The Role of Self-Compassion in Physical and Psychological Well-Being

The relation of self-compassion to physical and psychological well-being was investigated among 182 college students. The self-compassion scale was delineated into three composites, following the proposition by Neff that self-compassion consists of three main components: self-judgment versus self-kindness (SJ–SK), a sense of isolation versus common humanity (I–CH), and over-identification versus mindfulness (OI–M). Findings support the association between self-compassion and psychological and physical well-being, but the composites demonstrate different influences. SJ–SK and I–CH were predictive of both depressive symptomatology and physical well-being, and SJ–SK and OI–M were predictive of managing life stressors. The results of this study support and expand prior research on self-compassion.     

Toward a Tripartite Factor Structure of Mental Health: Subjective Well-Being,Personal Growth,and Religiosity

According to recent research findings, the domain of psychological well-being may be represented by 2 basic factors: subjective well-being (e.g., happiness, life satisfaction) and personal growth (e.g., self-actualization, a sense of meaningfulness). This study tested the hypothesis that in addition to those 2 factors, a 3rd basic factor is necessary to adequately describe the ways in which people search for well-being. That factor is a type of religiosity that is based on other-centeredness and self-renunciation. A sample of 242 undergraduate and graduate students completed 10 measures of psychological well-being that resulted in 21 scales and subscales. Principal components analyses provided initial support for a tripartite model of psychological well-being. Results also suggested that current measures of personal growth may measure either the autonomy or mature social relationships components of the construct.     

Age stereotypes,flexible goal adjustment,and well-being among Chinese older adults

Previous studies have examined the independent roles of positive age stereotypes (PAS) and negative age stereotypes (NAS) in successful aging. This study aimed to examine the joint effect of PAS and NAS on the well-being of Chinese older adults, and to further examine whether this effect was moderated by flexible goal adjustment (FGA). Using a cross-sectional design, 279 Chinese older adults (age range 60?97 years) completed measures related to age stereotypes, FGA, and well-being. The results showed that PAS interacted with NAS to predict well-being. In addition, the joint effect of PAS and NAS was moderated by FGA. Specially, for older adults with low FGA, NAS weakened the positive association between PAS and well-being; whereas, for older adults with high FGA, NAS could not influence the association between PAS and well-being. Tailored interventions to modify aging perceptions and to enhance coping flexibility competence might be helpful for promoting the well-being of older adults.     

Personality Dysfunction and the Management of Chronic Medical Illness: A Community Health Sample

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of personality disorders on perceived health status, self-efficacy for management of the chronic illness, and physician perception of patient health. A total of 607 patients with self-identified chronicillness(es) volunteered to participate in the study. Out of this sample, 147 had collaborative physician data indicating a chronic illness. The final sample was 143 due to incomplete data. Results suggested that maladaptive personality characteristics, as measured by the Short-Form of the Coolidge Axis II Inventory (SCATI), were related to a number of important factors that influence self-management of chronic illnesses. When the personality constellations were broken into 3 groups (normal, subclinical, and clinical) significant differences were found on the 3 groups of dependent variables (Subjective Health, Self-Efficacy, Physician Appraisal) for the different personality disorders. These data provide useful information on several factors that influence effective disease management. Clinical implications and directions for future research are provided.     

目标坚持性和目标灵活性对老年夫妻幸福感的影响:基于行动者-对象互依性模型

采用目标坚持性/灵活性量表和费城老年中心信心量表对北京的258对老年夫妻进行问卷调查;基于行动者-对象互依性模型;探讨目标处理策略对老年夫妻幸福感的影响。结果发现:（1）夫妻双方的目标处理策略和幸福感分别具有一致性;（2）目标坚持性和灵活性均对自身幸福感有积极效应;（3）丈夫目标坚持性对妻子幸福感有积极效应;但妻子目标坚持性对丈夫幸福感作用不显著;丈夫和妻子的目标灵活性均对配偶幸福感有积极效应;（4）对于丈夫的幸福感;目标灵活性的行动者效应和对象效应均强于目标坚持性;对于妻子的幸福感;目标坚持性和灵活性的行动者效应和对象效应差异均不显著。目标坚持性和目标灵活性对夫妻幸福感的影响存在差异。     

Excitement or anxiety? A case study of Indian postgraduate sojourners at University of Nottingham

Moving to a new country is often seen as a disturbing event in sojourners' lives. Several models of adjustment postulate that the first phase of the sojourn is either categorised by euphoria or anxiety. Using a case study of three Indian Postgraduate students, this paper investigates whether the beginning phase of these sojourners was euphoric or anxious in nature. The findings revealed that they had varied experiences and even mixed experiences that were both pleasant and/or unpleasant which were in turn determined by their individual differences and personal experiences. Another salient finding of this study was that the psychological side of the sojourn starts much before the students have even first set foot in the UK. This could serve as a basis for further research and to conceptualise a model of cultural adjustment that takes into account the impact of the pre-arrival phase on the overall sojourn experience.     

初中生的亲子沟通及其与家庭环境系统和社会适应关系的研究

本文比较了父母在亲子沟通上的差异 ,并用结构方程模型分析方法探讨了家庭环境系统中各因素的因果关系。结果表明 :( 1 )初中生的亲子沟通没有年级差异 ;初中生在与父亲的沟通内容上、与母亲的沟通时间和态度上存在性别差异。 ( 2 )父母教育水平对亲子沟通的直接影响很小 ,它主要通过对家庭结构的影响而对亲子沟通施加影响。父母与孩子长期形成的亲子关系质量影响父母与孩子的沟通状况 ;家庭结构影响父亲与孩子的沟通 ,而很少影响孩子与母亲的沟通。 ( 3 )家庭功能对亲子沟通也具有影响力。其中 ,情感反应既影响父子之间的沟通质量也影响母子之间的沟通 ,总的家庭功能影响母子之间的沟通质量 ,而不影响父子之间的沟通。 ( 4 )亲子沟通质量直接影响学生的同伴关系、心理健康和学业成绩。     

Underemployment: Consequences for the Health and Well-Being of Workers

This paper addresses the question of how the adequacy of a person's employment status influences their health. We draw on and extend the Labor Utilization Framework to distinguish between different forms of underemployment (hours, income, skills, and status) and test their relative effects on a range of physical health and psychological well-being outcomes. Using data drawn from a nationally representative sample (N=1,429) of adults of working age, we assess the concurrent effects of underemployment through a longitudinal design that controls for prior levels of health and well-being. The results indicate that underemployed workers do report lower levels of health and well-being than adequately employed workers. However, the relationship varies by both types of underemployment and indicator of health and well-being. We conclude by discussing future research to explore the relationship between underemployment and health and well-being.     

Educational Performance and Psychological Disengagement Among Ethnic-Minority and Dutch Adolescents

The authors used a questionnaire (N = 587) among ethnic-minority and majority group adolescents in The Netherlands to examine the idea that under certain conditions minority group members tend to psychologically disengage their self-evaluation from educational performance. The results showed that only among ethnic minorities, perceived discrimination in school was related to psychological disengagement. Furthermore, among both groups of participants, perceived diagnosticity of performance feedback was negatively related to disengagement. However, among the ethnic minority group this effect was found for only those participants with relatively high educational performance. The results showed that negative experiences in school can lead to psychological disengagement from the academic domain and that disengagement is not restricted to African American students.     

当今中国人人际关系与身心健康的关系──社会心理医学研究

从全国29个省、市、自治区回收的1433份有效问卷的统计结果显示,人们的人际关系与身体健康和心理健康是密切关联、相互影响的,人际关系高度影响身体健康和心理健康,但其对于心理健康的影响作用,比之对身体健康更大。     

留守对农村儿童青少年社会适应的影响:倾向值匹配的比较分析

以河南和陕西两省3812名4~9年级农村学生为研究样本, 考察其在抑郁、自尊、问题行为、幸福感、未来压力感知及人际关系方面的社会适应状况, 并运用倾向值匹配方法探讨了父母外出务工对其产生的影响。结果发现, 在倾向值匹配之前, 双亲外出务工的留守儿童在未来压力感知、抑郁和幸福感3方面的适应状况均比非留守儿童差, 在师生关系上得分高于非留守儿童;单亲外出务工的留守儿童感知到的未来压力及抑郁水平也显著高于非留守儿童。经过倾向值匹配处理后, 双亲外出留守儿童的幸福感仍显著低于非留守儿童, 单亲外出留守儿童的未来压力感知也高于非留守儿童, 但其他方面的差异不再显著。研究结果提示对于留守与非留守儿童存在的社会适应差异不能完全归咎于父母的外出务工状态。     

What good are character strengths beyond subjective well-being? The contribution of the good character on self-reported health-oriented behavior,physical fitness,and the subjective health status

Character strengths were tested in relation to subjective (life satisfaction) and physical (self-evaluated health and physical fitness) well-being (440 adults). Health-behaviors and the mediating role of health-behaviors in explaining the relationship between character and well-being were also considered. Emotional, intellectual strengths and strengths of the heart were positively associated with life satisfaction and physical fitness. Emotional strengths correlated positively with the self-evaluation of feeling healthy. All strengths (except for modesty and religiousness) were related to health-behaviors; e.g. healthy eating and watching ones food consumption were associated with self-regulation and intellectual strengths. Health behaviors partially mediated the relation of broader strengths factors on subjective and physical well-being. The largest indirect effects were found for leading an active way of life. The study suggests that there are positive relations between character strengths and subjective but also physical well-being. Furthermore, potential mechanisms, which might account for these relations (i.e. health-behaviors) are assessed.     

Influence of religiosity on self-reported response to psychological therapies

There is a lack of research exploring the influence of religious or spiritual beliefs on response to psychological therapies. Our aims were to confirm the positive relationship between religiosity and psychological wellbeing, and investigate the potential synergistic impact of religiosity on self-reported response to psychological therapies. Participants were 118 adults (33 male, 85 female) aged 18 to 78 (M?=?40.01, SD?=?15.41); data was collected via online survey. Religious and psychological variables were assessed using a range of standard measures including the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, and the Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale. Atheists reported less psychological distress and increased personal wellbeing; participants with higher levels of religiosity experienced greater ongoing benefits from therapy in domains of coping and social functioning. Results suggest that mental health practitioners should consider the religious/spiritual beliefs and behaviours of their clients in their interventions.