Ana Paula Ozório Cavallaro’s research while affiliated with University of San Francisco and other places

Character strengths are positive traits that are manifested in behaviors, thoughts and actions that can serve as a protective factor. Understanding the latent structure of the character strengths and its relation to other positive inner sources like optimism and subjective wellbeing have important theoretical and practical implications. We aimed to test the latent profiles of the character strengths and its interaction with optimism and subjective wellbeing. A cross-sectional study using convenience sampling was conducted with 433 Brazilian participants ranging from 18 to 79 years old. Latent profile analyses were used to test models ranging from 2 to 5 classes. Latent profile analyses favored a 4-class solution, with those having higher scores on strengths also exhibiting elevated levels of subjective well-being and optimism. It was found that the strength of spirituality generated higher levels of optimism, which did not interfere with other variables such as life satisfaction and affect. Our findings are partially in consonance with studies that were held in other countries. However, when comparing the results of our study to other studies it is important to remind that the instruments that measure character strengths used in the research were not the same.

This research aims to gather evidence of validity based on the relationship with other variables of the convergent and criterion type for Pro--Sociability Scale (EPS). Participated in the research 397 adults, age ranging from 18 to 69 years (M = 36.88; SD = 12.86), both sexes, from different Brazilian regions. A sociodemographic questionnaire, the Altruism Scale, the Affective and Cognitive Measure of Empathy were administered. Associations were ob-served between the scores of the EPS and altruism and empathy measures, as well as being able to differentiate groups regarding sex, having a religion and volunteering. These results are compatible with research available in the international literature and can be considered as validity evidence for EPS. Keywords: altruism, empathy, morality, psychometrics, test.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar novas evidências de validade baseadas na estrutura interna e invariância de sexo para a Escala de Vitalidade (EV). A amostra composta por 559 participantes, ambos os sexos, maiores de 18 anos (M = 34,6; DP = 12,6) respondeu ao questionário sociodemográfico e à EV. Os resultados da Análise Fatorial Exploratória indicaram estrutura unifatorial, bons índices de ajuste aos dados (RMSEA = 0,075, CFI = 0,988, TLI = 0,987) e cargas fatoriais acima de 0,50 para todos os itens, além de excelentes coeficientes de consistência interna (CC = 0,964, ω = 0,962, α = 0,944). A Análise Fatorial Confirmatória Multigrupos indicou a invariância do modelo de medida entre os sexos. Os resultados sugerem que a EV seja uma medida adequada para avaliar a vitalidade em adultos.

This study analyzed the relationship between professional indecision and dispositional optimism/pessimism in adolescents in the career choice phase, in addition to differences between genders, and type of school. Participants were 145 adolescents (M = 15.6 years old; SD = .51) who attended a Technical-Vocational Education institution for insertion in the labor market as apprentices, enrolled in Elementary and High, in public or private schools. The Inventário de Levantamento das Dificuldades da Decisão Profissional and Revised Life Orientation Test Brazilian version were used. Results indicated that professional indecision predicts 25% of pessimism and 11% of optimism. Furthermore, adolescents males feel more unprepared to make a professional choice. These findings are discussed according to relevant literature.

Introduction In recent years, research in educational contexts has pointed to the role of grit as a variable related to various positive outcomes, including life satisfaction. Academic adaptation seems vital for the success of academic life in college students. Considering university as an important life context for people pursuing higher education, what is the mediating effect of academic adaptation? This study proposed a mediation model to examine the mediating effect of academic adaptation in the relationship grit and life satisfaction. Methods A sample of 413 undergraduate Brazilian students, age ranging from 18 to 71 years (M = 27.30; SD = 10.20). A correlation analysis was performed between the variables and the following mediation model was tested: Grit (independent variable), academic adaptation (mediating variables) and life satisfaction (dependent variables). Results Mediation analysis indicated that academic adaptation mediated around 46.80% for the factor of consistency of interests and 40.90% of the relationship with perseverance of effort. Thus, the greater the grit of the university student, the greater the grit, which leads to better satisfaction with life. Discussion In recent years, research in educational contexts has pointed to the role of grit as a variable related to various positive outcomes. The findings elucidated that grit in academic context could benefit students’ adaptation process, and the university’s responsibility to improve its students’ softskills, not only for the future stage after university, but also during the student’s schooling.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the dimensions of passion for sport (obsessive and harmonious) and the motivational climate on the perception of the quality of athlete-coach and athlete-athlete relationships, as well as the effects of the coach-athlete relationship on the ability of athlete to work as a team. The sample consisted of 263 athletes of both genders (58.9% female). Pearson's Correlation and Structural Equation Modeling analyzes were employed. The results, in general, suggest that there are relationships between passion, motivational climate, athlete-coach relationship and athlete-athlete relationship. About structural equation modeling findings suggest that harmonious passion has a positive direct predictive power on the athlete-athlete relationship, the task-oriented motivational climate has a positive and significant indirect effect through the athlete-coach relationship variable and the ego-oriented climate, in turn, indicated a negative indirect effect on the athlete-athlete relationship. The results corroborate the literature by indicating harmonious passion and task-oriented motivational climate as personal and environmental variables, respectively, promoting the quality of relationships in sport.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has affected the whole world, bringing uncertainty and changes in people's lives, including in their emotional aspects. The main aim of this study was to understand, in the light of Positive Psychology, which are the roles of positive and adaptive internal resources for coping with the situation, highlighting the optimism and subjective well-being constructs as auxiliaries in this process. For that a cross-sectional study with a correlational design was carried out. The survey was conducted via internet, with a sample of 433 people, using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, Affects Scale and LOT-R. Statistical regression analyses, correlations, t-test and ANOVA were performed. As a result, it was confirmed that optimism and the components of well-being are significantly related, with a strong magnitude and that there is a predictive power of optimism with the components of well-being, and family income on positive affect and satisfaction with life. COVID-19 coping variables showed data variance in relation to the components of subjective well-being and optimism.