Factor analysis of the Revised Spontaneity Assessment Inventory (SAI-R)

The present study describes a factor analysis of the Revised Spontaneity Assessment Inventory (SAI-R), an original scale design to measure spontaneity. The analysis revealed three factors underlying the inventory. The first, titled vigor/pleasure, suggests that spontaneity is a pleasurable and dynamic experience. The second factor, titled freedom, indicates that spontaneity is characterized by a sense of free expression and actions unhindered by conventions. The third factor, titled involvement/focus, indicates that spontaneity is focused experience a characteristics that separates it from impulsivity. These factors seemed consistent with the theoretical understanding of spontaneity.     

Perceived stress, stress attributions and psychological distress in psoriasis

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to measure causal beliefs in individuals with psoriasis and to explore their relationship with perceived stress, quality of life, psychological well-being and psoriasis severity. METHODS: This study was cross-sectional in design, and patients were required to complete validated questionnaires assessing perceptions of illness, quality of life, psoriasis severity, perceived stress and psychological mood. A total of 141 individuals were recruited from two settings: an outpatient skin clinic at King's College Hospital and the Psoriasis Association. RESULTS: A strong belief in stress/psychological attributes as a causal factor was found in 61% of the sample. This belief was significantly associated with higher levels of anxiety, depression and perceived stress (r > or = .38; P < or = .0001). Perceived stress in this sample was significantly associated with a poorer level of quality of life, higher levels of anxiety and depression (r > or = .27; P < or = .002) but not with psoriasis severity. CONCLUSIONS: The belief that stress is causal was associated with lower levels of psychological well-being. However, there was no association between perceived stress and more objective measures of psoriasis severity.     

Development and validation of the Italian version of the 15-item dispositional resilience scale

Studies have shown that psychological hardiness is an important stress resilience resource for individuals. The 15-items Dispositional Resilience Scale (DRS-15) is a short, reliable and valid self-report instrument to measure hardiness that is not available in Italian. The present study was undertaken to create an Italian version of the DRS-15, and evaluate its psychometric properties and validity in the Italian context. An Italian version was produced using multiple independent bilingual translators. This version was administered to a non-clinical sample of adults (N=150), along with measure o psychological well-being (PWB-18) and health. A sub-sample (N = 66) completed the DRS-15 again one month later. Results showed good reliability in terms of internal consistency and test-retest stability. With regard to the subscale, stability was high for all three subscales, whereas two subscales (Commitment and Control) showed marginal internal consistency. DRS-15 total and subscales scores showed a theoretically meaningful pattern of correlations with PWB-18 subscales, supporting the validity of the Italian DRS. Also, multiple regression analysis revealed a correlation between DRS-15 scores and self-rated general health, even after controlling for age and sex. The new Italian DRS-15 provides a valid, reliable and easy to use tool fr assessing stress resilience in clinical and research settings.     

Causal attributions for psychological illness among Turkish psychiatric in-patients and their relationships with hope

The causal attributions for psychological illness were investigated in a sample of seventy Turkish psychiatric in-patients, using the levels of causal attributions proposed by the transtheoretical model of Prochaska (1984). The factor analysis of replies to a questionnaire tapping various levels of causality revealed seven factors which were greatly overlapping with the causal attributional levels proposed by the transtheoretical model and verified in western samples. However, there were important dissimilarities on attributions to family, self, and interpersonal conflicts. Family conflicts and interpersonal conflicts appeared as two separate causal factors, whereas attributions to personal symptoms and family conflicts merged under a single higher-order factor. Results also revealed that types of attributions were related to hope for future well-being. The results and their implications were discussed within the framework of the transtheoretical model, attribution theory research and studies on the Turkish family structure and values.     

Do challenging behaviors affect staff psychological well-being? Issues of causality and mechanism

Little explicit attention has been given to the potential impact of client challenging behavior on staff psychological well-being. Relevant research was critically reviewed according to criteria required to establish a causal relationship. Reasonable evidence was found for an association between challenging behavior and staff stress, and some evidence for temporal precedence. However, few researchers had analyzed data enabling alternative explanations to be eliminated. Thus, empirical evidence of a causal relationship between challenging behavior and staff stress is weak. A fourth causality criterion was addressed by suggestion of a mechanism by which challenging behavior may have its effects. I propose that staff negative emotional reactions mediate the impact of challenging behaviors on staff stress and evaluate research evidence for this theory.     

Predictors of psychological distress and well-being in women with chronic musculoskeletal pain: two sides of the same coin?

OBJECTIVE: To date, few results on well-being in chronic-pain patients have been published, while several studies in patients without pain have indicated that well-being may not be equivalent to absence of psychological distress. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between psychological distress and well-being and to identify the predictors of each in patients with chronic nonmalignant pain. METHODS: Sixty-nine women with chronic multiregional musculoskeletal pain, 41 of whom met American College of Rheumatology criteria for fibromyalgia, completed questionnaires on pain, fatigue, stiffness, physical disability (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire), psychological distress [Multidimensional Affect and Pain Survey (MAPS), Symptom Check List-90 (SCL-90), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y2 (STAI-Y2)], and hedonic and eudaimonic well-being (MAPS). RESULTS: Patients reported increased amounts of psychological distress (STAI-Y2 and SCL-90) compared to healthy people. Multiple regression analysis of patient data demonstrated that higher psychological distress was related to higher age, more intense pain, a higher positive tender point count, and more physical disability. Well-being (both hedonic and eudaimonic aspects) decreased with higher disability, but was independent of age, pain intensity, and number of positive tender points. Bivariate correlations showed that psychological distress was moderately related to eudaimonic well-being and strongly related to positive affect, an aspect of hedonic well-being. CONCLUSION: In patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain, self-reports of well-being and low psychological distress only partially overlap with each other and are differently related to major patient symptoms, supporting the relevance of the concept of well-being to chronic-pain research and a need for further studies in this field.     

Mental disorders, chronic conditions and psychological factors: a path analysis model for healthcare consumption in general practice

To explore potential individual determinants of healthcare utilization in primary care (PC) using a structural equation modelling approach. Atotal of 638 patients from five PC units were randomly selected. Mental disorders, psychological distress and other psychological factors were assessed with the 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN). Medical records and ICD-10 diagnosis were used to measure somatic morbidity. There is a negative relationship between the presence of mental disorders and psychological well-being (-0.74), and a negative relationship with use of health services (-0.25). Age has a positive and significant relationship with the presence of chronic diseases (0.49), which has a positive and significant relationship with limitation of daily activities (0.18). This limitation has a positive relationship with poor perception of health (0.57) and with psychological well-being (0.03). Findings confirm the existence of specific pathways in PC health use. Health service use depends on the patient's psychological well-being and on the presence of chronic medical conditions. Healthcare professionals need to pay attention to the comorbidity of mental disorders and chronic medical conditions in order to identify frequent attenders and to decrease the inappropriate use of healthcare services.     

Consequences of bullying in schools.

For the most part, studies of the consequences of bullying in schools have concentrated upon health outcomes for children persistently bullied by their peers. Conclusions have been influenced by how bullying has been conceptualized and assessed, the specific health outcomes investigated, and the research method and data analysis employed. Results from cross-sectional surveys suggest that being victimized by peers is significantly related to comparatively low levels of psychological well-being and social adjustment and to high levels of psychological distress and adverse physical health symptoms. Retrospective reports and studies suggest that peer victimization may contribute to later difficulties with health and well-being. Longitudinal studies provide stronger support for the view that peer victimization is a significant causal factor in schoolchildren's lowered health and well-being and that the effects can be long-lasting. Further evidence from longitudinal studies indicates that the tendency to bully others at school significantly predicts subsequent antisocial and violent behaviour.     

Family environment,intrusive ideation,and adjustment among renal transplant candidates

Waiting for an organ transplant is a stressful experience frequently associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety. Little empirical work has examined patients during the stressful period prior to transplantation, particularly among patients waiting for a renal transplant. A large body of research has demonstrated that social and family support variables are associated with psychological adjustment in a variety of medical populations. Little research has examined the mechanism by which social support exerts its effects on psychological well-being. We examined two possible models of the role of intrusive thoughts on the relationship between a supportive family environment and both depression and anxiety in a sample of 75 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) waiting for a kidney transplant. Path analyses provided modest support for a mediational model, showing that intrusive thoughts partly accounted for the relationship between family expressiveness and psychological distress. A moderational model examining the interactive effects of family environment and intrusive thinking on adjustment was not supported.     

Monitoring the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health: a public health challenge? Reflection on Italian data

A recent Italian report on medicines use during COVID-19 epidemic outlined a non-significant increase in outpatient pharmaceutical antidepressant consumption in March and a significant increase in anxiolytic consumption. Along with this, an analysis of psychiatric hospitalizations in Lombardy revealed a reduction in voluntary admissions in the 40 days after the beginning of COVID-19 epidemic in Italy. Nevertheless, several studies reported a greater prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in the Italian general population during the lockdown compared to before the pandemic. Furthermore, the request for psychological support by the Italian population appeared to be high during lockdown. Indeed, the Italian Ministry of Health declared that more than 50,000 calls to the telephone number for psychological support activated by the Ministry of Health and the Civil Protection because of the pandemic, with peaks during the lockdown. In addition, looking at Google Trends, the greatest searching activity for “psychological support” in recent years was detected the week of the 26th April 2020, followed by the week of the 22nd March 2020. We think that stronger indicators of mental health status and psychological well-being should be found to understand the long-term effects of the pandemic. The necessity of research for population-level and universal strategies is urgent, through repurposing, developing, and testing interventions to create evidence-based action plans for the entire population. Lastly, it is also essential to keep offering a psychological support suitable for all as done in past months to help individuals who have fewer opportunities to access care.

     

The relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder, illness cognitions, defence styles, fatigue severity and psychological well-being in chronic fatigue syndrome

This study investigated, firstly, the rate of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the level of psychological well-being amongst people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS); and secondly, the extent to which illness cognitions, defence styles and PTSD symptom severity related to fatigue severity and psychological well-being. Seventy-eight participants with a diagnosis of CFS completed the Chalder Fatigue Scale, the General Health Questionnaire-28, the Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale, the Illness Cognition Questionnaire and the Defence Style Questionnaire. Fifty-nine participants were recruited from the general public to form the non-fatigued control group. CFS participants had significantly higher levels of PTSD symptoms, lower levels of psychological well-being and more traumatic life events compared to the non-fatigued controls. Trauma exposure and PTSD severity both predicted CFS status. However, regression analyses demonstrated no significant relationship between PTSD symptoms and fatigue severity or the degree of psychological well-being. ‘Helplessness’ predicted both physical and mental fatigue and psychological well-being, whilst the ‘mature’ defence styles predicted fatigue severity only. The results offer support to previous research showing that the rate of traumatic life events and PTSD are significantly higher amongst the CFS population. The lack of relationship between PTSD symptoms and fatigue severity or psychological well-being indicates that these processes may operate independently of one another, via different appraisal processes. This study focused on fatigue severity, but it may be that the role of pain in CFS is a key element in the previously reported association between PTSD and CFS.     

Empirische Studien zur Spontaneität: Eine Überprüfung

The present paper reviews ten empirical studies addressing the hypothesis that spontaneity represents a positive personality trait. It investigates the theoretical proposition that spontaneity is positively related to well being, and negatively related to psychological maladjustment. These explorations shed a new light on the nature and meaning of spontaneity attempting to avoid the problems, confusion, and inconsistencies typical of the traditional definition of spontaneity. These empirical investigations of spontaneity were facilitated by the advent of theRevised Spontaneity Assessment Inventory (SAI-R) and its predecessor theSpontaneity Assessment Inventory (SAI). The review discusses the problems with the traditional definitions of spontaneity and the reasons that hitherto it has not led to empirical investigations. It offers an alternative data based definition as well as a new investigating tool amenable to quantitative research. The review describes the results of a series of studies, their meanings and implications for future research.     

How a romantic relationship can protect same-sex attracted youth and young adults from the impact of expected rejection

Same-sex attracted youth's well-being is jeopardized by components of minority stress, but this stress can be buffered by social support. What is unknown is whether a romantic relationship can also serve as a buffer. With an online survey we examined the link between components of minority stress, psychological well-being, and its moderated relation by romantic relationship status among 309 Dutch same-sex attracted youth (16–24 years old, 52.9% female). The results showed that minority stress components (internalized homophobia, expected rejection, and meta-stereotyping) were negatively related to psychological well-being. Moderation analyses revealed that only the impact of “expected rejection” on psychological well-being was buffered for those involved in a romantic relationship. This shows the particular functional link of romantic support in rejection contexts.     

A salutogenic view on subjective well-being in active elderly persons

In this paper, subjective well-being as an indicator for successful aging is investigated from a salutogenic perspective that states that the sense of coherence plays a key role for psychological adaptation. It should be demonstrated that the sense of coherence mediates the relationship between generalized resistance resources and subjective well-being. One-hundred-and-seventy psychophysically active elderly persons (37 men) filled out a questionnaire assessing the sense of coherence, subjective well-being and resistance resources (such as age, education, physical health, activity level, social support and personality variables). It was found that resources co-varied with the sense of coherence and subjective well-being, accounting for 52 and 48% of the variance, respectively. The most important predictors were self-efficacy, self-esteem and education. After controlling for resources, the sense of coherence accounted for an additional 6% of the variance in well-being. The sense of coherence clearly mediated the relationship between resources and well-being. The findings corroborate the salutogenic idea that the sense of coherence creates, or maintains, a form of psychological integrity as represented by subjective well-being. The promotion of a strong sense of coherence should be a major aim of gerontological interventions.     

Heart Disease Occurs in a Biological,Psychological, and Social Matrix: Cardiac Risk Factors,Symptom Presentation,and Recovery as Illustrative Examples

Despite the basic premise of behavioral medicine that understanding and treatment of physical well-being require a full appreciation of the confluence of micro-, molar-, and macro-variables, the field tends to focus on linear, causal relationships. In this paper, we argue that more attention be given to a dynamic matrix approach, which assumes that biological, psychological, and social elements are interconnected and continually influence each other (consistent with the biopsychosocial model). To illustrate, the authors draw from their independent and collaborative research programs on overlapping cardiac risk factors, symptom interpretation, and treatment delay for cardiac care and recovery from heart disease. “Cabling” across biological, psychological, and social variables is considered as a transformative strategy for medicine and the other health-related disciplines.     

Functions of reminiscence and the psychological well-being of young-old and older adults over time

Existing cross-sectional research demonstrates an association between reminiscence functions and well-being in later life. The results of this study replicate and extend previous findings in separate participant samples above and below 70 years of age. Findings suggest a link between reminiscence functions and psychological well-being, and indirectly between reminiscence and well-being 16 months thereafter. Invariance analyses reveal few differences in association between reminiscence and well-being when young-old (n = 196) and older adults (n = 215) are compared. These findings suggest a direct positive association between self-positive reminiscence functions (identity, death preparation, and problem-solving) and a direct negative association between self-negative functions (boredom reduction, bitterness revival, and intimacy maintenance) and psychological well-being (life satisfaction, depressive, and anxiety symptoms). In contrast, prosocial reminiscence functions (conversation, teach/inform others) appear to have an indirect association with well-being (i.e., via self-positive and self-negative functions). These findings are discussed relative to evolving theory and research linking cognition and health.     

Coping mediates the relationships between reminiscence and psychological well-being among older adults

Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have demonstrated an association between various functions of reminiscence and well-being in later adulthood. This study investigates to what extent the links between reminiscence (self-positive and self-negative functions) and psychological well-being (depressive symptoms, anxiety level and life satisfaction) are mediated by assimilative and accommodative coping. This mediational model was tested using structural equation modelling. The results support the hypothesis that coping completely mediates the links between reminiscence and psychological well-being. Specifically, self-positive reminiscences are related to improved psychological well-being via assimilative and accommodative coping, while, in contrast, self-negative reminiscences are associated to reduced psychological well-being through their negative relationships with both coping modes. These findings suggest that reminiscence contributes to psychological well-being in part because it promotes assimilative and accommodative coping, which are protective mechanisms through which the self-system constructs continuity and meaning over the life course.     

Positive experience,psychological functioning,and hope for the future as factors associated with mental health among young Sub-Saharan internally displaced people (IDP): A quantitative pilot study

Following a socio-ecological approach focused on multidimensional aspects of psychological functioning, this pilot study investigated the relationship between subjective well-being across different domains (e.g., positive experience, social relations, human insecurity, negative experience, self-competence, hope for the future) and psychological distress, in a sample (n?=?225) of internally displaced (internally displaced people, IDPs) adolescents hosted in refugee camps in Niger. The Subjective Well-Being Assessment Scale and General Health Questionnaire-12 were administered to the sample by trained interviewers. Participants displayed a low level of psychological distress despite the multiple traumatic experiences they had faced and ongoing stressful conditions at the host camps. Positive experience was found to act as an effective protection factor, enhancing psychological functioning, and mitigating psychological distress. A preserved sense of self-competence and hope for the future were confirmed to play a key role in protecting adolescents from the effects of psychological distress. Youths seem to maintain positive psychological functioning when subjective well-being and other personal and relational resources are active as protection factors.     

Gender differences in associations between digital media use and psychological well-being: Evidence from three large datasets

IntroductionAdolescents spend an increasing amount of time using digital media, but gender differences in their use and in associations with psychological well-being are unclear.MethodWe drew from three large, representative surveys of 13- to 18-year-old adolescents in the U.S. and UK (total N = 221,096) examining digital media use in hours per day and several measures of psychological well-being separately in each of the three datasets.ResultsAdolescent girls spent more time on smartphones, social media, texting, general computer use, and online, and boys spent more time gaming and on electronic devices in general. Associations between moderate or heavy digital media use and low psychological well-being/mental health issues were generally larger for girls than for boys. Light users of digital media were slightly higher in well-being than non-users, with larger differences among boys. Among both genders, heavy users of digital media were often twice as likely as low users to be low in well-being or have mental health issues, including risk factors for suicide.ConclusionsAssociations between heavy digital media use and low psychological well-being are larger for adolescent girls than boys.     

Longitudinal study of depression and health status in pregnant women: incidence, course and predictive factors

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of isolated psychological intimate partner violence and psychosocial factors (social support and alcohol or drug use by a partner/family member) on psychological well-being (depression or poor self-perceived health status) at 5 and 12 months post-partum. A longitudinal cohort study was carried out with a consecutive sample of 1,400 women in their first trimester of pregnancy, who attended the prenatal programme in the Valencia Region (Spain) in 2008 and were followed up at 5 months and 12 months post-partum. A logistic regression model was fitted using generalized estimating equations, to assess the effect of isolated psychological intimate partner violence, social support, alcohol consumption and illicit drug use problems by a partner or family member on subsequent psychological well-being at follow-up. We observed a decrease in the incidence of poorer psychological well-being (post-partum depression and poor self-perceived health status) at 12 months post-partum. The strongest predictor of poor psychological well-being was depression (AOR = 6.83, 95 % CI: 3.44–13.58) or poor self-perceived health status (AOR = 5.34, 95 % CI: 2.37–12.02) during pregnancy. Isolated psychological IPV increased the risk of a deterioration in psychological well-being. Having a tangible social network was also a predictor of both post-partum depression and poor self-perceived health status. The effect of functional social support varied according to the type of psychological well-being indicator being used. Problems of alcohol consumption or illicit drug use by a partner or family member were a predictor of post-partum depression only. Psychological well-being during the first year after birth is highly affected by isolated psychological IPV and psychosocial factors.