Psychological Thought (Journal)
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WORKING UNDER STRESS: AN ANALYSIS OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF THE PRISON STAFF IN BULGARIAN PRISONS
Full text linkWorking in prisons is associated with high levels of stress, which have a significant impact on the mental well-being of prison staff. This study examines the relationship between occupational stress, life satisfaction, and mental health of staff in Bulgarian prisons. Combining qualitative methods (in-depth interviews and focus groups), the study identifies the main factors influencing staff well-being. The results show that work-related stress contributes to anxiety, low life satisfaction, and security concerns. In addition, staff report health problems, including sleep disorders and an increased risk of chronic diseases. The data highlight the need to improve working conditions and provide psychological, legal, and health support. The article contributes to the understanding of the unique challenges faced by staff in the penitentiary system. These efforts are crucial to sustainable prison management and mitigating the negative impacts of stress on staff
SCHOOL PROBLEMS WITH SLEEP HABITS AND BULLYING OPPORTUNITY: A STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELLING ANALYSIS
Full text linkIn a setting where the school has become a larger stage with regard to bullying practices (traditional and online) and victimization, it is important to understand the predictive and mediating factors of these disruptive behaviours within the school and considering the different schedules of teenage students. Extracurricular activities (outside school), enrichment activities (in school) and chronotype (sleep habits) should be analysed considering these behavioural problems inside and outside the classroom, maintaining the terminological line of the school aggression phenomenon. Thus, firstly, 117 Portuguese adolescents were aleatory recruited from the 5th to 9th grade and examined regarding chronotype and bullying/cyberbullying behaviours (in two dimensions of victimization and perpetration). The data collection was supported by the schools’ board directors and teachers where the study took place. Afterwards, different models of structural equations were developed in order to examine how the responses determined the structural relationship between factors and, above all, to identify predictors and mediators of bullying, in its two opposite dimensions. The results of the multilevel structures revealed that adolescents with more aggressive behaviour had the following characteristics: they are more the evening type attend more curricular enrichment activities, spend more hours in the same school space, conduct fewer out-of-school activities, and have the average period of sleep altered during school days. Contrary to expectations, no expressive and significant relationships were found between gender and perpetration or victimization. Attending those results, schools should start with the review of schedules, school activities and family and student monitoring regarding perceived bullying behaviours
THE ‘INFLUENCERS’ OF INSTAGRAM: A DISCRIMINANT ANALYSIS OF MACHIAVELLIANISM, SELF-ESTEEM AND FEAR OF NEGATIVE EVALUATION AMONG THOSE WHOM PEOPLE FOLLOW
Full text linkSocial media influencers are the individuals who shape audience’s attitudes through various blogs, tweets, and use of various social media. These individuals have established their credibility in some industry, have a large audience whom they can influence or persuade to act on their recommendations. Social media influencers are what they are due to their attractive behaviour exhibited in social media platforms. This study aimed to investigate machiavellianism, self-esteem, and fear of negative evaluation of these stars of social media. Data was collected from 500 Instagram users (aged 18-30 years), who were classified into 250 active social media users and 250 passive social media users. Machiavellianism was assessed using Mach-IV scale, self-esteem using Rosenberg self-esteem scale and Fear of negative evaluation using Brief FNE scale. The obtained results have highlighted the discriminating power of machiavellianism, self-esteem and fear of negative evaluation between active and passive users, and the probable cause behind the findings
PSYCHOMETRIC EVALUATION OF A BULGARIAN VERSION OF THE NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY INVENTORY NPI-40
Full text linkThis study reports the translation, adaptation, and psychometric evaluation of a Bulgarian version of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI-40). Following independent forward and backward translations and expert review, the instrument was administered online to 664 Bulgarian adults (77.7% women; mean age, M = 38.0, SD = 11.2). Participants also completed the Regulatory Focus Questionnaire to assess the convergent validity of the results. Classical test theory indices demonstrated high internal consistency for the total NPI-40 score (α = .85; ω = .85), though two subscales (“Self-sufficiency” and “Entitlement”) yielded lower reliabilities (α .50). Correlational analyses supported convergent validity, revealing positive associations between total and subscale NPI-40 scores and the Promotion focus, and negative associations with the Prevention focus. Confirmatory factor analyses compared correlated seven-factor, hierarchical, and bifactor models. The bifactor solution demonstrated superior fit (CFI = .988; RMSEA = .020), confirming a strong general narcissism factor alongside specific dimensions. These findings suggest that the proposed Bulgarian version of the NPI-40 is a reliable and valid measure of trait narcissism in nonclinical samples. Thеsе results facilitate the use of the NPI-40 in Bulgarian language research across various psychological domains, including personality, interpersonal relationships, leadership, and organizational behavior
THE NEW GENERATIONS: CHALLENGES FOR SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING
Full text linkIn a rapidly evolving global landscape marked by technological innovations, cultural transformations, and socio-political shifts, the developmental contexts of children and adolescents are undergoing profound changes. This paper explores the unique psychological profiles, learning preferences, and mental health needs of Generation Z (born ~1997–2012) and Generation Alpha (born 2013 onward), highlighting the growing challenges faced by professionals in school psychology and psychological counseling. As digital natives, these generations exhibit heightened digital literacy, a preference for visual and interactive learning, and an increased awareness of mental health issues. However, they also face increased vulnerability to anxiety, depression, and social comparison – primarily due to excessive digital exposure. School psychologists and counselors must navigate an increasingly complex landscape involving diverse family structures, evolving educational needs, and resistance to traditional therapeutic models. This paper underscores the need for adaptive, culturally competent, and technology-integrated practices to effectively engage with Gen Z and Alpha. The April 2025 issue of Psychological Thought aimed to put together practical solutions and multidisciplinary perspectives, and offer evidence-based recommendations for practice and future research to support the mental health and learning needs of these new generations
DETERMINANTS OF SUCCESSFUL AGING: INTEGRITY AND PSYCHOPHYSICAL HEALTH
Full text linkSeveral studies have attempted to define the overall health condition of the third age as the basis of the successful aging concept. In this paper, we aimed to explore the significance of psychophysical health with the elderly and identify the dimensions of psychophysical health that could impact the level of integrity during this stage of life. The respondents involved in this research were elderly persons (N = 101), with an average age of 71.7. Most respondents live in urban areas (76.2%) and have only completed primary education (51.6%). The research utilized the following instruments: a questionnaire to evaluate socio-demographic characteristics (developed specifically for the study), the RAND-36 Health Survey (Hays Shapiro, 1992; Stewart et al., 1992), and the Scale of Integrity (SI) (Lacković-Grgin et al., 2006). Significant differences in physical and psychosocial health, as well as in the level of integrity among the elderly, were identified based on the analyzed socio-demographic variables, such as place of residence and educational attainment. All dimensions of physical and psychosocial health were found to be significantly correlated with the level of integrity, with emotional well-being emerging as the sole significant predictor of integrity. The findings of this research may serve as valuable information, primarily for professionals but also for family members, indicating which aspects of psychosocial and physical health should receive particular attention in order to ensure that the elderly are provided with appropriate forms of assistance in their daily activities
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COPING STRATEGIES AND ATTACHMENT STYLES IN ADOLESCENTS
Full text linkThe research explores the relationship between coping strategies and attachment styles in adolescents. Participants included 382 12th-grade students from high schools in the north-central region of Bulgaria, with 306 valid protocols analyzed. The participants completed the Coping Strategies Inventory (CSI) and the Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire - Revised (ECR-R). Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and ANOVA were conducted to examine the associations between different attachment styles and coping strategies. Results indicated that adolescents with secure attachment were more likely to use adaptive coping strategies, such as problem-solving and seeking social support. In contrast, those with insecure attachment styles were more prone to engage in maladaptive coping mechanisms, including wishful thinking and social withdrawal. Specifically, attachment-related anxiety was linked to higher use of emotion-focused coping, while attachment-related avoidance was associated with distancing and self-reliant coping strategies. Significant correlations were found between attachment styles and coping strategies, suggesting that insecure attachment is associated with less effective coping. ANOVA results revealed that normal levels of anxiety were associated with higher scores in problem-solving and emotional expression, while upper-normal levels of avoidance correlated with lower adaptive coping and higher maladaptive coping strategies
AGE DYNAMICS OF WORK ENGAGEMENT: A FOUNDATION FOR DEVELOPING A TRAINING PROGRAMME WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF CAREER COUNSELLING
Full text linkThis study presents empirical results from two scientific research projects conducted in 2024 to determine the influence of age and other socio-demographic factors on work engagement. The research was conducted among 432 employees and managers in Bulgaria as well as among 109 working students and PhD students. Reliability Analysis, various types of T-Test comparisons, and One-Way ANOVA analysis were performed to test research hypotheses. Results indicate that all aspects of work engagement increase with age and work experience. Based on the established age dynamics of work engagement in the working population and the lower engagement levels observed among students and PhD students, this study proposes the development of a useful training programme. The programme aims to educate students and PhD students about work engagement, its influencing factors, and effective interventions for its enhancement and development. The creation and adaptation of a training programme tailored to Generation Z's characteristics will help reduce stress at the beginning of a career, improve efficiency, and increase job satisfaction
DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDONESIAN SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR SCALE
Full text linkSuicide is a mental health phenomenon throughout the world. Measuring suicidal behavior requires instruments with strong psychometric properties. There are limitations to the scale of suicidal behavior for the Indonesian context. Therefore, this research was conducted to develop the Indonesian Suicidal Behavior Scale (ISBS), a valid and reliable scale to measure the suicidal behavior of Indonesian adults. The development of the scale uses 3 dimensions of suicidal behavior, namely depression, hopelessness, and the capability to attempt suicide. 27 items were developed based on these three dimensions. A total of 764 respondents participated in this study. Evidence of internal structure validity, as conducted by confirmatory factor analysis, confirmed three factors that fit the data. Evidence of the association's validity was supported by the correlation between the ISBS score and the PHQ-9. Cronbach’s Alpha reliability for the three dimensions ranged from .897- .944. Based on the results of this study, the ISBS can be considered a valid instrument for measuring suicidal behavior tendencies for Indonesian adults
PROFILES OF HETERONORMATIVITY AND SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING IN A SAMPLE OF HETEROSEXUAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN CHILE
Full text linkHeteronormativity encompasses societal norms that uphold binary gender roles and heterosexual identities and relationships as the only acceptable manifestations of sexuality and gender. Research showed that heteronormativity has a fundamental influence on individuals' lives and identities, but its impact on the well-being of heterosexual individuals has been scarcely explored. This study addresses this gap by examining profiles of heteronormativity among heterosexual Chilean university students and their association with variables related to subjective well-being, such as life satisfaction, perceived social support, and self-reported health. Using latent profile analysis, four profiles were identified based on participants' z-scores on heteronormativity and its dimensions—Gender essentialism and Normative behavior: Non-conformist, Traditionalist, Diffused, and Essentialists. Profiles also showed significant differences by gender, life satisfaction, perceived social support, and self-reported health scores. These findings uncover the diverse manifestations and effects of heteronormativity in heterosexual individuals, and the potential influence of these norms on individuals’ well-being. These findings have implications for both research and interventions seeking to improve university students’ health and overall well-being