Higher Levels Of Well-being Research Articles

Evaluating flourishing: a comparative analysis of four measures using item pool visualization

The construct of flourishing, which refers to a high level of wellbeing, is a key concept in the field of positive psychology. Nevertheless, despite the proliferation of questionnaires attempting to measure wellbeing and flourishing, there is still an ongoing debate in the scientific community about the definition and assessment of both, which makes the choice of appropriate measures a major challenge. This study addresses this uncertainty through a comparative analysis of four widely used flourishing measures in a German-speaking sample, to enable researchers to make a reasonable choice among the measures available: the PERMA-Profiler, the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form, the Flourishing Scale, and the Wellbeing Conceptual Framework. To enhance the understanding of these four measures, we compared and contrasted the instruments using Item Pool Visualization (IPV), an illustrative approach that generates item pools from the same dataset and displays them as nested radar maps. Our research indicates that all four measures are useful in measuring the concept of flourishing. However, they differ from each other depending on specific interest (from a broader to a narrower view). If the aim is to get a comprehensive overview of flourishing, then the PERMA-Profiler, the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form, and the Flourishing Scale are appropriate options. If the focus is on measuring a more central concept, the Wellbeing Conceptual Framework provides the most specific assessment of flourishing.

Developmental Pathways and Adjustment of Adult Women Who Experienced Early Pubertal Development: A Mixed-Method Approach

Early maturation among girls is a major stressful event that might affect their development and wellbeing during the adolescent years. However, the research literature is inconsistent as to whether the impact of early maturation among girls continues into their adult life. Taking a narrative approach, 45 adult women were interviewed and asked to describe their developmental life history following early maturation. Further, they reported on their wellbeing and body image. Analysis of the interviews yielded three developmental pathways: women for whom early maturation still impacts their daily life; women who were able to cope with the premature puberty and function well, but are still bothered by issues of body image; and women for whom early maturation served as an incentive for personal growth, who reported a high level of wellbeing, and comfort with their body. Findings underscore the importance of considering individual differences and different pathways of development among individuals.

FUNDAMENTALS OF THE TOURIST DESTINATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

In the present period, tourism has become one of the priority areas of development of economic and cultural spheres of life in many countries of the world. Actions in this direction are actively taking place in Kazakhstan, considering the identification of the main development factors specified in the strategic and programmatic planning documents. The purpose of the study: to develop methodological approaches and practical recommendations for managing the process of developing tourist destinations with the active participation of the main tourism entities in order to promote them as a tourist destination in tourism. The basis of management of the tourist destination is to bring the tourist product of the region to the market and ensure its competitiveness in order to achieve a high level of well-being and quality of life. At the same time, the organizational and economic relations arising in the process of managing the development of the tourist destination are the mechanisms for realizing the tourist and recreational potential in the regions and promoting the tourist product. The article deals with the evaluation mechanisms of the management system of tourist destinations.

Prevalence of harassment, abuse, and mental health among current and retired senior Swedish cheerleaders

ABSTRACT This study examined the prevalence of non-accidental violence, focusing on experienced harassment and abuse (HA), and mental health among current and retired Swedish competitive cheerleaders. An online survey was distributed to current and retired athletes in the Swedish cheerleading federation. The survey assessed perceived coach–athlete relationship, sport psychological safety, resilience, mental health, and experienced HA within the cheerleading environment. A total of 284 athletes (men = 5; women = 278; gender not disclosed = 1; current athletes = 211; retired athletes = 73) completed the survey. Psychological abuse was the most frequently reported HA form (current athletes = 21.6%; retired athletes = 53.5%), followed by neglect (current athletes = 5.4%; retired athletes: 26.8%) and physical abuse (current athletes = 3.9%; retired athletes = 12.7%). A high-quality coach–athlete relationship was identified as a protective factor for HA. Additionally, 33.1% and 8.9% of participants displayed scores indicating anxiety and depression caseness, while 63.8% reported a high level of wellbeing. Anxiety/depression scores above clinical cut-off were linked to injury episodes and a high level of wellbeing to a mentally healthy environment. Resilience was found to protect mental health overall. The high occurrence of reported psychological abuse and indications of anxiety/depression related to injury episodes suggest a need of attention towards prevention and athlete protection strategies in cheerleading environments.

Are social interactions perceived as more meaningful in older adulthood?

Social relationships accompany us throughout adulthood and are among the most important sources of meaning in a person's life. However, little is known about age differences in meaningfulness of social interactions across adulthood. According to socioemotional selectivity theory, as people age, they develop relatively stronger preferences for social relationships that are emotionally meaningful. Consequently, older adults may perceive social interactions in everyday life as more meaningful than younger adults. To test this hypothesis, the present study examined age-related differences in the perceived meaningfulness of daily social interactions using experience sampling data. Three-hundred six participants (56.9% women, 18-88 years) completed a total of 6,407 entries over 3 days. Results of the multilevel analyses showed that age was positively associated with perceived meaningfulness of daily social interactions, controlling for relationship closeness and situation valence. In addition, the perceived meaningfulness of daily social interactions was positively related to subjective well-being both between and within all participants, indicating that meaningful social interactions are beneficial for well-being regardless of age. Thus, perceiving social interactions as meaningful could be one way that older people maintain a high level of well-being in their daily lives. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Establishing and Maintaining Social Relationships During Significant Life Events: The Role of Age.

We investigate how adults of different ages experience changes in their social relationships during significant life events. Based on different goal priorities, younger adults may benefit more from establishing new social contacts during a significant life event, whereas older adults may benefit more from maintaining existing relationships. To test these hypotheses, we conducted multilevel modelling with a sample of N = 6,688 participants aged 18 to 90 years who reported at least one significant life event in the past two years. Both establishing new social relationships and maintaining existing relationships during significant life events were associated with higher levels of well-being. As predicted, these associations were moderated by age. Establishing new social relationships was more strongly associated with mental health and life satisfaction in younger adults, whereas maintaining existing relationships was more strongly associated with subjective well-being, physical health, and loneliness in older adults. These findings provide valuable insights into the role of age in the change and stability of social relationships during significant life events.

Sport-based interventions and health in prisons: The impact of Twinning Project on prisoner wellbeing and attitudes.

Social isolation and lack of support networks are key factors contributing to mental health problems among incarcerated people, which, in turn, are associated with an increased risk of reoffending. Enabling prisoners to form positive group relations and social identities is one approach to address the cycle of ill health and incarceration. We examine the impact of a football-based intervention, the Twinning Project, on prisoners' wellbeing and social relations. Longitudinal and correlational analyses of data from N = 164 UK prisoners show how social bonding is linked with significant boosts to psychological need satisfaction, life satisfaction, efficacy beliefs as well as higher levels of wellbeing.

Assessing the interplay: teacher efficacy, compassion fatigue, and educator well-being in Australia

AbstractIn Australia, there is a growing concern about the well-being of teachers with many expressing their intention to leave the profession or indeed have already left. Various reasons have been suggested for this trend, with burnout being identified as one of the factors. This study investigates burnout in Australian teachers as one of the constructs which make up compassion fatigue (CF), a reduced ability to empathise with others. Moreover, it explores secondary traumatic stress (STS), which also contributes to CF and occurs when a person learns about the traumatic experiences of someone under their care. Both constructs may severely impact the ability of teachers to form close relationships with their students. As part of the present study, 1939 Australian teachers were surveyed about their quality of life, well-being, classroom efficacy, and trauma awareness. Findings demonstrate that teachers with higher levels of well-being and with higher perceived classroom efficacy are less prone to burnout, reducing the risk of emotional exhaustion and disengagement often associated with this phenomenon. Conversely, connections were found between lower well-being of teachers and educators' awareness of trauma and their susceptibility to STS. Recommendations are made for further research exploring the barriers and enablers of compassion fatigue as well as positive teacher well-being, in order to develop targeted initiatives to better prepare and protect teachers to work with a cohort of students who are increasingly demonstrating symptoms of trauma and poor well-being.

Well-Being and Dispositional Hope in a Sample of Portuguese Citizens: The Mediating Role of Mental Health.

In our pursuit of a fulfilling and contented life, the study of well-being has emerged as a fundamental field of research. Higher levels of well-being are associated with better mental health outcomes. Individuals with better mental health might possess the personal resources necessary to set and pursue meaningful goals, maintain positive expectations, and overcome adversities. We aim to explore the positive relationship between well-being (hedonic, psychological, and social) and dispositional hope. We suggest that mental health acts as a mediator in this relationship, since improved mental health can create a conducive environment for the development and maintenance of dispositional hope. Data were collected using an e-survey through social media during the last quarter of 2022. The hypothesis of this study was tested using mediation analysis. The sample was composed of 471 participants (85.4% female) with a mean age of 47.72 ± 11.86 years. Participants were mainly workers (88.6%), followed by pensioners (6.8%), university students (2.5%), and unemployed (2.1%). Results revealed that well-being was positively and significantly associated with dispositional hope. Additionally, well-being presented a significant and positive relationship with mental health, which, in turn, also presented a significant and positive relationship with dispositional hope. Finally, using the Hayes process macro for SPSS, we found that mental health mediates the relationship between well-being and dispositional hope. Our findings reinforce the conceptual frameworks that consider well-being and mental health as key contributors to a resilient and optimistic mindset. Interventions that aim to cultivate positive affect, facilitate personal growth, and foster supportive social environments might help improve mental health outcomes.

Workplace Well-Being and Classroom Space: An Exploratory Survey of K–12 Music Teachers

Abstract Kindergarten through 12th-grade (K–12) music teachers spend much of their professional lives occupying physical workspaces like classrooms and offices. Given that teachers occupy these spaces for extended periods of time, the impact of these spaces on teacher well-being should be considered. This exploratory survey study examined the relationships between K–12 music teachers’ workplace well-being and perceptions of the physical classroom spaces. A questionnaire was completed by 484 music teachers who were members of the National Association for Music Education. The questionnaire included the Workplace PERMA Profiler (a measure of workplace well-being) and the Structural, Physical, and Campus Environment Survey (a measure of teachers’ perceptions of their classrooms). Higher levels of well-being were positively correlated with favorable perceptions of classroom space. Scale and aesthetics, the visual environment, and spatial environment elements were the strongest predictors of well-being. Taking statistical and textual data together, specific features including windows, good natural light, quality and controllable lighting, aesthetically pleasant (e.g., decorations and colors) rooms, ample space and storage, comfortable temperatures, good organization, and control over the classroom space had the largest positive impact on well-being among the participating teachers.

Flourishing: Development of a Higher-Level Uses Well-Being Scale and Concept in Positive Psychology

Background: Flourishing is the highest level of well-being in positive psychology. Flourishing individuals have high levels of well-being based on hedonic and eudaimonic well-being perspectives. Flourishing is a developing concept that has yet to be widely studied in positive psychology. Objective: This literature review aims to trace the development of theoretical concepts and scales that can be used to research the flourishing variable further. Methods: This research uses a literature review, which involves searching reputable journals for articles related to the concept and scale of flourishing. Results: The PERMA concept introduced by Seligman is the primary literature that forms the foundation for examining flourishing by combining two theories. This PERMA concept states that flourishing in individuals can be measured by five aspects: positive emotions, engagement, positive relationships, meaningfulness, and individual achievement. Conclusion: Other researchers then developed the PERMA concept as a reference for creating a flourishing scale. Keywords: Flourishing, well-being, theory, scale, literature review

The psychological impact of SARS-COV-2: assessing anxiety and wellbeing within university students in Bangladesh during the pandemic

The main focus of this study was to explore the emotional experiences of Jahangirnagar University students amid the COVID-19 pandemic, shedding light on their well-being and anxiety levels during this unprecedented time. Using a multidimensional approach, our descriptive and exploratory statistics reveal the demographic characteristics of the diverse group of students, including a skewed gender ratio attributed to the pandemic. Notably, living arrangements significantly influence emotional states, as students residing with their families report lower anxiety levels, indicating the potential protective role of familial support during crises. Online class attendance emerges as a pivotal factor impacting emotional well-being, with regular participation associated with higher levels of well-being, while sporadic or non-attendance correlates with heightened anxiety. The study further reveals the impact of part-time job loss during the pandemic on student emotional states, highlighting the economic strain experienced by many students. A substantial proportion of students’ report both moderate to severe anxiety and sufficient well-being, underscoring the complexity of emotional experiences during this tumultuous period. Binary logistic regression identifies gender-based disparities and social support as predictors of well-being and anxiety, while factor analysis illuminates the underlying structures of these constructs. In conclusion, these insights call for prioritizing mental health support and fostering conducive environments within academic institutions, particularly Jahangirnagar University, thereby facilitating student resilience and academic success during uncertain times. Jahangirnagar University J. Biol. Sci. 12(1 & 2): 55-71, 2023 (June & December)

NURSING STUDENTS’ POST COVID-19 PANDEMIC QUALITY OF LIFE BASED ON DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTIC

Introduction: Post Covid-19 pandemic, there was a change in nursing student habits that needed adaptability and it is important to pay attention to their quality of life. The aim of this research is to describe the Quality of Life of Post-Covid-19 Nursing Students Based on Individual Demographic Characteristics. Method: A quantitative descriptive design with a proportional stratified sampling technique to 276 of 892 nursing students was conducted in April 2023. Data were collected using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire to measure quality of life. This study used descriptive analysis for numerical data displayed in cross tables. Results: it was found that the quality of life of respondents tended to be good in the physical (68.25+11.27), psychological (59.78+13.62), social (68.18+15.78), and environmental (66.42+12.68) Based on the total of quality of life domains, male respondents had a higher average score than female respondents. Based on education level, it was found that respondents who were in professional programs had a higher quality of life score than those in Undergraduate Nursing Study Programs, while for history of exposure, it was found that in total, people who had been exposed had a higher quality of life than those who had not been exposed to COVID-19. Conclusions: The quality of life for nursing students after the Covid-19 pandemic has tended to be the highest level of well-being. It is necessary to identify students’ barriers in maintaining and improving their quality of life, especially in the psychological domain identified as the lowest domain.

The romantic relationships of adopted adolescents.

There is a gap in the literature on the romantic relationships of adopted adolescents. To address this issue, the present study has three aims: (1) to explore differences between adopted and non-adopted adolescents in terms of their involvement in and the length of their romantic relationships; (2) to explore the quality of these relationships; and (3) to analyze associations between affective relationships and well-being in both groups. The sample comprised 276 adopted (64.5% girls; mean age 16.3 years, 73.9% international adoptees) and 276 non-adopted (48.3% girls; mean age 16.3 years) adolescents, all of whom participated in the Spanish Health Behaviour in School-aged Childrensurvey. Similar romantic relationship rates and lengths were found among adoptees and non-adoptees, as well as between international and domestic adoptees. Adoptees reported more emotional support and conflicts in their romantic relationships than their non-adopted peers. Finally, associations between the quality of the romantic relationships and well-being were similar for both groups, with more conflicts being linked to lower levels of well-being, and more emotional support and affection correlating with higher levels of well-being. The data suggest more similarities than differences between adopted and non-adopted adolescents. However, although this indicates that romantic relationships are yet another example of recovery for adopted boys and girls, further research is required, with larger and more diverse samples from multiple countries, to explore the differences observed in more detail.

From reflective practice to action research and positive change: securing high levels of wellbeing among learners with autism spectrum condition in the mainstream setting

ABSTRACT This article details and reflects on an action research project that explored the in-class wellbeing of children with autism within a mainstream primary school in Wales. It also sets out why reflective practice alone may be insufficient in the process of achieving positive change. Through the iterative reflective cycles of action research, drivers that promoted positive wellbeing in children with additional learning needs were identified, and barriers to these children’s happiness were confronted. Driven by a commitment to effective inclusion of all learners, the initial reconnaissance phase of the research recorded that episodes of in-class low wellbeing experienced by children with autism were higher than those of their fellow classmates in terms of their frequency and severity. This discovery inspired a collaborative process of pedagogic inquiry to find positive change. Teachers working across year groups developed, trialled, and reflected on interventions that aimed to improve the daily lived experiences of children with additional learning needs and enhance educational outcomes. The exponential growth of children identified as having autism makes research into the in-school positive wellbeing of this group both necessary and urgent. It is hoped that this study will inspire others, both in school and in wider contexts, to undertake action research to improve the lives of children with additional learning needs, such as autism.

Renewable energy and well-being in remote Indigenous communities of Canada: A panel analysis

Energy transitions in Indigenous, Northern and remote communities in Canada promise benefits that go beyond reliable, clean and affordable energy services. The Federal and Provincial governments have committed funding to get remote communities off diesel, acknowledging energy transitions' global and local benefits. Besides climate change mitigation, other benefits, including job creation, income generation, community ownership and local economic growth, are fundamental components of the value proposition of renewable energy projects. However, despite the promises, little evidence of the impacts of renewable energy on communities' local conditions exists. This article looks at the relationship between renewable energy projects and community well-being in Canada. We construct a panel of Indigenous communities and well-being levels using Census data and information about renewable energy projects for the period 1981–2016. The findings suggest that renewable energy is associated with higher levels of well-being. Concretely, having access to renewable energy increases overall well-being by 1 to 5 points on the 0–100 well-being scale, depending on the component of the well-being index considered in the analysis.

Does subjective wellbeing modify travel behaviour changes among older people in response to a new metro line?

This research aims to estimate how subjective wellbeing at baseline would affect the changes in travel behaviour among older people due to a new public transport infrastructure. Cross-sectional studies have begun to establish the connection between subjective wellbeing and travel behaviour, indicating that a high level of wellbeing can lead to beneficial outcomes such as active mode choice, frequent transport use, and social engagement. To explore this connection further, we conducted a natural experiment with a cohort of 449 older people before and after a new metro line in Hong Kong. Our sample was assigned to the treatment and control groups, with the treatment group exposed to the metro intervention. Difference-in-difference (DID) models were applied to estimate the treatment effects of the metro intervention on travel behaviour changes. Then, we fitted the DID models for wellbeing subgroups to test the effects of three wellbeing dimensions (evaluative, hedonic, and eudaimonic wellbeing) at baseline on the pathways from the new metro to travel behaviour changes. We found the treatment effects of the new metro on travel behaviours were more profound for participants with better subjective wellbeing (p < 0.001). Among the three wellbeing dimensions, eudaimonic wellbeing has the most significant impact on the effectiveness of the metro intervention in producing travel behaviour changes. Our findings revealed that subjective wellbeing might modify the causal link between new transport infrastructure and travel behaviour changes among older people.

Вдосконалення системи соціального забезпечення поліцейських як необхідний напрям трансформаційних процесів в Україні

The further development of Ukraine and its formation as a legal and social state are inextricably linked with the development of its state institutions, the effective functioning of which depends on proper support from the state. Social policy is a defining direction of the state’s internal policy and is aimed at ensuring the conditions for a dignified life, free human development, and a high level of well-being. One of the important and necessary state institutions in modern conditions is the National Police of Ukraine. In the system of state bodies, the National Police of Ukraine occupies one of the key positions, implementing the law enforcement function and performing a fairly wide range of tasks to protect the rights and freedoms of citizens, therefore the social protection of the employees of the National Police of Ukraine plays an important role. At the same time, the social welfare of police officers attracts the attention of scientists and practitioners due to the presence of unresolved problems, which creates obstacles on the way to development and stability in society. The creation of an effective system of social security for police officers is one of the main directions of law enforcement reform, which has a certain specificity due to the performance of their professional activities, which are associated with increased risk and danger. The development of a fundamental legislative framework, which must meet the modern requirements of social life and international standards, is the primary task of a successful process of reforming the sphere of social security for employees of the National Police of Ukraine. Special attention should be paid to the issue of social guarantees of police officers, because the system of social guarantees in the National Police bodies is a prerequisite for the activity of the National Police of Ukraine as a whole. Keywords: social protection, social security, wages, wages, monetary support, salary, additional payments, allowances, bonuses, special subjects of labor law, National Police of Ukraine.

Gender Differences in Academic Resilience and Well-Being among Senior High School Students in Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Senior high school (SHS) students are at risk of stress and other adverse exposures that may negatively affect their well-being and possibly cause attrition. The concepts of academic resilience and well-being share commonality as psychological attributes linked to positive functioning among students. Despite this connection, there seems to be limited research exploring these concepts across genders among SHS students in developing regions. This study examined the gender difference in academic resilience and well-being among SHS students in Ghana. Using a cross-sectional survey design, 190 SHS students in three schools from Kwahu North and South district (i.e., Afram Plains) of Ghana's Eastern Region completed the Academic Resilience Scale (ARS-30) and College Student Subjective Wellbeing Questionnaire (CSSWQ). The sample consists of 102 males and 88 females, with a mean age of 17.83 years. The data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests and hierarchical regression. The study established that students have a moderate level of academic resilience and a higher level of well-being, with no statistically significant variation in students' academic resilience (t = 0.718; p = 0.474) or well-being (t = -1.596; p = 0.112) across gender. Further, the study discovered that resilience significantly predicted academic well-being (B = 0.425; SE = 0.050; t = 8.50; p < 0.001). This study highlights the importance of promoting gender-sensitive intervention strategies that enhance the academic resilience and well-being of SHS students and help boost their educational attainment.

A visit to David’s World: exploring the impact of a passive art intervention on hospitalized children’s wellbeing, engagement, and joy

ABSTRACT Background A gap exists in research regarding the impact of passive art on hospitalized children. This descriptive study explored the ability of an intervention using original paintings and the same paintings altered with personalized content to capture the attention of hospitalized children, engage them, and bring them joy. Methods This grounded theory mixed-method exploratory pilot study included interview, observation, Leuven Scales for Involvement and Well-being, and the VAS-Joy Scale. Ten hospitalized children, ages four to 12 years, viewed a painting and later the painting with personalized content. Results Leuven scores pre- (M = 4) and post-intervention (M = 4.5) suggested high levels of well-being and involvement, with post scores higher. Joy scores (M = 6.3) obtained post-intervention indicated high levels of joy when viewing the personalized altered painting. Five response themes emerged: (1) Felt special; (2) Brightened mood; (3) Reinforced positive identity; (4) Stimulated imagination; and (5) Revealed homesickness. Conclusions Findings support the emergent theory that passive art interventions using “organic art” can contribute to improving the hospital experience for children.