This study examined the effectiveness of a hope-based intervention on hope, subjective well-being, goal attainment and degree of goal internalization in a sample of primary 6 students from Hong Kong. Participants were randomly assigned to either intervention condition or control condition. Results from ANCOVAs suggested that there were no main intervention effects on hope and on goal attainment. However, participants benefited from internalizing their self-set goal in the intervention. Concerning the intervention effect on subjective well-being, significant interaction was found. Consistent with the dynamical systems model, regression analyses demonstrated that participants with high initial pleasant affect was more responsive to the intervention and benefited the most in terms of latter pleasant affect. In addition, it was found that goal attainment was significantly associated with subjective well-being and hopeful thinking. Possible explanations for the inconsistent findings with previous studies are provided. Implications for future research on hope-based intervention are also discussed. / published_or_final_version / Educational Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

In considering current college students’ general well-being, their diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds need to be considered as an important contributor. Previous research revealed that certain ethnic grouops had more difficulty adjusting to college life. This study examined the contributors to general well-being by introducing self-compassion as an important contributor for college students from three different ethnic backgrounds as determined by their self-identified choices. Data came from the online survey responses of 95 college students attending a southwestern university. Correlations between self-compassion and the nine subscales of general well-being yielded a positive relationship as in previous studies, with six of them meeting the previous criterion ( r = .60). Results showed that etnic groups and degree of ethnic identification did not, for these students, moderate the relationship between self-compassion and general well-being.. / text

I tidigare forskning saknas studier om effekten av Internet på äldres välbefinnande. Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka hur äldres välbefinnande påverkas av vardaglig Internetanvändning inklusive sociala medier. Tio pensionärer i åldern 68-85 år i Mellansverige, varav fem kvinnor, intervjuades i ca 35 minuter var om deras subjektiva upplevelser av Internetanvändning. Intervjuerna meningskoncentrerades och analysen resulterade i fyra gemensamma drag: äldre som använder Internet och sociala medier upplever (1) positiva emotioner, (2) närhet med andra, (3) trygghet och (4) ett rikare liv. Avsaknaden av Internet däremot skulle leda till upplevelsen av tomhet och isolation. Grundat på komponenterna föreslås det att användning av Internet och sociala medier har sammantaget positiv effekt på äldres välbefinnande. Förutom detta identifierades en ny komponent trygghet som inte framkom i tidigare studier om äldres Internetanvändning.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between psychological wellbeing and uniqueness seeking behaviour. Early research in psychology has primarily followed a pathogenic approach, focusing on the way in which stressful life events predispose an individual to negative health outcomes. More recently a number of theorists and researchers have adopted a salutogenic approach, which refers to the origins of physical and mental health and explores the factors that assist individuals to maintain psychological and physical well-being in the face of stressful situations (Antonovsky. 1979 & 1987; Pallant & Lae, 2002). Uniqueness seeking is a relatively new construct that seems to be part of the repertoire of strengths an individual uses to improve psychological well-being. Theorists postulate that moderate needs for uniqueness are experienced more positively than extremely high or extremely low needs for uniqueness. (Lynn & Snyder, 2002 and Snyder & Fromkin, 1980). The study aims to determine the difference in psychological well-being in individuals with varying needs for uniqueness; to explore the perceptions and subjective experience of uniqueness seeking; and to explore the role uniqueness seeking plays in consumer behaviour. The psychometric properties of two scales measuring uniqueness will also be investigated, as they have not previously been used in a South African sample. To achieve these aims an availability sample of 187 students completed self-report measures of psychological well-being and uniqueness seeking behaviour namely, the Orientation to Life Scale (Antonovsky. 1987), the Self Attributed Need for Uniqueness Scale (Lynn and Harris, 1997b) and the Desire for Unique Consumer Products Scale (Lynn and Harris, 1997a). Sixteen of these students participated in focus groups in order to explore the participants' subjective experience of being unique. A further 13 participants took part in focus groups in order to explore the role uniqueness seeking plays in consumer behaviour. The measures were found to be reliable in this particular group and the means and standard deviations calculated were comparable with those mentioned in literature. No direct relationship between psychological well-being and uniqueness seeking was found, nor was it found that differences in psychological well-being exist between individuals with a moderate sense of uniqueness and individuals with a high or low sense of uniqueness. Individuals perceive uniqueness to be a quality that emerges naturally through the expression of the self and that actively seeking to be unique or not is rather due to a poor self-image. It was further found that individuals would go to some length to protect their sense of uniqueness, that most individuals preferred a sense of moderate uniqueness to either extremely high or extremely low sense of uniqueness, and that most individuals are satisfied with their level of uniqueness. Individuals described feeling happy and more confident when they perceived themselves to be unique. These individuals believe that the stage of life they are in and significant others play a role in determining the way in which uniqueness will have meaningful expression for them. Uniqueness seeking does not play as big a role in consumer behaviour as was expected, however, it does influence the consumption of consumer goods to a certain extent. It is therefore concluded that uniqueness seeking influences psychological well-being indirectly by the relationship it has with self-image. self-identity, self-confidence, group identifications, and subjective happiness. These findings have implications for future research in that the need for a valid and reliable instrument measuring uniqueness for use in South African samples is highlighted. The findings further clarify the uniqueness seeking construct thus contributing to the literary database of constructs that play a role in psychological well-being. / Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

The initial intention of this arts-informed research study was to implement art classes for people with Alzheimer‟s disease, and to examine its impact upon new learning at cognitive, procedural and affective levels of experience. While these goals persist – indeed adult educational theory and quality of life are central to this thesis – the research focus gradually shifted from a constructivist view of the Alzheimer‟s learner to a phenomenological view of the relationship between teacher and student. Its power to facilitate the growth of reciprocity and bolster identity within the learning context, whether one-to-one or in small group settings, became more apparent as the research progressed. This revealed the potential of arts-based educational programs to build mutual trust and reciprocity with and among the participants. In turn, these qualities contributed to the expression of positive feelings, improved self-esteem,and communication in people with Alzheimer‟s.

A scoping review was used to identify community-based out-of-school programs which employed occupation as a means of intervention to support positive youth development for at-risk children and youth. The purpose of the review was to explore how programs, via their structure and philosophy, may facilitate well-being and positive youth development. Organizations that ran programs which were accessible to children and youth in the boundaries of KFL&A Public Health Unit were located through internet search, word of mouth, and printed resources in the community. Nine programs (Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Camp Outlook, Outward Bound, Tim Horton’s Children’s Foundation Camp, Children’s Aid Society, Youth Diversion, Girls Inc, and Katarokwi Native Friendship Centre) were identified and the associated documents were analyzed. A search of scholarly journals was completed to locate peer-reviewed publications which evaluated the above programs. Six publications were located which evaluated the effectiveness of the Boys and Girls Club (n=3) and Big Brothers Big Sisters (n=3). These evaluations indicated that the programs produce positive effects for youth behaviours and reduce negative attitudes and risk behaviours. Four common goals were identified through the analysis of the program documents: developing confidence/worth, safe supportive environment/relationships, skill development, and positive future outlook/place in the world. From the program documents, key phrases were identified that related to one or more of the components of well-being, namely; physical health (healthy lifestyle and participation), self-esteem (view of self and succeed at new things/skill development), belonging (safe supportive environment, citizenship, relationships/safe adult relationship), security (personal and economic), and self determination (skill development, positive future outlook, choices, self-reliance). Multiple links were observed between the goals and the components of well-being. The component of Belonging appeared to have the greatest emphasis, with all program documents containing at least one statement related to this component. This review provides insight into the role that youth programs which utilize occupation as the means of “intervention” can play in fostering a state of well-being and positive youth development among participants. / Thesis (Master, Rehabilitation Science) -- Queen's University, 2010-01-29 12:19:33.014

Throughout history, two conceptions of happiness have been advocated. The hedonic ideal, which often predominates in modern Western societies, advocates enjoyment and avoidance of pain. The eudaimonic view argues that fulfillment comes from personal growth and excellence. This research was among the first empirical comparisons of eudaimonic and hedonic pursuits in terms of their actual relationships with happiness. / One study was conducted with a single questionnaire (117 participants) and a second used detailed experience-sampling (100 participants). In the majority of analyses, hedonic activity was linked with greater positive affect and lower negative affect than eudaimonic activity was, while eudaimonic activity was associated with greater meaning in life and higher personal expressiveness (i.e., authenticity, involvement, fulfillment, and feeling alive). These results suggest that positive and negative affect (more emotional and visceral) could be called hedonic well-being, while meaning and personal expressiveness (subtler, require thought, and involve feeling more integrated and right than good) might be called eudaimonic well-being. The findings also underline the limitations of assessing only hedonic happiness, as is usually done---it can lead to inaccurate conclusions about the benefits of eudaimonic pursuits. / The results also suggested a trade-off in time between the benefits of hedonic and eudaimonic activities. The links between hedonic activity and well-being were strongest during the activity but often weakened with time. In contrast, the links between eudaimonic activity and happiness were weakest during the activity but became stronger with repeated eudaimonic efforts. People with frequent eudaimonic interests were also happier during many activities, even hedonic ones, than those with few eudaimonic projects; such increased enjoyment was not experienced by people with frequent hedonic pursuits. These results are consistent with theories that hedonic activities produce immediate satisfaction but that it fades with time, whereas eudaimonic strivings are challenging but increase well-being in the long run. Eudaimonic activities may promote well-being by building personal capital, e.g., coping skills, improved life circumstances, and deeper appreciation of life experiences. / These findings suggest that the modern preoccupation with enjoyment and comfort is an incomplete ideal. People probably need significant eudaimonic pursuits to experience meaningful and lasting fulfillment.

Shoal Lake, Ontario has a complex history of resource developments and policy and legislation that has impacted Iskatewizaagegan No. 39 Independent First Nation (IIFN) socially, economically and culturally and continues to influence the community’s contemporary fishing practices. The purpose of this research is to explore the linkages between contemporary fishing practices and IIFN members’ well-being. The study employs a mixed-method approach by utilizing a combination of household survey, semi-structured and open-ended interviews with expert IIFN fishers as well as participation in contemporary fishing practices. It presents both material and non-material benefits of contemporary IIFN fishing practices. Results indicate that IIFN members actively partake in fishing activities and continue to rely on fish as an essential part of their diet. Fishing practices also provide avenues for IIFN to convey cultural knowledge, strengthen social cohesion and help articulate a sense of Iskatewizaagegan identity. As such, they are integral to the community’s physical and psychological health as well as Iskatewizaagegan culture and spirituality.

This thesis analyses how the effect of unemployment on life-satisfaction varies in different contexts using data from two large-scale surveys (the World Values Survey and the European Values Study). Over 40 Western-European and Anglo Saxon countries are included in the investigation. Through multilevel modelling, relevant national-level factors are identified that moderate the impact of unemployment upon life-satisfaction relationship. The study shows that in particular sociodemographic and cultural country-level variables affect how individuals experience unemployment and how it is insufficient to rely on economic indicators only. In order to situate individuals in not only their national context, but also in their personal one, social capital constructs are integrated into the project reflecting the networks individuals are part of. More accurate estimates of the unemployment effect are calculated using structural equation modelling to control for endogeneity effects. The results show that the role of unemployment for life-satisfaction appears to be highly contextualised. After taking into account selection biases from socioeconomic characteristics of an individual as well as their social capital resources, the negative effect of unemployment upon life satisfaction that is consistently found cannot be verified as robust and independent. Instead, different domains of social capital largely determine what effect unemployment has on life-satisfaction for different individuals. Furthermore, significant variation in the effect of unemployment between countries, found in the simpler multilevel models, largely disappears when personal context is taken into account. This implies that future investigations should reconsider how to contextualise individual-level processes regarding subjective well-being. The findings from this project suggest that instead of contextualising the direct effects of predictors on life-satisfaction with country-level factors, it may be more appropriate to contextualise the personal context people live in and investigate the effects at the individual level thereafter. The results are discussed in a framework contrasting utility-based micro-economic approaches to understanding human behaviour with approaches that address subjective well-being emphasising the variety of human motivations, beyond profit maximisation.

This study explores the experiences of retirement village residents as they move from an independent to a supported living environment within a retirement village. It focuses on residents’ perceptions of their transitions and adopts a qualitative approach to understand the nature of their transitions and the way in which they are experienced. A grounded theory framework is used in order to capture the meanings that participants apply to concepts such as home, and to the physical, social, personal and veiled spaces in which they live. The findings from the study reveal that as residents’ health fails, the impact of increasing dependence is such that their sense of social and personal autonomy is gradually eroded. The research also provides insights into residents’ expectations and fears surrounding end of life. In many ways the experiences of the residents in supported living environments do not differ greatly from those of residents in any aged care facility. One major finding of this research, however, is the debilitating impact on well-being that occurs as a consequence of these transitions from independent to supported living, taking place within one physical location – the retirement village – a physical space which promises prospective residents the opportunity for active and positive ageing.