Prediction of Positive Outcomes Through Savoring and Positive Events

Past research suggests that East Asians engage in less positive thinking than Westerners, but cultural differences in positive thinking may depend on context. The present research investigates how culture and context may interactively influence positive thinking. In Studies 1 ( N = 287) and 2 ( N = 245), participants read hypothetical positive or negative events, and indicated their endorsement of responses to each event that reflected positive versus negative thinking. Chinese more often than Euro-Canadians endorsed relatively negative thinking in response to positive events and relatively positive thinking in response to negative events. In Study 3 ( N = 573), Chinese (versus Euro-Canadians) generated more negative outcomes for positive events and more positive outcomes for negative events. These effects were mediated by lay theory of change, a belief that events change over time nonlinearly. The findings use diverse measurement approaches to highlight the importance of examining positive thinking in context across cultures.

Download Full-text

The Use of Neuroplastic Principles Affects the Swallow Motor Plan of a Patient in Severe Cognitive Decline: A Case Study

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/persp1.sig15.79 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 1 (15) ◽

pp. 79-83

Author(s):

Ed Bice ◽

Kristine E. Galek

Keyword(s):

Central Nervous System ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Full Range ◽

Movement Speed ◽

Positive Outcomes ◽

Verbal Cues ◽

Motor Plan ◽

Bolus Size ◽

The Central Nervous System

Dysphagia is common in patients with dementia. Dysphagia occurs as a result of changes in the sensory and motor function of the swallow (Easterling, 2007). It is known that the central nervous system can undergo experience-dependent plasticity, even in those individuals with dementia (Park & Bischof, 2013). The purpose of this study was to explore whether or not the use of neuroplastic principles would improve the swallow motor plan and produce positive outcomes of a patient in severe cognitive decline. The disordered swallow motor plan was manipulated by focusing on a neuroplastic principles of frequency (repetition), velocity of movement (speed of presentation), reversibility (Use it or Lose it), specificity and adaptation, intensity (bolus size), and salience (Crary & Carnaby-Mann, 2008). After five therapeutic sessions, the patient progressed from holding solids in her mouth with decreased swallow initiation to independently consuming a regular diet with full range of liquids with no oral retention and no verbal cues.

Download Full-text

A Systematic Review of User Expectations and Outcomes of Crisis Support Services

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000745 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Kelly Mazzer ◽

Megan O'Riordan ◽

Alan Woodward ◽

Debra Rickwood

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Support Services ◽

Text Message ◽

Positive Outcomes ◽

Online Chat ◽

Online Databases ◽

Personal Crisis ◽

Crisis Support ◽

User Expectations ◽

Behavioural Sciences

Abstract. Background: Crisis support services play an important role in providing free, immediate access to support people in the community experiencing a personal crisis. Recently, services have expanded from telephone to digital modalities including online chat and text message services. This raises the question of what outcomes are being achieved for increasingly diverse service users across different modalities. Aims: This systematic review aimed to determine the expectations and outcomes of users of crisis support services across three modalities (telephone, online chat, and text message/SMS). Method: Online databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, Psychological and Behavioural Sciences Collection) and gray literature were searched for studies measuring expectations and outcomes of crisis support services. Results: A total of 31 studies were included in the review, the majority of which were telephone-based. Similar expectations were found for telephone and online chat modalities, as well as consistently positive outcomes, measured by changes in emotional state, satisfaction, and referral plans. Limitations/Conclusion: There is a paucity of consistent outcome measures across and within modalities and limited research about users of text message/SMS services.

Download Full-text

How Do People Share Their Positive Events?

Journal of Individual Differences ◽

10.1027/1614-0001/a000212 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (4) ◽

pp. 250-259 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Cara A. Palmer ◽

Meagan A. Ramsey ◽

Jennifer N. Morey ◽

Amy L. Gentzler

Keyword(s):

Cluster Analysis ◽

Communication Technology ◽

Big Five ◽

Well Being ◽

Big Five Personality Traits ◽

Big Five Personality ◽

Positive Events ◽

Growing Body ◽

Sharing Patterns ◽

Practical Implications

Abstract. Research suggests that sharing positive events with others is beneficial for well-being, yet little is known about how positive events are shared with others and who is most likely to share their positive events. The current study expanded on previous research by investigating how positive events are shared and individual differences in how people share these events. Participants (N = 251) reported on their likelihood to share positive events in three ways: capitalizing (sharing with close others), bragging (sharing with someone who may become jealous or upset), and mass-sharing (sharing with many people at once using communication technology) across a range of positive scenarios. Using cluster analysis, five meaningful profiles of sharing patterns emerged. These profiles were associated with gender, Big Five personality traits, narcissism, and empathy. Individuals who tended to brag when they shared their positive events were more likely to be men, reported less agreeableness, less conscientiousness, and less empathy, whereas those who tended to brag and mass-share reported the highest levels of narcissism. These results have important theoretical and practical implications for the growing body of research on sharing positive events.

Download Full-text

Does Ego-Resilience Impact Friendship Outcomes?

Journal of Individual Differences ◽

10.1027/1614-0001/a000197 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 128-134 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Elizabeth B. Lozano ◽

Mahzad Hojjat ◽

Judith Sims-Knight

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Young Adults ◽

Indirect Effects ◽

Positive Emotions ◽

Positive Outcomes ◽

Ego Resilience ◽

Maintenance Behaviors ◽

Received Social Support ◽

Trait Resilience ◽

The Relationship

Abstract. The present study examined the relationship between resilience and positive outcomes in friendships of young adults. SEM and bootstrapping analyses were performed to test whether positive emotions mediate the relationship between ego-resilience and enhanced friendship outcomes. Findings revealed indirect effects for friendship closeness, maintenance behaviors, and received social support. Our findings demonstrate the importance of positive emotions and its connection with trait resilience in the realm of friendships.

Download Full-text