The aim of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the DASS-21 in a non-clinical sample of the Greek population. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales 21 (DASS-21) is a self-report instrument measuring anxiety, depression and stress. The validation was carried out in a sample of 12,868 Greek adults, ranging from 18 to 65 years old. Results showed that the DASS21 has satisfactory reliability and validity indexes. Moreover, the factorial structure of the scale matches the ones found in previous studies in many countries. The results of this study suggest that the Greek DASS-21 can be used as a reliable and valid instrument for the measurement of depression, anxiety and stress in the Greek population.

No abstract

Grit is a non-cognitive factor that has received increased attention lately, since research indicates that it plays a significant role in successful outcomes in many fields, and more specifically in education. Grit is rooted in two facets, perseverance of effort and consistency of interest, captured by the Grit Scale. The current systematic review aimed at investigating the association of grit with positive educational outcomes, by exploring both antecedents and outcomes of grit. We identified 29 studies assessing grit in an educational context, published between 2012 and 2017. The primary findings demonstrated that grit shows weak to moderate correlations with educational variables. Its two facets play different roles, with perseverance being a stronger positive predictor of academic performance. Finally, positive variables, such as hope, positive affect and family relationships can foster grit. However, a deeper understanding of the grit construct is essential to distinguish it from facets of the conscientiousness dimension of personality. The usefulness of findings for policy makers and education professionals is discussed, as well as the importance of reinforcing grit in the educational community in order to nurture character in students and enhance their potential.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factor structure and measurement invariance across gender and age of the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) in 2272 Greek adults of the general population. The sample was split into three parts (20%, 40%, 40%). EFA was carried out in the first subsample (20%) evaluating 3 models. CFA was next carried out in the second subsample (40%) evaluating seven models. All models were examined further in a different CFA with a subsample of equal power (40%). The single factor of BRS was deemed unstable across the two CFA subsamples. A two-factor model was the optimal model emerged in the Greek context. Measurement invariance across gender and age was successfully established. Internal consistency reliability (α and ω) and AVE based convergent validity were adequate for the entire BRS. A consistent pattern of relationships emerged from correlation analysis with 12 different measures, suggesting convergent and discriminant validity. The distinctiveness of BRS from depression and stress was evidenced using CFA and EFA with different compound models of BRS and scales of depression, anxiety, and stress. These findings further confirmed that the Greek version of BRS has construct validity.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the factors that help therapists maintain their resilience to work stressors. Participants were Greek mental health practitioners (N = 163) who were approached through the National Organization of Psychotherapy in Greece as well as through several Greek online professional groups. Participants completed online measures of professional quality of life, counseling self-efficacy, empathy, and the five dimensions of Seligman’s well-being model (positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning and accomplishment). Results showed that almost all well-being factors yielded significant relationships with compassion satisfaction, burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Meaning had the most influence predicting the three criterion variables, while positive emotions and relationships predicted the level of burnout. Counseling self-efficacy significantly predicted compassion satisfaction while empathy predicted the level of secondary traumatic stress. Finally, workplace setting was a significant predictor of burnout. The study suggests that positive psychology concepts are useful variables in the mental health professionals’ resilience field. Particularly meaning, positive emotions, and satisfaction with relationships might play an important role in the development of strategies for improving therapists’ mental health and functioning.