Carmen Costea-Bărluțiu*1, Cristina Bălaș-Baconschi1, Andrea Hathazi1 *carmen.costea@ubbcluj.ro 1 Special Education Department, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania Abstract Recently…

The current study investigates the associations between interpersonal and pet attachment (anxiety and avoidance dimensions), empathy toward animals, and anthropomorphism in the Romanian cultural context, where problems regarding the effectiveness of pet management programs are still being reported. A sample of 244 adult respondents, with a mean age of 32.9 years, mostly females (89.8%) and pet owners, completed standard instruments of interpersonal and pet attachment, empathy toward animals and anthropomorphism. In agreement with other studies in the field of human-animal interactions, our data indicate that female pet owners scored higher than male owners in empathy toward animals and the level of anthropomorphism. Dog owners scored higher in empathy toward animals and anthropomorphism, and lower in pet attachment avoidance compared to owners of other types of pets (cats, reptiles, birds, etc.). Our data indicate significant correlations between anxiety and avoidance dimensions of pet and interpersonal attachment. The level of anthropomorphism was positively associated with pet attachment anxiety and empathy toward animals, and negatively associated with pet attachment avoidance. A partial mediation of the relationship between pet attachment avoidance and anthropomorphism by empathy toward animals was found. Results are discussed from the perspective of considering empathy toward animals as an important variable to be addressed in humane education programs and in attachment-based counseling of current and future pet owners.

Background/Objectives: Agility and reaction speed are critical components of sports performance and are influenced by both physical conditioning and psychological state. Interventions such as SmartACT, which integrate mindfulness, acceptance, and commitment, guided imagery and hypnosis techniques are still underexplored in high-performance sport, despite their potential to affect both psychological and motor dimensions. Methods: This 7-week controlled trial investigated the effectiveness of SmartACT in reducing psychological and somatic symptoms and enhancing motor performance in adolescent athletes. A total of 193 athletes aged 15–18 years were assigned to three groups: SmartACT (n = 69), MAC (Mindfulness–Acceptance–Commitment, the standardized Gardner & Moore protocol; n = 65), and a control group (n = 59). Agility was measured using the T-Drill Agility Test with Microgate electronic timing, and reaction speed was assessed using BlazePod devices. Psychological and somatic symptoms were evaluated using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Ghent Multidimensional Somatic Complaints Scale (GMSCS). Results: The SmartACT group showed significantly improved agility (MD = −1.07 s, p < 0.001, d = 2.50, 95% CI [1.79, 3.35]), faster reaction times (MD = −643.75 ms, p < 0.001, d = 0.85, 95% CI [0.35, 1.41]), and a higher number of BlazePod touches (MD = +2.53, p < 0.001, d = 1.43, 95% CI [0.87, 2.07]). Psychological symptoms (DASS-21) and somatic complaints (GMSCS) decreased significantly more than in the MAC and control groups. Conclusions: SmartACT appears to be an effective hybrid psychological intervention to simultaneously improve physical performance and reduce psychological and psychosomatic distress in adolescent athletes.

Background: Executive functions, notably attention and processing speed, are essential for athletic performance, especially in sports that require quick reactions and decision-making under pressure. The current study aims to assess the impact of the SmartACT program—a psychological intervention that includes acceptance and commitment therapy, hypnosis, and guided imagery—on attentional processes and psychological flexibility in adolescent student-athletes. Methods: This 7-week quasi-experimental controlled study investigated the efficacy of SmartACT in adolescent student-athletes aged 15 to 18. A total of 309 individuals were divided into three groups using convenience sampling: SmartACT (n = 93), MAC (Mindfulness–Acceptance–Commitment, the standardized Gardner & Moore technique; n = 109), and control (n = 107). The d2 test was used to examine attention and visual processing, while the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire—II (AAQ-II) was used to assess psychological flexibility, both before and after the intervention. The data were analyzed using mixed-design repeated-measures ANOVA and paired-samples t-tests. Results: The SmartACT group showed significant improvement on both tests, specifically in the total number of items processed in the d2 test (457.83 to 600.24; p < 0.001), and experiential avoidance, measured by AAQ-II, decreased (18.48 to 12.80; p < 0.001), indicating increased psychological flexibility. Conclusions: The main findings of our study suggest that integrating ACT with hypnosis and imagery may enhance cognitive attentional functions and psychological flexibility in adolescent student-athletes.

Reactive attachment disorder shows variations in the development of children’s early language and communication skills, difficulty forming attachments, inability to form relationships with others. Forming the ability to develop and use language is a challenge in the therapeutic process of the child with reactive attachment disorder. Forming a secure attachment to the caregiver and creating a therapeutic bond is essential in the intervention. The aim of the present longitudinal case study is to outline the developmental language profile of children with reactive attachment disorder. One single case was assessed at age 3 and a differential diagnosis with ASD was made. Several interim assessments were conducted to assess language and social interaction through play. The final evaluation tracks the areas of development in which progress was made and the language components acquired by attaining the objectives proposed in the intervention plan.