Relevance of gender roles in life satisfaction in adult people

The influence of gender on the relationship between emotional intelligence and psychological well-being in Spanish university students

BACKGROUND

Numerous studies have shown that emotional intelligence could play a role in satisfaction with life and eudaimonic well-being. Several theories hold that emotional intelligence is a construct that can be measured and that can be improved. Emotional intelligence depends on various variables such as age, sex, sociocultural status, environmental factors, and learning history; emotional intelligence should be made a priority subject to teach students to perceive, understand, and regulate emotions from an early age. Teaching of emotional skills at university can have a positive effect on academic performance, psychological well-being, and satisfaction with life.

METHODS

The aim of this study is twofold: 1) to analyse differences in emotional intelligence and psychological well-being between sexes among Spanish university students; and 2) to analyse whether emotional intelligence can be used to predict satisfaction with life and eudaimonic well-being in the sample. The instruments used were Schutte's emotional intelligence scale, the satisfaction with life scale, and the eudaimonic well-being scale. The sample comprised 721 Spanish university students (293 men, 40.64% and 428 women, 59.36%).

RESULTS

The results suggest that women yield higher scores in emotional intelligence factors related to attention to the emotions of others, the expression of emotions, and the regulation of the emotions of others. No significant differences were found concerning satisfaction with life and eudaimonic well-being. The results also indicate that both men and women perceive the regulation of one's own emotions as a key factor in satisfaction with life. Women tend to link eudaimonic well-being with emotional skills associated with interpersonal relations, while men tend to associate it with emotional skills pertaining to the individual.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that, among all emotional intelligence-related factors, the regulation of one's own emotions is the most valuable predictor of satisfaction with life and eudaimonic well-being. The results also emphasise the importance of teaching emotional intelligence as a way to improve levels of well-being, irrespective of sex, although sex-related differences need to be examined more in depth in order to gain a better understanding of the role played by emotional intelligence, satisfaction with life, and eudaimonic well-being in the psychological and personal development of our students.

Social Support and Life Satisfaction Among Female College Students: Serial Mediation of Grit and Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction

Social support plays an important role in helping female college students in particular to achieve and feel well in the face of changing social circumstances. The present study aims to delve into the specific mechanisms through which social support contributes to enhancing life satisfaction among female college students. Therefore, a serial mediation model was tested to examine the relationship between social support, grit, basic psychological needs satisfaction, and life satisfaction among female college students. 588 female college students residing in China, with an average age of 19 years (SD = 1.29), participated in this study. The instruments used included the Social Support Scale, the Grit Scale, the Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction Scale, and the Life Satisfaction Scale. Correlation analysis, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and structural equation modeling (SEM) were employed to examine the relationships among the variables. The study findings reveal a positive association between higher levels of social support and increased grit, as well as satisfaction of basic psychological needs among female college students. The structural equation modeling confirms the validity of the serial mediation model. This model suggests that social support is a significant predictor of holistic well-being, with its influence on life satisfaction being partially mediated by grit and basic psychological needs satisfaction. The findings underscore the importance of social support as a potential pathway to enhancing life satisfaction through the cultivation of grit and the satisfaction of psychological needs.

Self-Efficacy, Self-Love, and Fear of Compassion Mediate the Effect of Attachment Styles on Life Satisfaction: A Serial Mediation Analysis

This study examined the effect of attachment styles on the life satisfaction of adults and the serial mediating effect of self-efficacy, self-love, and fear of compassion in this effect for the first time in the literature to the best of our knowledge. The study group consisted of a total of 639 adults. As a result of the study, it is seen that secure attachment affects life satisfaction positively. This process is mediated by the variables of high self-efficacy, high self-love, and low fear of compassion. However, avoidant attachment seems to negatively affect life satisfaction. This process is mediated by low self-efficacy, low self-love, and high fear of compassion variables. Apart from these results, it was observed that anxious-ambivalent attachment negatively affected life satisfaction, but this relationship was not mediated by self-efficacy, self-love, and fear of compassion. This result may be due to the fact that people with anxious-ambivalent attachment style perceive others positively despite seeing themselves as worthless and inadequate. These people may not want to show compassion for themselves because they have low self-worth, but they may show compassion for others because they find them valuable.

Narcissism, Social Media Addiction, Self-Esteem, and Haxeco Traits: Exploring Influences on Life Satisfaction Among Generation Z

Purpose

This study aimed to analyze the influence of narcissism on self-esteem and social media addiction. In addition, it highlights the consequences of social media addiction through internal factors such as self-esteem and external factors such as life satisfaction. It also examined the regulatory role of personality traits in this context.

Participants and Methods

Conducted in Ho Chi Minh City, it surveyed 426 Generation Z individuals aged 13-26 spending over two hours daily on social media, using convenience sampling. Data analysis and reliability assessment were done with SPSS 29, and SmartPLS 4 evaluated the linear structural model.

Results

The study has demonstrated that narcissism among Generation Z significantly influences life satisfaction. The results indicate that narcissism plays a crucial role in determining the self-esteem of Generation Z. Furthermore, individuals exhibit varying levels of narcissism, which are positively related to various online social activities. Therefore, high levels of narcissism are likely to lead to social media addiction. Those who exhibit symptoms of social media addiction tend to have lower self-esteem because they perceive social media as a safe space where they can express themselves. However, each individual possesses unique personality traits, and this study has proven that specific personality traits such as Agreeableness and Openness impact the life satisfaction of Generation Z.

Conclusion

The study investigated how narcissism, self-esteem, and social media addiction affect life satisfaction among Generation Z, exploring their complex interplay and mental health implications. It emphasized Gen Z's widespread social media engagement and addiction risks, impacting mental health and emotional satisfaction. Additionally, it highlighted the influence of personality traits on life satisfaction. The examination scrutinized the intricate relationship between self-esteem and narcissism, stressing its nuances, especially among Generation Z.

How does loneliness affect satisfaction with life? What is the role of the perception of God in this interaction?

Introduction

This study examined the role of loneliness and the perception of God in affecting the satisfaction with life of Muslim individuals living alone in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the study explored the regulatory role of the perception of God in the relationship between individuals' loneliness and satisfaction with life.

Methods

The research is a cross-sectional study that evaluates individuals' loneliness, satisfaction with life, and perception of God. The study group consists of 378 individuals living alone in Turkey. Among the participants, 196 are women (51.9%) and 182 are men (48.1%). The UCLA loneliness scale, the satisfaction with life scale, the perception of God scale, and a personal information form were used as data collection tools in the study.

Results

The examination of research findings indicated that the variables of loneliness, perception of God, and the interaction between loneliness and the perception of God explained 28% of the variance in individuals' satisfaction with life. We determined that satisfaction with life was affected significantly and positively by the perception of God (β = 0.28, p < 0.001) and significantly and negatively by loneliness (β = -0.38, p < 0.001). The interactional effect of the variables of loneliness and perception of God on satisfaction with life was also found to be significant (β = -0.10, p = 0.023). When we examined the details of the regulatory effect, we found that the effect of loneliness on satisfaction with life decreased even more in cases where the perception of God was high.

Discussion

The research findings suggest that loneliness decreases life satisfaction, while positive self-image mitigates this effect. It can be stated that using belief-sensitive therapeutic approaches in the therapeutic process could contribute to alleviating the negative effects of loneliness.

Exploring the impact of stressful life events on quality of life: meaning making and narrative reconstruction

PURPOSE

Stressful life events have the capacity to disrupt an individual's worldview and life goals, leading to existential questions and identity loss. The subjective perception of identity is intricately linked with quality of life (QoL), and how individuals derive meaning from these stressful life events significantly influences their well-being. This article explored the impact of stressful life events on individuals' QoL, and examined the potential for enhancing QoL through meaning making and narrative reconstruction.

METHODS

Qualitative interviews were conducted with 11 individuals reporting diminished QoL and analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

The study reveals that stressful life events confront interviewees with the vulnerability of their values in life and the limits of their control, leading them to question their own beliefs and purpose in life. Consequently, these events prompt individuals to reconstruction their narratives to adapt to new life circumstances.

CONCLUSIONS

The study suggests that "securing the base," including strong social relations and security in economic and housing conditions, is a prerequisite for enhancing QoL. The insights on "the base" have profound implications for QoL. Recognizing their fundamental importance, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and social service providers can support mechanisms to enhance these foundations, improving overall well-being for individuals and communities.

Functions of music, focused on the context of music listening, and psychological well-being in late adolescence regarding gender differences

Late adolescences, as a developmentally challenging transitional period between childhood and adulthood, provides a number of pressures that impact well-being of youth. Among approaches for facilitating well-being, music is reported to be one of the most effective ones, which was especially proven during Covid-19 pandemic. Given the significance of music and music listening in late adolescence, our study sought to examine the relationship between psychological well-being and music listening among university students (N = 603; Nfemale = 356, Nmale = 247) with a focus on the social, intrapersonal, and sociocultural context of music listening. The RESPECT music scale, the SPWB, and the PANAS were used to measure positive and negative affect as well as the six components of psychological well-being. The findings revealed that, while there were no gender differences in the sociocultural setting, females reported to listen to music more frequently than males in intrapersonal and social contexts. In two areas, female students rated their psychological well-being higher than male students: personal growth and positive relationships with others. They also reported experiencing positive and negative affect more frequently than men. Regression analyses revealed that the functions of music explained only a small amount of the variance in psychological well-being. Specifically, music listening in a social and sociocultural context significantly explained two aspects of psychological well-being: personal growth and positive relations with others. The intrapersonal context of music listening predicted a positive affect, while the social context predicted a negative affect. Our study highlights several implications of music listening in youth regarding gender either in everyday activities or in educational and clinical setting.

Mind-Body Practice and Family Caregivers' Subjective Well-Being: Findings From the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) Study

Objectives: Informal caregiving has been associated with higher stress and lower levels of subjective well-being. Mind-body practices including yoga, tai chi, and Pilates also incorporate stress reducing activities. The current study aimed to examine the association between mind-body practice and subjective well-being among informal family caregivers. Methods: A sample of informal caregivers were identified in the Midlife in the United States study (N = 506, M ± SD_age = 56 ± 11, 67% women). We coded mind-body practice into three categories, including regular practice (participating in one or more of them "a lot" or "often"), irregular (participating "sometimes" and "rarely") and no practice ("never"). Subjective well-being was measured using the 5-item global life satisfaction scale and the 9-item mindfulness scale. We used multiple linear regression models to examine associations between mind-body practice and caregivers' subjective well-being, controlling for covariates of sociodemographic factors, health, functional status, and caregiving characteristics. Results: Regular practice was associated with both better mindfulness-related well-being (b = 2.26, p < .05) and better life satisfaction (b = 0.43, p < .05), after controlling for covariates. Discussion: Future research should examine whether there is a selection effect of caregivers with higher well-being being more likely to choose these activities, and/or if mind-body practices are effective non-pharmacological interventions to improve family caregivers' quality of life.

The Protective Role of Mature Defense Mechanisms on Satisfaction with Life in the COVID-19 Era: A Moderated Mediation Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly influenced people’s lives, with non-negligible consequences for the perception of well-being. This study sought to examine the effect of anxiety, post-traumatic impairment, and mature defenses on life satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic. One thousand three hundred thirty-nine Italian individuals (30% male; 70% female; Mage = 34.70; SD = 11.83) completed an online survey enclosing the Satisfaction with Life Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory—Form X3, Impact of event scale—revised, and the Forty Item Defense Style Questionnaire. To test the hypothesized relationship, data were analyzed by applying a moderated-mediation analysis, a regression-based approach. Results showed that the negative effect of anxiety on life satisfaction was partially mediated by post-traumatic impairment, with a significant moderation effect of mature defenses on the relationship between post-traumatic impairment and life satisfaction. Specifically, with higher levels of mature defenses, the effects of post-traumatic impairment on consequences of the COVID-19 emergency on well-being. Furthermore, the protective role of mature defenses in facing post-traumatic impairment was shown. Such data may have applicative implications in different contexts in a management perspective of the different pandemic phases, contributing to more effective positive strength-based preventive actions to also support positive healthy organizations.

Life satisfaction in Europe and Iran: the role of self-esteem, gender identification and ambivalent sexism

Life satisfaction is one of the most relevant indicators of psychological health. The present study aimed at extending previous research on life satisfaction by examining its antecedents for men and women in five countries (e.g., Italy, Poland, Romania, the UK, and Iran), with different levels of gender equality, according to the Global Gender Gap Index. Besides traditional variables (i.e., age, self-esteem and income), we also investigated the role of ambivalent sexism and gender identification. Participants were 2561 adults (54% female). Results showed the key role of self-esteem for both men and women and across countries. Gender identification was positively associated with life satisfaction, with the only exception of the more gender egalitarian country, i.e., the UK. Furthermore, in the less egalitarian countries, i.e., Italy and Iran, life satisfaction is also positively related to benevolent stereotypes toward men. Taken together, findings underline the interdependence between personal and contextual dimensions in sustaining life satisfaction, and the role of gender as a significant variable in terms of both the existence of different patterns for men and women and the effects of gender stereotypes across cultures.

Supportive, Delegated, and Common Dyadic Coping Mediates the Association between Adult Attachment Representation and Relationship Satisfaction: A Dyadic Approach

The aim of this study was to examine intrapersonal (actor) and interpersonal (partner) associations between attachment, assessed by the Adult Attachment Interview, and satisfaction with the relationship, as well as to establish the possibility of the mediatory effect of supportive, delegated, and common dyadic coping on the aforementioned associations. A dyadic approach has been introduced, using the actor-partner interdependence mediation model and data from 114 heterosexual couples, aged 26 to 60. It has been shown that one's own secure attachment can be perceived as the predictor of one's own relationship satisfaction in women and men and the predictor of a partner's relationship satisfaction in men. The findings support the partially mediating role of dyadic coping in the association between attachment and relationship satisfaction and are a significant contribution to the issue of dyadic coping in general. Adults' secure representations of their childhood experiences may be effective in using their partners as a secure base and also in serving as a secure base themselves, but it is not the sole influence on the quality of the couple's experience together. The we-ness phenomenon and resulting clinical implications were discussed.

We shall endure: Exploring the impact of government information quality and partisanship on citizens' well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic

Based on the information-as-coping perspective, we provided a theoretical framework to understand how the quality of government information and citizens' partisanship impact citizens' wellbeing in terms of satisfaction with life and anxiety during COVID-19. With survey data from 705 respondents in Indonesia, we found that government information quality is of vital importance in helping citizens get ready to fight the pandemic, as well as lowering their anxiety. Our results show that higher information quality leads to a higher ability to respond quickly to the crisis, as well as a reduced level of information overload. While partisanship is a significant predictor of information overload, it had no significant impact on perceived quick response ability. Quick response ability and information overload, in turn, predict anxiety and citizen's satisfaction with life.

Religious Affiliation, Daily Spirituals, and Private Religious Factors Promote Marital Commitment Among Married Couples: Does Religiosity Help People Amid the COVID-19 Crisis?

Religious studies are a vital branch of social science that seeks to explain the beliefs of human society and deals with the practices and beliefs of individuals. This distinctive study focuses on such influential aspects of a healthy life, which could play a vital role in the marital quality and matrimonial commitment of individuals. The study principally focused on inspecting the role of religiosity in healthy marital commitment among individuals. It is a distinctive and central value in regulating a healthy social life. This research designed a conceptual model for assessing marital commitment, and the study model comprised two primary variables. The study received datasets through a survey questionnaire based on participants from five private and public sectors. The research study conducted an empirical analysis to test the proposed conceptual framework. The findings exhibited that the value of the R 2 model was 0.484, meaning the level of religiosity had a substantial impression on healthy and lasting marital commitment. According to the final outline of the model factors associated with building religious support factors (β = 0.491), the marital commitment had a better and healthier impact. The goodness-of-fit of the measurement of the conceptual model showed a value of 0.51, which indicated that the theoretical model had sufficient consistency and rationality, and accurately fitted the data. Such an advanced statistical model is missing from the previous literature. The study results provide helpful insight to elucidate the social dynamics of marital commitment. The findings designate that religious practices strengthen and promote nuptial commitment. The study is novel in the context of religiosity impact on martial commitment with a cultural background of Pakistan. The generalizability of the study does not apply to the entire population or other regions. Future studies can investigate other religious variables to explore further research findings. The findings are helpful for decision-makers and policymakers to concentrate on marital issues and challenges confronted by couples worldwide.

Exploring the Interrelationship between COVID-19 Phobia, Work–Family Conflict, Family–Work Conflict, and Life Satisfaction among School Administrators for Advancing Sustainable Management

This study aims to investigate the relationships between the COVID-19 phobia experienced by school administrators and their work–family conflict, family–work conflict, and life satisfaction. This descriptive research, designed according to the relational survey model, was conducted with the participation of 356 school administrators. The study data were collected through online questionnaires, and then t-test, ANOVA, correlation analysis, and simple linear regression analysis were employed for the statistical analyses. The results revealed that female school administrators experienced greater levels of COVID-19 phobia than their male peers and that COVID-19 phobia is felt more intensely in the psychological and social sub-dimensions. However, female school administrators’ life satisfaction levels were significantly higher than those of male school administrators. In the current study, it was determined that school administrators in the younger age group experienced greater levels of COVID-19 phobia and family–work/work–family conflict than their peers from other age groups. The results of this study revealed a positive and moderate relationship between school administrators’ COVID-19 phobia and their levels of both work–family and family–work conflict. The findings of the study offer significant implications for policy makers in education, showing the importance of developing strategies that will reduce the effects of the pandemic for a more sustainable and efficient employee performance.

The relationships between resilience of the adults affected by the covid pandemic in Turkey and Covid-19 fear, meaning in life, life satisfaction, intolerance of uncertainty and hope

The current study was conducted to investigate the association between the resilience of the adults affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and Covid-19 fear, meaning in life, life satisfaction, intolerance of uncertainty, hope gender, psychological trauma history and the presence of the individuals diagnosed with Covid-19 around. A total of 929 adults with the mean age of 41.58 participated in the current study. Findings from the study indicated that hope, meaning in life, life satisfaction, not having the experience of psychological trauma positively and significantly predict resilience while intolerance of uncertainty and Covid-19 fear negatively and significantly predict resilience. The presence of people diagnosed with Covid-19 and gender on the other hand were found to not significantly predict resilience.

Relationships Between the Life Satisfaction, Meaning in Life, Hope and COVID-19 Fear for Turkish Adults During the COVID-19 Outbreak

The current study investigated whether there are significant relationships between life satisfaction and meaning in life, hope and COVID-19 fear and the extent to which life satisfaction is predicted by these variables. The study group of this research consists of 1,186 adults with the mean age of 41.04. Study group participants are consists of different cities of different regions of Turkey. As the data collection tools, the life satisfaction scale, the meaning in life scale, the dispositional hope scale and the COVID-19 fear scale were used. The results of the analyses have revealed that meaning in life, hope (actuating thinking and alternative ways thinking) are significant predictors of life satisfaction as positively. Besides, it is seen COVID-19 fear, age, gender and the presence of people infected with COVID-19 around aren't significant predictors of life satisfaction in adults.

Entitlement, Hope, and Life Satisfaction Among Mothers of Children with Developmental Disabilities

The interplay between sense of entitlement and hope might have a unique contribution to mothers of children with developmental disabilities (DD) life satisfaction. Seventy-three mothers of children with DD and 47 mothers of children without DD participated in the study. Mothers of children with DD (vs. without DD) experienced low levels of life satisfaction and high levels of entitlement. The relationship between being a mother of children with DD and life satisfaction was mediated by the interaction between sense of entitlement and hope. Higher entitlement was negatively related to life satisfaction when mothers' hope was low and positively related to life satisfaction when mothers' hope was high. Entitlement can act as a resource for life satisfaction, depending on hope levels.

The effect of training given to parents with mentally disabled children on their life satisfaction self-stigma of seeking help depression and stress-coping styles

BACKGROUND

It is important to identify problem areas of parents with mentally disabled children, to support them, to address their stress sources and to effectively cope with them. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of training given to parents with mentally disabled children on their life satisfaction, self-stigma of seeking help, depression and stress-coping styles.

MATERIAL

Families with disabled children who continued their education at the Special Education Centers in Sivas created the sample of this pre- and post-test study (with control group). The data were collected with the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Self-Stigma of Seeking Psychological Help Scale (SSPHS) and the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ). The scales were re-applied to the experimental group (n = 75) after the application of scales and 5-week training. Individuals in the control group were not given any training. The Mann-Whitney U test, t test and Kruskal-Wallis variance analysis were used in the evaluation of the data.

RESULTS

The mean SWLS score was 19.14 ± 7.24 (min: 3; max: 31) before the training and 21.68 ± 7.39 (min: 6; max: 35) after the training. The mean BDI score was 16.92 ± 10.84 (min: 1; max: 60) before the training and 10.24 ± 7.77 (min: 0; max: 33) after the training. The mean SSPHS score was 58.18 ± 9.96 (min: 32; max: 82) before the training and 52.65 ± 14.28 (min: 28; max: 84) after the training. The mean optimistic approach score of SSPHS was 9.73 ± 2.67 (min: 2; max: 15) before the training and 10.58 ± 2.19 (min: 4; max: 15) after the training. It was determined that the difference between mean scores of the control group before and after the training was not significant (p > .05).

CONCLUSION

The training has positively affected the decrease in depression and self-stigmatization, and the increase in life satisfaction and stress-coping styles after the training. It is recommended to plan research studies to identify the need for support of parents, and to structure the trainings to be given according to the results of the educational intervention researches.

Life satisfaction and social anxiety among left-behind children in rural China: The mediating role of loneliness

This study examined the mediating effects of loneliness in the relationship between social anxiety and life satisfaction. Four hundred and forty two left-behind children in rural China, who completed the Social Anxiety Subscale, UCLA Loneliness Scale, and Satisfaction with Life Scale, participated in the study. Results indicated that compared with both parent migration children, the scores of life satisfaction in the mother-only and father-only migration children were strongly higher, but did not differ across genders and ages. Additionally, social anxiety and loneliness negative predicted life satisfaction. More important, the mediation analysis revealed a partial mediating effect of loneliness in the links from social anxiety to life satisfaction. These findings call on more attention from the government and related sectors of society, and propose that loneliness improvement program may have a preventive function for promoting the life satisfaction among left-behind children.

Contingencies of Self-Worth and Global Self-Esteem Among College Women: The Role of Masculine and Feminine Traits Endorsement

The study examined the relative importance of seven contingencies of self-worth of Polish college women's (appearance, others' approval, competition, academic competencies, family support, virtue, God's love), as well as the associations between preference for particular contingencies and global self-esteem. Additionally, the predictive role of the self-assignment of masculine and feminine traits for both contingencies of self-worth and global self-esteem was investigated. The participants were one hundred and ninety-four Polish women in emerging adulthood (aged from 19 to 26; M = 21.36; SD = 1.67). Participants provided self-reports of self-ascription of masculine and feminine traits, the contingencies of self-worth, and self-esteem. Obtained results showed that the family support contingency of self-worth was the most preferred one, followed by virtue contingent self-worth, academic competencies, competition, and appearance contingencies of self-esteem, while the less preferred contingencies were: others' approval and God's love. Appearance and others’ approval contingencies of self-worth correlated negatively with self-esteem. Masculine traits were positively linked to competition contingency of self-worth, but negatively to physical appearance self-worth contingency and others’ approval self-worth contingency, whereas feminine traits were positively correlated with both physical appearance self-worth contingency and others’ approval self-worth contingency. The findings showed the positive associations between self-ascription of traits regarded to be masculine and self-esteem, and a lack of significant associations between self-description of feminine traits and self-esteem. Structural equation modeling demonstrated predictive role of masculine traits for self-esteem when feminine traits’ self-ascription and contingencies of self-worth were controlled.

Exploring and Addressing 'Concerns' for Significant Others to Extend the Understanding of Quality of Life With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND

The absence of curative medication for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) makes palliative care and understanding quality of life (QoL) in ALS a clinical priority. Previous qualitative research has explored the concept of QoL in terms of illness impact on life perspectives and sense of self.

OBJECTIVE

In this research, we explored 'concerns' - one of the four aspects in the World Health Organisation's conceptualisation of QoL - towards adding to the literature.

METHODS

In-depth interviews with 26 individuals with ALS were subjected to thematic analysis involving both inductive and deductive approaches to explore participant's concerns, and to evaluate the relevance of their concerns for understanding QoL in ALS.

FINDINGS

The analysis showed that concerns for significant others contribute to participant's QoL because of their existential value. It was important for participants to minimise the impact of limitations and burdens associated with ALS on significant others, even at a cost to self.

DISCUSSION

The current study supports a holistic approach in service provision, ensuring the inclusion of relevant significant others. It is further suggested that clinicians explore the specifics of burdens perceived by patients in order to support them in minimising the burdens for their significant others.

The Effect of Religion Intervention on Life Satisfaction and Depression in Elderly with Heart Failure

The elderly suffering from heart failure is facing with some problems such as lowering of life satisfaction and depression. Regarding a lack of information in this issue, the current study was conducted to determine the effect of religion intervention on life satisfaction and depression in the elderly with heart failure, in Ilam-Iran. In a clinical trial study conducted on the elderly with heart failure disease in Ilam-Iran, the patients were randomly allocated into two experimental (46) and control (47) groups. The used instruments were a demographic checklist, life satisfaction questionnaire of LSI-Z and Beck depression inventory. The intervention done for test group was a religion-spiritual program designed based on the Richards and Bergin model, and according to Islam and Shia regulations and conducted during six sessions, each 30-45 min. The tools were completed before and after intervention. Gathered data were entered into SPSS software and analyzed by descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential (independent t test and ANOVA) statistics. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the mean (SD) of life satisfaction in the experimental group [5.47 (3.37)] and control [5.85 (3.92)] before the intervention (P = 0.62) but after the intervention. The mean (SD) of life satisfaction of the test group [8.08 (4.36)] was higher than that of the control group [5.55 (3.96)] (P = 0.006). Also, no significant difference between the mean (SD) of depression in the experimental group [47.80 (10.48)] and control [49.87 (11.40)] before the intervention (P = 0.62) but after the intervention. The mean (SD) of depression of the test group [28.28 (14.78)] was lower than that of the control group [50.44 (14.02)] (P = 0.006). Regarding the positive effect of religion-spiritual program in depression and life satisfaction of the elderly with heart failure, it is suggested this program will be educated to these patients by health-care workers.

Psychological Distress and Social Functioning in Elderly Spanish People: A Gender Analysis

Psychological distress has been considered a key component in the psychosocial functioning and functional disability of the elderly, but the determining factors of social functioning and psychological distress in the elderly people are not yet fully known. The aim of this study is to perform a gender analysis of the relevance of psychological distress and psychosocial factors in the social functioning of the elderly. A cross-sectional study with a sample of 589 men and 684 women from the general Spanish population aged between 65 and 94 years was conducted. All participants were evaluated through questionnaires and scales that assess psychological distress, social functioning, stress, coping styles, self-esteem and social support. Results: Women scored higher than men in psychological distress, chronic stress, emotional coping and instrumental social support, whereas men scored higher than women in self-esteem and rational coping. Psychological distress was significantly associated in women and men with worse social functioning, which was also lower in older people and in women with lower self-esteem. Psychological distress has a considerable impact on the social functioning of the elderly, and gender is a relevant factor in the psychological distress experienced and its predictors.

Achievement goals and life satisfaction: the mediating role of perception of successful agency and the moderating role of emotion reappraisal

Achievement goals are cognitive representations that guide behavior to a competence-related future end state. Existing theories and empirical findings suggest that achievement goals are potentially related to life satisfaction. However, the relationship between achievement goals and life satisfaction remains relatively unexplored in the psychology literature. In this study, we examined how, why, and when achievement goals affect life satisfaction using original survey data from China. The results suggest that achievement goals were positively related to life satisfaction (R2 = .20, 90% CI [.11, .26]), that the perception of successful agency fully mediated the relationship between achievement goals and life satisfaction (R2 = .22, 90% CI [.12, .27]), and that emotion reappraisal moderated the relationship between achievement goals and life satisfaction (R2 = .34, 90% CI [.23, .39]). Our study indicates that achievement goals have a positive influence on life satisfaction and help to elucidate the mechanism and boundary condition of this influence.

Life satisfaction and its associated factors among money boys in China

OBJECTIVES

Money Boy (MB) is a unique term used in China referring to a specialized population of men who sell sex to other men. Life satisfaction can influence one's health-related behaviors. The aim of our study was to find out the situation of MBs' life satisfaction and its associated factors.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional study among MBs was conducted between July and December 2013 in Hunan province, China.

METHODS

Respondent-driven sampling method was used for recruitment, with the initial seven 'seeds' found from a gay dating website, and 234 participants were enrolled into the study. They were asked to complete a questionnaire about their demographic characteristics, work experience as MB, family environment, health-related behaviors, status of self-esteem, self-stigma, and perceived life satisfaction. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis were applied.

RESULTS

There were 205 valid questionnaires collected. The results showed that MBs' life satisfaction score was 17.9 ± 6.3. The multiple linear regression model identified five factors correlated with MBs' life satisfaction. Three factors were found to be positively correlated with life satisfaction, consistent condom use with clients (β = 3.093, P = 0.010), interpersonal relationship (β = 1.027, P = 0.017), and self-esteem (β = 0.253, P = 0.005). And two factors were found to be negatively correlated with life satisfaction, seeking for clients through mommy's arrangement (β = -2.091, P = 0.019) and had ever gotten at least one kind of sexually transmitted disease (STDs) (β = -1.971, P = 0.034).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study contributed to a better understanding of MBs' life satisfaction and behavioral and other psychosocial features. It is suggested that comprehensive interventions involving behavioral and psychosocial health promotion approaches are needed for this population. Those programs will be more acceptable among this group and tend to be sustainable.

Parenting stress and life satisfaction in mothers of children with cerebral palsy: The mediating effect of social support

In this study, we investigated the mediating effect of social support on the relationship between parenting stress and life satisfaction in Chinese mothers of children with cerebral palsy ( N = 369). The results showed that family support and friend support, but not significant-other support, had mediating effects on the relationship between parenting stress and life satisfaction. Moreover, the mediating effect of friend support was equal to family support. These results suggest that the focus should be on reducing parenting stress and increasing support from family and friends to help improve life satisfaction in mothers of children with cerebral palsy.