scholarly journals Virtues, Resilience, and Well-Being of Indigenous Youth in Peru

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Abigail R. L. Bullock ◽  
B. Cameron Stumpf ◽  
Kelly B. T. Chang
Keyword(s):  
Youth Development ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cultural Citizenship ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Indigenous Populations ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Peruvian Amazon ◽  
Indigenous Youth

Objectives: The objective of this study was to observe the relation of Values In Action (VIA) virtues, well-being, and resilience within a unique, non-Western population of Indigenous youth in the Peruvian Amazon. Methods: Data were collected from students (n = 172, age range: 11-16 years) attending a rural village school via self-report surveys to assess relationships using the VIA Youth-96 (VIA-Y-96) Assessment, Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI-A), and the Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM-28). Results: The factor analysis of the CYRM-28 yielded a 3-factor breakdown (Social Engagement, Cultural Citizenship, and Guidance) instead of eight. Different VIA virtues predicted each of the three factors of the revised 3-factor CYRM-21-Peru model (CYRM-21-P); Transcendence, Humanity, and Wisdom were predictors of well-being; and higher reported resilience leads to higher well-being. Most participants scored very high on the PWI-A. Implications: Research presented in this paper involved a unique population of Indigenous youth residing in the Peruvian Amazon, and found that (a) VIA virtues were differentially associated with well-being, (b) Humanity was a significant predictor across Cultural Citizenship and Social Engagement in the revised CYRM-21-P, and (c) higher resilience was correlated with higher well-being. Implications of this research can be used to inspire future research of Indigenous populations in a Latin American context to develop youth development programs that teach students from a strength-based perspective to improve vocational, academic, psychological, and social well-being.

Positive risk-taking: Mixed-methods validation of a self-report scale and evidence for genetic links to personality and negative risk-taking

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Wales Patterson ◽  
Lilla Pivnick ◽  
Frank D Mann ◽  
Andrew D Grotzinger ◽  
Kathryn C Monahan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Youth Development ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Personality Factors ◽  
Positive Behaviors ◽  
Adolescent Risk

Adolescents are more likely to take risks. Typically, research on adolescent risk-taking has focused on its negative health and societal consequences. However, some risk-taking behaviors might be positive, defined here as behavior that does not violate the rights of others and that might advance socially-valuable goals. Empirical work on positive risk-taking has been limited by measurement challenges. In this study, we elicited adolescents’ free responses (n = 75) about a time they took a risk. Based on thematic coding, we identified positive behaviors described as risks and selected items to form a self-report scale. The resulting positive risk-taking scale was quantitatively validated in a population-based sample of adolescent twins (n = 1249). Second, we evaluated associations between positive risk-taking, negative risk-taking, and potential personality and peer correlates using a genetically informed design. Sensation seeking predicted negative and positive risk-taking equally strongly, whereas extraversion differentiated forms of risk-taking. Additive genetic influences on personality accounted for the total heritability in positive risk-taking. Indirect pathways from personality through positive and negative peer environments were identified. These results provide promising evidence that personality factors of sensation seeking and extraversion can manifest as engagement in positive risks. Increased understanding of positive manifestations of adolescent risk-taking may yield targets for positive youth development strategies to bolster youth well-being.

scholarly journals Screening Using the SDQ Total Difficulties Scale: An Analog Test of Three Cutoff Values

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler L Renshaw
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Analog Test ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Cutoff Values ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties

This brief report presents an analog test of the relative classification validity of three cutoff values (CVs; 16, 18, and 20) derived from responses to the self-report version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: Total Difficulties Scale. Results from Bayesian t-tests, using several school-specific subjective well-being indicators as dependent variables, yielded evidence suggesting all CV models effectively differentiated between students with lower and higher levels of risk. Evidence also indicated that the lowest CV (16) was more effective than the higher CVs (18, 20) at identifying students with greater levels of risk, and that the higher CVs functioned comparably well. Implications for future research and practice are noted.

scholarly journals Retirement Confidence: Development of an Index

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. 004695802110357
Author(s):  
Eraj Ghafoori ◽  
Fernanda Mata ◽  
Kim Borg ◽  
Liam Smith ◽  
Debora Ralston
Keyword(s):  
Financial Literacy ◽  
Older Workers ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Relative Weight ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Linear Aggregation ◽  
Confidence Index ◽  
Financial Awareness

Older workers who are confident about the changes accompanying retirement report higher well-being. We have developed an index to measure retirement confidence – the Retirement Confidence Index (RCI). A six-stage approach was used to develop the index items, including (i) a literature review to catalogue retirement confidence components; (ii) a consultation with a panel of experts to review the proposed indicators and combine components according to their meaning; (iii) normalisation of the selected components to make them comparable; (iv) weighting of the top-level dimensions using experts’ judgement; (v) linear aggregation of the dimension scores according to their corresponding relative weight; and (vi) correlation of the composite score with a self-report measure of retirement confidence. Based on the review of the literature, a list of nine sub-components (financial literacy, financial attitude and behaviour, financial control, financial anxiety, physical health, mental health, social connectedness, goal setting for retirement and future uncertainties) was compiled. Subsequently, these components were grouped into four broad dimensions. Correlations between these dimensions (social, financial awareness and skills, health and well-being, and retirement awareness and planning dimensions) and the corresponding self-reported measures were as high as r = 0.555, r = 0.603, r = 0.591 and r = 0.569, reflecting 30.8%, 36.3%, 34.9% and 32.3% shared variance with the corresponding self-reported indices, respectively. The Retirement Confidence Index provides the foundation for future research to measure retirement confidence, with the aim of identifying deficient RCI dimensions and directing efforts to targeted policies to ensure older workers are confident about retirement.

scholarly journals Health Promotion Strategies to Address Gambling-Related Harm in Indigenous Communities: A Review of Reviews

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-54
Author(s):  
Megan Whitty ◽  
Helen Breen ◽  
Marisa Paterson ◽  
Kate Sollis
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
Indigenous Populations ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
Review Of Reviews ◽  
Related Harm

The evolution of commercial gambling and its expansion into digital arenas has increased opportunities for people all over the world—including Indigenous people—to gamble. While there is considerable evidence for the suitability of a health promotion approach to improving the health and well-being of Indigenous communities worldwide, the evidence-base does not extend to the field of gambling research. A systematic review of reviews was conducted to identify relevant reviews in crossover areas of interest: interventions to address gambling-related harm in Indigenous populations and/or health promotion interventions on related health or behavioural outcomes. The quality of reviews was critically assessed—13 fit the inclusion criteria. Principal themes were characterised as being either related to ‘cultural,’ ‘structural,’ or ‘methodological’ factors. Findings indicate that an appropriate model of health promotion to address Indigenous gambling would necessarily involve careful consideration of all three elements. Applying a health promotion approach to the context of Indigenous gambling harms is increasingly relevant considering recent conceptual shifts in key areas, but there is currently limited evidence to guide the implementation and evaluation of such strategies. This review highlights what published evidence is available to strengthen future research in this area.

scholarly journals The Effects of Group Music Therapy on Levels of Anxiety, Depression, Well-Being, Functional Disability, and Distress in Adult Congolese Refugees

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (Spring 2020) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elise Hawkes
Keyword(s):  
Music Therapy ◽  
Functional Disability ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Trauma Symptoms ◽  
Verbal Language ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Group Music Therapy ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Refugees have a variety of mental health needs due to their experiences, including trauma, anxiety, and depression. Psychotherapy, one of the main modalities for treatment, presents limitations including language barriers and negative stigmas. Music therapy might help to overcome these limitations due to its reliance upon music, rather than verbal language, as the therapeutic medium, and due to music’s ubiquitous cultural prevalence. Music therapy has been shown to have positive effects on sleep quality, well- being, trauma symptoms, social function, and mood. Music therapy training and research results have demonstrated ways to connect with clients through music and overcome cross-cultural barriers. The objective of this case study was to determine the effects of group music therapy on levels of anxiety, depression, well-being, functional disability, and distress in two adult Congolese refugees. Further, the study explored the themes which the participants reported they preferred and were most likely to use on their own regarding the music interventions. A mixed-methods approach was used to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. The study involved eight weekly, one hour-long music therapy sessions following a protocol that included four themes: socialization, emotional expression, English-learning, and personalized use of music. Levels of anxiety, depression, well-being, and functional disability were assessed using psychometric tests before the first session, after the fourth session, and after the eighth session. The data found overall decreased levels of anxiety, depression, and distress, increased levels of well-being, and little change in level of functional disability. Prevalent themes from the self-report questionnaire were instrument playing, singing, listening, and the hello song. Conclusions and recommendations for future research are included.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Cultural Intelligence and Psychological Well-being with the Moderating Effects of Mindfulness: A Study of International Students in Taiwan

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Tzu-Ping ◽  
Chang Wei-Wen
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Cultural Intelligence ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Present Moment ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
The Relationship

According to Ministry of Education of Taiwan, numbers of international students studying in Taiwan gradually increased. However, studies showed that their learning outcome is significantly influenced by their psychological well-being (PWB). Therefore, this study examines the factors affecting PWB. In this study, cultural intelligence (CQ) is seen as a potential predictor for PWB. CQ is defined as the ability to deal with different cultural context, and it includes four dimensions, namely cognitive CQ, metacognitive CQ, motivational CQ and behavioral CQ. Besides, as people pay more attention to unfamiliar exotic things when being abroad, their consciousness on the present moment, so-called mindfulness, plays an important role for their well-being. Therefore, mindfulness is examined as a moderator in the relationship between CQ and PWB. Quantitative approach is applied in this study. The samples are 110 international students studying in Taiwan. The self-report questionnaire composed by Ryff’s 18-item scale, Cultural Intelligence Scale and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale is distributed on-line. The collected data go through descriptive analysis, correlation analysis and regression analysis. Results show that metacognitive CQ and PWB has a significant relationship with an R2 of .231. Besides, motivational CQ is positive related to PWB with an R2 of .142. According to the statistic result of this study, future research can put efforts on how to enhance metacognitive and motivational CQ, like designing related cultural program courses before students’ departure, in order to better international students’ PWB.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Usability and Acceptability of the InnoWell Platform as Rated by Older Adults: Survey Study

JMIR Aging ◽  
10.2196/25928 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. e25928
Author(s):  
Haley M LaMonica ◽  
Anna E Roberts ◽  
Tracey A Davenport ◽  
Ian B Hickie
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Digital Tool ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
Health And Well Being

Background As the global population ages, there is increased interest in developing strategies to promote health and well-being in later life, thus enabling continued productivity, social engagement, and independence. As older adults use technologies with greater frequency, proficiency, and confidence, health information technologies (HITs) now hold considerable potential as a means to enable broader access to tools and services for the purposes of screening, treatment, monitoring, and ongoing maintenance of health for this group. The InnoWell Platform is a digital tool co-designed with lived experience to facilitate better outcomes by enabling access to a comprehensive multidimensional assessment, the results of which are provided in real time to enable consumers to make informed decisions about clinical and nonclinical care options independently or in collaboration with a health professional. Objective This study aims to evaluate the usability and acceptability of a prototype of the InnoWell Platform, co-designed and configured with and for older adults, using self-report surveys. Methods Participants were adults 50 years and older who were invited to engage with the InnoWell Platform naturalistically (ie, at their own discretion) for a period of 90 days. In addition, they completed short web-based surveys at baseline regarding their background, health, and mental well-being. After 90 days, participants were asked to complete the System Usability Scale to evaluate the usability and acceptability of the prototyped InnoWell Platform, with the aim of informing the iterative redesign and development of this digital tool before implementation within a health service setting. Results A total of 19 participants consented to participate in the study; however, only the data from the 16 participants (mean age 62.8 years, SD 7.5; range 50-72) who completed at least part of the survey at 90 days were included in the analyses. Participants generally reported low levels of psychological distress and good mental well-being. In relation to the InnoWell Platform, the usability scores were suboptimal. Although the InnoWell Platform was noted to be easy to use, participants had difficulty identifying the relevance of the tool for their personal circumstances. Ease of use, the comprehensive nature of the assessment tools, and the ability to track progress over time were favored features of the InnoWell Platform, whereas the need for greater personalization and improved mobile functionality were cited as areas for improvement. Conclusions HITs such as the InnoWell Platform have tremendous potential to improve access to cost-effective and low-intensity interventions at scale to improve and maintain mental health and well-being in later life. However, to promote adoption of and continued engagement with such tools, it is essential that these HITs are personalized and relevant for older adult end users, accounting for differences in background, clinical profiles, and levels of need.

scholarly journals Association Between Substance Use Behaviors, Developmental Assets and Mental Health: A Glance at Latin American Young College Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denisse Manrique-Millones ◽  
Nora Wiium ◽  
Claudia Pineda-Marín ◽  
Manuel Fernández-Arata ◽  
Diego Alfonso-Murcia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Developmental Assets ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Well Being

Positive Youth Development (PYD) is an approach that promotes resilience and focuses on youth strengths rather than their weaknesses as done by the traditional deficit-based perspective. Research in Europe and North America show that developmental assets are associated with school success, psychological well-being, and lower health risks among youth and young adults. However, not much research has been done on these associations in Latin American contexts. The purpose of this research study is to assess the association between substance use behaviors, such as drunkenness and the use of illicit drugs, and mental health, together with the mediating role of developmental assets representing youth strengths (e.g., social competence) and contextual resources (e.g., social support at home or school). Cross-national data was collected from Colombian (n = 210; 70.4% females) and Peruvian (n = 349; 66.5% females) 1st year university students. Results shed light on the protective role of developmental assets regarding substance use behaviors and mental well-being. Specifically, the results showed direct negative associations between developmental assets and substance use behaviors and positive associations of developmental assets with mental health indicators. Internal assets appear to be a stronger predictor of social, emotional, and psychological well-being compared to external assets. We did not find any statistical significance in the association of substance use behavior and mental health. We discuss implications regarding research, policy, and practice.

Initial Development and Validation of the Youth Internalizing Problems Screener

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 366-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler L. Renshaw ◽  
Clayton R. Cook
Keyword(s):  
Internalizing Problems ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Latent Structure ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Internal Reliability ◽  
Initial Development ◽  
Development And Validation

The present studies report on the initial development and validation of the Youth Internalizing Problems Screener (YIPS), which is a 10-item self-report rating scale for assessing general internalizing problems and identifying depression and anxiety caseness within the context of school mental health screening. Results from Study 1 ( N = 177) demonstrated that responses to the YIPS yielded a single-factor latent structure, that scores derived from the scale had concurrent validity with scores from measures of student subjective well-being and problem behavior, and showed that scores derived from the YIPS demonstrated incremental validity in comparison with scores from another common internalizing problems screener for predicting self-reports of broad student functioning. Findings from Study 2 ( N = 219) confirmed the latent structure and internal reliability of responses to the YIPS, demonstrated that scores derived from this scale had strong associations with scores from criterion measures of depression and anxiety, and showed that YIPS scores had good-to-excellent power for accurately discriminating between youth scoring at or above the clinical caseness thresholds on criterion measures of depression and anxiety. Taken together, results suggest the YIPS shows promise as a technically adequate instrument for measuring general internalizing problems and identifying depression and anxiety caseness among secondary students. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

scholarly journals Screening Using the SDQ Total Difficulties Scale: An Analog Test of Three Cutoff Values

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (8) ◽  
pp. 1030-1036
Author(s):  
Tyler L. Renshaw
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Analog Test ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Cutoff Values ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties

This brief report presents an analog test of the relative classification validity of three cutoff values (CVs; 16, 18, and 20) derived from responses to the self-report version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: Total Difficulties Scale. Results from Bayesian t-tests, using several school-specific subjective well-being indicators as dependent variables, yielded evidence suggesting all CV models effectively differentiated between students with lower and higher levels of risk. Evidence also indicated that the lowest CV (16) was more effective than the higher CVs (18, 20) at identifying students with greater levels of risk, and that the higher CVs functioned comparably well. Implications for future research and practice are noted.

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