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Mason Stephens J, Iasiello M, Ali K, van Agteren J, Fassnacht DB. The Importance of Measuring Mental Wellbeing in the Context of Psychological Distress: Using a Theoretical Framework to Test the Dual-Continua Model of Mental Health. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:bs13050436. [PMID: 37232673 DOI: 10.3390/bs13050436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The dual-continua model of mental health suggests that psychological distress and mental wellbeing operate on two distinct yet related continua, both uniquely contributing to overall mental health. Previous literature provides support for the dual-continua model; however, inconsistent methodologies lacking a common theoretical underpinning have led to findings that are difficult to compare across studies. Using archival data, this study aimed to test the following three theoretically derived criteria proposed to accurately examine the dual-continua model: (1) confirming independent existence, (2) disconfirming bipolarity, and (3) quantifying functional independence. METHOD In total, 2065 participants (female n = 1193; 57.8%) completed two online assessments (minimum 30 days apart) measuring psychological distress, mental wellbeing, and demographic information. RESULTS In total, 1.1% of participants experienced high distress as well as mental wellbeing confirming that psychological distress and mental wellbeing exist independently (Criterion 1). Bipolarity (Criterion 2) was partly disconfirmed: mental wellbeing consistently decreased as symptom severity increased for depression; however, anxiety and stress did not meet bipolarity requirements. Functional independence (Criterion 3) was established: longitudinal analysis found that participants reliably and simultaneously increased (2.7%) or decreased (4.2%) in distress and mental wellbeing, while cross-sectional analysis showed that psychological distress only explained 38% of the variance in mental wellbeing. DISCUSSION Findings provide further support for the dual-continua model through analysis of the proposed assessment criteria, suggesting a further need to measure the dual-continua model at the subdomain level, e.g., depression, anxiety, and stress, as opposed to global psychological distress. Validation for the proposed assessment criteria provides important methodological foundations for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackson Mason Stephens
- College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
- School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Matthew Iasiello
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Kathina Ali
- College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
- School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia
| | - Joep van Agteren
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Daniel B Fassnacht
- College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
- School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia
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Bullen J, Hill-Wall T, Anderson K, Brown A, Bracknell C, Newnham EA, Garvey G, Waters L. From Deficit to Strength-Based Aboriginal Health Research-Moving toward Flourishing. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5395. [PMID: 37048008 PMCID: PMC10094537 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20075395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Aboriginal Australians have a fundamental human right to opportunities that lead to healthy and flourishing lives. While the impact of trauma on Aboriginal Australians is well-documented, a pervasive deficit narrative that focuses on problems and pathology persists in research and policy discourse. This narrative risks further exacerbating Aboriginal disadvantage through a focus on 'fixing what is wrong' with Aboriginal Australians and the internalising of these narratives by Aboriginal Australians. While a growing body of research adopts strength-based models, limited research has sought to explore Aboriginal flourishing. This conceptual paper seeks to contribute to a burgeoning paradigm shift in Aboriginal research, seeking to understand what can be learned from Aboriginal people who flourish, how we best determine this, and in what contexts this can be impactful. Within, we argue the case for a new approach to exploring Aboriginal wellbeing that integrates salutogenic, positive psychology concepts with complex systems theory to understand and promote Aboriginal wellbeing and flourishing. While deeper work may be required to establish the parameters of a strength-based, culturally aligned Aboriginal conceptualisation of positive psychology, we suggest the integration of Aboriginal and Western methodologies offers a unique and potent means of shifting the dial on seemingly intractable problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Bullen
- EnAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA 6009, Australia;
| | - Trish Hill-Wall
- EnAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Kate Anderson
- Faculty of Medicine, The School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Alex Brown
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA 6009, Australia;
- National Centre for Indigenous Genomics, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Clint Bracknell
- School of Languages and Cultures, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - Elizabeth A. Newnham
- EnAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
- FXB Center for Health and Human Rights, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Gail Garvey
- Faculty of Medicine, The School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Lea Waters
- Centre for Wellbeing Science, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3101, Australia
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Valencia J, Christian F. The Relationship between Neuroticism, Emotion Regulation, and Academic Stress with Depression Symptoms in Indonesian Medical Student. Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2022.8322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background : Individuals who are depressed based on the Global Burden of Disease have 264 million in the world. In college students, the symptoms of depression that appear are decreased academic performance and health problems, leading to suicide. The causes of depression based on the COR theory, when individuals lose resources (academic), with high Neuroticism and difficulty regulating emotions cause individuals to be unable to adapt, thereby strengthening their depressive symptoms. The purpose of this study is to examine and explain the relationship between Neuroticism, academic stress, and emotional regulation simultaneously with symptoms of depression in medical students. Methods: This study used the CES-D scale for depressive symptoms, Neuroticism using the BFI-II neuroticism scale, emotion regulation using the DERS scale, and academic stress using the PAS scale. Hypothesis testing using multiple regression or multiple regression calculations. Result : This study obtained a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.808, an F value of 83,800, and p < 0.05. Neuroticism, emotion regulation, and academic stress effectively contributed 65.2%, and 34.8% influenced other factors. Other factors can be closeness in family, health, loyal friends, and hope. Conclusion : there was a relationship between Neuroticism, emotional regulation, and academic stress with symptoms of depression in medical students.
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Exploring Well-Being and Its Correlates among Young Men Using Sen’s Capability Approach: Results from the Young Adults Survey, Switzerland (YASS). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19031247. [PMID: 35162270 PMCID: PMC8835442 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background: The range of options people have to do the things they value in life may have strong effects on their well-being. This is especially true for young adults, as their opportunities and choices may affect both their current and future lives. This study follows Sen’s capability approach (CA) to assess young people’s well-being in terms of capabilities and functionings. Methods: Repeated cross-sectional data from the Young Adult Survey Switzerland were used for the analysis (N = 58,615). Descriptive statistics were applied to analyze the distribution of capabilities and functionings according to individuals’ capital equipment. Finally, multivariate regression analyses were conducted to investigate associations between social, cultural, and economic capital; overall capabilities; and functionings. Results: Young men with lower capital equipment rated their capabilities and functionings lower than others. Capabilities and corresponding functionings differed in the domains of health, happiness, and intellectual stimulation. Multivariate analysis confirmed the effects of social, economic, and cultural capital on both overall capabilities and functionings. Conclusions: Young men differ in their perceived capabilities and functionings in different life domains according to their equipment with different forms of capital. To better understand the mechanisms underlying the transformation of capabilities into functionings, future studies should analyze issues of choice and adaptation to restricted living conditions.
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Zhao H, Zhang H. Why dispositional awe promotes psychosocial flourishing? An investigation of intrapersonal and interpersonal pathways among Chinese emerging adults. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 42:1-13. [PMID: 35018084 PMCID: PMC8736323 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-02593-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Promoting the psychosocial flourishing of emerging adults is crucially important. The tendency to feel awe, as captured by dispositional awe, may be a protective factor that promotes psychosocial flourishing. Inspired by the broaden-and-build theory, the present study sought to investigate the underexplored relationship between dispositional awe and psychosocial flourishing among emerging adults by establishing a dual-mediated model, which focuses on an intrapersonal mechanism of meaning in life and an interpersonal mechanism of social connectedness. Data were collected from a cross-sectional sample of 1213 Chinese emerging adults who completed a series of anonymous questionnaires regarding dispositional awe, psychosocial flourishing, meaning in life, and social connectedness. Results of the correlation analysis revealed positive and significant associations among dispositional awe, meaning in life, social connectedness, and psychosocial flourishing. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that meaning in life and social connectedness fully mediated the association between dispositional awe and psychosocial flourishing. The mediation effect of meaning in life was stronger than that of social connectedness. These findings contributes to the science of flourishing by identifying the internal mechanisms of why dispositional awe promotes the psychosocial flourishing of emerging adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Zhao
- Department of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, No.100 Guilin Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200234 China
| | - Heyun Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, No.100 Guilin Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200234 China
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Pir S, Hashemi L, Gulliver P, Wiles J, McIntosh T, Fanslow J. Social-Level Factors Related to Positive Mental Health Outcomes Following Intimate Partner Violence: Results from a Population-Based Aotearoa New Zealand Sample. Violence Against Women 2021; 28:2742-2764. [PMID: 34761725 DOI: 10.1177/10778012211037380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) continues to be an issue for women globally. There remains a gap in research about what contributes to better mental health following IPV. The sociodemographic characteristics and other factors associated with positive mental health were explored among a sample of 454 women aged 16 years and over who reported previous exposure to physical and/or sexual IPV. Sixty-six percent of women reported positive mental health. The cessation of violence, support at disclosure, and ongoing informal support were factors significantly associated with positive mental health. Greater community outreach to improve responses to disclosure and practical support is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Setayesh Pir
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, 1415University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ladan Hashemi
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, 1415University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Pauline Gulliver
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, 1415University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Janine Wiles
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, 1415University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Tracey McIntosh
- Te Wānanga o Waipapa, Faculty of Arts, 1415University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Janet Fanslow
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, 1415University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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