Emotional engagement in expressive writing

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daphna Sabo Mordechay ◽  
Zohar Eviatar ◽  
Bracha Nir
Keyword(s):  
Expressive Writing ◽  
Life Story ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Emotional Engagement ◽  
Emotional Involvement ◽  
Context Sensitive ◽  
Good Outcome ◽  
Personal Experience Narratives ◽  
Abstract Content ◽  
And Function

Abstract HaCohen et al. (2018) identified three types of narratives that emerge in the context of integrating a difficult event into one’s life story. We use their identification while focusing on the quality of emotional involvement evidenced in texts, and combining it with an abstract-content text analysis. This allows us to quantify emotional engagement in Expressive Writing (EW) texts. We analyze personal-experience narratives produced in EW, and examine whether good EW outcome cases (in terms of well-being improvement) would be characterized with different types of narratives than poor outcome cases. Results show that texts produced by good outcome cases presented more emotional involvement than poor cases. Furthermore, good cases presented with a more complex and well-integrated narrative of their story than poor cases. It is suggested that good outcome participants’ writings are more emotionally involved, integrated and personal. Our findings emphasize the importance of context-sensitive and function-oriented accounts of EW texts.

The Relations between Cultural Life Scripts, Individual Life Stories, and Psychological Distress

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Anne ◽  
Steve M. J. Janssen
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Life Story ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Shared Knowledge ◽  
Trauma Symptoms ◽  
Individual Life ◽  
Significant Events ◽  
Cultural Life ◽  
Positive Individual ◽  
Life Scripts

Cultural Life Scripts (CLS) are shared knowledge about personal events expected to be experienced by individuals within a society, and used as a framework for life story narration. Differences in CLS for individuals with depression and trauma, and their relations to anxiety, stress, and well-being, have not been investigated. Malaysian participants (N = 120) described and rated seven significant events most likely to be experienced by a prototypical infant from their culture, and seven significant events they had experienced or expected to experience in their own life. Participants then answered questionnaires about depression and trauma symptoms and about anxiety, stress, and well-being. The subclinical depression group listed less typical CLS events, whereas the subclinical PTSD group listed less positive individual life story events. The findings indicate that, although individuals with depression and trauma possess knowledge of the CLS, there may be small differences in the cognitive processing of CLS and individual life story events.

scholarly journals Using the Life Story Book With Mentally Alert Residents of Nursing Homes

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 487-487
Author(s):  
Theresa Chrisman
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Life Story ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Wilks Lambda ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Hispanic White

Abstract Depression and lack of meaning in life (MIL) are common among residents of nursing homes (NHs) and contribute to a reduction in overall health and well-being. Life Story Book (LSB), a reminiscence intervention, is designed to provide a person with the opportunity to review their past and capture their life stories and photographs into a book. LSB has demonstrated positive outcomes for residents of NHs with dementia, yet little is known for residents without dementia. A switching replication design was used to examine the effects of LSB among 21 mentally alert residents from two NHs (NH-A and NH-B) in Houston, Texas. Participants in NH-A received three weeks of the LSB intervention, while NH-B received three weeks of care-as-usual; the intervention was then switched. The GDS-12R and the MIL questionnaire (MLQ) were used to measure depressive symptoms and MIL respectively. Participants from NH-A (n =11) and NH-B (n = 10) had a mean age of 75 years (SD =11.34); 81% female; 52% non-Hispanic white and 33% African American. Results from a one-way MANCOVA found no statistically significant difference on the GDS-12R and MLQ (F(3, 14) = 2.50, p = .102; Wilks’ Lambda = .652; η2 = .35). Further analyses comparing the pre-intervention and post-intervention scores for the entire sample (N =21) found a significant reduction in depressive symptoms (M = 2.67; SD = 2.52) and (M =1.67, SD = 2.29); (t (20) = 2.21, p = 0.039). The potential benefits of LSB for mentally alert residents of NHs warrants further research.

Life Review in Pastoral Counseling: Background and Efficacy for Use with the Terminally III

2003 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert G. LeFavi ◽  
Marcia H. Wessels
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Pastoral Counseling ◽  
Life Story ◽  
Terminally Ill ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Life Review ◽  
Systematic Theology ◽  
Spiritual Needs ◽  
Traumatic Death ◽  
Spiritual Assessment

Research continues to confirm that sharing one's life story through the process of life review enhances psychological well-being and increases life satisfaction. Although researchers have outlined techniques and activities that may be used in life review with older adults, little work has focused on the use of life review methods with terminally ill patients. Additionally, researchers have suggested that life review can take on the form of a spiritual assessment; and that such spiritually oriented life reviews may enhance a sense of meaning and foster reconciliation as one approaches dying. In this article, the authors provide a brief review of the research on and the practice of life review. Further, by merging concepts of life review with systematic theology, they offer a sample instrument—using the example of one faith framework—with which pastoral caregivers can better approach the spiritual needs of patients and facilitate a less traumatic death in the terminally ill.

THE UNIVERSALITY OF OTITIS MEDIA IN 50 INFANTS WITH CLEFT PALATE

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1969 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-42
Author(s):  
Jack L. Paradise ◽  
Charles D. Bluestone ◽  
Herman Felder
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Cleft Palate ◽  
Otitis Media ◽  
Middle Ear ◽  
Emotional Development ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Suppurative Otitis Media ◽  
Middle Ear Disease ◽  
And Function ◽  
Irreparable Damage

Bilateral secretory (serous) or suppurative otitis media was found without exception in 50 infants with cleft palate who were 20 months of age or younger. Middle ear disease probably develops in all cleft palate infants during the first few months of life, and appears to be best managed by myringotomy with insertion of plastic tubes. Unless drainage and aeration of the middle ear are accomplished, irreparable damage to middle ear structures may develop in some patients; and, in all of them, hearing impairment will probably persist throughout infancy or longer, with adverse effects on well-being and function and with serious implications for intellectual, speech, and emotional development. Further studies are required to assess the long-range effectiveness of surgical management.

The Development of an Interpersonal Stressors Scale: Identifying Self-Imposed and Other-Imposed Interpersonal Stressors

2021 ◽  
pp. 003329412110434
Author(s):  
Danni Wang ◽  
Lu Tian ◽  
Zhi-jin Hou ◽  
Jiang-Ping Zhou ◽  
Adam Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Relationship Maintenance ◽  
Chinese College Students ◽  
General Anxiety ◽  
Initial Item ◽  
Interpersonal Stressors ◽  
And Function ◽  
Anxiety Depression

While there has been research focused on interpersonal relationships and their impact on stress and well-being, no instrument has been developed to comprehensively evaluate interpersonal stressors. This research sought to develop and validate an Interpersonal Stressors Scale (ISS) for Chinese college students through three studies. Focus groups were used to generate the initial item pool (Study 1). Then two large samples ( N1 = 511; N2 = 330) were collected to explore the factor structure of the ISS and subsequently examine its reliability and validity estimates (study 2 and 3). Initial results indicated a model with 27 items and five first-order factors (interaction difficulty, behaving as expected, social criticism, relationship maintenance, and indebtedness avoidance) as well as two second-order factors (self-imposed stressors and other-imposed stressors) with strong psychometric properties. Criterion-related validity estimates indicated these two kinds of stressors were both associated with stress while having different relationships with general anxiety, depression, social anxiety, interpersonal satisfaction, and self-efficacy in social interactions. The nature and function of the structure for the ISS were discussed as well as the practical and research implications.

The Impact on Well-Being of Experiences at Cultural Events

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Gorchakova ◽  
Kenneth F. Hyde
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Emotional Engagement ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Art Galleries ◽  
Special Events ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Favourable Environment ◽  
The Impact

Major international cultural exhibitions, often referred to as touring ‘blockbuster’ exhibitions (TBEs), are arguably among the most stimulating and engaging event experiences. The role of orchestrating an experience that is meaningful and memorable has captured the attention of scholars in the events literature over recent decades. The aims of this paper are to re-conceptualise major international cultural exhibitions as special events, present a framework of the experiences these exhibitions generate for visitors, and explore the roles such experiences play in visitor well-being. The study draws on the findings of qualitative research conducted in Australia and New Zealand. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives of art galleries and museums in Melbourne, Canberra, Auckland, and Wellington involved in hosting ‘blockbuster’ exhibitions, as well as representatives of regional cultural, tourism, and events organisations. This paper presents a ‘3Es’ experience realms framework, which comprises the key experiences that a major cultural and arts event generates for visitors: entertainment, enrichment, and emotional engagement. The first realm of the 3Es framework, entertainment, has encountered scepticism in the museum field; however, research findings here corroborate the arguments of those scholars who hold that entertainment may help to engage visitors and facilitate education. Enrichment comprises the creation of a favourable environment for new knowledge to be processed, and the enhancement of knowledge. The third realm is an emotionally engaging experience that results from social interactions, activities, and contemplation of and learning about unique exhibits. The framework demonstrates an interplay of these three major experiential dimensions and visitors’ hedonic and eudaemonic well-being. Exhibition and event organisers can utilise this framework to plan the delivery of memorable experiences for visitors and explore the ways in which their event can be made enjoyable, enriching, and emotionally engaging.

scholarly journals Neurodivergent Themed Neighbourhoods as A Strategy to Enhance the Liveability of Cities: The Blueprint of an Autism Village, Its Benefits to Neurotypical Environments

Urban Science ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eurydice Chan
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Design Guidelines ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Different Populations ◽  
Limited Option ◽  
Living Environments ◽  
And Function

In the next decades, it is expected that there will be a significant number of adults living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who will continue to strive in the neurotypical environment. Despite the recent rise of developments that deviate from the institutional type of facility, many parents continue to voice their struggle to find safe and appropriate living environments for their adult children. The problem is not just the limited option on where to live, financing a home is also another dilemma. Thus, the challenge to provide appropriate living environments coincide with the need to provide meaningful opportunities that allows them to thrive and function in the society. This paper explores the existing design guidelines through recommendations on how spaces can be articulated by considering the value of savant skills and productive vocational skills for individuals living with ASD. This optimistic approach hopes to enlighten built environment practitioners in designing spaces where different populations can co–exist, particularly those with varied abilities. The environmental needs of ASDs and the proposed spatial interventions also extend its benefits to the well–being of neurotypicals. In addition, the participation of the ASD population in the built environment bridges accessibility and spatial experience. Therefore, designing neurodivergent neighbourhoods can be employed as a strategy to improve and enhance the liveability of urban regions.

scholarly journals Letters of Gratitude: Improving Well-Being through Expressive Writing.

2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Toepfer ◽  
Kathleen Walker
Keyword(s):  
Expressive Writing ◽  
Well Being

scholarly journals The Effects of Ionising and Non-Ionising Electromagnetic Radiation on Extracellular Matrix Proteins

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 3041
Author(s):  
Ren Jie Tuieng ◽  
Sarah H. Cartmell ◽  
Cliona C. Kirwan ◽  
Michael J. Sherratt
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Electromagnetic Radiation ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ecm Proteins ◽  
Clinical Consequences ◽  
Radiation Induced ◽  
And Function ◽  
Cellular Components

Exposure to sub-lethal doses of ionising and non-ionising electromagnetic radiation can impact human health and well-being as a consequence of, for example, the side effects of radiotherapy (therapeutic X-ray exposure) and accelerated skin ageing (chronic exposure to ultraviolet radiation: UVR). Whilst attention has focused primarily on the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with cells and cellular components, radiation-induced damage to long-lived extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins has the potential to profoundly affect tissue structure, composition and function. This review focuses on the current understanding of the biological effects of ionising and non-ionising radiation on the ECM of breast stroma and skin dermis, respectively. Although there is some experimental evidence for radiation-induced damage to ECM proteins, compared with the well-characterised impact of radiation exposure on cell biology, the structural, functional, and ultimately clinical consequences of ECM irradiation remain poorly defined.

scholarly journals The broaden–and–build theory of positive emotions

2004 ◽  
Vol 359 (1449) ◽  
pp. 1367-1377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara L. Fredrickson
Keyword(s):  
Close Relationships ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Social Bonds ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Resources ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Broaden And Build Theory ◽  
And Function ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Action Tendencies

The broaden–and–build theory describes the form and function of a subset of positive emotions, including joy, interest, contentment and love. A key proposition is that these positive emotions broaden an individual's momentary thought–action repertoire: joy sparks the urge to play, interest sparks the urge to explore, contentment sparks the urge to savour and integrate, and love sparks a recurring cycle of each of these urges within safe, close relationships. The broadened mindsets arising from these positive emotions are contrasted to the narrowed mindsets sparked by many negative emotions (i.e. specific action tendencies, such as attack or flee). A second key proposition concerns the consequences of these broadened mindsets: by broadening an individual's momentary thought–action repertoire—whether through play, exploration or similar activities—positive emotions promote discovery of novel and creative actions, ideas and social bonds, which in turn build that individual's personal resources; ranging from physical and intellectual resources, to social and psychological resources. Importantly, these resources function as reserves that can be drawn on later to improve the odds of successful coping and survival. This chapter reviews the latest empirical evidence supporting the broaden–and–build theory and draws out implications the theory holds for optimizing health and well–being.

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