scholarly journals Does Mental Well-Being Protect against Self-Harm Thoughts and Behaviors during Adolescence? A Six-Month Prospective Investigation

Author(s):  
Kirsten Russell ◽  
Susan Rasmussen ◽  
Simon C. Hunter

Mental well-being protects against the emergence of suicidal thoughts. However, it is not clear whether these findings extend to self-harm thoughts and behaviors irrespective of intent during adolescence—or why this relationship exists. The current study aimed to test predictions—informed by the integrated motivational–volitional (IMV) model of suicide—concerning the role of perceived defeat and entrapment within the link between mental well-being and self-harm risk. Young people (n = 573) from secondary schools across Scotland completed an anonymous self-report survey at two time points, six months apart, that assessed mental well-being, self-harm thoughts and behaviors, depressive symptomology and feelings of defeat and entrapment. Mental well-being was associated with reduced defeat and entrapment (internal and external) and a decrease in the likelihood that a young person would engage in self-harm thoughts and behaviors. The relationship between mental well-being and thoughts of self-harm was mediated by perceptions of defeat and entrapment (internal and external). Mental well-being was indirectly related to self-harm behaviors via decreased feelings of defeat and internal (but not external) entrapment. Taken together, these findings provide novel insights into the psychological processes linking mental well-being and self-harm risk and highlight the importance of incorporating the promotion of mental well-being within future prevention and early intervention efforts.

Author(s):  
Rida Muhammad Akbar ◽  
Muhammad Naveed Riaz

Objective The study also examined the moderating impact of proactive coping strategies in the relationship of psychological place attachment and mental health related outcomes in sojourners. Methods The study was based upon self-report measures including Psychological Place Attachment Scale, Proactive Coping Inventory, Warwick Edinburg Mental Well-being Scale and Kasler Psychological Distress Scale. Total 300 sojourners participated in the study.  Participants Academic sojourners are students who stay in a place for a limited period of time. Data of sojourners (N = 300) was collected from Sargodha using four self-report measures. Results Data analysis through PROCSS 3.2 revealed that Proactive coping, preventive coping and reflective coping were significantly moderated the relationship between affective and psychological distress. Proactive coping and reflective coping were significantly moderated the relationship between affective bonding and mental wells-being. Proactive coping preventive coping and avoidance coping significantly moderated the relationship home meaning and psychological distress. Proactive coping was moderated the relationship between home meaning and psychological distress. Proactive coping and reflective coping were moderated the relationship between place identity and psychological distress. Proactive coping was moderated the relationship between place identity and mental well-being. Instrumental support seeking was moderating the relationship between place dependence and psychological distress. Preventive coping and reflective coping were moderated the relationship between psychological place attachment and psychological distress. Reflective coping, strategic planning and preventive coping were significantly moderated the relationship between psychological place attachment and mental well-being. Continuous...


Author(s):  
Georgia A. Bird ◽  
Mary L. Quinton ◽  
Jennifer Cumming

This study investigated the relationship between reappraisal and suppression with depression and mental well-being among university athletes. It was hypothesized reappraisal would associate with lower depression and greater mental well-being, whereas suppression would associate with greater depression and reduced mental well-being. Employing a cross-sectional design, 427 participants (Mage = 20.18, SD = 1.52; 188 males and 239 females) completed questionnaires assessing mental health and strategy use. Hierarchical multiple regressions revealed reappraisal was positively associated, and suppression negatively associated with mental well-being, ΔR2 = 4.8%, ΔF(2, 422) = 17.01, p ≤ .001; suppression, β = −0.08, p = .028; reappraisal, β = 0.21, p ≤ .001, but neither were associated with depression, ΔR2 = 0.4%, ΔF(2, 422) = 1.33, p = .267; suppression, β = 0.06, p = .114; reappraisal, β = 0.03, p = .525. Results highlight reappraisal as correlated with mental well-being in student-athletes, and therefore, reappraisal could be beneficial for managing stress in sport. Reappraisal may implicate how well-being is promoted through sport, but future experimental research is needed to confirm causal relationships.


Author(s):  
Karolina Chilicka ◽  
Aleksandra M. Rogowska ◽  
Renata Szyguła ◽  
Ewa Adamczyk

People with acne vulgaris report a lower level of satisfaction with life and are more frequently classified as having Type D personalities than those without acne. This research examined, for the first time, the moderating and mediating role of personality type in the relationship between acne severity and satisfaction with life. Among 300 female nursing and cosmetology students ranging in age from 19 to 24 years (M = 21.28, SD = 1.39), 150 individuals (50%) presented with symptoms of acne vulgaris (AV group), while the other 150 (50%) were categorized as controls without acne vulgaris (WAV sample). A cross-sectional study was conducted using three self-report questionnaires: The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), the Framingham Type A Scale (FTAS), and the Type D Scale (DS14). Acne vulgaris was clinically diagnosed using the Hellgren–Vincent Scale (HVS). The AV group scored significantly higher on the FTAS and DS14 and lower on the SWLS than the WAV sample. Life satisfaction correlated negatively with both the negative affectivity (NA) and social inhibition (SI) subscales of the DS14. The moderating role of the Type A behavioral pattern (TABP) and the mediating role of both NA and SI subscales of the DS14 were observed in the relationship between acne severity and satisfaction with life. The type of personality may explain the mechanism of the relationship between acne disease and subjective well-being. Therefore, psychological interventions and strategies focused on managing stress and mood may effectively improve satisfaction with life in people with acne.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-22
Author(s):  
Daria Lupșa ◽  
Delia Vîrgă

Psychological capital (PsyCap) is a state-like concept with roots in positive psychology. This study investigated the potential role of PsyCap, as a personal resource, in increasing the level of employees’ health (mental and physical) and performance. Based on the Job Demand-Resources theory, the mediating effect of burnout was examined using self-report data. The models were tested on 304 Romanian employees (51% women) from Information Technology & Communications (IT&C) companies, using structural equation modeling. The analysis found that burnout partially mediates the relationship between PsyCap and health (mental and physical) as well as the relationship between PsyCap and performance (task and contextual). The results highlight the role of PsyCap, as a personal resource, in health, and performance. These results are useful for implementing an evidence-based intervention to improve the level of PsyCap in IT&C employees. An improvement in PsyCap would reduce burnout and enhance well-being and performance. This study highlights the mediating role of burnout in the relationship between psychological capital and two distinct outcomes: health and performance. Thus, this research helps identify further mediators of the relation between PsyCap and health and performance.


2021 ◽  
pp. 014616722110211
Author(s):  
Olivia Evans ◽  
Mark Rubin

It has been established that people from lower social classes tend to have poorer mental well-being compared with people from higher classes. Research also suggests that people from the lower classes are also less socially integrated. This research investigated the role of social integration in the relationship between social class and mental well-being across three studies (Study 1 N = 15,028; Study 2 N = 1,946; Study 3 N = 461). Across all studies, social class had an indirect effect on mental well-being via social integration. Moderation results found that social integration buffers the negative impact of financial issues on mental well-being, social support buffers the effects of class on mental ill-health, and family support amplifies rather than reduces social class differences in mental well-being. We propose that although improving social integration has the potential to improve the mental well-being of lower class populations, some caveats need to be considered.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohsen Joshanloo

This study explored the associations between the Dark Triad traits (i.e., Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism) and mental well-being in a Korean adult sample (N = 1,177). The role of the conceptions of happiness as mediators of these associations was also investigated. Eight conceptions of happiness (e.g., fragility of happiness and eudaimonism), 3 dimensions of hedonic well-being (e.g., life satisfaction), and 2 dimensions of eudaimonic well-being (e.g., psychological well-being) were included in the study. The results showed that Machiavellianism and psychopathy were negatively and narcissism was positively associated with well-being. The pattern of associations between the dark triad and conceptions of happiness showed that Machiavellianism and psychopathy were associated with valuing personal happiness but also considering it to be out of one’s control, and to have negative consequences when achieved. People high on narcissism endorsed generally positive notions of happiness. Results showed that conceptions of happiness functioned as partial mediators in the relationships between the dark triad and well-being. Hence, it seems that the dark triad traits provide a context for the formation of certain beliefs surrounding the nature and value of well-being, which per se influence experienced levels of well-being.


Religions ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beata Zarzycka ◽  
Anna Tychmanowicz ◽  
Dariusz Krok

Although a variety of studies have found robust links between religious/spiritual (r/s) struggle and poorer well-being, only a few have examined the means by which r/s struggle affects mental well-being. The present paper aims to examine religious support and meaning making as mediators of the relationship between r/s struggle and well-being. The study included 226 adults, 108 women and 118 men, aged between 17 and 78 years. We applied the Religious and Spiritual Struggle Scale, Religious Support Scale, Meaning Making Scale, and Psychological Well-Being Scale. The results demonstrated that both religious support and meaning making were mediators in the relationship between r/s struggles and well-being. During moral or demonic struggles, many people reportedly feel supported by their religion, make meaning based on these positive religious experiences, and in turn experience greater well-being. Conversely, during divine, ultimate meaning, and interpersonal struggles people may feel like God does not support them, which may lead to difficulties reframing their religious experience, and adversely influence well-being. The findings from this study underscore the multifaceted character of r/s struggle: during different types of r/s struggle people may feel that religion is a source of support for them or, by contrast, they may feel deprived of religious support, which can lead to an increase or decrease of well-being, respectively.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 230-238
Author(s):  
Joanne E Iddon ◽  
Peter J Taylor ◽  
Jen Unwin ◽  
Joanne M Dickson

Individuals with chronic pain commonly report significant functional impairment and reduced quality of life. Despite this, little is known about psychological processes and mechanisms underpinning enhancements in well-being within this population. The study aimed to investigate whether (1) increased levels of pain intensity and interference were associated with lower levels of mental well-being, (2) increased positive goal engagement was associated with higher levels of mental well-being and (3) whether the relationships between pain characteristics and mental well-being were mediated by increased positive goal engagement. A total of 586 individuals with chronic pain participated in the cross-sectional, online study. Participants completed self-report measures to assess pain intensity and interference, mental well-being and goal motivation variables. Results showed that pain interference and positive goal engagement were associated with mental well-being. Moreover, the relationship between pain interference and mental well-being was partially mediated by positive goal engagement. The results provide tentative evidence for the protective role of positive goal engagement in enabling individuals with chronic pain to maintain a sense of mental well-being. The study develops the biopsychosocial model of chronic pain by examining the roles and relationships of relevant yet previously unexplored psychological constructs. The promotion of mental well-being through the enhancement of positive goal engagement is discussed, offering a platform for further research and clinical interventions.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Stagaki ◽  
Tobias Nolte ◽  
Peter Fonagy ◽  
Janet Feigenbaum ◽  
Brooks King-Casas ◽  
...  

Although the relationship between childhood trauma, self-harm and suicidality is well-established, less is known about the mediating mechanisms explaining it. Based on a developmental mentalisation-based theoretical framework, childhood adversity compromises mentalising ability and attachment security, which in turn increase vulnerability to later stressors in adulthood. This study aimed, thus, to investigate the role of attachment and mentalising as potential mechanisms in this relationship. In a cross-sectional design, 907 adults from clinical and community settings completed self-report questionnaires on retrospectively rated childhood trauma, and current attachment to the romantic partner, mentalising, self-harm, suicidal ideation and attempt. Structural equation modelling was used to examine the data and childhood trauma was conceptualised as a general factor in a confirmatory bifactor model. The results showed that childhood trauma was both directly associated with self-harm and suicidality and indirectly via the pathways of attachment and mentalising. These findings indicate that insecure attachment and impaired mentalising partially explain the association between childhood trauma, self-harm and suicidality. Clinically, they provide support for the potential of mentalisation-based therapy or other psychosocial interventions that aim to mitigate the risk of self-harm and suicidality among individuals who have experienced childhood maltreatment via increasing understanding of self and other mental states.


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