{"title":"Self-compassion as a Mechanism to Facilitate the Adjustment of first-year Students to University Environments","authors":"Pravani Naidoo, Maroné Oosthuizen","doi":"10.1007/s41042-023-00129-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-023-00129-y","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Despite high enrolment rates at higher education institutions, a perturbing number of first-year university students discontinue their studies. As first-year students constitute a vulnerable group, it is important to investigate ways in which to facilitate their adjustment to university. Extant research within student populations, including first-year students, deems self-compassion to be a robust protective factor in adjustment to university. However, studies rely largely on quantitative research designs, overlooking the voices and everyday experiences of first-year students. Accordingly, this study aimed to qualitatively explore experiences and practices of self-compassion amongst first-year students when faced with the challenges of adjusting to university. To capture in-depth, rich, thick contextual data, 12 South African first-year students participated in semi-structured interviews in their first semester, while follow-up interviews were conducted with 9 participants in the second semester. Themes generated through reflexive thematic analysis highlighted the yin and yang of self-compassion as a valuable conceptual tool to understand and promote first-year students’ experiences and practices of self-compassion. Further, students’ experiences of self-compassion are more nuanced and contradictory than previous research has indicated. Lastly, receiving social support and being self-compassionate constitute reciprocal processes that students engage with in distinct ways, affecting both the depth and breadth of their experiences. Based on this research, self-compassion is vital for strengths-based mental health programmes amongst first-year students. Programmes should promote the practice of the yin and the yang of self-compassion, foster an accepting approach to experiences, and recognise the nuanced, potentially contradictory nature of self-compassion.","PeriodicalId":73424,"journal":{"name":"International journal of applied positive psychology","volume":"18 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135833996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
John Elfers, Patty Hlava, Farrah Sharpe, Sonia Arreguin, Dawn Celeste McGregor
{"title":"Resilience and Loss: The Correlation of Grief and Gratitude","authors":"John Elfers, Patty Hlava, Farrah Sharpe, Sonia Arreguin, Dawn Celeste McGregor","doi":"10.1007/s41042-023-00126-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-023-00126-1","url":null,"abstract":"The present study investigated the relationship between cultivating gratitude and coping with grief. The primary research question guiding this study was: What is the correlation between resilience in grief, transcendent gratitude, and nondual awareness? Five measures were administered to collect data for this study: Grief and Meaning Reconstruction Inventory, Adult Attitude to Grief Scale, Gratitude Questionnaire 6, Transpersonal Gratitude Scale and Nondual Awareness Dimensional Assessment. A diverse demographic pool of survey respondents (n = 619) was recruited to determine what correlations might emerge from the data. Bivariate correlational analysis revealed strong correlations among total scores and specific subscales of grief, gratitude, and nondual awareness. Subscale correlations suggested positive correlations among transcendence, valuing a relationship, resilience, and personal growth; and negative correlations with efforts to control the overwhelming emotions associated with grief. Nondual awareness showed moderate correlations with resilience and personal growth, pointing to the centrality of whole-person transcendence in the association of gratitude with flourishing after profound loss. A regression model demonstrated that gratitude and nondual awareness predicted resilience in coping with grief. Conclusions include the potential value of pre-loss cultivation gratitude to enhancing competence in coping with grief.","PeriodicalId":73424,"journal":{"name":"International journal of applied positive psychology","volume":"44 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136011544","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Combining PPI Domains and Targeting Cognitive Mechanisms: A Failed Proof-of-Concept for PPI Research","authors":"Bryant M. Stone, David G. Gilbert","doi":"10.1007/s41042-023-00118-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-023-00118-1","url":null,"abstract":"Positive psychological interventions (PPIs) are activities that target positive variables (e.g., gratitude or kindness) to elicit a positive response in a population, such as improving adaptive functioning, promoting well-being, reducing depression, or enhancing quality of life. Despite several decades of evidence, a meta-analysis by White et al. (2019) concluded that the effect sizes of PPIs may be smaller than previously recorded and that their effects on depression may be generally nonsignificant. In the current study, we created a new PPI, called the Best-Self PPI (BS-PPI), to provide a proof-of-concept of two relatively unexplored properties of PPIs that may enhance effect sizes, which are: (1) combining PPI domains (i.e., multiple targeted positive variables) into a single intervention and (2) designing PPIs to target cognitive mechanisms of change. Using a double-masked procedure, we randomly assigned undergraduate students (n = 133) between the ages of 18 and 32 (Mage = 19.97, SD = 1.66; women; n = 85, 63.9%; White: n = 87, 65.41%) to complete either the BS-PPI – containing elements of meaning, character strengths, and optimism – or a control condition before completing measures of depression, psychological well-being, and affect. One day later, the participants completed a measure of affect and the Self-Referential Encoding Task, a behavioral measure of self-referential processing bias, which is the strength and the valance of the words one uses to describe oneself, to test the potential of targeting a cognitive mechanism of change. One week later, participants completed measures of depression, psychological well-being, and affect. The results suggest the BS-PPI did not affect depression, well-being, or affect compared to the control group despite the consistency of this study with many other PPI studies (e.g., sample size, design, and population), which aligns with the White et al. (2019) meta-analysis. We discuss the implications of this failed proof-of-concept for PPI research and recommendations for moving forward with these relatively unexplored properties.","PeriodicalId":73424,"journal":{"name":"International journal of applied positive psychology","volume":"36 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135015080","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rachel Cann, Claire Sinnema, Alan J. Daly, Joelle Rodway
{"title":"A Contextual Approach to Designing, Implementing, and Adapting a Wellbeing Program: A case Study of the MARKERS Wellbeing Program for Educators","authors":"Rachel Cann, Claire Sinnema, Alan J. Daly, Joelle Rodway","doi":"10.1007/s41042-023-00123-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-023-00123-4","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Improving educator wellbeing presents a complex challenge due to the variety of influences on wellbeing at the individual, relational, and contextual (school and policy) levels. This complexity contributes to the gap between the effectiveness of positive psychology interventions (PPIs) and their real-world success. To bridge this gap, it is essential to understand and adapt to school context when integrating psychological interventions into educational settings. This study addresses this gap through an approach to developing an educator wellbeing program that embraces the idea of understanding and adapting to context. We use a theory of change approach to designing a program, that outlines the context, design rationale, activities, and outcomes of the program. The program is multi-level, targeting influences on educator wellbeing at the individual, relational, and contextual (school) levels. Additionally, it employs a multi-foci strategy, encompassing a range of activities that target different levels and allow for adaptation. We present a case study of program implementation in one school, exploring contextual factors, adapting the program accordingly, and evaluating the degree to which theory of change outcomes were achieved. Program participants experienced improved wellbeing and a relational space characterised by more positive interactions with colleagues. This design and case study contribute to the ongoing discourse on progressing towards context-specific, whole-school approaches to wellbeing.","PeriodicalId":73424,"journal":{"name":"International journal of applied positive psychology","volume":"5 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135061113","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Psychometric Properties of the Psychological Work Immersion Scale: An ESEM vs ICM-CFA Approach","authors":"Llewellyn E. van Zyl, Dieter Veldsman","doi":"10.1007/s41042-023-00121-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-023-00121-6","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract This study investigates the psychometric properties and measurement invariance of the Psychological Work Immersion Scale (PWIS) scale within global organisational contexts. Data were gathered from 19134 working adults in the US, the UK, the Middle East, Africa, and Australia. To determine the best-fitting factorial model, a series of traditional ICM-CFA and less restrictive ESEM models were estimated and systematically compared. The results showed that a bifactor ESEM model, with one general factor of overall psychological work immersion and nine specific factors (strategic connection, manager credibility, appreciative feedback, enabling environment, team relations, strength use, employee voice, recognition and rewards, personal development) fitted the data best, was reliable and showed strong measurement invariance across genders and levels of education. The results show that psychological work immersion is a multidimensional construct that is both a function of yet separate from a dynamic interaction between the nine performance-enhancing conditions or enablers. Therefore, The PWIS can be used to measure psychological work immersion validly and reliably and could be used to make meaningful latent mean comparisons between genders and different levels of education.","PeriodicalId":73424,"journal":{"name":"International journal of applied positive psychology","volume":"28 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135153081","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Power of Sharing Joy in Same-sex Friendships: Investigating the Association between Capitalization, Sense of Uniqueness, Happiness and Depression","authors":"Tubanur Bayram Kuzgun, Meliksah Demir, Aliye Canan Taslioglu Sayiner, Omer Faruk Simsek","doi":"10.1007/s41042-023-00125-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-023-00125-2","url":null,"abstract":"Although uniqueness has various definitions in the literature, the personal sense of uniqueness, defined as the perception of unconditional self-worth, contributes positively to mental health. Research has found that perceived responses to capitalization attempts and the sense of uniqueness are negatively associated with depression and positively associated with happiness. Our study was conducted with an emerging adult sample from various ethnicities (N = 557) and investigated the sense of uniqueness as the mediator of perceived responses to capitalization attempts in friendships and mental health. The models demonstrated that the correlations between perceived responses to capitalization attempts and both happiness and depression were mediated by the sense of uniqueness. The results were discussed by considering the role of uniqueness in the capitalization process. Also, suggestions for future research were provided.","PeriodicalId":73424,"journal":{"name":"International journal of applied positive psychology","volume":"63 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135742006","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Doctrine-Shaped Trait Forgiveness and Relationship Satisfaction in People who Identify as Christians — A Multiple Mediation Analysis","authors":"Carolin Behrens, S. Kliem, C. Kröger","doi":"10.1007/s41042-023-00113-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-023-00113-6","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73424,"journal":{"name":"International journal of applied positive psychology","volume":"55 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41247713","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"“Name Three Good Things About Yourself in Mathematics” – An Intervention to Reduce Pre-Service Teachers’ Shame in Mathematics","authors":"Lars Jenßen","doi":"10.1007/s41042-023-00120-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-023-00120-7","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73424,"journal":{"name":"International journal of applied positive psychology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46871226","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Louise Nixon, B. Slattery, Alberto Cassese, G. T. ten Hoor
{"title":"Effects of the Digital Intervention StudentPOWR on the Subjective Wellbeing of Students Studying from Home: a Randomized Wait-List Control Trial","authors":"Louise Nixon, B. Slattery, Alberto Cassese, G. T. ten Hoor","doi":"10.1007/s41042-023-00114-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-023-00114-5","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73424,"journal":{"name":"International journal of applied positive psychology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47098149","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Awe: A Systematic Review within a Cognitive Behavioural Framework and Proposed Cognitive Behavioural Model of Awe","authors":"V. Schaffer, T. Huckstepp, L. Kannis-Dymand","doi":"10.1007/s41042-023-00116-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-023-00116-3","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73424,"journal":{"name":"International journal of applied positive psychology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45500287","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}