The COVID-19 pandemic prompted governments around the globe to employ various measures, such as social distancing and quarantine, to prevent its spread. The pandemic contributed to drastic changes in everyday life, through economic shocks, fear of the virus, morbidity, and mortality.  It was quickly suspected that stress, fear, and loneliness resulting from these factors, would have a negative impact on mental health. While previous research suggests an increase of clinical mental morbidity in Sweden during the pandemic, its impact on subjective well-being remains unexplored. The aim of this study is to broaden the understanding of public health during the pandemic by considering a self-reported measure of well-being. Using data from the latest Swedish Generations and Gender Survey (2021), this study sets out to answer two research questions. First, how are demographic characteristics associated with worsened subjective well-being? Secondly, given that foreign-born individuals were disproportionately affected by a range of COVID-19 related negative outcomes, this thesis asks whether foreign-born individuals were particularly affected by worsened subjective well-being. The questions are analysed through descriptive statistics and stepwise modeling using Linear Probability Models. Findings suggest that younger age and being female is associated with negative changes in subjective well-being, net of resources in terms of education, income and activity status, and family status. Foreign-born individuals were indeed particularly affected by worsened subjective well-being. This was partly mediated through their higher propensity of unemployment and on average lower income. By using a nationally representative sample and timely data, this thesis contributes to the understanding of COVID-19 related effects in Sweden. Furthermore, it sheds lights on the experiences of foreign-born individuals, a previously understudied group within the well-being literature.

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[pt] O estudo das relações humanas, na atualidade, deve considerar, dentro das possibilidades de comunicação, aquelas que se estabelecem e se mantêm em ambiente virtual. A presente pesquisa teve o objetivo de testar o poder preditivo do uso do Instagram, da comparação social e da personalidade sobre a autoestima e o bem-estar subjetivo dos usuários do Instagram. Para tanto, participaram do estudo 625 brasileiros das cinco regiões do país, sendo 63,7 porcento mulheres. Os resultados indicaram que, para as mulheres, quanto maior a intensidade de uso do Instagram, menor é a autoestima. Para homens e mulheres, a intensidade de uso do Instagram apresentou correlação positiva com os afetos negativos e com a comparação social (fator habilidades e fator opiniões). Também para ambos os sexos, quanto maior o nível de comparação social, maiores os níveis de afetos negativos. O modelo preditivo evidenciou o neuroticismo e a comparação social (fator habilidades) como preditores negativos da autoestima. A extroversão, a socialização, a realização, a comparação social (fator opiniões) e a idade mostraram-se preditores positivos da autoestima. Em relação ao bem-estar subjetivo, os afetos negativos destacaram-se como a dimensão mais bem explicada pelo conjunto de variáveis da pesquisa. A comparação social (fator habilidades) mediou a relação negativa entre a intensidade de uso do Instagram e a autoestima. Pode-se afirmar que, quanto maior a intensidade de uso do Instagram, maiores os níveis de comparação social. Mais ainda, a atividade de se comparar com outros usuários associa-se à experiência de sentimentos negativos e, ainda, à baixa autoestima. / [en] The study of human relations, today, must consider, within the possibilities of communication, those that are established and maintained in a virtual environment. The present research aimed to test the predictive power of Instagram use, social comparison and personality on the self-esteem and subjective well-being of Instagram users. For that, 625 Brazilians from the five regions of the country participated in the study, of which 63.7 percent were women. The results indicated that, for women, the higher the intensity of use of Instagram, the lower the self-esteem. For men and women, the intensity of use of Instagram showed a positive correlation with negative affects and with social comparison (ability factor and opinion factor). Also for both sexes, the higher the level of social comparison, the higher the levels of negative affects. The predictive model evidenced neuroticism and social comparison (ability factor) as negative predictors of self-esteem. Extroversion, socialization, achievement, social comparison (opinion factor), and age were positive predictors of self-esteem. In relation to subjective well-being, the negative affections stood out as the dimension best explained by the set of variables of the research. The social comparison (ability factor) mediated the negative relationship between the intensity of use of Instagram and the self-esteem. It can be stated that, the greater the intensity of use of Instagram, the higher the levels of social comparison. Moreover, the activity of comparing with other users is associated with the experience of negative feelings and also with low self-esteem.

In a world with an ever-changing economic landscape, the concept of financial stability can function as a buffer against the negative effects financial crises have on consumers' well-being and finances. Parallel to this, researchers are pushing marketers to move away from traditional marketing and instead focus on psychological well-being (PWB) and mindful consumption since this will grow efforts towards sustainability. Studies suggest that mindless consumption leads to financial stress, debt, and decreased well-being. Therefore, it is suggested that mindful consumption has a positive relationship with PWB and financial stability. However, there is currently a gap in the theoretical understanding regarding the impact of mindful consumption on PWB. The purpose of this thesis is to study the relationship between mindful consumption and PWB with a particular focus on how financial stability can explain this relationship. Drawing on a comprehensive review of existing literature, the following research questions were developed: RQ1: “How do the dimensions of mindful consumption (awareness, caring, and temperance) affect psychological well-being?” RQ2: “To what extent does financial stability contribute to the connection between the dimensionsof mindful consumption and psychological well-being?” This study uses a deductive approach with a quantitative internet survey strategy. The study had a total of 218 responses where the findings suggest that financial stability does not function as a bridge or link between mindful consumption and PWB. However, it was found that mindful consumption positively influences both financial stability and psychological well-being. / I en värld med ett ständigt föränderligt ekonomiskt landskap kan begreppet finansiell stabilitet fungera som en buffert mot de negativa effekter finansiella kriser har på konsumenternas välbefinnande och ekonomi. Parallellt med detta driver forskare marknadsförare att gå bort från traditionell marknadsföring och istället fokusera på psykologiskt välbefinnande (PWB) och medveten konsumtion eftersom detta kommer att öka ansträngningarna mot hållbarhet. Studier tyder på att tanklös konsumtion leder till ekonomisk stress, skuldsättning och minskat välbefinnande. Därför föreslås det att medveten konsumtion har ett positivt samband med PWB och finansiell stabilitet. Emellertid finns det för närvarande en lucka i den teoretiska förståelsen angående effekten av medveten konsumtion på PWB. Syftet med denna avhandling är att studera sambandet mellan medveten konsumtion och PWB med särskilt fokus på hur finansiell stabilitet kan förklara detta samband. Med utgångspunkt i en omfattande genomgång av befintlig litteratur utvecklades följande forskningsfrågor: RQ1: "Hur påverkar dimensionerna av medveten konsumtion (medvetenhet, omtanke ochnykterhet) det psykiska välbefinnandet?" RQ2: "I vilken utsträckning bidrar finansiell stabilitet till sambandet mellan dimensionerna avmedveten konsumtion och psykiskt välbefinnande?" Denna studie använder en deduktiv metod med en kvantitativ internetundersökningsstrategi. Studien hade totalt 218 svar där resultaten tyder på att finansiell stabilitet inte fungerar som en bro eller länk mellan medveten konsumtion och PWB. Däremot visade det sig att medveten konsumtion har en positiv påverkan på både finansiell stabilitet och psykiskt välbefinnande.

As people meet their basic biological needs, they become increasingly concerned with higher level needs, such as personal development and positive well-being. The term "subjective well-being" (SWB) refers to people's evaluations of their lives and although relatively stable, people's levels of SWB are influenced by life events. The high position of esteem needs in Maslow's hierarchy of needs reflects the importance of self-esteem in people's judgement of their quality of life. A one group post test only, analytical research design was utilised with 570 residents of an informal settlement in Soweto. A structured questionnaire was designed to obtain information on demographic variables, levels of SWB and levels of self-esteem. The levels of SWB and self-esteem within the community were relatively high. Multiple regression analyses models confirmed that demographic factors are weakly correlated with SWB and self-esteem. Self-esteem was highly correlated with life satisfaction. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

Personal well-being is a state that involves feelings and thoughts. This concept is investigated in learning area Life Orientation and integrated in the curriculum as a learning outcome for Further Education and Training learners in grades 10-12. A literature study was done to discuss/clarify dimensions of personal well-being that is general subjective, psychological, social and spiritual well-being and mental health. Perspectives, theories, principles and features pertaining to well-being were investigated from an international and local context. An exploratory study used a qualitative approach to investigate and observe perceptions of a small sample of learners of personal well-being. Data gathering used focus groups which completed structured group work activities. The results indicate that learner participants have needs to be satisfied to reach a sense of personal well-being. Based on findings, recommendations regarding coping strategies, intervention strategies and support were made. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

This study investigated the subjective well-being of female strippers. The effect that certain variables namely, self-esteem, general health, self-efficacy, perceived social support and sense of coherence had on subjective well-being and the independent components of subjective well-being, namely life satisfaction and positive and negative affect, were investigated. The sample consisted of 75 female strippers and was a consequence of a combination of purposive and convenience non-probability sampling. These women were employed at Teazers - a chain of strip clubs in Gauteng, South Africa. Information was gathered through self-reported questionnaires with quantifiable scales. The results of the regression models showed that life satisfaction depends on perceived social support, but positive and negative affect depends on self-esteem and general health. If life satisfaction and positive and negative affect is combined into a measurement of subjective well-being, 6.7% of the total variance in subjective well-being is uniquely explained by self-esteem. / Psychology / M. Sc. (Psychology)

The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between the cross-cultural adjustment of the expatriate spouse and their level of subjective well-being. Demographic factors were considered to identify life domains that may affect cross-cultural adjustment and subjective well-being respectively. The Spousal Adjustment Scale, Scale of Positive and Negative Experience, Satisfaction with life scale, and Flourishing scale were used in the study. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was used, and a purposive sample which consisted of expatriate spouses currently residing in Germany was approached (N=156). Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were applied. The results yielded a statistically significant correlation between cross-cultural adjustment and subjective well-being of expatriate spouses and indicated statistically significant differences between demographic groups including language proficiency, dependents, time spent in host country, nationality, career sacrifice, and support network. It was concluded that there is a positive relationship between the cross-cultural adjustment of the expatriate spouse and their well-being and that various demographic factors can influence both constructs. / Industrial & Organisational Psychology / M.Comm. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

The postmodern organisation and its leaders are faced with relentless turbulence and change and a compelling economic drive for success. The recent exponential rise in the popularity of coaching can be ascribed to the business need for the development of leadership bench-strength. Appreciative inquiry (AI) claims to be a source of untapped strength for organisations in the postmodern world and a source of sustainable solutions and genesis for energy. However, the scarcity of evidence of coaching linked to a postmodern stance, incorporating AI principles, as well as using group-based coaching methods, provided an opportunity for this study to respond to the challenges and contribute to the theory and practice of leadership coaching in the organisational setting by investigating the transformative effects of a postmodern group-based leadership coaching programme (LCP) on leaders’ personal and professional perspectives. The premises suggest that postmodern group-based coaching is a practical and cost-effective methodology in multi-cultural international organisations. Furthermore, postmodern coaching in groups can transform the personal and professional perspectives of leaders, specifically in transforming future plans, goal-directedness, confidence, resilience, hope, subjective well-being and empowerment as a leader, as well as broadening life outlooks. Key transformative themes were identified: self-knowledge, appreciation of others, broader vision, self-control and work-life integration. This applied study has made a valuable contribution to the body of research in the area of postmodern and group-based coaching. Replication of the study in other industries, setting and with different levels of leadership, training of postmodern coaches and robust follow-up coaching were identified as opportunities for further exploration. / Industrial & Organisational Psychology / D.Lit. et Phil. (Industrial Psychology)