• Research Publications

    Psychometric Validation of the Romanian Version of the Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire (SCSRFQ)

    November 12, 2025

    This study presents the adaptation and validation of the Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire (SCSRFQ) for the Romanian population. Conducted by researchers from the Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, the study evaluates the reliability and factor structure of the instrument, confirming its suitability for assessing the strength of religious faith in Romanian-speaking samples.

    Authors:
    Romulus-Dan Nicoară – Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania (RO)
    Ana-Maria Nicoară – Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania (RO)
    Raluca Trifu – Department of Medical Psychology, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania (RO)
    Florin Vasile Mihăileanu – Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania (RO)
    Horia-George Coman – Department of Medical Psychology, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania (RO)

    Introduction

    Religious faith represents an essential psychological and cultural dimension of human life, influencing well-being, coping mechanisms, and social behavior. To evaluate this construct, The Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire (SCSRFQ) is widely used internationally due to its brevity, clarity, and psychometric robustness.

    The current research aimed to adapt and validate the SCSRFQ for Romanian participants, ensuring cultural and linguistic equivalence and testing its internal consistency and factorial validity.

    Methodology

    A total of 201 participants, aged between 18 and 77 years, completed a socio-demographic data sheet and the SCSRFQ. Both the 10-item version and the short 5-item version (SCSRFQ-SF) were analyzed.

    Psychometric evaluation included:

    • Internal consistency analysis (Cronbach’s alpha)
    • Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA)
    • Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA)

    Results

    The Romanian version of the SCSRFQ demonstrated excellent internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.95, indicating high reliability.

    Both EFA and CFA supported a unidimensional factor structure, consistent with the original theoretical model of the scale. These findings confirm that all items contribute meaningfully to measuring the same underlying construct: the strength of religious faith.

    Discussion

    The psychometric results confirm that the Romanian version of the SCSRFQ maintains the conceptual integrity and structural coherence of the original instrument. The strong reliability and factorial validity suggest that this adaptation can be effectively used in clinical, psychological, and sociological research to explore the role of faith and spirituality in mental health, resilience, and moral development.

    Conclusion

    The study concludes that the Romanian adaptation of the Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing the intensity of religious faith. Its brevity and strong psychometric properties make it particularly suitable for both research and applied psychological settings.

    Read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.18662/brain/14.2/442.

  • Research Publications

    Yoga and the States of Consciousness: A Perspective of Mircea Eliade on the Yoga Phenomenon

    November 11, 2025

    This post explores the philosophical and spiritual depth of yoga through the interpretive lens of Mircea Eliade — the Romanian historian of religions, philosopher, and scholar whose work profoundly influenced modern understandings of Eastern spirituality. The paper, authored by Marius Cucu and Oana Lența from “Ștefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, Romania, revisits Eliade’s view of yoga as a timeless path toward expanded consciousness and inner harmony.

    Authors:
    Marius Cucu – Lecturer, Ph.D., “Ștefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, Romania (RO)
    Oana Lența – Associate Lecturer, Ph.D., “Ștefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, Romania (RO)

    Introduction

    In an age defined by distraction, anxiety, and digital overstimulation, the ancient discipline of yoga offers modern individuals a path to mental clarity and inner balance.

    This paper, “Yoga and the States of Consciousness: A Perspective of M. Eliade on the Yoga Phenomenon,” examines Mircea Eliade’s philosophical and phenomenological interpretation of yoga, exploring how his ideas remain relevant to contemporary seekers of spiritual depth and psychological equilibrium.

    The study revisits Eliade’s works such as “Yoga: Immortality and Freedom” and “The Myth of the Eternal Return”, illuminating how yoga, for Eliade, represents not only a physical or meditative practice, but a means of transcending ordinary consciousness and rediscovering the sacred dimension of existence.

    Mircea Eliade’s Vision of Yoga

    For Eliade, yoga is a science of the mind and spirit — a disciplined method of reintegration through which the practitioner seeks to escape the conditioned human state and reach supraconscious experience (samadhi).

    He regarded yoga as:

    • A technique of spiritual liberation (moksha), not merely a moral or religious doctrine;
    • A systematic exploration of consciousness, mapping the inner layers of human experience;
    • A universal path of transformation, transcending cultural and historical boundaries.

    By studying Patañjali’s Yoga-Sūtra alongside tantric and meditative traditions, Eliade emphasized that yoga provides a methodology for self-realization — a process of overcoming the illusion of separateness and reconnecting with the cosmic consciousness.

    Hindu Metaphysics and Yogic Foundations

    The authors analyze the Hindu metaphysical principles underlying the yoga tradition — concepts such as prakṛti (nature), puruṣa (pure consciousness), ātman (the Self), and karma (the moral law of action and consequence).

    They distinguish between:

    • Yoga-Sūtra (Classical Yoga) — a structured, ascetic approach emphasizing control of the mind, detachment, and meditation;
    • Secondary yogic typologies — devotional (bhakti), knowledge-based (jnāna), and action-oriented (karma) paths that offer alternative routes toward liberation.

    Eliade’s interpretation situates these practices not only within religious systems, but as experiments in consciousness, anticipating modern psychological and neuroscientific approaches to meditation.

    Yoga as a Journey Through the States of Consciousness

    Drawing from Eliade’s phenomenology of religion, the paper presents yoga as a dynamic path through altered states of consciousness — from sensory awareness to deep meditative absorption.

    In Eliade’s terms, each stage of yoga corresponds to a progressive withdrawal from temporal existence, culminating in a state of unity between the individual and the absolute.

    Modern researchers now echo these insights through studies on:

    • Neuroplasticity and meditation,
    • Theta and gamma brainwave synchronization, and
    • Mind-body coherence during mindfulness and pranayama practices.

    Thus, Eliade’s vision — once rooted in mythological and spiritual analysis — finds validation in contemporary neuroscience, linking ancient introspection with modern cognitive science.

    The Contemporary Relevance of Eliade’s Thought

    Cucu and Lența highlight how Eliade’s approach to yoga remains profoundly relevant today.
    His writings encourage the modern individual—often fragmented by materialism and technology—to rediscover:

    • Inner silence as a form of resistance to existential chaos;
    • Meditation as a journey inward, restoring connection to the sacred;
    • Conscious awareness as a path toward psychological integration and freedom.

    Eliade’s insights invite contemporary readers to treat yoga not simply as physical exercise, but as a discipline of consciousness, a path to self-knowledge, and a means of restoring wholeness in a disoriented world.

    Conclusion

    The study reaffirms Mircea Eliade’s lasting influence in understanding yoga as a bridge between ancient metaphysics and modern psychology.
    Through his phenomenological lens, yoga emerges as both a spiritual science and an existential therapy, capable of transforming human consciousness and reconnecting it with its transcendent source.

    By revisiting Eliade’s interpretation, the authors invite educators, philosophers, and practitioners alike to view yoga not only as an art of meditation but as a living philosophy of consciousness and liberation.

    See full paper here: https://brain.edusoft.ro/index.php/brain/article/view/1243.

  • Research Publications

    How Can We Use Self-Determination Theory to Engage More Z Generation Students During Onsite Classes for Learning Achievement?

    November 10, 2025

    This post presents an educational psychology study exploring how principles of Self-Determination Theory (SDT) can help re-engage Generation Z students in face-to-face learning after the COVID-19 pandemic. Conducted by Dr. Geta Mitrea from “Ștefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, Romania, the research highlights the motivational factors that influence digital-age students’ participation, attention, and learning performance during in-person classes.

    Author:
    Geta Mitrea – “Ștefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, Romania (RO)

    Introduction: The Challenge of Reconnecting Generation Z to In-Person Learning

    After years of online education during the COVID-19 pandemic, many students from Generation Z — born between the late 1990s and early 2010s — have found it difficult to re-engage with traditional, onsite university learning.

    Characterized by digital nativity, fast information processing, and constant smartphone connectivity, these students often exhibit low attention spans, reduced classroom participation, and fragmented motivation when returning to physical classrooms.

    This study seeks to identify how teachers can apply Self-Determination Theory (SDT) — focusing on autonomy, competence, and relatedness — to increase engagement and intrinsic motivation among Generation Z learners.

    Research Objective

    To determine whether fostering autonomy, competence, and relatedness within classroom activities enhances engagement, participation, and learning outcomes for Generation Z students — even when separated from their smartphones.

    Methodology

    The study employed mixed research methods, including:

    • Participatory observation – direct involvement in classroom dynamics;
    • Sociological exploratory experiment – controlled classroom settings with varied motivational interventions;
    • Self-administered questionnaire – collecting students’ perceptions and experiences.

    The research analyzed a three-year cohort of university students, comparing levels of motivation and smartphone dependence across 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years of study.

    Key Findings

    1. Smartphone Detachment and Anxiety
      Contrary to the initial hypothesis, students did not experience significant anxiety when separated from their smartphones — as long as they were granted autonomy, competence, and relatedness in class participation.
      However, they still reported latent anxiety and expectation — the feeling that “something important might happen” on their phones during class, reflecting a subconscious digital dependency.
    2. Motivational Differences by Year of Study
      • 1st-year students: showed higher motivation and rule compliance, likely due to the desire to integrate into university life;
      • 2nd-year students: demonstrated a more balanced, less dependent attitude toward smartphone use;
      • 3rd-year students: also exhibited strong intrinsic motivation, having internalized learning goals and autonomy over time.
    3. Role of Self-Determination Theory in Re-Engagement
      When the classroom environment satisfied SDT’s three psychological needs —
      • Autonomy (choice, self-direction),
      • Competence (sense of mastery and effectiveness),
      • Relatedness (connection with peers and instructors) —
        students became more attentive, cooperative, and self-motivated, showing improved learning achievement.

    Interpretation and Implications

    The findings suggest that smartphone dependence among Generation Z may be less about addiction and more about unmet psychological needs in traditional learning environments.

    Teachers can leverage Self-Determination Theory to design learning experiences that:

    • Encourage active participation and personal choice;
    • Provide constructive feedback to enhance feelings of competence;
    • Build social connection and classroom belonging.

    By meeting these needs, educators can transform passive attendance into active engagement, reducing distractions without enforcing disconnection.

    Conclusion

    This study highlights that motivation, not restriction, is key to re-engaging Generation Z students in onsite learning.
    When teachers cultivate autonomy, competence, and relatedness, students can detach from their digital devices naturally and focus on meaningful, self-directed learning.

    The Self-Determination Theory framework thus provides a powerful, evidence-based model for restoring attention, curiosity, and achievement in post-pandemic education.

    See full paper here: https://brain.edusoft.ro/index.php/brain/article/view/1400.

  • Research Publications

    Aggressivity in Schizophrenia: The Risk and Confounders in a Romanian Setting

    November 7, 2025

    This post presents a clinical study investigating the relationship between schizophrenia and aggressive behavior in a Romanian population. Conducted by researchers from the Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy and the Emergency County Hospital of Cluj-Napoca, the study examines the actual risk of violence among patients with schizophrenia, accounting for key confounding factors such as alcohol and substance use.

    Authors:
    Maria Bonea – Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania (RO)
    Iulia Larisa Kadar – Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania (RO)
    Cristian Delcea – Emergency County Hospital, Cluj-Napoca, Romania (RO)
    Bianca Malina Horgoș – Emergency County Hospital, Cluj-Napoca, Romania (RO)
    Catalina Angela Crișan – Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania (RO)

    Background and Rationale

    Schizophrenia remains one of the most stigmatized mental disorders, often associated in public perception with violence and unpredictability. In Romania, as in many other countries, this stigma contributes to fear, social exclusion, and discrimination toward people living with schizophrenia.

    However, scientific data on the actual relationship between schizophrenia and aggression are limited, especially within the Romanian context, where alcohol and substance use — themselves major risk factors for violence — are highly prevalent.

    This study aims to provide evidence-based insight into whether patients with schizophrenia truly exhibit higher levels of aggression and how coexisting risk factors influence that behavior.

    Objectives

    1. To compare aggressivity levels between hospitalized patients with schizophrenia and healthy control participants.
    2. To identify potential risk factors and confounders influencing aggressive behavior, particularly alcohol and substance abuse.
    3. To contribute to the development of informed public health strategies for reducing violence risk and stigma.

    Methodology

    This case-control study included 100 participants, matched for age and gender:

    • Case group: 50 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and hospitalized in an emergency psychiatric facility;
    • Control group: 50 healthy individuals with no history of psychiatric disorders.

    The following standardized tools were used:

    • Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) – for psychiatric screening;
    • Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ) – for measuring aggression levels across physical, verbal, anger, and hostility domains;
    • CAGE questionnaire – for detecting alcohol abuse;
    • Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10) – for identifying substance use disorders.

    Key Findings

    • Patients with schizophrenia exhibited a 3.93-fold increase in aggressivity compared to healthy controls.
    • The highest aggression scores were associated with younger male patients and those reporting alcohol abuse.
    • Substance use disorders and non-adherence to treatment further increased the likelihood of violent behavior.
    • Distinct domains of aggression—particularly physical and verbal components—were more pronounced in the schizophrenia group.

    However, the study also emphasizes that aggression in schizophrenia is not universal and often arises in interaction with confounding factors, such as intoxication, acute psychosis, or social stressors.

    Discussion

    The findings underscore the importance of contextualizing violence risk in schizophrenia rather than viewing it as a direct result of the illness itself.

    Most individuals with schizophrenia are not violent and are far more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators. Nonetheless, untreated psychosis, comorbid substance abuse, and social deprivation can increase risk in specific cases.

    To address these challenges, the authors recommend:

    • Improving treatment adherence and continuity of care;
    • Integrating substance abuse management within psychiatric services;
    • Public health campaigns aimed at reducing stigma and promoting early intervention;
    • Training healthcare professionals in recognizing and managing high-risk situations.

    Conclusion

    This Romanian study contributes valuable data to the global understanding of aggression and schizophrenia, showing that while aggression levels are higher among patients, these differences are largely mediated by confounding factors such as age, gender, and alcohol use.

    Effective prevention and treatment strategies must therefore go beyond the psychiatric diagnosis itself, focusing on holistic care, rehabilitation, and social reintegration.

    See full paper here: https://brain.edusoft.ro/index.php/brain/article/view/1633.

  • Research Publications

    Video Game Addiction Among Adolescents

    November 7, 2025

    This post discusses a multidisciplinary study exploring both the positive and negative psychological effects of video gaming, with a particular focus on addiction among teenagers. Conducted by researchers from “Elisabeta Doamna” Psychiatry Hospital, the University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” Iași, and “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galați, the study provides a balanced, evidence-based perspective on one of the most debated behavioral phenomena of our time.

    Authors:
    Cezara Crucianu – “Elisabeta Doamna” Psychiatry Hospital, Galați, Romania (RO)
    Vladimir Poroch – University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” Iași, Romania (RO)
    Lucian Ștefan Burlea – University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” Iași, Romania (RO)
    Ovidiu Mihai Ștefănescu – University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” Iași, Romania (RO)
    Anamaria Ciubara – “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galați, Romania (RO)

    Introduction

    Over the past decade, the video game industry has expanded at an unprecedented pace, attracting over two billion users worldwide, with adolescents making up a significant portion of this population.
    While video gaming is now a dominant form of entertainment and social interaction, researchers have increasingly turned their attention to its potential risks and rewards for mental and physical health.

    The study titled “Video Game Addiction Among Adolescents” seeks to identify both the beneficial and harmful consequences of excessive gaming and to clarify widespread misconceptions about its impact.

    The Dual Nature of Gaming

    The authors note that video gaming cannot be viewed simply as “good” or “bad” — its effects depend on duration, context, and individual vulnerability.

    Potential Negative Effects

    Excessive or compulsive gaming has been linked to several health and behavioral challenges, including:

    • Reduced physical activity and sedentary lifestyle;
    • Vision strain and postural issues;
    • Decreased attention span and patience;
    • Sleep disturbances;
    • Increased irritability, anxiety, or aggression;
    • Depressive symptoms and social withdrawal.

    In its most severe form, gaming disorder—recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019—is characterized by impaired control over gaming, prioritization of gaming over other activities, and continuation of play despite negative consequences.

    Recognized Positive Effects

    However, the study also emphasizes the constructive potential of video games when used in moderation and with purpose:

    • Enhanced cognitive flexibility and problem-solving abilities;
    • Improved hand–eye coordination and spatial reasoning;
    • Development of teamwork and communication skills in multiplayer contexts;
    • Mood enhancement and stress relief;
    • Increased self-confidence and sense of achievement.

    These outcomes illustrate that gaming can foster personal and social development, particularly when games are designed with educational or cooperative goals in mind.

    Discussion

    The researchers advocate for a balanced, evidence-informed approach to understanding video game use among adolescents.
    While some individuals are more susceptible to addiction — often due to psychological vulnerability, emotional distress, or lack of offline social support — most adolescents engage in gaming as a normative and manageable leisure activity.

    Therefore, prevention and intervention strategies should focus on:

    • Early identification of at-risk players;
    • Parental and educational guidance in setting healthy limits;
    • Psychological counseling for those exhibiting dependency patterns;
    • Public awareness campaigns that destigmatize gaming while promoting responsible use.

    Conclusion

    The study concludes that video gaming represents both a risk and a resource for adolescent development.
    The challenge lies not in condemning gaming itself but in understanding when and why it becomes excessive or harmful.

    Continued interdisciplinary research and collaboration between mental health professionals, educators, and game developers are essential for improving prevention, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes for those affected by gaming-related problems.

    See full paper here: https://brain.edusoft.ro/index.php/brain/article/view/1487.