CEEOL - Advanced Search

Access to Financial Information for Tax Purposes and Proportionality – Balancing Public Interest with the Protection of Privacy

Author(s): Glória Teixeira,Maria Filipa Pinho,Hugo Teixeira / Language(s): English / Issue: 39/2023

Keywords: financial information; tax; privacy; public interest

The purpose of the article is to analyse how to balance public interests with the protection of privacy in the tax field. It has not been an easy task especially in the context of access to financial information. In this area, the compromise to achieve transparency needs to pay regard to the principle of proportionality, as reinforced by recent case law of the ECJ, and align with specific legislation such as the EU General Data Protection Regulation and recently enacted EU Digital Services Act. It is extremely important to investigate the possible consequences of acting against fundamental rights that are attributed to European citizens (and not only), such as the right to privacy and the protection of personal data. The paper aims to provide relevant and further insight to paths that lead to a fair way to handle such relevant information. Every citizen, every academically inclined and dedicated individual, every public official, every judicial agent, must question whether the public interest can ever, or at least, recurrently, surpass a fundamental right to privacy, specially, in a sensible area as the financial information of an individual. Such actions can often lead, if mistakes are made along the way, to dangerous outcomes, such as public humiliation, and can even harm the person’s professional and personal life. Methodology. In the course of the paper, an analysis is made of public decisions taken in cases across the European continent. Additionally, some considerations are made about the recent legislation that is produced by competent authorities, particularly the European Institutions. Results of the research. The authors offer a personal insight regarding the information that has been gathered, confirming some significant concerns. What is of crucial importance, as stated in the title of this article, is a well established balance between the public interest and the protection of privacy, with explained and defined possible paths to follow.

More...

Impact of Capital Structure on the Company’s Financial Situation during the Pandemic – Analysis Based on Examples of Listed Companies

Author(s): Magdalena Jasiniak,Mateusz Rudzki / Language(s): English / Issue: 39/2023

Keywords: financing strategies; capital structure; financial analysis; discriminant models; COVID-19 pandemic; liquidity; profitability

Under the conditions of increased uncertainty making right financial decisions can determine success or failure of every company. Maintaining financial liquidity is especially important during impactful economic fluctuations when the risk of bankruptcy rises significantly. The purpose of the article is to evaluate the impact of financing strategies on economic situation of companies during the pandemic as well as to verify whether safe strategy can be a reliable measure of protection from the danger of bankruptcy. Methodology. Empirical research has been based on the analysis of 30 commercial sector companies’ financial statements from 2018 to 2020. The research has been completed with discriminant analysis models, and in order to receive clear interpretation of results a new indicator has been created. The indicator shows effectiveness of financing strategies as protection from negative results of the pandemic. Results of the research prove that under the conditions of strong and rapid economic changes a conservative strategy is a relatively safer strategy than moderate and aggressive ones, yet, it does not guarantee full protection from bankruptcy. Additionally, moderately higher risk of financing allows to increase liquidity and profitability even during the pandemic which was also indicated in the research.

More...

Clusters – Typology and Public Policy

Klastry – typologia i polityka publiczna

Author(s): Roumu Li,Vincent Yip,Paweł Dobrzański / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2023

Keywords: cluster; Silicon Valley; Silicon Fen; Singapore Science Park; public policy; urban planning

Clusters, especially high-tech, are important economic phenomena in modern society. As the archetype, Silicon Valley drives governments over the world to initiate their own cluster. Likewise, the cluster policy has also become a major policy tool in the urban planning field. Based on approaches to initiate and promote clusters, the current cluster policy can be divided into three models, the American model, the Asian model, and the European one. This paper focuses on the sustainability of clusters, reviews the literature about high-tech clusters, cluster policy, and the developments of selected clusters, including Silicon Valley, Silicon Fen, Hsinchu Science Park, Singapore Science Park and One-North, and Akademgorodok; discusses their developments and challenges, and aims to explore the role of government and possible approaches. Based on the data analysis, the research concluded that governments are essential to a cluster’s sustainability. The approach of mixing bottom-up and top-down intervention might be the final direction for all countries, and the only difference lies in timing, which varies with local resources, social environments, and especially culture. For governments, its role should be identifying the right timing to implement the adaption in policy, coordinate, and lead the battle for sustainability in practice.

More...

Environmental Taxes in Poland and South Korea – Sharing Experiences

Podatki środowiskowe w Polsce i Korei Południowej – wymiana doświadczeń

Author(s): Magdalena Szymczak / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2023

Keywords: environmental taxes; Polish-Korean cooperation; sustainable finance

The article aimed to identify, to assess the environmental taxes in Poland and South Korea, and to indicate a potential area of cooperation – an exchange of experience on environmental taxes. The analysis covered data from the period 2000-2020. However, in some parts, due to the availability of data, the investigation was completed in 2014 or 2019. The research methods employed were a critical analysis of domestic and foreign literature, an analysis of Polish and Korean legal acts underpinning environmental taxes in a comparative approach, and an analysis of OECD data using simple statistical methods and benchmarking elements. Four environmental taxes were identified in Poland: an excise tax on types of products deemed harmful to the environment, a Vehicle Tax, a Forest Tax and an Agricultural Tax. In South Korea, three taxes were included: Individual Consumption Tax, Automobile Tax and Transportation, Energy, Environmental Tax. Environmental taxes in Poland and South Korea were evaluated positively, taking the fiscal and informative functions as criteria. However, it was shown that an exchange of experience would be desirable, particularly in the area of improving the implementation of the stimulating function of taxes that related to air pollution.

More...

Socio-Economic Policy of Latvia: Assessment of Efficiency and Effectiveness

Polityka społeczno-gospodarcza Łotwy: ocena wydajności i skuteczności

Author(s): Zhanna Tsaurkubule,Catherine Zhukovskaya / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2023

Keywords: Latvia; essence of social policy; indicators of socio-economic policy; integral indicators; effectiveness of socio-economic policy; assessment of efficiency

The article presents a scientific and analytical review and defines the essence of the concept of social policy taking into consideration the authors’ version of separation of approaches to the definition of social policy at macro and micro levels, as well as in the context of its connection with economics. A system of indicators for evaluating performance of social policy was developed, and a methodology for evaluating its effectiveness based on a comparative analysis of the dynamics of changes in the main indicators of socio-economic development of Latvia was proposed. The research methodology is based on determining an integral indicator that aggregates eight main areas of socio-economic policy measured using 32 indicators identified based on expert assessments. The study presents two different approaches to assessing the dynamics of changes in the main indicators of socio-economic development of Latvia for the period from 2010 to 2020. Analysis of the surveyed data showed extremely slow changes in the social well-being of Latvia’s residents, which, however, show positive dynamics, indicating an improvement in Latvia’s overall social policy. The results obtained can be used to monitor the effectiveness of the socio-economic policy (SEP) of Latvia and develop programmes to improve the welfare of the country’s residents.

More...

Economic Environment in Latvia: Interaction of Ethical and Ethnic Values in Organizational Culture

Środowisko gospodarcze na Łotwie: interakcja wartości etycznych i etnicznych w kulturze organizacyjnej

Author(s): Vladislav Volkov / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2023

Keywords: organizational culture; multi-ethnic environment; ethical values; ethnic favouritism

The article shows the importance of studying the economic environment and the organizational culture in Latvia as an ethnically diverse aspect, taking into account the influence of the ethnic factor. To confirm the hypothesis that the ethnic factor also plays an importantrole in the economic life of Latvia, the article written in 2021 organized a sociological study in the research project “Interaction of the individual, society and the state in the overall process of Latvian history: conflicts of values and the formation of common values at historical breaking points”. As a key indicator of the integrity of organizational culture for the multi-ethnic environment of Latvia, the author chose the value of universal moral norms, primarily justice, to regulate relations between ethnic Latvians and Russians. The data of this study showed that a high assessment of the ideals of justice is characteristic of the moral consciousness of both ethnic Latvian and Russian respondents. At the same time, the attitude towards the implementation of these ideals, in economic behavior, business communication has some differences among representatives of these ethnic groups.

More...

Why do Polish Women Want to Stay Childless? Analysis of Voluntary Childlessness Motives

Dlaczego polskie kobiety chcą pozostać bezdzietne? Analiza motywów dobrowolnej bezdzietności

Author(s): Justyna Wilak / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2023

Keywords: voluntary childlessness; motives of childlessness; qualitative study

The phenomenon of voluntary childlessness is increasingly apparent in the modern world contributing to the problem of an ageing society. There are numerous motives of voluntary childlessness indicated in the literature that are especially related to the decisions of women. The aim of this study was the identification of the motives for voluntary childlessness among Polish women using internet debate analysis. The analysis indicated nine motives: desire for freedom, the need for peace and solitude, reluctance to make sacrifices/to take additional responsibilities, dislike of children, fear of pregnancy and childbirth, fear of potential disease of a child, environmental motives, the lack of maternal instinct and bad childhood experiences that can be classified in three categories.

More...

Applications of Psychology in the Analysis of Consumer Behaviour – Selected Issues

Zastosowania psychologii w analizie zachowań konsumentów – wybrane zagadnienia

Author(s): Katarzyna Włodarczyk / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2023

Keywords: consumer behaviour; consumption; psychology

Psychology plays an especially significant role in the study of consumer behaviour, as it applies scientific research of human, social, cognitive and emotional factors in order to better understand the behaviour of individuals. The paper presents aspects of the use of psychology in contemporary studies of consumer behaviour. The aim was to indicate the current aspects of the use of psychology in consumer behaviour research and to indicate further directions of using psychology in relation to contemporary changes on the market. The paper features theoretical deliberations based on the literature of the subject.

More...

AWARENESS AND PERCEPTION OF IN VITRO FERTILIZATION AS AN INFERTILITY TREATMENT METHOD AMONG POLISH WOMEN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Author(s): Patrycja Stankiewicz,Barbara Nieradko-Iwanicka,Małgorzata Witkowska-Zimny / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2023

Keywords: in vitro fertilization; attitudes; infertility; poland;

Background: Assisted reproductive technology (ART) as an infertility therapy remains controversial, although it has been available for more than four decades, with more than five million people estimated to have received the treatment worldwide. In poland, the legitimacy and acceptability of in vitro fertilization (IVF) are still debated in the public and political realms, with NaproTechnology being the recommended publicly funded method of infertility treatment. Aim of the study: This paper presents the current perceptions and opinions of polish women of reproductive age on infertility treatment, with particular reference to IVF. Material and methods: The study used an original questionnaire to survey 226 women aged 18-49 on their knowledge and attitudes toward IVF. Results: A high level of knowledge concerning IVF as a method of infertility treatment was demonstrated by 19.9% of respondents. most women interviewed (65%) had a positive attitude toward IVF, 4.6% would use IVF regardless of the cost, and 12.4% would never use IVF. Only 5.8% of respondents thought that access to infertility treatment is guaranteed in poland. Conclusions: This is the first study conducted in poland in which participants professed that their Catholic faith did not influence their lack of acceptance of IVF. most respondents held the opinion that access to in- fertility treatment is not guaranteed in poland. given the increasing scale of the infertility problem, detailed monitoring of attitudes and acceptance of IVF is needed to support those in poland struggling with the condition.

More...

OVERPROTECTIVE MOTHER OR MUNCHAUSEN SYNDROME BY PROXY? CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DISEASE BASED ON A LITERATURE REVIEW

Author(s): Barbara Rusinowska,Małgorzata Satora,Balbina Tybulczuk,Zofia Romanek,Martyna Sękowska,Zuzanna Pyrka / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2023

Keywords: munchausen syndrome by proxy; medical child abuse; diagnosis;

Background: Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP), first described by Meadow in 1977, is a mental disorder in which the caregiver or parent (usually the mother) causes the child to become ill to attract attention. The disease most often affects women, with sufferers usually appearing very caring and involved in the treatment. However, they harm the child, leading to physical and mental damage and sometimes death. The caregiver fabricates disease symptoms and will report false symptoms in the child or directly cause the disease. Moreover, they agree to diagnostic procedures and numerous medical interventions and deny the cause of the disease, and after separation from the caregiver, the child’s condition improves. Aim of the study: The purpose of this review is to present a characterization of MSBP, taking into account its diagnostic difficulties, treatment methods, and consequences for the child. Material and methods: All relevant publications were retrieved from the PubMed and Google Scholar databases, with keywords including “Munchausen syndrome by proxy” (PubMed – 780 results; Google Scholar – 10500 results), “Munchausen syndrome by proxy diagnosis” (PubMed – 612 results; Google Scholar – 7940 results), and “Munchausen syndrome by proxy treatment” (PubMed – 301 results; Google Scholar – 8210 results), with 53 papers selected. Half of the studies had been published in the last five years. Results: The main MSBP diagnostic difficulties include the low age of the victims and the frequent changes of treatment centers, which often worsen the child’s condition. According to some scientists, MSBP psychotherapy treatment may produce the expected results for the patient and child. Children can die or develop future mental and physical problems as a result of their parent’s disorder. Conclusions: MSBP is a disease that is usually severe and difficult to diagnose and treat, and to which children fall victim. In order to diagnose MSBP, attending physician vigilance is essential.

More...

EFFECTS OF METFORMIN ON VITAMIN B12 LEVELS, INCLUDING DOSE AND DURATION OF THERAPY: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Author(s): Agata Wójcik-Kula,Julia Tomys-Składowska,Beata Januszko-Giergielewicz / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2023

Keywords: vitamin B12; vitamin B12 Deficiency; Diabetes Mellitus; Metformin;

Background: Metformin, a biguanide derivative medication, is administered worldwide as the first-line treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Despite its many advantages, it is not devoid of side effects. As many studies have evidenced thus far, metformin treatment may increase the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, with the prevalence of this deficiency varying from 1.8% to 53.2%. We performed a review of studies to summarize their results and present dose and duration associations between metformin therapy and serum cobalamin levels. Aim of the study: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between metformin and vitamin B12 deficiency from a historical perspective. Material and Methods: Thirty articles focused on vitamin B12 deficiency during metformin therapy, collected from the PubMed database from 1971 to July 2021, were analyzed. Results: Based on the literature reviewed, we observed a prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency with metformin use ranging from 1.8% to 53.2%, with a median of 11.2%. In studies with follow-up longer than six months, the incidence of vitamin B12 deficiency during metformin treatment was approximately 6–10%. The vast majority of studies showed an inverse correlation between dose and length of metformin intake and serum vitamin B12 levels. The findings of three out of 16 analyzed studies proved dose-only associations, and the other three showed time-only effects. Two studies found no relationship with these variables. Conclusions: Patients undergoing long-term metformin therapy, especially at high doses, should have their vitamin B12 levels measured regularly to protect them from complications resulting from cobalamin deficiency.

More...

ANALYSIS OF MENUS IN SELECTED DAYCARE CENTERS IN THE OPOLE PROVINCE: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Author(s): Łukasz Biłos,Dominika Matuszek,Ewa Polańczyk,Zaneta Grzywacz,Elżbieta Berest / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2023

Keywords: diet; child nutrition; menu; nursery;

Background: In the first years of a child’s life, eating habits and preferences are formed. The main influence on the nutrition of a child between 13 and 36 months of age is the people who take care of him. The nursery is also responsible for providing children with adequate food. Aim of the study: This study aimed to analyze the menus of children aged 1 to 3 in selected daycare facilities in the Opolskie Voivodeship. Material and methods: The analysis concerned 10-day menus obtained from 8 different regional institutions looking after children aged 1–3 years. The analysis was based on a comparison of menus with the current nutritional standards and evaluated in terms of quantity. Results: The results showed an excess of protein (388%) and sodium (529%) intake and insufficient coverage of the requirements for vitamin D (6.5%), calcium (87%), and iron (83%). Conclusions: The analysis of the menus showed a number of irregularities in the nutrition of children aged 1–3 staying in care and educational institutions. This analysis revealed the weak points of nursery diets.

More...

PLANNED PLACE OF BIRTH AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO EMOTIONS AND FEAR IN POLISH WOMEN DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Author(s): Aleksandra Damentko,Oivia Damra,Klaudia Dąbrowska,Iwona Kiersnowska,Grażyna Bączek / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2023

Keywords: parturition; home childbirth; emotional regulation; COVID-19; GAD-7;

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic, which started in December 2019, significantly changed the lives of people worldwide. A group particularly affected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus were women who experienced pregnancy and childbirth during the pandemic, many of whom began to look for an alternative to the hospital as a safe place for delivery. Aim of the study: To examine how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the choice of place of delivery and whether fear and emotions were determinants of this choice. Materials and methods: This study was conducted on a group of 123 postpartum women who completed an online survey during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020–2021. The research tools used were a custom-designed questionnaire that recorded the place of birth and feelings related to the thought of giving birth, and the Generalized Anxiety Questionnaire (GAD-7). Results: Among women who experienced a hospital birth during the pandemic, many of them would now choose to give birth at home, while women who gave birth at home tended not to want to change their decision. Overall, women who gave birth at home and women who gave birth in a hospital did not differ in their levels of perceived generalized anxiety (n = 123, p = 0.439). However, their feelings did differ when it came to a fear of giving birth without the support of a husband. Fear of childbirth without a husband’s support was correlated with generalized anxiety only in women who gave birth at home (rho = 0.674, p = 0.016). Conclusions: Generalized anxiety affected women who gave birth at home and in the hospital. This anxiety was associated with a fear of giving birth without the support of a husband/partner. Women who would not have decided to give birth at home before the pandemic tended to choose home as a place of delivery during the pandemic.

More...

QUALITY OF LIFE AND SELF-EFFICACY AMONG PARENTS OF CHILDREN AFTER TRANSPLANTATION: A PILOT STUDY

Author(s): Beata Dziedzic,Ewa Karnas,Ewa Kobos,Łukasz Czyżewski / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2023

Keywords: organ transplantation; quality of life; self-efficacy; parents;

Background: Organ transplantation often proves to be the only way to save a young patient’s life. However, it is associated with a long-term stay in the hospital and the need to change the lifestyle of not only the patients but also their entire family. This largely affects the child’s family situation as well as the relationships between their relatives. Therefore, it is important to determine the factors that have the greatest impact on the quality of life (QoL) of the parents after transplantation and their self-efficacy assessment. This will facilitate providing parents in need with help and showing them support. Aim of the study: This research aimed to assess the QoL and self-efficacy among parents of children after organ transplantation, as well as the correlation between QoL and self-efficacy. Material and methods: The study was conducted using a shortened version of the Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL BREF), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), as well as a self-designed questionnaire. The research group consisted of 54 people, of which 49 questionnaires were subject to statistical analysis. Results: The sten score for the level of satisfaction with life in the research group was 5.88. QoL in the physical and mental domains was on average (M = 12.93 and M = 13.04, respectively), and in the social and environmental domains (M = 16.40 and M = 15.09, respectively). The sten score for the level of self-efficacy assessed by the respondents was 7.09. A relationship between the level of perceived self-efficacy and QoL was observed. Conclusions: This study indicates an average level of satisfaction with life, average to high results in terms of QoL, and a fairly high level of self-efficacy, which had an impact on the QoL of parents of children after transplantation.

More...

SPIRAL DISSECTION OF THE LEFT CORONARY ARTERY AS A RARE AND SERIOUS COMPLICATION OF CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY: A CASE REPORT

Author(s): Michał Wesołowski,Joanna Cudzik-Dziurzyńska,Aleksandra Błaszczyk,Marcin Sadowski / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2023

Keywords: coronary angiography; coronary artery dissection; percutaneous coronary intervention; computed tomography angiography;

Background: Iatrogenic spiral dissection of the coronary artery is a rare but serious complication of coronary angiography (CA). CA is a commonly used standard imaging method that is considered safe. Aim of the study: To demonstrate a rare complication of CA that significantly changed the patients’ outcome. Material and methods: A retrospective review of the procedure and patient follow-up was undertaken. Case report: A 56-year-old female with type two atrial septal defects complicated by heart failure (HF), complaining of gradual HF worsening and two episodes of syncope, was admitted for preoperative assessment. Before cardiac surgery, an elective CA revealed no coronary artery stenoses. However, the procedure was complicated by spiral dissection of the left main coronary artery continuing towards the left anterior descending artery. Immediate percutaneous coronary angioplasty was performed, with a good acute angiographic and clinical result. Subsequently, the patient developed a periprocedural inferolateral myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest due to pulseless electrical activity. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was ineffective. Conclusions: The take-home message of the case presented is that even a relatively safe procedure can be complicated and that less invasive imaging modalities should be considered before CA.

More...

RESILIENCE INDEX AND MENTAL STRESS OF NURSING STAFF WORKING IN INTENSIVE CARE UNITS DURING THE SARS-COV-2 PANDEMIC

Author(s): Daria Januszek,Ewa Kobos,Beata Dziedzic / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2023

Keywords: NURSE; INTENSIVE CARE UNIT; RESILIENCE; MENTAL STRESS; MENTAL STRAIN; COVID-19;

Background: Resilience, or mental toughness, is the ability to effectively cope in challenging circumstances. High resilience levels allow for faster adaptation in extreme situations. Aim of the study: An assessment of resilience, mental stress, and self-reported work environment among nursing staff in intensive care units (ICUs) during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Material and methods: The study involved 102 nursing staff working in ICUs. Data collection used the Resilience Coping Scale (RCS-25), Meister’s psychological strain scale, and an original work environment self-assessment scale. Results: The overall mean score of the respondents on the resilience scale was 74.11 points out of a possible 100, while they scored an average of 24.36 points out of 50 on the mental stress scale. Staff working in hospitals converted into infectious disease sites (p=0.000) or in infectious hospitals with a third level of referral (p=0.012) assessed their working environment significantly better in the context of the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Medical staff who worked longer at their current workplace, those with longer seniority in the profession, and those who were older scored higher in the resilience areas. The younger the respondent, the more mentally stressed they were in general (rho=-0.200), in non-specific areas (rho=–0.217), and in monotony (rho=–0.211). Those who did not feel well equipped with personal protective equipment showed lower resilience. Conclusions. Respondents were characterized by average resilience and second-level mental stress, while those with higher resilience suffered lower mental stress. We recommend organizing training to strengthen mental toughness, the identification of resilience factors, and the assessment of mental stress in the work environment in the context of the ongoing pandemic. The data obtained could be used to adjust working conditions during the next pandemic.

More...

COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SELECTED PHYSIOTHERAPY METHODS FOR THE TREATMENT OF TENNIS ELBOW SYNDROME: A CASE REPORT

Author(s): Paweł J. Piątek,Jan Błaszczyk / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2023

Keywords: pain; tendinopathy; physiotherapy; tennis elbow;

Background: Tennis elbow is a common ailment with which patients present to the physiotherapy office. It is characterized by pain in the area of the attachment of the tendons of the extensor muscles of the wrist to the lateral epicondyle of the humerus and the proximal part of the extensor muscles of the wrist, reduced grip strength and limited function of the upper limb. The condition can result from trauma, but in most cases it is the result of overload, with factors such as degeneration and relative ischemia, repetitive grasping movements, scar tissue and contracture playing a role. In this case, there is a diagnosis including history, functional tests and palpation of structures within the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. Aim of the study: To compare and evaluate the effectiveness of selected physiotherapy methods used in the treatment of tendinopathy of the lateral epicondyle region of the humerus Case report: Medical cases of four men aged 40-55 years complaining of pain in the lateral epicondyle region of the humerus are presented. Palpation examination, functional tests and symptoms indicated that we were dealing with "tennis elbow syndrome." Treatment included low-energy laser ultrasound, low-frequency magnetic field, radial shock wave, nitrogen vapor cryotherapy, deep transverse massage (DTM) according to Cyriax. Conclusions: Among the selected physiotherapeutic methods, radial shock wave therapy and deep transverse massage according to Cyriax showed the greatest effectiveness.

More...

BE POSITIVE AND ENGAGE IN TRAINING: POSITIVE ORIENTATION AND MARATHON PERFORMANCE

Author(s): Michał Kędra,Mariola Łaguna / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2022

Keywords: positive orientation; running performance; training engagement; marathon; mediation analysis;

Psychological mechanisms explaining running performance have not been fully identified yet. One of the factors potentially important in running performance is positive orientation—a higher order construct capturing the core of self-esteem, life satisfaction, and optimism. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of positive orientation in explaining running performance of recreational runners. The study involved 204 recreational runners taking part in a marathon race. Before the race, they reported their positive orientation, training engagement, BMI, and previous marathon experience. Actual running performance was measured using runners’ personal bib numbers and their objective time scores obtained from the official competitors’ list after the race. Structural equation modelling results show that the higher is runners’ positive orientation, the higher is also their training engagement before the marathon, which in turn predicts their actual running performance. The study extends the understanding of a role of personality in recreational sport performance. The findings broaden also evidence concerning the role of positive orientation in effective functioning.

More...

AFFECTIVITY AND SELF-FORGIVENESS. THE ROLE OF CONTROL OF NEGATIVE EMOTIONS: SHORT REPORTa*

Author(s): Justyna Mróz,Kinga Kaleta / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2022

Keywords: positive affect; negative affect; self-forgiveness; control of emotions; anger control;

Self-forgiveness is a process in which emotions, thoughts, and behaviours towards oneself are changed from negative to neutral or positive. In this study, we examined affectivity and emotional control (of anger, depression, anxiety) as emotional factors promoting or discouraging self-forgiveness. We examined self-forgiveness among Polish adults (N = 380, Mage = 36.26). Respondents completed the Polish version of the Positive Affect Negative Affect Scale, the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (CECS), and the self-forgiveness subscale of Touissant’s Forgiveness Scale. In our cross-sectional study, we tested the moderating role of emotional control in the relationship between affectivity and self-forgiveness. Our results showed that positive affect was positively correlated with self-forgiveness, whereas negative affect was inversely correlated with self-forgiveness. Additionally, emotional control (anger, depression) was negatively correlated with self-forgiveness. Finally, total control of emotions and control of anger were found to be buffers between negative affect and self-forgiveness, the effect of negative affect on self-forgiveness being weaker among individuals who were more anger-controlling. The obtained results are a prelude to further research into the relationship between affectivity and self-forgiveness.

More...

FACE THE BURNOUT! LINK BETWEEN ACADEMIC BURNOUT, FACEBOOK USE MOTIVES AND IMPORTANCE, AND FACEBOOK INTRUSION: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY

Author(s): Katarzyna Tomaszek,Agnieszka Muchacka-Cymerman / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2022

Keywords: FB motives; FB importance; FB addiction; academic burnout;

The association between problematic internet use and school burnout among adolescents so far has not gained sufficient attention. Only a few studies have been conducted about social media overuse and burnout syndrome in an educational context. The main goals of the current study were (1) to examine the mediation role of Facebook (FB) motives on the relationship between academic burnout and FB intrusion, and (2) to test the validity of the cycle. A two-wave study was carried out (measurement at the beginning, Time 1, and at the end of the semester, Time 2) on a sample of 115 university students from Poland. The Maslach Burnout Inventory for Students, the Facebook Intrusion Scale, and the Facebook Motives and Importance Scale were used. The Time 1 burnout indicators did not significan- tly predict Time 2 FB intrusion, however Time 2 exhaustion and Time 2 Personal importance of FB explained 57% of the variances in Time 2 FB intrusion. Time 1 Personal importance explained 21% of the variances in Time 2 FB intrusion. The predictive capacity of academic burnout on FB intrusion appeared to exist only if we consider the motives and importance of FB. Moreover, the social motives and personal importance of FB appear to be critical to breaking the mutually reinforcing academic burnout–FB intrusion cycle.

More...