The central objective of this thesis was to explore relationships between personal values, and depressed mood and subjective wellbeing, and to determine if the notion of values can be more useful in the fields of clinical and positive psychology. An initial literature review of values identified the potential importance of values in relation to mood and wellbeing, but also showed that more research was required to clearly establish such links. Two survey studies using Schwartz’s model of values (Schwartz, 1992), and one longitudinal study investigating relational aspects of values, were conducted to explore these relationships. Study 1 was a New Zealand paper-based study and investigated links between the importance of, and satisfaction with, values and depressed mood and subjective wellbeing. Study 2 was a larger international internet-based study which sought to replicate important findings from Study 1 and investigate links between people’s knowledge of their values and the extent to which they were living in alignment with values. Study 3 consisted of a sub-sample of participants from Study Two who completed a subset of Study 2 assessment measures six months later. This study explored how relational aspects of values (knowledge of values, living in alignment with values) related to changes in depressed mood and SWB over time. Cumulatively the results from these studies re-orientate our thinking towards an increased utility for the notion of values in the areas of clinical and positive psychology. Regarding depressed mood, these studies found links between greater depressed mood and lesser importance of Self-Direction, Stimulation and Hedonism value types. The importance of values as a whole was not associated with depressed mood; however being satisfied, knowing values, and living in alignment with values were associated with less depressed mood. Regarding subjective wellbeing, these studies found links between greater subjective wellbeing and greater importance of Self-Direction, Stimulation, Hedonism, and Benevolence value types. The importance of values as a whole was not associated with subjective wellbeing; however being satisfied, knowing values, and living in alignment with values were associated with greater subjective wellbeing. A causal relationship was found between living in alignment with values and latter subjective wellbeing, but not for knowledge of values and later subjective wellbeing. In addition, no major deviations in the coherence of values’ systems between individuals with and without depressed mood, or for individuals with and without high subjective wellbeing, were found. Strengths, implications, and limitations of the studies are noted for the fields of clinical and positive psychology, and suggestions for future research are made.

No abstract available. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Educational Psychology / unrestricted

Wellbeing may be the most important feeling able to experience by a person. The research concerning wellbeing has traditionally been focused on psychological wellbeing, yet how wellbeing of populations can be estimated and compared remains unclear. This study proposes a method of measuring wellbeing by keeping to the essence of it as being a subjective feeling. It adopts the rather common term of subjective wellbeing (SWB) and identifies two important aspects of SWB; happiness and life satisfaction. These aspects of life are part of the questionnaires used in many multinational survey studies, including the World Value Survey (WVS). With data from these surveys, SWB can be compared between populations based on subjective survey answers from individuals. The paper tests this approach by using results of the WVS and performing a statistical analysis comparing SWB between cultures. Evaluation of the results leads to the conclusion that, by means of happiness and life satisfaction, a not complete, but at least reasonable operational measurement of SWB is obtained.

Thesis advisor: Margaret Lombe / For children that overcome Nigeria’s high child mortality rate, there is the additional and less-obvious hurdle of not reaching their full potential in life due to developmental delays. When children are on track developmentally, they stand a better chance of being ready for school, excelling academically, economically, and socially throughout the lifespan. Fewer studies in the Nigerian context have examined how known risk and protective factors interact to affect early childhood development (ECD). This three-paper dissertation used data from the nationally representative 2016/17 Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) and was guided by the social determinants of health framework, the socioecological model of child development, and the family stress and investment models. The study highlighted the factors, including disparities across the multiethnic and diverse socioeconomic groups of Nigeria that are associated with child outcomes. i. Paper 1 assessed the performance and psychometric properties of the 10-item ECDI used in the MICS to track developmental outcomes among Nigerian children. ii. Paper 2 characterized the risk and protective factors for ECD across the 36 states and FCT of Nigeria using a multilevel modeling approach and, iii. Paper 3 used a structural regression to model the association between maternal subjective wellbeing (SWB), and developmental outcomes among the 3- to 4-year-old children. Findings highlighted discrepancies in the construct validity of the ECDI. Across the studies, resources, and family socioeconomic status particularly maternal level of education were significant predictors of outcomes for the child. Further, the study revealed that a child’s developmental context matters, where 29% of the variation in child outcomes was attributed to clustering by states. The studies extend prior research on ECD in Nigeria by its use of more accurate milestones to characterize ECD, its multilevel modeling approach, and its investigation of maternal SWB as a proxy for mental health. In all, findings from the dissertation call attention to the need to revise the ECDI, and for culturally adapted and validated ECD instruments. The study also highlighted the need to invest more resources in child development, mental health, and family strengthening especially through maternal education and wealth creation. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2020. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Social Work. / Discipline: Social Work.

Gratitude has been found to have many positive benefits, whether it is introspective or interpersonal in nature. This research explored the differential effects of an interpersonal and intrapersonal gratitude intervention on subjective well-being (SWB). Participants were assigned to one of three intervention conditions that were characterized by a weekly writing task—an interpersonal gratitude letter (n = 73), an intrapersonal gratitude journal (n = 65), or a learning journal (n = 67), which served as the control. A four-week, repeated gratitude intervention design was conducted, wherein participants' SWB was assessed across 12-time points, including a pre- and post-intervention SWB battery to assess the intervention’s overall impact. Participants in both gratitude conditions reported an overall increase in positive affect, supported by text analysis. However, participants who wrote gratitude letters had significantly less negative affect compared to the gratitude journal participants. Further analysis revealed a significant difference in SBW between the two gratitude conditions. Specifically, participants who experienced the intrapersonal gratitude journal-writing task reported a significant improvement in life satisfaction, while participants in the interpersonal gratitude letter-writing task evidenced a significant improvement in perceived social support. The control condition unexpectedly exhibited an increase in SWB that was likely due to the salience of the participants’ scholastic accomplishments. Finally, individual differences, including The Big Five, predicted gratitude and positive affect, consistent with prior research. / M.S. / Gratitude has been found in prior research to have many positive benefits, whether it is introspective or interpersonal in nature. However, not as much research has been conducted to understand if gratitude expressed introspectively or interpersonally is psychologically different in relation to one’s wellbeing. This research therefore explored the psychological benefits—and differences— between intrapersonal and interpersonal gratitude using a gratitude intervention over four consecutive weeks. Participants were either assigned a thank-you letter (interpersonal condition), an introspective gratitude journal (intrapersonal condition), or a learning journal (control condition). Results demonstrated that those who completed the gratitude letter felt more socially supported, while those who completed the gratitude journal saw an improvement in life satisfaction and how grateful they felt. The control group also found an improvement in their life satisfaction, which may have also been due to the introspective nature of their writing task. Feelings of positivity were greater in both gratitude groups compared to those in the control group. The study provided evidence for the psychological differences between introspective and interpersonal gratitude, and the positive role they both serve.

The current study aimed to explore the direct effect of insecure adult attachment on subjective wellbeing and its indirect effect via racial-ethnic identity. Additionally, the present study examined the extent to which racial-ethnic socialization practices may moderate adult attachment and racial-ethnic identity link. The final sample included 213 emerging adults (M = 20.94; SD = 2.96) with diverse racial-ethnic backgrounds. PROCESS Model 4 and 1 were used to examine the direct and indirect effect of insecure attachment on subjective wellbeing via racial-ethnic identity variables and the interaction effect between insecure attachment and racial-ethnic socialization on racial-ethnic identity variables. Results indicated the direct effect of insecure attachment on subjective wellbeing but did not support hypotheses for the indirect effect of insecure attachment on subjective wellbeing via the racial-ethnic identity variables. Additionally, results indicated that overt socialization buffered the negative impact of attachment avoidance on racial-ethnic identity exploration. Furthermore, racial-ethnic identity variables and subjective wellbeing significantly differed across racial-ethnic groups and socioeconomic statuses. Findings provide insight on the distinct concepts of attachment and racial-ethnic identity as they highlight inter- and intra-personal components, respectively. Mental health professionals may utilize overt socialization to help clients develop a sense of purpose and meaning related to their identity. Limitations, future research directions, and counseling implications are discussed.

The relevance of this topic is connected to the fact, that the ability to fulfill the interests of other people on the way to personal wellbeing is still not researched enough. Can he be tolerant, can tolerance as a characteristic of a person be helpful to gain subjective wellbeing. Also, the question of borders of tolerance is highly discussed. The theoretical part of the work presents the analysis of terms «Subjective wellbeing» and «Tolerance», also as the review of the present data in the research of subjective wellbeing and tolerance in students. In the empirical part the following psychological instrumentarium is used: The neuropsychical stability questionnaire (LVMA im. S. M. Kirova), Express-questionnaire «tolerance index» (G. U. Soldatova, O. A. Kravtsova, O. E. Huhlaev, L. A. Shaigerova), The technique of diagnostics of communicative tolerance (V. V. Boyko), The technique of diagnostics of tolerance to uncertainty (S. Badner), The scale of subjective wellbeing (adaptation of NPC «Psychodiagnostica» Jaroslavl state university im. P. G. Demidov), SAN technique. The results of the research. The person, that is subjectively positive, has a high neuropsychical stability, low tolerance to uncertainty and low personal tolerance. It may be also supposed, that high marks of subjective wellbeing are achieved by high communicative and low tolerance to uncertainty. Between the subjective wellbeing and ethnic, social and basic tolerance no significant interrelations were found. / Актуальность темы связана с тем, что недостаточно изучено насколько человек в стремлении к своему счастью готов учитывать интересы других людей, быть терпимым к ним и способствует ли толерантность как личностное качество субъективному благополучию. Так же сейчас достаточно остро стоит вопрос о границах толерантности. В теоретической части представлен теоретический анализ понятий «Субъективное благополучие» и «Толерантность», а также обзор имеющегося опыта исследования субъективного благополучия и толерантности у студентов. В эмпирической части использован следующий психодиагностический инструментарий: Опросник оценки нервно-психической устойчивости (ЛВМА им. С. М. Кирова), Экспресс-опросник «индекс толерантности» (Г. У. Солдатова, О. А. Кравцова, О. Е. Хухлаев, Л. А. Шайгерова), Методика диагностики общей коммуникативной толерантности (В. В. Бойко), Методика определения толерантности к неопределённости (С. Баднер), Шкала субъективного благополучия (адаптация НПЦ «Психодиагностика» Ярославского государственного университета им. П. Г. Демидова), Методика САН. Результаты исследования. Субъективно благополучный индивид обладает высокой нервно-психической устойчивостью, низкой толерантностью к неразрешимости и низкой личностной толерантностью. Можно также предположить, что высоким показателям субъективного благополучия способствуют высокая коммуникативная толерантность и низкая толерантность к неопределённости. Между субъективным благополучием и этнической, социальной, а также общей толерантностью значимых взаимосвязей не выявлено.

Wellbeing and subjective wellbeing (SWB) has become some the most important goals of our time, both individually and societally. Thus, there is a need for reliable ways to measure SWB, as concerns regarding many current measures have been raised. Due to the interwoven nature of physiology and psychology, heart rate variability (HRV) has the potential to assess psychological processes in a physiological manner. HRV is an attractive measure since it is inexpensive, easy and non-invasive. Hence, the aim is to, from a cognitive neuroscientific standpoint, investigate whether HRV could serve as an objective measure to assess SWB. Most studies demonstrate associations between HRV and SWB, in particular between high frequency (HF)-HRV and positive affect (PA). However, the one study fully matching the theoretical framework only showed an inverse correlation between HRV and negative affect (NA). Plausibly implying that HRV does not serve as a reliable measure of SWB, but may be able to indicate inverse associations with NA, and possibly index certain aspect of SWB such as deactivated PA. The study of the relationship between HRV and SWB is still in its infancy and results are inconsistent. The lack of common standards regarding measurements, implementation details, and variable values, make results difficult to compare and generalize. Further standardizations and research are much needed before accurate conclusions can be drawn.

Vad är lycka och hur uppnås den ultimata lyckonivån? Möjligen är definitionen av begreppet lycka ett av de mest omtvistade. I denna uppsats kommer lycka att preciseras till subjektivt välbefinnande. Subjektivt välbefinnande är ett självupplevt tillstånd om hur tillfreds en individ är med sin tillvaro. Inledningsvis kommer begreppets relevans och mätbarhet att diskuteras, samt hur det förankras i ekonomisk teori, men även de psykologiska aspekterna av hur förändringsbart subjektivt välbefinnande är. Genom historien har länders välstånd mätts i ekonomiska mått där det självupplevda välbefinnandet har hamnat i bakgrunden. Att subjektivt välbefinnande inte är synonymt med ekonomisk framgång har väckt ett intresse bland ekonomer att ta fram kompletterande välfärdsmått för att utveckla välfärden på ett mer hållbart sätt. Baserad på tidigare forskning tar denna uppsats upp faktorer som kan ha en effekt på välbefinnandet. Syftet är således att statistiskt undersöka faktorerna inkomst, kön, ålder, hälsa, utbildning, sysselsättning, familjeförhållande, samt individens personlighet, värderingar och levnadsvillkor påverkan på det subjektiva välbefinnandet för den svenska befolkningen. Detta kommer göras med hjälp av data från SOM-institutet år 2018 och analyseras genom spridningsdiagram, OLS-regressioner och logistiska regressioner. Resultatet från regressionsanalyserna visar exempelvis att högre inkomst, att vara kvinna, att ofta umgås med vänner och inneha en bra självupplevd hälsa har en positiv effekt på det subjektiva välbefinnandet. Att vara arbetslös eller att rösta på något av partierna som ligger i ytterkanterna på den politiska vänster-högerskalan är däremot negativt för det självupplevda välbefinnandet. För att besvara uppsatsens syfte förs en diskussion om resultatets relevans. Är det arbetslösheten som har en negativ effekt på det subjektiva välbefinnandet, eller är det så att individer som upplever ett lägre välbefinnande i större utsträckning har svårare att få ett arbete, samt att behålla ett. Detta skulle innebära att det inte är arbetslösheten i sig som minskar nivån av välbefinnandet, samt är det umgänge med vänner som ökar välbefinnandet eller är realiteten att personer som har ett högre välbefinnande i regel har ett större socialt umgänge. Detta och flera andra diskussioner om kausalitet avslutar denna kvantitativa studie om jakten på lyckan. / What is the true meaning of happiness and how can you achieve the ultimate level of happiness? The definition of happiness is dispersed. In this study happiness will be defined as subjective well-being. Subjective well-being refers to how people experience their quality of life. The relevance of subjective well-being and the method used to measure it will be discussed, as well as the psychological perspective about how changeable happiness is. In recent centuries countries' welfare have been measured in economic terms and measures of well-being has fallen into the shadows. Since subjective well-being is not synonymous with economic success the interest of developing more sustainable measure for comparing countries welfare has increased among economist. The main purpose of this study is to investigate which factors have an impact on the subjective well-being. Based on earlier research this study investigates if and how income, gender, age, health, education, occupation, family conditions and the individual's personality, values and living conditions effect the well-being for the Swedish population from the year 2018. This will be done using data from the SOM-institute and analyzed by computing scatterplots, OLS-regression and logit regression. The results from the regression analysis indicates that higher income, being a woman, often socialize with friends and experience a high level of health has a positive impact on subjective well-being. Being unemployment and vote for parties that lies on the outside corners instead has a negative impact of well-being. To be able to answer the purpose of the study a discussion about the relevance of the result will take place. Is it unemployment that has a negative impact or is the reality that unhappy people are more likely to end up outside the labor market? And is it positive to often hang out with friends or is the veracity that happier people in fact have a greater social interaction. This and several other discussions about causality will summarize this quantitative study about the pursuit of happiness.

Majoriteten av militärrelaterade studier fokuserar främst på ledarperspektivet relaterat till deras underordnade; mindre om den vardagliga militärrelaterade påverkan på de underordnade soldaternas välbefinnande. Denna kvalitativa tematiska analys syftade till att identifiera och lyfta fram den subjektiva upplevelsen ur soldatens perspektiv. Artiklar och litteratur från databaser har använts för att undersöka tidigare resultat och relevanta studier, som kan vara till hjälp för att förstå de faktorer som kan påverka soldaternas välbefinnande. Studien genomfördes digitalt genom semistrukturerade intervjuer där tio soldater deltog i samtal om ca 60 minuter gällande ledarskap, välbefinnande och stress inom det militära. Det enda kriteriet för deltagande i studien var att soldaterna för närvarande var anställda av den svenska militären. Resultaten av studien visade att militärledare har ett inflytande på soldaternas välbefinnande och förmåga att hantera stress. När soldaterna inte kunde få stöd från sina ledare, fann studien att de sociala resurserna var av stor vikt för att upprätthålla ett subjektivt bra välbefinnande. / The majority of military-related studies focuses primarily on the leaders perspective related to the their subordinates; less about the everyday military-related effects on the subordinated soldiers wellbeing. This qualitative thematic analysis aimed to identify and highlight the subjective experiences from the soldiers perspective. Articles and literature from databases were used to study earlier findings and relevant theories that could be of help to grasp a greater understanding of factors that could effect the soldiers well-being. The study was conducted digitally through semi-structured interviews with ten soldiers for 60 minutes each. The only criteria for participation in the study was that the soldiers were currently employed by the Swedish Military. The findings of the study showed that leaders in the military have an influence on the soldiers well-being and capability to cope with stress. When the soldiers were not able to get the support from their leaders, the study found that the social resources were a close second to maintain a good subjective wellbeing.