Acción Psicológica

Researching personal strengths for creating positive lives and environments: an international perspective

Resiliency, meaning in life, and life satisfaction: an examination of moderating effects

Abstract While presence of meaning in life (i.e., presence) is associated with a plethora of desirable qualities (e.g., greater well-being, longevity, positive affect), search for meaning is associated with psychological distress (e.g., reports of conflict, rumination, depression; Boyle, Barnes, Buchman, & Bennett, 2009). Individuals with higher resiliency, defined as a multifaceted competency in adapting and recovering from adversity, could potentially mitigate the distress associated with search, and thus, achieve greater satisfaction with life (SWL). The present study examined the moderating role of meaning in life between resiliency (i.e., sense of mastery and sense of relatedness) and SWL in a sample of Canadian university students (N = 289). Hierarchical regression analyses showed that there was a positive association between resiliency and SWL and this association was stronger at higher levels compared to lower levels of search for meaning. These results suggest that individuals searching for meaning with high levels of mastery have the greatest SWL, while their counterparts with low mastery have the lowest SWL. Similar moderating effects of search were found with the positive association between sense of relatedness and SWL. Overall, findings suggest that protective factors in resiliency may buffer against the potential negative impact of search.

A multilevel modeling study of the influence of relationship enhancing traits and individualism on satisfaction with life across nations

Abstract The current cross-cultural study explored the associations between relationship enhancing traits (interpersonal trust, importance of close relationships, sociability), characteristics corresponding to an individualistic attitude (competition, autonomy), and life satisfaction. Data for this study was from 24 of the 59 countries used in the World Values Survey Wave 6. Multilevel modelling was used as a means to analyse the influence of individual level (Level 1) and country level (Level 2) variables on life satisfaction. Results indicated that the individual level predictors interpersonal trust and importance of close relationships made meaningful positive contributions to life satisfaction. The competition variable aggregated at the country level significantly negatively predicted life satisfaction, while country-level aggregated autonomy shared a positive relationship with life satisfaction.

Burnout at the supermarket: testing the relevance of personality and stressful situations

Abstract Professional burnout includes psychological implications that have been studied in relation to job positions in which personal contact is frequent. However, there might be differential vulnerability with respect to the likelihood of showing increased symptoms of the syndrome. The present study analyzes two risk paths: (a) the increased contact with clients that characterizes some job positions, and (b) the relationship between burnout and the combination of the personality traits considered by the Big Five model.To do so, two groups of supermarket workers were compared: cashiers and department managers. To test the relevance of the situation, here we analyze whether cashiers present higher burnout scores than department managers due to their greater level of stressful contact with clients. Furthermore, personality traits were measured and combined to estimate the efficient use of skills and knowledge to achieve certain social goals (P factor). The results show no significant differences in burnout between cashiers and department managers. Individual differences in P scores, however, showed substantial negative correlations with burnoutscores: greater burnout scoreswere associated with increased vulnerable personalities (low levels of extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, and openness). It is suggested that interventions tailoredto the workers' P levels may help to increase protective factors against burnout in inescapable stressful situations.

Personal growth initiative and subjective well-being: the mediation role of meaning in life

Abstract This study investigated the mediating effect of meaning in life on the relationship between personal growth initiative and subjective well-being. The sample was composed of a total of 1,899 Brazilian participants who voluntarily took part in this study by completing the study survey. Based on the results of the structural equation modeling, the relationship between personal growth initiative and subjective well-being was found to be partially mediated by the presence of meaning in life. Age was found to influence the mediation, as older participants reported greater personal growth initiative and meaning in their lives. Limitations of the study, as well as directions for future research are discussed.

The role of psychological strengths, coping strategies and well-being in the prediction of academic engagement and burnout in first-year university students

Abstract Two of the most significant challenges that higher education institutions are currently addressing is the prevention of students' failure and drop-out, and the promotion of students' retention, success, and wellbeing. Within the framework of the demands-resources model, the present study explored the role that different variables play in predicting academic engagement and burnout, two relevant and distinct characteristics that have been previously related to students' well-being and academic performance. We applied a multivariate approach with this aim in mind to analyse the contribution of relevant psychological strengths in academic environments (resilience, personal initiative, and academic motivation), the perception of academic demands, procrastination and different coping strategies when approaching studies (persistence, avoidance and anxiety), student's affect and academic satisfaction. The contribution of the efficacy subscale of academic burnout as an independent personal resource and the consideration of the so-called core burnout were also assessed. A sample of 173 first-year students of 20 face-to-face teaching universities participated in this study. The results showed, on the one hand, the positive nature of academic engagement, predicted by personal resources, characterised by intrinsic motivation and efficacy, as well as academic persistence, high levels of well-being and academic satisfaction. On the other hand, the predictors of academic burnout were mainly the perception of academic demands, procrastination, and negative affect, besides, in a negative sense, low levels of engagement and intrinsic motivation. Likewise, core burnout showed the same pattern of predictors as burnout, except for engagement and intrinsic motivation.

Hope and satisfaction with life: testing the mediating roles of self-esteem in three Asian cultures

Abstract The relationship between well-being and the personal strength of hope has been elaborated by the identification of internal (self) and external (family, peers, spiritual) locus-of-hope dimensions. Du, Bernardo, and Yeung (2015) showed that self-esteem (personal and relational) mediates the relationship between locus-of-hope and life satisfaction. Locus-of-hope's goal-related thoughts involve self-evaluation that may either enhance or diminish self-worth, which then influences life satisfaction. We tested the mediated model in three cultural groups: Malaysians, Macau Chinese, and Filipinos. Participants completed scales measuring locusof-hope, personal and relational self-esteem, and life satisfaction. Path analysis showed significant indirect effects in all cultures: (a) internal locus-of-hope on life satisfaction, mediated by personal self-esteem, and (b) external-family locus-of-hope on life satisfaction, mediated by relational self-esteem. Other significant indirect effects were found in specific cultural groups. Cross-cultural similarities and differences are discussed with reference to how distinct cultures give different meanings to forms of agency associated with the personal strength of hope, creating distinct pathways towards life satisfaction.

Low (not high) trait anger is a personal strength in adolescents

Abstract Low trait anger (the tendency to stay calm to cope with frustrating everyday situations) is a personal strength because it constitutes a good life for oneself and for others, and it is related to mental health. Its counterpart is high trait anger, defined as intense and chronic irritability, which usually has detrimental effects. The purpose of this study was to test three hypotheses in adolescents with high (n = 94) and low trait anger (n = 140), with a mean age of 13.06 (SD = 0.77). Hypotheses 1 and 2 addressed the parents' behavior (parenting practices), and hypothesis 3 assessed social skills, anger and aggression. In particular, compared to adolescents with high trait anger, those with low trait anger: (a) experience less imposition and psychological control (i.e., less negative parenting) from both, mother and father; (b) experience more communication, autonomy, and behavioral control (i.e., more positive parenting) from mother and father; and (c) present more social skills, reflected in lower levels of anger-out, lower aggression toward other individuals, and higher levels of anger self-control. The findings, as a result, supported the three hypotheses. Aggression and social skills did not differ according to gender. However, female participants experienced higher levels of trait anger than did male participants.

Character strengths, sociodemographic characteristics, and life satisfaction in Mexican students

Abstract The main purpose of this study was to identify the existing relationship between character strengths and life satisfaction, as well as some sociodemographic aspects related to gender differences. Both the Virtue and Strength Inventory (IVYF; Cosentino & Castro, 2008) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS; Diener, Emmons, Larsen & Griffin, 1985) were administered to 343 undergraduate students whose primary major of study pertained to health professions. Results indicated that for women, love and gratitude are the strengths that explained 21.3 % of the variance regarding satisfaction with life, while love and social intelligence predicted 44.5 % of life satisfaction for men. Results are discussed under the light of cultural differences.

Active aging model: causes, indicators, and predictors in Chilean elderly people

Resumen Con el aumento de la población adulta mayor a nivel mundial, existe un creciente interés por comprender los factores implicados en el envejecimiento activo. No obstante, lo extendido del uso del constructo y de investigaciones en la materia, aún persisten complejidades en su operacionalización y factores predictores. En el presente estudio se diseñó un modelo de envejecimiento activo utilizando un modelo MIMIC (Múltiple Causas y Múltiples Indicadores), una variante de ecuaciones estructurales, en una muestra de 204 adultos mayores chilenos. La funcionalidad física y cognitiva, junto a variables asociadas a la tonalidad afectiva, aparecen como causas, mientras que la ausencia de sintomatología depresiva y la condición de activo en el mercado laboral, aparecen como indicadores de envejecimiento activo. El modelo mostró un ajuste satisfactorio, χ2 (80) = 107.8, p = .34, CFI = .942, TLI = .942 y RMSEA = .0416, p = .74, y permitió generar un indicador de envejecimiento activo, a partir del cual se identificaron sus predictores. Las variables sociales mostraron una alta capacidad predictiva (R2 = .214), seguidas por las variables de estilo de vida (R2 = .154) y características individuales (R2 = .137). El modelo propuesto se considera un aporte relevante en la operacionalización de envejecimiento activo.

Abstract With the increase in the elderly population worldwide there is an increasing interest for understanding the factors involved in the successful or active aging. However, despite the use of the construct and studies on the issue, complexities persist in its operationalization and its predicting factors. In the present study, a model of active aging using a MIMIC model (Multiple Causes and Multiple Indicators) a variant of structural equations was used, in a sample of 204 Chilean elderly. Both physical and cognitive functionality, together with variables associated to affective tone appear as causes, whereas the absence of depressive symptoms and the active role in the labor market appear as indicators of active aging. The model showed a good fit, χ2(80) = 107.8, p = .34, CFI = .942, TLI = .942 y RMSEA = .0416, p = .74 and allowed generating an indicator of active aging, from which its predictors were identified. Social variables showed high predictive capacity (R2 = .214), followed by variables related to lifestyle (R2 = .154) and individual variables (R2 = .137). The proposed model is considered as a significant contribution in the operationalization of the active aging.

Anticipatory organizational socialization and its relationship with national police applicants' attitudes and behaviors

Resumen El objetivo principal del presente trabajo es analizar las relaciones entre los recursos externos y los recursos personales de los participantes en procesos de oposición para la Policía Nacional y sus actitudes y comportamientos en relación con el referido proceso de preparación. En el estudio participó una muestra de 130 opositores a la Policía Nacional de España. Los hallazgos muestran que la socialización relativa a la historia de la organización y las creencias de autoeficacia pronostican el compromiso con la preparación, mientras que la socialización relativa al lenguaje de la organización pronosticaba el desempeño excelente de los participantes en la oposición. Además, el optimismo pronostica el estrés, y el apoyo social, el optimismo y la autoeficacia pronostican la satisfacción. Los resultados se discuten de cara a sus implicaciones prácticas, orientadas a sugerir mejoras en los procesos formativos de los aspirantes a futuros policías nacionales.

Abstract The main aim of this paper was to analyze the relationships between external resources and personal resources of participants during their process to pass the Estate Exam for the National Police and the results related to their attitudes and behaviors in relation to the same preparation process. In the study, a sample of 130 candidates to enter the National Police from all over Spain participated. The findings show that socialization related to organizational history and self-efficacy beliefs predict commitment to the preparation process, optimism predicts experienced stress, social support, and optimism together with self-efficacy predict satisfaction and, finally, the anticipatory socialization relative to the language of the organization predicted the excellent performance of the participants. The results are discussed in terms of their practical implications.