This study analyzed the effects of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT), ethnicity, marital status, education level, maternal status and financial security on the perceived life satisfaction of women over fifty. Information was collected from 125 subjects at an independent school district. The instrument was adapted from a life satisfaction scale originally developed by B. Neugarten. Eight demographic items included ERT use, age, menopause status, marital status, educational level, ethnicity and perception of financial security. Statistical analysis consisting of one way analysis of variance, Student Newman-Keuls ad hoc procedure and multiple regression indicated an independent correlation between financial security and education level to life satisfaction scores. Neither ERT nor menopause status was correlated with perceived life satisfaction score of respondents.

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.

This thesis presents a quantitative research that was conducted as a minor field studywith a comparison of Swedish and Indonesian undergraduates. The purpose of this study wasto compare cultural disparities concerning health, stress and coping strategies between the two countries. A questionnaire was carried out, both online and by paper in Sweden, and by paper in Indonesia. 156 Swedish and 172 Indonesian students participated. The survey consisted offive different instrument scales of time perspective, satisfaction with life, perceived stress, coping, and individualism versus collectivism. Swedish students reported higher levels of health, life satisfaction and stress than Indonesian students. It was also found that Swedishstudents were more future oriented while Indonesian students were more present hedonistic. Swedish students used less active coping than Indonesian students and male students used more active coping than female students. It was also found that Indonesian students did not ask others for help as much as Swedish students. Finally, it was also shown that health predicted satisfaction with life. / Program: Organisations- och personalutvecklare i samhället

O tratamento com mini-implantes tem sido utilizado para retenção de overdentures por possuir menor custo, menor desconforto pós-operatório e proporcionar adequada reabilitação da estética, função e fonação. Este ensaio clínico randomizado, com acompanhamento de 2 anos, foi realizado com o intuito de comparar a qualidade de vida associada à saúde bucal (QVSB), satisfação do paciente, bem como as taxas de sucesso de implantes e overdentures, retidas por implantes ou mini-implantes. Na fase inicial, a amostra foi composta de 120 indivíduos edêntulos que foram alocados aleatoriamente em três grupos de acordo com o tratamento recebido: (GI) quatro mini-implantes, (GII) dois mini-implantes, ou (GIII) dois implantes regulares. Durante o acompanhamento de 1 e 2 anos, a amostra foi reduzida para 106 e 96 participantes, respectivamente. A QVSB, mensurada pelo questionário OHIP-EDENT, e a satisfação (aferida por questões específicas respondidas em EVA 100mm) foram avaliadas antes da intervenção e após o período de acompanhamento. Outra variável utilizada para verificar a efetividade do tratamento foi a taxa de sucesso de implantes e overdentures, que foi obtida por meio de parâmetros clínicos e sobrevivência dos implantes. Os grupos foram comparados por meio de Equações de Estimação Generalizadas (EEG) (α=0,05), e teste post hoc de Bonferroni. Após análise da diferença entre as médias dos escores obtidos para QVSB e satisfação, verificou-se diferença significante, entre grupos tratados e tempo, apenas para a segunda variável. Assim, a modalidade de tratamento não interferiu na qualidade de vida dos participantes após 1 e 2 anos. Para este período, a satisfação foi maior para o grupo I (GI: 1ano - Δ61 mm, 2 anos - Δ55 mm), embora o grupo II (GII: 1 ano - Δ52 mm, 2 anos - Δ 45 mm) apresentasse valores intermediários e o grupo 3 (GIII: 1 ano 32 mm, 2 anos - 31 mm), valores aceitáveis dentro do tratamento. A taxa de sobrevivência dos implantes foi maior para o grupo de implantes regulares: GI (n=152): 88,8%; GII (n=84): 82,1% e GIII (n=80): 97,5%. Para os critérios de sucesso, os únicos parâmetros a apresentarem diferenças entre os grupos foram dor (maior frequência, GIII) e sangramento à sondagem (maior frequência, GI), apenas no 2º ano. Índice de placa, sangramento e profundidade de sondagem aumentaram com o tempo, sendo que GI e GII atingiram menor média. Conclui-se que o tratamento com overdenture, independente do tipo de implantes, teve impacto positivo na QVSB, enquanto a satisfação foi maior no grupo de quatro mini-implantes. Além disso, overdentures retidas por mini-implantes ou implantes regulares atingiram sucesso clínico em 2 anos. / Mandibular overdentures retained by mini implants have provide a good retention and lower cost, postoperative discomfort in rehabilitation of aesthetics, function and phonation. This study aimed to follow up a 2-year randomized clinical trial to compare the quality of life associated with oral health (QVSB), patient satisfaction, as well as the success rates of implants and overdentures after the installation Of mini-implants (two or four) or two conventional implants. In the initial phase, the sample consisted of 120 edentulous individuals were randomly allocated into three groups according to the treatment received: (GI) four mini-implants, (GII) two mini-implants, or (GIII) two regular implants. During follow-up of 1 and 2 years the sample was reduced to 106 and 96 participants, respectively. The QVSB, measured by the OHIP-EDENT questionnaire, and satisfaction (measured by specific questions answered in EVA 100mm) were evaluated before the intervention and after the follow-up period. Another variable used to verify the effectiveness of the treatment was the success rate of implants and overdentures, which was obtained through clinical parameters and implant survival. The groups were compared using Generalized Estimation Equations (EEG) (α= 0.05), and post hoc Bonferroni test. After analyzing the difference between the means of the scores obtained for QVSB and satisfaction, a significant difference was observed between treated groups and time, only for the second variable. Thus, the treatment modality did not interfere in the participants\' quality of life after 1 and 2 years. For this period, the satisfaction was highest for the groups of four mini-implants (GI: 1 year - Δ61 mm, 2 years - Δ 55 mm), although the two mini-implants (GII: 1 year - Δ52 mm, 2 years - Δ 45 mm) presented intermediate values and the groups of regular implants (GIII: 1 year - 32 mm, 2 years - 31 mm) had acceptable values within the treatment. The survival rate of the implants was higher for the group of conventional implants: GI (n = 152): 88.8%; GII (n = 84): 82.1% and GIII (n = 80): 97.5%. For the success criteria, the only parameters to present differences between the groups in the second year were pain and bleeding. The first occurred more frequently in the GIII while the second occurred in the GI. Peri-implant parameters (IP, SS, PS) increased with time and groups of mini-implants reached lower mean. It was concluded that overdenture treatment, regardless of the type of implant, has a positive impact on QVSB, while satisfaction was higher in the group of four mini-implants. In addition, overdentures retained by mini-implants or regular implants have achieved clinical success in 2 years.

This study examined the relationship among the variables of marital satisfaction, life satisfaction, and parenting stress of grandparents raising grandchildren and whether the sources and levels of marital satisfaction, life satisfaction, and parenting stress differed among grandparents raising grandchildren and grandparents not raising grandchildren.

A presente Tese de Doutorado foi composta por um capítulo introdutório e três estudos, todos eles empíricos apresentados em formato de artigos. Os artigos objetivaram investigar as variáveis satisfação de vida, rede de relações, coping e neuroticismo nos grupos estudados. A amostra do primeiro artigo foi composta por um grupo não-clínico de estudantes (n = 502) e a do segundo, por um grupo clínico de portadores do HIV (n = 45), todos procedentes da Grande Porto Alegre e com idades entre 14 e 23 anos. No terceiro estudo participaram os jovens do grupo clínico e 494 jovens do grupo não-clínico. Em todos os três, os instrumentos utilizados foram: questionário de dados sócio-demográficos, Escala Multidimensional de Satisfação de Vida para Adolescentes – EMSV-A, Inventário de Rede de Relações – IRR, Inventário de Estratégias de Coping e Escala Fatorial de Neuroticismo – EFN. Para a análise dos dados dos dois primeiros estudos foram realizadas MANCOVAS e MANOVAS e análises de regressão múltipla e para o terceiro estudo, análises discriminantes entre os grupos para cada um dos instrumentos. Tanto os resultados do primeiro quanto do segundo estudo indicaram que os jovens participantes utilizaram um número variado de estratégias de coping e apresentaram um bom nível de satisfação de vida, porém para o grupo clínico houve declínio na satisfação com as amizades. As relações com amigos e com a figura materna mostraram-se como aspectos importantes. Verificou-se, ainda, que o melhor preditor do nível de Satisfação de Vida Total de ambas amostras foi o fator Depressão do EFN. No terceiro estudo foram encontradas diferenças entre os grupos em todos os instrumentos. Evidenciou-se também uma perda do sentido vital no grupo clínico, principalmente pelos achados da EFN. Os resultados contribuíram para o conhecimento acerca da adolescência, assim demonstraram a necessidade de se criar intervenções para a promoção do bem-estar de portadores e não portadores do HIV. / The present doctoral consists of an introductory chapter and three studies, all of them empirical and presented in article format. The papers aimed to investigate the variables life satisfaction, network of relationships, coping and neuroticism. The first study’s sample was non-clinic and consisted of students (n = 502) and the second study’s sample was clinic, formed by HIV patients (n = 45), all of them from metropolitan Porto Alegre. The clinic sample and 494 students from the non-clinic sample took part of the third study. The instruments used were: questionnaire of sociodemographic data, Multidimensional Life Satisfaction Scale for Adolescents (MLSS- A), Network of Relationships Inventory (NRI), Coping Strategies Inventory and Neuroticism Factorial Scale. In order to analyze the data from the two first studies it was used MANCOVAS and MANOVAS and multiple linear regression analyses. Discriminant analyses between the clinic and non-clinic samples for each of the instruments were developed to analyze the data from the third study. The results of the first and the second study showed that the participants revealed a varied number of coping strategies and presented a good level of life satisfaction, although there is a fair decrease in the satisfaction with friendships. The relationships with friends and the maternal figure proved to have a important influence on the youths. Moreover, it was verified that the best predictor of Total Life Satisfaction of the sample was the factor Depression of the Neuroticism Factorial Scale. In the third study the findings revealed differences between the groups in all of the measures. It was also evidenced a loss of the vital sense in the clinic group, especially through the findings of the Neuroticism Factorial Scale. The results contributed to increase the knowledge about adolescence and showed the importance of developing intervention programs to promote wellbeing in HIV carriers and non-carriers.

Sociala medier är en del av många människors vardag för att dela med sig utav personliga händelser. Denna studies syfte var att undersöka om det fanns skillnader mellan grupper beroende på hur aktiva de var på sociala medier och deras livstillfredställelse samt självpresentation. Genom en webbaserad enkät mättes livstillfredsställelse och självpresentation på 101 personer mellan 18 till 48 år. Studien påvisade att det fanns en signifikant skillnad mellan de som använder Instagram frekvent och minskad ökad självpresentation. Själv-presentationen var högre bland de som besöker Instagram frekvent jämfört med de som inte besöker Instagram frekvent. / Social media is a part of many people’s everyday today, especially to share personal events. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there were differences between groups depending on how active they were on social media and their life-satisfaction and self-presentation. Through a web-based survey, life satisfaction and self-presentation was measured on 101 respondents between the ages of 18 to 38 years old. The study showed that there was a significant difference between those who use Instagram frequently and reduced increased self-presentation. The self-presentation was higher among those who visit Instagram frequently compared to those who do not visit Instagram frequently.

Previous research on stigma has identified many negative outcomes associated with its experience. These often include decreased affect and decreased life satisfaction. The present study examined sense of mastery - the sense of control one feels they have over the events in their life - as a moderator or mediator for these negative effects of stigma. To examine this, the Life Evaluations Survey was distributed to psychology students at a Southeastern university (N = 392). Participants completed measures of public stigma, self-stigma, sense of mastery, positive and negative affect, and life satisfaction. Results revealed experiences of public and self-stigma were associated with a decreased sense of mastery. In addition, sense of mastery was found to partially explain the relationship between stigma and quality of life. By contrast, results did not support a moderating role of mastery. Findings suggests that stigmatized individuals experience a sense of diminished control over their lives, which translates into decreased positive affect and life satisfaction.

The U.S. military has downsized since the early 2000s and has plans to continue to decrease their forces. There are negative implications many veterans experience after discharge. Using the transition theory as the framework for this study, the purpose of this between-groups study was to explore the differences in life satisfaction scores between voluntarily- and involuntarily-discharged U.S. service members and the associations between educational attainment, social support, and length of service. The participants were honorable discharged U.S. service members. A total of 182 participants were included in this study; 141 were voluntarily discharged and 41 were involuntarily discharged. The participants were recruited through Walden's participant pool, flyers, and Facebook. The Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and a demographic questionnaire were used to identify participants' life satisfaction scores, amount of perceived social support, and personal information. Based on the results of t tests and hierarchical linear regressions, there were no differences in life satisfaction scores between voluntarily and involuntarily discharged service members. Social support and educational attainment were statistically significant predictors of life satisfaction for discharged service members. The positive social change implications of this study include increasing mental health workers' awareness of U.S. service members and the factors that affect life satisfaction after discharge.

The purpose of this thesis is to analyze various aspects of quality of life and to determine if there is a difference in quality of life offered by a conventional ileostomy versus a continent ileostomy. An instrument was developed to measure several factors thought to influence quality of life as well as several structural/demographic variables. This instrument was designed for persons with a conventional ileostomy and was modified for persons who had undergone conversion surgery from conventional to continent ileostomy. Analysis of variance was performed to determine differences in quality of life for persons with a conventional, conversion, or original continent ileostomy. In addition to an overall quality of life measure, measures for specific areas: self esteem, family relationships, marriage relationships and a composite measure, were tested. No difference was detected for the three types of ileostomy for these variables. Analysis of variance was also performed on variables measuring specific aspects of life such as social activities and travel. This identified several differences in the ileostomy types which the analysis of the more general variables failed to detect. Those who had conversion surgery from conventional to continent ileostomies answered each question twice, comparing life with no ileostomy to life with a conventional, then comparing life with a conventional ileostomy to life with a continent. Three analyses were performed on the resulting data: sign test, chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test. The use of these three tests showed differences in results concerning quality of life and differences in the statistical power of the tests. Both aspects are discussed. Significant improvement in quality of life for almost every aspect tested was seen for this group. Finally, principal component analysis was applied to the set of variables measuring specific aspects of quality of life and several new variables developed from the resulting factors. Analysis of variance was performed on these, as well as the original quality of life measures to determine which of the structural/demographic variables had an effect on quality of life.