Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the unique and shared contributions of various positive psychology constructs (gratitude, optimism, hope, self-compassion, self-efficacy, and emotion regulation) to wellbeing and distress outcomes in young people living with a diverse range of chronic health conditions.
Methods and measures: 169 Australians (84.0% female, mean age = 21.2) who reported living with a chronic physical condition completed a cross-sectional survey assessing wellbeing, distress, and each positive psychology variable. Two multiple regressions were used to determine the unique and shared contributions of the positive psychology variables to wellbeing and distress outcomes.
Results: When considered alongside symptom severity, the variables explained 53.4% and 38.1% of variance in distress and wellbeing, respectively. Only optimism and self-efficacy accounted for unique and significant variance in the model predicting wellbeing, accounting for 6.1% and 4.6% of unique variance, respectively. For the distress model, optimism, self-compassion, and emotion regulation each accounted for significant variance. When considered alongside other variables, hope and gratitude did not contribute to either model.
Conclusion: Findings suggest that individual positive psychology variables differentially contribute to wellbeing and distress outcomes in young people with chronic conditions. Optimism appears to account for unique variance in both outcomes, suggesting it may be a parsimonious target to promote complete mental health in this population.
Objective: This study is the first to examine the relationship between character strengths, objective physical fitness, and physical activity in primary school children.
Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016 and 2017 at a school in Japan. Main Outcome Measures: We obtained informed consent from 236 fourth-grade students; 122 fifth-grade students; and 142 sixth-grade students. After excluding participants with missing data, 473 children (247 boys and 226 girls; aged 9-12 years) with informed consent were included in the study. We measured character strengths, physical fitness, and/or physical activity of fourth- to sixth-grade participants.
Results: Among boys, the total score of physical fitness was significantly associated with perseverance-honesty, courage-ideas, compassion-gratitude, and fairness-care (p < 0.05). Among girls, the total score of physical fitness was significantly associated with perseverance-honesty, courage-ideas, and compassion-gratitude (p < 0.05). Regarding the relationship between character strengths and physical activity, perseverance-honesty was significantly associated with total steps and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), whereas courage ideas were significantly associated with total steps (p < 0.05) in boys. In girls, perseverance-honesty was associated with MVPA (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Our findings revealed that character strengths are positively associated with objective physical fitness and physical activity in primary-school children.
Objective: Regression analyses are commonly used for selecting determinants to target in behavior change interventions, but the aim of this article is to explain why regression analyses are not suitable for this purpose (i.e. the regression trap).
Methods: This aim is achieved by providing (1) a theoretical rationale based on overlap among determinants; (2) a mathematical rationale based on the formulas that are used to calculate regression coefficients; and (3) examples based on real-world data.
Results: First, the meaning of regression coefficients is commonly explained as expressing the association between a determinant and a target behavior 'holding all other predictors constant.' We explain that this often boils down to 'neglecting a part of the psyche.' Second, we demonstrate that the interpretation of regression coefficients is distorted by correlations between determinants. Third, the examples provided demonstrate the impact this has in practice. This results in interventions targeting determinants that are less relevant and, thereby, have less impact on behavior change.
Conclusion: There are theoretical, mathematical, and practical reasons why regression analyses, and by extension multivariate analyses relying on correlations, are not suitable to select determinants to target in behavior change interventions. Instead, intervention developers should consider univariate distributions and bivariate association estimates simultaneously and there are freely accessible tools available to do so.
Objectives: This study aimed (1) to determine the psychometric properties of a Thai version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel (MBI-HSS [MP]) and (2) to examine the mean scores of burnout and associated factors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: Forward and back translations of the MBI-HSS (MP) questionnaire were performed. The Thai version was subsequently completed by 682 Thai physicians and nurses who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. Exploratory factor analysis was performed on the first subsample (n = 341) by conducting Kaiser Mayer-Olkin sampling adequacy measurement and Bartlett's test of sphericity whereas confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed on the second subsample (n = 341) using fit indices of the normed chi-square (χ2/df), the comparative fit index, the Tucker-Lewis index, and the root mean square error of approximation. This version's internal consistency was investigated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Demographic profiles were evaluated with descriptive and analytical statistics.
Results: The Thai version of the MBI-HSS (MP) displayed good psychometric characteristics, as the Cronbach's alpha values of the 3 burnout factors ranged from 0.843 to 0.945. The CFA also showed good fit indices (χ2/df = 4.473; P < 0.001; RMSEA = 0.075 (95%CI = 0.055-0.079); CFI = 0.946; and TLI = 0.936). The physicians' mean EE, DP, and PA scores were 25.28 ± 13.27, 7.15 ± 6.11, and 36.83 ± 8.13, respectively, whereas The nurses' mean EE, DP, and PA scores were 23.10 ± 14.14, 4.43 ± 5.06, and 35.67 ± 10.24, respectively. Healthcare professionals who were younger, single, had fewer years of practice, and had more working hours per week tended to express more burnout scores.
Conclusions: The Thai version of the MBI-HSS (MP) demonstrates good psychometric properties in assessing burnout among healthcare professionals. Several factors may be pivotal in intensifying burnout.
Background: The impact of cancer extends beyond treatment and evaluating the adverse psychological effects in survivors is important. We examined: (1) the relationship between diagnosis, relapse, and subjective well-being using a short and a holistic measure of well-being, including comparisons between our sample and established norms; (2) if reported physical symptoms were related to components of subjective well-being; and (3) if increased psychological flexibility predicted overall subjective well-being. Methods: In total, 316 survivors completed online questionnaires to assess cancer, physical health (Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale-R; ESAS-R), subjective well-being (Comprehensive Inventory of Thriving; CIT; Satisfaction with Life Scale; SWLS) and psychological flexibility (Comprehensive Assessment of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). Results: Relative to ESAS-R cut-points (Oldenmenger et al., 2013), participants reported only moderate levels of tiredness and slightly elevated drowsiness, depression, and anxiety; participants reported more problems with psychological health. SWLS scores were lower than published norms (M = 18.23, SD = 8.23) and a relapse was associated with the lowest SWLS scores (M = 16.95, SD = 7.72). There were differences in thriving between participants and age-matched norms (Su et al., 2014). Participants reported lower community involvement, respect, engagement with activities, skill mastery, sense of accomplishment, self-worth, self-efficacy, autonomy, purpose, optimism, subjective well-being, and positive emotions coupled with higher loneliness and negative emotions. In regression analysis, two components of psychological flexibility, Openness to Experience, t = 2.50, p < 0.13, β = -0.18, and Valued Action, t = 7.08, p < 0.001, β = -0.47, predicted 28.8% of the variability in total CIT scores, beyond the effects of demographic and disease characteristics and reported physical symptoms. Conclusion: Cancer is an isolating experience, with the adverse psychological effects that impact subjective well-being continuing after the cessation of physical symptoms. Specific components of psychological flexibility may explain some variability in thriving beyond disease characteristics and may inform psychological intervention after diagnosis.
Background: Research supports development of informal, community-based suicide prevention interventions that can be tailored to suit men's unmet needs. The James' Place model (JPM) is a community-based, clinical suicide prevention intervention for men experiencing suicidal crisis. Evidence supports the efficacy of the JPM and there are plans to expand to additional sites across the UK. This study evaluates therapists perceived acceptability of the JPM, and if fidelity to the planned delivery of the model is maintained within therapeutic practice.
Method: A mixed-methods design was used. Descriptive analyses of 30 completed intervention cases were examined to review fidelity of the model against the intervention delivery plan. Eight therapists took part in semi-structured interviews between November 2021 and March 2022 exploring the perceived acceptability, and barriers and facilitators to delivering the JPM.
Results: Descriptive analyses of James' Place audit notes revealed high levels of adherence to the JPM amongst therapists, but highlighted components of the model needed to be tailored according to individual men's needs. Thematic analysis led to the development of five themes. The first theme, therapeutic environment highlighted importance of the therapy setting. The second theme identified was specialised suicide prevention training in the JPM that facilitated therapists understanding and expertise. The third theme identified was therapy engagement which discusses men's engagement in therapy. The fourth theme, person-centred care related to adaptation of delivery of JPM components. The final theme, adapting the JPM to individual needs describes tailoring of the JPM by therapists to be responsive to individual men's needs.
Conclusion: The findings evidence therapist's acceptability and their moderate adherence to the JPM. Flexibility in delivery of the JPM enables adaptation of the model and co-production of therapy to meet men's needs. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.
Subjective social status (SSS) is an important independent predictor of health outcomes, however, the pathways through which it affects health are poorly understood. Chronic shame has previously been suggested as a potential mechanism but this has never been investigated and the relationship between chronic shame and health is under-researched. The purpose of this pilot study was to explore whether chronic shame explains a significant portion of the association between SSS and self rated health (SRH). Two-hundred American adults aged 30-55 years were recruited via a crowd-sourcing platform and were asked to provide information on their SSS, level of chronic shame, and SRH. Chronic shame significantly mediated the relationship between SSS and SRH. This pilot study provides initial evidence that shame explains a significant portion of the relationship between subjective social status and self-rated health. These findings support the initiation of larger, longitudinal investigations into chronic shame as a mediator of the subjective social status and self-rated health relationship.