlled for religiousness and psychological problems related to general mental health, predicted the variability of attitudes towards suicide and pro-preventive orientation. Sociodemographic variables were not related to attitudes towards suicide. Our findings suggest that positive mental health, represented jointly by low mental health problems and eudaimonic components of happiness, plays a role in predicting pro-preventive attitudes. Therefore, improving positive mental health among students in the helping professions, these being the future gatekeepers, could be considered an auxiliary strategy for suicide prevention. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s10902-019-00163-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The Questionnaire on Attitudes Towards Suicide (ATTS) is widely used to evaluate the views of an individual regarding acceptability of suicide and orientation towards suicide prevention. However, recent findings suggest that it requires some revision. The present study examines the factor structure of the ATTS questionnaire in two Polish samples, consisting of 239 students (sample one) and 128 students (sample two) of the helping professions. The previously-established 10-factor model was not supported by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Theoretical revaluation of the scale followed by factor analysis suggested that the best fit was provided by a five-factor model accounting for 48.2% of the variance. The adapted Polish ATTS questionnaire showed satisfactory reliability and validity; however, the factor loading patterns and factor structure varied from earlier studies. These improvements in the ATTS theoretical base and construct validity may enhance the utility of the revised scale.

Data is connected with gaming behaviors among students who are blind and poor-sighted., NA

The access of people with disabilities to digital solutions promotes their inclusion and participation in many aspects of life. Computer games based on hearing or haptic devices have been gaining popularity among persons with visual impairment (VI), and players tend to display improved spatial and abstract reasoning skills, as well as better social interaction and self-confidence, after playing these games. However, a recent survey suggested that excessive gaming could represent a public health concern as a harmful form of behavior in young people associated with risk factors of negative psychosomatic and physical complaints. Young persons with VI are regular users of various technologies, but little is still known about their media patterns. This study aimed to determine the characteristics of the variables associated with gaming for adolescents with VI. The participants were 490 students, aged 13–24 years, from special schools for students with VI. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The current survey indicated a tendency towards excessive gaming in a significant proportion of young persons with VI. Sociodemographic variables are important in predicting gaming prevalence or screen time, but further research focused on establishing possible mediators (such as parental attitudes towards media) are necessary for identifying problematic gaming behaviors among students with VI.

It has been reported that 60% of young people with visual impairment (VI) enjoy playing digital games (DGS) on the computer. However, little is still known about the new media patterns among young people with special needs. Hence, the aim of this study was to identify gaming behaviors among students with VI. A self-administered questionnaire assessing variables regarding gaming behaviors adapted for students with special needs was prepared. Finally, 490 Polish respondents with VI from 9 special schools aged 13-24 (17.9 ± 2.48) were included. Purposive sampling was chosen during selection of the members of the population. Almost 84% of students with VI had experience in playing DGs. Poor-sighted students were significantly more likely to be players than those who were blind (89% vs 11%; χ2 =22.471; P< .001). More male (57.1%) than female students (42.9%) reported playing DGs (χ2=17.913; P The survey indicated a tendency towards excessive gaming in a significant proportion of young persons with VI. Sociodemographic variables are important in predicting gaming behaviors in this group and they should be taken into consideration in the future preventive actions to reduce the risk of behavioral addiction. Key messages Young people with VI are the regular users of games and they also tend to have a high tendency to an excessive gaming. Sociodemographic variables are important factor to be taken in account when predicting gaming behaviors among people with VI.

Background and objectives Spinal cord injuries are associated with permanent disability, long-term rehabilitation and psychological readaptation to situational change. The aim of the study was to assess the performance of basic activities, quality of life and stress coping style of patients with spinal cord injuries, and to identify a predictive correlation between the duration of the injury, coping styles or functional assessment and the psychological domain of QOL. Methods Thirty-five patients were studied by self-reporting and observational methods using questionnaires, CISS, SCIM-II, WHOQoL-Bref scales and a patient survey. Results The predictors of the psychological domain of life quality include an emotion-oriented coping style (negative, β = −.36, p Conclusions The results suggest that the psychological aspects of QOL observed after SCI may be associated with an emotional coping style. Hence, there is a need for deeper analysis of the role played by emotions and perception associated with chronic stress in patients with SCI.

Background and objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate the symptoms of depression and anxiety associated with fibromyalgia and erythema migrans in Borrelia burgdorferi infection. Methods A group of 87 patients with clinically and serologically diagnosed B. burgdorferi (mean age 53.37) was formed. They were examined using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck's Depression Inventory and various immunological tests, as well as for fibromyalgia. A demographic survey with additional questions was also administered. Results Our results confirm that fibromyalgia is associated with higher anxiety and depression symptoms. It is possible that serological markers of infection could act as indicators of depression level in patients with B. burgdorferi. The examined patients with B. burgdorferi infection reported a low prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms. Conclusions The studied population is not very likely to experience neurologically-determined mood disorders, taking into consideration the above-mentioned results.

Only a few questionnaires are available for measuring attitude towards suicide as a unidimensional construct, i.e. emphasizing acceptance or disapproval of the suicidal act under a set of difficult life circumstances. The aim of this study was to develop the Suicide Acceptance Questionnaire (SAQ) and examine its psychometric properties. A group of 177 Psychology, Medicine and Law students completed the SAQ, Attitudes Towards Suicide questionnaire and a demographic survey. Exploratory factor analysis found the SAQ to have a single factor structure, explaining 55.49% of variance, with high goodness of fit. Owing to the nature of explicit attitudes, the SAQ may have limited power in predicting behavior. The findings indicate that the SAQ demonstrates appropriate reliability and concurrent validity for measuring the acceptance of suicide act. Future research with use of confirmatory factor analysis is needed for determining whether the proposed construct fits data.

Cel pracyUmiejscowienie chorobowych zmian skórnych może mieć znaczenie dla doświadczania choroby dermatologicznej i wpływać na stan psychiczny pacjentów. W badaniu dokonano oceny zależności między lokalizacją zmian skórnych a nasileniem objawów psychopatologicznych. W analizach uwzględniono także wpływ takich zmiennych jak tendencja do celowego ukrywania zmian oraz subiektywne odczucie stygmatyzacji ze strony otoczenia.MetodaW badaniu wzięło udział 150 osób w wieku 18-80 lat (M=46,14; SD=17,28) leczących się z powodu różnych chorób skóry. Pacjenci zostali przydzieleni do 3 równolicznych grup wg kryterium lokalizacji zmian – na całym ciele, zasłoniętych i odsłoniętych częściach ciała. Nasilenie objawów psychopatologicznych mierzono skalą SCL-90. Dane socjodemograficzne oraz związane z doświadczaniem choroby skóry (m.in. tendencja do celowego ukrywania zmian oraz subiektywne odczucie stygmatyzacji ze strony otoczenia) zebrano za pomocą ankiety skonstruowanej na potrzeby badania.WynikiStwierdzono zależność między lokalizacją zmian skórnych a nasileniem niektórych objawów psychopatologicznych, szczególnie wśród pacjentów nie leczących się z powodu pozadermatologicznych dolegliwości. Wykazano także, że na stan psychiczny pacjentów pośredniczący wpływ może mieć obecność tendencji do celowego ukrywania zmian oraz subiektywnie odczuwana niechęć ze strony otoczenia z powodu choroby skóry.WnioskiZgodnie z przewidywaniami najwyższe wyniki w zakresie nasilenia objawów psychopatologicznych uzyskiwali pacjenci ze zmianami na całym ciele. Pacjenci ze zmianami na odsłoniętych częściach ciała charakteryzują się wyższym nasileniem „nadwrażliwości interpersonalnej” w porównaniu z badanymi ze zmianami na zasłoniętych częściach ciała. W odniesieniu do pozostałych zmiennych SCL-90 prawidłowość ta jest odwrotna. Ten ostatni rezultat może skłaniać do kształtowania dalszego kierunku poszukiwań badawczych uwzględniających udział czynników psychospołecznych w funkcjonowaniu pacjentów z chorobami skóry.

The study determines the patterns of coping styles among older patients with hip osteoarthritis and assesses the derived profiles in terms of perceived stress and anxiety before and after arthroplasty. Sixty-one hospital patients (mean age 70.3 years) were analysed one day before arthroplasty and three months after. The participants were assessed with the Brief-COPE (coping style), PSS-10 (perceived stress) and STAI (anxiety) psychometric tests. Four coping patterns were yielded using data clustering: rational, enterprising (resourceful), potentially maladaptive and flexible. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated a main effect within subjects but did not indicate that decreases of stress and anxiety varied differently between groups. Cluster 1 (a coping profile characterised by high helplessness, low active coping, high avoidance) reported significantly greater stress and anxiety than all other groups before and after hip replacement, while clusters 2 (flexible), 3 (resourceful) and 4 (rational) were characterised by similar levels of anxiety and stress. Older patients with osteoarthritis might differ in terms of emotional response to surgical treatment. Screening for coping styles at admission to hospital may indicate more vulnerable individuals.

Cel pracyPrzewlekła obturacyjna choroba płuc (POChP) i astma oskrzelowa stanowią wyzwanie dla zdrowia publicznego, ze względu na rozpowszechnienie i negatywne skutki. Czynniki psychiczne mają wpływ na stan zdrowia i zachowanie osób z chorobami obturacyjnymi. Celem pracy była ocena poziomu lęku, cech osobowości i radzenia sobie ze stresem u osób chorych i porównanie z grupą osób zdrowych.MetodaBadanie przeprowadzono na grupie 150 osób – z astmą, z POChP i zdrowymi (śr wieku = 56,0±16,00). W badaniu wykorzystano ankietę socjodemograficzną, Inwentarz Osobowości NEO-FFI, Inwentarz Stanu i Cechy Lęku oraz Inwentarz do Pomiaru Radzenia Sobie ze Stresem Mini-COPE. Wykorzystując regresję logistyczną oceniono, które z badanych zmiennych najlepiej różnicowały badanych zdrowych i chorych.WynikiOsoby z astmą i POChP charakteryzowały się istotnie niższym sumienności, otwartości na doświadczenia, aktywnego radzenia sobie oraz planowania oraz wyższym poziomem neurotyczności, lęku-cechy oraz większą tendencją do zaprzestawania działań. Zmienne: cecha lęku, otwartość na doświadczenia, pozytywne przewartościowanie, akceptacja, poczucie humoru i zaprzestanie działań okazały się najlepiej odróżniać osoby z chorobami pulmonologicznymi od osób zdrowych.WnioskiUzyskane wyniki wskazują na konieczność podjęcia działań interwencyjnych w zakresie funkcjonowania psychicznego badanych grup chorych.

Introduction: Occupational burnout, is a frequently studied phenomenon due to its prevalence and effects, which occurs especially among people whose job requires empathic contact with others and engagement in their affairs. Medical assistant is just such a profession. Three dimensions of the syndrome are exhaustion, depersonalization and inefficacy. The results of burnout are lowered quality of work and job satisfaction, problems in private life, fatigue, anxiety, decreased immunity and various somatic problems. In the article, a group of medical assistants was examined to assess the scale of burnout and identify its relationship with personality traits and stress coping styles. Methods: Forty-one women, medical assistants trained in a school for medical assistants, were subjected to four surveys: a sociodemographic survey, NEO-FFI Personality Inventory, CISS Questionnaire and Maslach Burnout Inventory. Results: The results achieved by the studied group according to the Maslach Burnout Inventory were lower than average, compared to Polish research standards. A relationship was observed between some coping styles and burnout dimensions – between exhaustion and social diversion, as well as between inefficacy and task-oriented style of coping, avoidanceoriented style of coping, social diversion. Another relationship was found between personality traits and burnout dimensions – emotional exhaustion, inefficacy and extraversion, as well as between exhaustion, depersonalization and agreeableness; also all three burnout dimensions were associated with conscientiousness. Conclusion: Knowledge of the correlation between personality and burnout may allow better targeting of prevention activities and improve occupational functioning.

Our research aim was to answer whether temperament traits could predict the anxiety experienced by osteoarthritis patients before and after arthroplasty; we analyzed if coping styles moderated the relationship between temperament and perioperative anxiety, and examined the fluctuation of perceived stress and anxiety. In the longitudinal study (N=61, mean age 70.9) we measured temperament traits (EAS-A), coping styles (Brief-COPE) and changes of perceived anxiety (STAI) and stress (PSS-10), before and after arthroplasty. Anxiety and stress decreased significantly after the surgery. Temperament correlated with the anxiety state. Positive correlates were anger, negative affectivity, and fear while negative correlates included sociability and vigor. Regression analyses indicated the predictors of preoperative anxiety which included vigor and negative affectivity. The regression model for the variation of postsurgical anxiety indicated that negative affectivity explained the variance of this variable (R2=0.57). Moderation analyses confirmed that the temperament and anxiety relationship depended on: active coping, acceptance and planning. Vulnerable patients with temperamental emotionality and ineffective coping report heightened perioperative anxiety, while effective coping moderates the temperament and anxiety relationship.

Background Young people with special educational needs are also users of new media. Objective The aim of the study was to determine whether pupils with visual impairment spend more time on Internet use than pupils without visual impairment and whether youngsters from the study group are engaged in behaviors which could increase risk of problematic Internet use. Methods The study is based on a total of 191 pupils: a study group of 66 partially-sighted pupils and a control group comprised 125 pupils who do not have visual impairment. A self-report questionnaire was constructed for the needs of this study. Results Pupils with visual impairment spent significantly less time on Internet use than their peers from the reference groups. Twice as many pupils from the study group as controls reported no symptoms suggesting potentially problematic Internet use. In addition, the study group more frequently used online social networking services and e-mails or used the Internet for assignments. Conclusions Little difference exists between students with visual impairment and those without with regard to Internet use.

To determine the influence of religious coping and religiousness on the psychological functioning of Polish patients before and after arthroplasty, a prospective study was performed. Out of a pool of 102 potential participants, a total of 61 (34 females, 27 males) completed a purposely created survey, Brief-COPE followed by preoperative and postoperative Perceived Stress Scale, State Trait Anxiety Inventory and Satisfaction with Life Scale. Religious coping was not associated with: (1) perceived stress before or after surgery; (2) preoperative or postoperative anxiety; (3) life satisfaction. A two-factor ANOVA has shown that religious coping controlled by religiousness was related to better psychological functioning. Between- and within-subjects effects were observed for improvement in life satisfaction measured by split-plot ANOVA, which suggests (p < 0.05) that such improvement was greater among subjects of higher religious orientation. We concluded that religious strategies in dealing with stress measured by Brief-COPE were least likely to benefit patients of low-religious orientation. The study demonstrated the importance of core religious beliefs in predicting benefits derived from religiousness in the face of a crisis. This study showed that regardless of its effectiveness, turning to religion is common among Polish patients about to undergo surgery for osteoarthritis of the hip.

Burnout is a pathological syndrome in which emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DEP), and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment (PA) develop in response to prolonged occupational stress. Those working in the physiotherapy profession appear to be at risk for professional burnout brought on by the specific character of the medical professions, involving continuous contact with patients and associated stress, as well as poor working conditions. However, literature data concerning the scale of professional burnout and its psychosocial correlates remain scarce. The aim of the present study was to assess the scale of professional burnout among physiotherapists and to determine the interrelationships between coping styles and burnout symptoms. The sample consisted of 117 professionally active physiotherapists (90 women and 27 men) aged 21 to 55 years (mean [M] 31.88, standard deviation [SD] = 9.14, responsiveness rate of 80.6%) from randomly selected medical institutions of the Lodz Region. The study was conducted using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) by Endler and Parker. Demographic and job-related data on the respondents were also collected. Task-oriented coping correlated negatively with DEP, EE, and low PA, in contrast to emotion-oriented coping. No correlation was found between avoidance-oriented coping and burnout symptoms. Similarly, no interactive correlations between coping styles and particular burnout symptoms were confirmed. Coping styles correlate independently with professional burnout, without any mutual correlations. Physiotherapists employing a wider spectrum of task-oriented strategies are slightly more satisfied with their job. The incidence of burnout syndrome in the analyzed group is similar to that observed in other medical professions and requires the adoption of preventive measures.