Day 1 :
Keynote Forum
Ann Macaskill
Sheffield Hallam University, UK
Keynote: Positive psychology progress and pitfalls: Exploring health, well-being and education
Time : 9:25-10:05
Biography:
Ann Macaskill is Professor of Health Psychology at Sheffield Hallam University, United Kingdom and Head of Research Ethics for the university. She is trained as a health psychologist and a psychotherapist. She obtained her PhD from Aberdeen University and then worked as a Post-doc at Edinburgh University. She then moved to the University of Sheffield and currently works at Sheffield Hallam University where she established a psychology degree. She has published over 70 papers in peer-reviewed journals, 3 books and 9 book chapters and serves on the Editorial Board of several journals.
Abstract:
Positive psychology in its most recent incarnation is now around 16 years old and it seems timely to take stock of progress. In this presentation, I will focus on the expansion of research on positive psychology that has occurred recently. This has included identification of a summary statement of human virtues and widespread acceptance of character strengths as psychological attributes worthy of study. The Values-in-Action Inventory (VIA) has been developed as a first generic measure of the hypothesised model of human virtues although not all the character strengths in the VIA are equally supported empirically by existing research it has provided a huge stimulus to researchers. My own work on applying positive psychology to examine stress in students and academics to identify the characteristics of those who cope best will be explored. We have also been examining strengths in the well elderly a much under researched population to try to identify what contributes to a happy, healthy, and productive old age. The positive psychology interventions my colleagues and I have undertaken with students and the elderly will also be presented. While great strides are being made positive psychology is not without its critics and this will be examined. However, in the spirit of positive psychology, I will examine the challenges that these identified shortcomings pose to researchers so that we can ensure that the area continues to flourish and we move on from our heavy reliance on correlational studies largely with students to employ more sophisticated designs and representative populations.
Keynote Forum
Oakley E Gordon
University of Utah, USA
Keynote: The Andean cosmovision: Connecting to the heart of nature
Time : 10:05-10:45
Biography:
Oakley E Gordon completed his PhD in Cognitive Psychology at the University of Utah in 1984. He has travelled 15 times to Peru to study with the Paq'os (indigenous mystics/healers) in isolated villages of the high Andes. He has shared his findings with his culture at five regional and international academic conferences, through a blog and a recently published book, and through several hundred Andean meditation classes.
Abstract:
The Andean Cosmovision is a way of perceiving and interacting with reality found in the indigenous culture of the high Andes. It is not a set of concepts or beliefs. It cannot be described or encompassed by words. It can, however, be experienced and thus it can be explored. This exploration is accomplished through indigenous, meditative-like, processes that bring into our awareness all aspects of our existence, including our mind, body, and heart. The meditations also nourish a loving and mutually-supportive relationship between humans and nature, bringing in as co-creators of our meditative experience the earth, the sun, the trees, the stars, the rivers, and other aspects of nature. It is a relationship between humans and nature that is not tenable within the Western worldview. As the Andean Cosmovision and the Western worldview are based upon fundamentally different assumptions about the nature of reality, translation from one to the other is not possible. By moving to a meta-level of consideration, however, an integration of the two can be achieved. For over twenty years I have been travelling to Peru to study the Andean Cosmovision, returning home to integrate it with my life in Western culture, and teaching it to others. This presentation will lay out the basic assumptions of the Cosmovision, address how to integrate it with the Western worldview, and discuss how that integration may both contribute to positive psychology and add more beauty to our relationship with nature.
- Positive Psychology | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy | Positive Psychological Approaches | Psychology & Health | Psychopathology
Location: Day 1
Session Introduction
Scott Asalone
University of Pennsylvania, USA
Title: Beyond Happiness to Greatness: Applying Positive Psychology to Achieve a Higher Goal
Time : 11:10-11:30
Biography:
Scott Asalone is an author, speaker, poet and teacher. He is an entrepreneur who started A&S Global Management Consulting, Inc. in 1999. For the past 16 years ASGMC has worked around the world developing and delivering powerful and unique programs for leaders and employees in for-profit and non-profit organizations. Scott has authored a children’s Christmas book, a book of poetry, and his most recent book about how to attain personal greatness. He has a Master degree in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and is a member of the International Positive Psychology Association. He is also an Associate Instructor for the Master of Applied Positive Psychology program
Abstract:
If positive psychology focuses on what is best in life and in each individual and its research and applications have been empirically validated then it should be possible to blend positive psychology applications in a workshop environment and help individuals unleash previously untapped potential. Positive psychology proposes to research and build upon the best that humans can experience and the best they can become. Historically the goal of positive psychology has varied from happiness, to subjective well-being, to flourishing. Yet each of these goals falls short of the highest possibility for each individual. Is flourishing the end goal of positive psychology or is there a penultimate goal which can be achieved through the select application of positive psychology interventions and research? Based on over 8 years of study and application there will be a brief argument for a new goal for positive psychology; that of personal greatness, and a definition will be suggested. Additionally a process called Roadmap to Personal Greatness will be offered as an example of a session that was offered for four years in a Fortune 100 financial services company. Qualitative results and anecdotal evidence will be shared from the participants of this session. This work focused on the use of multiple positive psychology interventions, teaching of positive psychology research, dialogue and self-reflection to enable each participant to create a path to attain their goals, dreams and unleash their personal greatness.
Robert M Rosalesg
Lead Academy, USA
Title: Energizing social interactions at work: An exploration of relationships that generate employee and organizational thriving
Time : 11:30-11:50
Biography:
Robert M Rosales has completed his Master of Applied Positive psychology (MAPP) from the University of Pennsylvania, where he currently serves as an Assistant Instructor. He is an Instructor on positive psychology and positive organizations at Universidad TECMILENIO in Mexico. He is the founder and principal advisor of Lead Academy, a workplace leadership development advisory firm specializing in sustainable organizational excellence through the application of positive psychology.trauma/resiliency. She serves as Board member, community consultant, multi-cultural competence trainer, empowerment/prevention program educator in collaboration with clinicians, researchers and agencies. She has co-authored a recently published book “Beyond the Campus: Building a Sustainable University-Community Partnership”. She has received 2014 Stanley Sue Distinguished Lecture Award for her contribution of diversity education to the field of psychology at University of Maine, Orono.
Abstract:
People are an organization’s most valuable asset. In our increasingly service-based economies, social relationships and swift coordination among employees are the means by which a lot of work gets done. Thus, whether organizations -and their employees- flourish or languish largely depends on the quality of the social connections they nurture. The quality of the workplace connections can be defined as life giving (high quality) or life depleting (low quality). Positive social interactions facilitate organizational learning, cooperation, effectiveness, and employee loyalty, among many other desirable outcomes (Ragins & Dutton, 2007). While positive relationships give life and energy to individuals and their organization, toxic relationships sap the energy out of them and lead to individual and corporate floundering (Dutton, 2003). A recent survey highlighted that for three out of four U.S. employees their relationship with co-workers was what most engaged them at work (SHRM, 2015). The Gallup Organization (2015) found that a majority (51%) of full-time workers in America are not engaged in their jobs while another 17.5 percent are potentially hostile to their organizations. Positive psychology provides us with interventions that can help bring about high-quality connections, positive emotions, trust, energy and wellbeing. I will define positive relationships at work, with a particular focus on high-quality connections, examine the benefits of high-quality relationships and connections, and provide a framework for building high-quality connections. I will show that high-quality connections are a pathway to building individual and organizational flourishing. optimism, positive emotions, creativity and other aspects of positive psychology facilitate our understanding of the incredible adaptation pattern, to adverse personal/professional events and maintenance of a health/well-being among survivors of diverse backgrounds. Transforming adversity into a growth experience and moving forward in one’s life are outcome of positive characteristics and resilient behavior among youth and adults across cultures. Being raised in Eastern culture with my exposure to yoga, spiritual tradition and healing experience, I strongly believe in the power of positive outlook and its impact on psychological well-being, relational health and healthy workplace climate. This presentation will highlight mixed method research data from her recent projects on resilience, psychosocial correlates, coping strategies, meaning making and post-traumatic growth among diverse groups of women following traumatic events and adversity. Practical implications of these findings on protective factors, empowerment and growth promoting processes across individual, family and organizations will be addressed. Finally, it will highlight the importance of strength based approaches in therapeutic intervention/prevention programs that foster pathways to psychological recovery, growth and build healthy communities at large.
Brad Desmond
University of Melbourne, Australia
Title: Harnessing both patient and practitioner strengths in the work of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: The ‘dance’ of respective resources.
Time : 11:50-12:10
Biography:
Brad Desmond is an award winning positive psychologist with twenty years’ experience supervising counselling and mental health programs. He is a member of the editorial board of Positive Psychology Program based in the Netherlands and a member of the Positive Psychology Interest Group at the University of Melbourne.
Abstract:
The central objective of CBT remains helping people identify dysfunctional cognitions and acquiring skills to change them. And while there are varied approaches to CBT, most treatment protocols tend to be prescribed uniformly across patient cohorts. More recently Positive Psychology has opened more scope for tailoring CBT techniques to individual patients as informed by prior assessments of the patient’s strengths. For example Flückiger & Grosse Holtforth (2008) found when practitioners spent five minutes reviewing a patient’s strengths immediately prior to sessions there were improvements in therapeutic alliance and outcomes. Moreover; further to involving the patient’s strengths in CBT, this presentation will argue the next, logical progression is for greater involvement of the practitioner’s own personal strengths in the work of therapy. In the first instance this is intended to enhance the therapeutic alliance through deeper authenticity and congruence. There are also the benefits of practitioner resilience and the experience of ‘flow’ as documented elsewhere in the Positive Psychology literature. This presentation will draw from research and case studies to illustrate the ‘dance’ between the respective strengths of the patient and the practitioner, as they work towards deeper therapeutic alliance and better therapeutic outcomes.
Ann Macaskill
Sheffield Hallam University, UK
Title: Expanding mental health assessment to include psychological strengths: Advantages and disadvantages for patients and clinicians
Time : 12:10-12:30
Biography:
Ann Macaskill is a Professor of Health Psychology at Sheffield Hallam University, United Kingdom and Head of Research Ethics for the University. She is trained as a Health Psychologist and a Psychotherapist. She has obtained her PhD from Aberdeen University and then worked as a Post doctorate at Edinburgh University. She then moved to the University of Sheffield and currently works at Sheffield Hallam University, where she established a psychology degree. She has published over 70 papers in peer-reviewed journals, 3 books and 9 book chapters and serves on the Editorial Board of several journals.
Abstract:
Traditionally when mental health is assessed, what is actually being measured is psychopathology. However, psychological health is more than the absence of psychopathology. This paper explores the application of the two continua model of mental health developed by Keyes, 2002 to individuals with both chronic and acute mental health conditions. Several studies are reported with different groups of individuals suffering from mental health problems. The acceptability to clients of assessing their psychological strengths is explored. Quantitative and qualitative data are presented. In a sample suffering from recurrent depression (N=112), higher levels of gratitude, self-forgiveness, hope and spirituality were found to be predictive of greater life satisfaction. Self-forgiveness, spirituality and gratitude were found to be predictors of happiness. While in a student sample (N=214) higher levels of hope and gratitude were predictors of lower levels of psychopathology. Gratitude and hope predicted life satisfaction in this sample with hope, exploratory curiosity and gratitude predicting positive affect. Assessing strengths was seen by most participants as positive, although the need for support in implementing their strengths was identified as an issue. From interviews with clinicians (N=10), it was clear that while many therapists welcomed this development they felt that further training would be necessary for them to fully embrace this new way of working. Concerns were also raised about educating clients about positive psychology and new ways of thinking and being. Cognitive Behavior Therapists envisaged this as being less problematic than did therapists coming from the Rogerian, Humanist Psychology tradition.
Augustine Nwoye
University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Title: The positive psychology of African cultural practice: Stages and rituals of community intervention in grief work in Africa
Time : 12:50-13:10
Biography:
Augustine Nwoye is a Professor of Psychology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and a Member of the School of Applied Human Sciences. Through his research and writings, he has made original and unique contributions to the definition and study of African Psychology as an emerging specialization very much in demand in the curriculum of many departments of psychology in the South and other regions of Africa. He has held distinguished teaching positions in several universities in Africa, including: The University of Jos, Nigeria; Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya, The University of Dodoma, Tanzania and Covenant University, Lagos, Nigeria. He has also won several visiting fellowships and given public lectures in many universities in continental Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. He has received his PhD from the University of Nigeria and was recently in the United States as a Fulbright Scholar at Howard University and the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts.
Abstract:
Western literatures on bereavement acknowledge the tendency to pathological grieving among some bereaved persons. The phenomenon of pathological mourning, however, is rare in Africa because of the presence of coherent and positive transformative rituals of mourning made available by the community to bereaved individuals. This presentation argues that such rituals and performative experiences heal through provision of positive psychological resources that help to prevent the grief of the bereaved from degenerating into pathological mourning. The paper elaborates on the content, process, symbolic meanings and clinical potency of these rituals. The paper demonstrates by means of a case study that whereas Western researchers have largely been concerned with the individual’s reaction to loss, the African perspective focuses on the spiritual/systemic/cultural nature of healing in grieving and the variety of resources which the community makes available to assuage the pain and the impact of people’s bereavement. The significance of the presentation is to highlight and underscore the African community’s contributions to facilitating healing in the bereaved. It is believed that such an account will complement the work already done in the bereavement field by Western investigators.
Claus Dieter Stobäus
University of Massachusetts, USA
Title: School physical education: Welfare, motivation and positive psychology
Time : 12:30-12:50
Biography:
Carroy Ferguson has completed his PhD in Psychology from Boston College. He is a tenured Professor, former Dean and currently Human Service Internship Coordinator at College of Public and Community Service, UMass Boston. In 2006, he made history by becoming the first African American President of the Association for Humanistic Psychology and is currently in the same role again. He is an author of books and articles; a Clinical Practitioner; Associate Editor, Journal of Humanistic Psychology and Co-Founder of two visionary organizations (Associates in Human Understanding; Interculture, Inc).
Abstract:
This study is a reflection about part of the theoretical foundation of the doctoral thesis "The process of construction of welfare and quality of life during training in Physical Education and future prospects in the direction of Positive Psychology" and the discussions among the authors. It can be characterized as a bibliographical study. Despite its importance for learning, motivation rarely receives due attention of teachers and researchers. Now with the flourishing of the Positive Psychology study area it appears a new study that can discuss the importance of knowing better and give intentional application of motivational concepts and practices, under the influence of positive aspects that favors the development of classes at school for students during their education process. In this perspective, the teacher must recognize not only planning topics such as methodology, content, evaluation and objectives, but also consider the emotional and motivational dimension of its operations; and teachers search through his/her strategies to establish links that contribute to personal flourishing. Therefore, it is evident the need to analyze the scenarios of which our students come from and to what we want to empower on them, also at the same time, not forgetting the specific topics above, we will be able to have more enjoyable environments in our schools/colleges, as well of partakers and helping children, youth and today, many adults who seek sense of being in our educational settings, through the construction of a health project aimed at the maximum possible development of human potential, contributing on a creative and innovative way into the common welfare.
- Workshop
Location: Day 1
Session Introduction
Edward Hoffman
Yeshiva University, USA
Title: The life and legacy of Abraham Maslow positive psychology
Time : 13:40-14:35
Biography:
Edward Hoffman completed his BA from Cornell University and his PhD in educational psychology from the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor. He is an adjunct Associate Psychology Professor at Yeshiva University and the author of more than 15 books in psychology including the definitive biography of Abraham Maslow, titled The Right to Be Human. He also edited Maslow’s unpublished papers titled Future Visions. He is the recent co-author of Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness and Flourishing, and serves on the Editorial Board of several international psychology journals.
Abstract:
Abraham Maslow was among the most important psychological thinkers of our time. His seminal ideas on intrinsic motivation, creativity and peak-experiences, personal growth and self-actualization, have impacted social science for more than 50 years. At the time of his death in 1970, Maslow was busily at work on a host of unfinished projects—many of which have substantial relevance for positive psychology today. As his chief biographer, Edward Hoffman will highlight Maslow’s key influences--such as his close relationships with Alfred Adler and cultural anthropologist Ruth Benedict—and Maslow’s unrealized goals for a new psychology based on human personality strengths, exceptional experiences and potentialities.
John D. Matthews and Jesse M. Crosby,
Harvard Medical School, USA
Title: Acceptance and commitment therapy for addictions
Time : 14:35-15:35
Biography:
John D Matthews, MD, MSc is an Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School and Medical Director of the Bulfinch Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, which is an integrated health care model for psychiatric patients. He is a founding fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy and teaches cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy for residents at the combined Massachusetts General Hospital and McLean Hospital Psychiatry Residency Program. In 1998, he was certified as a Diplomate in the subspecialty of Addiction Psychiatry. His research has focused on cognitive behavioral therapy and psychopharmacology interventions in the areas of suicide, depression, and psychotic depression.
Abstract:
This workshop will be divided into four sections: 1. an overview of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. 2. the application of the ACT model to addictions; and 3. experiential examples, with audience participation, of how to apply the six ACT processes to achieve “Psychological Flexibility” in patients with addictions. 4. Summary of outcome studies demonstrating the efficacy of ACT in the treatment of addictions. Section 1: In ACT, treatment focuses on responding to internal experiences (thoughts, feelings, sensations, images, and memories) based on context and function rather than content. The goal of ACT is to change one’s relationship to distressing thoughts rather than change their content. The aim of ACT is “Psychological Flexibility” which means being aware and allowing negative internal experiences, in the moment, while engaging in value-based actions. According to ACT, when negative internal experiences determine one’s actions, pain is intensified resulting in avoidance and inflexible responses. Section 2: ACT is very consistent with the current perspective of treating addictions; a prime example is the 12-step tradition. ACT and the 12-step tradition share in the importance of acceptance, being present, and values. Section 3: The presenters will provide experiential examples, with audience participation, of the six ACT processes including, being present, acceptance, diffusion, self as context, values clarification, and committed value-based actions. Section 4: The presenters will provide a summary of the outcome studies demonstrating the efficacy of ACT in the treatment of addictions.
- Young Research Forum
Location: Day 1
Session Introduction
Joan C Craig
University of Windsor, Canada
Title: Positive thought-action fusion: Possible implications for positive psychology
Time : 15:50-16:10
Biography:
Joan C Craig has completed her Master’s degree in Applied Social Psychology in 2014 and is currently pursuing her PhD from the University of Windsor Psychology Department in Ontario, Canada. She has won several awards for her past research, which has been well-received at both national and international conferences. Her current research is focused on further investigation of the positive thought-action fusion construct; particularly, in relation to risk-taking behaviors.
Abstract:
Positive thought-action fusion is a cognitive bias that has only recently been identified as an independent construct. This bias is related to, but distinct from the thought-action fusion bias that has been examined in work on obsessive-compulsive disorder and various other clinical disorders, such as anxiety. Positive thought-action fusion is a bias in which a person believes that his or her personal thoughts regarding positive outcomes can have an influence on real-life events. For example, a person may think that he will win the lottery and he believes that this thought has actually improved his chance of winning. Similarly, a person may think that she can get away with cheating on an exam and she believes that this thought has actually improved her chance of getting away with cheating. The author will discuss the results from a full psychometric evaluation of this construct including the development of a valid scale for measurement and the distinctions found between this cognitive bias and other constructs, such as hope and positive thinking. An open discussion will follow the presentation to provide an opportunity for the presenter and conference attendees to discuss the possible implications of positive thought-action fusion in the field of positive psychology.
Lunthita M Duthely1, Leah B Hammond1 and Andrew J Wawrzyniak2
1University of Phoenix, USA 2University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, USA
Title: Heart-centered meditation and gratitude: The feasibility and acceptability of a novel positive psychology intervention among adolescents
Time : 16:10-16:30
Biography:
Lunthita M Duthely completed her MS at te University of Miami and her EdD with School of Advanced Studies, Educational Leadership, University of Phoenix. She oversees data management to support research related to women and infants, and authored 31 papers and abstracts in peer-reviewed journals in the area of maternal/child health. She is experienced in two contemplative practices: 200-level-hour Hatha Yoga instruction, and 21 years facilitating Sri Chinmoy The Path of the Heart meditation workshops to adults and students. She travelled to 33 countries, facilitating well-being and sports programs. She is a member of several professional organizations, including International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA).
Abstract:
The positive psychology (PS) approach is a more preventative approach to well-being, rather than the traditional deficits approach of curing mental illness. Among adults, meta-analyses (40 randomized control PS interventions) demonstrated effectiveness for health promotion in general populations, as well as among subgroups with specific diagnoses. The research among youth has evolved to the point that PS interventions’ affect on different factors under the general umbrellas of psychological functioning and school functioning bring promise for the prospects of expanding into field youth development. Positive Psychology interventions target increasing strengths, such as optimistic outlook and positive emotions, such as the emotion of gratitude, among youth and adults. Most gratitude interventions among youth include journaling and making a gratitude visits. Contemplative practices such as Hatha Yoga and meditation also proved effective in increasing well-being among youth. A review of the literature revealed a paucity of well-being studies bringing the two paradigms together. Different techniques can be practiced within the specific disciplines of contemplative sciences. Duthely’s (2015) novel approach included meditation techniques infused with visualizations on gratitude described in Chinmoy (2010) as the basis for an this quasi-experimental study conducted among school-aged adolescents. During this oral presentation, Dr. Duthely will discuss the theoretical framework for the intervention and present the data regarding feasibility, acceptability, as well as preliminary outcomes of the analyses.
Catalina Acosta Orozco
Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Colombia
Title: Uncovering core values and personality strengths through metaphor analysis
Time : 16:30-16:50
Biography:
Catalina Acosta Orozco is a Senior Medical Student at La Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia. She has been certificated to participate in a year long program of international university leadership (AUSJAL). During her university years, she has worked in a Colombian institutional group to prevent child abuse. She has also performed volunteer work in one of Bogota’s poorest neighborhoods, where she developed various social projects. In 2015, she co-authored two research articles in the peer-reviewed College Student Journal published in USA, comprising the first published studies involving metaphor analysis with the Colombian population.
Abstract:
Metaphor analysis has become increasingly recognized as a tool for investigating individual values and personality aspects. In 1980, the cognitive linguist G. Lakoff and the philosopher M. Johnson published the hugely influential book Metaphors We Live By. They stated, “Metaphors affect the ways in which we perceive, think and act. Reality itself is defined by metaphor. Since then, metaphor analysis has attracted researchers in various fields including education and psychotherapy. For example, narrative therapy has utilized metaphors to help clients find their dominant story. Therapeutic changes in these stories involve alterations in rational cognitions, but also the ability to find healthier metaphors. However, metaphor analysis has received little attention to date in positive psychology. Due to the paucity of empirical data about life metaphors (the metaphors people express in viewing human existence) among South Americans, two empirical studies were conducted by American and Colombian researchers. These focused on college student leaders and medical students respectively. Each sample comprised over 50 students who anonymously completed a structured questionnaire with qualitative and quantitative questions. Supporting hypotheses in both studies, metaphor analysis proved an effective means of uncovering students’ core values, personal goals and decision making strategies. For both groups, “life is journey” was the most preferred metaphor and “life is like a prison” was the most rejected. Though both populations of students espoused metaphors that were predominantly active, positive and individualistic, leadership students’ life-metaphors tended to more collectivistic and spiritually oriented than those of medical students. The broader implications of utilizing life metaphors in healthy personality study will also be discussed.
Ying MA
The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Title: Mindfulness, compassion for children and parents well-being
Time : 16:50-17:10
Biography:
Ying MA now is a second year PhD student in the Department of Educational Psychology, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, China. She got the Master’s degree of Psychology in Peking University, China. Her current research areas are parent-child relationship and mindful parenting.
Abstract:
Mindful parenting is a new extension of mindfulness and parenting. It was defined as bringing parents’ attention to the present moment and parenting process with their children, at the same time holding attitudes of non-judgment and acceptance. Previous studies have showed that mindfulness of parents was negatively related to parent’s depression, anxiety, and children’s problematic behaviors. Our study aims at investigating the predicting effects of parents’ mind awareness attention and compassion for children on parenting efficacy, parents’ satisfaction and general health. In addition, this study also examined the difference between fathers and mothers on these variables. Participants consisted of 329 mothers and 86 fathers with primary school children (mean age=7.24 yrs, SD=1.23) in China. Correlation, T tests and regression methods were applied to analyze data. The results demonstrated that both parents’ mind awareness attention and compassionate attitude towards children were positively related to parenting efficacy, parenting satisfaction and parents’ general health. Fathers reported significantly higher mindfulness, compassion, parenting satisfaction and general health than mothers. Thus fathers seemed to be more confident that mothers in parenting process. Moreover, the predicting effects of fathers’ mindfulness and compassion on depended variables were different from mothers. These findings indicate that in future parenting research and intervention, it’s critical to consider parents’ mindfulness, compassion for children, as well as father-mother difference. Discussions about future research direction and limitations of this study were also described at last.
Gulden Esat
Marmara University, Istanbul
Title: A local conception of happiness: Huzur
Time : 17:10-17:30
Biography:
Azize Nilgun Canel has completed her PhD from Marmara University in Istanbul, Turkey. She has been a faculty of the same university since then. She has published more than 20 papers and book chapters and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of Educational Sciences: Theory & Practice.
Abstract:
In Turkey, the meaning of happiness flourishes with the concept of “Huzur†that can be roughly defined as inner peace. Happiness is generally understood as joy which is good to have but less important than Huzur. This study is pursued as the first phase of grounded theory design to qualitatively define the content of Huzur and its sources. Another purpose of the study was to analyze the relationship of Huzur and happiness through the perception of emerging adults (19-26 years old). Our results reveal that the state of Huzur is like a rubber rocking chair, it is hard to knock down, although it is soft and smooth, whereas happiness is like a crystal vase, it is glamorous but difficult to be preserved. Thus happiness needs to be preserved in the container of Huzur. Specifically, positive outlook, mindfulness and acceptance are reported to be both the source and the indicator of a person in Huzur. Other important sources of were mentioned to be gratitude, being around loved ones, success, integrity, prayers and autonomy. The major indicators of Huzur were listed as serenity, geniality, solution orientation, forgiveness and energy. On the opposite side, pessimism, anxiety, distrustfulness, impetuousness and anger, were described to be the properties of people lacking Huzur. When participants were asked to compare happiness and Huzur, they stated that Huzur is ascendant to happiness, more stable and more psychological which leads to a necessity of quantitative comparison of these concepts as the next phase of the study.
Gowri Agarwal
Maniben Nanavati Women’s College, India
Title: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and anxiety disorders: An empirical review
Time : 17:30-17:50
Biography:
Gowri Agarwal has completed her Bachelors in Art – Psychology and is currently a Post-graduate student pursuing her Post-graduation in Clinical Psychology from Maniben Nanavati Women’s College, Mumbai, India. She is also working as a parent child counselor in Cosmikids International Playschool and day care in Mumbai. She has done various reseacrhes on sleep and dream analysis, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Marriage – Happily ever after or no?, Separation Anxiety in Infants, Sexual orientation in Adolescents, Helping those who are not responsible for their problems, Effects Celebrity Endorsement on Consumer behaviour, etc. Some of her research papers have also been published in various journals, and she actively takes part in research clubs.
Abstract:
Anxiety disorders are marked “either by manifest anxiety or by self-defeating behavior patterns aimed at warding off anxiety” (Alloy, Riskind & Manos, 2005; p. 151). Prior research has estimated that the prevalence rate of anxiety disorders is fairly high, with 12-month prevalence being 18.1% (Kessler, Chiu, Demler & Walters, 2005) and lifetime prevalence being 28.8% coupled with an early age of onset, i.e., 11 years (Kessler, Berglund, Demler, Jin, Merikangas & Walters, 2005). The current research paper attempts to peruse the empirical research that has been conducted till date examining the role of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a psychological intervention employed in the treatment anxiety-spectrum disorders. The conclusions emerging from the analysis of empirical literature have been discussed in this paper.
Cielo Rodriguez, Francesca Rosales
University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Title: The effects of mindfulness training on the quality of life of male Filipino soldiers with major depressive disorder in a selected military hospital
Time : 17:50-18:10
Biography:
Cielo Rodriguiez and Francesca Rosales are currently undergraduate of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Santo Tomas, Philippines.
Abstract:
Major Depressive Disorder is a type of mood disorder characterized by 2 or more weeks of depressed mood or lack of interest in life activities with at least four symptoms of depression such as anhedonia, changes in sleep, energy, weight, decision making, concentration, self-esteem, and goals. Mindfulness training has shown promise for reducing emotional distress and symptom severity across a number of psychiatric conditions including depression. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of mindfulness training in improving the quality of life of Filipino soldiers experiencing MDD. This study utilized a pre-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design that was conducted in 15 soldiers diagnosed with MDD from a military hospital. The subjects were selected through a purposive sampling procedure considering the inclusion criteria set by the researchers. The subjects have undergone 8 sessions of mindfulness training for four weeks. Quality of life and degree of mindfulness were assessed at baseline and post-treatment as measurement of outcomes of care using the questionnaires WHOQOL-Bref and MAAS. Gathered data were analyzed using paired t test. The paired t-test showed that the post interventions scores of WHOQOL BREF in terms of Physical, Psychological, Social, and Environmental parameters of quality of life appeared higher than the pre intervention scores. In addition, the pre-intervention and post intervention Mindfulness Awareness Attention Scale scores of the Filipino soldiers with MDD also showed a significant difference after 8 sessions of Mindfulness training. Mindfulness training has been proven to be effective in increasing the quality of life of male Filipino soldiers with MDD. It can be utilized as an adjunct complementary-alternative management for handling patients with MDD. Future researches may also expand the application of mindfulness training to other psychiatric disorders as well as to other physical conditions or psychosocial performances.
Kathleen H Schneider
Austin Community College, USA
Title: Cognitive rest: An integrated literature review
Time : 18:10-18:30
Biography:
Kathleen H Schneider is a Doctoral student at the University of Texas at Tyler, with an anticipated graduation date of May 2018. She is an Associate Professor of Nursing at Austin Community College. She has been a nurse in pediatrics, maternal-child health, and cardiology. Additionally, she served as Academy Lead in a Health Sciences Program in Round Rock, Texas.
Abstract:
Cognitive rest has been suggested as a treatment for school athletes who have sustained a concussion, but the concept has rarely been defined. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive definition of cognitive rest, based on an integrative literature review. The method of synthesis was guided by Avant and Walker’s concept analysis format. The importance of rest is discussed as a nursing intervention and model cases are presented to clarify the concept. Three defining attributes of cognitive rest are established: freedom from physical or mental discomfort; abstinence from mental exertion; and mental and emotional balance. Empirical referents are given as well as a suggested protocol to enable school nurses to form cognitive rest and return-to-classroom protocols that can be adapted to individual school settings.