En studie om hur en ökad kommersialisering inom revisionsbranschen påverkar revisorers well-being. Begreppet kommersialisering representeras av de tre aspekterna marknadsorientering, kundorientering och affärsorientering medan well-being aspekten representeras av lycka, arbetstillfredsställelse och arbetsmiljö. Det empiriska resultatet av studien tyder på att kommersialiseringsaspekterna marknadsorientering och affärsorientering har en positiv påverkan på revisorers well-being.

The aim of this study was to come to a better understanding of possible neuropsychological mechanisms underlying psychosocial well-being and therefore to determine whether a relationship between neuropsychological executive functions and psychosocial well-being does indeed exist. Research was conducted in the domains of neuropsychology and positive psychology. This thesis consists of three articles, namely I ) Neuropsychological executive functions and psychosocial well-being: A review, 2) Attentional switching and psychosocial! well-being, and 3) The relationship between generativity as neuropsychological process and psychosocial well-being. The first article argued the possibility of a relationship between neuropsychological and psychosocial aspects, with reference to a pluralistic ecosystems perspective, neuropsychological and other positive psychological theories, such as Miller's neuropsychodynamic model and Frederickson's broaden-and-build theory, as well as existing empirical studies. Numerous neuropsychological studies have indicated that the prefrontal cortex is involved in executive functions, with its main function to regulate both cognitive and affective functioning. Analyses of existing empirical studies indicated an established relationship between prefrontal lobe / executive / regulatory dysfunction and psychopathology, but also that the relationship between normal or optimal prefrontal executive functions and psychosocial well-being is still unclear. The first article concluded that evidence correlating neuropsychological functioning with human flourishing, or indicating possible neuropsychological mechanisms involved in psychosocial well-being, is sparse, presenting a serious lacuna in scientific knowledge. The following two articles focused on contributing to filling this lacuna. "Attentional switching and psychosocial well-being" and "The relationship between generativity, as neuropsychological process and psychosocial well-being" focused on attentional switching and generativity, as part of neuropsychological executive functions, as potential mechanisms associated with psychosocial well-being. These studies aimed to determine whether the capacity to switch attention, as measured by the Color Trails Test (CTT) and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), and the capacity to generate novelty, as measured by the Controlled Verbal Fluency Task (CVFT) (Benton, 1967) and Uses of Objects Test (UOT) (Getzels & Jackson, 1962), are related to the degree of psychosocial well-being experienced. As part of the interdisciplinary POWIRS (Profiles of Obese Women with Insulin Resistance Syndrome) project, black African women (article 2 n=66; article 3 n=72) completed the above mentioned neuropsychological measures, as well as indices of psychosocial wellbeing, in a cross-sectional design. The psychosocial measures included the Affectometer (AFM) 2 (Kammann & Flett, 1983); Constructive Thinking Inventory (CTI) abbreviated version (Epstein & Meier, 1989); Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC- 29) (Antonovsky, 1987, 1993); The Fortitude Questionnaire (FORQ) (Pretorius, 1998); JAREL Spiritual Well-being Scale (SWS-H) (Hungelman et al., 1989); Psychological Well-being Scales (SPW-B) (Ryff & Singer, 1998); and the Cognitive Appraisal Questionnaire (CAQ) (Botha & Wissing, 2003). The main findings of these studies were hat the ease of attentional switching and generativity correlates statistically (p<0.5) and practically significantly with higher levels of psychosocial well-being. From a micro-deterministic perspective it can be concluded that frontal lobe executive functions may play a role in the regulation higher-order adjusting psychosocial functions related to quality of life. From a micro-deterministic perspective it can be concluded that psychosocial well-being, while being influenced by executive functions, may also influence the continuous development of neuropsychological executive functions. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Thesis (Ph. D. in Economics)--Vanderbilt University, Aug. 2010. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

I ett samhälle där unga mäns välbefinnande utges vara utsatt för risk av deras engagemang i en virtuell värld önskar den här studien lyfta fram hur unga män själva upplever välbefinnande ur ett socialpsykologiskt perspektiv. Fem spelare fick i kvalitativa intervjuer framföra sina egna upplevelser ifrån sina erfarenheter av att spela MMORPG-spel. Med detaljrika teorier om subjektivt välbefinnande, socialt välbefinnande och teori angående gemenskap har studien en teoretisk grund som tillämpades i en transcendental analysmetod. Resultatet klargjorde att socialt välbefinnande och gemenskap existerar i spelet och kan uppnås av de unga manliga spelarna.  Essensen  kretsade  kring  socialt  samspel  mellan  de  andra  spelarna  i MMORPG-världen och upptäcktes genom de tre teman grupp, kommunikation och framgång/utveckling. Slutsatsen var att unga män kan uppnå socialt välbefinnande inom MMORPG-spel och att det här har allt att göra med det sociala samspelet mellan alla spelarna i spelet. / In a society where young men’s well-being is proclaimed to be at risk due to their involvement in a virtual world this study wants to shed light upon how young men themselves experience well-being from a social psychological perspective. Five players partook  in  qualitative  interviews  to  express  their  own  experiences  from  their  time playing MMORPGs. With detailed theories of subjective well-being, social well-being and theory of fellowship, the study has a theoretical foundation applied in a transcendental analysis. The result made it clear that social well-being and fellowship exist in the MMORPGs and can be achieved by the young male players. The essence revolved around social interaction between the other players in the MMORPG world and was discovered through three themes related to their group, communication and success/development. The conclusion was that young men can achieve social well-being in MMORPGs and this was due to the social interaction between all the players within the game itself.

The purpose of this study is to analyze if and how cultural values and expectations in society influence the experiences and perceptions of happiness and well-being. Applying a quantitative research methods approach, a survey based on previous research was conducted to compare and analyze experiences and perceptions between two contrasting cultures, China and Sweden, using Hofstede’s national culture dimensions as an analytical tool. The sample consisted of students from China and Sweden. The findings from the study show that both groups ranked family as being the domain of life most important for their well-being, followed by health for the Chinese group, and friends for the Swedish group. There were statistically significant differences in the mean responses in some questions that may be attributed to cultural differences. For example, finishing long-term difficult tasks was ranked more important for the well- being by the Chinese group. As for the Swedish group, they felt to a higher degree that they had the freedom to choose what they would like work with. The majority of the responses, however, were similar between the two groups. The paper discusses how globalization may contribute to converging values in the current generation of students. Furthermore, other factors such as internal abilities and societal and cultural structures have an influence on the possibilities to pursue goals in life. Happiness is achieved by finding a balance in life between what you can achieve and accepting what you cannot. The themes and concepts used in the study are inspired by Jongbloed and Andres’ concepts of happiness as balance and gears of well-being. The study contributes to the research fields of human-centered development, and happiness studies on how subjective indicators as a complement to objective indicators can be used to better measure growth from a cultural perspective.

Essa tese tem como objetivo investigar a relação da espiritualidade e da religiosidade com o bem-estar de adolescentes, considerando o bem-estar subjetivo e o psicológico. Para tanto, foram desenvolvidos seis estudos. O primeiro é uma Revisão Sistemática que buscou verificar a relação entre os conceitos de bem-estar e espiritualidade e religiosidade entre adolescentes, a partir de artigos empíricos publicados nos últimos 5 anos. Foram selecionados 26 artigos, que indicaram que há relação entre esses aspectos, e que essa é em geral positiva. Os estudos 2 a 4 apresentam avaliação psicométrica dos seguintes instrumentos: Escala de Bem-estar Psicológico, o Índice de Religiosidade de Duke e o módulo de Espiritualidade, religiosidade e Crenças pessoais (WHOQOL-SRPB). O estudo 5 investiga um modelo hipotético de bemestar entre adolescentes, composto por dimensões do bem-estar subjetivo e psicológico, e o estudo 6 busca investigar a relação da espiritualidade e da religiosidade com o bem-estar de adolescentes brasileiros. Nestes dois últimos estudos são analisadas ainda as possíveis diferenças nas medidas utilizadas por idade e sexo. A amostra dos estudos 2 a 6 foi composta por 1.248 adolescentes brasileiros de 12 a 18 anos (M = 15,09, DP = 1,77). A pesquisa foi realizada de forma online, através de um site criado especificamente para esse fim. Também participaram de grupos focais, realizados para o estudo 04, 58 adolescentes (M = 14,08, DP = 1,65). Para os estudos 5 e 6, além dos instrumentos já citados, foram utilizados uma escala de satisfação com a vida (BMLSS) e uma escala de afetos (CAS). Os resultados dos estudos 2 a 4 indicaram em geral bons índices de ajuste para análises fatoriais (exploratórias e confirmatórias), bem como a invariância dos instrumentos por sexo e idade. No estudo 5 foram testados modelos de relações entre o bem-estar subjetivo e psicológico através de SEM. A partir dos resultados optou-se por um modelo integrado, de fator único, explicando ambas as medidas. No estudo 6 os resultados indicaram relações positivas entre a espiritualidade e a religiosidade com o modelo integrado de bem-estar. Em relação às diferenças por médias, para bem-estar subjetivo foram encontradas diferenças significativas por sexo (meninas com médias maiores), para bem-estar psicológico diferenças por sexo e idade, sendo os resultados apresentados para cada subescala. Em relação à religiosidade e espiritualidade houve diferenças tanto por sexo como por idade. Em geral as meninas apresentaram médias maiores, e não foi encontrado um padrão nas diferenças por idade. Conclui-se que bem-estar subjetivo e psicológico dos adolescentes estão altamente correlacionados, podendo ser compreendidos em um modelo integrado de bem-estar, e que tanto a espiritualidade como a religiosidade possuem contribuições positivas sobre esse bem-estar. / This thesis aims to investigate the relationship of spirituality and religiosity with the wellbeing of adolescents, considering both subjective and psychological well-being. Six studies were developed. The first one is a Systematic Review that sought to verify the relationship between well-being and spirituality and religiosity among adolescents, based on empirical articles published in the last 5 years. We selected 26 articles that indicate that there is a relationship between these aspects, and that this is generally positive. Studies 2 to 4 present a psychometric evaluation of the following instruments: Psychological Well-being Scale, Duke Religious Index, and the Spirituality, Religion and Personal Beliefs module (WHOQOLSRPB). Study 5 investigates a hypothetical model of well-being among adolescents, composed of dimensions of subjective and psychological well-being. Study 6 seeks to investigate the relationship of spirituality and religiosity with the well-being of Brazilian adolescents. In the latter two studies, the possible differences in the measures used by age and sex are also analyzed. The sample of studies 2 to 6 was composed of 1,248 Brazilian adolescents aged 12 to 18 years (M = 15.09, SD = 1.77). The research was conducted online, through a website created specifically for this purpose. For study 4, 58 adolescents (M = 14.08, SD = 1.65) also participated in focus groups. For studies 5 and 6, in addition to the instruments already cited, a life satisfaction scale (BMLSS) and an affects scale (CAS) were used. The results of studies 2 to 4 indicated, in general, good overall fit indices for factor analysis (exploratory and confirmatory), as well as the invariance of instruments by sex and age. In study 5 we tested models of relations between subjective and psychological well-being through SEM. From the results, we opted for an integrated, single-factor model, explaining both measures. In study 6 the results indicated positive relations between spirituality and religiosity with the integrated model of well-being. Regarding the differences by means, for subjective well-being were found significant differences by sex (girls with larger means), and for psychological well-being differences by sex and age, with the results presented for each subscale. Regarding religiosity and spirituality there were differences both by sex and by age. In general, girls presented higher averages, and a pattern of age differences was not found. The conclusion is that the subjective and psychological well-being of adolescents are highly correlated and can be understood in an integrated model of well-being, and that both spirituality and religiosity have positive contributions to this well-being.

Essa tese tem como objetivo investigar a relação da espiritualidade e da religiosidade com o bem-estar de adolescentes, considerando o bem-estar subjetivo e o psicológico. Para tanto, foram desenvolvidos seis estudos. O primeiro é uma Revisão Sistemática que buscou verificar a relação entre os conceitos de bem-estar e espiritualidade e religiosidade entre adolescentes, a partir de artigos empíricos publicados nos últimos 5 anos. Foram selecionados 26 artigos, que indicaram que há relação entre esses aspectos, e que essa é em geral positiva. Os estudos 2 a 4 apresentam avaliação psicométrica dos seguintes instrumentos: Escala de Bem-estar Psicológico, o Índice de Religiosidade de Duke e o módulo de Espiritualidade, religiosidade e Crenças pessoais (WHOQOL-SRPB). O estudo 5 investiga um modelo hipotético de bemestar entre adolescentes, composto por dimensões do bem-estar subjetivo e psicológico, e o estudo 6 busca investigar a relação da espiritualidade e da religiosidade com o bem-estar de adolescentes brasileiros. Nestes dois últimos estudos são analisadas ainda as possíveis diferenças nas medidas utilizadas por idade e sexo. A amostra dos estudos 2 a 6 foi composta por 1.248 adolescentes brasileiros de 12 a 18 anos (M = 15,09, DP = 1,77). A pesquisa foi realizada de forma online, através de um site criado especificamente para esse fim. Também participaram de grupos focais, realizados para o estudo 04, 58 adolescentes (M = 14,08, DP = 1,65). Para os estudos 5 e 6, além dos instrumentos já citados, foram utilizados uma escala de satisfação com a vida (BMLSS) e uma escala de afetos (CAS). Os resultados dos estudos 2 a 4 indicaram em geral bons índices de ajuste para análises fatoriais (exploratórias e confirmatórias), bem como a invariância dos instrumentos por sexo e idade. No estudo 5 foram testados modelos de relações entre o bem-estar subjetivo e psicológico através de SEM. A partir dos resultados optou-se por um modelo integrado, de fator único, explicando ambas as medidas. No estudo 6 os resultados indicaram relações positivas entre a espiritualidade e a religiosidade com o modelo integrado de bem-estar. Em relação às diferenças por médias, para bem-estar subjetivo foram encontradas diferenças significativas por sexo (meninas com médias maiores), para bem-estar psicológico diferenças por sexo e idade, sendo os resultados apresentados para cada subescala. Em relação à religiosidade e espiritualidade houve diferenças tanto por sexo como por idade. Em geral as meninas apresentaram médias maiores, e não foi encontrado um padrão nas diferenças por idade. Conclui-se que bem-estar subjetivo e psicológico dos adolescentes estão altamente correlacionados, podendo ser compreendidos em um modelo integrado de bem-estar, e que tanto a espiritualidade como a religiosidade possuem contribuições positivas sobre esse bem-estar. / This thesis aims to investigate the relationship of spirituality and religiosity with the wellbeing of adolescents, considering both subjective and psychological well-being. Six studies were developed. The first one is a Systematic Review that sought to verify the relationship between well-being and spirituality and religiosity among adolescents, based on empirical articles published in the last 5 years. We selected 26 articles that indicate that there is a relationship between these aspects, and that this is generally positive. Studies 2 to 4 present a psychometric evaluation of the following instruments: Psychological Well-being Scale, Duke Religious Index, and the Spirituality, Religion and Personal Beliefs module (WHOQOLSRPB). Study 5 investigates a hypothetical model of well-being among adolescents, composed of dimensions of subjective and psychological well-being. Study 6 seeks to investigate the relationship of spirituality and religiosity with the well-being of Brazilian adolescents. In the latter two studies, the possible differences in the measures used by age and sex are also analyzed. The sample of studies 2 to 6 was composed of 1,248 Brazilian adolescents aged 12 to 18 years (M = 15.09, SD = 1.77). The research was conducted online, through a website created specifically for this purpose. For study 4, 58 adolescents (M = 14.08, SD = 1.65) also participated in focus groups. For studies 5 and 6, in addition to the instruments already cited, a life satisfaction scale (BMLSS) and an affects scale (CAS) were used. The results of studies 2 to 4 indicated, in general, good overall fit indices for factor analysis (exploratory and confirmatory), as well as the invariance of instruments by sex and age. In study 5 we tested models of relations between subjective and psychological well-being through SEM. From the results, we opted for an integrated, single-factor model, explaining both measures. In study 6 the results indicated positive relations between spirituality and religiosity with the integrated model of well-being. Regarding the differences by means, for subjective well-being were found significant differences by sex (girls with larger means), and for psychological well-being differences by sex and age, with the results presented for each subscale. Regarding religiosity and spirituality there were differences both by sex and by age. In general, girls presented higher averages, and a pattern of age differences was not found. The conclusion is that the subjective and psychological well-being of adolescents are highly correlated and can be understood in an integrated model of well-being, and that both spirituality and religiosity have positive contributions to this well-being.

This thesis focuses on the topic of the experience of talented people with dyslexia. These 'twice exceptional' students are a group of people who deserves more attention than it is nowadays devoted. It is a specific group of people who are rationally talented - traits such as the aim of learning quickly, adopting new information and working with them. They are inquiring, interested in abstract and difficult questions. Their creativity is striking but at the same time they have limitations which is brought by the very specific learning disability in this case mainly dyslexia and some other affiliated disorders. This work's main goal is to describe the experience of this specific group of people, at first by the help of literary survey and then in the empiric part by interview followed by the comparison of the talented people with dyslexia and talented people without dyslexia. This thesis is concluded by suggesting the intervention program for schools in which students are often incorrectly identified and they did not obtain necessary care. key words: twice exceptionality, dyslexia, talent, well-being

The present thesis provides a theoretical overview, including a neurobiological perspective, of well-being (WB), eudaimonic well-being (EWB), optimism, pessimism and cultural differences between Western and Eastern societies.  In addition, an empirical study investigated these concepts in Japanese and Swedish participants. Definitional problems and scarce neurobiological findings are two current problems to date within research on WB, EWB and cultural differences especially when looking at comparisons between Europe and East Asia. Interpretations and conclusions are therefore hard and tentative to make as more research is yet needed. This thesis empirical part therefore investigated the association between these concepts. In the best of the authors knowledge have this type of explorative study never been done before. 142 Swedish participants and 68 Japanese participants between the ages of 20 to 40 answered the self-reporting questionnaires; revised life orientation test (LOT-R), psychological well-being scale (SPWB) and the minimalist well-being scale (MWBS). The findings demonstrate that Swedish people report higher levels of optimism compared with Japanese people whom in turn report higher levels of pessimism when measured with LOT-R. Findings further demonstrate that Swedish people report higher levels of EWB when measured with SPWB. In comparison do Japanese people report higher levels of EWB when measured with MWBS. A difference was found in response pattern between MWBS and SPWB. And last did the findings suggest correlations in total scores of MWBS, SPWB and LOT-R but not within all sub-dimensions. Discussion of the results, limitations of the thesis and suggestions for future research concludes the thesis.

Aristotle (4th century B.C.E/1925) described eudaimonia as “the good life”, and is today commonly understood as eudaimonic well-being (EWB) within research. Despite the long history, the definitions and operationalizations of EWB are diverse and no coherent description or explanation for the biology of EWB exist. Hence, the present thesis reviews current neuroscientific- and additional biological research on EWB. This review reveals EWB to be most frequently operationalized as psychological well-being (PWB) (Ryff, 2014), and is here used as basis for an attempt to explain the biological and psychological profiles of EWB as high PWB. High PWB was characterized by brain activity linked to the reward circuitry, dorsolateral and left prefrontal cortex (PFC) and grey matter (GM) volume in areas of the brainstem and insular cortex. High PWB was also positively related to lower levels of several harmful biomarkers. The proposed psychological profile of high PWB included the psychological functions goal directed behaviour and emotional control. It is hoped that the proposed profiles will serve as inspiration for further exploration of the biology and psychology of human well-being (WB).