scholarly journals A Self-Access Center’s Response to COVID-19: Maintaining Stability, Connectivity, Well-being, and Development During a Time of Great Change

2020 ◽  
pp. 135-147
Author(s):  
Huw Davies ◽  
Isra Wongsarnpigoon ◽  
Satoko Watkins ◽  
Dominique Vola Ambinintsoa ◽  
Rumi Terao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Learning Communities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Great Change ◽  
Positive Development ◽  
Effective Practices ◽  
Online Services ◽  
Communities Of Learners ◽  
International University

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic created disruption in many of the institutions we regularly rely on, including universities. While disruption may often bring with it a myriad of possible pitfalls, it affords potential opportunities for change and development by reflecting on and modifying practices. In this article, a group of learning advisors and administrators from a self-access center at an international university in Japan reflect on the ruptures we experienced as a result of changes due to unexpectedly working remotely and our attempts to find stability, the pitfalls we sought to avoid, and the opportunities that we found amidst the disruption. Specifically, we illustrate our experiences related to student-led learning communities, self-access curricula, and learning advising, considering the effect on students and advisors alike. We advocate that self-access practitioners actively promote the use of language, encourage the development of communities of learners who focus on their interests, offer full online services even when the center is open, and use the same effective practices whether supporting learners online or offline. Our intention is that this article will help others to support stability, connectivity, and positive development in their own contexts.

New Territories of Positive Life-Span Development: Wisdom and Life Longings

2009 ◽  
pp. 170-184
Author(s):  
Susanne Scheibe ◽  
Ute Kunzmann ◽  
Paul B. Baltes
Keyword(s):  
Life Span ◽  
Personal Growth ◽  
Expert Knowledge ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Development ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Life Span Development ◽  
Life Orientation ◽  
New Concepts ◽  
The Life Course

In search for concepts that help understand how individuals strive for growth and perfection within the boundaries and constraints of human lives, we describe theory and research on the concepts of wisdom, or expert knowledge about human nature and the life course, and Sehnsucht (life longings), the recurring and strong desire for ideal (utopian), alternative states and expressions of life. Both represent relatively new concepts on the agenda of lifespan research, originating from an interest in identifying major topics of public and humanist discourse about the potentials and constraints of life-span development and finding ways to measure them with the methods of normative psychological science. Despite their complexity and multiple meanings, progress has been made in the theory-driven operationalization of wisdom and life longings, allowing new insights into their ontogenesis and role for positive development. Emerging research shows that wisdom and life longings do not directly promote a hedonic life orientation or happiness: neither the insight that life is incomplete (wisdom) nor the experience of this incompleteness (life longings) is compatible with feelings of unequivocal joy and pleasure. Yet, there is emerging evidence that they contribute to other aspects of positive development, emphasizing personal growth, meaning, and the aligning of one's own and other's well-being. We suggest that future research should focus on the links of wisdom and life longings with multiple developmental outcomes and the possible interplay of both concepts in promoting positive development.

Examining the Link Between Character Strengths and Positive and Negative Mental Health Indicators in Iranian Adolescents

2021 ◽  
pp. 073428292110053
Author(s):  
Mahsa Jabbari ◽  
Shahriar Shahidi ◽  
Leili Panaghi ◽  
Mohammad Ali Mazaheri ◽  
Eva Oberle
Keyword(s):  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Character Strengths ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Positive Development ◽  
Response Patterns ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Grade Level Differences

Character strengths are an important foundation for positive development and thriving in adolescence. Most research on character strengths has been conducted with youths in Western cultures. We examined character strengths in relation to positive and negative well-being indicators in a sample of Iranian youths. We investigated the reliability and validity of the Farsi version of the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths for Youth (VIA Y-96)—a self-report survey commonly used in Western contexts. Participants were adolescents in Iran ( N = 1,359; 48.5% female; M age = 13.54, SD = 1.00) who completed the VIA Y-96 and questionnaires assessing life satisfaction, positive/negative experiences, depression, anxiety, and stress. We found that reliability coefficients were acceptable for most of the VIA subscales. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), as well as a second-order CFA, supported the construct validity of the Farsi VIA Y-96. Correlations between the character strengths and positive and negative well-being indicators supported convergent validity. Measurement invariance for the VIA Y-96 was established in this study comparing boys’ and girls’ response patterns. Sex and grade level differences were found for some of the subscales. Overall, the Farsi VIA Y-96 had acceptable psychometric properties, suggesting that it can be used in research on character strengths with Iranian youths.

Introduction to Special Issue Financial and life instability: Obstacles to and opportunities for emerging adult development and future well-being

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 439-442
Author(s):  
Margherita Lanz ◽  
Joyce Serido
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Adult Development ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Development ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cultural Norms ◽  
Financial Instability ◽  
Special Issue

Current global economic instability has exacerbated the challenges of contemporary emerging adulthood and increased the urgency of examining financial instability as a life condition during this life stage. For this special issue, we assembled eight papers from different countries to examine how emerging adults are navigating financial instability. In the current introduction to the special issue, we identified the main themes that emerged from the collected studies: the role of family, emerging adults’ financial self-agency, financial disruptions and wellbeing, and the processes linking financial factors and positive development. Overall, these studies demonstrate that while the overall processes linking finances and development may be similar in different nations, the specificity of each context highlights the need to consider the important role of cultural norms and attitudes. We conclude this introduction, suggesting future research paths and implications for educators and practitioners that provide financial educators programs.

Screen Time, Social Media Use, and Adolescent Development

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 485-502
Author(s):  
Candice L. Odgers ◽  
Stephen M. Schueller ◽  
Mimi Ito
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Adolescent Development ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Development ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Social And Emotional

Adolescents spend much of their daily lives online, and fears abound that digital technology use, and social media in particular, is harming their social and emotional development. Findings to date do not support causal or robust associations between social media use and adolescents’ development. Instead, prior studies have produced a mix of small positive, negative, and often null associations. The narrative around social media and adolescent development has been negative, but empirical support for the story of increasing deficits, disease, and disconnection is limited. This article reviews what is known about the association between social media use and adolescent social and emotional well-being, identifies key limitations in current research, and recommends ways to improve science while also minimizing risk and creating opportunities for positive development in an increasingly digital and uncertain age.

The Use of Touch in Yoga Teaching and Therapy: Principles and Guidelines for Effective Practices

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-70
Author(s):  
Stephen Parker ◽  
Ashutosh Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Human Development ◽  
Spiritual Growth ◽  
Tactile Stimulation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Environmental Drivers ◽  
Effective Practices ◽  
Yoga Therapy ◽  
Essential Tool ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Education Process

The use of touch in yoga and in yoga therapy is often overlooked. Touch is extremely important to physical, psychological, and spiritual growth across the lifespan. It is one of the prime environmental drivers of human development (Hunter & Struve, 1998). Infants can fail to thrive and even die from lack of tactile stimulation and affection (Field, et al., 1986; Harlow & Harlow, 1962; Older, 1982). Although touch is critical to health and well-being at every age and stage of life (Hunter & Struve, 1998), it is not often considered an essential tool in the yoga therapy and education process. This perspective describes the role and significance of touch in the practice of yoga.

scholarly journals Developing Discipline among Students through Social-Emotional Learning: A New Model to Prevent and Reduce Behavior Problems

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-90
Author(s):  
Lee Moi Ching ◽  
Hadijah Jaffri .
Keyword(s):  
Social Emotional Learning ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Emotional Learning ◽  
Positive Development ◽  
Discipline Problems ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Knowing That ◽  
Disciplinary Problems ◽  
Risky Behaviours

The disciplinary problem in schools is a major concern for government, educators, parents and society in Malaysia. Knowing that discipline problems will be dealt with fairly and consistently has been shown to have a dramatic impact on student well-being and achievement. This study discussed the discipline issues in Malaysia; the affects of reactive and punitive approach; root cause attributing to the students discipline problems; how to cope with the disciplinary problems; and using social-emotional learning (SEL) to develop discipline among students. SEL is a promising approach that is able to reduce risky behaviours, increase desirable behaviours and promoting positive development.

scholarly journals Adolescent Life Satisfaction Explained by Social Support, Emotion Regulation, and Resilience

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorea Azpiazu Izaguirre ◽  
Arantzazu Rodríguez Fernández ◽  
Eider Goñi Palacios
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽  
Positive Development ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Subjective Well Being

Adolescence is a stage characterized by many biological and psychosocial changes, all of which may result in a decrease in subjective well-being. It is therefore necessary to identify those factors that contribute to increased life satisfaction, in order to promote positive development among young people. The aim of this study is to examine the dynamics of a set of variables that contribute to life satisfaction. A total of 1,188 adolescents (aged between 12 and 16 years) completed the Perceived Social Support from Family and Friends and Perception of the School Environment Questionnaires, the Trait Meta Mood Scale (TMMS), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10 (CD-RISC), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) for social support, emotion regulation, resilience, and life satisfaction. By applying structural equation modeling (SEM), the results reveal a direct prediction of family support, emotion regulation, and resilience on life satisfaction. Support from friends and emotion regulation was also found to explain resilience, and support from family and teachers was found to predict emotion regulation. In conclusion, emotion regulation and social support were found to indirectly affect life satisfaction among adolescents through resilience. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.

scholarly journals The 5Cs of Positive Youth Development, Purpose in Life, Hope, and Well-Being Among Emerging Adults in Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nor Ba’yah Abdul Kadir ◽  
Rusyda Helma Mohd
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Purpose In Life ◽  
Emerging Adult ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Positive Development

A substantial body of evidence supports Lerner and colleagues’ 5Cs model of positive youth development (PYD) in the United States (U.S.). Nonetheless, it remains unclear whether the 5Cs can be used to identify positive development in the under-researched Asian contexts, such as Malaysia. Thus, this study examined the 5Cs of PYD (competence, confidence, character, connection, and caring) and their importance to purpose in life, hope, and well-being in a sample of emerging adult undergraduate university students in Malaysia. Data were collected from 400 participants from 15 Malaysian universities (132 males, 268 females; ages ranged from 18 to 26 years old, M = 22). A hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that two of the 5Cs of PYD (confidence and connection) as well as hope were important to explaining variation in well-being. The findings imply that there are strong links between PYD, especially confidence and connection, and well-being, while purpose in life and hope were indirectly related to the 2Cs (confidence and connection) of PYD and well-being. Therefore, mental health professionals are encouraged to review and redefine their treatment design to include confidence, connection, purpose in life and hope when working with Malaysian emerging adult university students.

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