Submitted by Maike Costa (maiksebas@gmail.com) on 2016-10-14T12:40:10Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivo total.pdf: 1772445 bytes, checksum: dc48ddeede012cdf82e99a25d42992cc (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-14T12:40:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivo total.pdf: 1772445 bytes, checksum: dc48ddeede012cdf82e99a25d42992cc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-03-02 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This work aims to test a mediation model where life satisfaction is explained by human values, taking the belief in a just world as mediator of this relationship, which has been pursued over three studies. In study 1, it was sought to determine whether the belief in just world scale version showed evidence of validity and reliability in the Brazilian context. In this study, participated a sample of 300 individuals, recruited by criteria of convenience (non-probabilistic) through social networks and contacted via email. The results showed that the data can be presented in a structure with two factors, with internal consistency indices to conducting research. In study 2, it was tried to check the value correlates of belief in a just world, observing what subfunctions could predict such beliefs. To this end, it counted on the participation of 1294 people from four countries, two in South America (Argentina and Chile) and two from Europe (Belgium and Bulgaria). The results showed that the belief in just world has relation with the normative values, which can be observed in the samples from all the countries. However, this was not the only verified relationship because the two countries in South America investigated showed similar correlation patterns with each other, with respect to the subfunction suprapersonal, existence, interactive and normative. The countries from Europe, showed distinct correlation patterns with each other, and in Belgium, as well as normative subfunction, the CMJ was related to the interactive values and a relationship that had not been seen in previous studied, with the promotion values. Bulgaria already has relations with the interactive subfunction, normative and excitiment. Finally, in study 3 it was sought to verify whether the belief in a just world would mediate the relationship between human values and life satisfaction in a second Brazilian sample. To this end participated 331 people, including those from the general population and university students, who answered the questionnaires available in the same way of previous studies. The results showed that the factorial structure of the scale Belief in Just World showed to be adequate. Moreover, correlation tests were performed for the three variables. It was observed that the life satisfaction was positively correlated with the interactive and normative subfunction and with beliefs in just world general and personal, as well as negative correlation with the belief in an unjust world. Belief in a just world had relationship with the interactive, excitement and normative subfunctions, being greater magnitude with the latter. Therefore, it was seemed consistent to test a model in which the beliefs in the just world personal and general mediate the relationship between the normative values and life satisfaction. The results showed that, in fact, there is mediation, which is indirect, given the fact that with the entry of beliefs in the model, the normative subfunction continued to post directly related to life satisfaction, even with the inclusion of belief in just world. In view of the presented results, it trusts that the present work contributes to the understanding of the life satisfaction and belief in a just world, being the latter little explored in Brazil. / A presente dissertação teve como objetivo principal testar um modelo de mediação em que a satisfação com a vida é explicada pelos valores humanos, tomando a crença no mundo justo como mediadora desta relação, ao longo de três estudos. No estudo 1, buscou-se verificar se a versão da escala de Crença no Mundo Justo apresentava evidências de validade e fidedignidade em contexto brasileiro. Contou-se com uma amostra de 300 participantes, recrutados por critério de conveniência (não-probabilística) por meio das redes sociais e contatos via email. Os resultados demonstraram que os dados podem ser apresentados em uma estrutura com dois fatores, apresentando índices de consistência interna adequados para a realização de pesquisas. No estudo 2 procurou-se verificar os correlatos valorativos da crença no mundo justo, observando, além disso, quais subfunções poderiam predizer tais crenças. Para tal, contou-se com a participação de 1294 pessoas provenientes de quatro países, sendo dois da América do Sul (Argentina e Chile) e dois do continente europeu (Bélgica e Bulgária). Os resultados demonstraram que as crenças no mundo justo apresentam relação com os valores normativos, o que pode ser observado nas amostras de todos os países. No entanto, esta não foi a única relação verificada, pois os dois países da América do Sul investigados apresentaram padrões de correlação semelhantes entre si, mostrando relação com as subfunções suprapessoal, existência, interativa e normativa. Já os países da Europa, apresentaram padrões de correlação distintos entre si, sendo que na Bélgica, além da subfunção normativa, a CMJ teve relação com os valores interativos e uma relação, que não havia sido verificada em estudos anteriores, com os valores de realização. Já a Bulgaria as relações foram com a subfunção interativa, normativa e experimentação. Por fim, no estudo 3 buscou-se verificar se as crenças no mundo justo poderiam mediar as relações entre os valores humanos e a satisfação com a vida em uma segunda amostra brasileira. Para tanto, contou-se com uma amostra de 331 pessoas, incluindo a população geral e estudantes universitários, os quais responderam os questionários disponibilizados de forma semelhante aos estudos anteriores. Os resultados demonstraram que a estrutura bifatorial da escala de Crença no Mundo Justo mostrou-se adequada. Ademais, foram executados testes de correlação para as três variáveis estudadas. Observou-se que a satisfação com a vida apresentou correlação positiva com as subfunções interativa e normativa e com as crenças no mundo justo geral e pessoal, além de correlação negativa com a crença no mundo injusto. A crença no mundo justo apresentou relação com as subfunções interativa, experimentação e normativa, sendo de maior magnitude com esta última. Portanto pareceu coerente testar um modelo em que as crenças no mundo justo pessoal e geral mediam a relação entre os valores normativos e a satisfação com a vida. Os resultados demonstraram que, de fato, há mediação, sendo esta indireta, haja visto que, com a entrada das crenças no modelo, a subfunção normativa continuou apresentando relação direta com a satisfação com a vida, mesmo com a inclusão da crença no mundo justo. Tendo em vista os resultados apresentados, confia-se que a presente dissertação contribui para o entendimento da satisfação com a vida e da crença no mundo justo, sendo esta última ainda pouco explorada no Brasil.

Studier visar att många sjuksköterskestudenter upplever sig oförberedda inför ansvaret och stressen som sjuksköterskeyrket innebär och därmed överväger att lämna yrket inom fem år. Redan under studietiden är det många sjuksköterskestudenter som upplever stress- och utmattningssymtom, vilket påverkar det psykiska välbefinnandet samt engagemang och ambition till att leverera en säker och kvalitativ vård i kommande yrkesliv. Stresshantering innebär att individen hanterar en situation på ett adaptivt sätt och inte påverkas psykiskt av den. Syftet med föreliggande studie är att undersöka vilka effekter en KBT (Kognitiv beteendeterapi)- baserad stresshanteringsintervention i storgrupp har på sjuksköterskestudenters resiliens, användning av copingstrategier samt livstillfredsställelse. Studien undersöker även om individens resiliens kan prediceras av livstillfredsställelse och coping. Urvalet bestod av 28 sjuksköterskestudenter på termin 2 vid Karlstad universitet. Deltagarna besvarade frågeformulär för CD-Risc som mäter individens upplevda resiliens, Brief COPE som mäter individens användning av copingstrategier samt SWLS som mäter individens livstillfredsställelse. Frågeformulären besvarades innan stresshanteringsinterventionen startade, 10 veckor senare då interventionen var slut samt tre månader senare vid ett uppföljningsmöte. Studien är ett experiment med inomgruppsdesign för att mäta både kort- och långsiktiga effekter med stresshanteringsinterventionen. Med ANOVA för beroende mätningar visades att deltagarnas resiliens, problemfokuserade coping samt livstillfredsställelse ökade under interventionen, medan den dysfunktionella minskade. Vid uppföljningen var den problemfokuserade copingen, dysfunktionella copingen och livstillfredsställelsen stabil, medan resiliensen hade minskat. Den emotionsfokuserade copingen var oförändrad under både interventionen och fram till uppföljningen. Resiliens ses som individens förmåga att anpassa sig till och övervinna motgångar och att inte påverkas psykiskt. En multipel regression med resiliens som beroende variabel och livstillfredsställelse och copingstrategi som prediktorer beräknades. Regressionen visade att livstillfredsställelsen är en prediktor för resiliensen, medan copingen inte visades vara prediktorer för deltagarens resiliens. Studiens resultat visar att en KBT-baserad stresshanteringsintervention i grupp har effekt på sjuksköterskestudenters stresshanteringsförmåga. / Studies show that many nursing students feel unprepared for the responsibility and stress that the nursing profession implies and thus consider leaving the profession within five years. During the study period, there are many nursing students experiencing stress and fatigue symptoms, affecting mental well-being as well as commitment and ambition to deliver safe and qualitative care in the forthcoming professional life. Stress management means that the individual manages a situation in an adaptive manner and is not psychologically affected by it. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of a CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) - based stress management intervention in group on the resilience of nursing students, the use of coping strategies and the satisfaction of life. The study also investigates whether the resilience can be predicted by life satisfaction and coping. The selection consisted of 28 nursing students at Term 2 at Karlstad University. Participants responded questionnaires for CD-Risc, which measure the individual's experienced resilience, Brief COPE, which measures the individual's use of coping strategies and SWLS that measure the individual's life satisfaction. The questionnaires were responded before the stress management intervention started, 10 weeks later when the intervention was over and three months later at a follow-up meeting. The study is an experiment and within-group design to measure both short and long term effects with the stress management intervention. ANOVA for dependent measurements showed that participants' resilience, problem-focused coping and life satisfaction increased during intervention while dysfunctional decreased. In the follow-up, problem-focused coping, dysfunctional coping and life satisfaction were stable, while resilience had diminished. The emotion-focused coping was unchanged during both the intervention and the follow-up. Resilience is seen as the individual's ability to adapt to and overcome adversities and not to be psychologically affected. Multiple regression with resilience as dependent variable and life satisfaction and coping strategy as predictors were calculated. The regression showed that life satisfaction is a predictor of resilience, while coping was not shown to be predictors for the participant's resilience. The study's results show that a KBT-based stress management intervention in a group has an impact on nursing students' stress management ability.

Este estudo buscou investigar os níveis de materialismo e sua relação com os níveis de satisfação de vida em adolescentes de escola públicas e privadas da cidade de Porto Alegre. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: (a) Ficha de Dados Sóciodemográficos; (b) Escala de Valores Materiais (EVM); (c) Questionário de Valores Psicossociais (QVP-24); e (d) Escala Multidimensional de Satisfação de Vida para Adolescentes (EMSVA). Foram testadas as seguintes hipóteses: (a) há diferença nos níveis de materialismo entre os sexos, sendo que os meninos tendem a ser mais materialistas que as meninas, (b) há diferença nos níveis de materialismo nas diferentes idades estudadas: quanto maior a idade, menores os níveis de materialismo, (c) os níveis de materialismo não diferem entre os adolescentes que frequentam escolas públicas e aqueles que frequentam escolas privadas, e (d) há uma correlação inversamente proporcional entre os níveis de materialismo e de satisfação de vida na amostra investigada. Nos resultados, não se encontrou diferenças nos níveis de materialismo entre os sexos e entre os grupos etários dos participantes, não confirmando as duas primeiras hipóteses. Conforme esperado, os resultados não indicaram diferenças significativas entre os tipos de escola investigados, confirmando a terceira hipótese. Em relação à quarta hipótese, os dados apontam para uma correlação inversamente proporcional significativa entre os níveis de materialismo e satisfação com a vida. A presente dissertação destaca a importância do desenvolvimento de valores ao longo do desenvolvimento como forma a minimizar os efeitos de um materialismo extremo. / This study sought to investigate the levels of materialism and its relation to life satisfaction levels in teenagers from public and private school in the city of Porto Alegre. The instruments used were: (a) Demographic data sheet; (b) Materialism Value Scale (MVS); (c) Psychosocial Values Questionnaire (QVP-24); and (d) Multi-dimensional Life Satisfaction Scale for Adolescents (EMSVA). The following hypotheses were tested: (a) there is a difference in the levels of materialism between sexes, being that boys tend to be more materialistic than the girls, (b) there is a difference in the levels of materialism in different ages studied: the higher the age, the lower the levels of materialism, (c) levels of materialism does not differ among teenagers who attend public schools and those who attend private schools and (d) there is an inversely proportional correlation between levels of materialism and of life satisfaction in the sample investigated. In the results, we not found differences in levels of materialism between genders and between age groups of participants, not confirming the first two hypotheses. As expected, the results did not indicate significant differences between types of school investigated, confirming the third hypothesis. Regarding the fourth hypothesis, the data point to a significant inverse correlation between levels of materialism and satisfaction with life. This paper highlights the importance of developing values along the development as a way to minimize the effects of an extreme materialism.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar as características sóciodemográficas, cognitivas (memória, atenção, funções executivas, linguagem), satisfação de vida e perfil da atividade física (tipo e duração) de idosos praticantes de exercício. Além disso, o desempenho cognitivo e avaliação da satisfação de vida de indivíduos idosos fisicamente ativos foram comparados com os idosos não-ativos. Métodos: Uma avaliação observacional transversal foi realizado com idosos com idade acima de 60 anos, divididos em ativos fisicamente (n = 42) e fisicamente não-ativos (n = 33), de acordo com a escala Centro Espacial Johnson. Dados demográficos, estado cognitivo (MMSE), sintomas depressivos (GDS-15), a satisfação de vida (SWLS), fluência verbal categórico (FAS e Animal), tarefa Dígitos (direto e inverso), habilidades linguísticas (Boston Naming Test), e memória episódica (memoria, lembrança e reconhecimento da Lista de palavras - CERAD) foram avaliados em ambos os grupos. Análise descritiva (média e desvio padrão) foi calculada para os dados sociodemográficos, MSSE, GDS-15, SWLS, e todos os testes cognitivos. ANOVA de uma via com correção de Bonferroni foi utilizado para as análises entre os grupos e para controlar as variáveis de confusão (escolaridade e idade). Uma análise do sub-conjunto foi realizado com grupos pareados pelo educação (n = 33, cada), já que a educação foi significativamente diferente entre os grupos e afetando fortemente os resultados. Resultados: o desempenho no teste de fluência verbal (FAS-F, p <0,005; FAS-S, p <0,005), teste de nomeação de Boston (p <0,005), e reconhecimento de lista de palavra do CERAD (p <0,001) do grupo fisicamente ativo foi maior do que o grupo nãoativo. Não foi observada diferença significativa entre os grupos em outras avaliações de funções cognitivas e de satisfação com a vida. Nas análises com a formação de grupos pareados, desempenho no teste de reconhecimento de lista de palavras do CERAD (p <0,001) foi estatisticamente diferente entre os grupos. Aqueles que eram fisicamente ativos apresentaram escores mais elevados (p <0,000). Conclusão: Os idosos que eram fisicamente mais ativos na vida mostraram desempenho melhor no reconhecimento de memória do que os não-ativos indivíduos. Não houve relação com a satisfação com a vida presente nessa amostra. / The objective of the present study was to determine sociodemographic characteristics, cognitive (memory, attention, executive functions, language) and life satisfaction of elderly practitioners of exercise. Additionally, cognitive performance and satisfaction with life of physically active elderly individuals were compared with non-active elderly subjects. Methods: An observational cross-sectional evaluation was carried out with elderly individuals aged 60 years subdivided into physically active (n = 42) and physically non-active (n = 33), according to the Johnson Center Space scale. Demographic data, cognitive status (MMSE), depressive symptoms (GDS-15), satisfaction with life (SWLS), categorical verbal fluency (FAS and Animal), Digit Span task (forward and backward), language skills (Boston Naming test), and episodic memory (CERAD Word List - recall and recognition) were evaluated in both groups. Descriptive analysis (mean and standard deviation) was calculated for sociodemographic data, MSSE, GDS-15, SWLS, and all cognitive tests. Oneway ANOVA with Bonferroni correction was used for the analyses between groups and to control for the confounding variables (education and age). A subset analysis was carried out with education-matched groups (n = 33, each) since education was significantly different between groups and strongly affected results. Results: The performance in the verbal fluency test (FAS-F, p <0.005; FAS-S, p <0.005), Boston Naming test (p <0.005), and CERAD word list recognition (p <0.001) of the physically active group was higher than the nonactive group. No other cognitive or satisfaction with life significant difference was observed between groups. In the analyses with the education-matched groups, performance in the CERAD word recognition test (p <0.001) was statistically different between groups. Those who were physically active showed higher scores (p <0.000). Conclusion: Elderly individuals who were physically active longer in life showed better memory recognition performance than nonactive individuals. No relation with satisfaction with life was present in this sample.

The main goal of this study is to develop a brief scale to assess perceived well being in adolescentpopulation. Besides verifying psychometric properties, we identified individual differences between genders, context and age. Participants were adolescent students recruited in three different areas of Argentina (Metropolitan area -Buenos Aires-, Norwest area- Tucuman- and Southwest area­ Patagonia- ). aged 13 Th. 18. Instruments administered consisted of BIEPS (well being scale) other classics instruments to assess life satisfaction (SWLS and D-T) anda symptom check list (SLC- 90). Results show that classic instruments to assess well being resulted in less reliable instruments to assess perceived life satisfaction considering other theories. Gender, age and context don't seem to affect subjective perception of psychological well being. / El objetivo de este estudio es el desarrollo de una escala breve para la evaluación del bienestar psicológico en adolescentes, la revisión de sus características psicométricas. En el mismo sentido se intentó verificar la presencia de diferencias individuales entre el sexo, la edad y el lugar de residencia de los sujetos evaluados. Los participantes son adolescentes entre las edades de 13 a 18 años (N= 1270) de tres regiones de la Argentina (Región Metropolitana, Noroeste y Patagonia). Los instrumentos administrados son la escala de bienestar (BIEPS-J), otras escalas tradicionales para la evaluación de la satisfacción (Escala SWLS y D-T) y un listado de síntomas psicopatológicos  (SCL-90). Los resultados señalan que las escalas clásicas que evalúan satisfacción con la vida resultan indicadores poco válidos para una evaluación del bienestar psicológico autopercibido, considerando las dimensiones teóricas comentadas. Las variables género, edad y contexto sociocultural no parecen afectar la percepción subjetiva del bienestar psicológico.

abstract: ABSTRACT The present study examined the relationship between the experience of trauma during childhood (ages birth -12 years) and life satisfaction in adulthood (ages of 30-45) in a sample of convenience consisting of eight (8) adults, six (6) women and two (2) men, who volunteered to participate in this qualitative study, and self-identified as having experienced trauma between birth and age 12 years. Participants were asked to describe the trauma(s) they experienced in childhood and to discuss their thoughts and feelings about present circumstances in their lives, and how their lives have been impacted by the trauma they experienced. Data were collected via in-person interviews that were audio-taped and transcribed. The data were analyzed using a process of thematic coding. Nine (9) emotional themes were identified: aggression, anger, fear, frustration, helplessness, insecurity, irritability, loneliness and sadness. Participants reported a variety of traumas experienced, and their responses to difficult experiences were varied. Participants reported being impacted differently in eight domains of life that were examined in the study: mood related problems, self-care, social support, primary partner relationship, career, decision to have children, parenting and adult life satisfaction. All participants stated they had been impacted by early life trauma, and all stated that early-experienced trauma(s) had an impact on their life satisfaction in adulthood. Inter-coder reliability for emotional thematic codes and domains of life impacted by early trauma was .82. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Educational Psychology 2013

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Special Education, Counseling and Student Affairs / Judith K. Hughey / Adolescence is a time when many experience challenges in life to which they have not been previously exposed. Complicating the transition to adolescence is the perception that they are “on stage” and everyone is watching and evaluating their transition through puberty (Woolfolk, 2019). Youth face the challenge of separating themselves from their parents, gaining more independence, and growing into their own identity (Erikson, 1968; Woolfolk, 2019). With this independence arises more reliance on peers, friends, and outside influences. They are faced with decisions to make about their postsecondary choice, career path, goal setting, body image issues, identity, sexual selves, and peer relationships. Gender differences in self-esteem have also been shown to emerge during adolescence, with girls displaying lower levels of self-esteem than their male peers (Impett, Sorsoli, Schooler, Henson, & Tolman, 2008). The emphasis on fitness, thinness, and outward beauty, increases the pressure on adolescents, specifically for this study, females to have the “perfect” body to fit with society ideals (Hartocollis, 2013). The study explored self-esteem, self-efficacy, life satisfaction, social comparison, and body image in 8th and 12th grade girls from a rural middle school and a rural high school in a mid-size Midwestern city. The study population included 97 participants among the two schools and utilized a cross-sectional design, causal-comparative. Survey results indicated 12th grade girls do not have higher self-esteem, life satisfaction, or self-efficacy and reported lower “how I look” and “how I feel” body image than 8th grade girls. However, 12th grade girls reported engaging in social comparison less than 8th grade girls. It is significant that girls in the study who reported school-based curriculum exposure to nutrition, goal setting, and respecting their sexual selves reported higher life satisfaction, self-esteem, and self-efficacy. The girls also reported engaging in less social comparison. The results from this study indicated the need and strong support for intentional school-based curricula. Self-esteem, self-efficacy, body image and social comparison are factors in life satisfaction and should be addressed as part of a comprehensive, standards based social-emotional curriculum.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar as características sóciodemográficas, cognitivas (memória, atenção, funções executivas, linguagem), satisfação de vida e perfil da atividade física (tipo e duração) de idosos praticantes de exercício. Além disso, o desempenho cognitivo e avaliação da satisfação de vida de indivíduos idosos fisicamente ativos foram comparados com os idosos não-ativos. Métodos: Uma avaliação observacional transversal foi realizado com idosos com idade acima de 60 anos, divididos em ativos fisicamente (n = 42) e fisicamente não-ativos (n = 33), de acordo com a escala Centro Espacial Johnson. Dados demográficos, estado cognitivo (MMSE), sintomas depressivos (GDS-15), a satisfação de vida (SWLS), fluência verbal categórico (FAS e Animal), tarefa Dígitos (direto e inverso), habilidades linguísticas (Boston Naming Test), e memória episódica (memoria, lembrança e reconhecimento da Lista de palavras - CERAD) foram avaliados em ambos os grupos. Análise descritiva (média e desvio padrão) foi calculada para os dados sociodemográficos, MSSE, GDS-15, SWLS, e todos os testes cognitivos. ANOVA de uma via com correção de Bonferroni foi utilizado para as análises entre os grupos e para controlar as variáveis de confusão (escolaridade e idade). Uma análise do sub-conjunto foi realizado com grupos pareados pelo educação (n = 33, cada), já que a educação foi significativamente diferente entre os grupos e afetando fortemente os resultados. Resultados: o desempenho no teste de fluência verbal (FAS-F, p <0,005; FAS-S, p <0,005), teste de nomeação de Boston (p <0,005), e reconhecimento de lista de palavra do CERAD (p <0,001) do grupo fisicamente ativo foi maior do que o grupo nãoativo. Não foi observada diferença significativa entre os grupos em outras avaliações de funções cognitivas e de satisfação com a vida. Nas análises com a formação de grupos pareados, desempenho no teste de reconhecimento de lista de palavras do CERAD (p <0,001) foi estatisticamente diferente entre os grupos. Aqueles que eram fisicamente ativos apresentaram escores mais elevados (p <0,000). Conclusão: Os idosos que eram fisicamente mais ativos na vida mostraram desempenho melhor no reconhecimento de memória do que os não-ativos indivíduos. Não houve relação com a satisfação com a vida presente nessa amostra. / The objective of the present study was to determine sociodemographic characteristics, cognitive (memory, attention, executive functions, language) and life satisfaction of elderly practitioners of exercise. Additionally, cognitive performance and satisfaction with life of physically active elderly individuals were compared with non-active elderly subjects. Methods: An observational cross-sectional evaluation was carried out with elderly individuals aged 60 years subdivided into physically active (n = 42) and physically non-active (n = 33), according to the Johnson Center Space scale. Demographic data, cognitive status (MMSE), depressive symptoms (GDS-15), satisfaction with life (SWLS), categorical verbal fluency (FAS and Animal), Digit Span task (forward and backward), language skills (Boston Naming test), and episodic memory (CERAD Word List - recall and recognition) were evaluated in both groups. Descriptive analysis (mean and standard deviation) was calculated for sociodemographic data, MSSE, GDS-15, SWLS, and all cognitive tests. Oneway ANOVA with Bonferroni correction was used for the analyses between groups and to control for the confounding variables (education and age). A subset analysis was carried out with education-matched groups (n = 33, each) since education was significantly different between groups and strongly affected results. Results: The performance in the verbal fluency test (FAS-F, p <0.005; FAS-S, p <0.005), Boston Naming test (p <0.005), and CERAD word list recognition (p <0.001) of the physically active group was higher than the nonactive group. No other cognitive or satisfaction with life significant difference was observed between groups. In the analyses with the education-matched groups, performance in the CERAD word recognition test (p <0.001) was statistically different between groups. Those who were physically active showed higher scores (p <0.000). Conclusion: Elderly individuals who were physically active longer in life showed better memory recognition performance than nonactive individuals. No relation with satisfaction with life was present in this sample.

This dissertation combines three contributions to the literature on the determinants of well-being and the social nature of preferences. Departures from self-centred, consumption-oriented decision making are increasingly common in economic theory and are empirically well motivated by a wide range of behavioural data from experiments, surveys, and econometric inference. The first two contributions are focused on the idea that reference levels set by others’ consumption may figure prominently in both experienced well-being and in decision making. In the first paper, the well-being question is addressed empirically through the use of self-reported life satisfaction and high-resolution census and survey data in Canada. Strong income externalities are found at multiple spatial scales after controlling for various confounding factors. The second paper explores the general equilibrium consequences of a utility function having an explicit comparison with neighbours’ consumption. The question is investigated in a model in which decision makers knowingly choose their neighbours — and hence their consumption reference level — as well as their own consumption expenditure, thereby helping to set the reference level for nearby others. For both discrete and continuous distributions of types in an economy with a heterogeneous population undergoing such endogenous formation of consumption reference groups, there exist general equilibria in which differentiation of neighbourhoods occurs endogenously. The novel welfare implications of growth in such economies are described. The final paper addresses econometric reservations about the use of subjective reports as dependent variables. The date and location of survey interviews are combined with weather and climate records to construct the random component of weather conditions experienced by respondents on the day of their interview. Standard inferences about the determinants of life satisfaction remain robust after taking into account this significant source of affective bias. / Arts, Faculty of / Vancouver School of Economics / Graduate

The aim of the present research was threefold: to investigate the fears of parents of children with chronic conditions; to evaluate the effectiveness of their treatment with either mindfulness-based therapy or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT); and to assess treatment outcome in terms of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Long-term stress can lead to some form of chronic stress reaction. In study one, fears of future cancer recurrence and of late effects of treatment were most prominent among parents of CNS tumour patients. Study two investigated the effectiveness of two group-based interventions on stress and burnout among parents of children with chronic conditions. Parents were offered either a CBT or a mindfulness programme. Both interventions significantly decreased stress and burnout. Study three focused on the HRQoL and life satisfaction of the parents in study two. The results indicate improvements for participants in both treatment groups regarding certain areas of HRQoL and life satisfaction. To conclude, fears concerning future cancer recurrence and late effects of treatment are most prominent among parents of children with cancer. Another conclusion is that CBT and mindfulness decrease stress and burnout and may have a positive effect on areas of HRQoL and life satisfaction. / The aim of the present research was threefold: to investigate the fears of parents of children with chronic conditions who suffer from fears, stress and burnout; to evaluate the effectiveness of their treatment with either mindfulness-based therapy or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT); and to assess treatment outcome in terms of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Research on parents of children with chronic conditions has shown that this parent group frequently suffers from psychological problems. Long-term stress can lead to some form of chronic stress reaction. In study one, parents of children with brain tumours were asked to rate the extent to which they experienced a set of specific fears related to their child’s brain tumour and its treatment. Fears of future cancer recurrence and of late effects of treatment were most prominent among parents of CNS tumour patients. Study two investigated the effectiveness of two group-based interventions on stress and burnout among parents of children with chronic conditions. After a waiting list control period, parents were offered either a CBT or a mindfulness programme. After eight group therapy sessions, both interventions significantly decreased stress and burnout. Study three focused on the HRQoL and life satisfaction of the parents in study two. The results indicate improvements for participants in both treatment groups regarding certain areas of HRQoL and life satisfaction. To conclude, many parents of children with chronic conditions suffer from stress-related mental illness and need targeted interventions for their own problems. The present research concludes that fears concerning future cancer recurrence and concerning late effects of treatment are most prominent among parents of children with cancer. Another conclusion is that CBT and mindfulness decrease stress and burnout and may have a positive effect on areas of HRQoL and life satisfaction in parents of children with chronic conditions.