Volunteering, Charitable Donation, and Psychological Well-Being of College Students in China

Psychological well-being indicates individuals’ positive psychological functioning and well-being. A growing body of literature, largely based on adults and old people, suggests that volunteering and charitable donations are related to individuals’ psychological well-being. As emerging adulthood is a vital time for lifespan development, the aim of this study is to examine the effects of volunteering and charitable donation on individuals’ psychological well-being on college students. Relying on theories of altruism and the warm-glow theory, this study estimates the relationships among hours of volunteering, amount of charitable donations, and psychological well-being from 1,871 Chinese college students. The linear regression results indicate that students’ hours of volunteering and the amount of charitable donations in the past year were positively associated with their psychological well-being. Volunteering, compared to charitable donations, had a slightly stronger association with psychological well-being. This study provides a rationale for academic institutions to integrate social service activities into the curriculum as a potential tool to promote students’ psychological well-being.

Relationship between lifestyle and positive psychological functioning in university administrative staff

In Mexico, healthy lifestyle has a low prevalence. The importance of a healthy lifestyle lies in avoiding the emergence of a chronic non-communicable disease. Thus, university administrative personnel are a vulnerable population due to working conditions that prevent them from having a healthy lifestyle, so it is necessary to analyze psychological variables that can explain how to promote and develop a healthy lifestyle. The purposes of this study were to identify relationships among lifestyle (LS) and positive psychological functioning (PPF) and their differences by gender in the administrative staff; a cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted. University administrative staff (n = 102), were recruited using the snowball sampling method, forming a non-probabilistic sample, completed the Fantastic Lifestyle Questionnaire and the Positive Psychological Functioning Scale. LS has a statistically significant correlation with PPF (r = .355, p = .001); in addition, it is worth pointing out that showing a low level of PPF implies a lower probability of having a healthy LS (Ψ = 28.333, 4.965 – 161.675). Results suggest the relevance of interventions to develop psychological resources in people seeking the adoption of a healthy LS.

Cultivating Mindfulness in Schools to Promote Well-Being

This chapter orients readers to the landscape of mindfulness and mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) in schools. First, definitions and examples of the key constructs are given: mindfulness and MBI. Next, a discussion is provided on the empirical support and contemporary issues surrounding two aspects of evidence-based practice related to mindfulness in schools: MBI and mindfulness measurement. Following, major considerations are highlighted related to the practical application of mindfulness in schools, focusing on the benefit of a multireed service delivery and the relevance of diversity and developmental considerations when applying mindfulness for the benefit of all in schools. On the whole, this chapter offers a realistic yet optimistic perspective on mindfulness and MBI—suggesting a promising, empirically supported approach for promoting desirable positive psychological functioning among students and their caregivers. Yet much is still unknown; thus, much work remains to inform a thoroughgoing evidence-based approach to using mindfulness and MBI in schools.

The importance of Self-efficacy and Resilience in the Learning Style of the University Student

The present research aims to identify the attributes that integrate learning styles with positive psychological functioning. The methodological value is explained from the application of two standardized tests with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.89, made up of 102 variables in total; For this, an instrument composed of the self-efficacy section of the Schmeck learning styles inventory and the second the Merino positive psychological functioning scale was developed. I surveyed a total of 133 subjects. The statistical analyzes processed included the reliability and internal consistency test of the instrument; the selection of significant variables; descriptive analysis, measures of central tendency and variability; comparative analysis with Student's t test for independent samples, Pearson's correlation, integrational analysis from factorial and finally regression analysis. From the statistical results, it is highlighted that those students who lack a developed resilient ability have difficulty being selfeffective with respect to academic activities. Likewise, students who adequately reconcile their work, social and personal life, have high self-esteem, are creative, which allows them to be resilient and self-effective.

Positive Psychological Functioning as Mediator in the Relationship between Self-Compassion and Burnout

The main objective of the current research was to explore the role of positive psychological functioning as a mediator in the relationship between self-compassion and job burnout. The sample consisted of 382 faculty members of the public and private sector educational institutions (teaching faculty of universities) from Pakistan, selected through the non-probability sampling technique (convenient sampling strategy). To measure the hypothesized model, Partial Least Square and Process Macro (SPSS-26) was applied. Results revealed an inverse and significant link between self-compassion and employees' job burnout. Results also revealed that positive psychological functioning dimensions: happiness, curiosity and exploration, personal growth initiative, positive affect, and optimism partially mediate the relationship between self-compassion and employees' job burnout. The results pointed out the significance of self-compassion in repressing employees' job burnout in the presence of positive psychological functioning as a mediator. Research limitations and implications are also discussed in this study.

Continuing to participate in the dance of life as oneself: The lived experience of meaning in life for older adults with Alzheimer’s disease

Background and Objectives Meaning in life is an important aspect of positive psychological functioning for older adults. Limited work suggests the relevance of the experience of meaning for people with dementia, but research into this experience from their personal perspective is lacking. The current study provides an in-depth investigation of the lived experience of meaning in life for older adults with Alzheimer’s disease. Research Design and Methods The study was conducted following the phenomenological reflective lifeworld approach. In-depth interviews were conducted with sixteen older adults (+65) with Alzheimer’s disease living either at home or in a nursing home in Belgium. Data-analysis was an iterative process aimed at illuminating the constituents and essence of the phenomenon. Results The essence of the experience of meaning in life for participants was understood as ‘continuing to participate in the dance of life as oneself.’ This experience was further clarified in four closely intertwined constituents: (1) feeling connected and involved, (2) continuing everyday life as oneself, (3) calmly surrendering and letting go, and (4) desiring freedom, growth, and invigoration. Discussion and Implications Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of meaning in life as experienced by older adults with Alzheimer’s disease themselves. They emphasize the relevance of the concept for psychological dementia research and offer original insight for the inclusion of meaning in life as an important aspect of holistic dementia care.

Moving beyond promoting ‘Happiness’ in gerontology interventions

Researchers have called for gerontologists to spend greater attention on promoting happiness in older adulthood, a point aligned with the general public’s interest in finding the keys to being happy later in life. However, targeting and even defining happiness comes with several caveats and challenges, leaving researchers to make difficult decisions regarding measurement and intervention strategies. Instead, the current commentary suggests that gerontology interventions may fare better if researchers focus on specific components of positive psychological functioning. We present sense of purpose and life enjoyment as examples of two such components, and note the potential merit in developing these more focussed intervention programmes. As such, the commentary suggests the value of moving beyond targeting happiness when developing intervention programmes for older adult participants.