1
|
Lv Y, Xu Q, Tang Q, Tao Y, Zhang C, Liu X. The unique role of meaning in life in the relationships between trait awe, subjective well-being, and prosocial tendency: A network analysis. Psych J 2024; 13:575-587. [PMID: 38363640 DOI: 10.1002/pchj.733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Although individuals with higher trait awe (the tendency to experience awe) are known to be happier and more prosocial, there is limited understanding of the mechanisms underlying these complex relationships. This study uses network analysis to explore dimension-level relationships between trait awe, meaning in life, subjective well-being (SWB), and prosocial tendency in a joint network and to explore the bridging role of meaning in life in the network. A total of 538 adults (53.2% females; Mage = 19.86 ± 1.51) completed the survey. The network revealed unique and intricate connections between the dimensions of trait awe, meaning in life (i.e., the presence of and the search for meaning, abbreviated as POM and SFM), subjective happiness and life satisfaction (SWB), and prosocial tendency (i.e., willingness to donate money and volunteer time). Trait awe exhibited direct links to subjective happiness, life satisfaction, and prosocial tendency to donate money. Moreover, through POM and SFM, trait awe also exhibited indirect links to each dimension of SWB and prosocial tendency. Within the global network, POM was further identified as acting as a bridge node with the highest bridge strength and closeness, indicating that POM could efficiently transmit influences within the entire network. These findings highlight the distinct contributions of meaning in life to understanding the relationships between trait awe, SWB, and prosocial tendency, and provide valuable insights for improving SWB and fostering prosocial tendencies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yichao Lv
- Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Psychology Education, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Xu
- School of Psychology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qihui Tang
- Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Psychology Education, Beijing, China
| | - Yanqiang Tao
- Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Psychology Education, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- School of Education Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiangping Liu
- Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Psychology Education, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Dagnall N, Drinkwater KG, Denovan A, Gascón AE. Variations in positive well-being as a function of the interaction between paranormal belief and schizotypy. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1396485. [PMID: 39131861 PMCID: PMC11310046 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1396485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
This study examined variations in positive well-being as a function of paranormal belief and schizotypy. A sample of 2,362 United Kingdom-based respondents completed self-report measures assessing paranormal belief, schizotypy, positive well-being (meaning in life, satisfaction with life, and self-esteem), paranormal experience, and belief in conspiracies. The paranormal belief was most strongly related to the cognitive-perceptual factor of schizotypy. Both paranormal belief and the cognitive-perceptual factor were associated with reporting paranormal experiences and endorsement of conspiracist beliefs. Despite commonality, paranormal belief and schizotypy were differentially related to well-being. Paranormal belief correlated positively with meaning in life (presence and search) and satisfaction with life. Schizotypy correlated negatively with presence, satisfaction with life, and self-esteem and positively with search. Latent profile analysis identified four subgroups: Profile 1, low belief and schizotypy (49% of the sample); Profile 2, low belief and cognitive-perceptual, moderate interpersonal and disorganised (13.6%); Profile 3, high belief, moderate cognitive-perceptual and interpersonal, low disorganised (24.3%); and Profile 4, high belief and schizotypy (13.1%). Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) found that low belief with mixed schizotypy was associated with lower presence, and low belief and schizotypy (vs. high) were related to higher presence. Paranormal belief and schizotypy were associated with greater search, higher scores on paranormal experiential factors, and endorsement of generic conspiracist beliefs. Finally, lower belief and schizotypy were concomitant with higher satisfaction with life and self-esteem. Overall, paranormal belief was related to positive well-being, whereas schizotypy was associated with lower positive wellbeing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neil Dagnall
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | | | - Andrew Denovan
- Department of Quantitative Methods and Statistics, Comillas Pontifical University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alex Escolá Gascón
- School of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Larsen M, Witoszek N, Yeung JC. A multilevel selection model for prosocial well-being. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1068119. [PMID: 36910840 PMCID: PMC9995435 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1068119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
This article proposes an evolutionary model for well-being informed by multilevel selection. We posit that people's subjective assessment of their own quality of life is the sum their happiness, which is related to individual selection, and their sense of having a meaningful life, which is related to group selection. Conceptualizing life quality as "Happiness + Meaning = Well-being" offers insights into how the human well-being system helps people navigate between individual and group needs. We define happiness as the cluster of affects that reward individuals for solving adaptively relevant problems. We approach meaning as a reward individuals experience when contributing to their community. While people derive happiness from cooperation and competition, meaning originates from prosocial (cooperative/altruistic) behavior. Since increased within-group competition often reduces societal well-being, public policy should aim at cooperative means for good living. Our model brings attention to these dynamics. The Nordic countries, which score highest on quality of life, facilitate multilevel well-being, that is, individual prosperity and altruistic opportunity. Our preliminary quantitative study confirmed the correlation between some markers of prosociality and well-being at a national level. To investigate the psychological mechanisms behind this correlation, we conducted in-depth interviews of Nordic and Slavonic helpers of Ukrainian refugees in Norway (n = 32). A primary ambition was to illuminate how the human quest for meaning contributes both to individual flourishing and group selection. In line with Nesse's view on happiness not as an affect meant to be maximized, but an evolutionary signal, we use a qualitative approach that allows for a deeper understanding of how individuals adapt to these signals. Our findings suggest that happiness is transient so that the well-being system's signal sensitivity can be preserved. Meaning is enduring since it assesses and reinforces social belonging. These insights are relevant for our era's turn toward more holistic development policies. Compared to often materialistic, competition-driven happiness pursuits, meaning-driven well-being is a more sustainable alternative for individuals, communities, and the planet.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mads Larsen
- Centre for Development and the Environment, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nina Witoszek
- Centre for Development and the Environment, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - June Chun Yeung
- Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tretiakov A, Jurado T, Bensemann J. Employee Empowerment and HR Flexibility in Information Technology SMEs. JOURNAL OF COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/08874417.2022.2158962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Tanya Jurado
- Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Jo Bensemann
- Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lui WK, Chan CK, Ng KH, Chui CFR, Siu NYF, Yung CS, Lau KW. Awareness of meaning and quest for meaning: The mechanisms between future orientation and prosociality among youth during pandemic. Front Psychol 2022; 13:1046803. [PMID: 36605278 PMCID: PMC9808071 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1046803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The positive relationship between future orientation and prosocial tendency has been consistently reported. However, the possible mechanism has not been examined yet. Previous research revealed the positive relationship between future orientation and meaning in life, as well as between meaning in life and prosocial tendency. Hence, it is hypothesized that the two components of meaning in life (presence of meaning and search for meaning) possibly mediate the relationship between future orientation and prosocial tendency. Methods During the first half of 2020, 430 Hong Kong youths aged 15-35 (male: 30.5%; female: 69.5%) were recruited to participate an online cross-sectional survey. The survey included three scales: (1) The Scale for Measuring Adult's Prosocialness, (2) Consideration of Future Consequence Scale, and (3) Meaning in Life Questionnaire. Results The key findings showed that: (1) females had higher level of prosocial tendency than males, and (2) significant partial mediating effects of both presence of meaning and search for meaning on the relationship between future orientation and prosocial tendency. Nevertheless, the multi-group mediation model did not show significant gender difference. Discussion These findings implied that future-oriented and meaning-focused interventions could possibly enhance youth's sense of meaning in everyday life and foster their meaning searching tendency, which further strengthen the positive effect of their future orientation on prosocial tendency, even during life adversities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wai-Kin Lui
- Department of Counselling and Psychology, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chi-Keung Chan
- School of Arts and Humanities, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong, China,*Correspondence: Chi-Keung Chan,
| | - Kai-Hang Ng
- Department of Counselling and Psychology, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Nicolson Yat-Fan Siu
- Division of Social Science, School of Humanities and Social Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chui-Shan Yung
- School of Arts and Humanities, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong, China,Division of Social Science, School of Humanities and Social Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ka-Wing Lau
- Department of Counselling and Psychology, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Hong Kong, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mitchell J, Occhipinti S, Oaten M. The affiliative power of others' pain online. JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/jasp.12941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jessie Mitchell
- School of Applied Psychology Griffith University Mount Gravatt Queensland Australia
| | - Stefano Occhipinti
- School of Applied Psychology Griffith University Mount Gravatt Queensland Australia
- Department of English and Communication Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hung Hom Hong Kong
| | - Megan Oaten
- School of Applied Psychology Griffith University Mount Gravatt Queensland Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Identifying with Other Animals and Human Well-Being: Extending Perspectives on the Social Cure and Human-Animal Relations. J Vet Behav 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2022.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
|