What Factors are Associated with Flourishing? Results from a Large Representative National Sample

Flourishing is the ultimate end-state in psychology and a key-concept in the field of positive psychology research. Flourishers are those individuals with both high levels of hedonic well-being and eudaimonic well-being. Although many researchers have focused on one or another of these domains, only a few have investigated the comprehensive state of flourishing. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of flourishing and its association with socio-demographics, personality traits and situational factors. This study used data from the second wave of the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study-2 (NEMESIS-2), a national representative sample of adults in The Netherlands (n = 5303; 2010–2012). Findings were compared to having either high hedonic well-being or high eudaimonic well-being. Results showed that 37 % of the respondents were flourishers, mainly characterized by high levels of conscientiousness and extraversion and low levels of neuroticism. The situational factors of social support and positive life-events were significantly associated with flourishing when the analysis was controlled for socio-demographics and personality traits. Flourishing was most distinct from high hedonic well-being and showed parallelism with high eudaimonic well-being. More research is needed to establish a preferred flourishing instrument with validated cut-off points for flourishing and to understand the processes of situational factors that may underlie the promotion of flourishing. We recommend longitudinal designs and experience sampling studies to investigate the unique and modifiable predictors of flourishing. In addition, future research should include intervention studies that examine through which hedonic and eudaimonic pathways flourishing can be achieve

Positive psychology of Malaysian students: impacts of engagement, motivation, self-compassion and wellbeing on mental health

Malaysia plays a key role in education of the Asia Pacific, expanding its scholarly output rapidly. However, mental health of Malaysian students is challenging, and their help-seeking is low because of stigma. This study explored the relationships between mental health and positive psychological constructs (academic engagement, motivation, self-compassion, and wellbeing), and evaluated the relative contribution of each positive psychological construct to mental health in Malaysian students. An opportunity sample of 153 students completed the measures regarding these constructs. Correlation, regression, and mediation analyses were conducted. Engagement, amotivation, self-compassion, and wellbeing were associated with, and predicted large variance in mental health. Self-compassion was the strongest independent predictor of mental health among all the positive psychological constructs. Findings can imply the strong links between mental health and positive psychology, especially selfcompassion. Moreover, intervention studies to examine the effects of self-compassion training on mental health of Malaysian students appear to be warranted.N/

Tien jaar monitor GGZ-preventie: Inzichten en vraagstukken: Ontwikkelingen in organisatie, capaciteit, financiering en bereik

The organizational characteristics and capacity of preventive mental health care, the financing structure for prevention activities as well as the participation rates, have been investigated by the Dutch ’Monitor Aard en Omvang GGZpreventie’. This article outlines developments between 2000 and 2010 in preventive mental health care. The results of ten years of monitoring were verified in interviews with two professionals. The three main developments were the rise of extensive mental health institutes after mergers, the transference of ’AWBZ’ to financing by health insurance companies and local authorities, and an increase in interventions and participation rates. The participation rates of preventive interventions increased from 13.008 participants in 2006 to 26.968 participants in 2010 (participants of online interventions not included). Most progress was made for the themes depression, anxiety, volunteer aid and ’Children of parents with psychiatric disorders’. Nevertheless, prevention is under pressure at the moment. Interventions that used to be carried out by specialist mental health institutes are now expected to be conducted in primary health care. A strong position in the latter, as well as self management and resilience, and E-health are opportunities for the future. A follow-up of the monitor is needed with attention for (cost) effectiveness of mental health prevention

What Do the Bereaved by Suicide Communicate in Online Support Groups? A Content Analysis.

Background: Every year, more than six million people lose a loved one through suicide. These bereaved by suicide are at relatively high risk for mental illnesses including suicide. The social stigma attached to suicide often makes it difficult to talk about grief. Participating in online forums may be beneficial for the bereaved by suicide, but it is unknown what they communicate in these forums. Aims: What do the bereaved by suicide communicate in online forums? We examined which self-help mechanisms, grief reactions, and experiences with health-care services they shared online. Method: We conducted a content analysis of 1,250 messages from 165 members of two Dutch language forums for the bereaved by suicide. Results: We found that sharing personal experiences featured most prominently in the messages, often with emotional expressions of grief. Other frequently used self-help mechanisms were expressions of support or empathy, providing advice, and universality (recognition), while experiences with health-care services featured only occasionally. Compared with previous studies about online forums for somatic illnesses, the bereaved by suicide communicated more personal experiences and engaged much less in chitchat. Conclusion: Online forums appear to have relevant additional value as a platform for talking about grief and finding support. © 2013 Hogrefe Publishing

The mental health of visitors of web-based support forums for bereaved by suicide.

Background: Persons bereaved by suicide are reluctant to ask for social support when they experience feelings of guilt and blame. A web-based peer forum may provide a safe and anonymous place for mutual support. Aims: This study examined the mental health changes of visitors of two online support forums for persons bereaved by suicide and their experiences with the forum over 1 year. Method: Visitors of two forums completed self-report measures at baseline and at 6 and 12 months' follow-up. Repeated measures analyses were used to study changes in well-being, depressive symptoms, and complicated grief. Additionally, participants were interviewed about their experiences with the forum. Results: The 270 participants were mostly female, low in well-being, with high levels of depressive symptoms and complicated grief. Suicidal risk was high for 5.9%. At 12 months, there were small to medium-sized significant improvements in well-being and depressive symptoms (p <.001) and nearly as much for grief (p =.08). About two thirds reported benefit from visiting the forum. Because of the pre-post design we cannot determine whether a causal relationship exists between the form and changes in mental health. Conclusion: After 1 year some positive changes but a large group was still struggling with their mental health. Interviews indicate that the forum was valued for finding recognition

Positive Psychological Interventions beyond WEIRD contexts: How, when, and why they work

Positive psychological interventions (PPIs) are criticized for being a Western-, Educated-, Industrialized-, Rich- and Democratic- (WEIRD) enterprise. The term ‘WEIRD enterprise’ reflects the idiosyncratic nature of the populations on which the science and practice of positive psychology is built; and the extent towards which such is then generalized to the entire human population. Traditionally, PPIs are built on the experiences of white, privileged, wealthy and highly educated individuals that resides in the United States (Hendriks et al., 2019). This approach neglects the experiences of the under-privileged, under-represented, and vulnerable groups as well as ignores the cultural embeddedness/origins of the positive states, traits and behaviors that PPIs aim to improve. Yet, PPI designs, -content, and methodologies are presented to be universally relevant and effective. A recent bibliographic analyses showed that despite more than 8000 published randomized control trials on PPIs, only 187 of them were from non-WEIRD contexts. Further, when attempts are made to replicated prominent PPIs in non-WEIRD contexts, they tend to show mixed or non-significant results. This raises the question: Do PPIs really ‘work’ for those it argues its designed for? This question roughly translates into a need for understanding “If”, “When”, “How”, and “Why” do PPIs work in non-WEIRD contexts. We therefore call for papers that aims to present theoretical- or empirical based answers to these imperative questions. Our aim is to synthesize cutting edge knowledge on how to enhance the effectiveness of PPI designs, content, dissemination methods, methodologies, and evaluation methods within non-WEIRD contexts. We welcome original research, brief reports, systematic literature reviews, meta-analyses, guidelines and case studies centered around: (a) IF PPIs Work in non-WEIRD contexts. This implies investigating the effectiveness of traditional PPIs in vulnerable populations, or within cross-cultural or multi-cultural contexts. Further, providing theoretical perspectives that supports or critically evaluates the theories, methods, concepts and constructs underpinning traditional PPIs. Finally, we seek papers that develops and evaluates culturally sensitive PPIs within non-WEIRD clinical, educational, organizational, community and societal contexts.(b) WHEN do PPIs work in non-WEIRD contexts. Here the focus is on knowing when PPIs work and don’t work. A critical reflection on the methods, intervention content, and cultural contexts are required to understand the conditions under which PPIs can yield positive results. What is required in terms of the development, design, implementation and evaluation of PPIs to ensure sustainable results within non-WEIRD contexts? (c) HOW do PPIs work in non-WEIRD contexts. This implies a need for understanding the meth-odological factors, and conditions that are required to ensure that PPIs yield desired results. Fur-ther, we have to understand how PPIs affect changes in positive states/traits and behaviors and not just “if” it leads to positive outcomes. Guidelines for enhancing positive states (e.g. positive af-fect; life satisfaction), -traits (e.g. strengths), -cognitions (e.g. hope; optimism) and -behaviors (e.g. pro-social behaviors) of individuals from non-WEIRD contexts are also encouraged.(d) WHY do PPIs work/ not-work in non-WEIRD context. Here, we seek to develop an understanding as to why PPIs tend to fail or produce mixed results outside of WEIRD contexts. What are the content related, methodological factors or evaluation methods that practitioners/researchers need to consider when designing PPIs for non-traditional contexts? To be considered for this research topic in Frontiers, we invite potential authors to submit a 300 Word Abstract of their proposed contributions via the Frontiers System before or on the 31st of May 2021. The final manuscripts will be due on the 30th of August 2021 and will be subjected to the normal blind collaborative review process as Frontiers. You are welcome to submit your manuscripts earlier

The relationship between depressive symptoms, general psychopathology, and well‐being in patients with major depressive disorder

Contains fulltext : 226701.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)Objective: In mental health care, treatment effects are commonly monitored by symptom severity measures. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between symptom severity and well-being in the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: Adult MDD outpatients (n = 77) were administered the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology - Self-Report (QIDS-SR), the Outcome Questionnaire (OQ-45), and the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF) before treatment and 6 months later. Results: Symptom severity correlated moderately with well-being at baseline and strongly at follow-up. Reliable change index scores showed improvement on the QIDS-SR, OQ-45, and MHC-SF in 65%, 59%, and 40%, respectively. A quarter of patients improved in symptom severity but not well-being (Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology - Self-Report [IDS-SR]: 25%; OQ-45: 24%). Conclusion: Findings suggest that symptom severity and subjective well-being are related, but distinct concepts. Several reasons for the stronger improvements in symptoms than in well-being are discussed.15 p