Rose, Lauren (2008) Positive affect and life satisfaction in Australian adolescents. Coursework Masters thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
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) (Coursework Masters) |
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| 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: | 14 Apr 2026 04:34 |
| 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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