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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Psychol.
Sec. Positive Psychology
Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1411263

The Influence of Positivity and Self-Efficacy Beliefs on Family Functioning in Italian and Colombian Young Adults

Provisionally accepted
Roberto Baiocco Roberto Baiocco 1*Jessica Pistella Jessica Pistella 1Maryluz Gomez Plata Maryluz Gomez Plata 2Mara Morelli Mara Morelli 3Stefano Isolani Stefano Isolani 1Maryoris Elena Zapata Zabala Maryoris Elena Zapata Zabala 4Kattia Paola Cabas Hoyos Kattia Paola Cabas Hoyos 2Liliana Maria Uribe Tirado Liliana Maria Uribe Tirado 4Marcela Sucel Ruiz Garcia Marcela Sucel Ruiz Garcia 4Carmelina Paba Barbosa Carmelina Paba Barbosa 2Antonio Zuffiano Antonio Zuffiano 5Maria Gerbino Maria Gerbino 5Fiorenzo Laghi Fiorenzo Laghi 1Concetta Pastorelli Concetta Pastorelli 5
  • 1 Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
  • 2 University of Magdalena, Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia
  • 3 Department of Dynamic, Clinical Psychology and Health, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Lazio, Italy
  • 4 University of San Buenaventura Medellin, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
  • 5 Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Sicily, Italy

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Background. Research suggests that positivity and self-efficacy beliefs may impact adaptive behavior and developmental outcomes, such as social adjustment and subjective well-being. The present study explored the effect of positive dimensions (positivity and self-efficacy beliefs) and individual characteristics (gender, type of country, age, and sexual orientation) on family cohesion and flexibility in a group of Colombian and Italian young adults. Method. An online survey was administered to 949 Colombian and 2,073 Italian people aged 18 to 40 (Mage = 24.3; SDage = 4.5; 67% women). A mediational model was performed to test the influence of positivity on family functioning via the mediational role of self-efficacy beliefs, analyzing the moderated effects of gender, type of country, sexual orientation, and age. Results. Filial self-efficacy mediated the effect of positivity on family functioning, showing stronger paths in men and Colombian participants than in women and Italian counterparts. Regulatory self-efficacy mediated the associations between positivity and family functioning for both genders and types of countries. Conclusions. Results suggest that positivity and self-efficacy beliefs may allow families to engage in more adaptive family functioning across countries and genders. Further research should focus on implications from a cross-national perspective to examine other culturespecific factors that may impact family adjustment.

    Keywords: positivity, self-efficacy, and Family Functioning positivity, self-efficacy beliefs, family functioning, sexual orientation, Colombia

    Received: 02 Apr 2024; Accepted: 29 Aug 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Baiocco, Pistella, Gomez Plata, Morelli, Isolani, Zapata Zabala, Cabas Hoyos, Uribe Tirado, Ruiz Garcia, Barbosa, Zuffiano, Gerbino, Laghi and Pastorelli. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Roberto Baiocco, Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.