A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e., a controlling message) compared with no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared with the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly internalized form of motivation relying on one’s core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people’s existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing. Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intention to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges

A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e. a controlling message) compared to no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly-internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared to the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly-internalized form of motivation relying on one’s core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people’s existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing: Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges

Positive Psychological Approaches to Disaster: Meaning, Resilience, and Posttraumatic Growth

Written by prominent proponents of disaster mental health and/or positive psychology, this comprehensive book examines disaster mental health and positive psychology in the context of natural and technological disasters. Chapters in the first section focus on applications of meaning and resilience in the area of disaster mental health, both serving as primary examples of applications of positive psychology and related frameworks. Later chapters focus more specifically on key aspects of disaster mental health, including the importance of preparedness, training, and special populations. Contributors consistently align their insights with positive psychological approaches, either by explicitly referencing their relevance or alluding less directly to themes in positive psychology.https://egrove.olemiss.edu/libarts_book/1202/thumbnail.jp

Clarifying and Furthering Existential Psychotherapy: Theories, Methods, and Practices

This exciting volume brings together leading figures across existential psychology in a clear-sighted guide to its current practice and therapeutic possibilities. Its accessible yet scholarly presentation dispels common myths about existential psychotherapy while demonstrating core methods and innovative techniques as compatible with the range of clinicians’ theoretical orientations and practical approaches. Chapters review the evidence for its therapeutic value, and provide updates on education, training, and research efforts in the field, both in the US and abroad. Throughout, existential psychotherapy emerges as a vital, flexible, and empirically sound modality in keeping with the current―and future―promotion of psychological well-being. Clarifying and Furthering Existential Psychotherapy will spark discussion and debate among students, therapists, researchers, and practitioners in existential psychology, existential psychotherapy, and allied fields as well as the interested public. It makes a suitable text for graduate courses in existential therapy, psychological theories, and related subjects.https://egrove.olemiss.edu/libarts_book/1066/thumbnail.jp

Ethical issues in the use of computerized assessment

Abstract Computer applications in the field of psychological test administration have significant ethical implications for clinicians, client/responders, and computerized test construction and administration. Lack of awareness of computer-related issues may undermine clinicians' ability to ethically perform computerized psychological assessments. Graduate training in computerized testing is limited, and clinicians should be exposed to ethical concerns, potential judgment errors, and possible pitfalls in evaluating computer-generated reports. Recommendations for clinical research and practice are offered. Computerization clearly presents a series of dilemmas for psychologists conducting clinical assessments that will continue well into the future. Increased awareness of relevant issues will enhance the chances that ethical dilemmas will be successfully navigated

The Purpose in Life Test-Short Form: Development and Psychometric Support

Logotherapy, Meaning, Confirmatory factor analysis, Purpose in Life test, Short form,

Clinical Perspectives on Meaning: Positive and Existential Psychotherapy

This unique theory-to-practice volume presents far-reaching advances in positive and existential therapy, with emphasis on meaning-making as central to coping and resilience, growth and positive change. Innovative meaning-based strategies are presented with clients facing medical and mental health challenges such as spinal cord injury, depression, and cancer. Diverse populations and settings are considered, including substance abuse, disasters, group therapy, and at-risk youth. Contributors demonstrate the versatility and effectiveness of meaning-making interventions by addressing novel findings in this rapidly growing and promising area. By providing broad international and interdisciplinary perspectives, it enhances empirical findings and offers valuable practical insights. Such a diverse and varied examination of meaning encourages the reader to integrate his or her thoughts from both existential and positive psychology perspectives, as well as from clinical and empirical approaches, and guides the theoretical convergence to a unique point of understanding and appreciation for the value of meaning and its pursuit. Clinical Perspectives on Meaning redefines these core healing objectives for researchers, students, caregivers, and practitioners from the fields of existential psychology, logotherapy, and positive psychology, as well as for the interested public.https://egrove.olemiss.edu/libarts_book/1068/thumbnail.jp

A Spanish Adaptation and Validation of the Purpose in Life Test – Short Form (PIL-SF)

In the literature on meaning and purpose in life, distinguishing the two constructs remains an ongoing avenue of philosophical and empirical debate; however, there is general consensus in defining purpose in life as goal-directedness towards living a more meaningful life. Questionnaires measuring this goal-directedness, specifically, rather than broad measures of meaning, are necessary in order to further this vein of research. The Purpose in Life Test (PIL), developed by Crumbaugh and Maholick in the 1960s, has been shown to be a valid instrument for measuring meaning and purpose. Four of the 20 items composing the instrument have demonstrated greater internal coherence and greater precision for evaluating goal-directed purpose in life, specifically. Schulenberg et al. (2011) developed an abbreviated version of the PIL, which they termed the Purpose in Life test – Short Form (PIL-SF). This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and factor structure of the PIL-SF. This validation involved two different samples of university students: sample A (N = 368) and sample B (N = 336). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported a 1-factor model, and reliability of the items was excellent. Results suggest that this new instrument is a valid and reliable measure of purpose in life, comparable to the English language PIL-SF

Supplemental material - Is Humor a Meaning Making Process? Investigating the Effects of Absurd Humor and Mortality Salience on Meaning in Life, Moral Identity, Belongingness, and Belief in a Just World

Supplemental material for Is Humor a Meaning Making Process? Investigating the Effects of Absurd Humor and Mortality Salience on Meaning in Life, Moral Identity, Belongingness, and Belief in a Just World by Joshua H. Semko and Stefan E. Schulenberg in Psychological Reports</p

Meet Them Where They Are: Investigating the Feasibility and Acceptability of Artificial Intelligence-Avatar-Delivered Community-Based Psychological First Aid Programming in a University Setting

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of implementing an Artificial Intelligence (AI) avatar to deliver Community-Based Psychological First Aid training (CBPFA) to undergraduate students in a university setting. College students report high stress levels, and chronic stress is associated with negative physical, mental, and academic outcomes. CBPFA may be an effective way for colleges and universities to provide students with psychosocial support; however, traditional models utilize in-person training, which may not be accessible on a large scale. The present study developed a web-based AI-avatar-delivered CBPFA training to provide an alternative training modality. The AI-avatar-delivered CBPFA training resulted in statistically significant knowledge increases, and participants ranked it as both acceptable and feasible. Qualitative feedback also identified a number of positive and negative characteristics of the training. The current research is only the second published study to utilize CBPFA training among college students and is the first known program to utilize an AI avatar to deliver CBPFA training. The study results indicate that an AI-avatar-delivered CBPFA program is an acceptable and feasible way to teach CBPFA principles, corroborate prior research on CBPFA and the use of AI, and provide the foundation for future research of AI-avatar-delivered psychoeducational programming