William C. Compton

Factor structure of mental health measures

This study investigated the factor structure of 18 scales that measure personal growth, subjective well-being, stress-resistant personality, self-deceptive positivity, and demographics. The sample of 338 persons was drawn from university students and community residents. A principal-components analysis with oblique rotation found a large factor for measures of subjective well-being as well as smaller factors for measures of personal growth, gender and age, and personality integration and education. Results provided support for the hypothesis that subjective well-being and personal growth are related, but not identical, constructs. Implications are discussed.

Toward a Tripartite Factor Structure of Mental Health: Subjective Well-Being, Personal Growth, and Religiosity

Abstract According to recent research findings, the domain of psychological well-being may be represented by 2 basic factors: subjective well-being (e.g., happiness, life satisfaction) and personal growth (e.g., self-actualization, a sense of meaningfulness). This study tested the hypothesis that in addition to those 2 factors, a 3rd basic factor is necessary to adequately describe the ways in which people search for well-being. That factor is a type of religiosity that is based on other-centeredness and self-renunciation. A sample of 242 undergraduate and graduate students completed 10 measures of psychological well-being that resulted in 21 scales and subscales. Principal components analyses provided initial support for a tripartite model of psychological well-being. Results also suggested that current measures of personal growth may measure either the autonomy or mature social relationships components of the construct.

Negative religious conflict as a predictor of panic disorder

It was hypothesized that catastrophic thinking that focused on negative religious conflict, would be associated with symptoms of panic disorder. Sixty women were classified into three groups: those with panic disorder, those in psychotherapy for issues other than panic disorder, and those who were asymptomatic. Religious conflict was measured with the Survey of Attitudes Towards Religion and Philosophy of Life. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Rational Behavior Inventory, and the Illness Attitude Scale were used to validate group membership. Results indicated that the panic disorder group had significantly higher scores on negative religious conflict than either those in therapy or those who were asymptomatic.

Meditation as an adjunct to a happiness enhancement program.

This study investigated the impact that meditation has on Fordyces (1977, 1983) Personal Happiness Enhancement Program (PHEP). Experimental subjects were divided into two groups, both of which received instruction on the PHEP. Subjects in one experimental group were taught a meditation exercise in addition to the PHEP. A control group received no instruction. The Happiness Measure, Psychap Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and State-Trait Anxiety Scale were dependent measures. The three (groups) x two (pre-post) mixed ANOVAs with Student Newman-Keuls found that the meditation plus PHEP group significantly improved on all dependent measures over both the PHEP only group and the control group. The PHEP only group improved significantly over the control group on all measures except state anxiety.

MEASURES OF MENTAL HEALTH AND A FIVE FACTOR THEORY OF PERSONALITY

Principal components analyses were calculated with intercorrelations of scores on scales measuring mental health and the five-factor model of personality on a sample of 296 university students. Mental health was measured with Affect Balance scale, Happiness Measure, Satisfaction with Life scale, Life Orientation test, Short Index of Self-actualization, Social Interest scale, and the Self-control Schedule, along with subscales from Scales of Psychological Well-being, Openness to Experience scale, and the Perceived Self Questionnaire. The five-factor model was measured with the Interpersonal Adjective Scale Revised–B5. Separate analyses for both the traditional five-factor model and the expanded interpersonal circumplex model of personality gave six-factor solutions. Scores on scales measuring subjective well-being, openness, and social interest loaded on the same factors as Neuroticism, Openness to Experience, and Agreeableness, respectively. Scales that measured autonomy and self-actualization formed a factor that was separate from the five-factor model.

Meaningfulness as a Mediator of Subjective Well-Being

In a sample of 347 university students and community residents, measures of meaningfulness, self-esteem, internal locus of control, positive social relationships and optimism were given to predict subjective well-being, i.e., measures of happiness, life satisfaction, and affect balance. Correlations, canonical correlations, and structural equation modeling supported the hypothesis that meaningfulness is a significant mediator between personality variables and subjective well-being.

SELF-ACTUALIZATION AND EMPATHY AS PREDICTORS OF MARITAL SATISFACTION '

The relationships between marital satisfaction, self-actualization, and empathy scores were tested for 30 intact couples. Analyses indicated that both self-actualization and empathy scores were independent predictors of marital satisfaction scores for men, but not for women. Implications were discussed.

Are positive illusions necessary for self-esteem : a research note

Abstract Research on variables associated with mental health has recently suggested that the judicious use of positive illusions, rather than an accurate perception of reality, is a significant predictor of self-esteem. This study, using 114 university students, suggested that for certain individuals low use of positive illusions can also be associated with high self-esteem and psychological adjustment.

Correlates of Hopelessness on the MMPI-2

The relationships between hopelessness, as measured by Becks Hopelessness Scale, and scales of the MMPI-2 were assessed. Hopelessness was correlated with scores that measured depression, low self-esteem, emotional or self-alienation, lack of ego mastery, and negative treatment indications. Stepwise multiple regression indicated that subjective depression and negative treatment indicators accounted for 41% of variance in hopelessness. Implications were discussed.

Peak-Experiences Among Americans in Midlife

Though much attention, professionally and in popular American culture, has been accorded to midlife angst and turmoil, no published research has been conducted on peak-experiences during this major lifespan period. In this study, 153 people aged 40 to 65 years in the United States responded to a questionnaire asking them to describe a recent joyful experience and its subsequent impact on their outlook on life. They were also asked to rate it numerically on a 5-point Likert-type scale. Their qualitative reports were subsequently coded into 13 categories. Peaks involving interpersonal joy were reported significantly most frequently, more than all other categories combined. These were followed in frequency by those comprising respectively external achievement and personal growth. Small percentages involved religious peaks in either institutional or noninstitutional settings, recovery from illness/accident, nature, skill mastery, philosophical musing, developmental landmark, homecoming, nostalgia, and serenity. The implications for better understanding and optimizing midlife functioning are discussed, and future research avenues are highlighted.