No description available.

No description available.

Life satisfaction is key indicator of psychological well-being, a central component of positive psychology, and an important correlate of positive development. Concurrent and predictive validity of global and domain-specific life satisfaction reports were explored with respect to social success within the classroom, peer rejection, and externalizing behavior problems. The Brief Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS), which yields an overall subjective life satisfaction score in addition to five domain-specific satisfaction scores (family, friends, self, school, living environment), was administered to a sample of 198 3rd through 8th grade students in an urban public school in a northeastern U.S. city during the fall of 2008 (Time 1) and spring 2009 (Time 2). A friendship survey was also administered at both time points; peer nominations from these surveys were used to calculate individual peer acceptance and peer rejection scores, as well as to identify classroom social networks and students' salience within them. Data were also collected on individual disciplinary incidents throughout the year resulting in a total number of office discipline referrals (ODRs) for each student. Given the abundance of literature suggesting that low levels of self-reported life satisfaction are linked to poor social and behavioral outcomes, it was expected that subjective satisfaction ratings would demonstrate an inverse relationship with peer rejection and disciplinary referrals, and a positive relationship with social success, as measured by peer acceptance and social network centrality. At Time 1, in contrast with the hypothesis, none of the domain-specific or global life satisfaction variables were found to demonstrate any significant relationships with peer rejection or acceptance. However, as expected, Time 1 social network centrality demonstrated a small but significant correlation with satisfaction with self and a moderate correlation with satisfaction with friends. This relationship remained significant with respect to satisfaction with friends and Time 2 social network centrality, but decreased in magnitude. Regression analyses revealed that Time 1 life satisfaction variables were not able to predict a significant portion of the variance in any of the established outcome variables. This research was limited by its use of a single school with a homogenous student population; nevertheless, it provides an exploratory look into the potential of subjective life satisfaction profiles to serve as a screening tool for identifying students that may benefit from targeted social or behavioral interventions. Future research should examine this potential with larger and more diverse samples of students. / School Psychology

The primary purposes of this study were to identify motivational typologies of growth and stability and identify people who have crossed a boundary in terms of levels of hope and time perspective. This study draws upon two fields, philosophy and psychology. The philosophical framework traces its roots back to American pragmatism and Alfred North Whitehead’s Process Philosophy. The second set of theories proposed for investigation came from the relatively recent empirical endeavor known as positive psychology. Specifically, I tested the construct validity and predictive utility of hope and time perspective as predictors of academic time management and academic outcomes in a Japanese sample. The participants were 467 students attending one of the largest private universities in Japan. Several instruments were used to measure the relationship between hope and time perspective as independent variables and self-reported academic outcomes. The instruments were the Hope Disposition Survey, the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory, self-reported TOEIC and GPA scores, and the Vocabulary Size Test. The research design was a quantitative and qualitative mixed-methods research plan. Two relatively recent constructs from the area of positive psychology research known as hope theory (a goal-oriented construct) and the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory were utilized for empirical investigation. The use of a mixed-method research design allowed this study to add to our knowledge of the roles of hope and time management in goal directed behavior. The analytical tools included the Rasch model, confirmatory factor analyses (CFA), structural equation modeling (SEM), and latent growth curve modeling (LGM). The qualitative analysis was a phenomenological investigation (similar to a case study) into the relationship between affect, cognition, and motivation utilizing a Process Philosophy framework. Results of the Rasch and CFA indicated that hope and time perspective were viable constructs for this sample. The hope SEM results indicated that hope had a positive relationship with academic outcomes as hypothesized. The time perspective SEM indicated that future time perspective had a positive relationship and that present-hedonism had a negative relationship with academic behavior as hypothesized. LGM results indicated that study time management had a non-linear relationship with the academic calendar. Both sets of results must be considered with caution due to a design flaw in the data collection instruments and high levels of attrition for the LGMs. Finally, the interview results indicated that students in the sample were extrinsically motivated by situational variables such as professor signals of how to, how much, when to, and what to study and that transitions from secondary to tertiary level studies were difficult for students with low levels of hope. The results were interpreted to suggest that levels of student engagement in the sample were at a less than desirable level when compared to OECD or North American university expectations. However, results were considered to be generally supportive of hope and time perspective theory. / Applied Linguistics

Positive psychology is rapidly developing as a field in psychology. Many constructs associated with positive psychology have been developed but relationships have not been demonstrated to second language (L2) learning or L2 learning motivation. The main purpose of this study was to explore empirically some core constructs of positive psychology and L2 learning motivation by testing a structural model of the causal relationships among levels of self-concept, and L2 proficiency. In order to do that, it was first necessary to validate measurable components of each of the levels. The self-concept constructs were: a global positive self-concept, a domain-specific positive L2 self, and L2 skill specific self-efficacy. The various self-constructs were organized into finer levels of specificity, from the global to L2 domain to L2 domain skills. A structural model was created from three latent variables that were in turn created from measured variables at each level of specificity. For the latent positive self-concept the measured variables consisted of flourishing, hope, and curiosity. For the latent variable of positive L2 self the measured variables consisted of an interested-in-L2 self, passion-for-L2-learning self, and L2 mastery goal orientation. For the latent motivational variable of L2 self-efficacy the measured variables were L2 speaking self-efficacy, L2 listening self-efficacy, and L2 reading self-efficacy. The measured variables were based on adapted or newly created self-reports. To demonstrate that the model holds beyond self-reports, objective L2 proficiency measures were also modeled with the latent variables of positive self-concept and positive L2 self. To demonstrate the generalizability of the self-model with L2 proficiency, a cross-validation study was done with two different objective measures of L2 proficiency, TOEIC and TOEIC Bridge. The results for the study were all positive for the creation of composite variables and fit to causal models. Latent variables were created for a composite positive self-concept, a composite positive L2 self, and a composite L2 motivation variable. The positive self-concept and positive L2 self also fit a model that included an objective measure of L2 proficiency. Finally, structural equation modeling confirmed causal relationships among positive self-concept, positive L2 self with both L2 motivation and with L2 proficiency. This study showed how constructs from the rapidly expanding field of positive psychology can be integrated with second language motivation. This study showed one way positive psychology can be applied to second language learning and suggests that positive psychology might invigorate future L2 motivation studies. / Teaching & Learning

[pt] A Psicologia Positiva é um movimento caracterizado pelo estudo dos recursos positivos do funcionamento individual, social e organizacional, em conformidade com a visão segundo a qual indivíduos felizes e plenamente realizados tendem a administrar suas vidas de forma bem-sucedida, contribuindo efetivamente para comunidade e as demandas sociais. A Psicologia Positiva adota como missão central a investigação de potencialidades e qualidades humanas, tais como a resiliência, o otimismo, a esperança, o bem-estar, entre outras habilidades interpessoais indicativas da vida saudável. Dentro da visão da Psicologia Positiva, o construto Positividade vem sendo estudado como um compósito das características psicológicas satisfação de vida, autoestima e otimismo. Trata-se de uma tendência do ser humano em avaliar de modo positivo a realidade, as experiências pessoais e interpessoais e o futuro. O estudo das características psicológicas positivas de indivíduos em diferentes faixas etárias é importante pois permite compreender as forças e virtudes necessárias ao desenvolvimento saudável. Especificamente na adolescência, crenças positivas podem conduzir à adaptação bem-sucedida da infância à vida adulta. Este trabalho tem como objetivo investigar evidências iniciais de validade da Escala de Positividade (EP), para uma determinada amostra de adolescentes brasileiros – por considerar de grande importância a avaliação das características positivas no desenvolvimento dos adolescentes. Participaram desta pesquisa 398 adolescentes, com idades entre 11 e 19 anos, estudantes de escolas públicas e privadas da cidade do Rio de Janeiro (RJ) e Região Serrana (RJ). Seus responsáveis legais assinaram um Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido. A coleta de dados ocorreu por meio da aplicação presencial dos seguintes instrumentos: EP, MHI-5, Questionário Sociodemográfico, SDQ, HOPE, PANAS, EAR e LOT-R. Os resultados indicaram uma estrutura unifatorial, apresentada tanto na AFE como na AFC. Os resultados também apontaram correlações entre a EP e os demais instrumentos que avaliaram os construtos constitutivos e correlatos da Positividade. Em relação às características sociodemográficas, não foram encontradas fortes correlações entre os níveis de Positividade e a renda, sexo, tipo de escola ou localidade de moradia. Adolescentes mais novos, no entanto, apresentaram maiores níveis de Positividade do que os mais velhos. / [en] Positive Psychology is a movement characterized by the study of positive resources of individual, social and organizational functioning, in accordance with the view that happy and fully realized individuals tend to manage their lives in a successful way, effectively contributing to the community and social demands. Positive Psychology adopts as its central mission the investigation of human potentialities and qualities, such as resilience, optimism, hope, well-being, among other interpersonal abilities indicative of a healthy life. From Positive Psychology s point of view, the construct Positivity has been studied as a composite of psychological characteristics life satisfaction, self-esteem and optimism. It is a human being inclination to evaluate reality, personal and interpersonal experiences and the future in a positive way. The study of positive psychological characteristics in individuals among different age groups is important since it allows us to comprehend the necessary forces and virtues for a healthy development. Specifically during adolescence, positive beliefs may lead to a well succeeded adaptation of infancy into adult life. This work intends to investigate initial evidences of the Positive Scale (P-Scale) validity, for a sample of Brazilian adolescents – due to the importance of evaluating positive characteristics for their development. The 398 adolescents (ages ranging from 11 to 19 years old) that took part in the research are students of both public and private schools of Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and Região Serrana (RJ). Their legal guardians signed a Free and Informed Consent Form. Data collection occurred through the application of the following instruments: PS, MHI-5, Sociodemographic Questionnaire, SDQ, HOPE, PANAS, EAR e LOT-R. Results indicated a unifactorial structure, presented both in AFE and AFC. Results revealed, among other evidences, correlations between P-Scale and the remaining instruments used for evaluating the constitutive and correlate Positivity constructs. Regarding sociodemographic characteristics, no strong correlations were found between Positivity levels and income, gender, school type or housing location. However, younger adolescents presented higher Positivity levels than older ones.

The present thesis “Personal Resources: Explorative Studies analyzing the Concept, the Development and the Promotion in Children and Adults” focuses on the field of Positive Psychology. This comparatively new field of research aims to examine personal strengths and virtues to ascertain the role of positive experiences, to delineate the function of positive relationships, and to understand how these factors contribute to well-being (Gable & Haidt, 2005). In addition, another goal of Positive Psychology is to develop effective interventions, aiming to increase and sustain processes that strengthen these resources. Thus, my thesis will contribute to a broader understanding of the concepts of personal resources and well-being, as well as their development and promotion. Therefore, I will present findings from four cross-sectional and longitudinal studies with children and adults as participants. In Chapter 1, I introduce the most central concepts of Positive Psychology research and constitute the central questions guiding my thesis. Chapters 2 to 5 present the findings of my empirical research: In Chapter 2, I investigate the concepts of resources and human well-being. Therefore, I will analyze the most important human resources and their complex interplay and impact on human well-being. My aim is to contribute to a more comprehensive framework in this comparatively new field of research. As Positive Psychology further strives to establish effective interventions, I additionally investigate the development and promotion of resources and well-being in children and adults (see Chapters 3-5). In Chapter 3, I concentrate in particular on preschool children and their socio-emotional competencies, and the promotion of these within our mentoring-based prevention program “HUCKEPACK”. A further aim of my thesis is to contribute to a better understanding of the processes fostering positive intervention outcomes. Hence, in Chapter 4 I focus on the causal mechanisms that bring about change within mentoring relationships. More specifically, I examine whether mentors’ socio-emotional competencies influence the mentees’ socio-emotional development within these mentorships. In Chapter 5, I address the question whether personal resources develop in adulthood while focusing on volunteers in our mentoring program in comparison to non-volunteers. Finally, Chapter 6 summarizes the findings presented in my thesis and provides prospects for future research. In Chapter 7 I submit a German version of this summary.

This study focuses on the strengths of early adolescents after losing a parent to suicide. Strengths is a global phenomenon and yet little research has been undertaken in South Africa pertaining to strengths in early adolescence. The goal of the study was to determine how the early adolescent experiences the suicidal death of a parent while simultaneously going through puberty, and what strengths were present to help them make meaning out of what happened in their lives. The research was conducted through a phenomenological design and followed a qualitative research approach within an interpretivist paradigm. The research design and approach allowed the participants to give meaning to the construct by sharing their own experiences. A total of 6 early adolescent girls from the ages of twelve to sixteen years were purposefully selected from the East Rand area, Gauteng. Five of the girls were Afrikaans speaking and one was English speaking. Three of the girls lost a mother to suicide and three of the girls lost a father to suicide. The qualitative data was collected in the form of individual in-depth interviews with the early adolescents. The interviews were voice recorded, transcribed and typed out by online transcribers. The raw data was checked by the researcher for accuracy and categorised to ascertain certain emerging themes. Thematic data analysis was used to transform the transcribed data into meaningful information. Principles and strategies to increase the trustworthiness of the data were done through a process of crystallisation. The researcher's objective was to understand and interpret the meanings the participants gave to their own experiences, to identify the strengths that emerged and make findings available to professionals and parents. The findings of the study revealed that early adolescents do present with certain strengths of an intrapersonal nature that assisted and support them through the grief and bereavement process after the suicide of a parent. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

This study focuses on the strengths of early adolescents after losing a parent to suicide. Strengths is a global phenomenon and yet little research has been undertaken in South Africa pertaining to strengths in early adolescence. The goal of the study was to determine how the early adolescent experiences the suicidal death of a parent while simultaneously going through puberty, and what strengths were present to help them make meaning out of what happened in their lives. The research was conducted through a phenomenological design and followed a qualitative research approach within an interpretivist paradigm. The research design and approach allowed the participants to give meaning to the construct by sharing their own experiences. A total of 6 early adolescent girls from the ages of twelve to sixteen years were purposefully selected from the East Rand area, Gauteng. Five of the girls were Afrikaans speaking and one was English speaking. Three of the girls lost a mother to suicide and three of the girls lost a father to suicide. The qualitative data was collected in the form of individual in-depth interviews with the early adolescents. The interviews were voice recorded, transcribed and typed out by online transcribers. The raw data was checked by the researcher for accuracy and categorised to ascertain certain emerging themes. Thematic data analysis was used to transform the transcribed data into meaningful information. Principles and strategies to increase the trustworthiness of the data were done through a process of crystallisation. The researcher's objective was to understand and interpret the meanings the participants gave to their own experiences, to identify the strengths that emerged and make findings available to professionals and parents. The findings of the study revealed that early adolescents do present with certain strengths of an intrapersonal nature that assisted and support them through the grief and bereavement process after the suicide of a parent. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The present study aimed to investigate the relationships between, personal meaning, sense of coherence, organisational commitment and selected biographical variables, specifically age, tenure and occupational level. It was found that mostly significant positive relationships exist between personal meaning and sense of coherence. Personal meaning and sense of coherence exhibit predictive value for organisational commitment. It was established that self-transcendence plays a significant role in the development of affective and normative organisational commitment. Some significant differences were found between management and non-management employees in the manifestation of personal meaning. Management approximate more personal meaning to achievement, self-acceptance, and fair treatment. On sense of coherence and organisational commitment there were no significant differences between management and non-management employees. It was recommended that the relationship between personal meaning and other positive psychology variables be researched in order to determine the significance of such relationships so as to add to this relatively new body of research. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.Comm.