The Yin and Yang of Attitudes and Related Constructs

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Ma-Kellams ◽  
Julie Spencer-Rodgers ◽  
Kaiping Peng
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Dissonance ◽  
Temporal Stability ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Self ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cultural Variation ◽  
Dialectical Thinking ◽  
Yin And Yang ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Affective Components

Much of the literature has examined how dialectical thinking influences the self, emotions, and well-being. How does dialectical thinking affect valenced evaluations of objects outside of the self? This chapter argues that naive dialecticism shapes the internal consistency, cross-situational consistency, and temporal stability of attitudes and related constructs. It begins with a discussion of how dialecticism leads to greater attitudinal ambivalence or “both-valenced” (positive/negative) evaluations of a wide variety of phenomena. It then examines how dialecticism can explain the cultural variation in ingroup favoring versus ingroup derogating tendencies. The difference between cognitive versus affective components and implicit versus explicit levels emerge as important distinctions in elucidating cultural variation in group-based attitudes. The chapter continues with a discussion of how dialecticism can account for cultural differences in cognitive dissonance, intergroup attitudes and relations, and attitude flexibility and change, and topics for future research are proposed.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of a short Yoga Nidra meditation on stress, sleep, and well-being in a large and diverse sample

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther N. Moszeik ◽  
Timo von Oertzen ◽  
Karl-Heinz Renner
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Core Element ◽  
Waitlist Control Group ◽  
Affective Components ◽  
Meditation Group ◽  
Yoga Nidra

Abstract Previous studies have shown that meditation-based interventions can have a significant impact on stress and well-being in various populations. To further extend these findings, an 11-min Yoga Nidra meditation that may especially be integrated in a busy daily schedule by people who can only afford short time for breaks was adapted and analyzed in an experimental online study design. The effects of this short meditation on stress, sleep, well-being and mindfulness were examined for the first time. The meditation was provided as audio file and carried out during a period of 30 days by the participants of the meditation group. A Structural Equation Model (SEM) was used to analyze the data with Full Information Maximum Likelihood (FIML) in order to cope with missing data. As expected, the meditation group (N = 341) showed lower stress, higher well-being and improved sleep quality after the intervention (very small to small effect sizes) compared with a waitlist control group (N = 430). It turned out that the meditation had a stronger impact on the reduction of negative affect than on the increase of positive affect and also a stronger effect on affective components of well-being. Mindfulness, as a core element of the meditation, increased during the study within the meditation group. All effects remained stable at follow-up six weeks later. Overall, a large, heterogeneous sample showed that already a very short dose of meditation can positively influence stress, sleep, and well-being. Future research should consider biological markers as well as active control groups.

scholarly journals Screening Using the SDQ Total Difficulties Scale: An Analog Test of Three Cutoff Values

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler L Renshaw
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Analog Test ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Cutoff Values ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties

This brief report presents an analog test of the relative classification validity of three cutoff values (CVs; 16, 18, and 20) derived from responses to the self-report version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: Total Difficulties Scale. Results from Bayesian t-tests, using several school-specific subjective well-being indicators as dependent variables, yielded evidence suggesting all CV models effectively differentiated between students with lower and higher levels of risk. Evidence also indicated that the lowest CV (16) was more effective than the higher CVs (18, 20) at identifying students with greater levels of risk, and that the higher CVs functioned comparably well. Implications for future research and practice are noted.

Development and Initial Validation of the Self-Care Practices Scale

Social Work ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-28
Author(s):  
Jacquelyn J Lee ◽  
Shari E Miller ◽  
Brian E Bride
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Construct Validity ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
The Self ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Care Practices

Abstract Self-care is regarded as essential for effective social work practice, offsetting occupational stress and promoting well-being and resiliency among practitioners. However, the literature reveals a notable absence of psychometrically sound instruments to measure self-care. The purpose of the present study was to describe the development, refinement, and construct validity of the Self-Care Practices Scale (SCPS). The piloted version of the SCPS is a 38-item instrument designed to measure frequency of engagement in personal and professional self-care practices. Data were collected through mailed surveys from a random sample of master’s-level clinical social workers and members of the National Association of Social Workers (N = 492). Analysis supports the construct validity of an 18-item SCPS with two subscales that demonstrate strong internal validity. The SCPS is useful for social work educators, practitioners, and administrators to ascertain frequency of self-care practice and build a stronger culture of self-care. The role of SCPS in future research is discussed.

scholarly journals The Happy Migrant? Emigration and its Impact on Subjective Well-Being

2021 ◽  
pp. 189-204
Author(s):  
Jean Guedes Auditor ◽  
Marcel Erlinghagen
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Propensity Score ◽  
Host Country ◽  
Panel Study ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Difference In Difference ◽  
The Difference ◽  
First Time

AbstractThe chapter asks about possible causal effects of migration on subjective well-being (SWB) measured by self-reported overall life satisfaction. By combining the emigration sample of the German Emigration and Remigration Panel Study (GERPS) with a quasi-counterfactual sample of internationally non-mobile Germans provided by the Socio-Economic Panel Study (SOEP) the difference-in-difference analyses show that emigration is actually accompanied by an increase in SWB. Based on propensity score matching procedures and compared to non-mobile German stayers, German first-time emigrants show a significant increase in SWB shortly after arrival in their host country. For most emigrants, migration pays off not only economically via increasing incomes but also with regard to an increase in life satisfaction. However, the underlying analysis has certain limitations and we therefore discuss the significance of the presented evidence and consequences and challenges for future research.

Culture and the Development of Moralities of Community

2020 ◽  
pp. 51-70
Author(s):  
Joan G. Miller ◽  
Malin Källberg-Shroff
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Sensitivity ◽  
Final Section ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Family Relations ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cultural Variation ◽  
Children And Families ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Socialization Processes

Community pertains to the bonds that individuals have with family and friends and is fundamental to the individual’s sense of self and well-being. This chapter provides evidence that concerns with community constitute a type of morality that is qualitatively distinct from the morality of justice and that moralities of community take culturally variable forms. The authors begin by highlighting respects in which, in privileging justice considerations, mainstream models of morality downplay concerns with community. They then present evidence for the existence of moralities of community and for cultural variation in its forms. This is followed by a discussion of work on the developmental emergence of moralities of community and the socialization processes through which moralities of community emerge. In a final section, the authors identify challenges for future research in addressing issues of social justice in family relations and achieving greater cultural sensitivity in policy interventions with children and families.

scholarly journals C-25 Neurocognitive Correlates of Chronological and Subjective Age Differences in Persons Living with HIV compared to those without HIV

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 1054-1054
Author(s):  
M Kohli ◽  
L Kamalyan ◽  
E Pasipanodya ◽  
R Moore ◽  
S Letendre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Successful Aging ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Subjective Age ◽  
Persons Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Serostatus ◽  
Functioning Inventory ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Objective Investigate the discrepancy between subjective and chronologic age by HIV-serostatus, and the association of this discrepancy with subjective neurocognitive functioning (NCF) and objective NCF. Methods One hundred nineteen persons living with HIV (PWLH) and 98 HIV-uninfected (HIV-) adults (Mage = 50.9; SDage = 7.9) completed a comprehensive neurobehavioral battery. Subjective age was assessed using a single-item question (i.e., “how old do you feel?”). The difference between chronologic and subjective age resulted in subjective age discrepancy scores (SADS). Subjective NCF was measured using the Patient’s Assessment of Own Functioning Inventory; objective NCF was measured using global demographically-corrected T-scores. Linear regressions examined the association between subjective and objective NCF with SADS, covarying for significant PLWH and HIV- group differences (i.e., education, sex, ethnicity, and lifetime Major Depressive Disorder). Results PLWH reported lower SADS (indicating closer correspondence between chronologic and subjective age) than their HIV- counterparts, who reported feeling much younger (p = .05; 95% CI: -5.4, .001). Among PLWH, better subjective NCF was significantly related to greater SADS (p = .0002; 95% CI: -.48, -.16). Objective NCF was not associated with SADS among persons with and without HIV. Conclusions Adults without HIV reported feeling younger than their chronologic age, whereas PLWH felt significantly closer to their chronologic age. SADS were negatively associated with only subjective NCF, among only PLWH. This suggests perceived cognitive functioning has a greater impact on psychological well-being among this group. Future research is warranted to delineate the relationship between HIV, subjective neurocognition, and psychosocial factors related to daily functioning to improve successful aging outcomes among this vulnerable population.

Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy of an App-Based Meditation Intervention to Improve Firefighter Well-Being During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thaddeus W W Pace ◽  
Katharine H Zeiders ◽  
Stephanie Cook ◽  
Evelyn Sarsar ◽  
Lindsay T Hoyt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Self ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Occupational Stressors ◽  
Objective Indicator ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
Insight Into

BACKGROUND Firefighters are often exposed to occupational stressors that can result in psychological distress. These occupational stressors have only intensified with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and will likely persist in the post-pandemic world. OBJECTIVE To address occupational stressors confronting firefighters and to improve their well-being, we pilot tested a novel, cost-effective smartphone-based meditation intervention created by Healthy Minds Innovations (Madison, WI) that focused on trainings in mindfulness (awareness) along with practices designed to cultivate positive relationships (connection), insight into the nature of the self (insight), as well as sense of purpose in the context of challenge (purpose) with a sample of professional firefighters from a large metropolitan area in the southwestern United States. METHODS Participants (N = 35) completed the self-guided, 10-unit meditation app over the course of 10 days, with one unit per day. We assessed several aspects of psychological well-being (anxiety, depression, burnout, and negative affect) and an objective indicator of stress-related biology, saliva diurnal cortisol rhythm, before and after use of the meditation app. RESULTS The study demonstrated the meditation app was both feasible and acceptable for use with firefighters. We also found significant reductions in firefighters’ anxiety, burnout, and negative affect, as well as changes in cortisol diurnal rhythm from before to after use of the meditation app. CONCLUSIONS Findings support future research to demonstrate efficacy of this meditation app to improve firefighter well-being.

scholarly journals Screening Using the SDQ Total Difficulties Scale: An Analog Test of Three Cutoff Values

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (8) ◽  
pp. 1030-1036
Author(s):  
Tyler L. Renshaw
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Analog Test ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Cutoff Values ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties

This brief report presents an analog test of the relative classification validity of three cutoff values (CVs; 16, 18, and 20) derived from responses to the self-report version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: Total Difficulties Scale. Results from Bayesian t-tests, using several school-specific subjective well-being indicators as dependent variables, yielded evidence suggesting all CV models effectively differentiated between students with lower and higher levels of risk. Evidence also indicated that the lowest CV (16) was more effective than the higher CVs (18, 20) at identifying students with greater levels of risk, and that the higher CVs functioned comparably well. Implications for future research and practice are noted.

More than Welfare: The Experiences of Employed and Unemployed Ontario Basic Income Recipients

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Ferdosi ◽  
Tom McDowell
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Self ◽  
Basic Income ◽  
Pilot Site ◽  
Housing Stability ◽  
Policy Tool ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Use Of Health Services

AbstractThis article explores the experiences of employed and unemployed Ontario Basic Income recipients in the Hamilton and Brantford pilot site. Integrating data from surveys and interviews, the self-reported outcomes of both groups are summarized. These outcomes pertain to employment, physical health, mental health, use of health services, food security, housing stability, financial well-being and social activities. The article highlights the difference in the degree of improvements between recipients who were working before and during the pilot versus those who were not employed at both times. Its broad conclusion is that both groups reported significant benefits, but it was recipients who were continuously employed that reported the greatest improvements. This suggests that basic income could be an important policy tool to improve the lives of low-income and precarious workers in Ontario and perhaps elsewhere.

On the Benefits of Giving Social Support

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tristen K. Inagaki ◽  
Edward Orehek
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Research Direction ◽  
The Self ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Connection ◽  
Future Research Direction ◽  
Care And Support ◽  
Support Provider

People who are socially integrated and have strong social ties live happier, longer lives. The link between social connection and well-being is commonly explained in terms of the benefits of receiving care and support from others. However, the benefits of giving care and support to others for the support provider are often overlooked. We review emerging findings that suggest when, why, and how giving support to others provides benefits to the self. We identify possible mechanisms by which these benefits arise and outline boundary conditions that influence such benefits. To gain a richer understanding of the association between social ties and well-being, an important future research direction is to not only consider the support receiver but also emphasize the support provider.

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