Compared to the longstanding literature on the process of forgiveness or state forgiveness, relatively less research has focused on how to develop a dispositional tendency to forgive others, known as forgivingness. This holds particularly true with respect to adulthood, which has been typically viewed as a period of personality consistency rather than change. In the current paper, we begin by discussing forgivingness and its potential for promoting adult well-being. Next, we describe three literatures that help us understand possible influences on forgivingness development in adulthood, which focus on (a) how adults respond to their changing societal roles, (b) the choices they make with respect to social and emotional regulation, and (c) their relationship attachment models. Finally, we conclude by presenting important questions for the future research on this personality trait.

• Content Type Journal Article
• Category Original Articles and Reviews
• Pages 1-13
• DOI 10.1027/1016-9040/a000145
• Authors
  • Patrick L. Hill, Department of Psychology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
  • Mathias Allemand, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
  • Marie E. Heffernan, Department of Psychology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA

• Journal European Psychologist
• Online ISSN 1878-531X
• Print ISSN 1016-9040

The present article suggests a possible way to reduce the file drawer problem in scientific research (Rosenthal, 1978, 1979), that is, the tendency for “nonsignificant” results to remain hidden in scientists’ file drawers because both authors and journals strongly prefer statistically significant results. We argue that peer-reviewed journals based on the principle of rigorous evaluation of research proposals before results are known would address this problem successfully. Even a single journal adopting a result-blind evaluation policy would remedy the persisting problem of publication bias more efficiently than other tools and techniques suggested so far. We also propose an ideal editorial policy for such a journal and discuss pragmatic implications and potential problems associated with this policy. Moreover, we argue that such a journal would be a valuable addition to the scientific publication outlets, because it supports a scientific culture encouraging the publication of well-designed and technically sound empirical research irrespective of the results obtained. Finally, we argue that such a journal would be attractive for scientists, publishers, and research agencies.

• Content Type Journal Article
• Category Original Articles and Reviews
• Pages 1-9
• DOI 10.1027/1016-9040/a000144
• Authors
  • Werner Greve, Institute of Psychology, University of Hildesheim, Germany
  • Arndt Bröder, Department of Psychology, University of Mannheim, Germany
  • Edgar Erdfelder, Department of Psychology, University of Mannheim, Germany

• Journal European Psychologist
• Online ISSN 1878-531X
• Print ISSN 1016-9040

In the present meta-analysis 627 Strange Situation Procedures (SSP; Ainsworth, Blehar, Waters, & Wall, 1978) from 17 Italian infant attachment studies and 2,258 Adult Attachment Interviews (AAI; Main, Kaplan, & Cassidy, 1985) from 50 Italian adult attachment studies were included. All studies were published between 1990 and 2009. Our aim was to test the universality hypothesis of attachment theory in this Italian database. Results indicated that the majority of nonclinical Italian infants were classified as securely attached (53%); similarly, the majority of nonclinical Italian adults were secure (60%). Although cross-cultural similarities provide evidence for the universality hypothesis of attachment theory, our meta-analysis revealed also interesting cultural specificities. First, nonclinical Italian infants’ distribution showed an overrepresentation of avoidant attachments compared to the normative distribution. Second, the underrepresentation of unresolved loss among Italian nonclinical adults was noteworthy.

• Content Type Journal Article
• Category Original Articles and Reviews
• Pages 47-58
• DOI 10.1027/1016-9040/a000128
• Authors
  • Rosalinda Cassibba, Department of Psychological and Educational Sciences, University of Bari, Italy
  • Giovanna Sette, Department of Psychological and Educational Sciences, University of Bari, Italy
  • Marian J. Bakermans-Kranenburg, Centre for Child and Family Studies, University of Leiden, The Netherlands
  • Marinus H. van IJzendoorn, Centre for Child and Family Studies, University of Leiden, The Netherlands

• Journal European Psychologist
• Online ISSN 1878-531X
• Print ISSN 1016-9040
• Journal Issue Volume 18, Number 1 / 2013

Procrastination is a well-known phenomenon that often entails negative outcomes with regard to performance and subjective well-being. In an attempt to understand the (alarming) character of procrastination, a large body of research on the causes, correlates, and consequences of procrastination has been accumulating over the last 40 years. The aim of this paper is to provide a systematic characterization of the trends in procrastination research and to suggest future directions for research and practice. The systematic characterization comprises a comparison of procrastination to functional forms of delay (referred to as strategic delay) and a presentation of the theoretical approaches to explaining procrastination. The future directions suggested pertain to the development of a differentiated understanding of procrastination and of integral interventions.

• Content Type Journal Article
• Category Original Articles and Reviews
• Pages 24-34
• DOI 10.1027/1016-9040/a000138
• Authors
  • Katrin B. Klingsieck, Department of Psychology, University of Paderborn, Germany

• Journal European Psychologist
• Online ISSN 1878-531X
• Print ISSN 1016-9040
• Journal Issue Volume 18, Number 1 / 2013

In this article, we examine the hypothesis that cognitive deficits in subclinical depression become especially evident in tasks that require the integration of piecemeal information into more coherent mental representations, such as mental models. It is argued that in states of subclinical depression, attempts at integrative thinking or problem solving are limited by cognitive exhaustion which prevents the use of effective cognitive strategies. This basic argument is illustrated by paradigms addressing the construction of mental models based on sentiment or linear order information. It is shown that subclinical depression is associated with a distinct deficit in integrative reasoning, but no deficits in non-integrative processing such as initial information sampling or memory retrieval. Recent evidence of a neurophysiological correlate of this specific deficit in subclinical depression is discussed in terms of the moderating role of frontal alpha asymmetry, and in terms of a specific pattern of parietal brain activation during processing of mental models. Also, a distinctive, not deficit-related, facet of depressed cognitive symptoms is proposed, indicating a possible adaptive value of defocused attention in subclinically depressed mood. This defocused attention approach is supported by experimental and eyetracking research, and by recent theoretical models and empirical evidence showing performance benefits in depression for some cognitive and creative tasks.

• Content Type Journal Article
• Category Original Articles and Reviews
• Pages 35-46
• DOI 10.1027/1016-9040/a000133
• Authors
  • Ulrich von Hecker, School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
  • Grzegorz Sedek, Interdisciplinary Center for Applied Cognitive Studies (ICACS), University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw, Poland
  • Aneta Brzezicka, Interdisciplinary Center for Applied Cognitive Studies (ICACS), University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw, Poland

• Journal European Psychologist
• Online ISSN 1878-531X
• Print ISSN 1016-9040
• Journal Issue Volume 18, Number 1 / 2013

The purpose of this paper is to review and critique the variety of definitions, concepts, and theories of psychological resilience. To this end, the narrative is divided into three main sections. The first considers how resilience has been defined in the psychology research literature. Despite the construct being operationalized in a variety of ways, most definitions are based around two core concepts: adversity and positive adaptation. A substantial body of evidence suggests that resilience is required in response to different adversities, ranging from ongoing daily hassles to major life events, and that positive adaptation must be conceptually appropriate to the adversity examined in terms of the domains assessed and the stringency of criteria used. The second section examines the conceptualization of resilience as either a trait or a process, and explores how it is distinct from a number of related terms. Resilience is conceptualized as the interactive influence of psychological characteristics within the context of the stress process. The final section reviews the theories of resilience and critically examines one theory in particular that is commonly cited in the resilience literature. Future theories in this area should take into account the multiple demands individuals encounter, the meta-cognitive and -emotive processes that affect the resilience-stress relationship, and the conceptual distinction between resilience and coping. The review concludes with implications for policy, practice, and research including the need to carefully manage individuals’ immediate environment, and to develop the protective and promotive factors that individuals can proactively use to build resilience.

• Content Type Journal Article
• Category Original Articles and Reviews
• Pages 12-23
• DOI 10.1027/1016-9040/a000124
• Authors
  • David Fletcher, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
  • Mustafa Sarkar, School of Health and Social Sciences, Middlesex University, London, UK

• Journal European Psychologist
• Online ISSN 1878-531X
• Print ISSN 1016-9040
• Journal Issue Volume 18, Number 1 / 2013

According to the intergenerational solidarity model, family members who share similar values about family obligations should have a closer relationship and support each other more than families with a lower value consensus. The present study first describes similarities and differences between two family generations (mothers and daughters) with respect to their adherence to family values and, second, examines patterns of relations between intergenerational consensus on family values, affectual solidarity, and functional solidarity in a sample of 51 mother-daughter dyads comprising N = 102 participants from Luxembourgish and Portuguese immigrant families living in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Results showed a small generation gap in values of hierarchical gender roles, but an acculturation gap was found in Portuguese mother-daughter dyads regarding obligations toward the family. A higher mother-daughter value consensus was related to higher affectual solidarity of daughters toward their mothers but not vice versa. Whereas affection and value consensus both predicted support provided by daughters to their mothers, affection mediated the relationship between consensual solidarity and received maternal support. With regard to mothers, only affection predicted provided support for daughters, whereas mothers’ perception of received support from their daughters was predicted by value consensus and, in the case of Luxembourgish mothers, by affection toward daughters.

• Content Type Journal Article
• Category Original Articles and Reviews
• Pages 59-69
• DOI 10.1027/1016-9040/a000125
• Authors
  • Isabelle Albert, INSIDE – Integrative Research Unit on Social and Individual Development, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg
  • Dieter Ferring, INSIDE – Integrative Research Unit on Social and Individual Development, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg
  • Tom Michels, INSIDE – Integrative Research Unit on Social and Individual Development, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg

• Journal European Psychologist
• Online ISSN 1878-531X
• Print ISSN 1016-9040
• Journal Issue Volume 18, Number 1 / 2013

Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) is a way of collecting data in people’s natural environments in real time and has become very popular in social and health sciences. The emergence of personal digital assistants has led to more complex and sophisticated EMA protocols but has also highlighted some important drawbacks. Modern cell phones combine the functionalities of advanced communication systems with those of a handheld computer and offer various additional features to capture and record sound, pictures, locations, and movements. Moreover, most people own a cell phone, are familiar with the different functions, and always carry it with them. This paper describes ways in which cell phones have been used for data collection purposes in the field of social sciences. This includes automated data capture techniques, for example, geolocation for the study of mobility patterns and the use of external sensors for remote health-monitoring research. The paper also describes cell phones as efficient and user-friendly tools for prompt manual data collection, that is, by asking participants to produce or to provide data. This can either be done by means of dedicated applications or by simply using the web browser. We conclude that cell phones offer a variety of advantages and have a great deal of potential for innovative research designs, suggesting they will be among the standard data collection devices for EMA in the coming years.

• Content Type Journal Article
• Category Original Articles and Reviews
• Pages 3-11
• DOI 10.1027/1016-9040/a000127
• Authors
  • Emmanuel Kuntsche, Addiction Switzerland, Research Institute, Lausanne, Switzerland
  • Florian Labhart, Addiction Switzerland, Research Institute, Lausanne, Switzerland

• Journal European Psychologist
• Online ISSN 1878-531X
• Print ISSN 1016-9040
• Journal Issue Volume 18, Number 1 / 2013

European Psychologist Moves Forward

• Content Type Journal Article
• Category Editorial
• Pages 1-2
• DOI 10.1027/1016-9040/a000137
• Authors
  • Alexander Grob (Editor-in-Chief), Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Switzerland
  • Kristen Lavallee (Managing Editor), Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Switzerland

• Journal European Psychologist
• Online ISSN 1878-531X
• Print ISSN 1016-9040
• Journal Issue Volume 18, Number 1 / 2013

A Decade of European Congresses of Psychology

• Content Type Journal Article
• Category EFPA News and Views
• Pages 70-72
• DOI 10.1027/1016-9040/a000136
• Authors
  • Veronika Polisenska, EFPA Executive Council member (CZ)

• Journal European Psychologist
• Online ISSN 1878-531X
• Print ISSN 1016-9040
• Journal Issue Volume 18, Number 1 / 2013

News and Announcements

• Content Type Journal Article
• Category EFPA News and Views
• Pages 73-74
• DOI 10.1027/1016-9040/a000135
• Authors
  • Collated by Veronika Polisenska, EFPA Executive Council member (CZ)

• Journal European Psychologist
• Online ISSN 1878-531X
• Print ISSN 1016-9040
• Journal Issue Volume 18, Number 1 / 2013

Meeting Calendar

• Content Type Journal Article
• Category EFPA News and Views
• Pages 75-75
• DOI 10.1027/1016-9040/a000142

• Journal European Psychologist
• Online ISSN 1878-531X
• Print ISSN 1016-9040
• Journal Issue Volume 18, Number 1 / 2013

The first report from the Network of National News Correspondents (NNC) was published in European Psychologist 3 (2012) to keep readers informed of what is happening in the field of psychology in countries across Europe. We hope this second report proves just as informative. It includes news from Cyprus, Germany, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain. Cyprus reports on legislation concerning professional psychologists and the provision of continued education. Germany provides news on the launch of EuroPsy and the release of an authorized translation of the International Test Commission (ITC) guidelines. Portugal describes a successful conference and the unemployment situation among psychologists. Slovenia announces the approval of its National Accreditation Committee for the EuroPsy. Spain reports on the cooperation agreements the Spanish Psychological Association (COP) has signed with the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Portuguese Psychologists’ Association (OPP), as well as on COP’s efforts in the field of active aging.

• Content Type Journal Article
• Category News and Announcements
• Pages 341-343
• DOI 10.1027/1016-9040/a000131
• Authors
  • Collated by Veronika Polisenska, EFPA Executive Council member (CZ)

• Journal European Psychologist
• Online ISSN 1878-531X
• Print ISSN 1016-9040
• Journal Issue Volume 17, Number 4 / 2012

Jing Qicheng (1926–2008)

• Content Type Journal Article
• Category News and Announcements
• Pages 344-346
• DOI 10.1027/1016-9040/a000130
• Authors
  • Zhang Yun, College of Psychology, Nanjing Normal University, China
  • Ye Haosheng, Educational College, Guangzhou University, China
  • Yang Wendeng, Educational College, Guangzhou University, China

• Journal European Psychologist
• Online ISSN 1878-531X
• Print ISSN 1016-9040
• Journal Issue Volume 17, Number 4 / 2012

Meeting Calendar

• Content Type Journal Article
• Category Meeting Calendar
• Pages 347-347
• DOI 10.1027/1016-9040/a000134

• Journal European Psychologist
• Online ISSN 1878-531X
• Print ISSN 1016-9040
• Journal Issue Volume 17, Number 4 / 2012

Meeting Calendar

• Content Type Journal Article
• Category Meeting Calendar
• Pages 256-256
• DOI 10.1027/1016-9040/a000126

• Journal European Psychologist
• Online ISSN 1878-531X
• Print ISSN 1016-9040
• Journal Issue Volume 17, Number 3 / 2012

From the EFPA Network of National News Correspondents

• Content Type Journal Article
• Category News and Announcements
• Pages 253-255
• DOI 10.1027/1016-9040/a000123
• Authors
  • Collated by Veronika Polisenska, EFPA Executive Council member (CZ)

• Journal European Psychologist
• Online ISSN 1878-531X
• Print ISSN 1016-9040
• Journal Issue Volume 17, Number 3 / 2012

Recent figures point to alarming rates of suicidal tendencies and risk behaviors among Ethiopian adolescents (first and second generation) in Israel. This study tries to understand this phenomenon through an examination of the relationship between ethnic identity (Israeli and Ethiopian) and parental support with suicidal ideation and alcohol use. Two hundred adolescents aged 15–18 years from the Ethiopian community in Israel completed questionnaires examining the degree to which they felt a sense of (positive) Israeli and Ethiopian identity and parental support as well as suicidal ideation, drinking behavior, and depression. Results showed significant correlations between both Israeli and Ethiopian identities and suicidal ideation and alcohol use and a significant relationship between suicidal ideation and parental support. Regression analysis highlighted the pivotal role of a strong and positive heritage (Ethiopian) identity in lower levels of suicidal ideation and alcohol use. Results suggest the important role of ethnic identity for well-being among immigrant and minority youth, in particular in the ability of minority youth to consolidate a coherent ethnic identity incorporating a positive connection to their heritage culture as providing a protective role against suicidal tendencies and risk behaviors.

• Content Type Journal Article
• Category Special Issue: Diaspora Migration
• Pages 131-142
• DOI 10.1027/1016-9040/a000115
• Authors
  • Sophie D. Walsh, Department of Criminology, Bar Ilan University, Bar Ilan, Israel
  • Arnon Edelstein, Kaye College, Béer Sheva, Israel
  • Danbulu Vota, Department of Criminology, Bar Ilan University, Bar Ilan, Israel

• Journal European Psychologist
• Online ISSN 1878-531X
• Print ISSN 1016-9040
• Journal Issue Volume 17, Number 2 / 2012

Positive attitudes toward contact with members of the host culture, host-culture language usage, and social relations with natives are frequently used criteria for assessing immigrants’ host-culture participation. Precursors of these criteria are, however, rarely studied, especially from a longitudinal perspective. We expected that a strong identification with the host culture or the culture of origin would be associated with higher or lower host-culture participation, respectively, and were able to test these assumptions longitudinally. Study 1 utilized a sample of 376 ethnic German adolescents who had repatriated from Russia to Germany. Over four annual waves, the adolescents reported their identification with being “German” and “Russian,” their attitude toward host-culture contact, frequency of host-culture language usage, and the share of natives in their peer network. Growth curve modeling revealed that level and change of identification with being “German” related positively to level and change of host-culture participation, whereas level and change of “Russian” identification related negatively. Study 2 utilized a sample of 549 Russian-Jewish immigrants to Israel, who reported identification at Wave 1 and host-culture participation in three annual assessments. Results basically resembled those of Study 1. Findings from both studies underscore the importance of cultural identification for immigrants’ successful acculturation into the host culture. However, results also revealed between-country differences with regard to level of cultural identification and the relation between identification with the host culture and culture of origin.

• Content Type Journal Article
• Category Special Issue: Diaspora Migration
• Pages 143-157
• DOI 10.1027/1016-9040/a000113
• Authors
  • Katharina Stoessel, Department of Developmental Psychology, University of Jena, Germany
  • Peter F. Titzmann, Department of Developmental Psychology, University of Jena, Germany
  • Rainer K. Silbereisen, Department of Developmental Psychology, University of Jena, Germany

• Journal European Psychologist
• Online ISSN 1878-531X
• Print ISSN 1016-9040
• Journal Issue Volume 17, Number 2 / 2012