Oxford Happiness Inventory Research Articles

Personality Traits, Emotional Regulation, and Happiness in Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

This cross-sectional study explored the relationship between emotional regulation, the Big Five personality traits, and happiness among 411 nursing students in Saudi Arabia, with an average age of 19.6. The Oxford Happiness Inventory, Big Five Personality Test, and Emotional Regulation Inventory were used as research instruments through selfadministered questionnaires. The findings revealed that nursing students had a moderate level of happiness (mean = 3.5), with students in their third year being happier than those in their first year. The most expressed personality traits among the students were agreeableness (79%) and conscientiousness (69%). Furthermore, the study discovered that cognitive reappraisal was higher among single students and those aged 19 or younger. Finally, the study identified extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and cognitive reappraisal as predictors of happiness level (adjusted R 2 = 57%). The study suggests that improving emotional regulation could enhance the happiness and well-being of nursing students.

Psychological Characteristics of Internet Addiction in Students in Problem Life Situations (COVID, War)

The relevance of this research lies in the fact that the number of Internet addicts in the world is constantly growing (the premise of which we consider the possibilities of Internet content that open up to a person in the virtual space), and the situation can turn into a public health problem. The purpose of the article is to carry out a theoretical analysis of the phenomenon of Internet addiction and, based on it, conduct an empirical study of Internet addiction of students, its connection with their personal traits and their satisfaction with life in difficult life situations: during the COVID-19 pandemic (n=88) and war (n=87). The research used the following methods: Internet Addiction Test (K. Young), CIAS, Chen-Internet-Addiction-Scale (S.-H. Cnen), Techniques for diagnosing predisposition to 13 types of addictions (G.V. Lozova), Test T. Leary, Questionnaire “Life Satisfaction Index” (B. Neugarten, R. Havighurst, Sh. Tobin), Oxford Happiness Inventory, OHI. Mathematical processing of research results was carried out using statistical package SPSS 17.0. The analysis of approaches to the understanding of Internet addiction by scientists leads to the conclusion that it is a behavioral deviation that manifests itself in a person’s excessive spending of time in the Internet space due to reluctance to return to real life; this is exactly information addiction. The main symptoms of Internet addiction: the tendency of an individual to choose being on the Internet before any other types of his activity; a change in his/her state of consciousness, a gradual increase in the time spent on the Internet, the lack of an objective assessment of the negative consequences of Internet addiction. As a result of the study, it was found that: Internet addiction can be combined with other types of addiction, Internet addicts are characterized by certain types of attitude towards others and a lack of feeling of satisfaction with life; Respondents who are less dependent on the Internet tend to positively evaluate themselves, be consistent in achieving their goals, fall into other addictions less often, and activate situationally necessary types of attitude towards others.

The utility of behavioral activation therapy in addressing emotional problems of two depressed students with borderline intellectual disability: A case study.

Intellectual disability is one of the neurodevelopmental disorders. Studies indicated that depression and anxiety are the most prevalent emotional problems among the people with intellectual disability. The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of behavioral activation therapy in addressing emotional problems of two depressed students with borderline intellectual disability. This study is a single-subject design with multiple baseline and one month follow-up. Two students with borderline intelligence underwent behavioral activation therapy for 12 sessions. Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Oxford Happiness Inventory and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were used. Data were analyzed using visual inspection of graphed data, changes in trends, improvement percentage and effect size. The findings of this study support the utility of behavioral activation therapy in addressing the emotional problems of two depressed students with borderline intellectual disability. Behavioral activation therapy has had favorable outcomes in reducing depression and anxiety in depressed students with borderline intellectual disabilities.

The effect of positive thinking training on anxiety and happiness among older adults: A quasi-experimental study.

Anxiety and depression are the most prevalent mental disorders associated with aging. Positive thinking training is a way to help older adults cope with anxiety and depression and increase their happiness. This study aimed to determine the effect of positive thinking training on anxiety and happiness among older adults. This quasi-experimental study was conducted with 48 older adults referred to two comprehensive health service facilities in the southeastern Iranian province of Kerman. The intervention (n = 24) and control (n = 24) groups were randomly assigned from a convenience sample of older adults. The intervention group attended eight two-hour training sessions on positive thinking. Data were collected before and one month after the positive thinking training using Beck Anxiety Inventory and Oxford Happiness Inventory. All statistical procedures were performed in SPSS software (version 22), with the significance level set to P = 0.05. Before the positive thinking program was delivered, the mean anxiety scores in the intervention and control groups were 13.98 ± 8.61 and 19.25 ± 11.67, respectively. After the intervention was completed, the mean scores for the intervention and control groups were 4.50 ± 4.07 and 15.54 ± 9.04, indicating a significant reduction in anxiety among intervention group participants (t = -5.45, P < 0.001). The mean baseline happiness scores in the intervention and control groups were 26.58 ± 12.40 and 37.91 ± 5.57, respectively, which changed to 62.91 ± 4.66 and 35.62 ± 10.62 at the post-test. Positive thinking training improved happiness in a significant manner (t = -4.08, P < 0.001). Results revealed that positive thinking training decreased anxiety and enhanced happiness among older adults. Given the growing elderly population, clinical managers, clinical specialists, nurses in health care centers, and those involved in elderly care facilities can benefit from this non-pharmacological treatment program for older adults suffering from anxiety and depression. It is suggested that preventive programs based on positive psychology be developed to aid in the prevention of people's declining happiness and increasing anxiety as they age.

The Relationship of Happiness and Psychological Well-Being with Perfectionism

The article is devoted to the study of the connection between happiness and psychological well­being with perfectionism. Theoretical aspects of the relationship between these psychological phenomena are considered. The results of the empirical study (n = 120) are presented. The following resource were used in the study: the Oxford Happiness Inventory; the scale of psychological well-being by K. Rieff (adapted by L. V. Zhukovskaya, E. G. Troshikhina); the technique of perfectionism detection by P. A. Schuler; the multidimensional scale of perfectionism by P. Hewitt and G. Flett (adapted by I. I. Gracheva). The differences in the level of happiness, psychological well­being and perfectionism between representatives of different socio-demographic groups were established. The correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between the indicators of happiness, psychological well-being and perfectionism. The differences were registered in the structure of correlations between female and male respondents, as well as adult and adolescent respondents, married and single ones, those with and without children.

The Association Between Happiness and Spiritual Well-being in Students in Iran

Background: Ensuring individuals’ health and well-being has always been important in all societies, and its promotion is considered one of the essential factors in the development of any country. Hence, this study examined the association between happiness and spiritual well-being (SWB) in students. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 376 students who were selected by stratified simple random sampling from Hamadan universities in Iran in June 2020. A threepart questionnaire, including a socio-demographic questionnaire, Oxford Happiness Inventory, and SWB questionnaires was used to collect the data. The SPSS software (version 23) was then employed to analyze the data, and the significance level was considered at P&lt;0.001. Results: Based on the results, the mean (±standard deviation) scores of happiness and SWB were 36.73±17.63 and 90.87±16.96, respectively. In addition, there was a significant correlation between SWB and the total and happiness dimensions (P&lt;0.001). Furthermore, the simple linear regression analysis results revealed that the students’ SWB (β=0.203, P&lt;0.001) is a predictor of happiness. Conclusion: In general, students’ happiness and SWB were at a moderate level. Therefore, designing and implementing spirituality-based educational interventions to improve the students’ happiness could be helpful.

Modern psychological assistance technologies for internally displaced persons

Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia, many Ukrainians have fled their homes in search of safer places, thus the problem of developing convenient and effective methods of providing psychological support to the maximum number of citizens has become urgent. The research aims to develop a technology for helping internally displaced persons based on exposure therapy methods. The study sample consisted of 84 respondents who had the official status of internally displaced persons. To quantify the parameters of the stressful state, the PCL-5 post-traumatic stress disorder diagnostic tool was used, and the updated Oxford Happiness Inventory (OHI) was used to determine the emotional state. At the beginning of the study, 67% of respondents in the sample had a level of symptoms sufficient to diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder, which indicates a high level of psychological distress. The methods of trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing were used for psychotherapeutic procedures. The use of both methods proved to be effective in improving the overall psychological state of the respondents. The use of trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy led to a 9.0% reduction in symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and a 37.73% increase in happiness compared to the control group. The method of desensitisation and eye movement processing led to a 15.41% reduction in symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and a 35.30% increase in subjective indicators of happiness compared to the control group. The combined use of both methods showed the best results: after three months, there was a 19.72% reduction in post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and a 42.54% increase in happiness scores compared to the control group. Based on the data demonstrated in this paper, the combined use of trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing can be recommended to reduce the severity of post-traumatic stress symptoms and improve the well-being of internally displaced persons

Development of an Emotional Divorce Model in Women Using Happiness, Religious Attitude, and Marital Satisfaction

Background: This study aimed to elucidate a model of emotional divorce in Iranian Muslim women, based on factors such as happiness, religious attitude, and marital satisfaction.&#x0D; Methods: This research employed an applied approach with a descriptive-correlational design. The research sample comprised 337 married Muslim women of Yazd in 2021, selected using convenience sampling. In the model developed, the variables included happiness and religious attitude (exogenous variables), marital satisfaction (endogenous mediator variable), and emotional divorce (endogenous variable). Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Oxford Happiness Inventory (OHI), Gutman's Emotional Divorce Questionnaire (GEDQ), the Religion Assessment Questionnaire (RAQ), and the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale (EMSS). Data analysis was performed using SPSS-21 and LISREL-8.80 software. The Sobel test was also utilized to explore the mediating role of marital satisfaction.&#x0D; Results: The findings revealed that happiness has a direct and significant impact on marital satisfaction. Happiness, religious attitude, and marital satisfaction all exhibited significant and direct effects on emotional divorce (p &lt; 0.05). Additionally, happiness, through its influence on marital satisfaction, was found to affect the emotional divorce of women.&#x0D; Conclusion: It can be inferred that higher levels of happiness in women are associated with increased marital satisfaction. Moreover, greater happiness and marital satisfaction in women correspond to a reduced likelihood of experiencing emotional divorce in the future.

Comparing Happiness Between Infertile Women and Wives of Infertile Men

Background: Infertility and its treatment, as one of the most difficult experiences in life, affects the mental health and happiness of couples, especially women. This study compared the happiness of infertile women and the wives of infertile men. Methods: This research was a comparative cross-sectional study. The study sample included 142 women (71 infertile women and 71 wives of infertile men) referring to the infertility clinic of Akbarabadi Hospital in Tehran, Iran, selected by consecutive sampling from February to August 2020. Demographic information and the Oxford happiness inventory (OHI) were used to collect the data. The data analysis was performed in SPSS software, version 16 using the Fisher exact-test, Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, and independent t-test. A P&lt;0.05 was considered significant. Results: The study showed that infertile women are happier than the wives of infertile men (P=0.006). Also, the subscales of life satisfaction (P=0.016), efficacy (P=0.025), cheerfulness (P=0.001), and self-esteem (P=0.017) were higher in infertile women than in the other group. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the subscales of sociability and wellbeing. Conclusion: According to the findings, spouses of infertile men may experience lower happiness levels than infertile women. In addition to paying more attention to the psychological condition of infertile men’s wives, more detailed studies with a larger sample size are needed to confirm the results. Also, qualitative studies are recommended to clarify all dimensions of happiness of infertile couples.

Improving the Hope and Happiness of Patients With an Ostomy: Effects of Group Cognitive Therapy.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of group cognitive therapy (GCT) on hope and happiness in patients with ostomy. A single-group before-after study. The sample comprised 30 patients living with an ostomy for at least 30 days. Their mean age was 64.5 (SD 10.5) years; most were male (66.7%, n = 20). The study setting was a large ostomy care center in the city of Kerman, located in southeastern Iran. The intervention was 12 GCT sessions, each lasted 90 minutes. Data were collected before and 1 month after GCT sessions using a questionnaire designed for purposes of this study. The questionnaire queried demographic and pertinent clinical data, and incorporated 2 validated instruments: the Miller Hope Scale and the Oxford Happiness Inventory. The mean pretest score on the Miller Hope Scale was 121.9 (SD 16.7) and the mean score on the Oxford Happiness Scale was 31.9 (SD 7.8); posttest mean scores were 180.4 (SD 12.1) and 53.4 (SD 8.3), respectively. Scores on both instruments significantly increased in patients living with an ostomy following 3 GCT sessions (P = .0001). Findings suggest that GCT enhances hope and happiness in persons living with an ostomy.

Training of Early Childhood Teachers to Develop Socio-Emotional Skills in Pre-Schoolers

The article is connected with a theoretical analysis of the emotional intelligence and empirical studies of the development of emotional intelligence in the context of personal dispositions of students future psychologists (n=84). The following methods were used in the empirical study: EQ test K. Barchard, «Diagnosis of emotional intelligence» (N. Hall), «Questionnaire SVF120» (V. Yanke, G. Erdmann, adaptation N. Vodopjanova), «Methods of diagnosing viability» (S. Muddy, adaptation D. Leontiev), «Oxford Happiness Inventory», «Diagnosis of emotionality» (Suvorov, 1976), «Questionnaire Machiavellianism of the individual». Mathematical data processing and graphical representation of the results were performed using the statistical package SPSS 17.0. It is noted that the real impetus for the emergence of the concept of EI in science were the works of G. Gardner and his theory of multiple intelligences. The basic models of ЕІ and the author’s interpretation of this concept are analyzed, which leads to the conclusion: the integrated understanding of this phenomenon by psychologists is still absent, the main definition of the concept of EI is often a list and description of its components, and the main justification for its importance is a list of those areas of life where the role of EI is most obvious.

Emotional Intelligence in the Context of Personal Dispositions Development of Students - Future Psychologists

The article is connected with a theoretical analysis of the emotional intelligence and empirical studies of the development of emotional intelligence in the context of personal dispositions of students future psychologists (n=84). The following methods were used in the empirical study: EQ test K. Barchard, «Diagnosis of emotional intelligence» (N. Hall), «Questionnaire SVF120» (V. Yanke, G. Erdmann, adaptation N. Vodopjanova), «Methods of diagnosing viability» (S. Muddy, adaptation D. Leontiev), «Oxford Happiness Inventory», «Diagnosis of emotionality» (Suvorov, 1976), «Questionnaire Machiavellianism of the individual». Mathematical data processing and graphical representation of the results were performed using the statistical package SPSS 17.0. It is noted that the real impetus for the emergence of the concept of EI in science were the works of G. Gardner and his theory of multiple intelligences. The basic models of ЕІ and the author’s interpretation of this concept are analyzed, which leads to the conclusion: the integrated understanding of this phenomenon by psychologists is still absent, the main definition of the concept of EI is often a list and description of its components, and the main justification for its importance is a list of those areas of life where the role of EI is most obvious.

Analysis of structural equations in the relationship between family communication patterns with tendency to critical thinking and students' happiness with the mediating role of cognitive flexibility in students

Background and Aim: Critical thinking skills in itself are a type of cognitive skills that emphasize on cognitive strategies and the aspect of tendency to critical thinking, on the attitudinal components of thinking and the internal motivation to solve problems. The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the fit of the model based on the relationship between family communication patterns with tendency to critical thinking and happiness with the mediating role of cognitive flexibility in students. Methods: The current research method was descriptive-correlation type. The statistical population of this study was the female students of the second grade of public schools in Chalus city. Using random cluster sampling, a sample of 319 people was selected. The data collection tools were Ricketts (2003) critical thinking tendency questionnaire, Dennis and Vanderwaal (2010) cognitive flexibility questionnaire, Koerner and Fitzpatrick (2002) communication patterns questionnaire and Oxford happiness inventory (Argyle et al., 1989). Data analysis was done by Pearson correlation method. Results: It showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between family communication patterns with tendency to critical thinking (r=0.34; P&lt;0.05) and happiness (r=0.35; P&lt;0.05). There is a positive and significant relationship between cognitive flexibility with tendency to critical thinking (r=0.73; P&lt;0.01) and happiness (r=0.69; P&lt;0.01). Conclusion: Based on the results of structural equation modeling, the model based on the relationship between family communication patterns with tendency to critical thinking and happiness with the mediating role of cognitive flexibility in students has sufficient fit. It is expected that the effect of factors such as family communication patterns and cognitive flexibility on increasing happiness and tendency to critical thinking in students will be noticed by researchers and educational planners and consultants.

Can HRV Training Make Us Happy: An Experimental Study on University Students

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of 8 weeks of HRV (Heart Rate Variability) training on the happiness and coherence levels of university students. According to this purpose, 20 sports management students from the same class volunteered to participate in the study. 10 students were selected randomly as the experimental group while the other 10 were control group. Data was collected with Oxford Happiness Inventory and Inner Balance HeartMath (biofeedback device). 8 weeks of HRV training was applied to the experiment group every night before going to sleep. After 8 weeks, the results showed a significant difference between pretest and post-test results p &lt; 0.05. The experimental group increased their happiness and coherence while the control group decreased. In other words, the experimental group is now happier and more coherent.

Relationship of Sense of Humor on Subjective Happiness: Mediating role of Workplace Hardiness among Medical Officers

Humor is taken into account as vital work resource for medical professionals. It has been an additional attributable for many productive outcomes such as hardiness and subjective happiness. The main objective of this study was to examine the mediating role of workplace hardiness between sense of humor and subjective happiness among medical officers of Pakistan. It had been hypothesized that Hardiness is probably going to mediate between sense of humor and subjective happiness. A sample consisted of 200 Medical officers out of which 105 males with the age range of 25 to 40 years (M=30.01, SD=1.88) and 95 females (M=30.99, SD=1.91) were recruited through non probability purposive sampling from the different hospitals of Pakistan. It was a correlational study. Humor style Questionnaire, Psychological Hardiness Scale and Oxford Happiness Inventory were used. The findings of the current study indicated a significant relationship between the sense of humor and subjective happiness with hardiness as a mediator. Regarding gender there were significant differences in all instruments. Mediation Analysis through Process Macro revealed that Hardiness considerably mediates the association between sense of humor and subjective happiness. Sobel z test was additionally run to ascertain the indirect effect which is also significant. This research acknowledge the constructive socio psychological account within the literature by incorporating the 3Hs (Humor, Hardiness and Happiness) and gives an estimation of particularities which will facilitate to improve the practice of related specialists and people. Providing that sense of humor and hardiness are significant predictors of Subjective happiness in medical officers, by making and empowering these capacities, we can promote their psychological state.

Happiness and Self-efficacy among Students of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Happiness is one of the most effective factors in economic, cultural, social, and political development in a society that reduces family problems, divorce, increased academic achievement, job engagement, and production. This study aimed to determine the relationship between self-efficacy and happiness variables with some demographic variables among a group of students.&#x0D; Method: This cross-sectional study was performed on 371 students from Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences who met the inclusion criteria and selected by simple random sampling method in 2018-2019. The data were collected using Oxford Happiness Inventory (OHI) and General Self-efficacy Scale (GSE). Data analysis was performed by SPSS23 using student t-test, one way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation tests.&#x0D; Result: The mean age of the subjects was 22.23 ±2.95 years, the mean score of happiness was 28.65 ±14.81, and the mean score of self-efficacy was 60.5 ± 9.44. The variables of age, sex, and education were significantly associated with happiness (P &lt;0.05). Self-efficacy was also significantly associated with age, sex, marital status, and educational level (P &lt;0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion: Some demographic variables are effective in happiness and self-efficacy in students. In order to promote mental health and the importance of happiness in students, it is recommended to assess these variables, and then take appropriate planning strategy.

Happiness and Moral Courage Among Iranian Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Workplace Social Capital.

BackgroundCOVID-19 has become a major global health problem, and healthcare professionals are facing lot of pressure and stress. Accumulated resources and energy obtained via interpersonal relationships is called social capital, which can reduce the negative effects of pressure and stress related to the workplace by impacting happiness and moral courage. This study explored the effect of workplace social capital on moral courage and happiness in nurses working in the COVID-19 wards.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, using a random sampling method, 169 nurses from three hospitals in East Mazandaran province, Iran, participated who worked in COVID-19 wards. The Onyx and Bullen Social Capital Questionnaire, the Sekerka's Moral Courage Scale, and the Oxford Happiness Inventory were used in this study. Descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation analyses, and stepwise multiple regression were performed for data analysis.ResultsThe mean age of nurses was 31.38 ± 6.82 years. Socio-demographic factors such as age, gender, educational level, and employment status were significant predictors of workplace social capital. Social capital was positively correlated with moral courage (r = 0.29, p < 0.01) and happiness (r = 0.32, p < 0.01). In addition, social capital explained 6.8 and 8.6% variance in predicting moral courage and happiness, respectively.ConclusionsWorkplace social capital is a vital organizational phenomenon affecting nurses' moral courage and happiness, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, hospitals should be aware of the importance of social capital; they should ensure that all the practices and policies are in place to develop and increase it.

Factors affecting mental health and happiness in the elderly: A structural equation model by gender differences.

PurposeThere are few studies on the gender differences in mental health, happiness, and their related factors among the older population through the structural equation model (SEM) in Iran. We conducted this study to evaluate the factors affecting mental health and happiness in the elderly using an SEM by gender differences.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted on 739 elderly people in 2019 in Karaj, Iran. Sociodemographic, Symptom Checklist‐90‐Revised (SCL90‐R), and the Oxford Happiness Inventory were applied to evaluate the relationships between happiness, mental health, and sociodemographic factors by using statistical path analysis with Lisrel 8.8 and SPSS‐17.ResultsOverall, 55.5% of the participants in the study were female. The SCL90 (p value = .000) and happiness (p value = .000) scores showed significant differences between men and women. Fit indices confirmed the high model fitness, desirability, and logical relationships between the variables according to the conceptual model in both men (X2 = 3.2, df = 1) and women (X2 = 5.4, df = 2) groups. According to the path analysis, among the variables that affected happiness just through the direct path, education had the most positive causal relationship in men (B = .13) and women (B = .16), but mental health problems in men (B = −.33) and women (B = −.26), as well as the distance from home to the healthcare center in men (B = −.13) and women (B = −.11), had the most negative causal relationship with happiness respectively. Age was the only variable that was negatively related to happiness through direct and indirect paths in the women (B = −.188).ConclusionWe provided an empirical model that illustrates the relationships between happiness, mental health, and related factors in the older population. Gender differences in path analysis showed that age negatively affects the happiness of older women but not men.

The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Group Therapy with a Look at Compassion Therapy in Cognitive Positive Emotion Regulation and Happiness in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Aim: The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment group therapy with a look at compassion therapy in cognitive emotion regulation and happiness in patients with major depressive disorder. Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest design, a control group, and a three-month follow-up of the intervention therapy. Using the convenience sampling method, patients with major depressive disorder were selected from Jam, Siraf, Kankan, and Asalouyeh counties, and Pardis and Naft Jam towns in 2020, and were randomly assigned to an 8-member experimental group and an 8-member control group. After performing the pre-test, the experimental groups received acceptance and commitment group therapy based on compassion therapy for 8 sessions (90-minute sessions in 8 consecutive weeks). Research tools included the cognitive emotion regulation questionnaire by Garnefski et al. and Oxford Happiness Inventory. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance and SPSS25. Results: The acceptance and commitment group therapy with a look at compassion therapy increased cognitive positive emotion regulation and happiness in the experimental group in the post-test (P=0.05), and the effect was stable at the follow-up stage (P=0.05). Conclusion: The results indicated the effect of acceptance and commitment group therapy with a look at compassion therapy in patients with major depressive disorder, leading to higher cognitive positive emotion regulation and happiness, which should be always in main programs of counseling centers; hence, patients with major depressive disorder can reduce the rate of maladaptive behaviors by attending sessions and planning for objective and behavioral goals.

The Reliability and Validity of the Chinese Version of the Experienced Level of Existential Emptiness

Psychiatric patients are affected by diseases and mental symptoms that may worsen their ability to adjust emotionally. Being unable to respond to the emptiness, increases the risk of suicidal behaviors. This study was designed to translate the Experienced Level of Existential Emptiness (ELEE) scale, developed by Hazell in 1984, from the original English into Chinese and then to test its reliability and validity. This research adopted a cross-sectional design and collected data using convenience sampling and a structured questionnaire. The subjects of this study were psychiatric outpatients in the acute and chronic wards of a psychiatric hospital in Taiwan. The instruments used in this research included a demographic datasheet; the ELEE; the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, version 3; the Beck Depression Inventory-II; the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Y form; and the Oxford Happiness Inventory. After the data were obtained, the reliability and validity of the Chinese-version scale was tested. Three hundred subjects were surveyed. The content validity index value of the ELEE was between .88 and 1, and the retest reliability and intrinsic consistency were good. From the analysis of criterion-related validity, a higher degree of emptiness was shown to correlate with more-obvious feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety. Conversely, a higher sense of happiness was shown to correlate with less-obvious feelings of these three variables. After the construct validity test, which used confirmatory factor analysis and regarded the co-variation coefficient of association and model fit index as the basis of consideration, the scale was reduced to two sub-scales of seven questions each. After the deletion of items, the scale retained good retest reliability and intrinsic consistency, supporting the retention of the 14 questions in the scale. The findings of this study support using the Chinese version of the ELEE to measure emptiness in patients with mental illness and then providing appropriate medical assistance based on the measured results.