Intervening factors in the perception of memory decline and life purpose in older adults

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the perception of memory decline and the purpose of life in the elderly.Methods: A cross-sectional study that evaluated 235 older adults living in the city of Maringá, Paraná. A sociodemographic questionnaire, the Life Purpose Scale and the Subjective Cognitive Decline Initiative (SCD-I) were used. Data analysis was conducted using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Mann–Whitney “U”, Kruskal-Wallis, and Pearson's Chi-square tests (p < 0.05). Results: The results showed a higher prevalence of women with a perception of memory decline (p = 0.011) and that the elderly with more than three minimum wages had higher scores on the life purpose scale than the elderly with lower income. It was found that the elderly who does not consider that the deterioration of memory affects activities of daily living (ADL) had a greater purpose in life than the elderly who considers that the deterioration of memory impairs their ADL (p = 0.004). Conclusion: female gender seems to be a factor associated with memory decline, while higher monthly income seems to be an intervening factor in the greater purpose of life of the elderly. Not considering that memory loss harms ADLs, it seems to intervene in the best purpose of life.

Experience in Developing and Testing a Model Program for Psychological and Educational Work with Persons Convicted of Terrorist and Extremist Crimes

Introduction: the steady increase in the number of the suspected, accused and convicted of terrorism and extremism, as well as cases of their participation in various emergencies, necessitates a personal, targeted approach to correctional psychological and educational work with them. The need for an individual approach, including in psychological and educational work with those convicted of terrorism and extremism, is also indicated by regulatory legal documents, in particular the Order of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia No. 1111 dated November 24, 2017 “On the organization of events on countering terrorism, extremist activity in penal enforcement institutions and bodies”. Study purpose: determination of the effectiveness of the tested model program for psychological correction of personality of persons convicted of terrorism and extremism-related crimes. Research methods: psychodiagnostics methods: the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI) “Time perspective of convicts”, multidimensional self-attitude research questionnaire, a psychodiagnostic method “Life-purpose orientations”; a method for testing the program developed; a method for identifying statistical differences – the Student’s t-test; a method for comparative analysis of the psychodiagnostics results obtained following the testing results. Results: validation of the reliability of statistical differences with the help of the Student’s t-test determined the absence of significant changes in the indicators of convicts in the control group. Meaningful changes were observed in the indicators of convicts of the experimental group with the help of the following methods: ZTPI “Time perspective of convicts”, a multidimensional self-attitude research questionnaire and a psychodiagnostic method “Life-purpose orientations”. A comparative analysis of the results of psychodiagnostics of convicts in the experimental group before and after testing of the basic program proved the reliability of statistical differences with the help of the Student’s t-test determined the presence of positive personality changes in the behavioral, cognitive and affective spheres of the personality of convicts in the experimental group. Conclusions: assessment of the model program testing results revealed a sufficient degree of its effectiveness and the possibility of its implementation. The model program largely determined the content and structure of the section of the additional professional program – a professional development program for psychological service employees who accompany persons convicted of terrorist and extremist crimes.

LIFE-PURPOSE ORIENTATIONS AS A PREDICTOR OF STUDENTS ‘ RESILIENCE

The article is devoted to the problem of resilience in adolescence. The study examines life-purpose orientations as predictors of resilience. The empirical study was conducted with students of secondary specialized educational institutions of the city of Barnaul. There is evidence that young men with a high level of resilience have more meaningful living goals, clearer plans for life and higher satisfaction with the results. The majority of students are dominated by family values. And such indicators as the effectiveness of life, the locus of control - I and communicative meanings are predictors of the resilience of students.

The Effect of High and Low Life Purpose on Ikigai (a Meaning for Life) among Community-Dwelling Older People—A Cross-Sectional Study

The purpose of this study is to reveal how high or low life purpose is related to QOL and ikigai (a meaning for life). Ikigai is “a sense of purpose and motivation in the daily lives of older people, a sense that they are capable and meaningful to their families and others, and that they should be”. Eighty-one community-dwelling older people (23 male and 58 female, mean age 77 ± 5.2 years) participated of their own will. The following items were measured: dementia test, exercise habits, life purpose, ikigai, and QOL. In the multivariate analysis of high and low life purpose, only ikigai was found to be related. In the multivariate analysis of ikigai, life purpose was also the most relevant, indicating that life purpose and ikigai are strongly interrelated. To improve QOL, it is also necessary to take into account life purpose in addition to the current nursing care prevention.

Gambaran Kesejahteraan Psikologis pada Karyawan Terdampak Pandemi COVID-19

This research discusses the psychological well-being of employees affected by COVID-19 pandemic. This research was a descriptive study that used a quantitative approach. The subjects in the study were 118 employees who are working in an educational institution. Data were collected using the psychological well-being scale which was constructed based on the Ryff’s (1989) concept of psychological well-being. Data analysis were carried out by compiling categorization and cross-tabulating in order to determine the psychological well-being of employees. The results showed that the psychological well-being of employees was in the high category. The dimension of psychological well-being that stands out is the life purpose, followed by the positive relationships with others.Key words: Psychological well-being, employees, COVID-19 pandemic Abstrak: Penelitian ini membahas mengenai gambaran kesejahteraan psikologis pada karyawan terdampak pandemic COVID-19. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif yang menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif. Subjek dalam penelitian adalah 118 karyawan yang bekerja di salah satu institusi pendidikan. Data dikumpulkan menggunakan skala kesejahteraan psikologis yang disusun berdasarkan konsep kesejahteraan psikologis dari Ryff (1989). Analisis data dilakukan dengan menyusun kategorisasi dan melakukan tabulasi silang guna mengetahui kesejahteraan psikologis karyawan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan kesejahteraan psikologis yang dimiliki karyawan masuk ke dalam kategori tinggi. Dimensi kesejahteraan psikologis yang menonjol adalah tujuan hidup, dilanjutkan dengan hubungan positif dengan orang lain.

Characteristics of the ultimate meanings and students’ life-purpose orientations depending on the gender

The relevance of the study is conditioned by rapid transition to digital forms of education, which is associated with the pandemic. Students have changed the way they interact with teachers and with each other, which constantly leads to transformation of personal meanings, values, rethinking of their purpose and role in the educational process. The purpose of the study, presented in the article, is to investigate unusual characteristics of the semantic sphere regarding male and female students’ academic activity. Hypothesis: semantic content of academic activity differs in male and female students. Participants are first-year full-time students, studying at the Faculty of Psychology, Faculty of Engineering and Economics and Faculty of Human Resources Management (N = 102, aged from 18 to 22 years, 52 participants are female students and 50 participants are male students). The participants were tested using Life-Purpose Orientations Test (D. A. Leontiev) and the Ultimate Meanings Technique (D. A. Leontiev). Based on the latter methodology, the entire sample was divided into five groups depending on the presence of a certain meaning. The conjugation of ultimate meanings and gender was determined using φ-Pearson criterion, while MANOVA criterion helped to investigate differences in life-purpose orientations depending on gender and ultimate meanings. We established differentiation within ultimate meanings in education depending on gender of a student: men are focused on respect and safety, while women are focused on getting pleasure and gaining confidence. We found that women connect getting pleasure and gaining confidence while learning with monitoring their lives, whereas male students connect it with the ultimate meanings of security and respect, satisfaction with their own lives and the feeling of being able to influence their life. The obtained results can help to draw the following conclusion: development of the individual system of life-purpose orientations and its functioning in the educational situation are interconnected with gender as one of the most essential biosocial characteristics of an individual.

Hacia la recuperación: Enfoques terapéuticos para potenciar el tratamiento del trastorno por uso del alcohol

Currently, the best evidence-based treatments for alcohol dependence are those developed in multidisciplinary programmes based on a cognitive-behavioural approach, including psychological, sociological, and medical dimensions. However, recovery is not always achieved. The percentage of individuals who abandon and relapse is high throughout the process and an adequate state of wellbeing is not always found. This paper outlines some of the complements or techniques that could be incorporated to the most common treatments to enhance behavioural change, taking into account long-term outcomes. Thus, the text highlights the importance of considering recovery as the culmination of the process of change towards improved health, wellbeing, and self-directed life purpose, rather than just abstinence.

Purpose in Life During COVID-19 Confinement: Effect of Physical Activity and Meditation

Introduction The pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus has led states to issue orders for confinement and suspension of activities such as education. The purpose of this study is to interpret the Purpose in Life Test (PIL) and its relationship to physical activity and mental relaxation/meditation in confinement. Material and methods A survey was conducted in an online form on 533 individuals (39 ± 11 years) using the Purpose in Life Test (PIL) and an ad-hoc questionnaire regarding physical activity time (PA), mental relaxation/meditation time (RM), hours of sleep (HS), number of people in confinement (NPC) and concerns and satisfaction during confinement. Results The overall mean of the PIL test was 114 ± 16, indicating a strong life purpose, and there were no differences by sex or by levels of physical activity, but for RM and age levels. The scores of the PIL test were positively correlated with the age, PA and time of RM. On the other hand, the main concern is the economy (50%) and health or getting sick by COVID-19 (37%), and what gives the greatest satisfaction is the family (40%) and sharing and spending time with the family (33%). People who perform RM activities at least 30 min/week have significantly higher PIL test scores. Conclusions Despite the drastic changes caused by confinement, individuals have a strong life purpose. Family companionship, home PA and RM act as a protective factor during confinement and in maintaining physical and mental health.

Psychological Resources and Driving Status: A Study of Current and Former Drivers 55 Years of Age and Older

Psychological resources can help individuals adjust to changes associated with aging. In this study, we examined the effect of demographic, health, and psychological resource variables in explaining driving status among adults 55 years and older. A convenience sample of 222 adults between the ages of 55 and 91 years (mean = 72.20 years) completed questionnaires that included measures of driving status, self-rated health, and psychological resources (e.g., life control, life purpose, and locus of control). Multiple logistic regression models that controlled for confounders were constructed with driver status (i.e., current driver or former driver) as the outcome. Former drivers were older, reported being in poorer health, and reported more depression symptoms. After controlling for age and health, current drivers reported higher levels of life control and life purpose and a more internal locus of control. Results highlight the importance of considering psychological resources when examining driving cessation.