Trots en hög andel unga med psykosomatiska besvär visar statistiken även att ungdomar generellt upplever sig ha en god psykisk hälsa, ett gott humör, god självkänsla och en god framtidstro. Denna studie fokuserar på att utforska hur varaktiga mönster av stresshanteringsstrategier hos ungdomar kan relateras till deras subjektivt upplevda välbefinnande i termer av affektiva tillstånd och kognitiva bedömningar av livstillfredsställelse. En enkätundersökning genomfördes med 104 deltagare, varav 80 kvinnor, i åldrarna 15 till 19 år. Mätinstrument som användes var svenska versioner av COPE Inventory, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule och Satisfaction With Life Scale. Resultatet visade att emotionsfokuserade copingstrategier i högre grad än respektive problemfokuserade strategier predicerade välbefinnande, vilket skiljer sig från tidigare resultat där de senare stått för detta samband främst i studier med vuxna. Användbarheten av detta resultat kan bidra till ökad förståelse för ungdomars stresshantering och hur denna relaterar till tidigare tillämpad kunskap generad utifrån vuxna populationer.

To adolescents, online game provides a rich playground for developing competence in leadership, coordination, teamwork, and cooperation. Adopting the perspective of positive psychology and social cognitive theory, this research investigates how factors such as personal and social factors may impact adolescents' learning outcomes and subjective will-being. The results show that game efficacy, adolescents' game attitudes, and social influences are important factors that influence adolescents' online game behavior. Moreover, playing online games may improve adolescents' psychological affects and learning, which in turn enhance players' subjective well-being. These results provide a new perspective to game researchers, teachers and parents and can help game manufactures and government in designing games and making policies.

The present study examined the influence of perceived discrimination on the subjective well-being of Turks in Bulgaria. Based on Meyer

Current literature suggests that family stressors are positively related to adolescent psychopathology; however, few studies have examined the relationship between family stressors and positive indicators of mental health, such as life satisfaction. Additionally, past literature has found support for life satisfaction as a mediating variable between environmental experiences (i.e., parent-child relationships, major life events) and adolescent psychopathology. Research questions answered in the current study pertain to: (a) the relationship between family stressors (i.e., socio-economic status, family structure, major life events, interparental conflict) and adolescents' life satisfaction, (b) the overall contribution of family stressors to life satisfaction and which stressors are most strongly associated with life satisfaction, and (c) whether life satisfaction mediates the relationship between family stressors and substance use. To answer these questions, self-report surveys from 183 middle school students were analyzed. Results indicate that experiencing major life events and interparental conflict were unique predictors of life satisfaction, and all the family stressors combined accounted for 37% of the variance in life satisfaction. Additionally, the relationship between these two family stressors and substance use was shown to be mediated by life satisfaction. Implications for school psychologists and future directions are discussed.

Studiens övergripande syfte är att undersöka sambanden mellan grundläggande värderingar, arbetssituation och arbetstillfredsställelse. De konkreta frågeställningarna är 1. Finns det något direkt samband mellan fem grundläggande värderingar och arbetstillfredsställelse? 2. Finns det ett samspel mellan grundläggande värderingar, arbetssituation och arbetstillfredsställelse? Undersökningens primära fokus är frågeställnigen 2. Det är en kvantitativ undersökning där multipel regressionsanalys används. Datamaterialet är hämtat från ESS (2010). Den beroende variabeln är arbetstillfredsställelse, de oberoende variablerna är fem grundläggande värderingar såsom självstyrning, stimulans, prestation, makt, trygghet och arbetssituation såsom autonomi i arbetet, varierande/utvecklande arbete, karriärmöjligheter, möjlighet att påverka beslut och anställningstrygghet. När det gäller frågeställning 1värderingarnas direkta betydelse för arbetstillfredsställelsenså visar de viktigaste resultaten på att det finns ett positivt samband mellan både självstyrning, stimulans och arbetstillfredsställelse. Men att värderingarna prestation, makt och trygghet däremot har en negativ effekt på arbetstillfredsställelse, d.v.s. dessa värderingar leder till en mindre tillfredställelse med arbetet. När det gäller frågeställning 2, värderingarnas samspel med arbetssituation och indirekta samband med arbetstillfredställelse, visar resultaten på att arbetstillfredsställelsen överlag ökar när man matchar personliga värderingar med en liknande arbetssituation. Framförallt gäller detta värderingar prestation, makt och trygghet.En tolkning av detta kan vara att dessa värderingar, enligt Schwartz, bygger på ängslan och är socialt orienterade, vilket då skulle kunna innebära att när man matchar dessa värderingar med en liknande arbetssituation så reduceras ängslan och det sociala samspelet individ (värdering) och miljö (arbetssituation) får därmed en extra tydlig positiv betydelse för arbetstillfredsställelsen. Personliga värderingar i sig själv har inte något entydigt samband med arbetstillfredsställelse, utan det är framförallt när en person ha rett arbete som överensstämmer med de egna värderingarna som arbetstillfredsställelsen ökar.

The purpose of this thesis was to examine coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors and secondary complications in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). In particular, this thesis was organized around the central theme of adiposity, which is a prevalent complication following SCI. Study 1 focused on understanding the relationships between activities of daily living (ADL) and CHD risk factors including central adiposity, lipoproteins, and triglycerides. Using generalized linear models, while controlling for pertinent covariates such as sex, age, and leisure time physical activity (LTPA), it was found that Mobility ADL (wheeling and transferring) were negatively associated with total and LDL-cholesterol. Study 2 examined whether individuals who considered themselves to be overweight subsequently had less favourable subjective well-being, and were more likely to report specific secondary complications than individuals who did not consider themselves to be overweight. Logistic regression analysis and partial correlations controlling for pertinent covariates such as sex, age, and injury severity, revealed that individuals who considered themselves to be overweight reported greater pain, depression, overuse injuries, and fatigue, and less satisfaction with life than individuals who did not consider themselves to be overweight. In summary, the findings suggest that a) participation in specific types of ADL (i.e. Mobility ADL) are associated with a lower CHD risk and should be further explored and that b) elevated perceived adiposity is associated with specific secondary complications and lower subjective well-being. Overall thesis findings support the overwhelming evidence of the benefits of daily physical activity and maintaining a healthy bodyweight in the SCI population. / Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2009-05-28 11:40:32.574

The main aim of this thesis was to study children’s mental health with focus on family arrangements. The thesis was based on four studies (I-IV). Study number I, III and IV were quantitative studies with cross sectional design, using the Swedish version of Health behaviour in School- aged children (HBSC), including children aged 11, 13 and 15 years. The data was analysed with multiple linear regression analysis (I) and multivariate logistic regression analysis (III, IV). Study II was of qualitative descriptive design, based on 28 interviews with parents living in shared physical custody with their children. The qualitative study was analysed with inductive latent content analysis. Study I showed that lower levels of SHC and higher levels of SWB were associated with higher degrees of social capital in the family, school and neighbourhood. Social capital in family, school and neighbourhood had a cumulative influence on children’s SHC and SWB. In study II the participating parents described their own as well as the perceptions of their children and former partners. Parents’ perceptions changed from the beginning of shared physical custody, through the current situation, ending with perception of the future. The fifteen year old boys and girls (III) living in shared physical custody were more at risk of being a smoker or having been drunk compared with children living in two parent families. The results of sex <15 years and conduct problems showed that the risks didn’t differ significantly between these two groups. Study IV showed that children living in shared physical custody with their parents were more likely than children in two parent families to report multiple SHC, and low SWB. The variable of communication did not moderate the SHC and SWB of the children in any of these two groups. This thesis contribute with new and deeper understanding of the relatively new phenomenon: shared physical custody, and its associations to children’s mental health. The parent’s perceptions were an important complement to the children’s self reported health. In order to influence the decreasing mental health among children and adolescents, their opinions contributes to further understanding. Narratives from children, parents and practitioners are required in order to further study the association between children’s health outcomes and different family arrangements. Additional studies are needed to clarify how children’s mental health and different family arrangements are related to school, community economy, and society. / Avhandlingens huvudsyfte var att studera barns mentala hälsa med fokus på familjekonstellationer. Fyra olika studier ligger till grund för avhandlingen (I-IV). Studie I, II och IV var kvantitativa studier med tvärsnittsdesign. Datamaterialet utgjordes av den svenska versionen av Health Behaviour in School- aged Children (HBSC) (Svenska skolbarns hälsovanor). De deltagande barnen var i åldrarna 11, 13 och 15 år. Datamaterialet analyserades med hjälp av multipel linjär regressions analys (I) samt multivariat logistisk regressionsanalys (III, IV). Studie II var av kvalitativ karaktär och baserades på 28 intervjuer med föräldrar som bodde växelvis boende med sina barn. Den kvalitativa studien analyserades med hjälp av induktiv latent innehållsanalys. Studie I visade att lägre nivåer av SHC (subjektiva hälsobesvär) och högre nivåer av SWB (subjektivt välbefinnande) hade ett samband med högre nivåer av socialt kapital i familjen, skolan och närområdet. Socialt kapital i familjen, skolan och närområdet hade en kumulativ effekt på barnens självrapporterade SHC och SWB. I studie två beskrev de deltagande föräldrarna sina egna upplevelser, samt upplevelser relaterat till barnen samt och den före detta partnern. Föräldrarnas upplevelser förändrades från den första tiden av växelvis boende till nuvarande situation och avslutades med tankar om framtiden. De växelvis boende femtonåriga pojkarna och flickorna i studie III rapporterade ökad risk för att vara såväl rökare som att ha varit berusade jämfört med 15- åringarna i traditionella familjer. Resultaten avseende sex <15 år samt beteendeproblem visade inga signifikanta skillnader mellan dessa två grupper. Studie IV visade att barn som bodde i växelvis boende rapporterade fler subjektiva hälsobesvär och lägre välbefinnande jämfört med barn i traditionella familjer. Kommunikationsvariabeln hade ingen modererande effekt på någon av dessa båda grupper. Föreliggande avhandling bidrar med såväl ny som fördjupad kunskap för det relativt nya fenomenet, växelvis boende, och dess relation till barns mentala hälsa. Föräldrarnas upplevelse var ett viktigt bidrag till barnens självrapporterade hälsa. För att kunna påverka barn och ungas rapporter om allt sämre mental hälsa, är deras åsikter ett viktigt inslag för ökade kunskaper inom området. Vi behöver barns, föräldrars och yrkesverksammas åsikter för att vidare kunna studera relationen mellan barns hälsoutfall och olika familjekonstellationer. Vi behöver också veta mer om olika familjekonstellationers relation till skolan, närområdet samt det övriga samhället.

A dual-factor model of psychological functioning examines the presence of wellness (i.e., subjective well-being; SWB) and psychopathology (i.e., internalizing and externalizing behavior problems) in explaining youth mental health functioning. Using a dual-factor model, previous research has yielded four unique groups of elementary and middle school youth as well as college-age adults with distinct levels of wellness and psychopathology. The present empirical investigation included valid data from 500 adolescents from two high schools (grades 9 to 11). This exploratory study produced four groups of students with unique mental health profiles aligned with previous studies investigating the dual-factor model. Tukey-Kramer comparisons determined that among groups classified as having elevated symptoms of psychopathology, those that also report high levels of SWB (i.e., symptomatic but content youth) are more likely to be rated as having externalizing problems, and those with low levels of SWB (i.e., troubled youth) are more likely to report symptoms of internalizing problems. Evaluation of group differences on positive mental health indicators suggest that differences between groups with elevated SWB versus low SWB were due to differences in life satisfaction and negative affect. Tukey-Kramer comparisons indicated that youth with complete mental health reported optimal functioning in terms SWB. Youth identified as having low levels of SWB, appeared to report similarly low levels of life satisfaction and positive affect, but those that also reported elevated levels of psychopathology, particularly internalizing problems, had greater levels of negative affect. Additional findings from this study demonstrate the utility of classifying high school students' mental health according to a dual-factor model. Results of a MANCOVA suggest a significant effect for mental health group membership as yielded from a dual-factor model on students' social-functioning. Follow up ANCOVAs and Tukey-Kramer comparisons suggest that high SWB in tandem with low levels of psychopathology (i.e., complete mental health) is associated with a host of optimal functioning in terms of teacher-rated social skills, perceptions of interpersonal relationships, receipt of social support, reduced likelihood of victimization, and high quality romantic experiences. For youth with psychopathology, average to high levels of SWB (i.e., as in symptomatic but content students), may buffer them from experiencing poor social functioning, particularly in terms of perceived social support, peer victimization, general interpersonal relations, and satisfaction with romantic experiences. Overall results from this study support the presence of dual-factor model in high school students and the importance of assessment of positive and negative indicators in order to effectively gain a comprehensive understanding of adolescents' social functioning.

Le bien-être subjectif se définit comme une approche hédonique du bonheur renvoyant à une évaluation générale de sa propre vie dans ses dimensions cognitives et affectives. Bien que ce concept ait fait l’objet d’une littérature scientifique abondante, peu de travaux ont porté explicitement sur ses relations avec la construction du choix d’orientation scolaire et professionnelle. Notre revue de la littérature met également en évidence l’opposition des approches ascendantes et descendantes dans l’étude des liens en ces variables rendant le sens de la causalité particulièrement complexe à appréhender. Ainsi, l’objectif de cette thèse est d’apporter une meilleure compréhension aux relations entre le bien-être subjectif et l’indécision vocationnelle. De même, afin de tester le rôle des caractéristiques individuelles et contextuelles, nous avons inscrit notre étude dans une comparaison interculturelle interrogeant des étudiants sud-coréens, étatsuniens et français. La première partie de nos résultats est largement consacrée à l’étude de la validité psychométrique des outils utilisés dans les différents contextes cibles tandis que la deuxième partie s’intéresse davantage à l’analyse des relations entre le bien-être subjectif et l’indécision vocationnelle. Une série de trois études fut conduite dans chaque pays cible dans le but d’examiner successivement le rôle modérateur des caractéristiques individuelles, des traits de la personnalité et du bien-être psychologique. Les résultats indiquent globalement que le bien-être subjectif est significativement associé à l’indécision vocationnelle quel que soit l’échantillon considéré bien que plusieurs effets modérateurs soient observés. À partir de notre revue de la littérature et des résultats obtenus, un modèle théorique des relations entre le bien-être subjectif et l’indécision vocationnelle est proposé différenciant les modèles ascendants et descendants par des mécanismes distincts. L’implication de ces résultats autour d’une vision holistique de l’individu est discutée dans des perspectives théoriques et pratiques. / Subjective well-being may be defined as a hedonic approach of happiness referring to an overall evaluation of individual’s life integrating both cognitive and affective components. Although that concept has been the focus of a considerable scientific literature, few research explored explicitly its relationships with career decision-making process. Our literature review highlighted the opposition between bottom-up and top-down approaches in the study of the relationships between these two variables making particularly complex to determine the causal direction. Thus, the purpose of this thesis was to bring a better understanding on the relationships between subjective well-being and career indecision. Also, in order to test the role of individual and contextual characteristics, we conducted a cross-cultural comparison which include Korean, US, and French college students. The first part of our results was devoted to explore the psychometric properties of several instruments used in the different countries while the second part was more focused on the analysis of the relationships between subjective well-being and career indecision. A series of three studies were conducted in each target country for examining successively the moderator role of individual characteristics, personality traits, and psychological well-being. Overall, results showed that subjective well-being was significantly associated with career indecision across samples despite several moderator effects were observed. Based on our literature review and results, we developed a theoretical model integrating subjective well-being and career indecision while arguing distinctive mechanisms in bottom-up and top-down approaches. The implications of those results toward a holistic approach of individual counseling are discussed in both research and practical directions.

Der Zusammenhang zwischen Selbstregulation und subjektivem Wohlbefinden in Abhängigkeit von der Persönlichkeit und Optimismus wurde an einer Gruppe Medizinstudenten im 2. Semester untersucht. Selbstregulation versteht sich dabei als Verhaltensregulation nach dem Model von Charles Carver und Michael Scheier. Das erfasste subjektive Wohlbefinden beruht auf der Theorie von Carol D. Ryff. Es wurde erwartet, dass Personen mit besseren Selbstregulationsfähigkeiten höheres Wohlbefinden angeben. Direkte und indirekte Effekte von sowohl Persönlichkeit, in Form der Big Five Dimensionen und der Persönlichkeitsprototypen, als auch den Ausprägungen von Optimismus und Pessimismus auf das subjektive Wohlbefindenwurden angenommen. Indirekte Effekte werden dabei wiederum über die Selbstregulationsfähigkeit vermittelt. Im Wesentlichen bestätigten sich die erwarteten Zusammenhänge. Ausnahmen bildeten die signifikant höheren Angaben überkontrollierter Personen bezüglich Wachstum als Person und Selbst-Akzeptanz. Zudem zeigte sich in der Mediatoranalyse ein stärkerer Einfluss vom positiven Affekt auf das subjektive Wohlbefinden als von Persönlichkeit und Selbstregulation.