Psychology Research Center

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Publications

The role of gamified learning strategies in student's motivation in high school and higher education: A systematic review

Publication . Ratinho, Elias; Martins, Cátia

Gamification, defined as the integration of videogame components to promote a gameful experience, is increasingly being implemented in education with the aim of enhancing students' engagement and motivation. Accordingly, since 2010 it has constituted an area of growing interest for researchers and teachers. Following PRISMA 2020's methodology, a systematic review (SR) was conducted in November 2022 seeking to explore the influence of gamification strategies on students' motivation to learn. Having identified 548 articles, 40 studies were chosen based on the selection criteria set and analyzed to reveal that game elements such as points, badges and rankings are widely used to motivate students. From a theoretical perspective, gamification studies focus on the dichotomy of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. The results suggest a positive influence of gamification strategies on students' motivation, although in the long run, such motivation can decline. Furthermore, the influence of a novelty effect and extrinsic rewards on motivation is identified, which can lead to greater motivation in the short term, followed by a decrease with further exposure to gamification. Future studies should focus on the influence of students' individual traits (e.g., gaming experience, openness to competition and cooperation) on gamification strategies. Moreover, long-term exposure to gamification as well as the novelty effect should be explored.

2023-08Journal article

Open Access

The consequences of job crafting and engagement in the relationship between passion for work and individual performance of Portuguese workers

Publication . Santos, Joana; Gomes, Alexandra; Rebelo, Diana Filipe Saraiva; Lopes, Luis Felipe Dias; Moreira, Martiele Gonçalves; da Silva, Deoclécio Junior Cardoso

IntroductionThis study sought to relate the two types of work passion, harmonious passion and obsessive passion, to the organizational consequences of engagement, job crafting, and perceived individual job performance. This study was based on the Employee Work Passion Appraisal model and conducted to evaluate possible statistical associations of the dualistic approach of passion used as an antecedent of positive and negative organizational outcomes (engagement, job crafting, and perceived individual job performance).MethodsThe data collection and analysis for this study were accomplished by a transversal and quantitative study design. A non-probabilistic method was used to select a convenience sample composed of 305 Portuguese workers and was collected online from March to October 2020. The proposed hypotheses were evaluated using partial structural equation models.ResultsOverall, the results supported the proposed hypotheses and showed that harmonious passion positively affected organizational outcomes, while obsessive passion negatively affected these outcomes; notably, our findings also revealed high individual performance, high obsessive passion, and consequently, a significant increase in structural labor resources, a significant decrease in harmful labor demands, and high absorption.DiscussionThe findings highlight the importance of distinguishing between harmonious passion and obsessive passion in understanding their consequences for organizational outcomes. Promoting harmonious passion while managing the potential negative effects of obsessive passion is crucial for enhancing positive job-related behaviors and performance. Future research should explore interventions and strategies to foster harmonious passion, mitigate the negative impacts of obsessive passion, and ultimately improve overall work engagement and performance.

2023-08Journal article

Open Access

Changing trends: beliefs and attitudes toward sharks and implications for conservation

Publication . Neves, João; McGinnis, Terran; Giger, Jean-Christophe

As history shows, and contrary to modern western society's feelings, sharks were once respected and worshipped. Sensationalized media coverage negatively impacts the public's perception of sharks and lack of information about management and conservation options negatively impacts policy makers' ability to keep shark populations healthy. Understanding that people's attitudes about sharks will influence their willingness to find a way to coexist with them, it is essential to acknowledge these attitudes when developing conservation measures. Just as risk management policies must adapt to new evidence-based information, so must shark conservation efforts adapt to the realities of public opinion. This perspective review, focused on the psychological aspects of human-shark interactions, highlights some of the current research, mostly from Australia and other countries where those interactions are more salient, on the beliefs and attitudes people have toward sharks. With this review, we hope to help policymakers and stakeholders, such as Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations (ENGOs) and the zoological community to better address some of the shark conservation challenges ahead.

2022Journal article

Open Access

Parenting Alliance Inventory: psychometric properties and invariance among a community and at-risk sample of Portuguese parents

Publication . Nunes, Cristina; Ayala-Nunes, Lara; Martins, Cátia; Pechorro, Pedro; Ferreira, Laura Inês

The existing alliance between the two caregivers is a key dimension for understanding the family context, as it affects parental behavior and children's development. The assessment of this construct becomes even more pressing in at-risk families, where the children's well-being may be compromised and where the parental alliance may serve as a protective factor. The Parental Alliance Inventory (PAI) is a self-report measure that assesses the parental alliance and the relationship of support and trust that exists between both parents. In this study, we intended to explore the psychometric properties of PAI in the Portuguese population, including normative and at-risk families. Participants were community parents (n = 205, M = 38.38 years; 52.2% women) and parents of Child Welfare Services (CWS) referred children (n = 273, M = 37.05 years, 82.05% women). Both samples completed the PAI and measures of parenting sense of competence, parenting stress, and marital satisfaction. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the proposed original unidimensional structure of the PAI. The instrument showed good psychometric properties, presenting levels of internal consistency and a quite satisfactory reliability. Findings also showed that PAI was measurement invariant across the two subsamples. Our findings provide evidence for psychometric soundness of the PAI and support its usefulness for the European Portuguese context.

2021Journal article

Restricted

Psychological risk and protective factors for suicidal ideation: a study in an adolescent sample in an insular context

Publication . Cunha, Ana Margarida; Carmo, Cláudia; Brás, Marta

Objectives: Adolescents are at risk of suicide. As suicide is a multifactorial process, risk and protective factors are relevant constructs for suicide prediction. This study explored the effects of risk and protective factors on suicidal ideation in adolescents on the island of Sao Miguel (Azores). Methods: A sample of 750 adolescents (male: n=358; 47.7%; mean age=14.67 years; standard deviation=1.85 years) from the island of Sao Miguel (Azores) completed several measures related to suicidal ideation and associated factors. Using a cross-sectional design, this study conducted descriptive, correlational, predictive, mediation, and moderation analyses. Results: Adolescents generally displayed high levels of risk and protective factors; an indicative proportion exhibited significant suicidal ideation with females presenting the greatest vulnerability. Furthermore, the results highlight that depression is the best predictor of suicidal ideation, however, the association between these variables is mediated. Conclusion: The data corroborate that the suicidal reality of adolescents in the Autonomous Region of the Azores is worrisome. Having substantiated the complexity of the suicidal context in young people in the present research, the need to continue studying risk/protective factors in this area is supported.

2023-10Journal article

Open Access