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The present research adopted both an individual and a sociocultural approach to expand previous knowledge of the mechanisms underlying reported variance in life satisfaction. Given the gratitude-oriented lifestyle and daily rituals of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, gratitude may serve as a central vehicle to its members' high reported levels of life satisfaction. Thus, Study 1 explored the mediating role of gratitude through a cross-cultural comparison between ultra-Orthodox and secular samples. Study 2 explored the moderating effect of optimism on the relationship between the sociocultural group and gratitude, which, in turn, affects life satisfaction. Based on two matched samples of ultra-Orthodox and secular individuals, the findings indicate that the relationship between cultural group and life satisfaction was fully mediated by gratitude. Moreover, optimism was found to moderate the relationship between cultural group and gratitude so that the difference in gratitude levels between the two cultural groups was higher for individuals with low levels of optimism. The findings hold significant conceptual and practical implications for a better understanding of life satisfaction and its contributors., Author(s): Pninit Russo-Netzer [sup.1] [sup.2] , Tamar Icekson [sup.3] [sup.4] , Aya Zeiger [sup.5] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.443007.4, 0000 0004 0604 7694, Department of Advanced Studies, Achva Academic College, , [...]

Synchronicity refers to the psychological process of meaningful coincidences. Despite its deep roots in early psychological theory, little systematic scientific research has been conducted on synchronicity experiences as an everyday phenomenon. This study is an exploratory qualitative attempt to characterize experiences of meaningful coincidences through a bottom-up approach. Based on a phenomenological analysis of indepth interviews of 45 adults, the findings suggest a dynamic model of three major building blocks (REM): receptiveness (R) or increased attention and openness to feelings and cognitions and to the external environment; viewed as a precondition for an exceptional encounter (E), a sudden unexpected event that echoes an inner feeling or thought, commonly evoking memorable and distinctive emotions; and meaning detecting (M), a conscious process of connecting the event to oneself while revalidating a sense of coherence, purpose and control in life. Findings also point to the multidimensional and complex nature of synchronicity experiences and reveal some positive outcomes. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed, and study limitations and directions for future research are suggested., Author(s): Pninit Russo-Netzer [sup.1] [sup.2] , Tamar Icekson [sup.3] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.18098.38, 0000 0004 1937 0562, Department of Counseling and Human Development, University of Haifa, , Haifa, Israel (2) [...]

Immigration has become a global phenomenon as part of modern life. However, immigrants often demonstrate negative emotional states following the immigration process, which may destabilize one's existing values and standards which provide meaning to life. Meaning in life is considered to be a protective factor against life adversities, and previous research has linked acculturative stress with reduced meaning in life. Yet, little is known about the differential utility of meaning in life among immigrants and non-immigrants in a given society. Thus, the current study examined whether meaning in life mediates the connection between negative affect and life satisfaction, and whether this mediation differs among immigrants and non-immigrants in Israel. Results demonstrated a significant mediation of meaning in life for the negative affect - life satisfaction connection, but only among native Israelis. The role of meaning in life in the context of acculturation is discussed, and future directions are suggested., Author(s): Pninit Russo-Netzer [sup.1] , Gabriel Horenczyk [sup.2] , Yoav S. Bergman [sup.3] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.18098.38, 0000 0004 1937 0562, Department of Counseling and Human Development, University of Haifa, [...]

Adolescence is a crucial developmental period when individuals establish their values, long-term aspirations, and direction in life, which together lay the groundwork for their healthy development. Recent research shows that having a sense of meaning in life and maintaining a positive perspective can be vital protective factors during this phase, facilitating coping and promoting overall well-being. The present study aims to build on previous research to further understand the interplay between possible mechanisms which underlie adolescents' sense of well-being, employing a mixed-method approach, based on a self-report cross-sectional design. 244 adolescents completed surveys on hedonic and eudaemonic orientation, life satisfaction, and prioritizing meaning, as well as open-ended questions related to their experience of meaning in life. The findings suggest that life satisfaction is strongly associated with positive affect, negative affect, prioritizing meaning, and optimism. Thematic analysis reveals themes related to the quantitative data collected: adolescents who mentioned that freedom at school or home could foster a greater sense of meaning scored significantly higher in positive affect and life satisfaction. In addition, a mediational model reveals that eudaimonia, prioritizing, positive affect, negative affect, and optimism are directly related to life satisfaction, while positive affect, negative affect, and optimism mediated between prioritizing meaning and life satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]