Hypersexuality, Anti-Doping And Cosmopolitan Views
In our recent selection of publications by ELTE Faculty of Education and Psychology researchers, we discuss, among other things, what is behind the increased sexual behavior associated with sports; what is the reason for the frequent failure of initial startups; how age affects environmentally conscious behavior or why it is not enough to focus only on physical medicine in the case of dermatological diseases.
Content
- Why do startups fail?
- The need for complex psychodermatological care for dermatological patient
- Hypersexuality in Kayakers: Roles of Sport, Gender, and Perceived Stress
- Clean sport and anti-doping in parasports
- Intergroup attitudes and empathy: The mediating role of cosmopolitan orientation
- Age differences and profiles in pro-environmental behavior and eco-emotions
Why do startups fail?
A growing body of work aims to explore the reasons behind startup failures. However, there is a need for integrative approaches organized around conceptual frameworks to avoid fragmented and perplexing knowledge about these reasons. To our knowledge, no previous research has systematically investigated the role of competency deficits in startup failures, a crucial element of these failures. In our study, we adapted Spencer’s behavioral competence model specifically for startups to identify the competencies within startup teams that, according to their Chief Executive Officers, contributed to their downfall. Three coders meticulously analyzed 50 online accounts of startup failures using a modified Critical Incident Technique. This analysis revealed two prominent competency deficits as pivotal determinants of these startups’ outcomes: information-seeking and customer service orientation. Additionally, deficits in technical expertise, analytical thinking, and flexibility emerged as significant factors contributing to these failures. The competency deficits identified in this study offer focal points for evaluating and enhancing startup teams, thereby helping to prevent failure.
Szathmári, E., Varga, Z., Molnár, A., Németh, G., Szabó, Z. P., & Kiss, O. E. (2024). Why do startups fail? A core competency deficit model. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1299135.
The need for complex psychodermatological care for dermatological patient
Research has confirmed that psychosocial factors (such as burdensome distress) can play a significant role in deterioration of patient’s quality of life, the recurrence and persistence of skin conditions in dermatological patients, as well as affecting adherence. According to the literature, the skin conditions that have the greatest impact on quality of life are psoriasis, contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, alopecia, leprosy or Hansen’s disease, scars, hyperhidrosis and genital human papillomavirus. Despite this, dermatological care in the current Hungarian dermatological practice is mainly focused on biomedical treatments. The interdisciplinary, complex assessment of psychosocial factors and referral to psychosocial care (by this is meant the ward psychologist, psychiatrist or district psychiatric nurse or other psychotherapeutic or support centre) is often incidental and is not systematic. The multidisciplinary approach and treatment proposed in the literature is limited and only available in a few priority centers. We consider it important to present the literature that argues in favor of complex care and to outline the proposed treatment models. The introduction of psychodermatology combined clinics could be a cost-reducing solution for treating dermatological diseases and comorbid psychological and psychiatric disorders, as it reduces the number of inaccurate diagnoses, the rate of ineffective treatments, and the number of unnecessary referrals. In this study, the authors suggest a rapid mental status assessment that can be used during the first doctor-patient encounter and how it can be used to complement the clinical history of psychocutaneous patients. They propose a psychological screening package for dermatological disorders and conclude the paper by arguing for support groups and psychotherapeutic individual, group and online self-help interventions that are effective.
Német, B., Rigó, A., & Sárdy, M. (2023). A bőrgyógyászati páciensek komplex pszichodermatológiai ellátásának szükségessége. Mentálhigiéné és Pszichoszomatika, 24(4), 307–317.
Hypersexuality in Kayakers: Roles of Sport, Gender, and Perceived Stress
Increased sexual behavior can be associated with playing sports, but the factors determining these are relatively unknown. The present study examined the sexual behavior of kayakers compared to a "general exercise" control group, taking into account the role of gender, exercise frequency and perceived stress. 104 kayakers and 77 regular exercisers (89 men and 92 women) participated in the online survey. The researchers conducted analyzes to examine the relationship between perceived stress and the amount of exercise, taking into account differences between genders and types of sports. The results suggest that the associations of hypersexuality with perceived stress and exercise intensity may vary depending on the sport and the athlete's gender. While perceived stress is associated with hypersexuality in both men and women, the relationship between physical activity and hypersexuality varies by gender and type of sport. These findings may help in empirically based prevention and treatment of hypersexuality in sports.
Szabo, A., Bőthe, B., Lazur, M., Tremblay, F., & Kovacsik, R. (2024). Hypersexuality in Kayakers: Roles of Sport, Gender, and Perceived Stress. Sexual Health & Compulsivity, 31(1), 83–99.
Clean sport and anti-doping in parasports
The project, funded by the ERASMUS+ program of the European Union, examined the perspectives of athletes and staff supporting athletes in relation to clean sport, doping and anti-doping within para-sport. This is a continuation of an earlier research program that developed recommendations for research priorities to strengthen evidence-based anti-doping education, which was adopted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Historically, the design and implementation of pure sports education has neglected the specific needs of para-athletes and their support networks. Using the Delphi method, 66 international experts were involved in the study, including researchers, athletes, coaches, federation staff and anti-doping educators. Using a transparently structured research method and through four rounds of data collection, a comprehensive package of recommendations was reached as a consensus, which not only helps professionals involved in anti-doping and clean sports education, but also informs decision-makers striving to standardize doping prevention and integrity protection in Paralympic sports.
Boardley, I. D., Chandler, M., Petróczi, A., Patterson, L., & Backhouse, S. H. (2024). Addressing the unique needs for anti-doping and clean-sport education of para-athletes and athlete-support personnel: an international Delphi study. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, 1-16.
Intergroup attitudes and empathy: The mediating role of cosmopolitan orientation
This study delves into the intricate dynamics of empathy, cosmopolitan orientation, and attitudes towards Roma, Jews, and Muslims in the specific context of Hungary. Prioritizing cosmopolitan orientation's potential mediating role, it examines how empathic concern and perspective taking, key components of empathy, impact attitudes towards these minority groups via cosmopolitan orientation. The research, involving a representative sample (N = 1000) and employing structural equation modeling, supports the hypothesized mediating role of cosmopolitan orientation. It uncovers significant associations between empathy components and cosmopolitan orientation, and the latter's considerable influence on attitudes towards the minority groups. This work provides valuable insights into the understanding and cultivation of more harmonious intergroup relationships, foregrounding the importance of cosmopolitan orientation.
Seitova, D., & Kovacs, M. (2024). Intergroup attitudes and empathy: The mediating role of cosmopolitan orientation. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 98, 101937.
Age differences and profiles in pro-environmental behavior and eco-emotions
Previous research suggests that age-related differences in pro-environmental behavior (PEB) and the emotional reactions to climate change could originate from generational as well as aging effects and can be influenced by the opportunities and constraints of life circumstances and resources. The current research aimed to better understand age differences through examining the eco-emotions and PEBs of different age groups, and identifying latent groups differing on these variables. In Sample 1, adults from the general population (n = 4,685) filled out questionnaires assessing eco-anxiety, eco-guilt, and ecological grief and answered 12 questions about their PEBs. In Sample 2 (A), the same PEB questions were answered by high school students (n = 112) and in Sample 2 (P) by one of their parents (n = 112). There were no age differences in the overall PEB score, but we found significant, nonlinear differences between age groups in almost all individual PEBs. Eco-friendly clothing and using greener transport were more common in the younger age groups, while older age groups had higher scores in conservation, recycling, reduced meat consumption, and boycotting. Students were less likely to recycle, use reusable bags, eat less meat and save water than their parents, but more likely to use greener transportation. Five latent groups emerged on the eco-emotions and PEB measures. Young adults had a higher probability of belonging to the medium/higher anxiety groups than the older generations, except for those in their 70s. Groups with higher emotional concern showed higher behavioral involvement. Since most participants showed a moderate level of worry, this emotional reaction appears a normative response to the climate crisis and also a possible starting point for promoting PEBs. The findings also suggest that each generation has its preferences in terms of PEBs, and it is worthwhile to address each of the different PEBs separately.
Ágoston, C., Balázs, B., Mónus, F., & Varga, A. (2024). Age differences and profiles in pro-environmental behavior and eco-emotions. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 48(2), 132–144.