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The aim of the present study was to identify profiles of elite athlete mental well- and ill-being and study how the profiles (i.e., subgroups of athletes) differed in sport-related demands and resources. A total of 259 Finnish elite athletes (n = 170 active and n = 89 retired) completed quantitative self-report inventories. Through cluster analysis, four profiles of mental well- and ill-being were identified. Profile 1 was overrepresented by retired, older, and male athletes, and characterized by good mental well-being. Profile 2 consisted mainly of active athletes who reported mild risk for alcohol abuse. Profile 3 consisted mainly of women who displayed possible presence of an eating disorder. Profile 4 was typical of young athletes with mental ill-being. The balance between sport-related demands and resources appeared to be the healthiest in Profile 1 and worst in Profile 4. The present findings are beneficial for those who work with and/or provide psychological support to athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article synthesizes ideas from the capability approach, the embeddedness approach, and Nancy Fraser's three-dimensional scale of justice and develops a theoretical framework for understanding subjective well-being (SWB) as a positive functioning. It also proposes an instrument for measuring SWB and its relationship with participation in non-formal adult education. Using data from the European Social Survey, carried out in 2012, for 24 European countries and applying multilevel linear models for the analysis, the study finds evidence for a positive association between participation in non-formal adult education and SWB. The results show that differences in the SWB among people who have participated in non-formal adult education and those who have not are higher for those who have no higher education and are unemployed than for those who have higher education and paid work. This study also reveals that when people live in countries with better economic and democratic development and a more individualistic culture, the differences in their SWB by participating in non-formal adult education are smaller than when they live in countries with worse economic and democratic development and a more collectivistic culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Uganda, especially those based in rural Africa, experience multiple interrelated adversities that may place them at risk of HIV, alcohol abuse, and being dependent on inequitable power relationships with men for survival and income. With funding from the DREAMS initiative in Africa, a multi-component, community-based intervention was designed to optimize AGYW's abilities to care for themselves. From 2016 to 2019, the Uganda Youth Development Link established the DREAMS Initiative for Rural Communities in 10 rural sites in the Bukomansimbi, Gomba, and Ssembabule Districts, at which n = 8620 AGYW engaged in vocational training, cognitive-behavioral preventive interventions addressing HIV risk, interpersonal partner violence, substance abuse prevention, parenting classes, and recreational activities. Existing community leaders linked AGYW to these programs. Surveys at recruitment and two years later evaluated the program and assessed its impact on AGYW. AGYW reported multiple risk histories: 41.5% engaged in transactional sex (typically with two past partners); 30.3% were mothers; and 42.5% used alcohol often. There was high uptake of each program component: 89% completed vocational training; 61% received family planning services; 78% were tested for HIV (1% seropositive). Two years post intervention, 70% of those who had learnt to be a tailor were still working; 33% of those who had been trained in hair dressing. Multi-component interventions are required to address the multiple challenges experienced by AGYW. The broad range of experiences within each community allows multiple entry points to care and tailored programming for AGYW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been shown to have consequences for adolescent development, yet little is known about the association between ACEs and positive functioning. Positive functioning evaluates engagement, perseverance, optimism, connectedness, and happiness, which are intimately related to pro-social behavior. As skills associated with sociability in adolescence often carry on into adulthood, understanding the developmental origins in inequalities in pro-social behavior, as measured by positive functioning, is key to ensuring equitable life chances across the life course. Subsequently, the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS; n = 3444) was used to examine how early exposure to cumulative ACEs, plus the timing and duration of those ACEs may be associated with positive functioning development in adolescence. The sample consisted of urban-born youth (49% female) with the mean age of 15. Racial/ethnic breakdown of the sample is 18% non-Hispanic White, 49% non-Hispanic Black, 25% Hispanic, and 8% "Other". Overall, estimates suggest that roughly 88% of these youth experienced at least one ACE by age five. The findings indicate that cumulation, timing, and duration of early ACEs are related to overall adolescent positive functioning and four out of the five domains (perseverance, optimism, connectedness, and happiness), even after controlling for more recent ACEs. This study highlights the critical impact of very early ACEs on youth positive functioning, which may confer further physical, mental, and social disadvantages into adulthood. Positive functioning can serve as a protective factor against some of the negative consequences of adversity, and ensuring that all families receive proper supports may limit the lifelong effects of adversity, and most importantly, prevent ACEs from occurring in the first place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: There are considerable differences in how eating disorder (ED) patients respond to treatment. This study aimed to identify change trajectories of mental health during treatment. Method: Longitudinal data of 442 patients was used with five time points during a year of outpatient treatment. ED psychopathology and well-being were used as primary measures. A series of latent growth mixture models were applied to model trajectories of change. Results: Three latent classes were found for ED psychopathology and well-being. For ED psychopathology, a high baseline severity and slow recovery class (55.9% of the patients), a high baseline severity followed by a substantial recovery class (19.9%) and a moderate baseline severity and no significant recovery class (24.2%) were found. For well-being, a low baseline followed by a slow growth class (44.6%), a low baseline and substantial growth class (9.5%) and a moderate and stable well-being class (45.9%) was found. General psychopathology, early symptom change, hope for recovery, intrinsic motivation and the ED type were predictive of class membership in either ED psychopathology or well-being. Conclusions: This study shows variability in ED psychopathology and well-being change trajectories, modelled in meaningful latent recovery classes. These results may have clinical implications, such as adjusting patients' treatment based on change trajectories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Evidence from the interventions for parents of children with developmental disabilities (DD) in Türkiye makes it essential to provide a synthesis of the efficacy of relevant interventions. Therefore, the main purpose of this meta-analysis is to address the efficacy of interventions for parents of children with DD in Türkiye. • The findinds of the study revealed that the interventions designed for parents of children with DD result in an increase in positive functioning and a reduction in symptoms of mental health conditions in favor of experimental group. • Moderator analyses showed that the study design was a statistically significant moderator of positive functioning. However, other moderators (the gender of the participants, publication type, the type of intervention, the disability type of children, the sample size, and the number of sessions) were not statistically significant for symptoms of mental health conditions and positive functioning. Previous studies have revealed that parents of children with developmental disabilities (DD) experience various mental health problems. The number of intervention studies has increased for parents of children with DD to reduce symptoms of mental health conditions and increase positive functioning in recent years in Türkiye. The main purpose of this systematic and meta -analytical review is to address the efficacy of interventions for parents of children with DD on symptoms of mental health conditions and positive functioning in Türkiye. The second purpose of this study is to examine the effect of the potential moderators on the efficacy of the interventions in symptoms of mental health conditions and positive functioning. For these purposes, studies published between 2000 and October 2022 were searched in various databases. As a result of the literature search, 61 studies met the inclusion criteria, and 23 studies with 17 independent effect sizes for symptoms of mental health conditions and 12 independent effect sizes for positive functioning were included in the current study. Cohen's d effect size index was used to calculate the efficacy of intervention studies included in the meta -analysis on symptoms of mental health conditions and positive functioning. Results revealed that the overall mean effect size for the 17 mental health studies was −1.15 and for the 12 positive functioning studies was 2.03 in favor of experimental group. Moderator analyses showed that the study design (experimental vs. quasi-experimental) was a statistically significant moderator of positive functioning. The average effect size for experimental studies was higher than that of quasi-experimental studies. However, other moderators (the gender of the participants, publication type, the type of intervention, the disability type of children, the sample size, and the number of sessions) were not statistically significant for symptoms of mental health conditions and positive functioning. Although the current study has some limitations, the findings revealed that the interventions designed for parents of children with DD result in an increase in positive functioning and a reduction in symptoms of mental health conditions in favor of experimental group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Globally many young people, especially from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, face significant barriers to achieving optimal life chances. Creative arts interventions are a way of reaching out to adolescents in low-income communities, to encourage positive functioning and enhanced well-being. We need information on the efficacy – or otherwise – of such interventions to optimise future efforts. Method: An integrative, descriptive literature review was conducted to explore and describe creative arts interventions for adolescents in low-income communities. Data were synthesised by comparing evidence from 12 studies that met the inclusion criteria, and combining ideas using logical reasoning to present what is known or yet to be known about the study topic. Results: Themes emerged regarding the structure and content of interventions; the characteristics of adolescent participants; the countries and contexts in which interventions were carried out; and overall outcomes for adolescent well-being as well as pedagogy. Conclusion: There are worthy outcomes for adolescents living in low-income communities who participate in structured creative arts interventions. However, research evidence is limited, and more research should be undertaken to investigate the development and evaluation of creative arts interventions for the well-being of adolescents in adverse contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current wellness crisis among graduate students calls on institutions of higher education to act and advocate for student thriving. While existing research on human thriving provides insight into how this experience of positive functioning can be understood across the lifespan, what it means to thrive within graduate programs—and by extension, how to support students in their ability to thrive within these programs—remains understudied. To address this gap in the literature, this study examined how graduate students describe and understand thriving within their programs of study. We thematically and quantitatively analyzed 2,287 Canadian graduate students survey responses to the question “How would you describe a student who is thriving in your program.” Findings indicate that graduate students conceptualize thriving as a complex and multi-dimensional construct involving both academic and non-academic components. The six overarching themes of achieving, engaging, connecting, balancing, enjoying, and being provide foundation for further exploration and insight into the ways that universities and post-secondary institutions can support students’ positive functioning.

Objective: Psychometric network analysis has led to new possibilities to assess the structure and dynamics of psychiatric disorders. The current study focuses on mental health networks in patients with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and other specified eating disorders (EDs). Method: Network analyses were applied with five mental health domains (emotional, psychological and social well‐being, and general and specific psychopathology) among 905 ED patients. Also, networks of 36 underlying symptoms related to the domains were estimated. The network stability, structure and (bridge) centrality of the nodes were assessed for the total group and each ED type. Network differences between the ED types were also examined. Results: ED psychopathology was only weakly connected with the well‐being domains. Psychological well‐being was the most central node in the domain network. The most central nodes in the symptom network were feeling depressed, feeling worthless, purpose in life and self‐acceptance. Bridge symptoms between well‐being and psychopathology were self‐acceptance, environmental mastery, interested in life and feeling depressed. There were no network differences between the ED types in both the domain and symptom networks. Conclusions: This study shows novel associations between well‐being and psychopathology in ED patients. Central domains and their underlying symptoms may be especially important to consider in treatment for promoting mental health in ED patients. Highlights: Psychometric network analysis shows novel associations between well‐being and psychopathology in eating disorder (ED) patients.The most central mental health domain and underlying symptoms were psychological well‐being, feeling depressed feeling worthless, purpose in life and self‐acceptance.A transdiagnostic approach to ED treatment, focusing on central mental health symptoms may be warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Engagement, Perseverance, Optimism, Connectedness, and Happiness (EPOCH) Measure of Adolescent Well-Being (Kern, M. L., Benson, L., Steinberg, E. A., and Steinberg, L. [2016]. The EPOCH measure of adolescent well-being. Psychological Assessment, 28, 586-597) is a recently developed and validated scale to assess adolescent well-being and positive functioning. This measure includes five dimensions of developmental assets (i.e., EPOCH) that can foster adolescents' well-being, physical health, and other social-emotional outcomes. Prior studies have tested measure equivalence across demographic, cultural, and language groups. The current study examined the validity of the EPOCH measure, using a national sample of adolescents from socioeconomically disadvantaged families (n = 3444) in the United States. Consistent with theoretical expectations, confirmatory factor analyses supported the hypothesized first-order and second-order factor structure. The overall EPOCH scale and its subscales were also associated as expected with adolescents' depression, anxiety, behavior problems, delinquency, school connectedness, and social skills. Findings provide empirical support for the EPOCH and its underlying multidimensional theory of adolescent well-being. Unexpectedly, the dimension of engagement was not found to be highly related to other dimensions, and its items had low factor loadings on the EPOCH construct in the current data. Implications of the study are described and directions for future research discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While a plethora of studies indicating substance use treatment reduced measurable, pathological symptoms, research is still needed to explore treatment-related recovery (i.e., therapeutic changes) derived from a lived experience from clients. The current study used semistructured interviews to query clients' narratives on the process of early recovery in inpatient substance use treatment. The analysis of qualitative data revealed five themes: positive therapeutic changes pertaining to substance use (including substance-related problem recognition, a desire for drug cessation, and a continual need for treatment), emotion regulation, mindfulness and self-awareness, being positive for future outcomes, and changes in conceptualizing important relationships. The findings speak to the importance of promoting changes related to substance use and cultivating co-occurring positive psychological functioning in early recovery. Clinicians may consider integrating a variety of interventions into substance use treatment that help process and regulate emotions, reconnect with client sense of self and personal values, and understand traumatic experiences, which would ultimately facilitate recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the issue of positive aging and how it can be improved through traveling and environment exploration. Moving from the most relevant contemporary theoretical perspectives on positive aging, the first part of the article focuses the attention on the conceptualization of successful aging, and examines the theoretical basis that could support the thesis that traveling can be viewed as an hallmark of this condition. The second part of the article takes into consideration a recent new area of psychological science, the Positive Psychology, trying to briefly examine the potential of the “well-being approach” for reaching a positive aging also through the tourist activity.

Interest in the experience of well-being, as both a research topic and as a policy goal, has significantly increased in recent decades. Although subjective well-being (SWB)—composed of positive affect, low negative affect, and life satisfaction—is the most commonly used measure of well-being, many experts have argued that another important dimension of well-being, often referred to as eudaimonic well-being (EWB), should be measured alongside SWB. EWB, however, has been operationalized in at least 45 different ways, using measures of at least 63 different constructs. These diverse measurement strategies often have little overlap, leading to discrepant results and making the findings of different studies difficult to compare. Building on the Eudaimonic Activity Model, we propose a tripartite conception of well-being, distinguishing between eudaimonic motives/activities, psychological need satisfaction, and SWB, arguing that the needs category provides a parsimonious set of elements at the core of the well-being construct. Based on the self-determination theory claim that all human beings share evolved psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness, we show that satisfaction of all three needs directly affect SWB and other health and wellness outcomes, can efficiently explain the effects of various behaviors and conditions upon well-being outcomes, and are universally impactful across cultures. We conclude that routinely measuring psychological needs alongside SWB within national and international surveys would give policymakers a parsimonious way to assess eudaimonic dimensions of wellness and provide powerful mediator variables for explaining how various cultural, economic, and social factors concretely affect citizens' well-being and health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following a socio-ecological approach focused on multidimensional aspects of psychological functioning, this pilot study investigated the relationship between subjective well-being across different domains (e.g., positive experience, social relations, human insecurity, negative experience, self-competence, hope for the future) and psychological distress, in a sample (n = 225) of internally displaced (internally displaced people, IDPs) adolescents hosted in refugee camps in Niger. The Subjective Well-Being Assessment Scale and General Health Questionnaire-12 were administered to the sample by trained interviewers. Participants displayed a low level of psychological distress despite the multiple traumatic experiences they had faced and ongoing stressful conditions at the host camps. Positive experience was found to act as an effective protection factor, enhancing psychological functioning, and mitigating psychological distress. A preserved sense of self-competence and hope for the future were confirmed to play a key role in protecting adolescents from the effects of psychological distress. Youths seem to maintain positive psychological functioning when subjective well-being and other personal and relational resources are active as protection factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many individuals believe that life gets better and better over time. To examine the sources and significance of such beliefs, we examined lay theories for life satisfaction (LS) in relation to individuals' beliefs concerning how their LS was unfolding over time. Two studies were conducted with online participants: one correlational (Study 1; N = 320, M age = 30.39, 55% male), the other experimental (Study 2; N = 321, M age = 30.46, 53% male). In both studies more incremental (vs. entity) lay theories were associated with more steeply inclining subjective trajectories for LS. Furthermore, both sets of beliefs had unique effects on individuals' goal-striving toward a brighter future life, as well as psychological adjustment (self-efficacy, hope, optimism, positive affect, negative affect). Thus, lay theories and subjective trajectories for LS share a common assumption concerning change in life satisfaction over time. And each set of beliefs plays a unique role in positive functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific research on leisure has proven its contribution to physical and psychological well-being in adolescents, especially regarding the practice of structured leisure activities. Leisure is considered a privileged context for adolescents to develop and learn several developmental skills, such as emotion regulation (ER). Nevertheless, the relationship between leisure and ER has been under-researched in adolescents. The present cross-sectional study aims to test a conceptual model concerning the relationship of leisure attitudes and leisure satisfaction with adolescents’ positive functioning and to explore the role of emotion self-regulation strategies in that relationship. Thus, we hypothesized that leisure attitudes would be a predictor of leisure satisfaction; leisure satisfaction would be a predictor of positive functioning dimensions (self-esteem; satisfaction with life; psychological well-being); and the relationship between leisure satisfaction and positive functioning dimensions would be mediated by emotion self-regulation strategies [cognitive reappraisal (CR) and expressive suppression (ES)]. The participants in this study were 654 adolescents from 10th, 11th, and 12th grade, aged between 14 and 19 years old. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires. The structural equation analysis showed that leisure attitudes are a significant predictor of leisure satisfaction, and that leisure satisfaction significantly predicts all positive functioning dimensions. CR mediated the relationship between leisure satisfaction and self-esteem. These findings highlight the importance of developing positive attitudes toward leisure to increase adolescents’ levels of leisure satisfaction. This study also supports the importance of leisure satisfaction for achieving adolescents’ positive functioning. Future studies should continue to examine the role of emotion self-regulation strategies on leisure, especially regarding CR.

Introduction: Eating Disorders (EDs) are serious psychiatric disorders, impacting physical and psychosocial functioning, often with a chronic course and high mortality rates. The two continua model of mental health states that mental health is a complete state, that is, not merely the absence of mental illness, but also the presence of mental health. This model was studied among ED patients by examining the presence and correlates of well-being and psychopathology. In addition, the levels of well-being were compared to the Dutch general population. Method: A total of 468 female ED patients participated in this study during application and intake at a specialized ED treatment Center in the Netherlands. They filled out questionnaires about well-being (MHC-SF), general psychopathology (OQ-45), and ED psychopathology (EDE-Q). Categorical andmean well-being levels were calculated. Also, the relationships between these variables were examined with Pearson correlation and multiple hierarchical regression analysis. Results: ED patients showed lower levels of emotional, psychological, and social well-being on average compared to the general population. About 26% of the ED patients experienced low levels of well-being (languishing). However, also 13% experienced high levels of well-being (flourishing), varying between 9% in Anorexia Nervosa to 25% in Binge Eating Disorder. ED psychopathology and general well-being showed a moderate negative correlation. For patients with Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder however no such correlation was found. Lower general psychopathology, not having a history of hospitalization for the ED, and adaptive personal functioning were correlated with well-being among ED patients. Conclusion: This study shows initial support for the two continua model of mental health among ED patients. Psychopathology and well-being should be considered as related, but distinct dimensions of mental health in ED patients. Further research should focus on the possible reciprocal relationships between psychopathology and well-being during recovery. It is recommended to monitor well-being during treatment and to implement interventions for well-being to realize complete recovery for those patients with inadequate levels of well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Referring to models of young people's positive development, the study analyzed the relationships between perceived self-efficacy on creative problem solving and eudaimonic well-being, defined as the actualizations of talents and potentials of the individual into the society (Ryff & Singer, 2008). 125 undergraduates coming from Rimini University Campus (m. age = 20.80; SD = 2.24) filled in the following questionnaires: PWB questionnaire on eudaimonic well-being (Ryff, 1989); questionnaire on the perceived efficacy on creative problem solving (Pastorelli et al., 2001). Results show that the presence of a high self-efficacy on creative problem solving constitutes a significant, positive predictor of eudaimonic well-being as global measure, as for the majority of its sub-components. Age on the contrary represents a negative predictor of eudaimonic well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Well-being is typically defined as positive feeling (e.g. happiness), positive functioning (e.g. competence, meaning) or a combination of the two. Recent evidence indicates that well-being indicators belonging to different categories can be explained by single “general” factor of well-being (e.g. Jovanović, 2015). We further test this hypothesis using a recent well-being scale, which includes indicators of positive feeling and positive functioning (Huppert & So, 2013). While the authors of the scale originally identified a two-factor structure, in view of recent evidence, we hypothesize that the two-factor solution may be due to a method effect of different items being measured with different rating scales. In study 1, we use data from the European Social Survey round 3 ( n = 41,461) and find that two factors have poor discriminant validity and, after using a bifactor model to account for different rating scales, only the general factor is reliable. In study 2, we eliminate method effects by using the same rating scale across items, recruit a new sample ( n = 507), and find that a one-factor model fits the data well. The results support the hypothesis that well-being indicators, typically categorized as “positive feeling” and “positive functioning,” reflect a single general factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dispositional optimism is typically defined in terms of generalized positive expectancies for personal future life outcomes. Yet, multiple lines of inquiry have demonstrated fundamental interconnections among all three temporal perspectives (past, present, and future). Hence, in the present work, we examine the commonality underlying dispositional optimism and individuals’ evaluations of their past, present, and anticipated future lives. Results (n = 459; 80% female;Mage = 19.68) suggest that dispositional optimism loads strongly on an underlying (latent) tendency to evaluate one’s life positively across temporal perspectives. This latent tendency was significantly associated with each Big Five personality dimension; independent of this latent tendency dispositional optimism was associated only with neuroticism. Controlling for personality dimensions, the latent tendency was predictive of positive functioning (mental health, coping, physical health, and social resources); in contrast, independent of this latent tendency dispositional optimism had no significant residual associations with any of the various functioning indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Despite the growing study of adolescents' emotion regulation (ER) and its importance for developmental trajectories, research has focused mainly on psychopathology by contrast with positive functioning. The lack of adequate age measures on emotion regulation has been also largely recognized. The present study aims to explore psychometric properties and construct validity of the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents (ERQ-CA) (Gullone and Taffe, 2012) in a sample of 809 Portuguese adolescents. The Portuguese version (QRE-CA) showed adequate reliability and the Confirmatory Factorial Analysis presented a good fit confirming the two-factor model found by Gullone and Taffe (2012). Measurement invariance tests showed intergroup invariance for gender and school grade. Additionally, convergent validity showed positive associations between the reappraisal strategy and measures of positive psychological functioning (self-esteem and satisfaction with life). The suppression strategy presented negative associations with those same variables. Findings suggest that the QRE-CA is a valid and reliable measure for evaluating strategies of ER. Final considerations highlight the importance of extending research on adolescents' emotion regulation and positive functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although wellbeing is a multidimensional phenomenon, studies describing wellbeing in individuals presenting Special Education Needs (SEN) in a composite perspective are scarce. The objective of this study was to compare composite wellbeing (affect, satisfaction with social support, life satisfaction and quality of life) in students with and without Special Educational Needs, as well as with different health conditions. This study enrolled 603 students, 248 with and 355 without Special Educational Needs. Students with Special Educational Needs registered lower levels of both composite and specific dimensions of wellbeing, but higher level of satisfaction with social support. These results suggest that a full understanding of wellbeing of students with Special Educational Needs requires the assessment of its multiple dimensions, rather than a description of some components only. These results have strong implications for school-based promotion of positive functioning in students with Special Educational Needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The Positive Psychological Functioning scale (PPF) is a newly developed measure in Spain. It consists of 11 psychological resources: autonomy, resilience, self-esteem, purpose in life, enjoyment, optimism, curiosity, Creativity, humor, environmental mastery and vitality. All of them are grouped into a second order factor called Positive Psychological Functioning. This measure has adequate validity and reliability. In addition, the confirmatory factor analysis showed a good level of adjustment. Objective The goal of this research is to validate the PPF in Mexico. Method We used a sample of 184 college students from the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM). They applied the PPF and other scales to calculate the reliability and validity in Mexico. Results The results obtained in the PPF scale showed good psychometric properties (reliability and validity). Moreover, the scale has hierarchical factorial structure formed by 11 prime order factors, and one second order general factor. The same result was found in the Spanish scale validation. Discussion and conclusion This measurement is innovative because, to our knowledge, there is no scale to measure Positive Functioning in this country, since attempts to adapt other similar scales have not been satisfactory. The results allow us to recommend the application of this scale in Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feelings of revenge are a common human response to being hurt by others. Among crime victims of severe sexual or physical violence, significant correlations have been reported between revenge and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Homicide is one of the most severe forms of interpersonal violence. It is therefore likely that individuals bereaved by homicide experience high levels of revenge, which may hamper efforts to cope with traumatic loss. The relationship between revenge and psychological adjustment following homicidal loss has not yet been empirically examined. In the current cross-sectional study, we used self-report data from 331 spouses, family members and friends of homicide victims to examine the relationships between dispositional revenge and situational revenge on the one hand and symptom-levels of PTSD and complicated grief, as well as indices of positive functioning, on the other hand. Furthermore, the association between revenge and socio-demographic and offense-related factors was examined. Participants were recruited from a governmental support organization, a website with information for homicidally bereaved individuals, and members of support groups. Levels of both dispositional and situational revenge were positively associated with symptoms of PTSD and complicated grief, and negatively with positive functioning. Participants reported significantly less situational revenge in cases where the perpetrator was a direct family member than cases where the perpetrator was an indirect family member, friend, or someone unknown. Homicidally bereaved individuals reported more situational revenge, but not more dispositional revenge than a sample of students who had experienced relatively mild interpersonal transgressions. Aggr. Behav. 40:504-511, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which examines a hypothesis related to the pathways of the social development model (SDM) in young adulthood for predicting symptoms of alcohol use disorder and positive functioning from age 21-30 years. Topics discussed include role of civic engagement, physical exercise and lack of depression in positive functioning, impact of socioeconomic factors and social norms on social development of young adults, and analysis of an antisocial behavioral pathway.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a new psychometric tool for the assessment of quality of life in adult informal carers. Design/methodology/approach – Two empirical studies are reported. Study 1 describes the psychometric development. An initial pool of 100 items was constructed and completed by 385 carers across the UK contacted through carers' centres. Principal components analysis was then conducted. In study 2, a further 101 carers took part; all completed the scale prior to the intervention and again post-intervention, allowing the authors to test utility as a tool to assess change. Findings – Using principal components analysis with study 1 data the number of items was reduced to 40 that assessed eight domains; support for caring, caring choice, caring stress, financial implications, personal growth, sense of value, ability to care and carer satisfaction. In study 2 it was found that respondents scored higher post-intervention compared to pre-intervention. Research limitations/implications – There are many carers who are not recognised by services. Practical implications – The AC-QoL promises to be a useful addition to the armoury of psychometric tools available for use with adult carers by both practitioners and researchers in health and social care, as well as of use to carers themselves and to policy makers in determining what interventions might be funded and further developed. Originality/value – The paper shows that the AC-QoL is original because of its development from both carers and professional perspectives, breadth of coverage, multi-component structure and focus on both negative and positive outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a 5-year longitudinal study of young community adults, the authors examined subjective temporal perspective (STP) "trajectories" derived from ratings of past, present, and anticipated future life satisfaction (LS) collected at two time points. Upward STP trajectories (past < present < future LS) were normative at both time points. Opposing hypotheses were derived from the literature concerning the potential positive versus negative implications of upward STP trajectories. Using latent trajectory modeling, individual differences in STP trajectories were examined in relation to mental, physical, and interpersonal functioning as well as future satisfaction bias (over- vs. underestimation of future LS). Steeper upward STP trajectories were associated with less positive functioning, both concurrently and prospectively, as well as greater future satisfaction bias. Therefore, rather than representing a realistic, adaptive form of self-enhancement, steep upward STP trajectories for LS appeared to be a form of fantasizing and wishful thinking, associated with distress, dissatisfaction, and dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The General Health Questionnaire is widely used to measure the health status of individuals. Most studies have focused on traditional score values for one or more dimensions of psychopathology. We introduce a new analysis model that is person-centred and uses a latent structure approach to group individuals by a discrete latent variable. Data were drawn from a midlife (age 53) follow up of a national birth cohort study (n =3035). For both men and women, three groups (latent classes) were sufficient to summarise individuals’ reports of recent changes in social functioning. The groups differed in the number and nature of the reported changes. Furthermore, they were shown to differ in terms of: (1) reported general health, (2) in mean scores on the conventional GHQ factors and (3) in several other variables external to the GHQ (happiness in job, ability to express feelings and self-confidence). Latent Class Analysis of positively worded GHQ items defined groups who differ in perceptions of recent positive changes in social functioning. These groups extend the value of individual health profiles afforded by the GHQ by using distinctions between categories in the first and second responses that are usually combined. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: Psychometric network analysis has led to new possibilities to assess the structure and dynamics of psychiatric disorders. The current study focuses on mental health networks in patients with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and other specified eating disorders (EDs)., Method: Network analyses were applied with five mental health domains (emotional, psychological and social well-being, and general and specific psychopathology) among 905 ED patients. Also, networks of 36 underlying symptoms related to the domains were estimated. The network stability, structure and (bridge) centrality of the nodes were assessed for the total group and each ED type. Network differences between the ED types were also examined., Results: ED psychopathology was only weakly connected with the well-being domains. Psychological well-being was the most central node in the domain network. The most central nodes in the symptom network were feeling depressed, feeling worthless, purpose in life and self-acceptance. Bridge symptoms between well-being and psychopathology were self-acceptance, environmental mastery, interested in life and feeling depressed. There were no network differences between the ED types in both the domain and symptom networks., Conclusions: This study shows novel associations between well-being and psychopathology in ED patients. Central domains and their underlying symptoms may be especially important to consider in treatment for promoting mental health in ED patients., (© 2021 The Authors. European Eating Disorders Review published by Eating Disorders Association and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)