Positive affect and life satisfaction in Australian adolescents

Rose, Lauren (2008) Positive affect and life satisfaction in Australian adolescents. Doctorate (other than PhD) thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

[Abstract]:
Adolescents are disproportionately affected by mental health conditions (Vimpani, Patton, & Hayes, 2002), and one of the key missions of this century is to create a science
of human strengths (Seligman & Peterson, 2001) by better understanding those factors that contribute to positive life outcomes for young people. The Broaden-and-Build
Theory of positive emotions (Fredrickson, 1998) provided a framework for examining the relationship between positive emotions and psychological well-being in Australian
adolescents. This theory asserts that positive emotions exist to solve problems concerned with personal growth and development, and that positive emotions produce upward
spirals of well-being. Study 1 investigated the hypothesis that the variables Broadened Mindset, Self-Efficacy, and Life Meaning mediated the relationship between Positive
Affect and Life Satisfaction. Data indicated that Broadened Mindset and Self-Efficacy variables partially mediated this relationship. These findings support Fredrickson’s
Broaden-and-Build theory, as well as previous research linking feelings of self-efficacy to psychological well-being (Bandura, 1992). Study 2 examined the effect of a youth program, the National Leadership Camp (NLC, Rising Generations, 2006), on participants’ levels of Life Satisfaction, Positive Affect, Broadened Mindset, and Self-
Efficacy over a 3 month period. It was found that participants attending the NLC had significantly higher levels of Life Satisfaction, Positive Affect, and Broadened Mindset following attendance at the NLC; however these significant gains were not maintained over a three month time period. This data suggests that the youth program succeeded in influencing adolescent well-being briefly, however further research is required to investigate how to maintain these improvements in the long-term.


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Item Type: Thesis (Non-Research) (Doctorate (other than PhD))
Item Status: Live Archive
Additional Information: Doctor of Psychology (DPsych) thesis. This dissertation submitted as part of a coursework degree and is not regarded by USQ as a 'Research Thesis'.
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: Historic - Faculty of Sciences - Department of Psychology (Up to 30 Jun 2013)
Supervisors: Burton, Lorelle
Date Deposited: 11 Mar 2011 06:09
Last Modified: 25 Sep 2019 04:38
Uncontrolled Keywords: Australia; Australian; adolescents; mental health
Fields of Research (2008): 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1701 Psychology > 170106 Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology
Fields of Research (2020): 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5203 Clinical and health psychology > 520399 Clinical and health psychology not elsewhere classified
Socio-Economic Objectives (2008): E Expanding Knowledge > 97 Expanding Knowledge > 970117 Expanding Knowledge in Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
URI: https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/18620

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