scholarly journals The Structure of Adolescent and Adult Savoring and  Its Relationship to Feeling Good and Functioning Well

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Erica D. Chadwick
Keyword(s):  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Developmental Differences ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Positive Events ◽  
High Arousal ◽  
Negatively Associated ◽  
Adolescents And Adults ◽  
Broaden And Build Theory ◽  
Age Range

<p>I sought to contribute to the understanding of positive health, in particular savoring and wellbeing, by conducting concurrent and longitudinal studies with adolescents and adults. The thesis begins with a review of the literature including savoring theory (Bryant & Veroff, 2007) and the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions (Fredrickson, 2001); these theories led to the key expectations that the psychometric structure of everyday savoring would be similar for adolescents and adults, and that amplifying savoring would positively predict wellbeing. Data obtained from two surveys, a paper-and-pencil survey with New Zealand adolescents (13 to 15 years old) and an internet-based survey with international adults (16 to 88 years old), were investigated in four studies across four empirical chapters (Chapters 2 through 5). Study 1 (Chapter 2) explored the similarities and differences in the psychometric structure of an abridged Ways of Savoring Checklist, labelled everyday savoring, between adolescents (N = 463) and adults (N = 980), as well as mean group differences in adolescents' and adults' degree of savoring. Study 2 (Chapter 3) investigated the concurrent relationships between adolescent and adult everyday savoring and hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing as well as the ability of savoring to moderate wellbeing. Then, Study 3 and Study 4 investigated the relationships between savoring and wellbeing across time for adolescents (N = 265; Study 3, Chapter 4) and adults (N = 1858; Study 4, Chapter 5), including savoring as a mediator of the relationship between everyday positive events and wellbeing (Chapter 4), and orientations to happiness as a moderator of savoring and everyday positive events (Chapter 5). Results indicated that adolescents and adults yielded a similar four-factor structure of everyday savoring: dampening ("I don‘t deserve it"), low arousal ("I tried to slow down"), high arousal ("I jumped up and down"), and self-focus ("I reminded myself how lucky I was") savoring strategies, which proved to be invariant across time. The adolescent group, however, manifested a stronger association between amplifying (i.e. low arousal, high arousal, and self-focused savoring) and dampening savoring. Adolescents also reported higher levels of dampening compared to the adult group, whereas adults reported higher amplifying than adolescents. As expected, high arousal and self-focused savoring were positively, and dampening was negatively, associated with wellbeing indicators for adolescents and adults. However, low arousal savoring was negatively associated with hedonia for adolescents, but positively associated with eudaimonia for adults. The longitudinal analyses indicated that amplifying savoring predicted increases in wellbeing whereas dampening savoring predicted decreases in wellbeing for both age groups. The direction of effect, however, was not always as expected, questioning general assumptions of savoring theory and the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. These exceptions are most noted and explored in the final empirical chapter, Chapter 5. Overall the findings suggest that savoring is similar and similarly important for wellbeing over the age range incorporating adolescence to adulthood, although potential developmental differences are important to consider. The contribution of this thesis to the study of savoring, the field of positive psychology, and positive health development are reviewed in Chapter 6, as are the implications, limitations, and future directions.</p>

scholarly journals The Structure of Adolescent and Adult Savoring and  Its Relationship to Feeling Good and Functioning Well

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Erica D. Chadwick
Keyword(s):  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Developmental Differences ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Positive Events ◽  
High Arousal ◽  
Negatively Associated ◽  
Adolescents And Adults ◽  
Broaden And Build Theory ◽  
Age Range

<p>I sought to contribute to the understanding of positive health, in particular savoring and wellbeing, by conducting concurrent and longitudinal studies with adolescents and adults. The thesis begins with a review of the literature including savoring theory (Bryant & Veroff, 2007) and the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions (Fredrickson, 2001); these theories led to the key expectations that the psychometric structure of everyday savoring would be similar for adolescents and adults, and that amplifying savoring would positively predict wellbeing. Data obtained from two surveys, a paper-and-pencil survey with New Zealand adolescents (13 to 15 years old) and an internet-based survey with international adults (16 to 88 years old), were investigated in four studies across four empirical chapters (Chapters 2 through 5). Study 1 (Chapter 2) explored the similarities and differences in the psychometric structure of an abridged Ways of Savoring Checklist, labelled everyday savoring, between adolescents (N = 463) and adults (N = 980), as well as mean group differences in adolescents' and adults' degree of savoring. Study 2 (Chapter 3) investigated the concurrent relationships between adolescent and adult everyday savoring and hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing as well as the ability of savoring to moderate wellbeing. Then, Study 3 and Study 4 investigated the relationships between savoring and wellbeing across time for adolescents (N = 265; Study 3, Chapter 4) and adults (N = 1858; Study 4, Chapter 5), including savoring as a mediator of the relationship between everyday positive events and wellbeing (Chapter 4), and orientations to happiness as a moderator of savoring and everyday positive events (Chapter 5). Results indicated that adolescents and adults yielded a similar four-factor structure of everyday savoring: dampening ("I don‘t deserve it"), low arousal ("I tried to slow down"), high arousal ("I jumped up and down"), and self-focus ("I reminded myself how lucky I was") savoring strategies, which proved to be invariant across time. The adolescent group, however, manifested a stronger association between amplifying (i.e. low arousal, high arousal, and self-focused savoring) and dampening savoring. Adolescents also reported higher levels of dampening compared to the adult group, whereas adults reported higher amplifying than adolescents. As expected, high arousal and self-focused savoring were positively, and dampening was negatively, associated with wellbeing indicators for adolescents and adults. However, low arousal savoring was negatively associated with hedonia for adolescents, but positively associated with eudaimonia for adults. The longitudinal analyses indicated that amplifying savoring predicted increases in wellbeing whereas dampening savoring predicted decreases in wellbeing for both age groups. The direction of effect, however, was not always as expected, questioning general assumptions of savoring theory and the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. These exceptions are most noted and explored in the final empirical chapter, Chapter 5. Overall the findings suggest that savoring is similar and similarly important for wellbeing over the age range incorporating adolescence to adulthood, although potential developmental differences are important to consider. The contribution of this thesis to the study of savoring, the field of positive psychology, and positive health development are reviewed in Chapter 6, as are the implications, limitations, and future directions.</p>

scholarly journals Nocturnal Melatonin Suppression by Adolescents and Adults for Different Levels, Spectra, and Durations of Light Exposure

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohan Nagare ◽  
Mark S. Rea ◽  
Barbara Plitnick ◽  
Mariana G. Figueiro
Keyword(s):  
White Light ◽  
Exposure Duration ◽  
Light Exposure ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Light Level ◽  
Light Spectra ◽  
Melatonin Suppression ◽  
Level Spectrum ◽  
Adolescents And Adults ◽  
Age Range

The human circadian system is primarily regulated by the 24-h LD cycle incident on the retina, and nocturnal melatonin suppression is a primary outcome measure for characterizing the biological clock’s response to those light exposures. A limited amount of data related to the combined effects of light level, spectrum, and exposure duration on nocturnal melatonin suppression has impeded the development of circadian-effective lighting recommendations and light-treatment methods. The study’s primary goal was to measure nocturnal melatonin suppression for a wide range of light levels (40 to 1000 lux), 2 white light spectra (2700 K and 6500 K), and an extended range of nighttime light exposure durations (0.5 to 3.0 h). The study’s second purpose was to examine whether differences existed between adolescents’ and adults’ circadian sensitivity to these lighting characteristics. The third purpose was to provide an estimate of the absolute threshold for the impact of light on acute melatonin suppression. Eighteen adolescents (age range, 13 to 18 years) and 23 adults (age range, 24 to 55 years) participated in the study. Results showed significant main effects of light level, spectrum, and exposure duration on melatonin suppression. Moreover, the data also showed that the relative suppressing effect of light on melatonin diminishes with increasing exposure duration for both age groups and both spectra. The present results do not corroborate our hypothesis that adolescents exhibit greater circadian sensitivity to short-wavelength radiation compared with adults. As for threshold, it takes longer to observe significant melatonin suppression at lower CS levels than at higher CS levels. Dose-response curves (amount and duration) for both white-light spectra and both age groups can guide lighting recommendations when considering circadian-effective light in applications such as offices, schools, residences, and healthcare facilities.

Synthetic and Natural Speech Preferences of Male and Female Listeners in Four Age Groups

1989 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pat Mirenda ◽  
Douglas Eicher ◽  
David R. Beukelman
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Female Child ◽  
Synthetic Speech ◽  
Speech Technology ◽  
Male Adult ◽  
Adult Men ◽  
Communication Devices ◽  
Adolescents And Adults ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Age Range

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the preferences of listeners of both sexes in four age groups with regard to natural and computer-generated synthetic speech in six different contexts. The subjects (listeners) for this study included 5 males and 5 females in each of four age groups (6–8 year olds, 10–12 year olds, adolescents, and adults). The listeners rated their preferences for 11 different voices (four natural and seven synthetic) on a 5-point Likert scale. Their preferences were rated for six communication contexts dependent on the potential user of the voice (adult male, adult female, child male, child female, computer, and self). The data were analyzed separately for each of the six communication contexts. In general, female listeners across the age range indicated that only natural female voices (adult or child) were acceptable alternatives to their own speech, thus rejecting the natural male voices as well as the synthetic voices. Male listeners appeared to be somewhat more flexible in terms of gender-appropriateness for themselves and other adult men, but selected female-sounding voices for women and female children. Children preferred to have computers produce synthesized speech, while adults preferred computers with more natural-sounding voices. The results of this investigation raise a number of issues related to the combined effects of age and gender-appropriateness of natural and synthetic speech. These are discussed in terms of their implications for the future development of synthetic speech technology used in communication devices.

scholarly journals Development of functional corticomuscular connectivity from childhood to adulthood during precision grip with the dominant and non-dominant hand

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikkel Malling Beck ◽  
Meaghan Elizabeth Spedden ◽  
Jesper Lundbye-Jensen
Keyword(s):  
Motor Control ◽  
Precision Grip ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Ontogenetic Development ◽  
List Type ◽  
Dominant Hand ◽  
Corticomuscular Coherence ◽  
Older Adolescents ◽  
Adolescents And Adults ◽  
Age Range

AbstractHow does the neural control of manual movements mature from childhood to adulthood? Here, we investigated developmental differences in functional corticomuscular connectivity using coherence techniques in 91 individuals recruited from four different age groups covering the age range 8-30y. EEG and EMG were recorded while participants performed a unimanual visual force-tracing task requiring fine control of the force produced in a precision grip with both the dominant and non-dominant hand. Using beamforming methods, we reconstructed source activity from EEG data displaying peak coherence with the active FDI muscle during the task in order to assess functional corticomuscular connectivity. Our results revealed that coherence was greater in adolescents and adults than in children and that the difference in coherence between children and adults was driven by a greater magnitude of descending (cortex-to-muscle) coherence. This was paralleled by the observation of a posterior-to-anterior shift in the cortical sources displaying corticomuscular coherence within the contralateral hemisphere from late adolescence. Finally, we observed that corticomuscular coherence was higher on the non-dominant compared to the dominant hand across age groups. These findings provide a detailed characterization of differences in task-related corticomuscular connectivity for individuals at different stages of typical ontogenetic development that may be related to the maturational refinement of dexterous motor control.Key points‐Fine motor control is gradually refined during human motor development, but little is known about the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms.‐Here, we used EEG and EMG to investigate functional corticomuscular connectivity during a precision grip with the dominant and non-dominant hand in 91 typically developed children, adolescents and adults (age range 8-30y).‐We show that older adolescents and adults are characterized by greater levels of corticomuscular coherence compared to children and that this is mainly driven by greater magnitudes of descending coherence (cortex-to-muscle). This is paralleled by a more anterior cortical site of coherence in older adolescents and adults compared to younger individuals.‐These results help us better understand the ontogenetic development of task-related functional connectivity in sensorimotor networks.

scholarly journals Benefits of Wise Organizations on Employees’ Well-Being: A Comparison of Younger and Older Workers

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 911-912
Author(s):  
Monika Ardelt ◽  
Bhavna Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Older Workers ◽  
Time Pressure ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Selection Effect ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Age Range

Abstract Research has shown a positive relation between personal wisdom and well-being, particularly in old age. Yet, it is unknown whether wisdom in the workplace also has a positive impact on workers’ well-being. We created a wise organization index for nine organizations based on 74 to 390 average employees’ ratings of perceived flexibility at work, work opportunities for training and development, satisfaction with work benefits, absence of time pressure at work, work-life balance, job fulfillment, and job security. We predicted a stronger relation of wise organization on well-being for older workers (N=269; age range 50-74, M=56.08, SD=5.04) than for younger workers (N=552; age range 19-49, M=35.10, SD=8.17) who can more easily change jobs. Results of multigroup analyses in LISREL 9.30 showed that the wise organization index had significant indirect effects on employees’ physical and subjective well-being at the second wave of data collection, mediated by employees’ perception of wise (fair and supportive) leadership assessed six months earlier and overall work satisfaction (career as calling, satisfaction with career progress, enthusiasm at work, and great workplace) at Wave 2. Contrary to expectations, the effects were not statistically different between the two age groups. However, physical well-being had a statistically stronger association with subjective well-being among younger rather than older workers, possibly indicating a positive health selection effect in the older age group. It appears that wise organizations encourage wise leadership and enable workers to work longer by contributing to their work-related, physical, and subjective well-being.

Positive Emotions

2009 ◽  
pp. 12-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A. Cohn ◽  
Barbara L. Fredrickson
Keyword(s):  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Life Outcomes ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Future Success ◽  
Broaden And Build Theory ◽  
Mental And Physical Health ◽  
Very High ◽  
Future Growth

Positive emotions include pleasant or desirable situational responses, ranging from interest and contentment to love and joy, but are distinct from pleasurable sensation and undifferentiated positive affect. These emotions are markers of people's overall well-being or happiness, but they also enhance future growth and success. This has been demonstrated in work, school, relationships, mental and physical health, and longevity. The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions suggests that all positive emotions lead to broadened repertoires of thoughts and actions and that broadening helps build resources that contribute to future success. Unlike negative emotions, which are adapted to provide a rapid response to a focal threat, positive emotions occur in safe or controllable situations and lead more diffusely to seeking new resources or consolidating gains. These resources outlast the temporary emotional state and contribute to later success and survival. This chapter discusses the nature of positive emotions both as evolutionary adaptations to build resources and as appraisals of a situation as desirable or rich in resources. We discuss the methodological challenges of evoking positive emotions for study both in the lab and in the field and issues in observing both short-term (“broaden”) and long-term (“build”) effects. We then review the evidence that positive emotions broaden perception, attention, motivation, reasoning, and social cognition and ways in which these may be linked to positive emotions' effects on important life outcomes. We also discuss and contextualize evidence that positive emotions may be detrimental at very high levels or in certain situations. We close by discussing ways in which positive emotions theory can be harnessed by both basic and applied positive psychology research.

scholarly journals Exploring Why Adult Mexican Males Do Not Get Vaccinated: Implications for COVID-19 Preventive Actions

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 515-527
Author(s):  
V. Nelly Salgado de Snyder ◽  
Deliana Garcia ◽  
Roxana Pineda ◽  
Jessica Calderon ◽  
Dania Diaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preventive Medicine ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Administrative Services ◽  
Minority Males ◽  
Socially Disadvantaged ◽  
Preventive Actions ◽  
Socially Excluded ◽  
Age Range

Vaccination is the single most important preventive medicine action worldwide. However, there are inequalities in the procurement of vaccines particularly among US ethnic and racial minority males when compared to the rest of the US population. This study explored the reasons given by adult Mexican-origin males residing in Texas, for obtaining or not, immunizations. This was a cross-sectional, exploratory study with a sample of convenience of 401 adult males (age range 18–79) who were invited to participate in the study while waiting their turn to receive administrative services at the Mexican Consulate in Austin Texas. Data was collected in Spanish with a seven-item multiple choice questionnaire, using electronic tablets. The majority of respondents received their last vaccination longer than 5 years earlier. A higher percentage of individuals in the older age groups received a vaccine in the last year, as opposed to their younger counterparts who obtained their last immunization 3 to 5 years earlier. Among the reasons given for not getting vaccinated were lack of time or money, feared injections and side effects, insufficient information, interest or motivation. Others did not get vaccines because they perceived themselves to be healthy and did not feel sick. Findings from this study have important implications for future preventive medicine and vaccination practices that reach socially excluded groups in times of COVID-19. Recommendations are made to facilitate access to vaccines to the target group of this study and other socially disadvantaged populations in the global health context.

scholarly journals Characteristics of Osteoporosis & Osteoporotic Fractures in Korea Based on Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) Database: 2009–2017

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 324
Author(s):  
Ho-Seok Oh ◽  
Sung-Kyu Kim ◽  
Hyoung-Yeon Seo
Keyword(s):  
Health Insurance ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Osteoporotic Fractures ◽  
Prescription Data ◽  
Diagnostic Codes ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Upper And Lower Extremities ◽  
Fractures Of The Spine ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Age Range

To investigate the incidence and characteristics of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures in Korea, we used the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database. Patients over 50 years old, who were diagnosed or treated for osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures in all hospitals and clinics, were analyzed between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2017 by using the HIRA database that contains prescription data and diagnostic codes. These data were retrospectively analyzed by decade and age-specific and gender-specific incidents in each year. We also evaluated other characteristics of patients including medication state of osteoporosis, primary used medical institution, regional-specific incidence of osteoporosis, and incidence of site-specific osteoporotic fractures. The number of osteoporosis patients over 50 years old, as diagnosed by a doctor, steadily increased from 2009 to 2017. The number of osteoporosis patients was notably greatest in the 60′s and 70′s age groups in every study period. Patients undergoing treatment for osteoporosis increased significantly (96%) from 2009 to 2017. Among the patients diagnosed with osteoporosis, the proportion who experienced osteoporotic fracture increased gradually (60%) from 2009 to 2017. The number of patients with osteoporotic fractures of the spine and hip was highest in the 70 to 90 age range, and the number of patients with osteoporotic fractures in the upper and lower extremities was highest in the 50 to 70 age range. Understanding the trends of osteoporosis in Korea will contribute to manage the increased number of patients with osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures.

scholarly journals Older Adults and Technology Use: A Systematic Literature Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 823-823
Author(s):  
Hyung Wook Choi ◽  
Rose Ann DiMaria-Ghalili ◽  
Mat Kelly ◽  
Alexander Poole ◽  
Erjia Yan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sample Population ◽  
Age Cohorts ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Nuanced Understanding ◽  
Smart Technologies ◽  
Age Range

Abstract Researchers are increasingly interested in leveraging technology to support the physical and mental well-being of older adults. We systematically reviewed previous scholars’ criteria for sampling older adult populations, focusing on age cohorts (namely adults over 65) and their use of internet and smart technologies. We iteratively developed keyword combinations that represent older adults and technology from the retrieved literature. Between 2011 and 2020, 70 systematic reviews were identified, 26 of which met our inclusion criteria for full review. Most important, not one of the 26 papers used a sample population classification more fine-grained than “65 and older.” A knowledge gap thus exists; researchers lack a nuanced understanding of differences within this extraordinarily broad age-range. Demographics that we propose to analyze empirically include not only finer measures of age (e.g., 65-70 or 71-75, as opposed to “65 and older”), but also those age groups’ attitudes toward and capacity for technology use.

scholarly journals The Experience of Empathy in Everyday Life

2021 ◽  
pp. 095679762199520
Author(s):  
Gregory John Depow ◽  
Zoë Francis ◽  
Michael Inzlicht
Keyword(s):  
Prosocial Behavior ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
Perspective Taking ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Negative Emotions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negatively Associated ◽  
The Everyday ◽  
Trait Empathy

We used experience sampling to examine perceptions of empathy in the everyday lives of a group of 246 U.S. adults who were quota sampled to represent the population on key demographics. Participants reported an average of about nine opportunities to empathize per day; these experiences were positively associated with prosocial behavior, a relationship not found with trait measures. Although much of the literature focuses on the distress of strangers, in everyday life, people mostly empathize with very close others, and they empathize with positive emotions 3 times as frequently as with negative emotions. Although trait empathy was negatively associated only with well-being, empathy in daily life was generally associated with increased well-being. Theoretically distinct components of empathy—emotion sharing, perspective taking, and compassion—typically co-occur in everyday empathy experiences. Finally, empathy in everyday life was higher for women and the religious but not significantly lower for conservatives and the wealthy.

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