Wisdom Scores Research Articles

Wisdom affinity in the general population

BackgroundWisdom is an important coping resource for difficult and ambiguous life situations. Wisdom trainings have been developed in clinical and non-clinical settings. What has been missing so far are representative data on wisdom affinity from the general population. These are important regarding needs assessments and identification of risk groups with low wisdom affinity and potential problems in coping with difficult and ambiguous life situations.MethodThe study examined a population-representative sample of 2509 persons. Socio-demographic data, presence of chronic and mental illnesses was assessed, and wisdom attitudes by the 12-WD Wisdom Scale. The surveys were carried out by means of interviews and self-report questionnaires at the respondents’ homes, done by an experienced social research company (USUMA GmbH).ResultsOnly 6% of the whole sample appeared to be highly wisdom-affirmative (12-WD mean score 10 on scale 0–10), whereas 4% may appear low wisdom-affirm, due to very low agreement (12 WD mean score 0–4). Most of the moderately wisdom-affirm people had a religious denomination (70.9%), whereas only 57–59% of the high or low wisdom-affirm persons reported religious affiliations. Low wisdom-affirm were most often chronically ill (25%), with mental or physical illness in similar frequency, and had significantly more unemployment times than persons with higher wisdom scores. Wisdom affinity was independent from age, gender and age, household situation, and higher school education.ConclusionIt must be assumed that people with socio-medical risk factors also have impairments in their wisdom-related problem-solving strategies, and that these can be of interest for transdiagnostic wisdom trainings in prevention or rehabilitation, which has shown positive effects.

Uskudar Emotional Wisdom Scale (USEWS) validity and reliability studies and examining psychometric properties

Without emotions, people cannot express themselves. In our age, Wisdom Psychology has gained importance as a methodology that reveals the importance of meaning and inquiry skills. It is evident that emotions should be reconsidered from a multidimensional existential perspective. Emotional Wisdom brought about the questioning of some new skills and created the need for a new measurement tool to obtain concrete data. In this study, it was aimed to develop a valid and reliable scale to measure emotional wisdom and to contribute to the related literature by performing its first psychometric analysis. Quantitative methodology was used in this study. The research sample consisted of 1300 volunteer participants from across Turkey. As a result of the validity and reliability studies, a 6-factor scale named Uskudar Emotional Wisdom Scale (USEWS) emerged. The internal consistency reliability coefficient Cronbach Alpha value of the scale, which explained 51.87% of the total variance, was found to be .88. Confirmatory factor analysis of the scale resulted in acceptable goodness-of-fit values. In the criterion validity study, it was found to be related to the Revised Schutte Emotional Intelligence Scale (r=.60). In the first psychometric examinations conducted with effect analyzes, men’s emotional wisdom scores were found to be high and of medium effect (d=0.38; >0.2

The Benefits of Wise Organizations for Employee Well-Being

Similar to personal wisdom, which is believed to be beneficial for individuals, others, and the larger community, wise organizations are likely to have a positive impact on employee well-being if their ultimate goal is to promote the common good. To test this hypothesis and create a wise organization index, the cognitive, reflective, and compassionate dimensions of the Three-Dimensional Wisdom Model were integrated with the psychological needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness of Self-Determination Theory. The wise organization index consisted of the average ratings of ten scales by forty-seven to 1,930 employees in twenty-four organizations. Analyses of two-level hierarchical linear models showed that the positive association between the wisdom scores of twenty-four organizations and the well-being scores of 9130 employees was mediated by supervisor support and job fulfillment. The study suggests that employees who are treated well, feel well and fulfilled at work, which likely benefits the organization’s long-term success.

Mediating role of impaired wisdom in the relation between childhood trauma and psychotic-like experiences in Chinese college students: a nationwide cross-sectional study

Background:The association between childhood trauma (CT) and psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) is well-established. Many previous studies have recognized wisdom as a protective factor for mental health, but its role in the relation between CT and PLEs remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the mediating effect of wisdom in the above association among Chinese college students.Methods:We conducted a nationwide survey covering 9 colleges across China and recruited a total of 5873 students using online questionnaires between September 14 and October 18, 2021. Convenience sampling was adopted. We employed the San Diego Wisdom Scale (SD-WISE), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-28), and the 15-item Positive Subscale of the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE-15) to measure the wisdom, CT and PLEs, respectively. Descriptive, correlation, and mediation analysis were utilized.Results:The positive correlation between CT and PLEs was well-replicated among college students (Pearson’s r = 0.30, p < 0.001). Wisdom was negatively associated with CT (Pearson’s r = − 0.46, p < 0.001) and frequency of PLEs (Pearson’s r = − 0.25, p < 0.001). Total wisdom scores partially mediated the relationship between cumulative childhood trauma, neglect, abuse and PLEs, separately. The mediated model respectively explained 21.9%, 42.54% and 18.27% of the effect of CT on PLEs. Our model further suggested that childhood trauma could be related to PLEs through decreasing the following wisdom components: decisiveness, emotional regulation and prosocial behavior.Conclusion:For the first time, our results suggested that impaired wisdom played a role in the translation from childhood adversity to subclinical psychotic symptoms, implicating wisdom as a possible target for early intervention for psychosis among young individuals. Longitudinal work is warranted to verify the clinical implications.

Specific event-related data presentation changes embitterment affect - an experimental study

Background: During the corona pandemic increased rates of embitterment have been found in the general population. As embitterment occurs reactive to triggers related to experienced negative events, and as people were steadily exposed to pandemic-related information, the research question arises: Can embitterment be triggered by pandemic-related information in form of infection rates displayed in figures? Method: Within an experimental design we investigated whether a figure presenting infection rates in an aggravated manner (seemingly strong infection increase and then stable course, experimental group, EG, n=138) leads to stronger embitterment increase, as compared to a figure presenting infection rates seemingly stable (control group, CG, n=155). Accompanying characteristics with potential influence on embitterment have been assessed: wisdom, general belief in a just world, perceived injustice events during the pandemic. Results: In contrast to the experimental hypothesis, the EG decreased in embitterment after reading the aggravated infection rates figure, whereas the CG rested stable. People with higher wisdom scores had a lower embitterment level after watching the infection data. There was no association between perceived pandemic-related injustice events and embitterment after watching the infection data. Belief in a just world slightly decreased over the course in both groups. Discussion: By means of pandemic-related data presentation, embitterment affect can be changed. Contradictory to expectation, the aggravated presentation led to a reduction of embitterment. This example shows that even simple but specific information presentations can induce changes in state affect, and this happens independently from other relevant characteristics (such as perceived injustice events during pandemic, or general belief in a just world). Professionals who present event-related data in public should explain these data and be aware that information and data presentation may relevantly impact on peoples affects.

Narrative Group Intervention to Rediscover Life Wisdom Among Hong Kong Chinese Older Adults: A Single-Blind Randomized Waitlist-Controlled Trial.

Background and ObjectivesWe developed a new group practice using strength- and meaning-based narrative therapy (NT) for older Chinese living in Hong Kong (HK), to enhance their life wisdom. This paper reports on the intervention and its short- and longer-term effectiveness.Research Design and MethodsA randomized waitlist-controlled trial was conducted. A total of 157 older adults were randomly recruited, of whom 75 were randomly assigned to the intervention group which received four 2-hr biweekly NT sessions using the “Tree of Life” metaphor. The others were placed on a waitlist. Perceived wisdom was assessed using the Brief Self-Assessed Wisdom Scale. Assessment occurred at baseline (T0), end of treatment (T1), and 4 (T2) and 8 months later (T3). Overtime effects of NT on wisdom scores were assessed using latent growth curve models with time-invariant covariates for impact.ResultsThe intervention (NT) group showed significant, sustainable overtime within-group improvement in perceived wisdom. Furthermore, when compared to the control group, the NT group showed significant immediate improvements in perceived wisdom [F(2.726, p = .041)], which were maintained at all follow-up points. This effect remained after controlling for age, gender, and educational level (TML(11) = 17.306, p = .098, root mean square error of approximation = 0.079, comparative fit index = 0.960). No adverse reaction was recorded.Discussion and ImplicationsNT underpinned by a ToL methodology offers a new theory to understand, promote, and appreciate perceived wisdom in older Chinese living in HK. It contributes to psychotherapy and professional social work practice for older Chinese.

Narrative Group Interventions to Rediscover Life Wisdom Among Hong Kong Chinese Older Adults: A Waitlist RCT Study

Objectives: To recognize, and rejuvenate the life wisdom of Hong Kong Chinese older adults, a new strength- and meaning-based Narrative Therapy (NT) in practice is developed, with two objectives: to examine its effectiveness in enhancing wisdom; and to test the longer-term effects at 2 and 8 months respectively. Method: A waitlist randomised controlled trial (RCT) design was used. A total of 157 older adults were recruited, 82 of which was randomly assigned to 12 intervention groups to receive four 2-hour NT sessions using the ‘Tree of Life’ metaphor, to assess perceived wisdom at baseline (T1), at the end of treatment (T2), and at two (T3) and 8 months after treatment (T4). Results: Participants in the NT group showed significant improvements in the wisdom outcome measure [F(2.726, p = 0.041)]. As such, the results of latent growth curve models with time-invariant covariates for impact of NT on wisdom scores suggested significant effects two months after treatment (T3) with controlled the effects of age, gender and educational level [TML(11) = 17.306, p = 0.098, RMSEA = 0.079, CFI = 0.960]. Most improvements were sustained at 2- and 8-months post intervention. No adverse reaction was recorded in any of the cases mentioned at all study sites. Conclusion: The findings have significant theoretical contributions for professional social work practice to ground a new theory in understanding wisdom in older adulthood, develop a new clinical practice that appreciate and celebrate life wisdom, and a practice guide to be disseminated among health and social care practitioners.

A wisdom-based salesforce development model: the role of wisdom in salesforce training and well-being

The prevalence of various salesforce job stressors call for an alternative to the current salesforce training and management strategy to secure the balanced proficiency development in job skills, prosocial abilities, and personal well-being. Specifically, we compare the well-being of 258 salespeople with 153 non-sales adults. We also investigate the relationship between wisdom and life satisfaction among salespeople, and moderation effect of age on the relationship. In regression analysis, wisdom scores of salespeople were positively related to life satisfaction moderated by age. The association between wisdom and life satisfaction was significantly stronger for older rather than younger salespeople. The findings suggest that a wisdom-based salesforce development model might result in a more balanced improvement in the mastery of job requirements, the interactions between seasoned and new salespeople, and personal well-being.

HIV and three dimensions of Wisdom: Association with cognitive function and physical and mental well-being: For: Psychiatry Research

Wisdom is a unique human personality trait with cognitive, affective or compassionate, and reflective dimensions. We evaluated relationships of three specific dimensions of wisdom with cognitive function and physical and mental well-being in people with HIV (PWH) and HIV-negative (HIV-) participants. Subjects included 138 adults (61 PWH, 77 HIV-) from the San Diego community. Validated measures were used to assess wisdom and well-being. Cognitive function was assessed via the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. We conducted multivariate linear regressions to evaluate the associations of wisdom dimensions with cognitive function and physical and mental well-being. Compared to the HIV- group, PWH had lower mean scores on cognitive function, and physical and mental well-being, and cognitive and reflective dimensions of wisdom, but similar scores on affective or compassionate wisdom. Among PWH, higher total wisdom scores were associated with older age, lower likelihood of substance dependence, greater mental well-being, better cognitive function, higher resilience, social support, and optimism scores, as well as lower levels of perceived stress and nadir CD4 count. Our findings of an association of different dimensions of wisdom with physical and/or mental well-being in PWH would point to a possibility that enhancing these dimensions of wisdom might improve health outcomes in PWH.

Stronger resting-state neural oscillations associated with wiser advising from the 2nd- but not the 3rd-person perspective

This is the first electroencephalogram study exploring the personal perspective effect on wise advising. Participants advised hypothetical protagonists in life dilemmas from both the 2nd- and 3rd-person perspective. Their advice for each dilemma was rated by two independent raters on wisdom criteria, i.e., metacognitive humility, metacognitive flexibility, and perspective taking. The results revealed that participants felt a significantly shorter psychological distance from protagonists when advising from the 2nd- (vs. the 3rd-) person perspective, p < 0.001. However, there was no significant effect of perspective condition on the wisdom score. Nevertheless, stronger resting-state absolute EEG powers in the frontal lobe were associated with wiser advising from the 2nd-, but not the 3rd-person perspective. Moreover, Z tests revealed that the correlations between the resting-state absolute EEG powers and wisdom scores were significantly stronger during advising from the 2nd- than the 3rd-person perspective. These results suggest that advising from the 2nd-person perspective was more self-related, and mental activities during rest contributed to advising from the 2nd- but not the 3rd-person perspective.

Effects of Causal Attribution and Implicit Mind-Set on Wisdom Development.

This study investigates the relationship between motivation and the development of wisdom. Eighty Canadian participants were interviewed and completed Ardelt's Three-Dimensional Wisdom Scale (3D-WS). Using a mixed method design, we assessed wisdom definitions, interpersonal causal attributions, and mind-set about developing wisdom. A chi-square analysis revealed a significant relationship between attribution and mind-set about wisdom development. Two multivariate analyses of variance showed that both factors significantly influenced wisdom scores on the 3D-WS. These results suggest that people who consider wisdom development to be controllable and believe that their personal wisdom can be developed (i.e., growth mind-set) tend to be wiser, regardless of their definition of wisdom. By introducing the importance of mind-set and attribution, this study will open new avenues for research on teaching for wisdom and allow educators to develop programs to cultivate wisdom that focus on altering attribution and mind-set.

3416 Building Resilience & Wisdom in Clinical and Translational Researchers: A Mixed-Method Study of a Pilot Curricular Intervention

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: The clinical and translational research workforce is in jeopardy due to investigator attrition and competing demands upon researchers. Resilience and wisdom are measurable traits that can be acquired. The aim of this study was to examine a pilot curricular intervention promoting resilience and wisdom formation in early-career translational researchers. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We conducted a prospective, mixed-methods evaluation of a curricular intervention promoting the development of wisdom and resilience among junior faculty in a career development program. Six 90 minute sessions were delivered between September 2017 and January 2018. Pre- and post- resilience and wisdom were measured using the Connor Davidson Resilience Scale and 3D-Wisdom Scale. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted before and after the intervention RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Five scholars participated. Median resilience and wisdom scores revealed moderate levels of each trait; pre- and post-scores were not significantly different. Four themes emerged from the analysis of interview transcripts: 1. “Success” broadly defined; 2. Adversity threatens success; 3. Community breeds resilience; and 4. Wisdom formation parallels growth towards independence. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: An intervention aimed at developing capacities of resilience and wisdom is feasibly delivered to early career researchers. The relationship between these capacities and the sustainability of a research career warrants additional study.

Assessment of 3-dimensional wisdom in schizophrenia: Associations with neuropsychological functions and physical and mental health

Recent decades have seen growing empirical research in wisdom as a complex, trait-based psychological characteristic. Wisdom has been shown to possess individual and societal benefits through associations with health and well-being, but it has not yet been evaluated in people with schizophrenia (PwS). In the current study, we administered a widely used, validated 3-dimensional wisdom scale that includes three interrelated dimensions: cognitive, reflective, and affective. We examined group differences in wisdom, as well as relationships between wisdom and sociodemographics, clinical symptoms, neurocognitive and functional performance, and mental and physical health in 65 stable adult outpatients with chronic schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and 96 non-psychiatric comparison participants (NPCPs). Results showed that PwS had lower wisdom scores than NPCPs and that wisdom moderated relationships between diagnostic group and neurocognitive and functional performance; PwS with higher levels of wisdom demonstrated better cognitive performance than did PwS with lower levels of wisdom. In addition, wisdom was positively correlated with performances on multiple neurocognitive tasks in PwS, but not in NPCPs. Finally, reflective wisdom – representing accurate/unbiased introspection and perspective-taking – correlated with all mental health variables in PwS. Our results were limited by a cross-sectional design, but suggest that wisdom, especially reflective wisdom, may be associated with better cognitive performance and better physical and mental health in PwS. It is conceivable that interventions to enhance wisdom may have broad cognitive and mental and physical health benefits in individuals with chronic psychotic disorders.

Wisdom Attitudes and Coping In Life of Psychosomatic Patients

Wisdom is a capacity, which is needed in coping with difficult problems in life. It can be understood as a special type of problem solving skill. It is getting growing recognition in psychology in general, and in psychotherapy and clinical practice in particular. Goal of the present study is to assess wisdom competencies and their correlates in psychosomatic patients, using for the first time the 12-WD-scale. The 12-WD-Scale covers 12 wisdom dimensions. As part of their routine intake assessment, 202 unselected inpatients of a department of psychosomatic medicine filled in the 12-WD-scale together with the differential life burden scale, the global belief in a just world scale and the posttraumatic embitterment scale. Additional patient and clinical data could be taken from the routine data. Wisdom scores showed a normal distribution. The mean was in the positive range (4.50, SD=0.71). A factor analysis showed three factors (sobriety, serenity, modesty), explaining 53.7% of the total variance. There were positive correlations of the wisdom score with life satisfaction and age, negative correlations with beliefs in justice and embitterment, but not with formal education. The results of the 12-WD-Scale show that psychosomatic patients appreciate wisdom attitudes and that this is associated with better coping in life. Wisdom competencies are an interesting field in psychotherapy when patients are burdened by difficult situations in life. The 12-WD-scale can provide helpful information in this regard.

The Effects of Age, Hearing Loss, and Communication Difficulty on First Impressions

Within a person perception paradigm, young adults (n = 171) evaluated young and older targets with or without hearing loss or communication problems. On anticipated cognitive performance, older targets were rated lower on visual memory and visuospatial skill but higher on wisdom. Targets with normal hearing and communication difficulty were rated as least competent on the cognitive tasks and most socially distant. Furthermore, the lowest wisdom scores were anticipated for normally hearing young targets exhibiting communication problems. The findings showed that adults of any age were judged less severely for communication difficulties if known to use a hearing aid.

Social crisis and individual growth: The long-term effects of the great depression

This longitudinal study examines the effects of the Great Depression on the social and psychological development of 81 white women and 39 white men from Berkeley, California, born around the turn of the century. Analyses showed that respondents who were classified as relatively wise in old age (in 1968/1969) were as likely to experience economic hardship during the Great Depression as those considered low on wisdom in their later years. However, wise older men and women who suffered from economic deprivation during the Depression years became on average psychologically more healthy between 1930 and 1944. By contrast, psychological health scores of elders with relatively low wisdom scores who went through similar Depression hardship experiences tended to decline during the same time period. Since wisdom and psychological health are empirically and theoretically related, these results add support to the claim that wisdom may be acquired through the successful resolution of crises and hardship.