scholarly journals Personal growth and life satisfaction during COVID-19: Self-forgiveness and compassion as correlates

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-119
Author(s):  
Ana María Beltrán-Morillas ◽  
Francisca Expósito

COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease that affects not only physical health, but also mental well-being. Two variables, which have been observed significantly in people facing difficult and complex situations that are also related to greater personal growth and satisfaction with life, are self-forgiveness and compassion for others. Thus, through a correlational study, we set out to examine how self-forgiveness and compassion are associated with personal growth and life satisfaction in this complicated situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In a sample of Spanish participants (N = 329, range from 18 to 83 years), the main results showed that self-forgiveness and compassion were positively related to personal growth and life satisfaction and that self-forgiveness was associated with increased personal growth and life satisfaction through compassion. Ultimately, these findings and their possible implications for therapeutic practice are discussed.

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S648-S648 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Cunha ◽  
L. Parente ◽  
A. Galhardo ◽  
M. Couto

IntroductionThe increase in aging population is a major advance in society, but also a great challenge, imposing the need for actions that promote successful aging, with higher subjective well-being and better health.Objectives(1) analyse the possible influence of socio-demographic variables in self-compassion, satisfaction with life, affection, physical and mental health (study variables); (2) understand how is that the study variables are associated with each other in old age; and (3) explore which variables best predict satisfaction with life and health in the elderly.MethodThe study sample consists of 155 individuals, aged between 65 and 94 years old, institutionalised and non-institutionalised.Results(1) significant correlations were found between some demographic and the study variables. (2) Significant associations were also found between self-compassion, subjective well-being and health. (3) linear regression analysis revealed that physical health is best predicted by greater life satisfaction and lower age; mental health is best predicted by increased satisfaction with life, self-compassion and decreased negative affect; and, finally, life satisfaction is predicted by a higher physical health and self-compassion.ConclusionsThese results suggest the importance of developing psychological skills such as warmth, tolerance and the acceptance of suffering bearing in mind that the elderly may experience difficulties resulting from the developmental characteristics of old age. Our findings suggest the possible beneficial effect of compassion, focused therapies designed for this specific population, particularly contributing to the promotion of life satisfaction and mental health of the Portuguese elderly.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra M. Rogowska ◽  
Dominika Ochnik ◽  
Cezary Kuśnierz ◽  
Monika Jakubiak ◽  
Astrid Schütz ◽  
...  

Abstract Background A cross-sectional study was performed to examine life satisfaction differences between university students from nine countries during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-national comparison of the association between life satisfaction and a set of variables was also conducted. Methods Participants in the study were 2349 university students with a mean age of 23 years (M = 23.15, SD = 4.66). There was a predominance of women (69.26%) and individuals studying at the bachelor level (78%). The research was conducted between May and July 2020 in nine countries: Slovenia (n=209), the Czech Republic (Czechia)(n=308), Germany (n=267), Poland (n=301), Ukraine (n=310), Russia (n=285), Turkey (n=310), Israel (n=199), and Colombia (n=153). Participants completed an online survey involving measures of satisfaction with life (SWLS), exposure to COVID-19, perceived negative impact of coronavirus (PNIC) on students' well-being, general self-reported health (GSRH), physical activity (PA), and some demographics (gender, place of residence, level of study). A one-way ANOVA was used to explore cross-national differences in life satisfaction. The χ2 independence test was performed separately in each country to examine associations between life satisfaction and other variables. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify life satisfaction predictors among a set of demographic and health-related variables in each of the nine countries. Results The level of life satisfaction varied between university students from the nine countries. The results for life satisfaction and the other variables differed between countries. Numerous associations were noted between satisfaction with life and several variables, and these showed cross-national differences. Distinct predictors of life satisfaction were observed for each country. However, poor self-rated physical health was a predictor of low life satisfaction independent of the country. Conclusions The association between life satisfaction and subjective assessment of physical health seems to be universal, while the other variables are related to cross-cultural differences. Special public health attention should be focused on psychologically supporting people who do not feel healthy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 867-867
Author(s):  
Betz King ◽  
Adam Duberstein ◽  
McGlinn Maureen

Abstract Dog park members initially join and attend dog parks for the wellbeing of their dogs, but often experience their own biopsychosocial benefits. This mixed methodology (Quantitative n=44, Qualitative n=11) ) pilot study utilized qualitative heuristic interviewing (Moustakas, C., 1990) and the Satisfaction with Life Survey (Pavot, W., & Diener, E. 2013). Data gathered from interviews and surveys administered to participants of a members-only dog-park indicate a high satisfaction with life. Members 60 years and older reported feelings of life satisfaction almost 7 points over the total respondent average, placing them in the “highly satisfied” range. All members experience the dog-park as a supportive social environment that benefits their physical health, mental health and the well-being of their canine companions. Five qualitative themes were identified: Canine Well-being, Community, Mental Health Benefits, Physical Health Benefits and Fights, Falls & Frustrations. These findings demonstrate the need for more research into the impact and importance of pet ownership, community dog parks and outdoor green spaces on older adults and life satisfaction.


2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 2401-2416
Author(s):  
Renante Adrogado Egcas ◽  
Ryan Michael Flores Oducado ◽  
Jerome Visperas Cleofas ◽  
Judith Solasco Rabacal ◽  
Samson Mahidlawon Lausa

The COVID-19 pandemic has been there for over a year and may substantially negatively impact student’s mental well-being. This study aimed to assess the subjective mental well-being and satisfaction with life of Filipino college students. This cross-sectional study involved the analysis of 1,141 college students in the Philippines. The data were collected using the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Results indicated that while 52.8% reported high satisfaction with life, 40.2% had poor mental well-being. Self-reported health status (β=1.899, p=.000), age (β=0.179, p=.000), and year level (β=0.306, p=.000) predicted mental well-being. On the other hand, subjective mental well-being (β=0.736, p=.000), self-reported health status (β=0.967, p=.000), and age (β=0.691, p=.025) predicted life satisfaction. The COVID-19 pandemic has likely affected students’ mental health and well-being. Interventions should be initiated to address the mental health needs of the students during this pandemic and even beyond the health crisis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 260-280
Author(s):  
Austen R. Anderson ◽  
Blaine J. Fowers

Friendships are an important source of happiness, well-being, physical health, and longevity. Researchers have often linked unidimensional friendship quality to life satisfaction and positive affect, which are hedonic forms of well-being. Aristotle presented an expanded view of friendship with three general characteristics: Utility, Pleasure, and Virtue. Following his theory, we expected Pleasure and Utility characteristics to be primarily related to hedonic well-being (HWB). In contrast, we expected Virtue characteristics to be more strongly related to eudaimonic well-being (EWB), which includes meaning, personal growth, and positive relationships in this study. This exploratory study assessed Aristotle’s theory about friendship and well-being with 375 participants. Two exploratory structural equation models were tested. There was an indirect relationship between Utility characteristics and HWB through Help Received. A friend’s Virtue characteristics had an indirect relationship with EWB through the reliability of the friendship. These findings indicate that friendship characteristics related to utility and virtue friendships appear to have differential implications for understanding the role of friends in happiness and flourishing.


BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S266-S266
Author(s):  
Chau Sian Lim ◽  
Zhen Wei Lew ◽  
Yoke Chiang Ng ◽  
Lai Huat Peh ◽  
Hatta Santoso Ong

AimsThis study aims to find out how alcohol use disorder (AUD) correlates to personal well-being and life satisfaction.BackgroundAUD is prevalent and leads to significant physical, physiological, and social-occupational impairment. Mental well-being involves the overall positive psychological state of a person – being well adjusted, socially engaged, and emotionally healthy. Despite the paradigm shift from purely treating mental illness to promoting positive mental health, there is limited literature describing the relationship between alcohol use disorder and mental well-being.MethodThis cross-sectional study was conducted in a general hospital in Singapore. Patients admitted across a span of two years were screened for possible alcohol use disorder. Patients were included if they were male, aged 21 years and above, and had the mental capacity to give consent. They were excluded if they had illicit drug use, acute mental illness, inability or refusal to give consent, or if they were already receiving intervention for addiction issues. Participants were administered the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Those who scored 8 or above were classified as being at risk for AUD, while those who scored 7 or less were classified as at low risk. They were also administered the Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI) and the “Satisfaction with Life as a Whole” question. The PWI measures individuals’ subjective well-being across seven domains. The “Satisfaction with Life as a Whole” question measures, on an eleven-point Likert scale, how satisfied the respondent feels with life in general. Demographic data were also collected and STATA v. 12.1 was used for statistical analysis.ResultAmong a total of 134 participants, 25 of them scored ≥8 on the AUDIT and 109 scored 7 or less. On the PWI, the group at risk scored significantly lower at 71.3 (95% CI: 66.0–76.7) compared to the group not at risk at 77.9 (95% CI: 75.8–79.9), p < 0.01. The results were similar on the “Satisfaction with Life as a Whole” item. The group at risk had a mean of 6.72 (95% CI: 6.03–7.41) while the group not at risk had a mean of 7.67 (95% CI: 7.41–7.93), both p < 0.01. The differences between the high risk and low risk groups remained statistically significant even after adjusting for differences in age, race, education level, and employment status.ConclusionThis study demonstrated a statistically significant association between AUD and personal well-being as well as satisfaction with life among males.


Author(s):  
Cheng-Yi Kuo ◽  
Jehn-Yih Wong

Objective - General well-being (GWB) is important for students’ mental wellness. This paper explores the motivations of Chinese students who study in Thailand and applies the push and pull model to explain how motivations influence life satisfaction (LS) and GWB. Methodology/Technique – 398 convenience samples from Dhurakij Pundit University were analysed. Finding - The results show that ‘personal growth’ is the most important push factor for motivation, whereas ‘the convenience to go to other cities’ is the most important pull factor for motivation. Moreover, overseas study motivations positively influence LS and GWB. Novelty - The theoretical and practical implications and study limitations are also discussed herein. Type of Paper: Empirical. Keywords: Push and Pull Theory; Life Satisfaction; General Well-being; Chinese Student; Thailand. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Yi, C; Kuo; Yih, J; Wong. 2019. Exploring Chinese Students’ Push and Pull Motivations in Influencing Life Satisfaction and General Well-being in Thailand, Global J. Bus. Soc. Sci. Review 7 (3): 178 – 184. https://doi.org/10.35609/gjbssr.2019.7.3(2) JEL Classification: M10, M14, M19.


Author(s):  
Taylor M. Dattilo ◽  
Randal S. Olshefski ◽  
Leena Nahata ◽  
Jennifer A. Hansen-Moore ◽  
Cynthia A. Gerhardt ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Young individuals face a variety of developmental tasks as they mature into adulthood. For survivors of childhood cancer, growing up may be more difficult due to their illness and late effects from treatment. This study is the first to quantitatively examine perceptions of maturity and how these perceptions contribute to satisfaction with life among young adult survivors of childhood cancer. Methods Ninety survivors of childhood cancer (Mage = 29.8; 7–37 years post-diagnosis) were recruited to complete online surveys on how mature they felt relative to peers, their perceived maturity on three domains (financial, personal, social), and life satisfaction. Results Most survivors (62%; n = 56) felt they grew up faster than their peers, and over half (56%; n = 50) felt more mature. Perceived maturity was high on all three domains, but brain tumor survivors reported significantly lower maturity than other survivors (d = 0.76–1.11). All maturity domains were positively associated with life satisfaction (r = .49–.56). Hierarchical linear regressions indicated that 44% of the variance in life satisfaction was explained by perceptions of growing up slower (β =  − 1.08, p = .004) and marginally by greater perceived personal maturity (β = 0.45, p = .061). Conclusions Childhood cancer can influence development, with most survivors feeling that they grew up faster and were more mature than peers. Personal maturity was related to life satisfaction, with survivors of brain tumors or those who felt they grew up slower at greatest risk for lower life satisfaction. Future research and clinical practice should consider survivors’ development and maturation across the life span to promote overall well-being.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (22) ◽  
pp. 9597
Author(s):  
Gabriella Nagy-Pénzes ◽  
Ferenc Vincze ◽  
Éva Bíró

Mental disorders are common in adolescents, and for effective interventions we should be aware of their determinants. However, there are only a small number of studies investigating the combined effect of multiple factors. Therefore, our aim is to assess the impact of socioeconomic status, social support, and health behavior on adolescents’ mental well-being. A cross-sectional health survey of 1641 children was carried out in accordance with the study protocol of the Hungarian Health Behavior in School-aged Children survey. Multivariate multiple regression was used to analyze the main determinants of mental well-being. The boys’ mental well-being was favorable compared to girls; lower subjective family wealth was associated with lower life satisfaction and depressive mood. Life satisfaction was positively related to healthy eating, social support, and physical activity. Unhealthy eating, sedentary lifestyle, and lower social support were associated with higher depression scores. Higher social support reduces psychosomatic symptoms, while unhealthy eating and spending a lot of time in front of the computer increase them. Both social support and healthy lifestyle seem to be protective against mental health problems among adolescents, and thus interventions should focus on these factors regardless of the socioeconomic status of the participants, with special attention given to girls.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 787
Author(s):  
Daniela Almeida ◽  
Diogo Monteiro ◽  
Filipe Rodrigues

The purpose of this study was to analyze the mediating role of life satisfaction in the relationship between fourteen coping strategies and depressive symptoms in the Portuguese population. To undertake this work, 313 Portuguese adults aged 18 to 70 years (M = 30.73; SD = 10.79) were invited to participate in this study. Their participation was completely voluntary, and participants granted and signed informed consent previously to the filling of the validated Portuguese questionnaires. These questionnaires measured depressive symptoms, coping, and life satisfaction. The results revealed that life satisfaction displayed a mediating role in the relationship between adaptive coping mechanisms, specifically between active coping, planning, reinterpretation, and acceptance and depressive symptoms, showing a negative and significant indirect effect. Maladaptive coping mechanisms of self-blame, denial, self-distraction, disengagement, and substance use had a significant positive association with depressive symptoms, considering the mediating role of satisfaction with life. Current investigation provides initial evidence of how each coping mechanism is associated with satisfaction with life and depressive symptoms. This study clearly demonstrates that not all coping strategies are capable of influencing well-being indicators and that health professionals should focus on endorsing those that are significantly associated with lowering depressive symptoms and increasing overall satisfaction with life.


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