Health Psychology ReportPub Date : 2025-12-10eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.5114/hpr/211482
Giulia Simonetti, Gianfranco Taruschio
{"title":"Prevalence of self-reported premenstrual psychological symptoms during the COVID-19 quarantine: an exploratory cross-sectional study.","authors":"Giulia Simonetti, Gianfranco Taruschio","doi":"10.5114/hpr/211482","DOIUrl":"10.5114/hpr/211482","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe mood-related condition affecting 3-8% of women of reproductive age. It is characterized by affective, cognitive, and physical symptoms that occur during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and resolve shortly after menstruation.</p><p><strong>Participants and procedure: </strong>This study explored the prevalence of self-reported psychological symptoms consistent with PMDD criteria among Italian women during the COVID-19 quarantine. We conducted a cross-sectional, anonymous online survey, which included items based on DSM-5 symptom criteria, in May 2020, using Google Forms.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 109 women were enrolled; 77% of the sample reported suffering from premenstrual symptoms. Approximately 36.7% of respondents reported experiencing at least five symptoms, including one core affective symptom.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The results of this study are not consistent with the existing literature. These findings highlight the need for greater attention to women's mental health during periods of heightened stress.</p>","PeriodicalId":44293,"journal":{"name":"Health Psychology Report","volume":"14 1","pages":"92-98"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-12-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12955767/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147356343","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Health Psychology ReportPub Date : 2025-11-17eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.5114/hpr/211481
Luot Van Nguyen, Nguyen Trung Vu, Quang Van Thai
{"title":"Gender dysphoria and psychological distress among transgender individuals: the moderating role of resilience.","authors":"Luot Van Nguyen, Nguyen Trung Vu, Quang Van Thai","doi":"10.5114/hpr/211481","DOIUrl":"10.5114/hpr/211481","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Despite a growing body of research on transgender mental health, the role of resilience in shaping psychological outcomes associated with gender dysphoria remains underexplored. This study sought to examine the prevalence of gender dysphoria and levels of psychological distress among Vietnamese transgender individuals, and investigate the associations between these variables, with particular attention to the potential moderating role of resilience.</p><p><strong>Participants and procedure: </strong>A sample of 347 Vietnamese transgender individuals aged 16 to 44 (<i>M</i> <sub>age</sub> = 23.87, <i>SD</i> <sub>age</sub> = 5.1; 53.0% assigned female at birth) completed an anonymous online questionnaire. Gender dysphoria, psychological distress, and resilience were assessed using the Utrecht Gender Dysphoria Scale - Gender Spectrum (UGDS-GS), the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10), respectively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean scores for gender dysphoria and psychological distress were 64.96 and 25.50, respectively. Lower gender dysphoria was reported among younger, nonbinary, bisexual individuals and participants with no intention for gender-affirming interventions, lower income, non-disclosure, or no involvement in transgender support groups. Higher psychological distress was found in those who planned to undergo gender-affirming interventions and who had not come out. Gender dysphoria was positively correlated with psychological distress, but this relationship was attenuated among individuals with higher resilience.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings underscore significant mental health challenges among transgender individuals in Vietnam. The moderating role of resilience suggests that enhancing resilience may buffer the negative impact of gender dysphoria on psychological well-being. Interventions promoting resilience might therefore represent a valuable approach to supporting transgender mental health.</p>","PeriodicalId":44293,"journal":{"name":"Health Psychology Report","volume":"14 1","pages":"9-23"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12955771/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147357387","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Health Psychology ReportPub Date : 2025-10-24eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.5114/hpr/209085
Annastasia Ediati, Dian V Sakti Kaloeti
{"title":"Family functioning and self-compassion among college students: examining the mediating role of mindfulness.","authors":"Annastasia Ediati, Dian V Sakti Kaloeti","doi":"10.5114/hpr/209085","DOIUrl":"10.5114/hpr/209085","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>College students frequently encounter academic and non-academic stressors, making them highly vulnerable to mental health problems. Among various protective factors, mindfulness and self-compassion are recognized for their roles in enhancing emotional well-being. Meanwhile, the family environment plays a significant role in shaping these intrapersonal capacities. This study investigated both the direct and indirect effects in the relationship between perceived family functioning, mindfulness, and self-compassion among Indonesian college students.</p><p><strong>Participants and procedure: </strong>A total of 278 students (17-29 years old) from 15 Indonesian universities completed online self-report questionnaires. Standardized instruments were used to measure family functioning (FAM-III), mindfulness (MAAS), and self-compassion (SCS). Mediation analysis was conducted using Jamovi with 5,000 bootstrap samples.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results revealed that higher family dysfunction was significantly associated with lower mindfulness (β = -.47, <i>p</i> < .001) and self-compassion (β = -.25, <i>p</i> < .001), while mindfulness positively correlated with self-compassion (β = .38, <i>p</i> < .001). Mediation analysis confirmed that mindfulness partially mediated the negative relationship between family dysfunction and self-compassion (indirect effect: β = -.18, <i>p</i> < .001), accounting for 42.1% of the total effect (total effect: β = -.43, <i>p</i> < .001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings highlight the influence of familial relational quality on students' psychological resources and underscore mindfulness as a psychological mechanism linking family functioning to self-compassion. This study suggests that mindfulness-based interventions could enhance self-compassion, especially for students from dysfunctional families.</p>","PeriodicalId":44293,"journal":{"name":"Health Psychology Report","volume":"13 4","pages":"366-382"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12642463/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145606381","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Health Psychology ReportPub Date : 2025-10-24eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.5114/hpr/209086
Eleonora Topino, Giulia Fioravanti, Diego Fabiani, Alessandro Musetti, Alessio Gori
{"title":"Alexithymia and problematic sexual behaviour: the mediation of dissociative patterns.","authors":"Eleonora Topino, Giulia Fioravanti, Diego Fabiani, Alessandro Musetti, Alessio Gori","doi":"10.5114/hpr/209086","DOIUrl":"10.5114/hpr/209086","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Sex addiction is a behavioural addiction that has received increasing scientific attention in recent years. Indeed, problematic sexual behaviours represent a growing clinical concern, often associated with significant emotional distress and interpersonal difficulties. In light of this, the present study aimed to investigate its psychological antecedents by exploring the role of alexithymia and dissociation, and by examining the effect of gender as a covariate.</p><p><strong>Participants and procedure: </strong>A sample of 326 participants completed validated self-report measures assessing alexithymia, dissociative experiences, and problematic sexual behaviour. Data analysis included ANOVAs, regression models, and a path analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results showed that two subdimensions of alexithymia (difficulty in identifying feelings and difficulty in describing feelings) were significantly associated with higher levels of sex addiction. Moreover, the dissociation subdimension of absorption significantly mediated both relationships, while dissociative amnesia and depersonalization/derealization did not show significant mediation effects. Gender also played a role, with male participants reporting higher levels of problematic sexual behaviour.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings offer novel insight into the emotional and dissociative processes underlying sex addiction. The results emphasize the central role of absorption (a form of dissociation involving deep immersion in internal experience) as a potential emotional avoidance strategy that may sustain compulsive sexual behaviours. Understanding these mechanisms can guide future research and inform the development of targeted clinical interventions. Additionally, the relevance of gender differences suggests the importance of considering sex-specific pathways in assessment and treatment planning.</p>","PeriodicalId":44293,"journal":{"name":"Health Psychology Report","volume":"13 4","pages":"317-326"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12642458/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145606037","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Health Psychology ReportPub Date : 2025-10-24eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.5114/hpr/210007
Diana Ďuricová, Lenka Ďuricová
{"title":"The impact of an Activation-Socialisation Intervention Programme on the emotionality and loneliness of older adults in Slovak elderly care facilities: a pilot study.","authors":"Diana Ďuricová, Lenka Ďuricová","doi":"10.5114/hpr/210007","DOIUrl":"10.5114/hpr/210007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study analysed changes in the experience of negative emotions and feelings of loneliness in older adults in elderly care facilities. Although the physiological needs of older adults are optimally met in these facilities, their psychosocial needs remain unmet. The study's main objective was to evaluate the short-term effectiveness of an original educational Activation-Socialisation Intervention Programme on positive and negative emotional states as well as feelings of loneliness.</p><p><strong>Participants and procedure: </strong>The programme included 40 activities divided into three concepts. The research sample consisted of 41 older adults from a specific facility in Slovakia (33 in the experimental group and 8 in the control group). The experimental group participated in the intervention for four weeks, while the control group did not participate in any activities. Data were collected at two time points: at baseline and immediately after the intervention. It included the Scale of Emotional Habitual Subjective Well-being (SEHP) supplemented with the loneliness variable. The Reflection Questionnaire was administered at the end of the intervention.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results indicated a statistically significant effect of the programme on rates of experiencing negative emotional states, positive emotional states, and feelings of loneliness in the experimental group. The results of the control group support the effectiveness of the intervention.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The intervention programme proved effective in influencing negative and positive emotions and loneliness in the short term. Participants evaluated the programme positively and noted improvements at the social-psychological, educational and cultural levels.</p>","PeriodicalId":44293,"journal":{"name":"Health Psychology Report","volume":"13 4","pages":"341-353"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12642465/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145606656","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Health Psychology ReportPub Date : 2025-10-23eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.5114/hpr/210092
Karlijn Massar, Caroline Noltsch, Hans Bosma, Karen Schelleman-Offermans
{"title":"Adolescent wellbeing during the pandemic: the role of socioeconomic position, gender, psychological capital, and social support.","authors":"Karlijn Massar, Caroline Noltsch, Hans Bosma, Karen Schelleman-Offermans","doi":"10.5114/hpr/210092","DOIUrl":"10.5114/hpr/210092","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Adolescents' mental health was significantly affected during the COVID-19 pandemic, with evidence of socioeconomic and gender disparities. Knowledge about psychological factors that could protect adolescents against poor mental health during stressful times is thus necessary.</p><p><strong>Participants and procedure: </strong>Data were collected mid-2021 among 498 Dutch adolescents (52.21% female, age <i>M</i> = 13.73, <i>SD</i> = 0.80). Measures included mental health and loneliness as dependent variables (DVs), subjective socioeconomic position as the independent variable (IV), and social support and psychological capital (PsyCap) as mediators.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The findings revealed that particularly girls and pupils with a lower socioeconomic position reported poorer mental health and higher loneliness. Furthermore, whereas PsyCap mediated the relationship between socioeconomic position and mental health/loneliness for both genders, social support mediated these relationships primarily for girls.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study highlights the importance of protective psychological resources to help adolescents cope with the adverse effects of socioeconomic and pandemic-related stressors. Interventions targeting these factors may be beneficial in promoting adolescent well-being.</p>","PeriodicalId":44293,"journal":{"name":"Health Psychology Report","volume":"14 2","pages":"195-201"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13200266/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148036135","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Health Psychology ReportPub Date : 2025-10-16eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.5114/hpr/205989
Bartosz M Radtke, Ariadna B Łada-Maśko, Paweł Jurek, Michał Olech, Urszula Sajewicz-Radtke
{"title":"Beyond reading and spelling: exploring intelligence profiles in individuals with dyslexia through a Cattell-Horn-Carroll theory lens.","authors":"Bartosz M Radtke, Ariadna B Łada-Maśko, Paweł Jurek, Michał Olech, Urszula Sajewicz-Radtke","doi":"10.5114/hpr/205989","DOIUrl":"10.5114/hpr/205989","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Dyslexia, a prevalent learning disability, is associated with specific cognitive profiles. This study investigated the cognitive profiles of children and adolescents with dyslexia in Poland utilizing the Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory to understand patterns of strengths and weaknesses.</p><p><strong>Participants and procedure: </strong>The study analyzed intelligence assessment data from 3,458 Polish children and adolescents (age 10-19 years) diagnosed with dyslexia. Data were obtained from a national research panel. Participants underwent comprehensive intelligence assessments using the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales, Fifth Edition (SB5). One-sample <i>t</i>-tests were conducted to compare the sample's SB5 scores to population norms.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants with dyslexia scored significantly lower than the population average across all 18 SB5 measures (subtests and IQ indices), with effect sizes ranging from small to large. The largest deficits were observed in verbal abilities (knowledge and visual-spatial processing) and specific IQ indices including verbal IQ, general IQ, knowledge IQ, visual-spatial processing IQ, and working memory IQ.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings support the applicability of the CHC theory in understanding the cognitive profiles of individuals with dyslexia. The study highlights specific cognitive weaknesses in crystallized intelligence, visual-spatial processing, and working memory. These results challenge the reliance on the pattern of strengths and weaknesses (PSW) model as a primary diagnostic tool and underscore the importance of comprehensive cognitive assessments for individuals with dyslexia. These findings have implications for targeted interventions and a balanced approach to dyslexia diagnosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":44293,"journal":{"name":"Health Psychology Report","volume":"14 2","pages":"123-132"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13200271/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148036152","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Health Psychology ReportPub Date : 2025-10-08eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.5114/hpr/208641
Saul Jesus, João Paulo Antunes, Ilana Andretta, Tamara Russel, Luana Mello, Roberto Chiodelli
{"title":"Comparison of face-to-face and synchronous online mindfulness-based interventions: a quasi-experimental study.","authors":"Saul Jesus, João Paulo Antunes, Ilana Andretta, Tamara Russel, Luana Mello, Roberto Chiodelli","doi":"10.5114/hpr/208641","DOIUrl":"10.5114/hpr/208641","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are a widely validated approach for the treatment and prevention of various pathologies, leading to increased physical and psychological health. Online MBIs have become more common in the past years, namely after the COVID-19 pandemic, but not much is known about their effectiveness. This study's goal was to compare the efficacy of a face-to-face MBI with its online equivalent.</p><p><strong>Participants and procedure: </strong>A total of 114 university students of multiple nationalities participated in the investigation. This is a quasi-experimental study, with pre-, post-, and 3-month follow-up comparative measurements in two types of group formats: in-person groups and synchronous online groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results showed benefits for participants in both the face-to-face and online interventions. Anxiety was significantly reduced at post-test, while stress, depression, and emotion regulation difficulties were significantly reduced at post-test and at follow-up. Furthermore, well-being and optimism were significantly increased at post-test and at follow-up. Between-group comparisons indicated higher efficacy for these variables in the online group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The fact that differential outcomes were observable for mindfulness and one of the expected mechanisms, in goal-directed thinking, while no significant differences were present for any outcome, shines a light on possible hidden mechanisms that differentiate how online interventions function when compared to their face-to-face counterparts. Despite these differences, the findings support the viability of online mindfulness interventions as an alternative to in-person formats. The present study adds to current knowledge about mindfulness interventions by supporting the feasibility of online mindfulness interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":44293,"journal":{"name":"Health Psychology Report","volume":"13 4","pages":"354-365"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12642462/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145606316","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Health Psychology ReportPub Date : 2025-09-23eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.5114/hpr/207702
Urszula Sajewicz-Radtke
{"title":"Rethinking cognitive assessment in mild intellectual disability: evidence-based recommendations for a person-centered diagnostic framework.","authors":"Urszula Sajewicz-Radtke","doi":"10.5114/hpr/207702","DOIUrl":"10.5114/hpr/207702","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This article proposes a multidimensional, person-centered framework for diagnosing mild intellectual disability (MID), challenging the traditional reliance on fixed IQ thresholds as the primary diagnostic criterion. Anchored in the Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory of intelligence, the framework advocates for an integrative assessment approach that combines broad (Stratum II) and narrow (Stratum I) cognitive abilities with evaluations of adaptive behavior, clinical observation, and informant reports. This comprehensive model reflects the complexity and heterogeneity of MID, emphasizing that intellectual functioning cannot be accurately captured by a single numerical score. The framework underscores the importance of using ecologically valid and culturally sensitive tools, particularly for assessing functionally relevant domains such as memory, language, and literacy. It highlights the need for clinical judgment to be informed by structured tools that map individual cognitive profiles and guide intervention planning in alignment with real-world demands. Central to this approach is the recognition of intra-group variability and the presence of distinct cognitive subprofiles, which call for tailored interventions based on individual strengths and needs rather than rigid diagnostic categories. Drawing on recent empirical studies, the article provides evidence supporting the existence of these cognitive subtypes within MID populations and advocates for individualized, strength-based assessment and support strategies. It calls for a longitudinal, multi-method, and context-sensitive diagnostic process grounded in both theoretical models and clinical expertise. Ultimately, the proposed paradigm promotes diagnostic accuracy, ethical integrity, and equity by shifting from reductionist classification toward a nuanced understanding of cognitive functioning and human potential.</p>","PeriodicalId":44293,"journal":{"name":"Health Psychology Report","volume":"14 2","pages":"111-122"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13200267/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148036138","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Health Psychology ReportPub Date : 2025-08-28eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.5114/hpr/203960
Krzysztof Sobczak, Agata A Rudnik, Małgorzata Basińska, Sacha Azoulay, Manuel Tostain
{"title":"The frequency of narcissistic traits in medical and psychology students in Poland and France.","authors":"Krzysztof Sobczak, Agata A Rudnik, Małgorzata Basińska, Sacha Azoulay, Manuel Tostain","doi":"10.5114/hpr/203960","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5114/hpr/203960","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Research indicates that narcissistic traits negatively correlate with empathy and may significantly predict interpersonal behaviors. Narcissism is also associated with a higher risk of addiction and mental health issues, making its analysis among future healthcare workers particularly important.</p><p><strong>Participants and procedure: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted using a quantitative method with the computer-assisted web interview (CAWI) technique on a group of 1,092 medical and psychology students in Poland and France. The NPI-40 test was used to analyze narcissism. The study was fully anonymous and voluntary. Students were invited to participate through university mailing systems and information posted on social media platforms.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our study found differences in NPI-40 scores based on gender, country, and field of study. Men scored higher than women in both France (<i>M</i> = 10.60, <i>SD</i> = 6.00) and Poland (<i>M</i> = 12.90, <i>SD</i> = 6.60), with a statistically significant gender effect. While medical students had slightly higher scores than psychology students, the difference was not significant. However, gender-field interactions varied by country: in France, male medical students scored higher than male psychology students, whereas in Poland, psychology students had higher scores than medical students. Despite these findings, the models explained only 5% of the variance in France and 3% in Poland, suggesting that other factors contribute to narcissism levels in this studied population.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These results may prove important in designing programs that support students' mental health and interventions aimed at improving interpersonal relationships, especially in the case of Polish medical students.</p>","PeriodicalId":44293,"journal":{"name":"Health Psychology Report","volume":"14 3","pages":"280-292"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13489825/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148799149","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}