Positive Subjective Well-being Research Articles

Further examination of the dual-factor model: characteristics of emerging adults with non-traditional mental health profiles

Traditionally, the mental health field has focused on psychological symptoms and distress, and health is considered the absence of illness. An alternative view suggests that optimal mental health must include the presence of positive characteristics in addition to the absence of illness. Accordingly, a dual-factor model of mental health includes measures of both psychopathology and positive subjective well-being to determine an individual’s mental health status. The current study investigated this dual-factor model by examining whether subjective well-being and psychopathology combine to produce distinct mental health profiles in emerging adults. A sample of 559 university students completed self-report surveys indicating their life satisfaction and internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Cluster analysis yielded four unique mental health groups. The well-adjusted cluster included individuals with high life satisfaction and low internalizing and externalizing symptoms. The dissatisfied cluster consisted of individuals with low externalizing, but also low life satisfaction and slightly above-average levels of internalizing. The externalizing cluster had high life satisfaction but also high externalizing psychopathology, and the troubled cluster exhibited low life satisfaction and high levels of both psychopathology symptoms. The clusters also differed in their personality traits, coping responses, and automatic thoughts, with the most favorable pattern across all three dimensions exhibited by the well-adjusted cluster. These findings highlight the importance of considering positive indicators of mental health in addition to measures of psychopathology and support the use of an empirical classification procedure in determining the mental health status of emerging adults.

Can a multicomponent positive psychological intervention promote well-being in parents of young children? A randomized controlled trial study in Hong Kong.

The present research examined the effects of an Early Advancement in Social-Emotional Health and Positivity (EASP) multicomponent positive psychological intervention on parents' well-being in Hong Kong. Participants were parents of young children (N = 120; Mage = 37.19 years, SD = 4.71, range = 24-53; female = 95.00%) who participated in the one-month randomized control trial. Participants were randomly assigned into the intervention (n = 50) and waitlist control groups (n = 70). Parents in the intervention group received two online workshops and an evidence-based smartphone application that targeted four positive psychological skills: (1) mindful parenting, (2) hope, (3) positive reappraisal, and (4) growth mindset. The results of the multivariate regression analysis revealed that the intervention significantly improved various dimensions of participants' positive psychological skills, subjective well-being, and psychological well-being immediately at the conclusion of the program. The findings of this study underscore the importance of the well-being payoffs linked to cultivating positive psychological skills among parents of young children.

Tawajjuh and Islamic Therapy: Improving Subjective Well-being

The present research is descriptive qualitative research that examines tawajjuh as one part of Sufism developed by Tarikat Naqsyabandiah from Aceh. The data in this research was obtained from interviews with people who have practised tawajjuh and students who live in Islamic educational institutions (dayah) that implement tawajjuh values and related studies in various journals, books and scientific studies. Tawajjuh is a series of spiritual activities to lead the counselee (jama'ah) to always be mindful of God through a direct relationship with a mentor face-to-face in one assembly by reciting several dhikr as a form of worship. This research aims to develop Tawajjuh as an Islamic therapeutic approach, promoting integrated and fostered subjective well-being. Based on the study, tawajjuh can increase subjective well-being in an exemplary manner. The study found a series of stages of tawajjuh as an Islamic therapy to foster positive subjective well-being.

P34: How does active ageing policies and practice reconfigure cognitive impairment? Findings from an ethnographic study.

Objective:Active ageing is the maintenance of positive subjective well-being, good physical, social and mental health in later life. It aligns with the ‘successful ageing’ narrative where obligation to undertake activities is deemed beneficial to health status (Swallow 2019). How this narrative plays out for people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) which is not dementia has not been considered.My PhD investigated experiences of people over 60 with MCI who engaged within an active ageing intervention. The APPLE-tree (AT) programme stands for Active Prevention in People at risk of dementia through Lifestyle, Behaviour change and Technology to build Resilience (Cooper et al 2019). It aims to facilitate active ageing in people who are limited by cognitive impairment. I explored how older people with memory impairments situate themselves within this active ageing health intervention and how policies and practices reconfigure MCI.Methods:I adopted an ethnographic approach, undertaking participant observations and semi structured interviews with participants. I followed two 20 week programs, undertaking 65 field notes and conducting 16 interviews with participants. I used reflexive thematic analysis to analyse the results through Nvivo.Results:Four themes with sub-themes were identified. Arrival into the intervention – learning, listening, knowing, and doing active aging. Participants navigated fears and uncertainties of MCI with their expectations of active ageing.Being an individual in a group experience – retaining a sense of self whilst embracing the collective unknown. Participants reconfigured their MCI through a tension between individual responsibility and a collective group experience.Managing uncertainly and attempting to create certainty through navigating knowledge. Active ageing changed how participants viewed and dealt with MCI with attempts to clarify knowledge of dementia risk.Being an active ager; actively able to be active and participate in active ageing. Individuals demonstrated engagement through sharing achievements, ability and inabilities.Conclusion:Active ageing is a collective habitus, with absence of clear knowledge and direction creating a mismatch between rhetoric and lived experiences of people with MCI. Ultimately results inform the development of concepts in social gerontological theory and active ageing

The relationship between physical activity and mental health: Is more always better?

The current study was designed to examine the relationship between physical activity and mental health. We investigated whether individuals who perceive themselves as physically inactive, recreationists, or active athletes differ in positive (positive affect, subjective well-being, unconditional self-acceptance) and negative mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, stress, negative affect, conditional self-acceptance). Furthermore, we investigated whether the total level of leisure-time physical activity predicted different mental health indicators. Analysis revealed that physically active respondents (recreationists and active athletes) seem to have better overall mental health status than physically inactive ones. Precisely, physically inactive individuals scored higher on all measures of negative mental health indicators, and lower on all measures of positive mental health indicators, compared with the participants from the two other groups. At the same time, there were no significant differences in these measures between recreationists and active athletes. Besides, a positive association was found between the weekly frequency of leisure-time activity and only two positive indicators of mental health (positive affect and subjective well-being)of all tested. The obtained results suggest that it is often more relevant for mental health whether someone is physically active or not, in general, than how frequently they exercise.

Characteristics of business, pleasure, and VFR segments who travel during risky times

PurposeThis study aims to explore what may have contributed to risk-taking travel behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic and what may be the drivers of satisfaction and intention to travel again. The study compares travelers based on their travel purposes (business, pleasure and visiting friends and relatives [VFR]) and explore the influence of subjective well-being received from their travel activities.Design/methodology/approachData from a structured survey of 323 US residents who traveled during the COVID-19 pandemic were collected on MTurk. Respondents were asked travel behavior questions related to their favorite trips and to rate several multi-item scales measuring the benefits expected and received from their trip, the trip’s contribution to their positive mental and subjective psychological well-being, as well as their satisfaction with the trip and intention to travel in the future. In addition, personality measures focused on risk-taking, thrill-seeking and self-confidence, as well as additional risk-related concepts of optimism bias, probability neglect and proximity to self.FindingsData analysis revealed some differences among respondents who traveled for business, pleasure and VFR purposes. Business travelers were more risk takers and thrill seekers; pleasure travelers achieved more well-being benefits from their favorite trips during the pandemic; however, VFR travelers’ satisfaction and intention to go on similar trips were explained more by the benefits they received from their favorite trips.Originality/valueAlthough several studies addressed consumers’ travel motivation during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a lack of empirical research comparing the characteristics of travelers based on their travel purposes, as well as their sociodemographics, personality traits and the expected and perceived well-being benefits from traveling.

The Perception of Beauty and the Concept “Beauty” in Russian-Speaking Students of Psychology

In positive psychology, seeing and experiencing beauty is one of the character strengths that indicates the presence of positive mental health and subjective well-being. The article presents the results of a study of the relationship between susceptibility to beauty and the concept of «beauty» among Russian-speaking psychology students, and also built a preliminary field structure of the concept “beauty”. The sample consisted of 62 subjects aged 18 to 54 years (15 men and 47 women). The study used the Method of Free Association and the Engagement with Beauty Scale. The positive relationship was confirmed between the level of susceptibility to inner beauty and the number of associations to the word “beauty” associated with inner beauty. Additionally, positive relationships were found between the level of general susceptibility to beauty and the number of associations per word «beauty» associated with inner beauty, as well as between the level of susceptibility to the beauty of ideas and the number of associations per word “beauty” associated with inner beauty. Additionally, results related to differences between men and women were obtained. Women are more receptive to the beauty of nature and to the inner beauty of a person, while they give more associations for inner beauty than men. In the field structure of the concept «beauty», the core is the association word nature (31); near periphery of the association words love (25), eyes (19), aesthetics (14), art (14), smile (13), life (12), happiness (11), music (11), woman (11), flowers (10), soul (10), harmony (10), kindness (10).

The association between social support provision, psychological capital, subjective well-being and sense of indebtedness among undergraduates with low socioeconomic status

BackgroundSocial support consists of receipt and provision in the interpersonal exchange process. Many studies have explored and verified the effect of received social support. This study focuses on whether and when social support provision can benefit the providers’ positive psychological capital and subjective well-being.MethodsA sample of 732 Chinese undergraduates with low socioeconomic status completed questionnaires on social support provision, psychological capital, life satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect, and sense of indebtedness.ResultsThe correlation and regression analyses showed that impoverished college students’ social support provision was positively associated with life satisfaction, positive affect, and psychological capital and negatively associated with negative affect. The interaction between the sense of indebtedness and social support provision was negatively associated with life satisfaction, positive affect, and psychological capital, not significantly associated with negative affect.ConclusionThe results demonstrated that giving social support can be as beneficial as receiving social support, and the sense of indebtedness can limit the benefits. Individuals with a lower sense of indebtedness are more likely to benefit from social support provision. The findings have implications for marginalized groups’ subjective well-being and positive psychological capital and show the necessity of guiding individuals to provide social support while maintaining their autonomy.

Effect of positive organizational behavior on subjective well-being in the workplace in the tourism sector of Jordan

Employee subjective well-being, which contributes to work stability, increases productivity, and in turn improves the performance of both employees and the organization, is critical in modern business organizations for a variety of reasons that affect the performance and sustainability of those organizations, as well as the numerous benefits they achieve.The purpose of this study is to discover the impact of positive organizational behavior on the subjective well-being of employees in Jordanian tourism industry. The analytical-descriptive methodology was used to attain the study’s goal. The sample consisted of 392 workers of Jordanian tourism organizations (22 companies) within the upper and middle administrative levels, who were chosen using a simple random procedure. The questionnaire that included items to measure the dimensions of independent and dependent variables was distributed to them.The study concluded that there is a medium level of positive organizational behavior and subjective well-being in the workplace for the study sample. All dimensions of positive organizational behavior (self-efficacy, optimism, hope, and flexibility) have a statistically significant effect on subjective well-being. That is, the higher the level of positive organizational behavior, the higher the subjective well-being of workers. AcknowledgmentThis study is funded by the Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, fund decision number (393/2021).

Multidimensional Assessment of Student Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Latent Profile Analysis Integrating Positive Psychology

Background: The mental health of young adults, especially university students, has become an increasingly concerning issue. In order to develop targeted interventions and support initiatives, it is essential to comprehend distinct mental health profiles and identify vulnerable groups among Tunisian university students. This study aimed to achieve three main objectives: (a) to empirically identify different profiles of mental health among young adults in Tunisia, based on a person-centred approach using the dual-factor model of mental health, (b) to outline the identified profiles, which incorporate both psychopathological symptoms and indicators of positive subjective well-being, across sociodemographic and academic achievement factors, and (c) to establish predictors of these profiles.Methods: Cross-sectional data was collected from a cohort of teenage Tunisian university students (n = 1185, 54% females), aged between 18 to 24 years old (Mean = 21.10; SD = 2.02). Participants completed an online survey, which included assessments of socio-demographic characteristics, academic achievement, stress, depression, anxiety, spiritual well-being, life satisfaction, and happiness.Results: Analysis of latent profiles revealed the existence of three distinct mental health classes. The first profile (21.1%) represented individuals with poor mental health. The second profile (42.5%) consisted of individuals with moderate mental health, and the third profile (36.4%) comprised individuals with good mental health. Significant differences were found between these three classes regarding family income and academic completion (p<0.01 and p<0.001, respectively). Multinomial logistic regression analysis provided Odds Ratios (OR) with Confidence Intervals (CI), revealing that the poor mental health class was associated with low family income (OR: 3.28; 95% CI: 1.90–5.63) and failed academic achievement (OR: 46; 68% CI: 28.23–77.20). Additionally, the moderate mental health class was linked to low family income (OR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.30–2.72), living with family (OR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.49–0.99), and failed academic achievement (OR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.06–2.11). However, no significant associations were found for middle family income (OR: 1.27; 95% CI: 0.93–1.74) and dwelling in university residence (OR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.60–1.10) as predictors.Conclusion: This study revealed that a considerable number of university students aged 18 to 24 were vulnerable to mental health issues, irrespective of gender and age. However, students belonging to classes with low incomes and those who did not pass exams were identified as the most vulnerable groups. It is crucial to pay particular attention to these students and provide appropriate support and interventions.

Successful Aging: Impact of a Non-Formal Education Experience

ABSTRACT Non-formal education has been presented as a powerful tool in promoting successful aging. This study aims to explore whether non-formal education effectively contributes to successful aging and identify the dimensions that contribute most to promoting this process. Based on a qualitative interpretative hermeneutic methodology, the perceptions of 28 participants in a non-formal educational approach lasting 12 months were analyzed. The results indicate that, in the participants’ perception, the experience was very positive, highlighting the most impactful benefits as an increase in positive emotions and subjective well-being, revitalization of social interaction and optimization of free time, satisfaction in learning, and the positive impact of learning on everyday life.

Longitudinal Study on Correlations Between Body Image, Physical Activity, and the Subjective Well-Being Among Adolescents Aged 14-16.

This study examined the relationship between physical activity, body image, and subjective well-being among Swedish adolescents over time. Surveying 2308 students, with 137 providing longitudinal data, we conducted a multivariate logistic regression analysis. No significant correlations were found between physical activity (p = .268), body functioning (p = .567), or body appearance (p = .075) at age 14 and subjective well-being at age 16. Among control variables, sex (p = .038) and subjective well-being at age 14 (p = .013) showed significant correlations, while economic status did not (p = .39). The correlation between a positive subjective well-being at age 14 and age 16 indicates the importance of impacting the sense of well-being early. Further longitudinal studies are needed to explore the potential long-term correlation between body image and adolescent subjective well-being.

PREVENTION OF SUICIDAL ACTIVITY USING VIRTUAL REALITY INTERVENTIONS

Advancements in technology within the reality–virtuality (RV) continuum offer novel avenues for addressing mental health and psychosocial support, supplementing traditional approaches. Consequently, it is imperative to investigate how these immersive interactions affect potential beneficiaries. Goal. This article is devoted to the analysis of immersive technologies potential, specifically virtual reality (VR), in the context of suicide prevention. Methods. The authors investigate the psychological effects of using VR technologies as a preventive intervention for suicidal behavior. It is organized within the framework of an experimental procedure designed according to Solomon's plan, in which the independent variable (IN) was watching a 360° video in VR glasses, and the dependent variables (DVs) were factors associated with suicidality, namely: emotional affect (positive and negative), hopelessness, and indicators of individual well-being levels. The Questionnaire on Positive and Negative Affects (OPANA), Beck's Hopelessness Scale, and the "Modified BBC Subjective Well-Being Scale (BBC-SWB)" were used to measure these indicators. The experimental hypothesis of our study: watching a 360° video in virtual reality glasses has an effect on parameters associated with suicidality. Results. In this article, we highlight the results of the comparison of the control and experimental groups regarding the impact on the measured psychological effects by analyzing the indicators before and after the use of the intervention through the mediation of immersive technologies. The findings demonstrate statistically significant enhancements in positive affect, psychological, physical, and subjective well-being within the experimental group compared to the control group. Trends toward improvement were also observed in measures of negative affect and relationship well-being, although they did not reach statistically significant levels. The hopelessness score improved in both groups, which may indicate a general ameliorative effect on the participants in such an experimental procedure. Conclusions. Our study reveals that a one-time intervention mediated by immersive technologies, namely viewing a 360° video in VR glasses, contributed to the improvement of measurable psychological effects of indicators associated with suicidality and can potentially be used as a means of preventing suicidal behavior. The experimental hypothesis of our study was confirmed. In the future, a comprehensive study of the obtained results regarding the effect of preliminary testing and expansion of meaningful interpretation of the data is necessary; as well as related studies of the long-term effect, series of interventions, specifics of the context of the video presented in the virtual space and alternative forms of prevention and impact on measurable indicators.

Across the Pacific Divide: Latin American Experiences of Integration and Well-Being in Canada and Australia

ABSTRACT There has been a paucity of comparative research regarding social inclusion for the Latin American diaspora worldwide, and this is particularly the case for scholarly work that connects countries in the Americas with nations across the Pacific. Rather than recognise the growing number of Latin Americans who travel throughout the regions of the Pacific Rim, scholarship has remained heavily dominated by works relating to the Latin American population in the United States of America and Europe. In this paper, we shift the attention to Canada and Australia, where both countries increasingly interrogate what have historically been comparable models of multiculturalism and interculturalism. Drawing on data from more a survey of 1600 respondents, we argue that personal and social ties are key to cultivating positive post-migration subjective well-being. In so doing, we highlight the effects of subjective well-being and barriers to integration and belonging. We further illustrate the implications of the intersections of gender, class, and ethnicity in relation to migrants’ well-being and inclusion. Such research demonstrates the need for a better contextualised understanding of migrant inclusion, and for detailed analysis of the situated relationships that constitute Latin American migrant identities across the Pacific Rim.

Subjective wellbeing of preschool children.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Autoquestionnaire Qualité de Vie Enfant Imagé (AUQEI) in pre-school children and estimate the influence of demographic characteristics on their subjective wellbeing. Construct validity was estimated using confirmatory analysis and the chi-square per degrees of freedom ratio (χ2/df), Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI), and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA). Reliability was assessed by the ordinal alpha (α) and omega (ω) coefficients and the factorial invariance by the difference in CFI (ΔCFI). Mean scores for each AUQEI item and the general score were calculated. A total of 443 Preschool children enrolled in public education institutions participated. The original 4-factor AUQEI model showed collinearity between factors and a high correlation between two items. A single factor model was tested, presenting adequate fit to the data (χ2/df = 4.47; CFI = 0.98; TLI = 0.98; RMSEA = 0.08; α = 0.98; ω = 0.93; UniCo > 0.95, EVC > 0.85, and MIREAL < 0.30) and strict model invariance (ΔCFI < 0.01). The AUQEI model proved to be valid in relation to the external variables. Most children (76.7%) had positive subjective wellbeing. Higher scores were observed for items concerning recreation, holidays, and birthdays, and lower scores for those referring to hospitalization, medication, medical consultation, and being away from the family. The relationship between the demographic characteristics of the child or his/her mother and subjective wellbeing was not significant (p > 0.05). The assessment of subjective wellbeing with the single-factor AUQEI model provided valid, reliable, and invariant. Thus, being a relevant and interesting instrument to assess wellbeing in young children.

Structural Relationships among Positive Psychological Capital, Learning Flow, Social Support, and Subjective Happiness in Chinese adult lifelong learners

The purpose of this study is to clarify the structural relationship among positive psychological capital, learning investment, social support and subjective well-being of Chinese adult learners. The research results are as follows. First, the relationship between variables is analyzed. Positive psychological capital has a positive impact on social support and subjective well-being. Learning involvement has a positive impact on social support and subjective well-being. Social support has a positive impact on subjective well-being. Second, the mediating effect between variables was analyzed. The mediating effect between positive psychological capital and subjective happiness of Chinese adult learners had a mediating effect on social support. Social support showed a mediating effect in the relationship between learning commitment and subjective happiness.

Investigating the effects of Psycho-Behavioral interventions on healthy adolescents’ subjective well-being: A three-level meta-Analysis

ABSTRACT To summarize the types and effects of psycho-behavioral interventions for improving healthy adolescents’ subjective well-being (SWB) and analyze the influencing factors, this three-level meta-analysis reviewed studies that measured SWB as outcomes. According to 45 studies, we categorized the interventions into 4 categories: physical activity/health behavior interventions, psychosocial skills interventions (fostering positive characters), psychosocial skills interventions (teaching coping skills), and mixed-type interventions. Most studies were compromised by a weak research design regarding random sequence generation, blinding, and selective reporting. The effect sizes of interventions were low at both post-intervention (Hedges’ g = 0.10) and follow-up (Hedges’ g = 0.02) for positive SWB measures. They were also low at both post-intervention (Hedges’ g = −0.02) and follow-up (Hedges’ g = −0.12) for negative SWB measures. A group-based delivery mode and a longer intervention duration predicted higher effects. These findings call for improving research design in future research and diversifying the intervention approaches. (150 words)

Measurement of the main factors involved in teleworking: Validation of the E-Work Life Scale among Romanian teleworkers.

Since most global organizations adopted teleworking since the COVID-19 pandemic, measuring teleworking-related concepts and its implications have become vital. The aim of the study consisted in the validation and the examination of the psychometric properties of the E-Work Life Scale (EWLS) which measures the relevant teleworking-related aspects: work-life interference, productivity, organizational trust, and flexibility. To this aim, a group of teleworkers (N = 357; Mage = 38.90) completed the set of scales on which the study was based. The construct validity of the scale was examined by means of the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and the internal consistency by using Cronbach's α, McDonald's ω, and composite reliability (CR). Associations between the EWLS and the measures of life satisfaction, positive and negative affect and subjective well-being were also considered. A structural equation model is conducted to analyze the relationship between EWLS factors and life satisfaction. The findings obtained through CFA support the construct validity of the EWLS that is identical with the original version of the scale, which contains the four factors (χ2/df = 2.61; CFI = 0.93; RMSEA = 0.069; SRMR = 0.067). The internal consistency is good for the four factors, as well as for the total score of the scale (αs > 0.69; ωs > 0.75; CRs > 0.78). Work-life interference is the factor that is most associated with subjective well-being. The dimensions of the EWLS determine the life satisfaction. The results lead us to believe that EWLS is a promising instrument for the assessment of the factors involved in teleworking.

Examining the influence of virtual reality tourism on consumers' subjective wellbeing

Tourism consumption has been outlined as having a positive effect on individuals' subjective wellbeing, however, we had limited empirical or conceptual understanding on the propensity of VR tourism in fostering positive subjective wellbeing and the subsequent effects this has for tourism providers and policymakers. A vacation transports one's self to an alternative world, physically. In parallel, VR transports one's self to an alternative world, virtually. Accordingly, through a multiple quantitative study research-design and drawing on the theoretical lens of Presence-Theory and Effort-Recovery-Theory, this research uncovers the positive effect of VR tourism on individuals' subjective wellbeing, the nuance of the sense of presence in VR tourism in enabling psychological-detachment and enhancing consumer wellbeing along with the subsequent attitude and behaviour intentions stimulated by consumer wellbeing. Our results pertain that not only can VR tourism provide important societal and health benefits in recovery and enhancing individuals' wellbeing, but also benefits from an economic perspective.

The relationship between personality, well-being, and gratitude in teleworking

Teleworking increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to be a major working practice at a higher rate than before the pandemic. Over the past three years, employees have engaged in various forms, types, and extents of telework. Experiences with telework have had both positive and negative effects on employees’ well-being. Personality traits also appear to play a significant role in employee engagement in a telework environment (Clark et al., 2012). In addition, another important factor, gratitude, is considered to be a crucial predictor of positive subjective well-being (SWB) in the work context (Datu et al., 2022). To this end, the present study examined the relationship between Big Five personality traits and teleworkers’ well-being as well as their direct and indirect effects on gratitude. To examine possible predictors, 230 teleworkers completed an online questionnaire. A path analysis was conducted to test the relationships among variables. The results show that different personality types may influence employees’ attitudes toward telework and could play an important role in determining subjective well-being in teleworking. Specifically, conscientiousness, extraversion, and agreeableness were found to be correlated with a positive and statistically significant impact of positive feelings toward telework, whereas neuroticism was associated with lower well-being toward telework.