Reflective Functioning of Refugee Mothers with Children Born of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence

The ability of a parent to step back from their own experiences in order to understand those of their child, reflective functioning (RF), can be impacted by myriad factors. We explored RF among refugee mothers in the context of having a child born of sexual violence (CBSV). A sample of 10 mothers now residing in the Netherlands, both with (n = 5) and without (n = 5) a CBSV, were interviewed, seeking to explore parents’ representations of their children, themselves as parents, and their relationship with their children. After deriving a score of RF, interview narratives were qualitatively analyzed using thematic analysis. An ordinary level of reflective functioning was identified in this sample overall (average score 4.5); which was reduced in the group with CBSV (average score 3.0). Trends within the qualitative analyses indicated that emotion regulation and ambivalence as well as parenting challenges are factors that affect RF capabilities for mothers with CBSV. Wider findings show that the asylum process and mental well-being also impinge on RF capabilities. Experiences of having a CBSV as well as those pertaining to being a refugee appear to interact and impact reflective functioning for some mothers. Further investigation would add weight to this pilot data.

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Ethnic variation in emotion regulation: do cultural differences end where psychopathology begins?

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/s0924-9338(11)72152-6 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 26 (S2) ◽

pp. 445-445

Author(s):

E.A. Arens ◽

N. Balkir ◽

S. Barnow

Keyword(s):

Emotion Regulation ◽

Cultural Values ◽

Well Being ◽

Ethnic Variation ◽

Cultural Perspective ◽

Expressive Suppression ◽

Turkish Immigrants ◽

Frequent Use ◽

Turkish Patients ◽

Mental Well Being

IntroductionEmotion regulation (ER) via cognitive reappraisal (CR) has been shown to be superior to the use of expressive suppression (ES) in terms of several aspects of mental well-being. However, a cultural perspective suggests that the consequences of ES may be moderated by cultural values (Western/individualistic vs. Eastern/collectivistic values).ObjectiveTo test this hypothesis that ES may be associated with better outcomes in collectivistic cultures (e.g. Turkey) than in individualistic cultures (e.g. Germany) not only in healthy individuals but also in patients with mental disorders.AimThis study aims to gather knowledge to what extent associations of ER strategies and mental health are universal or rather culturally specific.MethodsWe investigated healthy (n = 30) and depressed (n = 30) German women and healthy (n = 30) and depressed (n = 30) Turkish immigrants living in Germany. Groups were compared in terms of frequency of ER strategies (CR and ES) and their consequences for different aspects of mental well-being.ResultsHealthy Turkish immigrants exhibited a greater ER flexibility (frequent use of ES plus frequent use of CR) what was associated with more positive outcomes of ES in Turkish than in German women. None of these differences were found between patient samples, both of which showed a greater use of ES than CR.ConclusionsResults suggest that cultural moderation of ES consequences are associated with a greater ER flexibility in healthy Turkish individuals. Depressed Turkish patients may not profit from ES due to their more rigid use of ES.

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Effect of an Emotion Regulation Training Program on Mental Well-Being

International Journal of Group Psychotherapy ◽

10.1080/00207284.2016.1203585 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 67 (1) ◽

pp. 108-123 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Sara LeBlanc ◽

Bilge Uzun ◽

Katere Pourseied ◽

Changiz Mohiyeddini

Keyword(s):

Emotion Regulation ◽

Training Program ◽

Well Being ◽

Mental Well Being

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Creating an Internal Environment of Cognitive and Psycho-Emotional Well-Being through an External Movement-Based Environment: An Overview of Quadrato Motor Training

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16122160 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (12) ◽

pp. 2160 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Antonio De Fano ◽

Rotem Leshem ◽

Tal Dotan Ben-Soussan

Keyword(s):

Emotion Regulation ◽

Emotional State ◽

Well Being ◽

Environmental Research ◽

Motor Training ◽

Emotional States ◽

Sensorimotor Training ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Movement Training ◽

Mental Well Being

In this overview, we discuss the internal and external environmental factors associated with cognitive and psycho-emotional well-being in the context of physical activity and Mindful Movement. Our key argument is that improved cognitive and emotional functions associated with mental well-being can be achieved by an external, Mindful Movement-based environment training called Quadrato Motor Training (QMT). QMT is a structured sensorimotor training program aimed at improving coordination, attention, and emotional well-being through behavioral, electrophysiological, neuroanatomical, and molecular changes. In accordance with this argument, we first describe the general neurobiological mechanisms underpinning emotional states and emotion regulation. Next, we review the relationships between QMT, positive emotional state, and increased emotion regulation, and discuss the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these relationships. We consider the relationships between motion, emotion, and cognition, and highlight the need for integrated training paradigms involving these three trajectories. Such training paradigms provide cognitively engaging exercises to improve emotion regulation, which in turn affects adaptive behaviors. Finally, we address the broader implications of improving cognitive and emotional functioning through Mindful Movement training for environmental research and public health.

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Are Career Termination Concerns Only for Athletes? A Case Study of the Career Termination of an Elite Female Coach

The Sport Psychologist ◽

10.1123/tsp.2015-0134 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 314-326

Author(s):

Göran Kenttä ◽

Stephen Mellalieu ◽

Claire-Marie Roberts

Keyword(s):

Thematic Analysis ◽

Expressive Writing ◽

Critical Incident ◽

Olympic Games ◽

Career Transition ◽

Well Being ◽

Psychological Skills ◽

Mental Well Being ◽

Career Termination

This paper presents a case study of an elite female coach and her career termination from a 20+ year career following a critical life incident. A novel autobiographical approach was adopted whereby the participant undertook expressive writing to describe her experiences before, during, and following coaching an athlete at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. Thematic analysis indicated seven phases related to the participant’s experiences of the critical incident: Build up to the event, the event, the aftermath, recovery and reflection on the event, sampling of new avenues, enlightenment, and career rebirth. The findings reinforce the high demands placed upon elite coaches, the subsequent threats to physical and mental well-being, and the importance of having robust psychological skills and suitable social support to cope with these demands. Implications for preparing and supporting coaches for successful career transition are discussed.

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Gone with the wind: Exploring mobile daters’ ghosting experiences

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships ◽

10.1177/0265407520970287 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 026540752097028

Author(s):

Elisabeth Timmermans ◽

Anne-Mette Hermans ◽

Suzanna J. Opree

Keyword(s):

Thematic Analysis ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Gone With The Wind ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative ◽

Quantitative Analyses ◽

Mental Well Being ◽

Practical Implications

This study explores 328 mobile daters’ (63% females; 86% heterosexuals) experiences with ghosting, using both open- and close-ended questions. First, we used thematic analysis to explore mobile dating app users’ motivations to ghost, the reported consequences of experiencing ghosting and reported strategies to cope with having been ghosted. Next, quantitative analyses were carried out to predict the likelihood of ghosting other users and which factors contribute to experiencing ghosting as more painful. As both our qualitative and quantitative analyses suggest, experiencing ghosting on a dating app can be quite painful and has an impact on users’ self-esteem and mental well-being. However, our findings on ghosters’ motives also stress a nuanced perspective on ghosting behavior, given that it is not necessarily done with harmful or conscious intent. As such, our findings also hold practical implications given that insights into mechanisms to cope with ghosting can help dating app users to rationalize their ghosting experience and thus limit its impact.

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Emotion regulation and mental well-being before and six months after bariatric surgery

Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia Bulimia and Obesity ◽

10.1007/s40519-017-0379-8 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 353-360 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Christiane Efferdinger ◽

Dorothea König ◽

Alexander Klaus ◽

Reinhold Jagsch

Keyword(s):

Bariatric Surgery ◽

Emotion Regulation ◽

Well Being ◽

Mental Well Being

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Telomere Length and Mental Well-Being in Elderly Men from the Netherlands and Greece

Behavior Genetics ◽

10.1007/s10519-011-9498-6 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 42 (2) ◽

pp. 278-286 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Nathaly Rius-Ottenheim ◽

Joyce M. J. Houben ◽

Daan Kromhout ◽

Anthony Kafatos ◽

Roos C. van der Mast ◽

...

Keyword(s):

The Netherlands ◽

Telomere Length ◽

Well Being ◽

Elderly Men ◽

Mental Well Being

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Reconsidering the “Asphalt Identikit”

The International Journal of Aging and Human Development ◽

10.1177/0091415016677970 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 84 (4) ◽

pp. 403-414

Author(s):

Nicola Ann Plastow

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Thematic Analysis ◽

Possible Selves ◽

Sense Of Self ◽

Well Being ◽

Grocery Shopping ◽

Driving Cessation ◽

Identity Maintenance ◽

Positive Sense ◽

Mental Well Being

Background/Aim The “asphalt identikit” theory suggests that driving cessation inevitably leads to feelings of incompetence and dependency. This article challenges this proposition by investigating the driving-related possible selves of British older adults living in West London. Methods Thematic analysis of data from 19 of 39 interviews in which older adults participating in a larger study talked about driving in the context of their grocery shopping. Results Three themes were evident: “I can drive – that makes a huge difference,” “Expecting to lose my license,” and “I gave up my license.” Discussion Driving cessation is not a dreaded possible self for all older adults. Older adults may use a variety of identity maintenance processes to retain their positive sense of self. Conclusions Mental well-being can be maintained during driving cessation by finding ways to compensate for the loss of a license and finding alternative ways of achieving hoped-for possible selves.

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WHO, ME, WORRIED?: A LOOK AT BRAIN HEALTH AND STRESS AMONG RESIDENTS IN GEOGRAPHICALLY DIFFERENT AREAS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.1299 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S357-S358

Author(s):

Katherine Bridges

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Metropolitan Areas ◽

Well Being ◽

Average Score ◽

Brain Health ◽

Younger Adults ◽

Generational Difference ◽

Greatest Generation ◽

Mental Well Being ◽

Community Difference

Abstract The 2018 AARP Brain Health and Mental Well-Being Survey reveals Millennials (age 22 to 37) have the highest level of stress while those in the Silent/Greatest Generation (over 73) have the lowest. Adults in their 50s and beyond have higher average mental well-being scores compared to younger adults. On a scale of mental well-being with an average score of 52, the average well-being for those age 18-39 is about 50, compared to about 54 for those 60 and older. This presentation will highlight generational difference in mental well-being and will examine community difference for older adults particularly those who reside in metropolitan areas compared to non-metropolitan areas.

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