Yoga - Meditation and Positive Psychology

This book chapter explores the synergy between positive mental health and Yoga and Meditation traditions from India.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Positive Mental Health (PMH) Scale Using Item Analysis According to the Rasch Model

Background: The investigation of patient-reported outcomes and psycho-oncological interventions mainly focuses on psychological distress or psychopathology. However, the recognition of the equal importance of positive mental health (PMH) has increased lately. The PMH-scale is a brief questionnaire allowing to assess well-being in individuals in the general population and in patients. Previous studies evaluated the psychometric properties of the PMH-scale using classical test theory (CTT). This study is the first to investigate the PMH-scale in patients with cancer using item analysis according to the Rasch model. Methods: In total, N = 357 cancer patients participated in the study. A Rasch analysis of the PMH-scale was conducted including testing of unidimensionality, local independence, homogeneity and differential item functioning (DIF) with regard to age, gender, type of cancer, the presence of metastases, psycho-oncological support, and duration of disease. Additionally, the ordering of the item thresholds as well as the targeting of the scale were investigated.Results: After excluding one misfitting item and accounting for local dependence by forming superitems, a satisfactory overall fit to the Rasch model was established (χ2 = 30.34, p = 0.21). The new PMH-8 scale proved to be unidimensional, and homogeneity of the scale could be inferred. All items showed ordered thresholds, there was no further item misfit. DIF was found for age, but as the impact of DIF was not substantial, no adjustment related to the age-DIF had to be made. The Person Separation Index (PSI = 0.89) was excellent, indicating excellent discriminatory power between different levels of positive mental health. Overall, the targeting of the PMH-8 was good for the majority of the present sample. However, at both ends of the scale item thresholds are missing as indicated by a slight floor effect (1.4%) and a considerable ceiling effect (9.8%). Conclusion: Overall, the results of the analysis according to the Rasch model support the use of the revised PMH-scale in a psycho-oncological context.

Psychometric properties of the positive mental health scale in Arequipa (Peru)

La salud mental positiva es un constructo complejo que está relacionado con el funcionamiento óptimo de la persona. Comprende un conjunto de cualidades orientadas al desarrollo del potencial del individuo. La Escala de Salud Mental Positiva es uno de los instrumentos más utilizados para evaluarlo, sin embargo, los antecedentes señalan inconsistencias respecto a su estructura interna. El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala de Salud Mental Positiva en Arequipa-Perú. Participaron 3933 personas, 50.3% fueron mujeres y 49.7% fueron varones, incluyendo desde adolescentes hasta adultos mayores. La evaluación mediante AFC de la estructura original evidenció índices de ajuste pobres, por lo que se tuvo que evaluar la dimensionalidad y proponer una nueva estructura. Para lo cual, se dividió a la muestra (n1 = 1966 y n2 = 1967). En la primera, se aplicó un AFE y en la segunda se valida mediante un AFC. Se hallaron tres factores y se concluye que tiene un buen ajuste (χ2(431) = 2473.378; CFI = .959; TLI = .956, RMSEA = .049; SRMR = .051). La consistencia interna mostró valores mayores a .81. Finalmente, se evaluó la equivalencia de la medición según el sexo, hallando que el instrumento presenta invarianza de la medición. Positive mental health is a complex construct that is related to the optimal functioning of the person. It comprises a set of qualities aimed at the development of the individual's potential. The Positive Mental Health Scale is one of the most used instruments to evaluate it, however, the antecedents indicate inconsistencies regarding its internal structure. The objective of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Positive Mental Health Scale in Arequipa-Peru. 3,933 people participated, 50.3% were women and 49.7% were men, including from adolescents to the elderly. The evaluation by CFA of the original structure showed poor fit indices, so the dimensionality had to be evaluated and a new structure had to be proposed. For which the sample is divided (n1 = 1,966 and n2 = 1,967). In the first, an EFA was applied and in the second, it is validated by means of a CFA. Three factors were found and it is concluded that it has a good fit (χ2 (431) = 2,473.378; CFI = .959; TLI = .956, RMSEA = .049; SRMR = .051). The internal consistency showed values ​​greater than .81. Finally, the equivalence of the measurement according to sex was evaluated, finding that the instrument presents measurement invariance.

The role of mindset in preventing one’s mental health

Introduction: As long as the world is still in a pandemic, an individual must maintain his mental health to deal with problems or impacts arising from a pandemic situation. The growth mindset is believed to be a predictor in influencing a person's mental health. We tested how the growth mindset influences on positive mental health in college students during a pandemic. Method: A total of 567 students from universities in Indonesia randomly completed an online questionnaire. The data collection tool uses Positive mental Health and Implicit Theory Measures scale on two dimensions of growth mindset: intelligence mindset and moral mindset. Results: The results show that the intelligence mindset affects positive mental Health, the moral mindset as well. In addition, the two variables together, intelligence mindset and moral mindset, affect positive mental health. Conclusions: The three hypotheses proposed can be accepted statistically, but the magnitude of the influence of each hypothesis is very small. The implications and research suggestions are discussed in depth in the discussion.

“I can't enjoy my studies, I'm stressed” Effect of Academic Stress on Positive Mental Health In Students College

The world has experienced a tremendous impact over the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the impacts is the change in the learning system from offline classes to online classes. Not a few studies say that online learning impacts students' psychology, one of which is academic stress. This study examines the effect of academic stress on positive mental health in college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 76 psychology students in Central Java, Indonesia, participated in this study. The results show a significant effect of academic stress on positive mental health in students during online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The implications of the results of this study are discussed in detail

Is mental health literacy related to different types of coping? Comparing adolescents, young-adults and adults correlates

Introduction: Mental health literacy is associated with better mental health outcomes and believed to improve the way people cope with life challenges and manage mental health issues. Nevertheless, no study has yet empirically examined the relationships between mental health literacy and the use of coping strategies. Aims: This study aims to describe the levels of mental health literacy (literacy about mental illness and literacy about positive mental health) and the use of coping (coping styles) in adolescents, young-adults and adults; To explore the relationship between coping and mental health literacy in each age group; To compare if patterns of significant correlations vary across groups. Methods: This is a cross-sectional / exploratory design study. We have collected online and through paper-pencil method three developmental samples: adolescents aged between 15-18 years old (N=240), young-adults aged between 19-36 (74) and adults aged between 37-75 (N=105). Measures used were: Positive Mental Health Questionnaire PosMHLitq (Maia de Carvalho et al., in preparation) to evaluate literacy about positive mental health; the Mental Health Literacy Questionnaire MHLq (Campos et al., 2016; Dias et al., 2018) and the Portuguese adaptation of the Brief Cope by Pais Ribeiro and Tavares (2004) to control coping styles. Results: Across the three developmental groups, most coping styles are associated with both literacy about mental illness and literacy about mental well-being, but with different patterns of correlation between coping/literacy about mental well-being/coping/literacy about mental illness and between groups. The Use of Emotional Support is the only coping style significantly associated with both mental health literacy about mental illness and literacy about mental well-being in adolescents, young-adults and adults. Conclusions: Future research should examine this findings with longitudinal design.

Tolerance of uncertainty as a determinant of educators' psychological health in conditions of social tension

Introduction. Social instability increases the importance of tolerance of uncertainty among representatives of different social and professional groups. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, educators' tolerance of uncertainty as a probable determinant of their psychological health is of particular interest for researchers. Aim: to study tolerance of uncertainty as a determinant of educational staff's psychological health in conditions of social tension. Methods: D. McLain's MSTAT-II (adapted by E.M. Osin), T. Galkina & N. Artemtseva's Attitude to Psychological Health Scale, Scale of Positive Mental Health by J. Lukat et al., and Locus of Health Control questionnaire. Results. It was found that the most pronounced components of tolerance of uncertainty were the attitude to novelty and preference of uncertainty. Uncertainty tolerance components affected most aspects of educators' psychological health. Conclusion. Tolerance of uncertainty should be seen as a determinant of educators' psychological health.

Application of the dual-factor model of mental health among Chinese new generation of migrant workers

Background Traditional models of mental health focus on psychopathological symptoms. In contrast, the dual-factor model of mental health integrates positive mental health and psychopathology into a mental health continuum, which is an adaptation and complement to the traditional mental health research paradigm. The new generation of migrant workers is an important part of current Chinese society. Their identity has created a sense of loneliness, rootlessness, and alienation. This paper validates the applicability of the dual-factor model of mental health among new generation migrant workers in China. Methods In this study, 600 new generation migrant workers were recruited and tested on the symptom checklist 90, satisfaction with life scale, perceived stress scale, employee engagement inventory. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA were performed, the differences between the unidimensional model and dual-factor model were also tested. Results The results showed that the dual-factor model of the mental health approach had better construct validity than the unidimensional model. And four subgroups could be significantly discriminated by the dual-factor model: mentally healthy (58.45%), vulnerable (30.87%), symptomatic but content (3.11%), and troubled (7.57%). Compared to the other three groups, workers who were mentally healthy showed higher perceived work values and lower perceived work stress. Conclusions The study suggests that a dual-factor model of mental health can be applied to new generation migrant workers in China, with positive mental health and psychopathology being important predictors of mental health.