Psychological well-being in cultural context : measurement, patterns and relevance for practice

[摘要] This study, presented in article format, contributed to the development of thescience and practice of positive psychology / psychofortology, specifically in theSouth African multi-cultural context, through (i) a first phase exploration of thevalidity of several scales, mainly developed in a 'western' context, for applicability ofmeasurement of facets of psychological well-being in the South African (multicultural)context (manuscript I), (ii) an exploration of patterns of psychological wellbeingand satisfaction with life in cultural context (manuscript 2), and (iii) a review ofthe state of the art of the applicability of knowledge (theory and experimentalfindings) from the domain of positive psychology, for use in practice to enhance thequality of life for people (manuscript 3). For purposes of this study cultural contextreferred to relatively individualist and relatively collectivist cultural orientations asmanifested in shared patterns of behavioural readiness, assumptions, attitudes, beliefs,self-definitions, norms, values, historical background and language groupings.The aim of the first study I article was to do a first phase screening ofpsychometric properties of several scales measuring facets of psychological wellbeingin a South African context. Most of these scales were developed in a westerncontext, and measure facets of cognitive, affective, conative, social, and spiritualpsychological well-being. Data were gathered in two projects including 731participants from different cultural contexts in the North West Province. The FORTproject(FORT = Clarifying the nature of psychological strengths; -=strength)included a convenience sample of 384 mainly white students and adults from thePotchefstroom area, and a convenience sample of 130 mainly black students from theMafikeng area. The POWIRS-project (POWIRS = Profiles of Obese Women with theInsulin Resistance Syndrome) included 102 black and 1 15 white adult women.Reliability and validity of scales for use in a South African context were reported.Results indicated that the reliability and validity of scales varied from acceptable tototally unacceptable for use in specific subgroups. It was concluded that the mostpromising scales for use in all groups were the Affectometer 2 (AFM), the FortitudeQuestionnaire (FORQ) (except the FORQ-S), the Cognitive Appraisal Questionnaire(CAQ), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) the General Health Questionnaire(GHQ) (the latter measuring pathology), and to some extent the Sense of CoherenceScale (SOC).This second study I article explored the patterns of psychological well-beingand satisfaction with life in relatively more individualist and relatively morecollectivist cultural contexts in South Africa. Secondary factor analyses wereconducted on data obtained in four cross-sectional studies, comprising 1,909participants. Questionnaires varied in studies, and measured facets of affective,cognitive, physical, spiritual, interpersonal and social well-being. Similarities anddifferences in patterns of psychological well-being and satisfaction with life werefound. Satisfaction with life clusters with intra-psychological well-being in relativelymore individualist cultural groups, and with inter-personal factors in relatively morecollectivist African groups. Implications for models of psychological well-being andinterventions to enhance psychological well-being were indicated.The aim of the third study I article was to review and evaluate the practicalapplicability of scientific knowledge from the domain of positive psychology/ psychofortology, with specific reference to assessment, interventions, lifespandevelopment and application in various contexts. It was shown that knowledge in thescientific domain of positive psychology has great relevance for, and applicationpossibilities on individual, community and public policy levels. Applications werefound as far as evaluation (assessment) and interventions are concerned in various lifecontexts (such as education, psychotherapy, health promotion, work), and in variousphases of life (from childhood through adolescence and adulthood to old age). Severalspecific, empirically validated, strategies for enhancement of facets of psychologicalwell-being were highlighted. It was pointed out that an advantage of positivepsychology is that it has the theory, research evidence, and techniques to bring benefitto many people on the total mental health continuum, and not only, but also, to theminority who have a problem or are at risk of developing problems.A main conclusion across the different studies reported in this thesis (articles1-3), was that cultural contexts and variables certainly need to be taken into account inresearch and practice of positive psychology. Despite the major developments in thescientific domain of positive psychology / psychofortology, its theories andapplications have mainly been developed and explored in a western context, andfurther research is necessary, specifically in the African context. Severalrecommendations for future research were made.

[发布机构] North-West University