Journal of Happiness and Health (JOHAH) is an international and multidisciplinary peer-reviewed journal, the aim of which is to become the main platform for sharing advancements in relation to the nexus between various aspects of wellbeing and health. The JOHAH, published two times a year in April and October, is an open-access that publishes research outcomes with significant contributions to the understanding and improvement of happiness and also includes the study of constructs and processes related to optimal psychological functioning, such as meaning in life, character strengths, resilience, optimism, and hope. The JOHAH publishes research regarding the happiness and health of populations across the life span. All content is freely accessible to readers worldwide, and there are no submission or publication fees for authors at any stage of the process.
Journal of Happiness and Health is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0, which allows free sharing, copying, and adaptation of the material for any purpose, even commercially, but with providing an appropriate reference to the source.
Investigating the influences of student- and school-level factors on mental well-being: The empirical insights from SSES 2023 China data
The present study investigated the influences of student- and school-level factors on the mental well-being of Chinese primary and secondary school students (N = 6,612), in light of the 2023 Survey on Social and Emotional Skills (SSES) data. A hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) analysis was adopted as the statistical approach. At student-level, the results indicated that body image, health behaviors, positive emotions at school, growth mindset, sense of belonging at school, peer relationships, engagement at school, and participation in extra-curricular activities are all positively related to mental well-being; whereas, negative emotions at school and academic anxiety are negatively linked to mental well-being; in addition, bullying victimization, disruptive behaviors, and teacher-student relationships have no significant association with mental well-being. At school-level, it was found that positive attitudes and relations in school, school’s offer of extra-curricular activities, and school safety situation are all positively associated with mental well-being; whereas, teachers’ views on discrimination and equity, school practices to combat bullying, social and emotional learning, and parent engagement in school have no significant association with mental well-being. The research findings were discussed in terms of Chinese cultural and educational context, which may provide potential policy implications for improving the mental well-being of Chinese primary and secondary school students.
Copyright (c) 2026 Jinpeng Niu https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Does making sense of a parent’s life matter? The role of vicarious life story narrative coherence in emerging adults’ well-being
The present study examined whether narrative coherence in emerging adults’ vicarious life stories of their parents was associated with psychological well-being. A total of 305 emerging adults between the ages of 18 and 30 (171 women, 134 men; Mage = 22.74, SDage = 3.27) completed PERMA-Profiler and narrated vicarious high-point (a highly positive life event) and low-point (a highly negative life event) memories from the life of the parent to whom they felt closest. Narratives were coded for coherence using the Narrative Coherence Coding Scheme. Hierarchical regression analyses examined whether coherence predicted well-being beyond memory valence and demographic variables. Findings indicated that coherence of vicarious low-point memories significantly predicted higher psychological well-being even after controlling for memory valence, age, gender, and perceived income. In contrast, coherence of vicarious high-point memories did not remain a significant predictor after accounting for these variables. These findings suggest that the ability to coherently narrate parents’ difficult life experiences may contribute to emerging adults’ well-being by facilitating meaning-making and adaptive integration of intergenerational experiences. The study expands narrative identity research by emphasizing the psychological relevance of vicarious memories and highlighting the role of intergenerational storytelling in well-being during emerging adulthood.
Copyright (c) 2026 Yağmur İlgün, Erkin Sarı https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Social media and well-being: Who is at risk? The critical role of procrastination
The widespread use of social media raises concerns about its impact on mental health. While a negative link between social media addiction (SMA) tendencies and psychological well-being (PWB) is established, the underlying mechanisms require clarification. This study examined, from a social and health psychology perspective, whether loneliness mediates this relationship and if procrastination moderates the mediation. 603 participants completed the Social Media Addiction Scale, UCLA Loneliness Scale, Adult Inventory of Procrastination, and Psychological Well-Being Scale. Results confirmed that loneliness mediates the negative relationship between SMA and PWB. Crucially, procrastination moderated the first stage of this mediation. The positive link between SMA and loneliness was significant at low and moderate levels of procrastination but nonsignificant at high levels. Consequently, the indirect negative association of SMA and PWB through loneliness was observed only in individuals with low and moderate procrastination. For high procrastinators, this pathway was not evident. Well-being appears compromised by a broader pattern of self-regulatory failure, making the specific role of social media less distinct for them. This study underscores the importance of considering individual differences in procrastination in interventions aimed at mitigating the negative psychological effects of social media use.
Copyright (c) 2026 Selin Alma, Cantürk Akben https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Enhancing positive health through progressive muscle relaxation: A mixed-methods study among university students
University students constitute a vulnerable population regarding mental health challenges, a situation often exacerbated by systemic stressors during global crises. This mixed-methods study investigates the efficacy of Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) as a proactive positive health intervention to enhance self-regulation and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conducted in accordance with institutional ethical standards and based on voluntary participation, this study utilized a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with 100 university students. During the initial lockdown, psychological distress was measured via the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), alongside the collection of written accounts to capture participants' subjective experiences. Quantitative analysis using Repeated Measures MANOVA revealed a statistically significant reduction in psychological distress with a large effect size following at least seven days of PMR practice. Complementing these results, thematic analysis elucidated that PMR fosters positive health through dual pathways; psychological relief via emotional and cognitive regulation, and physical restoration through improved sleep quality and somatic relaxation. Crucially, the qualitative findings identified specific cues of action related to the timing, consistency, and progressive structure of the exercise, which served as vital moderators for subjective well-being. The findings suggest a strong congruence between quantitative symptom reduction and qualitative pathways to resilience, concluding that PMR is an accessible self-regulation strategy that promotes sustainable psychological growth and positive health in university settings.
Copyright (c) 2026 Fatima Elif Ergüney Okumuş https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Inducing positive affect and orientations to happiness: Is matching better?
Online mood induction procedures (MIPs) for happiness have shown inconsistent and often modest effects, and the potential benefit of personalizing such inductions remains unclear. This study evaluated an online, film-based MIP that targeted three orientations to happiness: engagement, meaning, and pleasure. This study further investigated whether matching film clips to participants’ dominant orientations to happiness enhanced the effectiveness of the MIP. Data was collected via MTurk. Participants (N = 166) were randomly assigned to a matched condition, in which they watched a film clip that targeted their dominant orientation(s) to happiness, or an unmatched condition. Mixed ANOVA was used to test the hypothesis that happiness can be induced via an online, film-based MIP and that a matched film MIP would be more effective at inducing happiness than an unmatched film MIP. Results indicated that happiness can be induced online, but the effect size is modest (d = 0.43). A sizeable proportion of the sample did not report an increase in happiness. In primary analyses including all participants, increases in happiness did not differ between matched and unmatched conditions. These results corroborate recent findings that online positive or happiness inductions are effective but underscore the importance of considering success rate in study analyses and sample size planning. These results also contribute to the growing database of film clips validated to induce positive affect in an online setting. Future research is needed to identify factors that may enhance the effect of positive affect MIPs.
Copyright (c) 2026 Keara Mageras, Lata McGinn, Leanne Quigley https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Meaning in life in individuals with dysautonomia
The present mixed-methods study investigated the role of various predictors of meaning in life (MIL) in individuals with dysautonomia, a condition growing in prevalence with increasing reports of long-COVID (LC), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and similar manifestations. Specifically, this study examined total autonomic symptom count, duration of symptoms, religious practice status (yes/no while living with the condition), and age as predictors of Search for and Presence of MIL. In the sample, 50.8% reported LC or a similar post-viral syndrome as at least one contributing factor. Participants (N = 305), aged 18-68 years (M = 34.09, SD = 10.98), were members of online dysautonomia support groups internationally. Symptom duration and active religious practice were positively associated with Presence of MIL, whereas higher symptom count was negatively associated. This suggests that those who have lived with the condition longer and those who practiced a religion while living with dysautonomia may have a greater capacity to find MIL. Critically, higher symptom count was associated with less meaning. Age was the only significant predictor of Search for meaning, with older participants reporting a lesser need to search. Importantly, associations between the predictors and Presence of MIL did not differ significantly between etiological subgroups, indicating that these predictors relate to Presence of MIL similarly across groups with different etiological and symptomatic profiles. Qualitative responses were analyzed thematically to contextualize and enrich quantitative findings.
Copyright (c) 2026 Matthew Yeager, Jennifer Lyke, Zornitsa Kalibatseva https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The cost of ‘being strong’: Exploring the relationship between emotional suppression and wellbeing.
Emotional suppression is a common emotion regulation strategy, including among individuals with chronic health conditions and within certain cultural or gendered norms. Although widely used as an emotional regulation strategy, research has consistently linked suppression to poorer wellbeing outcomes. In people with chronic health conditions in particular, evidence has strongly indicated that emotional suppression has detrimental effects on factors including physical health and disease progression. This study aimed to examine the relationship between emotional suppression and wellbeing, and to explore whether this relationship was moderated by the presence of a chronic health condition. A total of 64 participants completed measures of emotional suppression, wellbeing, and chronic health status. Correlational analyses revealed a significant negative association between emotional suppression and wellbeing. A multiple linear regression showed that emotional suppression significantly predicted lower wellbeing, and that the interaction between emotional suppression and chronic condition status was not statistically significant, though it trended in the expected direction. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence highlighting the emotional costs of suppression and may have implications for healthcare practices and societal norms surrounding emotional expression. Clinical implications of the findings include highlighting the need for healthcare providers to consider patients’ emotional regulation strategies when supporting individuals with chronic health conditions. The study’s limited sample size and lack of cultural diversity highlight the need for caution in generalising findings. Future research should explore whether the chronicity and severity of chronic health conditions influence any variance in emotional suppression and use more balanced group sizes.
Copyright (c) 2026 Maxime Levasseur, Sophia Daoudi-Simison, Laura Stevenson-Young https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The Hopelessness and Helplessness Scale: Validity and measurement invariance
This study set out to investigate the psychometric properties of the Hopelessness and Helplessness Scale (HHS), which was designed to measure an individual’s levels of hopelessness and helplessness. First, the structural validity of the scale was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis. The results supported a two-factor model with an acceptable model fit. Convergent validity was investigated using correlations with the subscales of the Hopelessness, Helplessness, and Haplessness Scale; and criterion-related validity via correlations with depression and anxiety symptoms assessed using the Brief Symptom Inventory. All correlations were positive and statistically significant at the p < .001 level. The reliability findings of the scale indicate that the calculated Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega (ω) values demonstrate high internal consistency for both subdimensions. Furthermore, measurement invariance across gender and between student and non-student groups was examined using multi-group confirmatory factor analysis. The results supported configural, metric, scalar, and strict invariance, indicating that the HHS is a psychometrically robust instrument suitable for comparative research across gender and academic status
Copyright (c) 2025 Erdinç Duru, Murat Balkis, Sibel Duru https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
CliftonStrengths® in sports: Athletes and coaches from the high school to olympic levels
The CliftonStrengths® assessment has demonstrated merit across a variety of contexts. However, research involving the intersection of strengths and sport is sparse. This is the first study to examine the prevalence of strengths in athletes and coaches (N = 1,516) from college, high school/club, and Olympian/USA team/professional teams. Participants completed the standardized online CliftonStrengths® assessment independently, received their personalized reports identifying their top five signature strengths, and voluntarily shared their results with the researchers for database inclusion and future analysis. This study also compared the prevalence of each strength to a general public sample of 12.5+ million individuals. The top five signature strengths among athletes were: Restorative, Achiever, Adaptability, Competition, and Strategic. The top five signature strengths among coaches were: Achiever, Restorative, Learner, Relator, and Responsibility. It was notable to find Restorative as the highest-ranking strength among all types of athletes combined, and when comparing the combined athlete and coach sample to the general public sample, there was a much lower ranking of the Input strength (for athletes and coaches) and the Responsibility strength (specifically for athletes). These findings are discussed and recommendations for future research are provided.
Copyright (c) 2025 Angela M. Robles, Rhea L. Owens, Viann N. Nguyen-Feng, Michael E. Dauphinee II https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Effects of a mindfulness-based virtual reality intervention on life satisfaction, happiness, and flourishing in college students: A pilot study
College students experience a wide range of academic, developmental, and societal stressors, placing them at increased risk for psychological distress and poor mental health. Mindfulness-based virtual reality (MBVR) interventions have shown growing promise in supporting student mental well-being. Recent research has called for a shift from solely reducing psychological symptoms toward promoting positive psychological outcomes. Therefore, this pilot study examined the effectiveness of an MBVR program in enhancing life satisfaction, happiness, and flourishing among college students. This study utilized TRIPP, a commercially available VR application. A total of 19 college students participated in eight 15-minute sessions over the course of one month. Survey instruments were administered at two time points: prior to the intervention (T1) and after its completion (T2). Paired samples t-tests revealed statistically significant improvements in participants’ life satisfaction, happiness, and flourishing levels following the intervention. The findings suggest that MBVR holds promise as a proactive and engaging tool for promoting mental well-being in non-clinical, preventive settings such as college campuses. Furthermore, while prior research has primarily focused on alleviating symptoms such as anxiety and depression, this study contributes to the literature by demonstrating that MBVR can also enhance positive psychological outcomes. Future research should utilize larger, more diverse samples to improve the generalizability of these findings. Several practical implications for educators and practitioners are discussed.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jaehyun Kim, Yongseop Kim, Chungsup Lee https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Seeking happiness, finding discontent: navigating the complex pursuit of well-being
This study investigates the paradoxical effects of pursuing happiness on subjective well-being and psychological health. Drawing on existing literature, it hypothesizes that valuing happiness too highly and the tendency to monitor emotions excessively and set unrealistic standards can detrimentally affect well-being. The study examines the relationships between these factors and their impact on subjective well-being through an online survey (n = 323) employing reliable and valid measures. The findings reveal that while setting realistic standards for happiness can have a positive influence, valuing happiness too highly, monitoring emotions, and setting unrealistic standards are associated with lower levels of well-being. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that the negative influence of valuing happiness on well-being is moderated by the tendency to monitor emotions and set high standards. These results suggest that pursuing happiness can lead to decreased well-being when approached with perfectionistic tendencies and unrealistic expectations. The paper discusses the implications of these findings for understanding the pursuit of happiness, providing practical insights for individuals and professionals interested in well-being. Limitations of the study and directions for future research are also addressed.
Copyright (c) 2025 Srikant Manchiraju, Swagata Chakraborty, Amrut Sadachar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Paths to well-Being: Trauma, rumination, creativity, and growth
A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was used to investigate the parallel-serial mediating roles of deliberate and intrusive rumination and cognitive and emotional creativity in the relationship between trauma history and posttraumatic growth among young adults. Specifically, the direct and indirect pathways through which individuals with a history of trauma can experience positive changes were investigated. Five-hundred and eleven emerging adults were recruited through crowdsourcing. Structural equation modeling was utilized to assess the measurement portion of the model, the relationship among latent variables and indicators, the relationship among latent variables, and model fit as evidence of mediation. A method of bootstrapping was also implemented to assess indirect effects. The results indicated deliberate rumination, and cognitive creativity sequentially mediated the relationship between trauma history and posttraumatic growth. Findings of the study also revealed both deliberate and intrusive rumination mediated the relationship between trauma history and emotional creativity. However, the relationship between emotional creativity and posttraumatic growth was not statistically significant. Overall, the findings elucidate the dynamic interplay between trauma, rumination, creativity, and growth. By distinguishing between the roles of different rumination styles and types of creativity, this study contributes to the broader literature on posttraumatic growth and offers practical implications for interventions aimed at promoting recovery and growth.
Copyright (c) 2025 Aazi Ahmadi, Elizabeth A. Prosek, Erin Malcom, Saiber Shaikh https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Exploring family resilience in parent caring for children with special needs
This qualitative study explores how couples raising a child with special needs manage caregiving-related stress and sustain their psychological and relational well-being. While prior research has predominantly focused on the psychological burden and dysfunction experienced by such families, this study adopts a resilience-oriented perspective grounded in the Family Resilience Framework. Using phenomenological research design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 married individuals from 10 different couples to uncover the lived experiences and adaptive strategies employed in the face of ongoing caregiving challenges. Thematic analysis revealed three overarching themes: 1) Mutual Spousal Support, including shared caregiving responsibilities and emotional responsiveness; 2) Social Network, comprising support from extended family, community, and social media; and 3) Religious Belief in Coping, which involved framing hardship through spiritual narratives and deriving strength from worship. Findings highlight the internal and external resources that foster resilience and underscore the significance of meaning-making, relational rituals, and community-based support in enhancing family well-being. This study contributes to the literature by shifting the focus from pathology to strength, offering practical insights for family-centered interventions, mental health services, and policy frameworks that aim to empower caregiving couples.
Copyright (c) 2025 Emel Genç https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Feeling connected, feeling less anxious: Self-esteem, social connectedness, and social anxiety in adults
How individuals evaluate themselves and to what extent social ties play an important role in their lives may show differences across cultures. The present study examined whether social connectedness mediated the relationship between self-esteem and social anxiety symptoms, controlling for anxiety disorder diagnosis, gender, and age in a Turkish sample, who reflect combination of both individualistic and collectivistic cultural characteristics. A sample of 402 adults (78.1% female, 21.9% male), aged 18 to 65 years (M = 28.72, SD = 8.07), participated in the study. Correlational analyses revealed that self-esteem was negatively associated with social anxiety and positively associated with social connectedness. Social connectedness was also negatively associated with social anxiety. Mediation analyses indicated that self-esteem significantly predicted both social connectedness (b = 0.96, p < .001) and social anxiety (b = −1.41, p < .001). Additionally, social connectedness significantly predicted lower social anxiety (b = −0.56, p < .001). Social connectedness partially mediated the relationship between self-esteem and social anxiety, as shown by a significant indirect effect (b = −0.54, 95% CI [−0.78, −0.32]). Together, self-esteem and social connectedness accounted for 32% of the variance in social anxiety symptoms. These findings underscore the importance of interventions aimed at enhancing both self-esteem and social connectedness to reduce social anxiety, with implications for psychological counseling and mental health services.
Copyright (c) 2025 Iida Henriikka Vedenpaa, Mustafa Batuhan Kurtoğlu https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Beyond happiness: The three waves of positive psychology and the future of wellbeing
This editorial explores the evolving landscape of positive psychology by tracing its development through three major waves and outlining emerging discussions toward a potential fourth. The first wave, launched in the late 1990s, emphasized individual strengths, positive emotions, and subjective wellbeing—largely shaped by Western epistemologies and dominated by quantitative, empirical methodologies. While foundational to the field, this wave has been critiqued for neglecting complexity, cultural diversity, and ethical concerns. In response, the second wave introduced a more dialectical understanding of wellbeing, integrating both positive and negative experiences and recognizing the transformative potential of adversity. This phase embraced contextual sensitivity, methodological pluralism, and cross-cultural considerations, fostering a more nuanced view of human flourishing. Building on these earlier developments, the third wave of positive psychology adopts a systems-level and interdisciplinary approach. It emphasizes interconnectedness, ecological and cultural contexts, spiritual dimensions, and social justice. This wave views wellbeing as a dynamic, relational, and ethically grounded phenomenon that transcends individual psychological states. Researchers increasingly engage in post-disciplinary collaborations, employing diverse methods to understand how flourishing unfolds across individuals, communities, and ecosystems. The editorial also highlights initial proposals for a fourth wave that aligns wellbeing science with global challenges such as sustainability, equity, and public health—framing flourishing as a shared responsibility in an interconnected world. Ultimately, this editorial calls for a reimagining of positive psychology as a science not just of personal happiness but of collective and sustainable wellbeing. By embracing complexity, humility, and global perspectives, future directions in the field can better serve the diverse needs of humanity and foster flourishing at both individual and societal levels.
Copyright (c) 2025 Gökmen Arslan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Mapping the positive path to moral courage: Through belongingness, meaning in life, and moral disengagement
Numerous studies have explored the factors that influence moral cognition and morally desirable behavior. Yet, that remains doubtful whether the beneficial effects of psychological need satisfaction on individual and social functioning extend to moral processes. To bridge this gap, the current study examined the psychological mechanisms through which a general sense of belongingness may foster morally courageous behavior, focusing on the mediating role of moral disengagement and the moderating role of meaning in life. A cross-sectional design was employed with 290 university students (68% women; Mean age= 22.18), who completed self-report measures assessing belongingness, meaning in life, moral disengagement, and moral courage. Results from a conditional process analysis indicated that moral disengagement had a mediating role in the association between belongingness and moral courage. Specifically, a higher sense of general belongingness was associated with lower levels of moral disengagement, which strengthened moral courage in return. Moreover, this indirect effect varied by levels of perceived meaning in life: the negative association between belongingness and moral disengagement was stronger among individuals with higher levels of meaning. These findings highlight the role of existential meaning in strengthening the moral benefits of social connectedness by reducing tendencies to morally disengage. Practically, the results suggest that interventions aimed at enhancing belonging and life meaning may help cultivate moral courage in academic, organizational, and civic contexts.
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammet Coşkun https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Happiness in the early childhood education workforce: An explanatory sequential mixed method study
The early childcare and education (ECE) workforce shapes the developmental outcomes of children during critical years of growth. Despite facing historically low wages and high demands, the ECE workforce is happier than the general population in the U.S., with happiness levels comparable to Iceland and other top-ranking countries. PERMA, a model that identifies five elements that contribute to flourishing (positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment), can been used to promote wellbeing. This explanatory sequential mixed methods study aimed to investigate the work-related PERMA components that predict happiness levels in the early childhood (ECE) workforce. A hierarchical linear regression revealed that the PERMA components did significantly predict happiness in this sample of ECE staff, R2 = 0.20, F(10,244) = 5.96, p <.001. Engagement, positive emotions, and meaning at work were found to significantly account for the variance in happiness, after controlling for the other variables in the model. Qualitative interviews provided further insight into perceptions of happiness among ECE staff, supporting the value of relationships and meaning in ECE settings. This is the first mixed methods study to assess predictors and perceptions of happiness in the ECE workforce and has important research and practice implications for supporting mental health in this critical population.
Copyright (c) 2025 Julia Pangalangan, Emily Mauirro, Charlotte Farewell, Jini Puma https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between shame and subjective wellbeing in young adults
Individuals sometimes experience setbacks that evoke deep feelings of shame, often resulting in self-imposed isolation and intensified self-criticism. In such moments, self-compassion serves as an understanding friend, offering support and enhancing wellbeing. The present study examined the mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between shame (internal and external) and subjective wellbeing in young adults. Participants were 433 young adults (64% female) aged 18-32 years (M = 20.56, SD = 2.01) from a public university in Türkiye. The initial model showed that external shame negatively predicted self-compassion, and subjective wellbeing. The second model showed that internal shame significantly and negatively predicted self-compassion and was directly associated with subjective wellbeing. Also, self-compassion mediated the link between internal shame and subjective wellbeing. Finally, it is found that self-compassion has a partial mediating role in the relationship between both internal and external shame and subjective wellbeing. The findings suggest that both internal and external forms of shame negatively predict self-compassion, which, in turn, reduces subjective wellbeing in young adults. The results suggest that self-compassion and shame are promising targets for mental health interventions and research targeting young adults. Using self-compassion-based interventions can improve subjective wellbeing by supporting the development of adaptive coping mechanisms.
Copyright (c) 2025 Fikriye Eda Karacul https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Aversion to Happiness and Life Satisfaction: Exploring the Role of Psychological Inflexibility and Vulnerability
Aversion to happiness (AH) is a destructive psychological phenomenon that significantly impacts individuals' well-being. The mediating roles of psychological inflexibility (PI) and psychological vulnerability (PV) in the relationship between AH and life satisfaction (LS) remain an unexplored gap in the literature. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the mediating role of PI and PV in the relationship between AH and LS. A total of 404 participants were included in the study (Mage = 22.32 years, SD = 5.20). Structural equation modeling (SEM) and bootstrap analysis were employed to test the study’s model. The results from SEM revealed that individuals experiencing aversion to happiness exhibited high levels of psychological inflexibility and psychological vulnerability, along with low life satisfaction. The study confirmed the mediating effects of PI and PV in the relationship between aversion to happiness and life satisfaction. These results suggest that reducing psychological inflexibility and psychological vulnerability may help individuals more effectively manage their aversion to happiness, potentially enhancing overall life satisfaction. Based on these findings, mental health professionals are encouraged to implement interventions aimed at boosting life satisfaction and mitigating the impact of risk factors. Specifically, psychological counselors are advised to apply counseling and psychoeducation interventions designed to enhance life satisfaction and address risk factors. Approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can help reduce psychological inflexibility in individuals who experience aversion to happiness, while cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques can address psychological vulnerability.
Copyright (c) 2025 Esra Teke, Aslı Tunca https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Psychological distress and indicators of wellbeing using the dual continua model in a rural sample
A growing body of research provides support for a dual continua model of mental health where psychological distress and wellbeing are separable and related dimensions. This model contrasts with the unipolar model of mental health, which suggests that psychological distress and wellbeing are on opposite ends of the same continuum. The present study expands on the dual continua model of mental health literature within a rural clinical sample. Participants (n = 127) were categorized into 4 groups (higher and lower levels of anxiety and/or depression crossed with high and low levels of life satisfaction) and assessed on wellbeing indicators (gratitude and quality of life). Present results partially supported both the unipolar and dual continua model of mental health models. Specifically, consistent with the dual continua model of mental health, higher levels of psychological distress were not uniformly associated with lower levels of gratitude or quality of life, and conversely, lower levels of distress were not uniformly associated with higher levels of gratitude or quality of life. Consistent with the dual continua model of mental health and unipolar models of mental health, the low distress and high life satisfaction group reported higher levels of both gratitude and quality of life. Results extend the dual continua model of mental health literature in a rural, treatment-seeking sample. The results suggest wellbeing measures should be included when assessing and treating psychological distress in order to holistically treat the individual.
Copyright (c) 2025 Hannah Cornwell, Nicholas Sims-Rhodes, Emily Barena, Joseph Brewer, Anastasia Miller, Kimberly Elliott, Yordanos M. Tiruneh, Karan Singh, Sarah Sass https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Addressing mental health and wellbeing among older adults in communities of color: A scoping review of community-based participatory research approaches
This research explores how community-based participatory approaches can address the challenges faced by older adults in communities of color through a scoping review of 23 studies which focus on the emotional health of this population. The authors show how an increase in older adults in communities of color is expected in the years to come, highlighting the mental health disparities faced by people in those communities and the requirement for appropriate research frameworks to address their needs. The authors utilize a systematic review protocol (PRISMA-P) to explore the primary research question “What is the coverage of the mental health needs of older adults from communities of color using community-based participatory research (CBPR) over the last 15 years?”. The research includes an introduction to CBPR as carried out by counselors and a consideration of how CBPR can enhance equity in mental health outcomes through collaborative efforts. The researchers share methodological trends, publication trends, and recurring themes regarding barriers to mental health among older adults in communities of color as well as themes regarding benefits to using CBPR with this population. The authors also discuss implications for counseling practice, future research, and counselor educators.
Copyright (c) 2025 Tahani Dari, Ellise Nolan, Tyler Thomas https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Social support and resilience as moderators of the relationship between COVID-19 pandemic-related trauma and posttraumatic growth in U.S. adults
Previous research has established a positive association between COVID-19-related trauma and posttraumatic growth (PTG), but few studies have examined the factors that influence the strength of that relationship. The current study used an electronic survey to investigate the relationship between U.S. adults’ COVID-19-related trauma and PTG and the degree to which their perceived social support and psychological resilience served as moderators of that relationship. Data (n = 378) were gathered through a crowdsourcing platform in April, 2023. Analyses indicated a significant positive relationship between COVID-19-related trauma and PTG. In addition, both perceived social support and psychological resilience were supported as significant moderators of that relationship. Not only did higher levels of each variable predict a stronger relationship between trauma and growth, but they also had an interactive effect where having higher levels of both predicted the strongest relationship of all. This research establishes perceived social support and psychological resilience as key moderators of the relationship between COVID-19-related trauma and PTG. These results hold implications for how future research and therapeutic practice might benefit from focusing on perceived social support and psychological resilience as key factors in the psychological recovery from COVID-19.
Copyright (c) 2024 Michael Berg, Linda Lin, Jenna Beebe, Hanna Ondrasek https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Hope and uncertainty among Turkish adults: Pathways to subjective well-being
This cross-sectional research aimed to explore how intolerance of uncertainty and hope predict subjective well-being in adults, while accounting for demographic and other relevant psychological variables. The sample consisted of 822 adults, with 58.60% female and 41.40% male participants, aged 18 to 65 years (M = 36.21, SD = 12.76). Regression analysis indicated that both hope and intolerance of uncertainty significantly contributed to unique variance in subjective well-being, even after controlling for all other variables in the model. It was found that hope had a greater impact on subjective well-being, explaining an additional 15% of the variance, compared to intolerance of uncertainty, which accounted for an additional 2% of the variance. Furthermore, hope remained a significant predictor of subjective well-being even when controlling for intolerance of uncertainty and other relevant factors. These results underscore the importance of fostering hope as a distinct and independent factor that enhances subjective well-being, beyond the effects of intolerance of uncertainty and other variables.
Copyright (c) 2024 Kıvanç Uzun https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The link between emotional intelligence and flourishing: A chain mediation of belongingness, hope, and harmony in life
Individuals face both psychological and physical problems as they age. These psychological problems adversely affect the mental health of adult individuals. The purpose of this study is to test the serial mediating role of belongingness, hope, and harmony in life in the relationship between adult individuals' emotional intelligence and their level of flourishing. The research sample consists of a total of 461 Turkish adults, 125 female (27.1%) and 336 male (72.9%). The mean age of the participants is 48.03 years (age range = 40-60 years). Data were collected from the participants using the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form, the Flourishing Scale, the General Belongingness Scale, the Dispositional Hope Scale, and the Harmony in Life Scale. All of these collected data were tested with chain mediation analysis. Gender, age, and socioeconomic status were added as covariance variables to the hypothesized model. The results showed significant positive relationships between emotional intelligence, flourishing, belongingness, hope, and harmony in life. In addition, the relationship between emotional intelligence and flourishing was found to have a chain-mediating role through belongingness, hope, and harmony in life. The results expand our understanding of the relationship between adult individuals' emotional intelligence and their level of flourishing.
Copyright (c) 2024 Seydi Ahmet Satıcı, Sinan Okur, Hasan Kütük https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
How do university students experience using photos to self-identify their character strengths? A Thematic analysis
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated demand for mental and emotional well-being support. As a result of the pandemic and the prevailing economic climate, individuals and businesses in the UK have been ‘taking stock’. Positive Psychology Interventions provide the prospect of meeting these needs through strengths-based approaches which demonstrate a host of benefits. One of these is the use of photographs to transform the narratives that people ascribe to their experiences. This intervention may have a range of advantages, including a positive impact on well-being. However, there is relatively little research into the use of photos as a potential tool for self-identifying strengths. To gain an understanding of the lived experience of using photos to elicit strengths, a homogeneous participant sample of nine students studying psychology at a UK university were recruited. The participants undertook an intervention based on that used by Steger et al. (2014) in their pilot study. Each participant was asked to take 9-12 pictures of things that were meaningful to them over the period of one week. Semi-structured interviews were used for data collection, and reflexive thematic analysis was undertaken to analyse the data. Four themes were identified: Experiencing the strength, Feeling uplifted, Being reflective, and Looking to the future. It was found that that the participants experienced the intervention as profound and enriching. The use of the photographs was instrumental in the self-identification of strengths. This study provides valuable insights into the experience of this PPI and may have implications for positive psychology practitioners and coaches.
Copyright (c) 2024 Smira Javed, Christian Van Nieuwerburgh, Margaret Barr https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Self-compassion enhances ıntuitive eating patterns in middle-aged adults
Over time, humans have experienced varied and shifting relationships with food in both negative and positive ways. Mostly negative results have emerged from restrictive diets, while approaches to food that include more self-trust indicated healthier impacts. The current study focused on the positive approach to eating and addressed a relationship between intuitive eating and dimensions of self-compassion and wellbeing. Data were collected using an online survey, which assessed demographics, BMI, self-compassion, intuitive eating, and wellbeing. A cohort of 234 participants, comprising both men and women, predominantly women aged 36-65, responded to the survey. Within this group, a subset of 148 participants provided supplementary information regarding their weight and height. Regression analysis showed that after controlling for wellbeing, 24% of the variance in intuitive eating was explained by self-compassion. Specifically, the self-compassion components that best predicted intuitive eating were reduced self-judgement and increased common humanity. No correlation was observed between self-compassion and BMI, age and gender. Contrary to previous research, a positive correlation between BMI and intuitive eating was observed. Further research is needed to study the relationship among IE, BMI, and dietary quality, along with investigating the connection between IE and varying physiological responses according to BMI status, age and gender. The results are discussed in the context of policy and practice.
Copyright (c) 2024 Krista Irmischer, Marina I. Cans, Jolanta Burke, Annette Sweeney https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The impact of social-emotional skills on mental well-being among Chinese underprivileged-background students: Empirical evidence from SSES 2019
The present study investigated the impact of social-emotional skills on the mental well-being of Chinese underprivileged-background students (N = 1,811) based on the 2019 Survey on Social and Emotional Skills (SSES 2019) data, separately using the ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and the quantile regression (QR) methods. The OLS regression model indicated that the mental well-being of Chinese underprivileged-background students is significantly and positively affected by self-control, optimism, stress resilience, trust, curiosity, energy, and sociability, but significantly and negatively influenced by tolerance. Whereas, persistence, responsibility, emotional control, cooperation, empathy, creativity, and assertiveness had no significant impact on the students’ mental well-being. Further, the QR model revealed that the impact of social-emotional skills on the mental well-being of Chinese underprivileged-background students can be significant when the mental well-being is at a relatively moderate level, whereas being insignificantly related to the lowest and the highest level of the mental well-being. The results were discussed generally based on the characters of underprivileged-background students in Chinese educational context. Overall, the findings may provide several practical implications for policy application in social-emotional education and the improvement of mental well-being for Chinese underprivileged-background students.
Copyright (c) 2024 Jinpeng Niu https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Do we listen to what makes children happy? A systematic literature review of voices of children aged 3–7 years in educational research
Research shows that children’s views and experiences are usually overlooked in discussions related to their own happiness and wellbeing. In fact, the largest international study to date on children’s wellbeing only included children aged 8-12. A review of reviews further reveals that no previous studies have focused on exploring factors that make children aged 3-7 happy. This research addresses this gap in the literature by conducting the first systematic review of international studies exploring young children's perspectives on happiness. The EPPI-Centre framework guided this systematic review of international research published covering almost a decade of research (2015-2024). This comprehensive approach aimed to provide an overview of the current research landscape to inform future research and policy decisions. Out of 2594 papers arguing to listen to children, only five focused on exploring children’s happiness and wellbeing from an interpretivist perspective. Results showed that there are studies listening to children’s voices, however, very limited studies genuinely explore what makes children happy. Factors contributing to children’s happiness and wellbeing include spending time with loved ones, receiving praise, achieving goals and engaging in sociodramatic play. Negative factors include feeling ignored, limited interaction with peers/friends and forced activities. Methodological limitations identified include unclear sample selection, regional bias, subjective data interpretation, and pre-determined prompts influencing children's responses. The findings can inform future research directions and policy decisions aimed at promoting children's happiness and well-being in schools. As such, this paper provides a unique insight and makes an original and significant contribution to the field.
Copyright (c) 2024 Angel Urbina-Garcia https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Exploring ostracism as a risk factor for smartphone addiction in young people: Resilience and nomophobia perspectives
In today's world, the improper use of smartphones has become a growing problem. Such usage might be problematic as people see it as an escape from threats to their basic psychological needs caused by ostracism. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between ostracism and the risk of smartphone addiction. In addition, a moderated mediation model was explored to see whether nomophobia moderated the mediating role of resilience in the association between ostracism and the risk of smartphone addiction. The sample consisted of 320 young adults, ranging from 18 to 31 years. Data was gathered by using the Ostracism Experience Scale, the Brief Resilience Scale, Nomophobia Scale and Smartphone Addiction Scale. Results indicated a positive association between ostracism and the risk of smartphone addiction, and this association was mediated by resilience. While ostracism increases the risk of smartphone addiction, resilience emerges as a key ability in mitigating this undesired association. Furthermore, nomophobia moderated the mediating impact of resilience in the relationship between ostracism and the risk of smartphone addiction. Increased nomophobia put this mitigating influence of resilience in the shade. Resilience buffers the undesired relationship between social kiss of death (ostracism) and the risk of smartphone addiction in young individuals, but nomophobia frustrates this functional role of resilience. These findings were discussed in light of the relevant literature.
Copyright (c) 2024 Muhammet Coşkun, Mehmet Kavaklı, Osman Oğulcan Türkmen https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
College belonging among university students during COVID-19: An online interpretative phenomenological (OIPA) perspective
The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that either facilitated or complicated students' sense of school belonging and to determine the levels within the Ecological Systems Theory (EST) framework to which participants attributed these influential factors, using the Online Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (OIPA) method. The OIPA approach is a qualitative research method and was used by the researcher for data collection and analysis in this study. Data were collected online using the OIPA form. The study cohort consisted of 82 university students (65% female, 35% male) from three different state universities in different cities in Türkiye. The results of the analysis revealed 20 facilitating factors, including elements such as friendships (33%), participation in activities and events (22%), and interactions with professors (20%). The study also identified 21 barriers, including economic challenges (39%), anxiety (32%), and experiences of exclusion and being ignored (29%). Participants attributed these facilitators and barriers to different levels of Ecological Systems Theory (EST). Specifically, they associated 63% of facilitating factors and 55% of complicating factors with the individual/intrapsychic level, 20% of facilitating factors and 51% of complicating factors with the microsystem level, 8% of facilitating factors and 26% of complicating factors with the exosystem level, and 15% of facilitating factors and 55% of complicating factors with the macrosystem level. Overall, participants linked 39% of facilitating factors and 52% of complicating factors to all levels combined.
Copyright (c) 2023 Yakup Subasi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0