Existential Fulfilment Research Articles

Validation of Bengali version of EORTC QLQ-SWB32: A standalone measure of spiritual wellbeing for advanced cancer patients receiving palliative care

BackgroundSpiritual wellbeing (SWB) is one of the crucial components of holistic care for patients with terminal illnesses. The use of a validated instrument can help health professionals approach this difficult and subjective topic. There is no validated Bengali tool to measure this domain. Our study aimed to translate the EORTC QLQ SWB32 tool into Bengali, validate it among advanced cancer patients in Bangladesh, and compare the study's findings to international validation studies to determine its suitability as a measurement and intervention tool for these patients. MethodsThe original English version of the tool was translated in Bengali and back-translated by four independent translators with good command in both languages. After approval from the EORTC translation team and linguistic validation, the tool was further validated among 163 advanced cancer patients from oncology and palliative care units of three tertiary level hospitals in Bangladesh. Reliability was tested with Cronbach's alpha, and construct validity was determined by exploratory factor analysis. Known group comparisons were performed by the Kruskal-Wallis H test and the Mann-Whitney U test. ResultTen adult cancer patients (two female and eight male, three Hindu and seven Muslim) participated in the linguistic validation. Six out of ten participants found the measure understandable and acceptable. A total of 163 advanced cancer patients participated in the psychometric validation phase. The majority of those participants were Muslims (94 %), with a slight male predominance. The internal consistency of each scale was satisfactory (0.7). Exploratory factor analysis also showed similarity to the original scale except item 12 (able to forgive others), which was loaded in both the EX and RO components (0.813 and 0.544, respectively). Older patients had a better relationship with themselves and a lower level of existential fulfilment than the younger group. Patients who tried to find comfort in their religion or spiritual faith, actively performed religious rituals, and had affiliations with religious or spiritual communities showed significantly higher global SWB. ConclusionThe Bengali version of the EORTC QLQ-SWB32 is a reliable and valid tool for measuring the spiritual wellbeing of advanced cancer patients receiving palliative care.

ACTORS’ PERSONAL ABILITIES FOR DEALING WITH PROFESSIONAL STRESSORS IN AN EXISTENTIAL- ANALYTICAL PERSPECTIVE

Nowadays scientific studies in field of counseling psychology describe the actor's profession as extremely high- pressured and demanding throughout all stages of this career. Researchers are concerned about the wellbeing of people in the acting industry and note the influence of a wide range of factors that put pressure on their physical and mental health and well-being. The present study investigates from an existential-analytical point of view the question: what can help people who have chosen this career path to deal with the specific stressors "behind the scenes”? Its aim is to examine the impact of personal abilities for existential fulfilment: self-distance, self- transcendence, freedom, and responsibility, measured by the Existence Scale (ES), on the level of perceived acting- related stress, measured by the Acting-Related Stress Questionnaire (ARS). 144 (86 female and 58 male) professional Bulgarian actors aged 18 to 85 (average age 33,7 years) participated in the research. The personal abilities impact has been assessed by regression analysis in two groups: working professional actors N=111 and acting students N=33. A statistically significant negative relationship was deduced between the indicators for existential fulfilment and the level of perceived acting-related stress. The study reveals the existential fulfilment parameters have a more manifested impact in the acting students’ group. As for the professional actors, the results reveal a medium in strength and negative in direction statistically significant predictive impact. For both groups, the results show that the personal existential abilities` development (in the sense of Längle` Existential Analysis theory) can predict lower levels of perceived acting-related stress. The study’s outcome can be used in individual counseling and socio-psychological training.

Between Subjectivity and Flourishing: Creativity and Game Design as Existential Meaning

This article explores how the process of designing videogames may be meaningful–that is, accomplish a larger existential fulfilment or purpose. We use a reflective methodology which triangulates the creative practice of making a videogame with reflections both during and post-practice against philosophical ideas of meaningfulness. Two ideas of meaningfulness emerged. The first is the generative capacity of subjectivity, where meaningfulness is anchored to our investment as creators, as well as in the intertwining of personal histories, experiences and memories between reflection and action. The second is the flourishing of the self in terms of inner growth and self-discovery out of journeying inherent in the game design process. The significance of our enquiry is three-fold: to more holistically understand videogames as being meaningful, to present a reflective methodology to facilitate such understanding, and to more broadly consider videogames as an instantiation of how media is itself existential.

Existential Factors of Subjective Well-Being Among Student’s Youth

The article examines different approaches to the study of subjective well-being, with a focus on existential aspects, namely the role of existential content for the emotional and cognitive components of subjective well-being. The empirical study was performed on a sample of student youth. 64 students of Kharkiv National University by V.N. Karazin, aged 17 to 23 years old took part in our research. Tests that were used in this research: the test of existential motivations of A. Lengle and P. Edhard, the scale of subjective well-being Perrudel-Badoux, Mendelsohn, the scale of life satisfaction E. Diener. The nature of the correlations between the four existential motivations and existential fulfillment with the level of subjective well-being and life satisfaction is established, as well as the coefficients of regression of existential motivations at the level of subjective well-being and life satisfaction. In general, existential fulfilment is a precondition for ensuring a high level of subjective well-being and life satisfaction. Existential fullness has been shown to have a greater effect on the emotional component of subjective well-being than on cognitive satisfaction with life, with a tendency for fundamental motivations to affect different components of subjective well-being. The nature of the connections between the four existential motivations and existential fullness in general with the indicators of subjective well-being and life satisfaction has been established. There have been constructed regression models that describe the importance of fundamental motivations for subjective well-being and life satisfaction in the studied age group. It is determined that existential motivations, which reflect the fundamental trust in the world and the formed image of a meaningful future, have a significant influence on the formation of subjective well-being and life satisfaction in student’s youth.

Experiencing Loneliness as a Source of Existential Suffering during Alzheimer’s Disease

The paper analyses the specificity of the phenomenon of loneliness experienced in Alzheimer’s disease. The theoretical part contains a discussion on the issue of solitude and loneliness as described in the scientific literature, as well as on the significance of various manifestations of loneliness for the possibility of achieving existential fulfilment. Particular attention has been paid to the context of unaccountable loneliness caused by destructive changes in Alzheimer’s disease. It disrupts the ability to remember and perceive oneself in relation to one’s social environment. In the empirical part which uses the qualitative research approach, an in-depth reflection on the multi-faceted, very complex nature of experiencing loneliness by an elderly woman with Alzheimer’s disease is presented. The analysis was conducted on the basis of her own entries in her daily notebook concerning the ways of experiencing loneliness as a source of existential suffering. The analysis of the collected research material enabled the identification of several manifestations of the loneliness of an elderly person which do not correspond with the typical image of loneliness experienced by an individual unaffected by dementia. The analysis captured the subtle nature of existential suffering, which reflects the specificity of the deepening personal degradation of an elderly person caused by Alzheimer’s disease.

Crisis of Meaning and Subjective Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Resilience and Self-Control among Gifted Adults.

Meaning in life is positively associated with mental and physical health, while a crisis of meaning is a painful existential state that is defined as a perceived lack of meaning. An earlier study has shown that academically high-achieving adults mostly experience existential fulfilment, while intellectually gifted adults have a disproportionally high risk of suffering from a crisis of meaning, which can weaken their potential fulfilment in life. To uncover the underlying mechanisms of how an existential crisis affects gifted adults’ mental health, this study examines the longitudinal relationship between crisis of meaning and subjective well-being via two mediators: self-control and resilience. A multiple mediation model was tested with longitudinal data (two times of measurement) of two gifted groups: intellectually gifted adults (HIQ; N = 100; 55% female) and academically high-achieving adults (HAA; N = 52; 29% female). Results suggest group differences: HIQ had higher crisis of meaning and lower self-control than the HAA. HIQ’s resilience (but not their self-control) and HAA’s self-control (but not their resilience) mediated the relationship between crisis of meaning and subjective well-being. These findings give initial insights about the distinct psychological needs of gifted adults and their different paths toward subjective well-being. These insights can be applied in future giftedness research, talent development programs, or counseling to support gifted individuals in living up to their potential. Thus, HIQ could benefit particularly from supporting their ability to cope with adversity, while HAA could benefit particularly from strengthening their willpower to modify undesired emotions, behaviors, and desires.

Экзистенциальная наполненность авторов русскоязычного раздела Википедии

Эмпирическое исследование экзистенциальной наполненности авторов русскоязычной Википедии (N=61) с помощью методики «Шкала экзистенции» А. Лэнгле , К. Орглер (адаптация И.Н. Майниной и А.Ю. Васанова ), операционализирующей феноменологическую теорию фундаментальных мотиваций личности по А. Лэнгле , показало, что википедисты способны гибко самодистанцироваться для эффективного осуществления деятельности, целенаправленно проявлять самотрансценденцию в интересах ценностно-смыслового отражения, испытывать гармоничную свободу в активном поиске возможностей, ответственно (с некоторой долей беспокойства) воплощать личные решения в жизнь, а также рационально ориентироваться во внутреннем и внешнем мире. Авторы Википедии постоянно стремятся к новым смыслам, однако зачастую переживают устойчивый смысловой дефицит, требующий своевременного восполнения, которое дифференцирует различия в направленности к целостной интегральной экзистенции: одна часть википедистов испытывает неопределенность смыслового жизненного пространства, возможно, используя интернет-энциклопедию как механизм компенсации; другая – проявляет разумную осторожность и избирательность в процессе экзистенциального насыщения

Burnout Syndrome and Logotherapy: Logotherapy as Useful Conceptual Framework for Explanation and Prevention of Burnout.

Burnout syndrome is a state of total exhaustion related to work conditions and stress from work. Recent findings suggest that logotherapy and the concepts of existential meaning and life fulfilment could provide a useful framework for explaining and potentially preventing burnout. This review article summarizes and reflects current knowledge concerning the relation between burnout syndrome and existential vacuum as a potential correlate. It also explores the risks of burnout and the need of better definition of this condition including more precise diagnostic criteria and internationally recognized measurement tools. Intensified research on relations between burnout and lack of existential fulfilment and meaning could help with future prevention and intervention design.

Influence of Existential Fulfillment on Job Burnout among Kenya Universities Professional Counsellors

The debate on the centrality of professional counsellors in the institutions of higher learning has been on the rise in Kenya. This has been partly because of psychological health providers being actively involved in capacity building in the profession through counselling, training, consultancy and supervision of other counsellors and trainees, and because of their role in student behaviour management on campus. In spite of this pivotal role in the mental health of universities, few scholars have exerted discretionary effort to studying the work and wellness of the professional counsellors in higher learning. This paper presents research output on the influence of existential fulfilment on job burnout among professional counsellors in universities in Kenya, with the view to adding on the existing literature on helping the helper. The study was descriptive and utilized a cross-sectional survey design. The target population 193 professional counsellors in 75 universities in Kenya and a census was conducted in data collection. Data were obtained using the Existential Fulfilment Scale (EFS) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-HSS). Data collected was quantitative, therefore descriptive and inferential statistics were used in analysis with the aid of SPSS - 24. The response rate was 180 (94%). Existential fulfilment was moderate (EFS = 2.57; sd = 1.08) and job burnout was moderate (MBI = 2.2; sd = 1.77). In the final analysis, the findings of the study were that professional counsellors faced considerable burnout and in respect Human Resource Departments should strengthen staff psychological support programmes to militate against job burnout.

Fundamental life motivations and the prerequisites for their realization in young men in different ethnocultural groups

Аbstract. The work deals with fundamental life motivation and preconditions for their implementation in young men of different ethnolinguistic groups in terms of existential fulfilment. It is shown as a similarity (due to a long common history in the groups of «Slavs-Turks» and well-expressed in all nations and nationalities by the concept of freedom), and the difference in scales of methodology by A. Langle and C. Orgler «Scale of Existence», conditioned for Eastern peoples by the commonality of religion and geographical features of residence, values, due to the ethnocultural characteristics of the surveyed persons. Therefore, in the process of medical and psychological support of people of different ethnolinguistic groups, it is necessary not only to pay attention to the evaluation of the characteristics of their personality, but also to take into account certain values (including religious norms) and expectations that are maintained within different cultures, as well as other circumstances, who can make psychological assistance effective or inconclusive. Since in the process of learning the personality is enriched, including by new psychological connections, relying on which and manipulating which it further solves the assigned professional tasks, when working with people, one must proceed from the basic components of self-awareness: self-understanding (cognitive aspect), relations to yourself (the emotional aspect); self-regulation (behavioral aspect). That is, all these tasks can be defined as the formation of new behaviours related to cooperation, mutual assistance, responsibility and autonomy that contribute to optimal adaptation, more successful social functioning in real life, and prevention of recidivism of unconstructive behaviour. However, a generalized view of behaviour and beliefs may not cover the diversity that exists within ethnic groups.

ПСИХОЛОГІЯ СМИСЛОЖИТТЄВИХ ПЕРЕЖИВАНЬ СУЧАСНОЇ СТУДЕНТСЬКОЇ МОЛОДІ

The article presents the results of theoretical and empirical study of the depth of the life-sense emotional experience of youth in modern transformational society. Agent’s subjective experience of the integrity and meaningfulness of one’s own being is denoted by the term “psychological well-being”. It is pointed to its integrative essence which expresses the degree of a person’s orientation to the implementation of personality growth, self-acceptance, life goals, positive relationships with the environment, as well as the degree of realization of this orientation expressed through the feeling of happiness and satisfaction both with yourself and your own life. It is noted that the fundamental values ​​for psychological well-being are fulfilled personality values, whose structure is invariant under different conditions. It is stated that it is life goals that have the potential to stimulate a person to specific actions that will give sense to life.There has been proved the possibility of diagnostics of value-sense formations. On the one hand, sense of life is rarely directly objectified in behaviour, and therefore, judging by the actions of the personality in a particular situation we can state only the “final links” of the mechanism of life-sense regulation. On the other hand, regulatory structures and processes objectified in actions are “derivatives” of life sense, available for empirical registration.It is shown that the choice of certain values ​​as sources of life sense substantially determines the general level of life awareness and personal vulnerability to life-sense crises. The key factor in the emergence of a life-sense crisis is the inadequate depth of life awareness. The obtained empirical results have shown a not too high level of existential fulfilment of young people. However, they have not been diagnosed with crisis of life sense. Insufficiently high indicators of depth of life sense indicate a qualitatively peculiar picture of their internal emotional experiences together with low existential fulfilment as to their own lives.The emphasis is placed on the optimality of the spiritual life sense, for which self-transcendental values ​​are fundamental. There has been confirmed the influence of psychological well-being (existential fulfilment) on the manifestation of a high level of psychological activity.

Sense-making and existential fulfilment mediate the effect of action orientation on willpower

Sense-making and existential fulfilment mediate the effect of action orientation on willpower

The 'Conversation Partner' Phenomenon in the Dialogical I-Other Relationship

This paper develops a new approach to study one’s relationships with others, focusing on the conditions and the effects of the dialogical nature of a person. Theoretical modelling, hermeneutics, qualitative and quantitative methods are applied. A solution for detecting the conditions of self-development and social positioning of a person, which are rooted in dialogical I-Other relationships, is suggested. The originality of the paper is found in describing the relation to the other as the I-Other relationship; in the elaborated model that highlights how different dimensions of I-Other relationships (between I and Other, I-in-Other, Other-in-I, I-in-Myself) leads to truly a dialogical mode of being; in revealing the potentials of the Conversation Partner in dialogical I-Other relationships (subjective interrelations and the significance of Conversation Partners, their activity, the fullness of the reflection of significant Conversation Partners); in the description of different “hypostases” of Conversation Partners (real, ideal, imagined, secret, I as Myself) by means of hermeneutics; in the “My Conversation Partner” method; and in the empirical study of existential and social resources of Conversation Partners. The theoretical background of the study is formed by the works of M. Bakhtin, M. Buber, M. Heidegger, J.-P. Sartre, E. Levinas, and by the works of modern psychologists such as G. M. Kuchinsky, A. V. Rossohin, E. B. Starovoytenko, C. T. Brown, P.W.Keller, H. Hermans, F. Rivetti Ваrbo. The results show the potentials of social adaptivity, affiliation, dominating, positive solitude, joy of solitude, freedom, self-transcendence, existential fulfilment are associated with the richness of one's Conversation Partners. A real Conversation Partner is associated with a greater affiliation resource, a secret one with a greater solitude resource, an ideal one with a higher potential to constructively dominate the interaction.

Some Fundamentals of Integral Economics

There has been a growing interest in the integration of knowledge but few broad theoretical attempts in the field of economics. If integration is to be taken seriously, combining economic questions with the social and the natural sciences will not suffice. Psychology and the humanities will have to be incorporated, too. Inspired by the works of K. W. Kapp, C. G. Jung, and others, we develop a preliminary framework combining three key “integrative concepts”—(a) social metabolism, (b) the institutional structure, and (c) the inner world—within a perspective characterized by the interior/exterior distinction, evolution, openness, and the dialectics of potentials and actualizations. We argue that these three concepts help to integrate economics with the environment, the collective, and the self and spirituality. For each one of these integrated areas, we highlight some fundamental economic principles, namely (a) the implications of the differentiation of “natural resources,” (b) the signification of the distinction between property and possession, and (c) the need to take into account the unconscious and the individuation process in order to reach a realistic picture of the “economic actor” in search of existential fulfilment. Finally, we suggest sixteen economic propositions that could form a preliminary basis for an integral economics.

Existential fulfilment, workload and work engagement among nurses

In contrast to workload, existential fulfilment and work engagement are positive dimensions of personal functioning in organisations. Research on positive dimensions fits into the context of positive psychology. Existential fulfilment, workload and engagement have not yet been investigated among nurses. The relationships between existential fulfilment, workload and engagement, as well as the contribution of the first two concepts to engagement, are examined. In a cross-sectional survey, a random sample was drawn (N = 278) from a hospital population of nurses. Of this sample, 169 participants completed a questionnaire that included demographic, existential fulfilment, workload and engagement items. The response was 61%. Two dimensions of existential fulfilment, self-acceptance and self-actualisation, and the three engagement dimensions were positively correlated. Self-transcendence was associated with one engagement dimension, i.e. dedication. Self-actualisation explained a substantial percentage of variance in all three dimensions of engagement. Workload was negatively associated with engagement: the higher the workload scores, the lower the vigour and dedication scores. Workload explained a substantial percentage of variance in vigour and dedication. Self-actualisation and workload are important engagement determinants. The implications of the study are discussed.

Review: Existential fulfilment, workload and work engagement among nurses

Review: Existential fulfilment, workload and work engagement among nurses

Kwaliteit van leven en zingeving bij chronische lymfatische leukemie

Quality of life and existential fulfilment in chronic lymphocytic leukemia Despite the profound effects of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) on all aspects of the patient’s life, hardly any studies have been conducted that have objectively assessed the quality of life of these patients. The same is true of the patient’s existential fulfilment in relation to quality of life. The sample consisted of 138 CLL patients who were supporters of the Contact Group Leukemia Foundation. The patients filled out questionnaires assessing quality of life, fatigue and existential fulfilment. Standardized and validated survey instruments were used. The most common physical disorders were increased cholesterol, hypertension, arthritis and cardiovascular complaints. Female patients received less support from their immediate surroundings than male patients. Women experienced more negative emotions than men. Quite a lot of patients had high fatigue scores (66%). Regression analysis showed that self-acceptance was related to social/family well-being and functional well-being. Self-actualization was related to social/family well-being and emotional and functional well-being. Self-transcendence was not related to QOL.

Feelings of existential fulfilment and burnout among secondary school teachers

Teacher burnout is recognized as a serious problem. In research it has been related to many person-specific variables; one of these, the variable of existential fulfilment, has received very little attention thus far. The present study focuses on the relationship between existential fulfilment and burnout among secondary school teachers in the Netherlands ( N = 504). Existential fulfilment was made operational by means of the Existential Fulfilment Scale, which distinguishes between three dimensions: self-acceptance, self-actualization, and self-transcendence. A confirmatory factor analysis revealed a three-dimensional construct with interdependent dimensions. Burnout was measured by the Dutch version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory for teachers. Negative relationships between the existential fulfilment dimensions on the one hand and the burnout dimensions exhaustion and cynicism on the other were hypothesized, as well as positive relationships between the existential fulfilment dimensions and the burnout dimension professional efficacy. The hypotheses were confirmed, except for the relationships between self-transcendence and exhaustion and self-transcendence and cynicism, which appeared not to be significant. The inquiry demonstrated the importance of existential fulfilment for the prevalence and prevention of burnout among teachers. The study concludes with a discussion of the implications for future research.