Advances and Open Questions in the Science of Subjective Well-Being

Exploring older migrants' meaning-making of 'happiness': "The main thing is health. Young people might say otherwise."

PURPOSE

As our ageing population is growing and diversifying, it is important to gain insight into the well-being of older migrants. However, the meanings of happiness can vary cross-culturally. Therefore, prior to exploring older migrants' happiness, their meaning-making of "happiness" should be explored. This way, cultural or individual variations can be considered when analysing older migrants' happiness. Not only migration background but also age could influence the meaning of well-being. For example, the meaning of well-being can change as people grow older. Therefore, both migration background and age are considered in exploring older migrants' meaning-making of happiness.

METHODS

To do so, in-depth interviews with older migrants (n = 22) from various ethnicities were conducted in which their meaning-making of happiness was questioned via a semi-structured interview guide.

RESULTS

After analysing the results via thematic analysis, three overarching themes are discussed: (1) happiness associations, (2) happiness-pursuing strategies, and (3) happiness obstructions. The analysis then further focuses on the role of migration background and ageing on the meaning-making of happiness.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants' meaning-making of happiness seems strongly imbued with age-related references. On the contrary, the impact of migration background is rather limited. To explain this difference, the value of incorporating participants' life course experiences emerged.

Correlates and Brain Substrates of Happiness in Community-Dwelling Older Adults in India

OBJECTIVES

Happiness has been shown to influence many health-related outcomes in older adults. Identifying correlates and brain substrates of happiness across countries and cultures is an important goal, as the global older adult population continues to increase.

METHODS

We used univariate and multiple regression to examine associations between happiness and several demographic, health, and lifestyle variables in 665 older adults (39% female) from Kerala, India. We also used Bayesian regression to examine associations between cortical thickness and happiness in a subsample of 188 participants that completed MRI scanning.

RESULTS

Happiness was significantly associated with several variables. In our multiple regression model, which included all significant univariate predictors, self-rated health, depression, anxiety, apathy, social network size, social network diversity, and social support significantly predicted happiness. Demographic indicators (age, sex, education, marital status, residence, and employment status/type), cognitive impairment, comorbidities, and leisure activities were not significantly associated with happiness in the multiple regression model. Cortical thickness in several brain regions was positively associated with happiness scores, including frontal, temporal, parietal, occipital, and cingulate regions.

DISCUSSION

Understanding the key correlates is critical for identifying both modifiable factors that can be targeted in well-being interventions and fixed characteristics that identify those at-risk for reduced happiness. The widespread pattern of brain regions associated with happiness is consistent with the multifactorial nature of happiness and, given that the regions identified do not overlap with those vulnerable to cortical thinning, can help explain why subjective well-being, unlike other cognitive functions, is largely resistant to age-related decline.

Being as Having, Loving, and Doing: A Theory of Human Well-Being

ACADEMIC ABSTRACT

Stronger theory on the nature of human well-being is needed, especially as well-being indicators are increasingly utilized in policy contexts. Building on Erik Allardt, who argued that a theory of well-being is, in essence, a theory of human nature, I propose four modes of existence each capturing one dimension central to human well-being: Having recognizes humans as biological creatures requiring certain material resources for survival. Loving captures human social nature and our dependence on others for well-being. Doing highlights the active and agentic nature of human existence. Being acknowledges humans as experiencing their existence. Each mode of existence gives rise to a few more specific needs, and a full assessment of human well-being requires both subjective and objective indicators tapping into these needs. The proposed theory integrates psychological well-being research with sociological and philosophical traditions and contributes to debates about how the progress of nations and sustainability should be measured.

PUBLIC ABSTRACT

Well-being is something we all value individually, and it is also a key political goal. Accordingly, how we define and measure well-being influences what physicians, managers, policy-makers, politicians, and international organizations aim to improve through their work. Better theories of well-being make better measurement of well-being possible, which makes possible more effective and evidence-based advancement of human well-being. In this spirit, the present article argues that there are four fundamental dimensions to human well-being: Having highlights that as biological creatures, we have physical needs, loving highlights human social needs, doing highlights that we are active and agentic beings with goals and strivings, and being highlights that we feel and evaluate our lives. To assess well-being, we need measures tapping into all four of these dimensions. And to assess the sustainability of well-being, we need to examine how to provide well-being for all humanity while remaining within planetary boundaries.

Competing Models of the Structure of Subjective Well-Being: Have All Won and Must All Have Prizes?

OBJECTIVE

The tripartite model of subjective well-being (SWB) posits three components: positive affect, negative affect, and life satisfaction. The fundamental issue regarding the structure of SWB and the meaning of the general SWB factor remains unresolved.

METHODS

Across three studies and six samples (total N = 9304), we evaluated competing models of SWB and tested the criterion-related validity of SWB components operationalized within different models. In addition to a standard confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and bifactor-CFA, we used exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) and bifactor-ESEM approaches. Latent factor models were applied to examine the nomological network of SWB in relation to several external criteria (e.g., positive expectations, depression, and anxiety).

RESULTS

We found evidence supporting the three-factor and bifactor-ESEM models of SWB. The meaning and interpretability of the general and specific factors of SWB were found to depend on the indicators used to assess affective well-being. Several issues concerning the bifactor-CFA model were identified. Both the general and specific factors of SWB exhibited meaningful and interpretable nomological networks.

CONCLUSIONS

The structure of SWB, the value of incorporating a general factor, and the nature of general and specific SWB factors depend on the instruments used to measure SWB.

Perceived stress and life satisfaction: the mediating roles of sport commitment and mobile phone addiction

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between perceived stress and life satisfaction under the influence of mobile phone addiction and sport commitment. Participants were recruited from eight universities located in six Chinese cities, naming Chongqing, Maoming, Nanjing, Suzhou, Shijiazhuang, and Zhengzhou. The sample consisted of 575 participants enrolled in Chinese universities, with 309 (53.7%) being female students. The mediation model was tested under the structural equation modeling framework using Mplus. Results showed that (1) perceived stress had a direct and negative impact on life satisfaction, and it also had indirect effects through the two mediators; (2) perceived stress positively predicted mobile phone addiction, which, in turn, negatively impacted life satisfaction; (3) perceived stress negatively predicted sport commitment, which, in turn, positively impacted life satisfaction. By emphasizing the mediating roles of mobile phone addiction and sport commitment, our findings highlight the importance of addressing these factors in interventions aimed at encouraging college students' well-being. Implications for intervention design to promoter health among university students should take into account the mediating roles of mobile phone addiction and sport commitment.

Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Distress, Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms and Life Satisfaction in Colombian Women

Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is a major global public health and human rights issue, with significant consequences for women's health and well-being. This study aimed to determine the relevance of IPV on women's mental distress, post-traumatic stress symptoms and life satisfaction, and to examine whether age, education, socioeconomic status, social support and self-esteem are associated with mental health and well-being. The sample consisted of 255 women aged 18 to 71 living in Colombia who were assessed using six self-reported questionnaires. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that more IPV was associated with women's increased mental distress, post-traumatic stress symptoms and decreased life satisfaction. Although self-esteem and, to a lesser extent, social support were important predictors of women's mental distress and well-being, psychological IPV was the main predictor of women's post-traumatic stress symptoms, followed by lower self-esteem and younger age. The most important predictor of women's mental distress was lower self-esteem, followed by more psychological IPV and lower social support. The main predictor of women's life satisfaction was high self-esteem, followed by high social support, less psychological IPV and higher age and education. It is concluded that IPV, especially psychological IPV, is a serious threat to women's mental health and well-being, while high self-esteem and, to a lesser extent, high social support are associated with better mental health and well-being.

Predictive role of spiritual health, resilience, and mental well-being in treatment adherence among hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) causes numerous physical and psychological problems in patients, so that they must adhere to their treatment regimen to recover their disease, alleviate these problems, and increase their lifespan. The present study aimed to determine the predictive role of spiritual health, resilience, and mental well-being in treatment adherence among hemodialysis patients.

METHODS

This correlational cross-sectional study investigated some variables related to treatment adherence in 184 patients undergoing hemodialysis referred to two dialysis centers in Kerman, southeastern Iran. A census method was used to select the participants and data were collected using socio-demographic characteristics questionnaire, Adherence to Treatment Questionnaire (ATQ), Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale, Reef Psychological well-being Questionnaire, and Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS).

RESULTS

The overall treatment adherence score was 155.42 ± 27.98 and we found a positive significant correlation between spiritual health, resilience, psychological well-being, and treatment adherence (p < 0.001). The mean scores of resilience, spiritual health and psychological well-being were 70.59 ± 17.02, 90.09 ± 12.01, and 77.88 ± 11.72, respectively. Spiritual health, psychological well-being, resilience, gender and marital status predicted 54% of the variance of treatment adherence, with psychological well-being being the best predictor (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Spiritual health, psychological well-being, and resilience are factors that influence treatment adherence of the patients undergoing hemodialysis, with psychological well-being having the greatest contribution to improving patient's treatment adherence. Interventions effective in improving psychological well-being, spiritual health and resilience can improve treatment adherence of patients undergoing hemodialysis. Healthcare workers must pay more attention to the factors affecting treatment adherence of patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Social ties and social identification: Influences on well-being in young adults

Research highlights the positive impact of social connectedness on subjective well-being. In this paper, we test a model in which an identity-based mechanism links a structural form of connectedness (significant social ties) with two psychological well-being outcomes, life satisfaction and self-esteem. Using data from the LIVES Longitudinal Lausanne Youth Study (LIVES-LOLYS, N = 422), a longitudinal mediation path model tests direct and indirect effects, via the strength of social identification, of the number of significant social ties in two life domains (friends and family) on life satisfaction and self-esteem. Results showed positive associations between the number of significant ties and social identification in the concordant domain, empirically linking the structural and subjective forms of social connectedness. Moreover, our model displays significant indirect effects in the friend domain, but not in the family domain. Having more friends as significant social ties predicted higher social identification with friends, and this was longitudinally associated with higher life satisfaction and self-esteem. Findings show a new mechanism linking structural and subjective forms of social connectedness, unpacking their concerted impact in protecting well-being. The differences between the friend and family domains are discussed in the framework of both life-course and social identity perspectives.

The subjective wellbeing of people living with Multiple Sclerosis in Australia: insights from the Personal Wellbeing Index

OBJECTIVES

Subjective wellbeing has been defined as an individual's personal appraisal of their quality of life. Subjective wellbeing is associated with positive health behaviours and improved coping abilities. This study aimed to investigate the subjective wellbeing of people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), using the novel Personal Wellbeing Index, and make comparisons with the general population.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data was obtained from the Australian Multiple Sclerosis Longitudinal Study and the How Is Your Life Australian general population study in August-October 2020. Subjective wellbeing was measured as life satisfaction using the Personal Wellbeing Index. This instrument measures life satisfaction globally and in seven life domains, allowing the importance of domain-specific life satisfaction to be explored. Descriptive and multivariable regression analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

One thousand six hundred eighty-three MS and 1,021 general population participants entered the study (mean age 52.4 and 58.6; female 79.9% and 52.4%, respectively). For people living with MS the most important life domains were standard of living and achieving in life. The domain of personal health was more influential for people living with MS (p < 0.01) than the general population. The life domains most susceptible to MS-related disability were personal health, achieving in life, and community connectedness (p < 0.01 for these domains).

CONCLUSION

Personal health and achieving in life are key domains through which the subjective wellbeing of people living with MS is modified. This study recommends the development of interventions to support healthy perceptions of illness and continued employment as paramount in improving the subjective wellbeing of people living with MS.

The Big, the Dark, and the Biopsychosocial Shades of Harmony: Personality Traits and Harmony in Life

Our current understanding of the relationship between personality traits and subjective well-being, or happiness, is limited to the conceptualization of subjective well-being as being life satisfaction and a positive affective experience (i.e., the presence of positive emotions and the absence of negative ones), thus lacking the sense of acceptance, balance, adaptation, and self-transcendent unity (i.e., harmony in life) that is appreciated as part of the good life in many ancient and modern cultures. Moreover, most studies use the Big Five Model to understand which personality traits predict subjective well-being. Here, I examine the predictive power of personality on harmony in life using the Big Five Model, the Dark Triad, and Cloninger's Biopsychosocial Model. The present study utilized past published data from three cross-sectional studies. In each separate sample, participants self-reported personality by answering the Big Five Inventory (N1 = 297), the Short Dark Triad (N2 = 1876), or the Temperament and Character Inventory (N3 = 436). All participants (NTotal = 3698) answered to the Harmony in Life Scale. The traits in the Biopsychosocial Model explained the highest variance in harmony in life (R2 = 0.435, F(7, 428) = 47.136, p < 0.001), followed by the Big Five (R2 = 0.341, F(5, 291) = 30.110, p < 0.001) and the Dark Triad (R2 = 0.096, F(3, 1872) = 66.055, p < 0.001). The key significant predictors were Self-Directedness, Self-Transcendence, and Harm Avoidance from the Biopsychosocial Model and Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Neuroticism from the Big Five. Narcissism was the only predictor from the Dark Triad, although this relationship was very small. The findings underscore the importance of a multidimensional approach for understanding subjective well-being and the inclusion of harmony in life as its third component. The Biopsychosocial Model's inclusion of both temperament and character dimensions provided the most comprehensive understanding of harmony in life. While positive traits like Agreeableness, Self-Directedness, and Self-Transcendence enhance harmony, negative traits like Neuroticism and Harm Avoidance diminish it. Moreover, research only including "dark traits" might give the impression that an inflated sense of self-importance, a deep need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others (i.e., Narcissism) is predictive of balance in life. However, this association was not only extremely low but can be interpreted as misguided since the results using the other models showed that helpful, empathetic, kind, and self-transcendent behavior predicted harmony. These results suggest that interventions aimed at enhancing well-being should consider a broad range of personality traits, especially those that are not present in the Big Five Model, thus advocating for a biopsychosocial approach to well-being interventions.

Core self-evaluations and perceived classmate support: Independent predictors of psychological adjustment

INTRODUCTION

The main aim of this research was to explore the contribution of both core self-evaluations (CSE) and classmate support as unique predictors of positive and negative psychological adjustment among adolescents.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, 2,293 Spanish adolescents (Mage = 14.07) completed the Core Self-Evaluations Scale, the Classmate Support subscale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales and the Frequency of Suicidal Ideation Inventory. Pearson correlations among assessed variables were examined, and three hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine the predictive role of CSE and classmate support on life satisfaction, depressive symptomatology, and suicidal ideation.

RESULTS

Both CSE and classmate support were positively related to life satisfaction and negatively related to depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. Hierarchical regression analyses identified CSE and classmate support as independent predictors of both positive and negative psychological outcomes in this sample. These results indicated support for a comprehensive model involving CSE and classmate support as additive predictors of both positive and negative outcomes among adolescents.

CONCLUSION

These findings underscore the unique and additive role of both individual (i.e., CSE) and, to a lower degree, social factors (i.e., classmate support) to augment the prediction model of positive and negative psychological adjustment among adolescents. Practical implications are discussed, focusing on preventive programs that include strategies to increase positive self-appraisals and create a supportive classroom climate.

Evaluation of an integration community project for asylum seekers in Sweden: physical activity adherence and changes in character traits and life satisfaction

Asylum seekers' traumatic experiences in combination with discrimination, social isolation, and exclusion in the host country leads to low adherence from health and integration initiatives. Along with their inability to seek health care and physical inactivity, this situation increases their mental illness and, most importantly, decreases their well-being. In fact, the lack of well-being (e.g., life satisfaction) is a better marker of mortality and morbidity than the presence of mental illness. In this context, one of the major single determinants of well-being is character, a dimension of personality that stands for self-regulation, adaptation, and intentional conscious behavior (i.e., goals and values). Host countries often implement integration initiatives including activities aiming to attenuate mental illness, but only a handful are evaluated and reported, with even fewer addressing character development, increases in life satisfaction, or adherence. Our aim was to evaluate the integration initiative "Health for Everyone-Sport, Culture, and Integration", a 10-week physical activity community project. Specifically, we investigated changes in life satisfaction and character traits (i.e., Self-Directedness, Cooperativeness, and Self-Transcendence) and if these variables, at baseline, predicted adherence and changes in physiological health (i.e., cardiorespiratory fitness, skeletal muscle mass, body fat mass, and visceral fat). Participants (n = 269) answered (pre and post measurements) the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Short Character Inventory, and undertook physiological tests. In addition, their attendance to the physical activity sessions was registered throughout the project (i.e., adherence). Participants showed no significant increases in Self-Directedness, Cooperativeness, or life satisfaction, but significant decreases in Self-Transcendence. Moreover, higher life satisfaction and lower Self-Transcendence at baseline predicted higher adherence to the activity. However, neither character traits nor life satisfaction predicted changes in physiological health. We argue that low frequency physical activity initiatives may improve this population's physical health because participants probably have a sedentary life and low levels of physical health due to their asylum conditions (e.g., unemployment, low income, poor housing and social network). Furthermore, physical activity per se may not improve the well-being of asylum seekers. Hence, promoting well-being and character development might require person-centered initiatives focusing on the whole individual in order to fit programmes to the needs and life situation of this population.

Evaluation of the Scales for Social Comparison of Appearance and Social Comparison of Well-Being

People constantly compare their appearance and well-being to that of other individuals. However, a measure of social comparison of well-being is lacking and existing appearance-related social comparison assessment is limited to comparison tendency using predefined social situations. This limits our understanding of the role of social comparison in appearance and well-being. Therefore, we developed the Scale for Social Comparison of Appearance (SSC-A) and the Scale for Social Comparison of Well-Being (SSC-W) to assess upward and downward social comparisons with regard to (a) frequency, (b) perceived discrepancy to the standard, and (c) engendered affective impact during the last 3 weeks. In one longitudinal and three cross-sectional studies (Ns = 500-1,121), we administered the SSC-A or SSC-W alongside measures of appearance social comparison, body satisfaction, self-concept, social rank, well-being, envy, rumination, depression, and anxiety. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the expected two-factor model representing upward and downward social comparison for both scales. Overall, upward comparison displayed the anticipated associations with the measured constructs, whereas downward comparison showed mostly small or nonsignificant correlations with the validators. The SSC-A and SSC-W are efficient measures of social comparison for appearance and well-being with good evidence for their reliability and validity in our samples.

Working with adults with intellectual challenges to enhance their employability skills

The employability of the intellectually challenged has received little attention in the past. In order to fill this research gap, the present study was undertaken. The study is centered on the experiences of six intellectually challenged individuals who received employability training at a non-governmental organization. A focus group discussion along with a case study was conducted. The researchers employed the Rigorous and Accelerated Data Reduction (RADaR) technique to analyze the data from the focus group discussion. Results from both the focus group discussion and the case study revealed that the training program has had a significant impact on the lives of the participants and has aided them in becoming economically empowered and independent.

The longitudinal relationship between well-being comparisons and anxiety symptoms in the context of uncontrollability of worries and external locus of control: a two-wave study

BACKGROUND

Anxiety is a prevalent mental health condition. Comparisons of one's own well-being to different aversive standards may contribute to the development and maintenance of anxiety symptoms.

OBJECTIVES

Our primary goal was to investigate whether aversive well-being comparisons predict anxiety symptoms and vice versa. Additionally, we aimed at examining exploratorily whether well-being comparisons are reciprocally related to metacognitive beliefs about worrying and external control beliefs.

METHODS

In this two-wave longitudinal survey design, 922 participants completed measures of anxiety, metacognitions about the uncontrollability of worries, external locus of control, and the Comparison Standards Scale for Well-being (CSS-W) at two timepoints, three-months apart. The CSS-W assesses the frequency, perceived discrepancy, and affective impact of social, temporal, counterfactual, and criteria-based comparisons.

RESULTS

When autoregressive effects were adjusted for, aversive comparison frequency, comparison affective impact, and uncontrollability of worries at the first timepoint predicted subsequent anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, well-being comparison frequency and discrepancy at the second timepoint were predicted by baseline anxiety symptoms. External locus of control predicted comparison frequency and discrepancy.

CONCLUSIONS

Well-being comparisons contribute distinct variance to anxiety symptoms and vice versa, pointing to a vicious cirlcle of symptom escalation. These findings have significant implications for future research.

Happiness across the borders-A cross-sectional study among patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis in Europe

BACKGROUND

Dermatological research has traditionally concentrated on evaluating mental comorbidities, neglecting positive concepts like happiness. Initial studies indicate that psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (AD) impair the happiness of those affected. Considering global happiness variations, this study aimed to explore the disease- and country-specific differences in disease-related quality of life and happiness, and potential influential factors on heuristic happiness among psoriasis and AD patients in Europe.

METHODS

A cross-sectional multicentre study was conducted in dermatology departments of university-affiliated hospitals in eight European countries (Austria, Germany, Italy, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Ukraine) between October 2021 and February 2023. Adult psoriasis and AD patients completed a standardized questionnaire in their native languages, providing data on demographics, disease-related characteristics, disease-related quality of life (Dermatology Life Quality Index, DLQI), heuristic happiness, positive affect (PA), negative affect (NA) and satisfaction with life (SWL). Descriptive analysis and quantile regression were performed.

RESULTS

Between psoriasis (n = 723) and AD (n = 316) patients almost no differences were observed in happiness, SWL and NA, except for DLQI and small differences in PA, with AD patients reporting greater impact than psoriasis patients. Country-wise variation emerged in DLQI, heuristic happiness, PA, NA and SWL with Austrian patients displaying the highest levels of happiness, satisfaction and positivity, coupled with higher treatment care and lower disease severity. Quantile regression revealed varying coefficients for predictor variables across quantiles, indicating, for example positive effects on heuristic happiness associated with current or previous receipt of systemic therapies at different quantiles.

CONCLUSION

This study shows notable happiness differences across European countries and significant disease-related variations, particularly with AD patients being more impaired than psoriasis patients. The findings highlight the need for equality in treatment access and support the development of targeted positive psychological interventions to enhance happiness considering country-specific distinctions in future research and health policies for psoriasis and AD patients.

Trait emotional intelligence mediates the dispositional gratitude and subjective well-being in young adults

Gratitude has proved to be an enhancer of subjective well-being in previous studies. However, studies that linked the relation between emotional intelligence and its facets when interacting with gratitude, are still limited. In this sense, this study examined the mediating roles of emotional intelligence between gratitude and subjective well-being indicators, by introducing the general factor of emotional intelligence. The first approach to data analysis was to examine the descriptive statistics; the second approach consisted of an Exploratory Structural Equation Modelling, applying also a bifactor analysis. Data was collected from 406 Spanish students, through an online survey that includes the gratitude, trait meta mood scale, satisfaction with life and subjective happiness scale. The mean age of participants was 20.27 years (SD = 4.68), whereas 79.5% were females. The results provided preliminary evidence of the mediation role of the general factor of emotional intelligence between gratitude and subjective well-being, which provided a meaningful insight about the role of trait emotional intelligence. These findings suggested that gratitude promotes emotional intelligence, allowing to an increase in subjective well-being. Nonetheless, there is a need for further research to achieve a better understanding of the role of the emotional intelligence facets between gratitude and subjective well-being.

On the ability of the SF-6D to capture the consequences of chronic illnesses on subjective well-being: Evidence from France

Using cross-sectional data from a representative sample of the French population (the 2008 Disability Health survey), this paper examines whether the SF-6D, a widely used preference-based measure of health-related quality of life in economic evaluations, fully captures the variation in subjective well-being (SWB) due to chronic illnesses. We conduct a mediation analysis to disentangle the direct and indirect, through the SF-6D, effects of various chronic conditions on SWB (happiness). Our results show that the SF-6D reflects changes in happiness due to most illnesses except mental illness. Changes in SWB mediated by the SF-6D account for 74% of the total effect. The variation unexplained by the SF-6D is significant and increases substantially in the presence of multimorbidity when a chronic illness is combined with anxiety or depression. Overall, our results suggest that the SF-6D incompletely captures the subjective experience of chronically ill patients, especially those with comorbid conditions.

The happy personality revisited: Re-examining associations between Big Five personality traits and subjective well-being using meta-analytic structural equation modeling

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND

Using meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM), we examined the link between Big Five personality traits and subjective well-being (SWB), operationalized as three separate components and as a latent factor indicated by life satisfaction (LS), positive affect (PA), and negative affect (NA). PA and NA were assessed based on frequency of a broad range of affective experiences, rather than intensity of high arousal affective experiences, thus excluding studies using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule.

METHOD

35 samples were included, encompassing 22,135 participants from 14 countries, in which all eight variables were assessed.

RESULTS

Correlations among personality traits were moderate, on average, and the latent SWB factor had strong loadings from all three components. Personality traits together explained substantial variance in LS, PA, and NA, and in the latent SWB factor, with unique predictive effects on the latent factor from each personality trait except openness. Associations between personality traits and SWB components were fully accounted for by a latent SWB factor, with one exception: A specific association was found between neuroticism and unique variance in NA.

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings provide new insights concerning the notion of a 'happy personality' in showing that Big Five personality traits have unique associations with an underlying sense of SWB.

Do Parents' Internal Processes and Feelings Contribute to the way they Report Their Children's Mental Difficulties on the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)?

The way parents report their child's emotional and behavioral difficulties is important both for identifying the child's needs, diagnosis, and prevention. This study examined to what extent parents' internal processes predict the way in which parents report their child's emotional and behavioral difficulties on the SDQ, as mediated by parental feelings. Parents of children who were referred to a community mental health clinic completed a self-report questionnaire including the following scales: adulthood attachment style, self-regulation difficulty, personal well-being, self-compassion parental feelings, and their child's emotional-behavioral difficulties. Study findings indicated that parents' internal processes do not directly predict parents' report of their children's mental difficulties on the SDQ, only when mediated by parental feelings. These findings highlight the significance of parental feelings in reporting children's behavioral and emotional difficulties. It also contributes to the body of knowledge concerning the importance of caring for parents' needs and feelings and overall parenthood.

The Influence of Identity Bubble Reinforcement on the Happiness Index among Chinese Medical Staff: The Mediating Role of General Self-Efficacy

Objective

This study aimed to explore the mediating role of general self-efficacy in the influence of social media identity bubble reinforcement on the happiness index among Chinese medical staff.

Methods

This study utilized data (n = 877) from the 2022 Psychological and Behavioral Investigation of Chinese Residents (PBICR) related to medical staff. Correlation analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 software, and the relationships between general self-efficacy, social media identity bubble reinforcement, and the happiness index of Chinese medical staff were examined using AMOS 23.0 software.

Results

The happiness index of Chinese medical staff was scored at 2.93 ± 1.21 for each item. Social media identity bubble reinforcement among Chinese medical staff was positively correlated with general self-efficacy (r = 0.380, P < .001), as well as with the happiness index (r = 0.330, P < .001). General self-efficacy was positively correlated with the happiness index (r = 0.575, P < .001) and was found to mediate the relationship between social media identity bubble reinforcement and the happiness index of Chinese medical staff. In terms of the mediating effect of social media identity bubble reinforcement, the direct effect's 95% confidence interval (CI) was 0.031-0.142, accounting for 34.68% of the total effect, which is statistically significant (P = .015), while the 95% CI of the indirect effect was 0.125-0.212, representing 65.32% of the total effect, also statistically significant (P = .005).

Conclusion

Social media identity bubble reinforcement and general self-efficacy were found to be important factors influencing the happiness index of medical staff. Hospital managers and policymakers can thus enhance the social media identity bubble reinforcement and general self-efficacy of Chinese medical staff through effective measures to improve their happiness indices.

A PERMA model approach to well-being: a psychometric properties study

Psychological well-being influences all the facets of adolescent success. This study examined the psychometric properties of PERMA, a subjective well-being measure consisting of five domains: positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. The sample size consisted of 502 high school students from public schools in Qatar. Contrary to expectations, the five-factor structure for PERMA did not fit our data well; however, after refining the model by the errors of the covariances between items, the one-factor model was found to be applicable. Multivariate analysis revealed that socioeconomic status (SES) and level of academic performance were independently and positively associated with overall well-being scores, whereas internalizing and externalizing behaviors were negatively associated. Notably, no significant effects of gender or age on well-being were observed. These findings suggest that interventions specific to socioeconomic status, academic excellence, and internalizing and externalizing behaviors in the school setting can produce more effective outcomes concerning student well-being.

The Role of Intolerance of Uncertainty and Religiousness in Schizotypal Personality and Life Satisfaction: A Cross-Sectional Study

Intolerance of uncertainty is an important trans-diagnostic determinant of mental disorders. It is related to psychotic symptoms and religiousness. Religiousness is related to schizotypal personality and wellbeing. Therefore, in a cross-sectional study, we studied the effects of intolerance of uncertainty and religiousness on schizotypal personality and the schizotypal personality-mediated effects of intolerance of uncertainty and religiousness on life satisfaction. On a sample of 734 college students (age, M = 20.3, SD = 3.48), intolerance of uncertainty, religiousness, life satisfaction, and schizotypal personality were measured through paper-pencil questionnaires. The results showed that intolerance of uncertainty had positive (direct) relationships with all schizotypal personality dimensions. However, intolerance of uncertainty had positive (mediated by ideas of reference and magical thinking) and negative (mediated by eccentric behavior) indirect effects on life satisfaction. Religiousness had direct as well as indirect (mediated by eccentric behavior) positive effects on life satisfaction. However, the behaving (mediated by ideas of reference) and belonging (mediated by magical thinking) sub-dimensions of religiousness had some indirect negative effects on life satisfaction. Thus, the present study shows that intolerance of uncertainty is an important contributor to psychotic proneness. Religiousness is largely health-enhancing. Moreover, there is a nuanced pattern of interactional relationship between intolerance of uncertainty, religiousness, schizotypal personality, and life satisfaction. We have discussed the theoretical and applied implications of the findings.

The influence of infant sleep problems and sleep training on maternal subjective well-being

Background

Disturbed sleep during infancy and early childhood can have a detrimental effect on parental sleep and consequently parental well-being. However, there is a paucity of research on how perceived child sleep problems and behavioural sleep interventions as treatment influence maternal subjective well-being.

Aim

This study aimed to explore the incidence of subjective well-being in mothers of children with sleep problems and whether implementing two behavioural sleep interventions changed their well-being.

Setting

The research was conducted in a community setting, with parents voluntarily approaching a sleep consultancy based in South Africa.

Method

Using data from 119 mothers voluntarily approaching a sleep consultancy in South Africa, a pre-test-post-test design was employed to investigate changes in life satisfaction, affect, couple satisfaction, perceived stress and depression approximately 3 weeks after implementation of a sleep intervention.

Results

Results indicate that mothers of children with sleep problems experienced moderate to high life satisfaction and positive affect although the presence of moderate negative affect, couple satisfaction and stress and mild depression suggest possible decreased subjective well-being.

Conclusion

Findings suggest implementation of graduated extinction and extinction with parental presence sleep interventions may improve life satisfaction, affect, stress and depression but not couple satisfaction in the short-term.

Contribution

This study contributes towards understanding the effect of sleep loss on the subjective well-being of mothers and provides preliminary evidence regarding the benefits of two sleep interventions for improving maternal subjective well-being.

Parental experiences of subjective well-being in the context of infant sleep problems

OBJECTIVE

This study explored parental experiences of subjective well-being in the context of infant sleep problems.

BACKGROUND

Although quantitative research has highlighted the deleterious impact of infant sleep problems for parental well-being broadly, little is known about subjective experiences of well-being specifically.

METHOD

This retrospective qualitative study formed part of a larger multiphase project. Ten parents who approached a sleep consultancy for assistance with infant sleep problems participated in the study. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and results were analysed thematically.

RESULTS

Two key themes were identified: (1) the negative influences of insufficient sleep on parental subjective well-being, and (2) the indirect influence of infant sleep problems on parental subjective well-being. Participants highlighted the direct influence of insufficient sleep on their life satisfaction, affect and mood. Further, through its impact on infant well-being and behaviour, and the loss of free time, infant sleep problems indirectly negatively influenced parental subjective well-being. As a result, life satisfaction and affect was deleteriously influenced.

CONCLUSION

Parental subjective well-being may be deleteriously influenced by infant sleep problems, both directly through insufficient sleep and indirectly through the impact of infant sleep problems.

Assessing the joint effects of mitochondrial genes and physical activity on the psychiatric phenotype of subjective well-being based on the UK Biobank data

Subjective well-being (SWB) is an important measure for mental health status. Previous research has shown that physical activity can affect an individual's well-being, yet the underlying molecular mechanism remains to be clarified. In this study, we aim to evaluate the potential interactions between mitochondrial genes and physical activity (PA) as well as their combined effects on individual well-being. SWB phenotype data in UK Biobank were enrolled for this study including nine aspects such as work/job satisfaction, health satisfaction, family relationship satisfaction, friendships satisfaction, financial situation satisfaction, ever depressed for a whole week, general happiness, general happiness with own health and belief that own life is meaningful. We made analysis for each aspects separately. Firstly, mitochondria-wide association studies (MiWAS) was conducted to assess the association of mitochondrial Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms SNP with each aspect of SWB. Then an interaction analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutation and PA was performed to evaluate their joint effect on SWB status. Meanwhile, these two analysis were made for female and male group separately as well as the total samples, all under the control of possible confounding factors including gender, age, Townsend Deprivation Index (TDI), education, alcohol consumption, smoking habits, and 10 principal components. MiWAS analysis identified 45 mtSNPs associated with 9 phenotypes of SWB. For example, m.15218A > G on MT-CYB in the health satisfaction phenotype of the total subjects. Gender-specific analyses found 30 mtSNPs in females and 58 in males, involving 13 mtGenes. In mtDNA-PA interaction analysis, we also identified 10 significant mtDNA-PA interaction sets for SWB. For instance, m.13020 T > C (MT-ND5) was associated with the SWB financial situation satisfaction phenotype in all subjects (P = 0.00577). In addition, MiWAS analysis identified 12 mtGene variants associated with SWB, as MT-ND1 and MT-ND2. However, in mtDNA-PA interactions we detected 7 mtDNA affecting psychiatric disorders occurring, as in the friendships satisfaction phenotype (m.3394 T > C on MT-ND1). Our study results suggest an implication of the interaction between mitochondrial function and physical activity in the risk of psychiatric disorder development.

Exploring the Relationship between Mediterranean Diet Adherence and Subjective Well-Being among Greek and Cypriot Adults

Associations between subjective well-being (SWB) and dietary habits, employment status, and habitual activities are increasingly capturing the focus of researchers as well as policymakers worldwide. This study aimed to explore these associations in a sample of the population in Greece and Cyprus via an online survey. In total, 936 questionnaires (470: Cyprus, 466: Greece) were analyzed to study the associations between the Mediterranean Diet (MD) (using the 14-item MEDAS score, (14-MEDAS)), subjective well-being (SWB), and several socioeconomic factors. Key remarks of this survey highlight the positive impact of MD adherence on some well-being items. Namely, statistically significant differences were found on the following items: Satisfied with life (p < 0.001), Life worthwhile (p < 0.001), Feeling happy (p < 0.001), worried (p = 0.005), and depressed (p = 0.001), when comparing Low MD adherence (14-MEDAS < 5) to High MD adherence (14-MEDAS > 10). Other lifestyle habits such as spending time with friends and family, spending time in nature, and habitual physical activity were associated with aspects of SWB such as Life satisfaction, Life worthwhile, Feeling happy, and energetic. The findings support adherence to the MD, since it is associated with higher life satisfaction and self-reported happiness in this sample and should be considered when developing health policies on well-being.

An exploratory study of the relationship between college student activists' labor and their subjective well-being: Perspectives from a U.S. Institution

Objective: To drive the development and improvement of college student activist support interventions via the examination of the relationship between college student activists' labor and their subjective well-being (SWB). Participants: A purposeful sample of 14 U.S. college student activists. Methods: An interpretive, constructivist qualitative study grounded in individual, semi-structured interviews. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Analysis revealed a connection between activism work and SWB across three themes: (a) activism and the college student activist community can foster SWB, (b) college student activists' scarcity of time can compromise SWB, and (c) agents at the college student activists' home institutions can compromise SWB. Conclusions: Focusing on building community and belonging for college student activists along with developing partnerships with faculty/staff and auditing institutional power can foster SWB.

Reciprocal relationships between positive expectancies and positive emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-lagged panel study

INTRODUCTION

Previous research highlighted the importance of investigating distinct protective factors that predict the experience of positive emotions during stressful situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. In this longitudinal study, we specifically focused on positive expectancies towards the future (optimism, response expectancy, and response hope) in relation to the experience of positive emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our primary objectives were to identify the best predictors for experiencing short-term and long-term positive emotions and investigate their interrelationships.

METHODS

Data from 271 participants (average age = 29.2 years, 84.7% female) were analyzed using four cross-lagged models.

RESULTS

Results showed that response expectancy was the best predictor for experiencing positive emotions in the short term, while optimism was the best predictor for experiencing positive emotions in the long term. Additionally, through further exploratory analysis, multiple bidirectional relationships were identified between positive expectancies and positive emotions.

DISCUSSION

Our results highlight the significant role played by positive expectancies in predicting the experience of positive emotions. Specifically, dispositional optimism emerged as a stronger predictor of longer-term positive emotions, whereas response expectancy proved to be a better predictor of shorter-term positive emotions. Thus, interventions targeting positive expectancies have the potential to enhance emotional functioning in individuals during challenging situations like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Identifying the top predictors of student well-being across cultures using machine learning and conventional statistics

Alongside academic learning, there is increasing recognition that educational systems must also cater to students' well-being. This study examines the key factors that predict adolescent students' subjective well-being, indexed by life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect. Data from 522,836 secondary school students from 71 countries/regions across eight different cultural contexts were analyzed. Underpinned by Bronfenbrenner's bioecological theory, both machine learning (i.e., light gradient-boosting machine) and conventional statistics (i.e., hierarchical linear modeling) were used to examine the roles of person, process, and context factors. Among the multiple predictors examined, school belonging and sense of meaning emerged as the common predictors of the various well-being dimensions. Different well-being dimensions also had distinct predictors. Life satisfaction was best predicted by a sense of meaning, school belonging, parental support, fear of failure, and GDP per capita. Positive affect was most strongly predicted by resilience, sense of meaning, school belonging, parental support, and GDP per capita. Negative affect was most strongly predicted by fear of failure, gender, being bullied, school belonging, and sense of meaning. There was a remarkable level of cross-cultural similarity in terms of the top predictors of well-being across the globe. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Like No Other? A Family-Specific Network Approach to Parenting Adolescents

Numerous theories suggest that parents and adolescents influence each other in diverse ways; however, whether these influences differ between subgroups or are unique to each family remains uncertain. Therefore, this study explored whether data-driven subgroups of families emerged that exhibited a similar daily interplay between parenting and adolescent affective well-being. To do so, Subgrouping Group Iterative Multiple Model Estimation (S-GIMME) was used to estimate family-specific dynamic network models, containing same- and next-day associations among five parenting practices (i.e., warmth, autonomy support, psychological control, strictness, monitoring) and adolescent positive and negative affect. These family-specific networks were estimated for 129 adolescents (Mage = 13.3, SDage = 1.2, 64% female, 87% Dutch), who reported each day on parenting and their affect for 100 consecutive days. The findings of S-GIMME did not identify data-driven subgroups sharing similar parenting-affect associations. Instead, each family displayed a unique pattern of temporal associations between the different practices and adolescent affect. Thus, the ways in which parenting practices were related to adolescents' affect in everyday life were family specific.

Positive affect and heart rate variability: a dynamic analysis

Traditional survey methods can provide noisy data arising from recall, memory and other biases. Technological advances (particularly in neuroscience) are opening new ways of monitoring physiological processes through non-intrusive means. Such dense continuous data provide new and fruitful avenues for complementing self-reported data with a better understanding of human dynamics and human interactions. In this study, we use a survey to collect positive affect (feelings) data from more than 300 individuals over a period of 24 h, and at the same time, map their core activities (5000 recorded activities in total) with measurements of their heart rate variability (HRV). Our results indicate a robust correlation between the HRV measurements and self-reported affect. By drawing on the neuroscience and wellbeing literature we show that dynamic HRV results are what we expect for positive affect, particularly when performing activities like sleep, travel, work, exercise and eating. This research provides new insights into how to collect HRV data, model and interpret it.

Social cognition, socioeconomic status and subjective well-being of Chinese migrant workers

Subjective well-being is based on the unity of internal and external needs, as well as material and non-material needs. However, existing research lacks consideration of the impact of both objective material conditions and subjective psychological cognition on the subjective well-being of migrant workers. Thus, based on data from the 2017 China General Social Survey, this paper applies ordered logit models and OLS models to investigate the impact of social cognition and socioeconomic status on the subjective well-being of migrant workers and their intergenerational differences. The results indicate that: (1) Social cognition has a significant impact, and the impact of fairness perception is more pronounced than depression perception and class change perception; (2) among socioeconomic status, personal income did not have a significant effect as education level, car ownership and house property ownership; (3) there are intergenerational differences. The emotional state of the older generation is the most critical factor influencing their subjective well-being. In contrast, the new generation is more concerned with their feelings about future expectations. The older generation is more concerned with their house property ownership, while the increase in income, education and car ownership can significantly increase the subjective well-being of the new generation. For this reason, we believe that the Chinese government should gradually change the existing urban and rural management system to create a fair and just social environment; make migrant workers receive the same protection as urban residents and improve the income distribution mechanism; pay attention to the social security of the older generation of migrant workers and the development opportunities of the new generation of migrant workers and their ability to integrate into the city to improve their subjective well-being.

Stability and Change in Mental Health Profiles from Middle Adulthood to Very Old Age

OBJECTIVES

This study investigates mental health (MH) through the dual-factor model, emphasizing both well-being and ill-being. Our objectives were to (1) identify MH profiles based on this model; (2) track these profiles over time; and (3) explore socio-demographic and physical health factors associated with these profiles.

METHODS

We employed Latent Transition Analysis on data from 5,561 individuals aged 39-92, using two waves from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe. Well-being was assessed via life satisfaction and quality of life, while ill-being was measured through depression and loneliness. The predictors were socio-demographic and physical health variables.

RESULTS

Four distinct MH profiles emerged, each with unique levels of well-being and ill-being. Stability was more common in adaptive profiles. Physical health was key in predicting transition.

CONCLUSIONS

Identifying MH profiles in old age enhances our understanding of how MH adapts with aging. This approach reveals the complexity of MH beyond traditional ill-being, underscoring the importance of well-being.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

• The majority of older adults maintain good MH, suggesting a need for a paradigm shift toward enhancing well-being rather than solely treating ill-being.• Effective MH interventions should integrate both well-being and ill-being assessments to offer understanding and support.

Mental Health and Well-being Measures for Mean Comparison and Screening in Adolescents: An Assessment of Unidimensionality and Sex and Age Measurement Invariance

Adolescence is a period of increased vulnerability for low well-being and mental health problems, particularly for girls and older adolescents. Accurate measurement via brief self-report is therefore vital to understanding prevalence, group trends, screening efforts, and response to intervention. We drew on data from the #BeeWell study (N = 37,149, aged 12-15) to consider whether sum-scoring, mean comparisons, and deployment for screening were likely to show bias for eight such measures. Evidence for unidimensionality, considering dynamic fit confirmatory factor models, exploratory graph analysis, and bifactor modeling, was found for five measures. Of these five, most showed a degree of non-invariance across sex and age likely incompatible with mean comparison. Effects on selection were minimal, except sensitivity was substantially lower in boys for the internalizing symptoms measure. Measure-specific insights are discussed, as are general issues highlighted by our analysis, such as item reversals and measurement invariance.

The Link between Abstract Thinking Style and Subjective Well-Being: Its Impact when People are in (Real or Perceived) Financial Scarcity

Across three studies, we explored the link between an abstract mindset and subjective well-being (SWB) in participants with real and/or perceived financial scarcity. In Studies 1 and 2, samples presented real objective financial vulnerability: Adolescents from lower-middle income districts (Study 1; N = 256), and adults without higher education and with very low incomes (Study 2; N = 210). In Studies 1 and 2 participants completed a survey including measures of thinking style and SWB. In Studies 2 and 3 perception of financial difficulty and SWB were also measured. Study 3 (N = 161) used a sample of university students and employed an experimental design manipulating participants' thinking style (i.e., concrete versus abstract mindset conditions); additionally, all participants were induced to perceive financial scarcity. Correlations revealed a significant and positive relationship between an abstract thinking style and SWB (Studies 1 and 2). Thus, these results showed that a relatively more abstract thinking style was associated with greater life satisfaction. In Studies 2 and 3 mediation analyses indicated that adults who presented a more abstract thinking style, perceived lower financial difficulties and then reported greater SWB. Overall, given that an abstract thinking style can be induced, these results offer a new intervention approach for improving the SWB of people living in situations of financial scarcity.

Comparison standards shape everyday judgments of low and high wellbeing in individuals with and without psychopathology: a diary-based investigation

People can easily rate and express their current levels of wellbeing, but the cognitive foundations for such judgments are poorly understood. We examined whether comparisons to varying standards underlie fluctuating wellbeing judgments within-person (i.e., throughout daily episodes) and between-person (i.e., high vs. low levels of psychopathology). Clinical and non-clinical participants recorded subjective affect for each distinct episode for one week. Participants briefly described current, best, and worst daily episodes, which we coded for presence and type of comparison standard (social, past temporal, criteria-based, counterfactual, prospective temporal, and dimensional). Participants also rated their engagement with these standards and the respective affective impact. During best episodes, participants reported more downward (vs. upward) comparisons that resulted in positive affective impact. In worst episodes, upward (vs. downward) comparisons were more frequent. In best and worst episodes, we most frequently identified past-temporal and criteria-based comparisons, respectively. The clinical group engaged more often with all potential standard types during worst daily episodes and was more negatively affected by comparative thoughts, amid consistently more negative affect levels across all episode types. Our data suggest that judgments of affect and wellbeing may indeed rely on comparative thinking, whereby certain standards may characterize states of negative affect and poor mental health.

High life satisfaction reported among small-scale societies with low incomes

Global polls have shown that people in high-income countries generally report being more satisfied with their lives than people in low-income countries. The persistence of this correlation, and its similarity to correlations between income and life satisfaction within countries, could lead to the impression that high levels of life satisfaction can only be achieved in wealthy societies. However, global polls have typically overlooked small-scale, nonindustrialized societies, which can provide an alternative test of the consistency of this relationship. Here, we present results from a survey of 2,966 members of Indigenous Peoples and local communities among 19 globally distributed sites. We find that high average levels of life satisfaction, comparable to those of wealthy countries, are reported for numerous populations that have very low monetary incomes. Our results are consistent with the notion that human societies can support very satisfying lives for their members without necessarily requiring high degrees of monetary wealth.

Revisiting the meaning and the source of health-related constructs and their applications in neurodisability

The aim of this review is to revisit the meaning of common concepts and frameworks promoted to capture subjective outcomes of patients, the content of their corresponding measurements, and the preferred sources of the information of interest. This is important because conceptualizations of 'health' and the subject evaluations thereof continue to evolve. Related but distinct concepts like quality of life (QoL), health-related QoL (HRQoL), functional status, health status, and well-being are often used indiscriminately to assess clinical impacts of interventions and to influence decisions about patient care and policymaking. The discussion addresses and illustrates the following issues: (1) the required features of effective and valid health-related concepts; (2) understanding underlying factors that often create confusion about QoL and HRQoL; and (3) how these concepts provide insight into, and promote, health in the context of populations with neurodisability. The hope is to illustrate how a combination of a clear research question, a hypothesis, conceptualization of the required outcomes, and operational definitions of the domains and items of interest, including item mapping, can help to achieve robust methodology and valid findings beyond the required psychometric properties. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: The language, content, and the source of perceived health and life issues are clarified. Using the same terms for different constructs, or different terms for the same constructs, creates confusion and hinders outcome research. The challenges of using patient-reported outcomes in neurodisability are addressed.

Well-being in institutionalised adolescents

BACKGROUND

For adolescents who have criminal convictions, achieving a positive progress including desistance from offending may depend on a sense of well-being. Factors associated with growth in well-being are not widely researched, but there is some work that suggests that qualities in other internal states as well as in the environment may foster well-being.

AIMS

To examine the well-being of young male incarcerated offenders, and its relationship with frequency of contacts with the family, perceptions of socio-educational environment, feelings about the future and self-efficacy.

METHODS

Participants were recruited from three secure education institutions in the Federal District of Brasília, Brazil, under the management of the Secretariat of Justice. They were invited to complete anonymous self-report questionnaires, which included the Psychological Well-Being Scale, the Perception of the Socio-Educational Environment Scale, the Feelings about the Future Scale and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Self-Efficacy, and to provide limited sociodemographic data.

RESULTS

195 young male offenders participated and their mean age was 16.8 years (SD = 1.58, range 14-20). There was a positive correlation between well-being and perceptions of the socio-educational environment, positive feelings about the future and self-efficacy self-ratings. Multiple linear regression analyses confirmed that the frequency of family contacts, positive perceptions of the socio-educational environment, positive feelings about the future, and self-efficacy in leisure and social activities independently contributed to the well-being of young offenders.

CONCLUSION

Although well-being has been associated with desistance from committing crimes, the factors that may predispose to well-being have been researched less and never before examined among inmates in Brazil. While longitudinal work is needed to be certain of the direction of the relationship, the fact that the results are broadly consistent with a similar study carried out on the other side of the world is encouraging in terms of indicating ways forward in rehabilitation. It is necessary to develop interventions that support family relationships and promote personal relationships and personal development, not only of useful skills but also of personal confidence in those skills.

Sparking Virtuous Cycles: A Longitudinal Study of Subjective Well-Being and Grit During Early Adolescence

In cross-sectional research, subjective well-being and grit are found to be positively correlated. Their mutually reinforcing effects are particularly relevant for youth entering early adolescence because, during this developmental period, both well-being and grit have been shown to predict consequential outcomes later in life. However, their mutual relation has not yet been investigated in early adolescence. This study, therefore, examined the possibility of a virtuous cycle linking subjective well-being and grit during early adolescence. Self-report questionnaires of grit and subjective well-being were completed by N = 5291 children in China (47.6% girls; initial Mage = 9.69, SDage = 0.59) on six occasions over 3 academic years. In random-intercept cross-lagged panel models (RI-CLPMs), within-person changes in grit predicted within-person changes in subjective well-being 6 months later, and vice versa. Notably, analyses revealed an asymmetry in this cycle: paths from subjective well-being to grit were stronger and more reliable than the converse. Likewise, facet-level analyses showed that the predictive power of the perseverance component (of grit) and the affective component (of subjective well-being), respectively, was greater than the passion and cognitive components, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of boosting happiness for catalyzing positive youth development and, in addition, foreground the utility of studying these composite constructs at the facet level.

The associations among well-being comparisons and affective styles in depression, anxiety, and mental health quality of life

OBJECTIVE

Frame-of-reference theories suggest that individuals use different comparison types to evaluate their well-being. Research indicates that the frequency of aversive well-being comparisons is related to depression, with engendered comparison affective impact partly accounting for this relationship. We aimed to replicate this finding, examine whether this extends to anxiety and mental health quality of life, and whether these pathways are moderated by affective styles of concealing, adjusting, and tolerating. We expected concealing as a response-focused style to be associated with higher effects of comparison affective impact on depression, anxiety, and mental health quality of life. Adjusting as an antecedent-focused strategy was expected to mitigate the effects of aversive comparison frequency on comparison affective impact, and the effects of comparison affective impact on the outcomes. Finally, tolerating was expected to be associated with lower effects on both pathways.

METHODS AND MEASURES

Participants (N = 596) responded to measures of well-being comparisons, affective styles, depression, anxiety, and mental health quality of life.

RESULTS

Frequency of aversive well-being comparisons was associated with all outcomes. These relationships were partially mediated by comparison affective impact. Adjustment moderated the pathway between aversive comparison frequency and comparison affective impact. No other moderation effect emerged.

CONCLUSION

The comparison process appears important in well-being evaluations.

The ABC of happiness: Validation of the tridimensional model of subjective well-being (affect, cognition, and behavior) using Bifactor Polytomous Multidimensional Item Response Theory

Background

Happiness is often conceptualized as subjective well-being, which comprises people's evaluations of emotional experiences (i.e., the affective dimension: positive and negative feelings and emotions) and judgements of a self-imposed ideal (i.e., the cognitive dimension: life satisfaction). Recent research has established these two dimensions as primary parts of a higher order factor. However, theoretical, conceptual, and empirical work suggest that people's evaluations of harmony in their life (i.e., the sense of balance and capacity to behave and adapt with both acceptance and flexibility to inter- and intrapersonal circumstances) constitutes a third dimension (i.e., the behavioral dimension). This tridemensional conceptualization of subjective well-being has recently been verified using Unidimensional Item Response Theory (UIRT) and Classical Test Theory (CTT). Here, we use a recently developed and more robust approach that combines these two methods (i.e., Multidimensional Item Response Theory, MIRT) to simultaneously address the complex interactions and multidimensionality behind how people feel, think, and behave in relation to happiness in their life.

Method

A total of 435 participants (197 males and 238 females) with an age mean of 44.84 (sd = 13.36) responded to the Positive Affect Negative Affect Schedule (10 positive affect items, 10 negative affect items), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (five items), and the Harmony in life Scale (five items). We used Bifactor-Graded Response MIRT for the main analyses.

Result

At the general level, each of the 30 items had a strong capacity to discriminate between respondents across all three dimensions of subjective well-being. The investigation of different parameters (e.g., marginal slopes, ECV, IECV) strongly reflected the multidimensionality of subjective well-being at the item, the scale, and the model level. Indeed, subjective well-being could explain 64 % of the common variance in the whole model. Moreover, most of the items measuring positive affect (8/10) and life satisfaction (4/5) and all the items measuring harmony in life (5/5) accounted for a larger amount of variance of subjective well-being compared to that of their respective individual dimensions. The negative affect items, however, measured its own individual concept to a lager extent rather than subjective well-being. Thus, suggesting that the experience of negative affect is a more independent dimension within the whole subjective well-being model. We also found that specific items (e.g., "Alert", "Distressed", "Irritable", "I am satisfied with my life") were the recurrent exceptions in our results. Last but not the least, experiencing high levels in one dimension seems to compensate for low levels in the others and vice versa.

Conclusion

As expected, the three subjective well-being dimensions do not work separately. Interestingly, the order and magnitude of the effect by each dimension on subjective well-being mirror how people define happiness in their life: first as harmony, second as satisfaction, third as positive emotions, and fourth, albeit to a much lesser degree, as negative emotions. Ergo, we argue that subjective well-being functions as a complex biopsychosocial adaptive system mirroring our attitude towards life in these three dimensions (A: affective dimension; B: behavioral dimension; C: cognitive dimension). Ergo, researchers and practitioners need to take in to account all three to fully understand, measure, and promote people's experience of the happy life. Moreover, our results also suggest that negative affect, especially regarding high activation unpleasant emotions, need considerable changes and further analyses if it is going to be included as a construct within the affective dimension of a general subjective well-being factor.

Mental health risk and protective factors associated with brachial plexus birth injuries: a scoping review

PURPOSE

The purpose of this scoping review is to synthesize the current evidence on the risk and protective factors associated with mental health in children with brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) and associated interventions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched for reports on mental health in children with BPBI between 10 and 18 years. Risk and protective factors were charted using the VicHealth review and the Person-Environment-Occupation model.

RESULTS

Of 732 records found, 133 full text reports were reviewed and 16 reports were included. Multiple mental health risks associated with BPBI were identified, while protective factors were largely unexplored. Person-related risks were most common including negative coping strategies (n = 8, 50%) and pain (n = 6, 38%). Most frequently reported environment and occupation risk factors were social difficulties (n = 9, 56%) and challenges with upper limb function and daily activities (n = 6, 38%). Good self-determination and/or self-concept (n = 5, 30%) was the most common protective factor.

CONCLUSIONS

Research using a strengths-based approach is needed to elucidate protective factors and further understanding of the intersection of person and socio-cultural risk factors of mental health in children with BPBI.

The Association between Happiness and Cognitive Function in the UK Biobank

Feelings of happiness have been associated with better performance in creative and flexible thinking and processing. Less is known about whether happier individuals have better performance on basic cognitive functions and slower rate of cognitive decline. In a large sample from the UK Biobank (N=17,885; Age 40-70 years), we examine the association between baseline happiness and cognitive function (speed of processing, visuospatial memory, reasoning) over four assessment waves spanning up to 10 years of follow-up. Greater happiness was associated with better speed and visuospatial memory performance across assessments independent of vascular or depression risk factors. Happiness was associated with worse reasoning. No association was found between happiness and the rate of change over time on any of the cognitive tasks. The cognitive benefits of happiness may extend to cognitive functions such as speed and memory but not more complex processes such as reasoning, and happiness may not be predictive of the rate of cognitive decline over time. More evidence on the association between psychological well-being and different cognitive functions is needed to shed light on potential interventional efforts.

Distinguishing happiness and meaning in life from depressive symptoms: A GWAS-by-subtraction study in the UK Biobank

Hedonic (happiness) and eudaimonic (meaning in life) well-being are negatively related to depressive symptoms. Genetic variants play a role in this association, reflected in substantial genetic correlations. We investigated the overlap and differences between well-being and depressive symptoms, using results of Genome-Wide Association studies (GWAS) in UK Biobank. Subtracting GWAS summary statistics of depressive symptoms from those of happiness and meaning in life, we obtained GWASs of respectively "pure" happiness (neffective  = 216,497) and "pure" meaning (neffective  = 102,300). For both, we identified one genome-wide significant SNP (rs1078141 and rs79520962, respectively). After subtraction, SNP heritability reduced from 6.3% to 3.3% for pure happiness and from 6.2% to 4.2% for pure meaning. The genetic correlation between the well-being measures reduced from 0.78 to 0.65. Pure happiness and pure meaning became genetically unrelated to traits strongly associated with depressive symptoms, including loneliness, and psychiatric disorders. For other traits, including ADHD, educational attainment, and smoking, the genetic correlations of well-being versus pure well-being changed substantially. GWAS-by-subtraction allowed us to investigate the genetic variance of well-being unrelated to depressive symptoms. Genetic correlations with different traits led to new insights about this unique part of well-being. Our results can be used as a starting point to test causal relationships with other variables, and design future well-being interventions.

Effects of mindfulness and movement on affect and vitality

BACKGROUND

Increasing levels of distress and barriers to healthcare have coincided with increasing use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). While mindfulness and movement interventions may improve wellbeing, little research has compared the effectiveness of these two approaches.

OBJECTIVE

This single intervention study aimed to (1) explore the effects of two brief, online, self-administered mindfulness and movement interventions on affect and vitality, and (2) establish whether changes in affect and vitality could be predicted by age, gender, general distress, previous CAM experience and enjoyment of the intervention.

METHODS

Participants (n = 62) were randomly allocated to follow a brief online mindfulness or movement intervention. Levels of affect (using PANAS) and subjective vitality (using the Subjective Vitality Scale) were measured pre and post intervention. Demographics, experience with CAM and general distress (using the DASS-21) were collected pre intervention, while level of enjoyment (using the ENJOY scale) was measured post intervention. Open-text responses gathered qualitative data on participant experience.

RESULTS

Participants completing the mindfulness intervention reported increased vitality and decreased positive and negative affect. Those completing the movement intervention reported increased vitality and positive affect and decreased negative affect. Higher DASS-21 levels were predictive of greater reductions in negative affect. Higher levels of enjoyment were predictive of greater increases in positive affect and vitality.

CONCLUSIONS

Differences between mindfulness and movement interventions may indicate that they could have targeted applications. While further research is necessary, these brief, online interventions may provide a sustainable, accessible self-management and wellbeing intervention.

Towards a multidimensional measure of well-being: cross-cultural support through the Italian validation of the well-being profile

BACKGROUND

The Well-being Profile (WB-Pro) is a multi-item and multidimensional instrument with strong psychometric properties and a solid theoretical grounding. It includes aspects of hedonic and eudaimonic well-being that can be used at the individual and social levels.

METHOD

We developed the Italian version through back-translation procedures. The aim of this study is to validate the WB-Pro in Italian as well as to better understand its multidimensionality through bifactor analysis. A sample of 1451 participants (910 = women, 62.7%; age range: 18-70, M-age = 32.34, SD-age = 13.64) was involved.

RESULTS

The 15-factor structure was confirmed with CFA and ESEM and was invariant across gender, age, and education. We examined convergent and discriminant validity and a bifactorial representation. Short versions of the WB-Pro were tested.

DISCUSSION

Even though a few items of the Italian version of the WB-Pro might benefit from revision (e.g., clear-thinking scale), this study confirms the theoretical and empirical strength of the WB-Pro.

CONCLUSIONS

This study supports the WB-Pro validity and usefulness in studying well-being and for professional psychological applications to assess well-being in both individuals and groups.

Structural Racism and Well-Being Among Young People in the U.S

INTRODUCTION

Structural racism has clear and pernicious effects on population health. However, there is a limited understanding of how structural racism impacts young people's well-being. The objective of this ecologic cross-sectional study was to assess the relationship between structural racism and well-being for 2,009 U.S. counties from 2010 to 2019.

METHODS

Population-based data on demographics, health, and other variables related to young people's ability to thrive are used to construct a previously validated composite index that serves as a proxy of young people's well-being. The index is regressed on several forms of structural racism (segregation, economic, and educational) both independently and jointly while accounting for county-fixed effects, time trends, and state-specific trends as well as weighting for child population. Data were analyzed from November 2021 through March 2023.

RESULTS

Higher levels of structural racism are associated with lower well-being. A 1-SD increase in Black-White child poverty disparity is associated with a -0.034 (95% CI= -0.019, -0.050) SD change in index score. When accounting for multiple structural racism measures, associations remain statistically significant. In joint models, only estimates for economic racism measures remain significant when additionally controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, and adult health measures (β= -0.015; 95% CI= -0.001, -0.029). These negative associations are heavily concentrated in counties where Black and Latinx children are overrepresented.

CONCLUSIONS

Structural racism-particularly of the kind that produces racialized poverty outcomes-has a meaningful adverse association with child and adolescent well-being, which may produce lifelong effects. Studies of structural racism among adults should consider a lifecourse perspective.

A qualitative study of factors that managers in small companies consider important for their wellbeing

PURPOSE

Given the importance of small businesses for society, and the significance of managers' wellbeing for employee health, leadership, and business performance, more knowledge is needed on the sources of managers' wellbeing. This study explored factors within the small business context that were perceived by managers to hinder or enable their wellbeing.

METHODS

Data were collected through qualitative semi-structured interviews with 20 managers from 12 small companies, and analysed with content analysis.

RESULTS

The factors that these managers in small businesses experienced as enhancing or hindering their personal wellbeing covered five categories: demands and resources in the daily managerial work, achievement of results, social factors, organizational factors, and individual factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The specific context of managerial work in small companies encompasses unique factors. For instance, the small company managers' wellbeing was affected by vulnerability due to the smallness of the business and the absence of available resources. Simultaneously, a small company context provided a strong social climate and close relationships with employees and customers that strengthened the managers' wellbeing. The findings suggest that the availability of financial, personnel, and organizational resources varies between small companies of different size, which may have implications for small business managers' work and wellbeing.