Wellbeing, Emotional Intelligence, gratitude, emotions and health
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Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
What Is Known About Athlete Engagement: A Scoping Review Cristina De Francisco, María Claudia Scurtu, M. Pilar Vílchez Sports Medicine Open, 2026 Background Athlete engagement represents a critical construct for understanding optimal athletic functioning, yet the field lacks comprehensive theoretical models integrating its diverse correlates. While previous research has identified various factors influencing engagement, no systematic synthesis exists mapping all empirical evidence across populations, languages, and sporting contexts. This scoping review addresses this critical gap by providing the first comprehensive, systematic synthesis of all factors associated with athlete engagement, establishing the foundational evidence base necessary for theoretical model development and evidence-based interventions. Methods The review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines, Arksey and O’Malley’s five stages and the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. A comprehensive search was carried out in seven databases and 1428 papers were retrieved. After removing duplicates and applying eligibility criteria, 70 studies were assessed for eligibility. After removing papers of poor quality, unavailable papers and papers investigating other types of engagement, 48 papers published between 2007 and 2024 were selected for analysis. Results The majority of these papers were quantitative and cross-sectional, using the Athlete Engagement Questionnaire to measure athlete engagement. The review identified 41 correlates of athlete engagement, categorised as antecedents, consequences, mediators or related variables. Psychological factors, such as burnout, motivation, perfectionism and the coach-athlete relationship, were the most commonly studied. Conclusions The results highlight the significant role of burnout, motivation, perfectionism and the coach-athlete relationship in enhancing engagement and emphasise the importance of developing training programmes that address these factors in order to promote athlete engagement. Registration : The following scoping review was appropriately registered on the Open Science Framework ( https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/TWNZM ).
Beyond cohorts: how age-based differences on work engagement challenge generational determinism among Spanish professionals Maria Claudia Scurtu-Tura, Annabel Jiménez-Soto, Eduardo Infante-Rejano Frontiers in Sociology, 2026 Introduction Underpinned by the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model, this study examines the effectiveness of generational classifications in predicting work engagement, challenging the assumption that birth cohorts determine professional behavior. Methods Using a quantitative research approach with a descriptive, cross-sectional design, the study targeted the broad population of active professionals across the Spanish labor market. A final sample of 339 participants (comprising Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z) was selected via non-probabilistic snowball sampling. Primary data were collected using an online questionnaire incorporating the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-17). Results The results revealed significant differences in the vigor dimension with Baby Boomers scoring higher. Yet they also showed that sociodemographic variables (such as employment status) were more predictive than generational membership. Discussion In theoretical terms, this study contributes to the field by demonstrating that the resource-accumulation perspective of the JD-R model is a more effective explanatory framework than “generational determinism.” Empirically, the study provides evidence from the Spanish context that organizational HR strategies should prioritize individual life stages and resource management over broad generational stereotypes.
The emotion of gratitude as a mediator between subjective happiness, positive and negative affect, and satisfaction with life in spanish adults Maria Claudia Scurtu-Tura, Verónica Fernández-Espinosa, Belén Obispo-Díaz Anales De Psicologia, 2024 This study aims to examine the predictability of satisfaction with life on the basis of subjective happiness, positive and negative affect, psychological disturbance and emotion of gratitude. It also seeks to assess whether the emotion of gratitude is a mediating variable with subjective happiness, affect, and satisfaction with life. Statistical analyses of Pearson's correlation, multiple linear regression tests, and mediation models were conducted on a sample of 1537 Spanish adults, 73.6% were females, 26.4% males, age between 18-88 years old (M = 42.56; SD = 16.29). The emotions of gratitude were found to mediate the relationship between subjective happiness and satisfaction with life and between positive affect and satisfaction with life. Of the variables studied, positive affect is the most related to satisfaction with life, followed by subjective happiness and emotions of gratitude. Male participants are more satisfied with life when they feel the less negative affect. Regarding mediation models, emotions of gratitude mediate the relationship between subjective happiness and satisfaction with life and between positive affect and satisfaction with life. The main difference is that emotions of gratitude are stronger in females than in males. El presente estudio investigó si la satisfacción con la vida se predice a partir de la felicidad subjetiva, afectos positivos y negativos, alteración psicológica y emociones de gratitud y si la emoción de gratitud está mediando la relación con la felicidad subjetiva, los afectos y la satisfacción con la vida. Se hicieron correlación de Pearson, pruebas de regresión lineal múltiple y modelos de mediación en una muestra de 1537 adultos españoles, 73.6% mujeres y 26.4% hombres, edad 18-88 años (M = 42.56 años; DT = 16.29). Se halló que las emociones de gratitud median la relación entre felicidad subjetiva y satisfacción con la vida y entre los afectos positivos y la satisfacción con la vida. Los afectos positivos son los que más se relacionan con la satisfacción con la vida, seguidos por la felicidad subjetiva y las emociones de gratitud. Los hombres están más satisfechos con la vida cuando sienten menos afecto negativo. Además, las emociones de gratitud median la relación entre felicidad subjetiva y satisfacción con la vida y entre los afectos positivos y la satisfacción con la vida. La diferencia principal radica en que las emociones de gratitud son más fuertes en las mujeres que en los hombres.
Do volleyball players have burnout? An exploratory study in Andalusia Pablo Ocaña, Cristina De Francisco, M. Claudia Scurtu Cuadernos De Psicologia Del Deporte, 2024 Burnout syndrome in athletes deteriorates their quality of life and can even lead to the abandonment of sports practice in those who suffer from it. In Spain, between 1 and 5% of athletes suffer from it, although in volleyball players in particular, its prevalence is unknown. The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of burnout syndrome in volleyball players, both at a general level and in relation to some socio-sporting variables: gender, generational category, competitive level, playing position, number of hours of play, number of years of practice, generation to which they belong, and whether they suffer from Covid-19. A total of 309 players from different clubs in Andalusia participated, 158 males (51%) and 151 females (49%), aged between 18 and 62 years (M= 23.65 years; SD= 7.27). Through the reduced version of the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ) a total burnout prevalence of 3.9% was found. Overall, burnout scores vary according to the number of years of practice. According to its dimensions, physical and emotional exhaustion is influenced by the volume of training and having suffered from Covid-19 and sport devaluation due to playing position and years of practice. El síndrome de burnout en deportistas puede conllevar el abandono de la práctica deportiva en aquellos que lo padecen. En España entre el 1 y 5 % de los deportistas lo sufren, aunque en concreto con jugadores de voleibol, su prevalencia se desconoce. Por ello, el objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la prevalencia del síndrome de burnout en jugadores de voleibol, tanto a nivel general, como en relación con algunas variables sociodeportivas: género, categoría generacional, nivel competitivo, posición de juego, volumen de horas de juego, número de años de práctica y padecimiento o no del Covid-19. Participaron 309 jugadores de diferentes clubes de Andalucía, de los cuales 158 eran varones (51%) y 151 mujeres (49%), con edades entre 18 y 62 años (M= 23.65 años; DT= 7.27). Utilizando la versión reducida del Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ) se halló una prevalencia total de burnout de 3.9%. A nivel global, las puntuaciones en burnout varían en función del número de años de práctica. Según sus dimensiones, el agotamiento físico y emocional está influido por el volumen de entrenamiento y el haber padecido Covid-19 y devaluación de la práctica deportiva por la posición de juego y los años de práctica. A síndrome de burnout em atletas prejudica sua qualidade de vida e pode até levar ao abandono da prática esportiva naqueles que a sofrem. Na Espanha, entre 1 e 5% dos atletas sofrem com isso, embora em particular com jogadores de voleibol, sua prevalência seja desconhecida. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a prevalência da síndrome de burnout em jogadores de voleibol, tanto a nível geral como em relação a algumas variáveis sociodesportivas: género, categoria geracional, nível competitivo, posição de jogo, volume de horas de jogo, número de de anos de prática, geração de pertencimento e sofrimento ou não com a Covid-19. Participaram 309 jogadores de diferentes clubes da Andaluzia, dos quais 158 eram homens (51%) e 151 mulheres (49%), com idades entre os 18 e os 62 anos (M= 23,65 anos; DP= 7,27). Através da versão reduzida do Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ) foi encontrada uma prevalência total de burnout de 3,9%. Globalmente, as pontuações de burnout variam dependendo do número de anos de prática. De acordo com suas dimensões, o desgaste físico e emocional é influenciado pelo volume de treinos e por ter sofrido com a Covid-19 e pela desvalorização da prática esportiva devido à posição de jogo e aos anos de prática.
COGNITIVE VULNERABILITY TO DEPRESSION OR OVERESTIMATION OF PREMENSTRUAL DYSPHORIC SYMPTOMS? Cristina Senín-Calderón, María Claudia Scurtu, Celia Ceballos-Munuera, Salvador Perona-Garcelán, Juan Francisco Rodríguez-Testal Behavioral Psychology Psicologia Conductual, 2023 True premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is hard to diagnose. It has been suggested that women’s expectations influence the symptoms of this disorder, which could increase their vulnerability to depression. This study aimed to estimate PMDD in a group of women by comparing their self-diagnosis with clinical evaluation; differentiate between PMDD symptoms and their intensity and its subthreshold form, determining its social-employment and relational consequences, finding differences in symptoms and vulnerability to depression; and identifying possible cognitive vulnerability to depression in PMDD. 105 women participated, 85 from the general population and 20 women with Major Depressive Disorder were selected. For the self-diagnosis, they filled out several self-reports and PMDD Criteria Indicators A, B, C (APA) and D (by author). The clinical diagnosis was made using a semi-structured interview following DSM-5 criteria. PMDD was overestimated when it was self-reported (51,76%) compared to clinical evaluation (5,88%). Therefore, retrospective and self-reported evaluation could bias what they remember and overestimate the indicators of the disorder and their severity. Cognitive vulnerability to depression for PMDD was not supported.
Selection procedure for referential content words. A methodological proposal Psicologica, 2016
