Inom positiv psykologi menar man att genom att bygga på positiva grunder kan sjukdomstillstånd förebyggas och ett ökat välbefinnande uppnås. Ett problem är dock att människor inte engagerar sig i dessa aktiviteter på grund av stress och tidsbrist. Avsikten med denna undersökning var att studera om man istället kan förändra utformningen av det vi redan behöver göra. Syftet med denna studie var sålunda att studera om olika instruktioner kan skapa en mer eller mindre omedveten påverkan på uppmärksamhetsfokus och därmed skapa olika emotioner som i längden leder till ökat välbefinnande. Experimentet utfördes på 112 psykologistudenter. Grupperna fick olika instruktioner innan de tittade på en bildserie av glada och neutrala ansikten med därefter följande självskattningsenkät. Resultatet påvisade ingen signifikant effekt men visade en generell positiv korrelation mellan ålder och positiv affekt. Framtida forskning bör undersöka frågeställningen ur ett longitudinellt perspektiv och med en större undersökningsgrupp.

Yes / Understanding key influences on outcomes for caregivers of people with dementia is hampered by inconsistent conceptualization and measurement of outcomes and limited evidence about the relative impact of different variables. We aimed to address these issues. We analyzed data from 1283 caregivers of community-dwelling individuals with mild-to-moderate dementia in the Improving the experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life cohort study. We generated a “living well” latent factor from measures of quality of life, satisfaction with life, and well-being. We used structural equation modelling to derive latent variables for 7 domains reflecting caregivers’ perceptions of their personal resources and experiences, and to examine the associations with caregivers’ perceptions of their capability to “live well.” The domain of psychological characteristics and psychological health was most strongly related to living well [2.53; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.08-2.97], followed by physical fitness and physical health (1.48; 95% CI, 1.04-1.91) and experiencing caregiving (1.34; 95% CI, 0.99-1.70). Social capitals, assets and resources (0.68; 95% CI, 0.35-1.00) and relationship with the person with dementia (−0.22; 95% CI, −0.41 to −0.03) had smaller, significant associations. Social location (0.28; 95% CI, −0.33 to 0.89) and managing everyday life with dementia (0.06; 95% CI, −0.15 to 0.28) were not significantly associated with living well. These findings demonstrate the importance of supporting caregivers’ psychological and physical health and their ability to develop and maintain positive coping strategies, as well as enabling them to maintain vital social capitals, assets and resources. / ESRC, National Institute for Health Research (UK) grant ES/L001853/2 “Improving the experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life: living well with dementia”

Yes / We aimed to better understand what predicts the capability to “live well” with dementia by identifying the relative contribution of life domains associated with the subjective experience of living well. Methods: We analyzed data from 1547 individuals with mild-to-moderate dementia in the IDEAL cohort. We generated a “living well” latent factor from measures of quality of life, satisfaction with life, and well-being. We used multivariate modeling to identify variables related to living well measures and structural equation modeling to derive latent variables for 5 life domains and to examine the associations of these domains with living well. Results: All 5 domains were individually associated with living well. When modeled together, the psychological characteristics and psychological health domain was the only independent predictor of living well [effect size, 3.55; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.93-4.17], and effect sizes were smaller for physical fitness and physical health (1.23, 95% CI: −0.10 to 2.58), social capitals, assets and resources (0.67; 95% CI: −0.04 to 1.38), managing everyday life with dementia (0.33; 95% CI: −0.06 to 0.71), and social location (0.08; 95% CI: −2.10 to 2.26). Discussion: Psychological resources, and the social, environmental, and physical factors that underpin positive psychological states, are potentially important targets for interventions and initiatives that aim to improve the experience of living with dementia. / Economic and Social Research Council (UK) and the National Institute for Health Research (UK) through grant ES/L001853/2 “Improving the experience of dementia and enhancing active life: living well with dementia”

Yes / Objectives: The capability to ‘live well’ in people with dementia can be influenced by many factors, including those related to the experiences of their informal caregiver. How caregivers experience their own role can affect not only their well-being but also the way they provide care and hence the experience of the person with dementia. The aim of this study is to identify the potential impact of the caregiver’s perception of the caregiving experience on how people with mild to moderate dementia self-rate their QoL, well-being and satisfaction with life. Method: This study utilised time-point 1 data from 1283 informal caregiver and the 1283 people with dementia whom they provide care from the IDEAL cohort study. Multivariate modelling was used to investigate the associations between measures related to the caregiver’s perception of the caregiving experience (caregiving stress, perceived social restrictions, caregiving competence, positive aspects of caregiving, and coping) and the self-ratings of QoL, satisfaction with life, and well-being by the person with dementia. Results: Lower QoL ratings by the person with dementia were associated with high caregiver stress (−1.98; 95% CI: −2.89, −1.07), high perceived social restrictions (−2.04; 95% CI: −2.94, −1.14) and low caregiving competence (−2.01; 95% CI: −2.95, −1.06). Similar associations were found for satisfaction with life and wellbeing. Positive aspects of caregiving and coping were not associated with outcomes for the person with dementia. Conclusion: The findings indicate that how the caregiver experiences caregiving can affect the person with dementia. This finding reinforces the importance of providing support to caregivers. / The IDEAL study is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (UK) and the National Institute for Health Research (UK) through grant ES/L001853/2 ‘Improving the experience of dementia and enhancing active life: living well with dementia’.

This study explored the relationship between religiosity, hope, and subjective well-being among a group of 430 participants (28.8% male, 88.4% black, 8.4% white) residing in the Gauteng Province South Africa. The sample consisted of students (n = 210) as well as family members of these students (n = 220). A cross-sectional quantitative survey design was used. Data was gathered using the Adult Trait-hope Scale, a three item measure of religiosity, the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Descriptive statistics were computed in SPSS 22. Following this, correlations between all latent variables were calculated in Mplus Version 7.11, where after latent variable modelling was performed. During this process, an initial measurement model was specified, which was examined for goodness of fit, and compared against two competing measurement models. The best fitting model was then subjected to a process of model development, and subsequently re-specified as a structural model. The fit of this model was again assessed and compared to two competing structural models. Finally, indirect effects between religiosity, hope, and subjective well-being (comprised of positive affect, negative affect, and life satisfaction) were investigated. The results revealed that religiosity was a significant predictor of both agency and pathway hope, and that the strength of this relationship was moderate in the case of agency hope, and weak in the case of pathway hope. In turn, agency hope predicted higher levels of life satisfaction and positive affect, and lowered levels of negative affect. However, with the exception of positive affect (with which it was positively associated), pathway hope was not related to any of the subjective well-being variables, suggesting that it is less significantly associated with subjective well-being than agency hope. The results of the mediation analysis revealed that agency hope acted as a significant mediator of the relationship between religiosity and life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect. Pathway hope mediated the relationship between religiosity and positive affect. These results suggest that the elevated levels of subjective well-being often found in relation to religiosity can at least in part be attributed to the fact that religion is associated with elevated levels of hope. The mini-dissertation is concluded with a chapter that outlines the conclusions and limitations related to the study, and on this basis, several recommendations were proposed for future research and practical application of the findings. / MA (Positive Psychology), North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2014

This study explored the relationship between religiosity, hope, and subjective well-being among a group of 430 participants (28.8% male, 88.4% black, 8.4% white) residing in the Gauteng Province South Africa. The sample consisted of students (n = 210) as well as family members of these students (n = 220). A cross-sectional quantitative survey design was used. Data was gathered using the Adult Trait-hope Scale, a three item measure of religiosity, the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Descriptive statistics were computed in SPSS 22. Following this, correlations between all latent variables were calculated in Mplus Version 7.11, where after latent variable modelling was performed. During this process, an initial measurement model was specified, which was examined for goodness of fit, and compared against two competing measurement models. The best fitting model was then subjected to a process of model development, and subsequently re-specified as a structural model. The fit of this model was again assessed and compared to two competing structural models. Finally, indirect effects between religiosity, hope, and subjective well-being (comprised of positive affect, negative affect, and life satisfaction) were investigated. The results revealed that religiosity was a significant predictor of both agency and pathway hope, and that the strength of this relationship was moderate in the case of agency hope, and weak in the case of pathway hope. In turn, agency hope predicted higher levels of life satisfaction and positive affect, and lowered levels of negative affect. However, with the exception of positive affect (with which it was positively associated), pathway hope was not related to any of the subjective well-being variables, suggesting that it is less significantly associated with subjective well-being than agency hope. The results of the mediation analysis revealed that agency hope acted as a significant mediator of the relationship between religiosity and life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect. Pathway hope mediated the relationship between religiosity and positive affect. These results suggest that the elevated levels of subjective well-being often found in relation to religiosity can at least in part be attributed to the fact that religion is associated with elevated levels of hope. The mini-dissertation is concluded with a chapter that outlines the conclusions and limitations related to the study, and on this basis, several recommendations were proposed for future research and practical application of the findings. / MA (Positive Psychology), North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2014

The world of work has changed dramatically in the last decade and constant change has become the new normality. Employees are affected by possible re-organisation, retrenchments and downsizing which affects their behaviours and attitudes at work. Leaders have the responsibility of leading their followers through these difficult times to the best of their ability. A positive leader is seen as someone who recognises and focuses on the strengths and accomplishments of his or her employees. When a leader is positive and has a positive leadership approach, it may influence their followers’ feelings of psychological empowerment, work engagement and satisfaction with life. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between positive leadership, psychological empowerment, work engagement and satisfaction with life of employees in a chemical industry. A cross-sectional survey design was used with a convenience sample (n = 322). The measuring instruments used were the Positive Leadership Measure, the Measuring Empowerment Questionnaire, the Work Engagement Scale and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test whether the measures of the constructs were consistent with the understanding of the nature of the constructs and to test whether the data fitted the hypothesised measurement model. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used to examine the structural relationships between the constructs. The results show that there are statistically significant relationships between positive leadership, psychological empowerment, work engagement and satisfaction with life. Positive leadership has an indirect effect on work engagement and satisfaction with life via psychological empowerment. The implication of the results is that the work related aspects of positive leadership, psychological empowerment and work engagement has a positive effect on the non-work related aspect of satisfaction with life. Practical implications and directions for future research are offered. / MCom (Industrial Psychology), North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2013

En enkätstudie utfördes utifrån en regressionsdesign. Studien utfördes i syfte att redogöra förklaringsvärdet hos religiös orientering i subjektivt välmående för religiösa svenskar. Stickprov gjordes med ett internetbaserat klusterurval. Enkäten publicerades på fem slutna grupper för olika religiösa tillhörigheter på sociala medier. För att mäta religiös orientering gjordes en översättning på I/E-R som mätte religiös orientering i tre dimensioner. För att mäta subjektivt välmående användes SWLS. Två frågor mätte deltagares regelbundna religiösa aktivitet. En forced-entry multipel regressionsanalys gav ett signifikant förklaringsvärde för prediktorerna inre och yttre tro på 12 procent. Deltagarnas regelbundna religiösa aktivitet uppmättes vara enhetligt högt. Deltagarnas välmående uppmättes vara i den övre gränsen av vad som klassas som normalt välmående. Slutsatsen drogs att religiös aktivitet motverkade dysfunktionella effekter på välmående utan att leda till högre än normalt välmående. I tillägg gjordes slutsatsen att teori om religiös orientering är för kulturellt kontextkänslig för att vara tillförlitlig i det svenska samhället. Framtida forskning uppmanas till att kontrollera för sociala tillgångar och vilken specifik religion deltagare tillhör. / An electronic survey was performed to conduct a regression study. The study was conducted with the specific goal to find the explanatory value in religious orientation for subjective well-being for religious Swedes. Samples were drawn from internet based clusters. The survey was made available on five different closed groups for religiously active members on social media. I/E-R was translated and used to measure religious orientation on three dimensions. Subjective well-being was measured using SWLS. Two single items measured regular religious activity. A forced-entry multiple regression analysis showed an explanatory value of 12 percent for the predictors intrinsic and extrinsic belief. Regular religious activity was measured to be uniformly high. Subjective well-being was found to be in the upper levels of normal well-being. The conclusion drawn was that religious activity inhibited dysfunctional behavior and thus brought about a healthy well-being. In addition it was concluded that the cultural sensitivity in the religious orientation scale made measurements unreliable in the Swedish society. Future research is encouraged to control for social recourses when testing for effects on well-being as well as to control for what specific religion is practiced.

Syftet med studien var att ta reda på om det går att predicera medarbetares livstillfredsställelse, psykosociala välmående och upplevd relation till närmaste chef utifrån chefers emotionsperception och emotionsreglering. Detta gjordes genom att 38 chefer utförde ett datorbaserat emotionsperceptionstest samt besvarade Emotional Regulation Questionaire. Deras närmaste medarbetare bestående av totalt 213 stycken fick sedan besvara en enkät bestående av delar från Satisfaction With Life Scale, SF-1 och QPS Nordic. Studiens huvudresultat visade att generaliserat kan resultatet från emotionsperceptionstestet och det självrapporterade användandet av omvärdering av känslor hos chefer förklarar 28 % av skattningarna på Satisfaction With Life Scale hos medarbetarna. Resultaten diskuteras i termer av att chefer skapar en positiv atmosfär på arbetsplatsen, identifierar sociala problem och löser konflikter effektivare när de är skickliga på emotionsperception och omvärderar sina känslor. / The purpose of the study was to determine if it is possible to predict employees' life satisfaction, psychological well-being and perceived relationship to the immediate supervisor by managers emotional perception skill and emotion regulation. This was done by 38 managers whom did a computer-based emotional perception test and answered an emotional regulation questionnaire. A questionnaire consisting of parts from Satisfaction With Life Scale, SF-1 and QPS Nordic was answered by a total of 213 employees. The findings of the study showed that the results from the emotion perception test and self-reported use of reappraisal among managers explained 28 % of the scores on the Satisfaction With Life Scale among the employees. The results are discussed in terms of managers creating a positive atmosphere in the workplace, identifying social problems and resolve conflicts, when they are skilled at emotion perception and reevaluate their own emotions.

The aim of the research was to design and assess the effectiveness of a hope enhancement programme for a group of adults and the resulting influence on their general psychological well-being. The purpose of the programme was to increase hope, as conceptualised by Snyder et al. (1991), by enhancing participants' abilities to set feasible goals, planning ways to reach those goals (pathways) and increasing determination and motivation (agency) towards goal achievement. The workshop-format programme, presented by the researcher, consisted of six two-hour sessions spread over five days. The programme was developed through incorporating suggestions from existing Hope literature together with health psychological and positive psychology principles. In order to determine the impact of the programme, four measurement instruments were used, namely the Hope Scale, the Hunter Opinions and Personal Expectations Scale (HOPES), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the Sense of Coherence scale (SOC-29). A pre and post-test design included an experimental group (n = 8), control group (n = 8) and 'chat' group (n = 8). Prior to group compilation, screening interviews were conducted with interested participants to exclude those who had recently experienced trauma or displayed overt signs of psychological pathology. The control group received no intervention, while the 'chat' group, of which the researcher was also a member, was allowed to discuss topics of their choosing. The study groups comprised both men and women of different ages and socio-economic status. All participants were White and Afrikaans speaking. Descriptive statistics, psychometric analysis of the measuring instruments and significant differences between groups were calculated with the assistance of the STATISTICA (version 6) computer programme (Statsoft Inc., 2003). Reliability indices compared well with those recorded in the literature for the various scales. For the experimental group, the findings indicated an increase in the hope levels as reflected by significant improvement on the Hope Scale and the Hopefulness subscale of the HOPES. Subjective feedback from the group confirmed these findings. Psychological well-being improved, as shown by a significant increase in Sense of Coherence (SOC-29) along with a positive change in Satisfaction with Life (SWLS). Neither the control nor experimental groups revealed any significant changes. It was established that the hope enhancement programme is effective in increasing the levels of hope and general psychological well-being of a group of adults relatively free of psychological pathology. Considering the findings, it is recommended that future wellness intervention should not focus solely on individuals with established psychological pathology, but also consider a preventative approach within the average population. / Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.