Higher Levels Of Psychological Well-being Research Articles

Self-Efficacy, Collective Efficacy and the Psychological Well-Being of Groups in Transition

This study sought to determine the differential influence of self- and collective efficacy beliefs on the psychological well-being of individuals within a community in transition. A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from 1050 Setswana speaking participants from urban (n = 451) and rural (n = 599) areas in the North-West Province of South-Africa. The Community Collective Efficacy Scale (CCES) and the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE), as well as the Affectometer 2 (AFM) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were administered. Descriptive statistics, as well as correlational and regression analyses were conducted to determine the association between self-efficacy and collective efficacy, and the different measures of psychological well-being. Results indicated that participants from the urban context reported higher levels of both self-efficacy and collective efficacy, as well as higher levels of psychological well-being than their rural counterparts. A strong and significant relationship was found between self-efficacy and collective efficacy, and between efficacy beliefs and psychological well-being. Efficacy beliefs are important factors in the prediction of psychological well-being. Raising either self-efficacy or collective efficacy should lead to higher psychological well-being and better adjustment during the process or urbanisation.

The Divergences of Positive Illusions: Face and Dignity Cultures

Throughout centuries the topic of self-understanding has been attributed with great psychological importance, even tracing back to the ancient Greeks. Despite traditional support for accurate self-perception, Taylor and Brown published a radical study in 1988 attesting that those who maintained positive illusions about themselves experienced higher levels of psychological well-being. This controversial paper was put to the test not long after by other psychologists who criticized the ambiguity of Taylor and Brown’s methodology, and through a more polished testing found the exact opposite: higher levels of psychological disadvantage were exhibited by subjects who self-enhanced. The purpose of this review is to examine this elusive concept of positive illusions in a cross-cultural context, including the face cultures of the East and dignity cultures of the West. Furthermore, I will address a recent study accounting for the literature’s inconsistencies on positive illusions and conclude with direction for future research.

Mediation effect of anger rumination on the relationship between dimensions of anger and anger control with mental health

The aim of this study was to examine mediation effect of anger rumination on the relationship between dimensions of anger and anger control including trait anger, state anger, anger in, anger out, anger-control in, and anger-control out with mental health in a sample of Iranian students. A total of 449 volunteer students (234 girls, 215 boys) were included in this study. All participants were asked to complete the Tehran Multidimensional Anger Scale (TMAS; Besharat, 2008), Anger Rumination Scale (ARS; Sukhodolsky, Golub, & Cromwell, 2001), and the Mental Health Inventory (MHI; Veit & Ware, 1983). Anger rumination mediated the relationship between dimensions of anger and anger control with mental health in opposite directions. Analysis of the data revealed that higher levels of anger was associated with lower levels of psychological well-being as well as higher levels of psychological distress. In contrast, higher levels of anger control were associated with higher levels of psychological well-being as well as lower levels of psychological distress. Mediation effect of anger rumination for the association of anger dimensions with mental health was full for psychological well-being and partial for psychological distress. Conversely, mediation effect of anger rumination for the association of anger control dimensions with mental health was partial for psychological well-being and full for psychological distress.

Mediation effect of anger rumination on the relationship between dimensions of anger and anger control with mental health

The aim of this study was to examine mediation effect of anger rumination on the relationship between dimensions of anger and anger control including trait anger, state anger, anger in, anger out, anger-control in, and anger-control out with mental health in a sample of Iranian students. A total of 449 volunteer students (234 girls, 215 boys) were included in this study. All participants were asked to complete the Tehran Multidimensional Anger Scale (TMAS; Besharat, 2008), Anger Rumination Scale (ARS; Sukhodolsky, Golub, & Cromwell, 2001), and the Mental Health Inventory (MHI; Veit & Ware, 1983). Anger rumination mediated the relationship between dimensions of anger and anger control with mental health in opposite directions. Analysis of the data revealed that higher levels of anger were associated with lower levels of psychological well-being as well as higher levels of psychological distress. In contrast, higher levels of anger control were associated with higher levels of psychological well-being as well as lower levels of psychological distress. Mediation effect of anger rumination for the association of anger dimensions with mental health was full for psychological well-being and partial for psychological distress. Conversely, mediation effect of anger rumination for the association of anger control dimensions with mental health was partial for psychological well-being and full for psychological distress.

Moderating effect of Islamic religiosity on the relationship between chronic medical conditions and psychological well‐being among elderly Malays

Research has found that physical health decline in later life is associated with poor psychological well-being. This study aimed to examine the possible moderating effect of Islamic religiosity on the relationship between chronic medical conditions and psychological well-being. The sample for this study consisted of 1415 elderly Malay Muslims. It was obtained from a cross-sectional survey entitled 'Patterns of Social Relationship and Psychological Well-Being among Older Persons in Peninsular Malaysia', which conducted from 2007 to 2009, using a multistage stratified sampling procedure. Data collection was performed through face-to-face interviews. A four-step moderated hierarchical regression analysis using SPSS software for Windows and the 'ModGraph-2' software program was used to test the hypothesis. Results of bivariate analysis showed, at certain levels of chronic medical conditions, older persons with a high level of religiosity reported significantly higher levels of psychological well-being compared to their counterparts with a low level of religiosity. Four-step moderated hierarchical regression analysis revealed that the negative effect of chronic medical conditions on psychological well-being is reduced by both personal and social religiosity (β = 0.07, P ≤ 0.01), after controlling for selected sociodemographic factors. Taken together, these findings indicate that the depressogenic effect of physical illness is decreased by religiosity in chronically ill elderly people. The implications and limitations of the current study are discussed and recommendations for future research are proposed.

Self-perceived health and psychological well-being among Serbian schoolchildren and adolescents: data from National Health Survey

Abstract The purpose was to determinate possible factors associated with psychosocial health through self-perceived health and psychological well-being among Serbian schoolchildren and adolescents. A cross-sectional study. The study is based on the 2006 National Health Survey of the population of Serbia. A total of 2,721 schoolchildren and adolescents were included. Face-to-face questionnaire and self-administered questionnaire were used for collection of data. For the assessment of psychosocial health we created two indicators (varibles): Self perceived health (using the categorical principal components), and Psychological well-being (using reliability analisys). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coeficient and categorical regression. Self-perceived health was found to have a positive association with gender, age, objective and subjective socioeconomic status. Psychological well-being was associated with gender, age, social support, objective and subjective socioeconomic status. Age group was strongly associated with self-perceived health and psychological well-being. Older respondents and female perceived their health to be better than others. Male and respondents in age group 7–11 had higher levels of psychological well-being. Results show that both demographic and socioeconomic variables have an important influence on schoolchildren and adolescent self-perceived health and psychological well-being.

Marital Abuse and Psychological Well-Being Among Women in the Southern Region of Jordan

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between marital abuse and psychological well-being among women in the southern region of Jordan. A descriptive correlational design was used to collect data from a randomly selected sample of 915 women in the southern region of Jordan. Data collected were related to forms of marital abuse and six domains of psychological well-being. The analysis showed that women have moderate to high level of psychological well-being. The prevalence of ever being abused during the past 12 months ranged from 3.2% (n = 25) for being threatened with a knife to 45.1% (n = 348) for their husbands being unconcerned about them while they were sick. There were significant differences in marital abuse related to having ever had school education (χ(2) = 8.56, df = 2, p = .014). All forms of marital abuse were highly correlated (p < .01). Self-acceptance and environmental mastery domains of psychological well-being had negative and significant correlation with all forms of marital abuse (p < .01). DISCUSSION OF CONCLUSION: Health professionals in health care centers need to assess for marital abuse and its consequence on women's health. Interventions should emphasize promotion of psychological well-being and the factors that influence women empowerment.

The role of perfectionism in psychological health: A study of adolescents in Pakistan

This study investigated the effects of perfectionism on psychological health and explored the adaptive and maladaptive dimensions of perfectionism in the Eastern culture of Pakistan. Demographic data were also analyzed. Participants were 323 university students (144 males &amp; 179 females), who completed the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (Frost, Marten, Lahart &amp; Rosenblate, 1990), the Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen, Kamarck &amp; Mermelstein, 1983), the Psychological Well-being Measure (Ryff, 1989) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (Zigmond &amp; Snaith, 1983). Results indicate that overall perfectionism has a significant positive relationship with psychological distress and non-significant negative relationship with psychological well-being. Three dimensions of perfectionism, personal standards (PS), parental expectations (PE) and organization (OG), have a significant positive relationship with psychological well-being, similarly other three dimensions – concern over mistake (CM), parental criticism (PC) and doubt about actions (DA) – have a strong positive relationship with psychological distress. Results of Independent sample t-tests indicate that there is a significant difference between high and low overall perfectionism groups on stress, depression, anxiety, psychological distress and two sub-scales of psychological well-being – environmental mastery and purpose in life. Moreover, individuals having high scores on CM, PC and DA also have high scores on depression, stress, anxiety and psychological distress as compared to low scorers on the same scales, whereas high scored PS, PE and OG groups showed high level of psychological well-being, environmental mastery and purpose in life. Finally, analyses of demographic data indicate that only age has a significant effect on DA and age by gender interaction has a significant effect on PE. Potential implications for educational and counseling purposes are discussed.

Spirituality and Well-Being: The Relationship Between Religious Coping and Recovery From Sexual Assault

Despite a growing body of literature documenting beneficial outcomes of religious coping, there are virtually no studies examining sexual assault survivors' use of religious coping. To fill this gap in the literature, the current study examines predictors and outcomes of positive and negative religious coping among 100 sexual assault survivors who believed in God. Results suggested that African American survivors were more likely to use both forms of religious coping than survivors from other ethnicities. Yet, results also suggest that positive religious coping is related to higher levels of psychological well-being and lower levels of depression, whereas negative religious coping is related to higher levels of depression, regardless of ethnicity. The only outcome where ethnicity makes a difference is posttraumatic growth with a stronger relationship between positive religious coping and posttraumatic growth among Caucasian survivors space. The implications of these findings for research and practice are discussed.

Work Motivations, Satisfactions, and Health Among Managers

Individuals in managerial and professional jobs are now working longer hours for a variety of reasons. Building on previous research on workaholism and on types of passion, the results of an exploratory study of correlates of work-based passion and addiction are presented. Data were collected from 530 Canadian managers and professionals, MBA graduates of a single university, using anonymously completed questionnaires. The following results were noted. First, scores on passion and addiction were significantly and positively correlated. Second, managers scoring higher on passion and on addiction were both more heavily invested in their work. Third, managers scoring higher on passion also indicated less obsessive job behaviors, greater work and extrawork satisfactions, and higher levels of psychological well-being. Fourth, managers scoring higher on addiction indicated more obsessive job behaviors, lower work and extrawork satisfactions, and lower levels of psychological well-being. Fifth, managers scoring higher on addiction saw their world in dog-eat-dog terms and their organizational cultures as less supportive of work—personal life balance; this pattern was in the opposite direction among managers scoring higher on passion.

Psychological wellbeing linked to better cognitive function.

Cognitive decline is associated with poor physical health, particularly cardiovascular disease and diabetes, as well as depression and low socioeconomic status. Depression is known to be associated with increased levels of cognitive decline, but there is also growing evidence that psychological wellbeing is predictive of better general health. It has been shown, for instance, that stroke is less common in those with a positive sense of wellbeing. Optimistic older people have also been found to have lower rates of both mortality and institutionalisation over a ten-year period. This may be because of reduced levels of stress. There is evidence to suggest that positive mood influences cognitive performance over short periods and it is also possible that high levels of psychological wellbeing are beneficial for cognitive function over longer time periods.

Adolescents’ Psychological Well-Being and Perceived Parental Involvement: Implications for Parental Involvement in Middle Schools

Adolescence is a critical period of development. Previous research suggests parent involvement in school directly impacts student success. However, different types of parental involvement and the efforts of middle school personnel to educate parents about these effective practices have received scant attention in the literature. The level and type of parental involvement, as perceived by adolescents, is correlated with adolescent psychological wellbeing. Perceived parental involvement positively or negatively affects adolescents’ sense of psychological well-being, especially self-esteem, self-evaluation, and peer relationships. Parenting style greatly influences children’s development as well. The authoritative/democratic parenting style influences middle school children, leading to positive developmental outcomes, positive adolescent selfevaluations, higher levels of adolescent self-esteem and adjustment, while also positively influencing levels of intrinsic motivation for learning. This article reviews research related to (a) adolescents’ perceptions of parental involvement, (b) the parenting style related to higher levels of psychological wellbeing, and (c) the impact of assorted parenting styles on adolescent psychological well-being. It concludes with implications for middle school systems, middle school counselors, families, parents, and community members.

Cognitive function and psychological well-being: findings from a population-based cohort

depression is associated with poor cognitive function, though little is known about the relationship between psychological well-being and cognitive function. to investigate whether psychological well-being is associated with levels of cognitive function. nationally representative population-based cohort study. 11,234 non-institutionalised adults aged 50 years and over of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing in 2002. psychological well-being was measured using the CASP-19, and cognitive function was assessed using neuropsychological tests of time orientation, immediate and delayed verbal memory, prospective memory, verbal fluency, numerical ability, cognitive speed and attention. The relation of psychological well-being to cognitive function was modelled using linear regression. on a global cognitive score combining all cognitive tests, those in the fifth quintile of psychological well-being scored an average of 0.30 SD units higher than those in the lowest quintile (95% CI 0.24-0.35) after adjustment for depressive symptoms and sociodemographics. This association remained after additional adjustment for physical health and health behaviours. The same pattern of association was observed for men and women, and across all cognitive domains. in a large population of community living adults, higher levels of psychological well-being were associated with better cognitive function.

Work Motivations, Work Outcomes, and Health: Passion Versus Addiction

Individuals in managerial and professional jobs now work long hours for a variety of reasons. Building on previous research on workaholism and on types of passion, the results of three exploratory studies of correlates of work-based Passion and Addiction are presented. Data were collected in three samples using anonymously completed questionnaires: Canadian managers and professionals, Australian psychologists, and Norwegian journalists. A common pattern of findings was observed in the three samples. First, respondents scoring higher on Passion and on Addiction were more heavily invested in their work. Second, respondents scoring higher on Passion also indicated less obsessive job behaviors, greater work satisfactions, and higher levels of psychological well-being. Third, respondents scoring higher on Addiction indicated more obsessive job behaviors, lower work satisfaction, and lower levels of psychological well-being.

Eupsychia Revisited: the Role of Spiritual Leaders

This study builds on the workplace spirituality and spiritual leadership literatures to revisit the Maslowian notion of eupsychian management, showing that leaders' behavior has an impact on how people perceive the organization at the higher levels of self-actualization: the spiritual ones. A total of 105 employees reported 175 critical incidents, 120 antieupsychian events, and 55 eupsychian ones. The most frequent antieupsychian behaviors were power abuse and bossiness, ruthlessness or unkindness, disrespect for personal and inner life of employees, and laziness and cowardice. The more frequent reactions to those behaviors were expressing protest and/or disapproval against leader behavior, negative emotions and feelings, neglect and passivity, retaliation or disobedience, and performance decrease. The most cited eupsychian behaviors were the promotion of self-determination, employee personal development, and respect for the personal and inner life of employees. The most frequent reactions to these behaviors were higher levels of psychological well-being, higher commitment, and stronger sense of calling.

Doing Well vs. Feeling Well: Understanding Family Dynamics and the Psychological Adjustment of Chinese Immigrant Adolescents

Despite their average high levels of educational achievement, Asian American students often report poor psychological and social adjustment, suggesting an achievement/adjustment paradox. Yet, the reasons for this paradox remain unclear. Drawing on 5-year longitudinal qualitative interview data, this paper compares the family dynamics of two groups of adolescents from Chinese immigrant families: non-distressed adolescents (n = 20) who have high levels of academic achievement and high levels of psychological well-being; and distressed adolescents (n = 18) who have high levels of academic achievement but low levels of psychological well-being. Findings suggest that the two groups of families differed in parenting approaches after migration, parent–child communication, parental expectations, and parent–child relations. Implications for Asian American adolescent and youth development are discussed.

Psychological well-being and scholastic achievement among university students in a Canadian Prairie City

This article reports the findings from a questionnaire survey of university students’ scholastic achievement and psychological well-being in a Canadian prairie city. Multiple ordinary least-squares regression analyses revealed that sex, educational aspirations, hours spent on studying, father’s education, physical health, financial stress, and stress due to balancing work, school, and social life were found to be significantly associated with academic performance. More specifically, female students and those who reported higher educational aspirations, indicated better physical health, experienced less financial stress or stress due to finance or to balancing work, school, and social life, spent more time on studying, and those whose father had a higher level of education were found to perform better academically. On the other hand, income, physical health, relationship with significant other, relationship with family, relationships with friends, self image, and academic stress were found to be significantly related to psychological well-being. Put succinctly, respondents who had a higher family income, reported better physical health, expressed a higher degree of satisfaction with their relationships with family, friends, and significant other, indicated a more positive self-image, and experienced less academic stress were found to exhibit a significantly higher level of psychological well-being.

Bem-estar psicológico e adolescência: fatores associados

This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with psychological well-being among adolescents in a southern Brazilian city. A cross-sectional study was performed with a representative sample (n = 960) of adolescents (15-18 years). Eighty-six households were visited in each of the 90 randomized census tracts. Parents signed a written consent form before the adolescent answered a self-reported questionnaire. Psychological well-being was evaluated with a scale containing seven figures representing expressions varying from extreme happiness to extreme sadness. Adolescents were asked to mark the figure that best resembled the way they felt about their lives, and 72.33% reported a high level of psychological well-being. Prevalence of psychological well-being was higher in families with better economic status and higher maternal schooling. Adolescents who practiced a religion, did not smoke or consume alcohol, and wished to lose weight showed a higher level of psychological well-being, suggesting an interrelationship between health behaviors.

The Status Model of Racial Identity Development in African American Adolescents: Evidence of Structure, Trajectories, and Well‐Being

Although the identity formation model is widely used to assess adolescent ethnic identity development, the model propositions have rarely been tested. The existence of the identity statuses (diffuse, foreclosed, moratorium, achieved), the proposed developmental trajectories, and whether youth in the achieved status report higher levels of psychological well-being were examined among a longitudinal sample of 224 African American adolescents, aged 11-17. Cluster analyses were used to create 4 identity statuses consistent with the theoretical model at both time points. The findings indicate that some adolescents progressed, while others regressed or remained constant across time periods. Lastly, the results generally support the assumption that individuals in the achieved status had the highest levels of psychological well-being at both time periods.

The Relationship between Conservatism and Psychological Well-Being in Adolescents

This study investigated the extent to which adolescents' levels of conservatism, their gender and home language can predict their psychological well-being. Conservatism is described as a social attitude, characterised by an intemalisation of the dominant values of the social environment within which the individual functions. Psychological well-being is described as a state that is characterised by aspects such as a sense of coherence, satisfaction with life, fortitude, coping, hardiness, self-actualisation, potency and psychological resilience. The sample consisted of 1 238 adolescents in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng provinces. Six attitude groupings of conservatism were identified, namely religious fundamentalism, anti-hedonism, conforming attitude towards authority, teenage behaviour, ethnocentrism and insistence on strict rules or punishment. The results of this study indicate that adolescents with high levels of conservatism in terms of religious fundamentalism, anti-hedonism, conforming attitude towards authority and teenage behaviour may also experience high levels of psychological well-being.