Development of character prospection in emerging adult search and presence of calling

Emerging adulthood is considered a particularly important period for seeking life roles that provide a sense of purpose or meaningfulness. It has been proposed that character prospection, the ability to predict change to one\u27s character in the near future, is an integral part of personality development in emerging adults. The current research operationalizes character prospection as the relationship between search for calling in students early in their college years and presence of calling in students nearing their graduation. Among a variety of variables being explored, we hypothesize spirituality as a mediator of character prospection, due to the role of transcendent summons in both search and presence of calling. Data were collected on two years (i.e., six consecutive quarters) of SPU students enrolled in PSY 1200 Psychology as Vocation (n= 176) and enrolled in PSY 4899 Senior Seminar in Psychology (n= 124). In addition to demographic questions, measures included` the Calling and Vocation Questionnaire and the VIA Character Strength Survey

Stability of moral traits (justice and humanity) in emerging adults: A longitudinal analysis.

Emerging adulthood is considered a particularly important period for moral maturity in adulthood, and for personality changes that relate closely to character development. Research also suggests that once moral traits develop in emerging adults, they remain relatively stable in both score and rank; and they are among the most stable of character traits examined. Using the VIA Character Strength Survey, the current research is investigating the stability of the moral traits justice and humanity in comparison to a subset of character traits from other domains. These data were collected from SPU students early in their college years and again as they neared their graduation

Images of aging and positive affect in independently living older adults: An update

The World Health Organization (2018) estimates that between 2015 and 2050, the proportion of the world\u27s older adult population will nearly double from 12% to 22%. Despite this increasing prevalence, negative age-related stereotypes persist, cross national and cultural boundaries, and are associated with poor cognitive, mental, and physical health. In contrast, older adults with more positive views of aging experience better mental and physical health, engage in more preventive healthy behaviors, and enjoy greater longevity. These positive aging outcomes are again confirmed in this year\u27s expanded study of independent living residents in Bayview, a retirement community in Seattle. (n = 56, 36 females, 19 males, 1 gender non-conforming, ages 66 — 97 years). In addition, this study explores possible mediation effects of social relationships, perceived health status, and age on the relationship between images of aging and positive affect

Predictors of quality and meaning in life in independently living older adults: A quantitative replication of Weinstock and Bond (2018)

In their in depth qualitative study of older adults living in a continuing care facility, Weinstock and Bond (2018) identified three first-order components of quality of life: (1) Sense of community and belonging, (2) resident driven engagement, and (3) individual autonomy, independence, and respect. Our present study attempts to replicate the Weinstock and Bond findings using a quantitative methodology in a sample of independent living residents in Bayview, a retirement community in Seattle. (n = 56, 36 females, 19 males, 1 gender non-conforming, ages 66 — 97 years). Early analyses indicate that only the third component (i.e., autonomy, independence, and respect) is a significant predictor of positive aging outcomes, including meaning in life. Various explanations for this divergence in findings are currently being explored

Role of perfectionism, self-compassion, and cultural values on help-seeking attitudes of Asian American college students

Perfectionism, cultural values, and self-compassion can all impact the ways in which a person may present themselves. The desire to appear perfect has been found to mask psychological distress. Our study examines how perfectionism, as well as other variables that influence self-presentation, can impact help-seeking attitudes. We focus on the influence of perfectionistic self-presentation on mental health outcomes in Asian American college students. We predicted that self-compassion will be correlated with positive help-seeking attitudes, while perfectionistic self-presentation will be related to more unfavorable help-seeking attitudes. We also examine how culture, specifically emotional self-control and family recognition through achievement, can alter these relationships. Data collection is still ongoing, but preliminary correlations based on 101 Asian American college students indicated that help-seeking attitudes was correlated with cultural value of emotional restraint, and the perfectionistic self-presentation subscale of non-disclosure of imperfection

Images of aging, well-being, and life satisfaction among independently living older adults

The U.S. is an aging country in an aging world, and yet negative age-related stereotypes abound and continue among the most institutionalized of isms. Such stereotypes in older adults are associated with poor mental and physical health. In contrast, older adults with more positive views of aging experience better mental and physical health, engage in more preventive healthy behaviors, and enjoy greater longevity. These positive aging outcomes are confirmed in the present study of independent living residents in Bayview, a retirement community in Seattle (n=41; 26 females, 14 males; ages 70-94 years). In addition, this study reports findings on such variables as perceptions of well-being, self-efficacy, social engagement, and spiritual expression. (Word count: 112