Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 72-84).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file viewed on (February 27, 2007) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

This paper presents an experimental study with 47 participants on the influence of lighting on performance and well-being in an office environment. Well-being, alertness and performance were evaluated and measured in two rooms with artificial lighting and one room with day lighting. The evaluations were correlated to cortisol/melatonin saliva samples, illuminance and spectral compo-sition of the lighting. The results show day lighting to have a sustained influence on alertness and performance and it is furthermore concluded that the level of cortisol in saliva was not influenced by the illuminance and did not have an influence on performance. The participants preferred a lighting with different kinds of light sources to a more neutral lightning and gave it higher ratings for well-being.The analysis shows that comfort did not influence alertness.

Global life satisfaction is the evaluation of one’s life among important domains. Therefore, importance ratings should improve the relation between domain satisfaction and life satisfaction. However, this is not the case because studies have shown that importance ratings do not improve the model. This study examined the validity of importance and satisfaction measures using a multi-method approach. 316 participants were recruited in friendship pairs to fill out a series of questionnaires about themselves and their friend. Based on the self-informant agreement scores, there is some validity in importance and the satisfaction ratings. The importance measures for some domains also predicted people’s behavioural patterns. Indirect importance ratings were also extracted using regression and correlational analysis. In conclusion, there was also evidence for convergent validity of the direct and indirect importance measures. Therefore, people do think about the important domains to some extent when making a global life satisfaction judgment.

Global life satisfaction is the evaluation of one’s life among important domains. Therefore, importance ratings should improve the relation between domain satisfaction and life satisfaction. However, this is not the case because studies have shown that importance ratings do not improve the model. This study examined the validity of importance and satisfaction measures using a multi-method approach. 316 participants were recruited in friendship pairs to fill out a series of questionnaires about themselves and their friend. Based on the self-informant agreement scores, there is some validity in importance and the satisfaction ratings. The importance measures for some domains also predicted people’s behavioural patterns. Indirect importance ratings were also extracted using regression and correlational analysis. In conclusion, there was also evidence for convergent validity of the direct and indirect importance measures. Therefore, people do think about the important domains to some extent when making a global life satisfaction judgment.

Numerous studies have investigated the relationship between physical activity and physiological health (e.g., Burke et al., 2006; Irwin, 2004). Less attention has been paid to the contribution of physical activity on psychological well-being (Fox et al., 2000), and more specifically eudaimonic well-being, which reflects optimal psychological functioning and development at ones maximum potential (Ryff, 1989, 1995). This study investigated the role that health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA; any form of physical activity that benefits health and functional capacity; Miilunpalo et al., 2000) plays in eudaimonic well-being, which Ryff conceptualizes in terms of six dimensions: (1) Autonomy (i.e., being self-determined and independent); (2) Environmental Mastery (i.e., having a sense of mastery and competence in managing the environment); (3) Personal Growth (i.e., having a feeling of continued development); (4) Positive Relations with Others (i.e., having warm, satisfying, and trusting relationships with others); (5) Purpose in Life (i.e., having goals and a sense of direction in life); and, (6) Self-acceptance (i.e., possessing a positive attitude toward the self).<p> Employing Ryffs (1989, 1995) perspective of eudaimonic well-being, this study explored whether or not experiencing eudaimonia during HEPA moderates the relationship between HEPA and eudaimonic well-being. Additionally, it explored whether or not the relationship between experiencing eudaimonia during HEPA and eudaimonic well-being is mediated by basic need satisfaction. Undergraduate university students (N = 524; Mage = 20.7 years) completed an online survey including the Scales of Psychological Well-Being (Ryff & Keyes, 1995), the Short Questionnaire to Assess Health-enhancing Physical Activity (Wendel-Vos et al., 2003), the Hedonic and Eudaimonic Motives for Activity scale (Huta & Ryan, 2008), and the Psychological Need Satisfaction in Exercise Scale (Wilson, Rogers, et al., 2006). While level of HEPA was not significantly related to eudaimonic well-being (r = .05, p = .24), experiencing hedonia during HEPA (i.e., enjoying oneself, experiencing pleasure; r = .40, p < .01), experiencing eudaimonia during HEPA (r = .37, p < .01), and basic need satisfaction (r = .46, p < .01) were significantly related to eudaimonic well-being. Although experiencing eudaimonia during HEPA did not moderate the relationship between HEPA and eudaimonic well-being, experiencing eudaimonia during HEPA accounted for a significant 2.2% unique variance in eudaimonic well-being beyond HEPA and experiencing hedonia during HEPA (the full model accounted for a significant 18.2% of the variance in eudaimonic well-being).<p> Furthermore, the data were consistent with a model of partial mediation in that basic need satisfaction partially accounted for the relationship between experiencing eudaimonia during HEPA and eudaimonic well-being, supporting the proposition put forth by Ryan et al. (2008) that positive psychological well-being is a result of eudaimonic living that facilitates the satisfaction of our basic psychological needs. Findings from this study suggest that what appears to be significant in the relationship between HEPA and eudaimonic well-being is not the level of activity, but rather what is experienced during the activity. Future research may explore the directionality of the relationship by examining the extent to which eudaimonic well-being influences what is experienced during activity.

American society has lost sight of one of its most valued virtues: Happiness. Research has showed that the United States is behind many other countries in the overall happiness of its citizens. Leading the world in well-being is Denmark. This paper’s aim is to explore possible factors that could be facilitating the well-being of Danish citizens, and applying them to American society. In this search, I explore universal individual factors, as well as factors that lead to the development of a culture and dispositions of its citizens. From these factors, as well as unique characteristics of both countries, I hypothesized determinates of well-being in Demark, as well as factors that are detrimental to American’s well-being. Factors for Demark include uniform cultural ideals, social equality, social programs, and unique perspectives on happiness. Conversely, the lack or low levels of these factors for Americans might attest to lower well-being. By emulating these Danish policies and ideals, the U.S. could produce happier, less stressed Americans.

Background: This thesis explores the retirement behaviour of older people approaching retirement decisions. The research questions in focus deal with the attitudes toward work, the retirement preferences and the subjective well-being of the "youngest old", i.e. people aged 55–64. The included studies analyse the social determinants of these subjective evaluations and how they predict the timing of retirement and post-retirement well-being. Methods: In the included studies, methods are used that allow us to follow developments over time. Repeated cross-sectional analyses are employed to examine general developments pertaining to the older work force. These include OLS and logistic regression analysis. Longitudinal analyses are used to follow individual developments over time. These include Structural equation modelling and Cox regression analysis. Results: The results indicate that subjective evaluations such as attitudes to work and retirement preferences, as well as subjective well-being, are closely related to the structural conditions to which individuals are exposed, i.e. class position and work environment. The results also indicate that subjective evaluations such as preferred exit age and subjective well-being reported while in the work force are determinants of both the timing of retirement (in the case of preferred exit age and pre-retirement subjective well-being) and post-retirement subjective well-being (in the case of pre-retirement subjective well-being). Also, results indicate that recent policy changes in the Swedish pension systems are reflected in the retirement preferences of the older work force. A comparison of two time-points representing the incentive structure of the old and the new pension systems indicates that preferences were delayed with pension reform. Conclusion: The thesis contributes a temporal perspective to a research field that is dominated by research studying retirement behaviour at a single point of in time. The included studies underline the value of understanding retirement behaviour as a process rather than an isolated event. The way people evaluate their work, their well-being and their retirement prospects is intimately intertwined with their earlier experience. These subjective evaluations affect future retirement outcomes. Life course approaches offer illuminating tools for examining and explaining the significance of the biographies behind retirement behaviour. / Panel Survey of ageing and the elderly

Numerous studies have investigated the relationship between physical activity and physiological health (e.g., Burke et al., 2006; Irwin, 2004). Less attention has been paid to the contribution of physical activity on psychological well-being (Fox et al., 2000), and more specifically eudaimonic well-being, which reflects optimal psychological functioning and development at ones maximum potential (Ryff, 1989, 1995). This study investigated the role that health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA; any form of physical activity that benefits health and functional capacity; Miilunpalo et al., 2000) plays in eudaimonic well-being, which Ryff conceptualizes in terms of six dimensions: (1) Autonomy (i.e., being self-determined and independent); (2) Environmental Mastery (i.e., having a sense of mastery and competence in managing the environment); (3) Personal Growth (i.e., having a feeling of continued development); (4) Positive Relations with Others (i.e., having warm, satisfying, and trusting relationships with others); (5) Purpose in Life (i.e., having goals and a sense of direction in life); and, (6) Self-acceptance (i.e., possessing a positive attitude toward the self).<p> Employing Ryffs (1989, 1995) perspective of eudaimonic well-being, this study explored whether or not experiencing eudaimonia during HEPA moderates the relationship between HEPA and eudaimonic well-being. Additionally, it explored whether or not the relationship between experiencing eudaimonia during HEPA and eudaimonic well-being is mediated by basic need satisfaction. Undergraduate university students (N = 524; Mage = 20.7 years) completed an online survey including the Scales of Psychological Well-Being (Ryff & Keyes, 1995), the Short Questionnaire to Assess Health-enhancing Physical Activity (Wendel-Vos et al., 2003), the Hedonic and Eudaimonic Motives for Activity scale (Huta & Ryan, 2008), and the Psychological Need Satisfaction in Exercise Scale (Wilson, Rogers, et al., 2006). While level of HEPA was not significantly related to eudaimonic well-being (r = .05, p = .24), experiencing hedonia during HEPA (i.e., enjoying oneself, experiencing pleasure; r = .40, p < .01), experiencing eudaimonia during HEPA (r = .37, p < .01), and basic need satisfaction (r = .46, p < .01) were significantly related to eudaimonic well-being. Although experiencing eudaimonia during HEPA did not moderate the relationship between HEPA and eudaimonic well-being, experiencing eudaimonia during HEPA accounted for a significant 2.2% unique variance in eudaimonic well-being beyond HEPA and experiencing hedonia during HEPA (the full model accounted for a significant 18.2% of the variance in eudaimonic well-being).<p> Furthermore, the data were consistent with a model of partial mediation in that basic need satisfaction partially accounted for the relationship between experiencing eudaimonia during HEPA and eudaimonic well-being, supporting the proposition put forth by Ryan et al. (2008) that positive psychological well-being is a result of eudaimonic living that facilitates the satisfaction of our basic psychological needs. Findings from this study suggest that what appears to be significant in the relationship between HEPA and eudaimonic well-being is not the level of activity, but rather what is experienced during the activity. Future research may explore the directionality of the relationship by examining the extent to which eudaimonic well-being influences what is experienced during activity.

How are you today? The question was asked on a website by the artist Erik Krikortz, and the answers were displayed as a light show on a building complex in central Stockholm. In this thesis more than 20000 people have rated their subjective well-being on their own chosen occasions, on a seven graded scale of smileys in different colours. Results from November 2007 were analysed. The most frequently chosen colour was yellow, symbolising slightly better moods than average. Comparing means between days of the week showed that people feel the best on Sundays and are least happy on Tuesdays. Posthoc tests indicated significant dips in well-being on two days of the month. After answering the main question participants could also choose to rate their subjective experience of how well their sleep, family and friends, physical activity, stress levels and inspiration had been that day. The variables with the highest correlation with well-being were found to be “inspiration” and “family and friends”. Lowest were correlations for “sleep” and “physical activity”. The last variable was blank, for people to fill out for themselves and rate. The most frequently used word here was by far “love”, followed by “work” and “weather”. Summing up the results it seems social activities means most for the subjective well-being.