Adult Psychological Well-being Research Articles

Coping Behaviour, Posttraumatic Growth and Psychological Well-Being in Women with Childhood Sexual Abuse

This study investigated the coping behaviours and posttraumatic growth of women with sexual abuse in childhood (CSA) and long-term effects on their psychological well-being in adulthood. Participants were 10 women survivors of CSA (ages ranging from 23–48 years). Data on how women resiled, coped and thrived were collected using individual interviews. Interpretative phenomenological analysis were used for data analysis. The data were thematically analyzed. Themes to emerge from the analysis included the importance of positive coping behaviour, evolving alternative life narratives and the development and utilization of inner strengths.

Quality of Life, Self-Efficacy and Psychological Well-Being in Brazilian Adults with Cancer: A Longitudinal Study

Quality of life (QoL) has been considered worthy of assessment in the treatment, prevention and rehabili- tation of cancer patients. As it has a psychological dimension, is important to investigate the relationship between quality of life and psychological concepts like self-efficacy and psychological well-being. Ob- jective of the present study is to examine the QoL, self-efficacy and psychological well-being in adults with cancer. Methods: 50 patients completed self-report questionnaires: WHOQOL-bref, General Self- Efficacy Scale and GHQ-12 in two periods (T1 = timeline; T2 = follow up 1 year later). A paired t-test did not identify significant differences in the QoL self-efficacy and psychological well-being between T1 and T2. However, men had a better overall QoL and in the physical and social dimensions, and psycho- logical well-being in T1 compared with the women. In T2 there were significant differences between men and women only in the social and psychological dimensions of the QoL. The self-efficacy in T2 was the only predictive variable of the QoL in T2, explaining 71.9% of its variance. It is concluded that, in the pe- riod of one year, the QoL, psychological well-being and self-efficacy were stable, but gender differences were identified. The variables measured in T1 were incapable of predicting the QoL in T2. The gender differences found in QoL and psychological well-being can be used to guide specific future interventions with these patients.

Versão Portuguesa do CORE-OM: tradução, adaptação e estudo preliminar das suas propriedades psicométricas

CONTEXTO: O Clinical Outcome Routine Evaluation - Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) e um instrumento europeu de autorrelato para medir a saude mental em adultos e se encontra adaptado para mais de 20 paises. O CORE-OM e utilizado em contextos clinicos hospitalares, saude ocupacional e educacional, assim como na avaliacao da qualidade dos servicos de saude mental. OBJETIVOS: Este estudo apresenta a traducao e a adaptacao do CORE-OM para a lingua portuguesa. METODOS: A traducao do CORE-OM seguiu o protocolo internacional da equipe CORE System Trust, em colaboracao com os autores originais da medida. Este protocolo envolveu sete traducoes independentes, elaboradas por pessoas com/sem familiaridade com a area de saude mental e por tradutores profissionais. Essas traducoes foram posteriormente discutidas em formato de grupo focal, do qual resultou uma versao final da medida. Participaram no processo de traducao individuos de varias faixas etarias, contextos socioculturais e niveis de escolaridade. RESULTADOS: Resultados preliminares numa amostra de 111 individuos (populacao geral) revelam que essa traducao e fiavel e com elevada consistencia interna. CONCLUSAO: A versao portuguesa do CORE-OM aqui apresentada e relevante e adequada, sendo um instrumento indicado para avaliar a mudanca psicologica tanto em investigacao como na pratica clinica.

Respiratory, Physical, and Psychological Benefits of Breath-Focused Yoga for Adults with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): A Brief Pilot Study Report

This pilot study was designed to identify the potential benefits of breath-focused yoga on respiratory, physical, and psychological functioning for adults with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Ten individuals with severe TBI who self-selected to attend weekly yoga classes and 4 no-treatment controls were evaluated. Participants were assessed at pretreatment baseline and at 3-month intervals for a total of 4 time points over 40 weeks. Outcomes of interest included observed exhale strength, ability to hold a breath or a tone, breathing rate, counted breaths (inhale and exhale), and heart rate, as well as self-reported physical and psycho-logical well-being. Repeated within-group analyses of variance revealed that the yoga group demonstrated significant longitudinal change on several measures of observed respiratory functioning and self-reported physical and psychological well-being over a 40-week period. Those in the control group showed marginal improvement on 2 of the 6 measures of respiratory health, physical and social functioning, emotional well-being, and general health. The small sample sizes precluded the analysis of between group differences. This study provides preliminary evidence that breath-focused yoga may improve respiratory functioning and self-perceived physical and psychological well-being of adults with severe TBI.

A Prospective Investigation of the Relationship Between Child Maltreatment and Indicators of Adult Psychological Well-Being

The study of psychological well-being will advance understanding of child maltreatment effects and resilience processes. In this study, the mean level of anger in adulthood was significantly higher for those identified three decades earlier as having been maltreated. Mean levels of self-esteem, autonomy, purpose in life, perceived (fewer) constraints, and happiness and satisfaction were lower for those who were maltreated according to child welfare reports. Officially recorded child maltreatment was moderately (r < .30) correlated with several psychological well-being indicators and predictive of adult anger, self-esteem, autonomy, and happiness/life satisfaction after accounting for childhood socioeconomic status (SES), gender, and other sources of data on child abuse and neglect. Parent-reported abusive disciplining also uniquely predicted several outcomes, as did a measure of observed child neglect to a lesser extent.

Gender differences in the effect of breastfeeding on adult psychological well-being

Little is known about whether the positive effect of breastfeeding on child health extends to adult psychological adjustment. We hypothesized that breastfed babies would have higher psychological well-being in adulthood in relation to the pathway of childhood psychosocial adjustment. We used the available cases with normal birthweight from the National Child Development Study (NCDS, N=7304, born in 1958) and the 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS70, N=6205, born in 1970). Childhood psychosocial adjustment was assessed by the child's teacher, using the Bristol Social Adjustment Guides for the NCDS and the Rutter Behaviour Scale for the BCS70. Adult psychological well-being was defined in terms of measures of emotional distress and self-efficacy. In this study, we controlled the effects of socio-demographic factors at birth: maternal age and educational status, two-parenthood and being a first-born child. We used path analysis to test life-course pathways between breastfeeding and adult psychological well-being independent of socio-demographic factors at birth and the role childhood psychosocial adjustment. After accounting for the effects of the socio-demographic factors at birth, being breastfed indirectly contributed to adult psychological well-being among women through the pathway from childhood psychosocial adjustment. Moreover, this was directly associated with better psychological well-being in adulthood among women from the BCS70. Being breastfed was not associated with psychological outcomes amongst men in either cohort. Being breastfed contributed to psychological outcomes in women, especially from the later born cohort. Our findings suggest that being breastfed can be important for women's psychological well-being throughout the lifecourse.

The Complex Relationship Between Parental Divorce and the Sense of Control

How does parental divorce influence the sense of control in adult offspring? Numerous studies have examined the implications of parental divorce on adult psychological well-being. However, little attention has been paid to the long-term consequences of parental divorce for adult sense of control. Using data from the Survey of Aging, Status, and the Sense of Control, we investigate whether or not, and how, parental divorce is associated with offspring sense of control. The results show that parental divorce has mixed relationships with offspring sense of control, indicating both positive and negative mechanisms. On one hand, parental divorce significantly increases adult sense of control. This positive association holds even when we adjust for socioeconomic attainments and social relationships. On the other hand, parental divorce is associated with decreased levels of sense of control through higher economic hardship, lower educational attainment, and nonparticipation in volunteering. The authors discuss the implications of these results.

011 Gender differences in the effect of breast feeding on adult psychological well-being

ObjectiveTo examine the changes in the social distribution of breast feeding and its effect on the psychological well-being of adults via the pathway of childhood psychological health.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingWe used...

Adult attachment, work cohesion, coping, and psychological well-being of firefighters

Little research has investigated factors and mechanisms that contribute to firefighters’ psychological well-being. Because of the high-stress nature and team work format of this profession, firefighters are uniquely well-suited for studying the effects of adult attachment on their well-being. This study tested a conceptual model depicting the relationships of five psychosocial latent variables: (a) attachment anxiety, (b) attachment avoidance, (c) work cohesion, (d) coping, and (e) psychological well-being of firefighters. The sample included 173 professional firefighters recruited from two Midwestern cities. Results suggested that both attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety had significant direct associations with psychological well-being and that coping partially mediated the link between attachment avoidance (but not attachment anxiety) and psychological well-being. Work cohesion did not mediate the relationships between attachment and psychological well-being. However, coping fully mediated the relation of work cohesion and psychological well-being. Findings and implications are discussed based on attachment perspectives within the context of unique characteristics of the firefighter population.

Identifying experiences of physical and psychological violence in childhood that jeopardize mental health in adulthood

Objective This study examined associations between profiles of physical and psychological violence in childhood from parents and two dimensions of mental health in adulthood (negative affect and psychological well-being). Profiles were distinguished by the types of violence retrospectively self-reported (only physical, only psychological, or both psychological and physical violence), as well as by the frequency at which each type of violence reportedly occurred (never, rarely, or frequently). Methods Multivariate regression models were estimated using data from the National Survey of Midlife in the U.S. (MIDUS). An adapted version of the Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS) was used to collect respondents’ reports of physical and psychological violence in childhood from each parent. Respondents also reported on current experiences of negative affect and psychological well-being. Results Regarding violence from mothers, reports of frequent psychological violence—even when coupled with never or rarely having experienced physical violence—were associated with more negative affect and less psychological well-being in adulthood. Nearly all profiles of violence in childhood from fathers—with the exception of reports of rare physical violence only—were associated with poorer adult mental health. Conclusions Results provide evidence that frequent experiences of psychological violence from parents—even in the absence of physical violence and regardless of whether such violence is from mothers or fathers—can place individuals’ long-term mental health at risk. Moreover, frequent physical violence from fathers—even in the absence of psychological violence—also serves as a risk factor for poorer adult mental health. Practice implications Findings provide additional empirical support for the importance of prevention and intervention efforts directed toward children who experience physical and psychological violence from parents, as well as among adults who reportedly experienced in childhood only one type of violence and especially psychological violence at high levels of frequency.

Psychological well-being in persons receiving HIV-related mental health services: the role of personal meaning in a stress and coping model

Objective This investigation examined the association of personal meaning to psychological well-being in adults living with HIV/AIDS receiving mental health services. Personal meaning refers to a framework for delineating the purposes and goals that make life worth living and for evaluating the degree to which these purposes and goals are being fulfilled. Personal meaning was hypothesized to be positively associated with psychological well-being and to contribute independently to the variance in psychological well-being over and above social support, dispositional optimism and coping behavior. Method With the use of a cross-sectional design, a set of self-report measures were completed by 132 adults living with HIV disease at the time of their initial mental health services evaluation. Data were analyzed using correlation and regression techniques. Results Personal meaning was positively associated with psychological well-being, although it did not contribute significantly to the variance in well-being over and above social support, optimism and coping behavior in a multifactorial regression model. Post hoc analysis showed partial mediation by optimism of the association between personal meaning and well-being. Conclusions Personal meaning should be considered along with other psychological and behavioral coping factors in understanding and intervening clinically with individuals living with HIV disease and co-occurring psychiatric concerns.

Looking beyond the biophysical realm to optimize health: results of a survey of psychological well-being in adults with congenital cardiac disease

The purpose was to examine the relationship between the complexity of structural heart disease and psychological well-being in adults with congenital cardiac disease. A total of 380 patients registered at the Adult Congenital Heart Clinic in Calgary, Alberta, Canada were surveyed. The patients were mailed a socio-demographic questionnaire and an instrument to measure psychological well-being. The instrument of psychological well-being measures six dimensions: positive relations with others, autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, purpose in life, and self-acceptance. Of the 380 patients surveyed, 85 of 205 patients with simple structural malformation responded, giving a response rate of 41%, and 78 of 175 patients with complex malformations, thus giving a response of 45%. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean scores of each of the six dimensions of psychological well-being between those patients with simple and complex malformations. Two-way analysis of variance, and multivariate analysis of variance, found significant differences in mean scores for dimensions when other socio-demographic variables were included in the analysis. For example, significantly higher mean scores for the dimension of purpose in life was found in patients who obtained a higher level of education (p = 0.009), and in patients who were employed (p < 0.001). We present the socio-demographic variables that statistically impact the mean scores for the dimension of psychological well-being. Psychological well-being is not affected by the complexity of the structural congenital cardiac disease. Certain socio-demographic variables that impact psychological well-being, nonetheless, must be considered when developing multidisciplinary programmes to care for young adults with congenitally malformed hearts.

Gender, Excessive Body Weight, and Psychological Well-Being in Adulthood

We examined gender differences in the association between body mass index (BMI) and psychological well-being. Regression analysis involving 3,251 adults indicated that gender moderated the BMI–psychological well-being link. In follow-up analyses, higher BMI predicted lower psychological well-being only among women. When participants were categorized into 5 BMI groups, women reported lower psychological well-being than men in the overweight and obese I groups, but no gender differences were observed in the more seriously obese or normal-weight groups. Also, among women, all 4 groups with higher-than-normal BMI had lower psychological well-being than normal-weight women; for men, no significant differences were found across the 5 groups. These findings are discussed in relation to research on stigma theory and gender-differentiated cultural norms regarding weight.

The relationship between early personality and midlife psychological well-being: evidence from a UK birth cohort study

Individual differences in personality influence the occurrence, reporting and outcome of mental health problems across the life course, but little is known about the effects on adult psychological well-being. The aim of this study was to examine long range associations between Eysenck's personality dimensions and psychological well-being in midlife. The study sample comprised 1,134 women from the 1946 British birth cohort. Extraversion and neuroticism were assessed using the Maudsley Personality Inventory in adolescence (age 16 years) and early adulthood (age 26). Psychological well-being was assessed at age 52 with a 42-item version of Ryff's Psychological Well-being Scale. Analyses were undertaken within a structural equation modelling framework that allowed for an ordinal treatment of well-being and personality items, and latent variable modelling of longitudinal data on emotional adjustment. The contribution of mental health problems in linking personality variations to later well-being was assessed using a summary measure of mental health (emotional adjustment) created from multiple time-point assessments. Women who were more socially outgoing (extravert) reported higher well-being on all dimensions. Neuroticism was associated with lower well-being on all dimensions. The effect of early neuroticism on midlife well-being was almost entirely mediated through emotional adjustment defined in terms of continuities in psychological/ psychiatric distress. The effect of extraversion was not mediated by emotional adjustment, nor attenuated after adjustment for neuroticism. Individual differences in extraversion and neuroticism in early adult life influence levels of well-being reported in midlife.

Death of Parents and Adult Psychological and Physical Well-Being: A Prospective U.S. National Study.

Guided by a life course perspective, attachment theory, and gender theory, this study aims to examine the impact of death of a father, a mother, or both parents, as well as continuously living with one or both parents dead (in contrast to having two parents alive) on multiple dimensions of psychological well-being (depressive symptoms, happiness, self-esteem, mastery, and psychological wellness), alcohol abuse (binge drinking), and physical health (self-assessed health). Analyses of longitudinal data from. 8,865 adults in the National Survey of Families and Households 1987-1993 reveal that a father's death leads to more negative effects for sons than daughters and a mother's death leads to more negative effects for daughters than sons. Problematic effects of parent loss are reflected more in men's physical health reports than women's. This study's results suggest that family researchers and practitioners working with aging families should not underestimate the impact of filial bereavement on adult well-being.

Contextualized Self‐Representations in Adulthood

Theorizing has focused on individuals' self-representations as a psychological resource for coping with life stress and developmental challenges in adulthood. Many of the prominent theories have conceptualized self-representations with regard to specific social contexts (e.g., role-specific self-representations) and have examined specific structural organizations of the self-concept with regard to psychological adjustment. This article describes research on the associations between self-concept structures and psychological well-being in adulthood. Specific emphasis is given to the feature of self-concept differentiation (SCD). Most research suggests that a high level of SCD tends to indicate self-fragmentation and tends to be associated with poorer adjustment and psychological well-being. Findings from a daily diary study with adults of all ages are reported showing that different levels of SCD were in a consistent and meaningful way related to the daily endorsement of positive and negative self-attributes. Daily self-representations, in turn, were significantly related to individuals' level of daily negative affect and to intra-individual variation in negative affect. These findings suggest that SCD may exert its effect on adjustment and psychological well-being through specific ways of processing self-related information.

Special Section: A Memorial Tribute: Prosocial Family Processes and the Quality of Life of Persons With Schizophrenia

1771 Research on the family’s contribution to the quality of life of persons with serious mental illness has focused largely on negative family interactions associated with poorer outcomes. The concept of expressed emotion has received the most attention, with an emphasis on the family’s role in relapse through criticism of and overinvolvement in the life of the relative with mental illness. However, many families play a supportive role and serve as a safety net, because the demand for mental health services far exceeds their availability (1). Yet little is known about the types of family behaviors that enhance rather than detract from the quality of life of persons with schizophrenia. Lopez and colleagues (2) have begun to identify prosocial family processes, such as the expression of warmth and positive remarks, that support clients on their road to recovery. However, research on adults with schizophrenia has been limited to studying the relationship of these prosocial behaviors to relapse (3–5). The purpose of this cross-sectional analysis of data drawn from a longitudinal study of families and adults with schizophrenia was to build upon and extend this work by investigating whether these prosocial family processes also are associated with greater life satisfaction among persons with schizophrenia. There are important theoretical reasons for expecting a relationship between prosocial family processes and the life satisfaction of persons with schizophrenia. Individuals are likely to experience interactions characterized by feelings of warmth, closeness, and positive regard as expressions of support, and social support has been strongly associated with improved quality of life for persons with serious mental illness (6,7). In general, parents are an important source of emotional support throughout their child’s adult life, and maintaining a close and supportive relationship with one’s parents is associated with better psychological well-being in adulthood (8). In addition, an individual’s self-conProsocial Family Processes and the Quality of Life of Persons With Schizophrenia

Psychological well-being of adult coeliac patients treated for 10 years

Background Adults with longstanding coeliac disease generally report reduced quality of life. Uncertainty remains whether this is a sign of depression, thought to be a feature of the disorder. Aim To assess the psychological well-being in adults with long-treated coeliac disease. Patients and methods Fifty-one coeliac disease adults (59% women) aged 45–64 years diagnosed in 1984–1988 and showing evidence of remission 8–12 years later were examined by the Psychological General Well-being index. One hundred and eighty-two (57% women) adults of same age served as population controls. Results The coeliac disease patients showed no more signs of anxiety, depressed mood or distress than the controls as assessed by the Psychological General Well-being index, 103 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 99–107) versus 103 (95% CI = 100–106). However, unlike controls, the coeliac disease women showed a significantly lower Psychological General Well-being index than the coeliac disease men, 97 (95% CI = 91–103) versus 111 (95% CI = 106–117) ( P < 0.003). Conclusion Long-treated adult coeliac disease patients showed no difference in psychological well-being to population controls, suggesting that signs of depressed mood is no feature of well-treated coeliac disease. The observation that coeliac disease women living in Sweden experience poorer outcome of treatment than coeliac disease men is a cause of concern and calls for further studies.

Psychological well-being of adults with acquired hearing impairment

Aim. To study psychological well-being (health-related quality of life) in a population of adults 20 years and over with hearing impairment (HI) and its relation to audiological factors, consequences of the HI, sense of humour, and use of communication strategies.Subjects and methods. Consecutive adults (n = 343) at the outpatient Unit of Audiology of a Norwegian university hospital answered the Psychological General Well-being inventory (PGWB), Hearing Disability and Handicap Scale (HDHS), Sense of Humour Questionnaire-6 (SHQ-6), and Communication Strategies Scale (CSS) in relation to an audiological examination and medical consultation.Results. Mean PGWB index for the whole sample was 81.4 (SD 14.3) and females reported a significantly lower psychological well-being. In multiple linear regression analyses well-being was negatively associated with high levels of activity limitation and participation restriction. PGWB index was positively associated with high sense of humour, but was neither explained by audiological factors nor use of communication strategies.Conclusions. Psychological well-being was associated with the outcome of a standard HI assessment of activity limitation and participation restriction, but not with degree of HI and use of communication strategies.

Afrocentric and gendered constructions of psychological well-being in Nigeria: a case study

The purpose of the study was to investigate factors influencing psychological well-being in adults (17 men and 23 women) (mean age = 55.7; SD = 14.2) and 31 children (17 boys and 14 girls) (mean age = 12.5; SD = 3.4) drawn from five farming communities in Ogun State, Nigeria, through purposive sampling. The participants were all Yorubas, the dominant ethnic group in south-west Nigeria. Data collection methods included life histories, in-depth individual interviews, focus group interviews and observation. While there were no variations in factors influencing the psychological well-being of boy- and girl-children, the data revealed gender differences in factors influencing the psychological well-being of parents. The findings pose a challenge to African scholars andfeminists about the need to develop culture-specific and Afrocentric paradigms in their research in order to make their findings more useful and applicable. Keywords: farm families, ifozanbale, socio-cultural constructions, Yorubas Journal of Psychology in Africa 2005, 15(1): 31–40