A prominent research tradition within the field of attachment involves analyzing relationship
nar... more A prominent research tradition within the field of attachment involves analyzing relationship narratives for qualities thought to reveal important information regarding the organization of attachment, and the different ways in which attachment insecurity presents. Researchers increasingly use this method to assess attachment in middle childhood, but further work needs to be conducted with respect to the divergent validity of attachment narratives in this age range. Thus, the current study examined differential associations between children’s discursive style and linguistic behavior when completing an attachment interview (Child Attachment Interview [CAI]; Shmueli-Goetz et al., 2004) and a non-relational interview. In addition, the discriminant validity of attachment narratives was assessed in predicting children’s physiological reactivity to a relational challenge. Children (N = 125) completed a non-relational interview and the CAI at Time 1. A subset of the original sample (n = 64) completed another assessment 1.5 years later involving simulated non-relational and relational challenges. While narrative coherence was moderately associated across the two interviews, CAI narrative coherence uniquely predicted reactivity to a relational probe. We discuss implications for understanding children’s narrative styles across discourse topics as well as the significance of the results for using attachment interviews in this age range
The assessment of attachment security in infancy and adulthood is well-studied, but middle childh... more The assessment of attachment security in infancy and adulthood is well-studied, but middle childhood has been relatively neglected in the literature. The Child Attachment Interview represents a promising assessment of attachment in middle childhood; recent evidence supports its reliability and validity in restricted samples. We assessed the construct validity of the CAI among a diverse sample of 104 8-12 year-old children (Mage = 9.80 years; 50 boys; 49% family income < $40,000; 38% Latino/a). We evaluated associations among CAI variables and selfreport measures of attachment (convergent validity). Further, we evaluated whether CAI variables uniquely relate to theoretically-relevant constructs (internalizing symptoms) above and beyond self-reported attachment (incremental validity) and a theoretically-distinct construct, child temperament (discriminant validity). Our findings support the CAI’s validity, and have important implications for assessing and understanding attachment processes in middle childhood, as well as their development across the lifespan.
Abstract
Objective: This commentary reviews current conceptualizations of well-being, examines ex... more Abstract Objective: This commentary reviews current conceptualizations of well-being, examines explanations for the lack of attention to well-being research, and provides justification for investing research time and funding into well-being studies. Opportunities for integrating factors related to well-being into prevention and intervention programs are also outlined. Key Points: Well-being may motivate people towards success, improve health and longevity, strengthen relationships, and boost the economy. Well-being can be enhanced in easy and inexpensive ways by incorporating facets of well-being into already-existing individual and systems-level intervention or prevention programs. Implications: Future research into this important construct should focus on objective means to assess and predict well-being, as well as strategies to enhance well-being across the lifespan. Investing more research time and financial resources into the study and promotion of well-being has the potential to lead to profound and enduring benefits to individuals, communities, and the larger society.
Well-being theory (WBT) proposes five indicators of well-being (i.e., positive emotion, engagemen... more Well-being theory (WBT) proposes five indicators of well-being (i.e., positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, achievement [PERMA]) that are, independently, empirically supported predictors of flourishing (i.e., an optimal level of well-being; Seligman, 2011). However, there is limited empirical support for the multidimensional model suggested by WBT. Two studies sought to test and validate the higher-order factor structure of the five components of PERMA and PERMA’s ability to predict concurrent and prospective flourishing outcomes (e.g., physical health, college success). In Study 1, a longitudinal examination of college students, participants completed measures of well-being (including four of the five PERMA indicators), physical health, and college success at the end of their sophomore, junior, and senior years. In Study 2, a larger, cross-sectional study was conducted online to further validate the PERMA model with a broader sample and all five PERMA indicators. Participants completed measures similar to those administered at Study 1 and other measures used to validate Study 1 measures. Results from Study 2 further validated the PERMA model by comparing Study 1 measures to established measures and by adding meaning to the model. Study 1 and Study 2 PERMA models predicted markers of well-being (e.g., vitality, life satisfaction) and flourishing (e.g., physical health). The two studies reported here provide cross-sectional and longitudinal support that WBT is useful for predicting flourishing.
Although much is written about the impact of deployment on non-deployed spouses (NDSs) and couple... more Although much is written about the impact of deployment on non-deployed spouses (NDSs) and couple relationships, few empirical studies address this directly. Using attachment theory as a guiding framework, this study followed 32 NDSs across a military deployment. We examined the prospective association between NDSs’ attachment avoidance and their response to relational challenges (assessed using both correlational and experimental designs) during a deployment. Two weeks prior to deployment, NDSs provided self-reports of their attachment avoidance and relationship satisfaction. During the deployment, they provided stream-of-consciousness speech samples regarding (a) the deployment and (b) their anticipated reunion with their spouse: after each speech sample they reported on their subjective anxiety. Based on random assignment, NDSs then completed either an experimenter-led “personal” or “relational” memory savoring task, reporting on their emotional state before and after the task. Two weeks after the deployment, NDSs reported on their relationship satisfaction. Higher avoidance was associated with more frequent anxiety word use and higher self-reported anxiety when discussing the anticipated reunion. Avoidance moderated the association between savoring condition and post savoring negative emotion, such that in the relational condition only, greater avoidance was related to more negative emotion. Post-savoring emotional state moderated the longitudinal association between pre-deployment attachment avoidance and post-deployment relationship satisfaction. Results are discussed in terms of their contribution to the literature on coping during attachment stressors as well as their implications for treatment with NDSs undergoing deployment.
Consistent with predictions derived from the self-expansion model, this three-year longitudinal s... more Consistent with predictions derived from the self-expansion model, this three-year longitudinal study found that: participation in more college groups during sophomore year predicted increases in inclusion of the college community in the self at the end of junior year, which further predicted increases in satisfaction with the college experience at the end of senior year (full mediation). This study offers college community connectedness as a theoretically-grounded mechanism to explain why extra-curricular involvement is such an important piece of the college experience, confirming what student affairs professionals already know: connectedness matters.
In this chapter, we provide a vignette to highlight a few of the ways that one might experience f... more In this chapter, we provide a vignette to highlight a few of the ways that one might experience flow (i.e., optimal experience) while on vacation. Flow experiences occur when you become fully and energetically absorbed in an activity such that the activity is rewarding in and of itself, regardless of the extrinsic outcomes. These flow experiences are so rewarding that time flies by and at the end we want to do them again, which is likely to result in travelers that are feeling healthy and excited to return to a particular destination where they enjoy and experience flow often. Knowing that people vacation for a wide range of reasons, we highlight how flow might be experienced during a range of activities such as fitness, leisure, relaxation, socialization, and intimacy. We detail the conditions of a flow experience and the numerous benefits. Despite these benefits, the tourism industry and tourists may often overlook or unintentionally add barriers to such flow experiences. Thus, we explain conditions and barriers to flow while vacationing. In addition, we offer recommendations about how the tourism industry might seek to promote more flow.
While there are many ways to classify tourism from economic, geographic, and sociological perspec... more While there are many ways to classify tourism from economic, geographic, and sociological perspectives, the psychological motives and rewards of tourism are often taken for granted. Furthermore, potential psychological rewards (e.g., increased happiness, well-being) of tourism are often used for promoting a destination without any empirical evidence. This is in part due to the fact that people tend to engage in tourism within a cultural context that, like water surrounding a fish, is so obvious that the fish does not even notice it. Furthermore, much of the research in this domain is focused on the industrial side (e.g., what makes people travel to certain places). Yet the motives of a pilgrim visiting religious sites are quite different from those of a person who just wants to relax on a cruise, learn about a different culture, or to visit places of historical interest. Thus, a greater understanding of tourists’ motives will help elucidate the actual psychological rewards (or consequences) of travel. We are proposing a simple but fundamental classification system for describing the motivation for self-initiated travel, based on two dynamic dimensions: the first takes into account whether the travel is motivated primarily by intrinsic vs. extrinsic reasons; and the second whether the expected benefits are primarily hedonic (i.e. pleasurable) or eudaemonic (i.e. involve personal growth and development). This model is designed with the goal of better understanding and promoting the in the moment and long-term well-being of tourists while at the same time promoting individualized travel that often involves multiple motivations. Furthermore, we endeavor to provide some analyses of touristic experiences based on the model.
A prominent research tradition within the field of attachment involves analyzing relationship
nar... more A prominent research tradition within the field of attachment involves analyzing relationship narratives for qualities thought to reveal important information regarding the organization of attachment, and the different ways in which attachment insecurity presents. Researchers increasingly use this method to assess attachment in middle childhood, but further work needs to be conducted with respect to the divergent validity of attachment narratives in this age range. Thus, the current study examined differential associations between children’s discursive style and linguistic behavior when completing an attachment interview (Child Attachment Interview [CAI]; Shmueli-Goetz et al., 2004) and a non-relational interview. In addition, the discriminant validity of attachment narratives was assessed in predicting children’s physiological reactivity to a relational challenge. Children (N = 125) completed a non-relational interview and the CAI at Time 1. A subset of the original sample (n = 64) completed another assessment 1.5 years later involving simulated non-relational and relational challenges. While narrative coherence was moderately associated across the two interviews, CAI narrative coherence uniquely predicted reactivity to a relational probe. We discuss implications for understanding children’s narrative styles across discourse topics as well as the significance of the results for using attachment interviews in this age range
The assessment of attachment security in infancy and adulthood is well-studied, but middle childh... more The assessment of attachment security in infancy and adulthood is well-studied, but middle childhood has been relatively neglected in the literature. The Child Attachment Interview represents a promising assessment of attachment in middle childhood; recent evidence supports its reliability and validity in restricted samples. We assessed the construct validity of the CAI among a diverse sample of 104 8-12 year-old children (Mage = 9.80 years; 50 boys; 49% family income < $40,000; 38% Latino/a). We evaluated associations among CAI variables and selfreport measures of attachment (convergent validity). Further, we evaluated whether CAI variables uniquely relate to theoretically-relevant constructs (internalizing symptoms) above and beyond self-reported attachment (incremental validity) and a theoretically-distinct construct, child temperament (discriminant validity). Our findings support the CAI’s validity, and have important implications for assessing and understanding attachment processes in middle childhood, as well as their development across the lifespan.
Abstract
Objective: This commentary reviews current conceptualizations of well-being, examines ex... more Abstract Objective: This commentary reviews current conceptualizations of well-being, examines explanations for the lack of attention to well-being research, and provides justification for investing research time and funding into well-being studies. Opportunities for integrating factors related to well-being into prevention and intervention programs are also outlined. Key Points: Well-being may motivate people towards success, improve health and longevity, strengthen relationships, and boost the economy. Well-being can be enhanced in easy and inexpensive ways by incorporating facets of well-being into already-existing individual and systems-level intervention or prevention programs. Implications: Future research into this important construct should focus on objective means to assess and predict well-being, as well as strategies to enhance well-being across the lifespan. Investing more research time and financial resources into the study and promotion of well-being has the potential to lead to profound and enduring benefits to individuals, communities, and the larger society.
Well-being theory (WBT) proposes five indicators of well-being (i.e., positive emotion, engagemen... more Well-being theory (WBT) proposes five indicators of well-being (i.e., positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, achievement [PERMA]) that are, independently, empirically supported predictors of flourishing (i.e., an optimal level of well-being; Seligman, 2011). However, there is limited empirical support for the multidimensional model suggested by WBT. Two studies sought to test and validate the higher-order factor structure of the five components of PERMA and PERMA’s ability to predict concurrent and prospective flourishing outcomes (e.g., physical health, college success). In Study 1, a longitudinal examination of college students, participants completed measures of well-being (including four of the five PERMA indicators), physical health, and college success at the end of their sophomore, junior, and senior years. In Study 2, a larger, cross-sectional study was conducted online to further validate the PERMA model with a broader sample and all five PERMA indicators. Participants completed measures similar to those administered at Study 1 and other measures used to validate Study 1 measures. Results from Study 2 further validated the PERMA model by comparing Study 1 measures to established measures and by adding meaning to the model. Study 1 and Study 2 PERMA models predicted markers of well-being (e.g., vitality, life satisfaction) and flourishing (e.g., physical health). The two studies reported here provide cross-sectional and longitudinal support that WBT is useful for predicting flourishing.
Although much is written about the impact of deployment on non-deployed spouses (NDSs) and couple... more Although much is written about the impact of deployment on non-deployed spouses (NDSs) and couple relationships, few empirical studies address this directly. Using attachment theory as a guiding framework, this study followed 32 NDSs across a military deployment. We examined the prospective association between NDSs’ attachment avoidance and their response to relational challenges (assessed using both correlational and experimental designs) during a deployment. Two weeks prior to deployment, NDSs provided self-reports of their attachment avoidance and relationship satisfaction. During the deployment, they provided stream-of-consciousness speech samples regarding (a) the deployment and (b) their anticipated reunion with their spouse: after each speech sample they reported on their subjective anxiety. Based on random assignment, NDSs then completed either an experimenter-led “personal” or “relational” memory savoring task, reporting on their emotional state before and after the task. Two weeks after the deployment, NDSs reported on their relationship satisfaction. Higher avoidance was associated with more frequent anxiety word use and higher self-reported anxiety when discussing the anticipated reunion. Avoidance moderated the association between savoring condition and post savoring negative emotion, such that in the relational condition only, greater avoidance was related to more negative emotion. Post-savoring emotional state moderated the longitudinal association between pre-deployment attachment avoidance and post-deployment relationship satisfaction. Results are discussed in terms of their contribution to the literature on coping during attachment stressors as well as their implications for treatment with NDSs undergoing deployment.
Consistent with predictions derived from the self-expansion model, this three-year longitudinal s... more Consistent with predictions derived from the self-expansion model, this three-year longitudinal study found that: participation in more college groups during sophomore year predicted increases in inclusion of the college community in the self at the end of junior year, which further predicted increases in satisfaction with the college experience at the end of senior year (full mediation). This study offers college community connectedness as a theoretically-grounded mechanism to explain why extra-curricular involvement is such an important piece of the college experience, confirming what student affairs professionals already know: connectedness matters.
In this chapter, we provide a vignette to highlight a few of the ways that one might experience f... more In this chapter, we provide a vignette to highlight a few of the ways that one might experience flow (i.e., optimal experience) while on vacation. Flow experiences occur when you become fully and energetically absorbed in an activity such that the activity is rewarding in and of itself, regardless of the extrinsic outcomes. These flow experiences are so rewarding that time flies by and at the end we want to do them again, which is likely to result in travelers that are feeling healthy and excited to return to a particular destination where they enjoy and experience flow often. Knowing that people vacation for a wide range of reasons, we highlight how flow might be experienced during a range of activities such as fitness, leisure, relaxation, socialization, and intimacy. We detail the conditions of a flow experience and the numerous benefits. Despite these benefits, the tourism industry and tourists may often overlook or unintentionally add barriers to such flow experiences. Thus, we explain conditions and barriers to flow while vacationing. In addition, we offer recommendations about how the tourism industry might seek to promote more flow.
While there are many ways to classify tourism from economic, geographic, and sociological perspec... more While there are many ways to classify tourism from economic, geographic, and sociological perspectives, the psychological motives and rewards of tourism are often taken for granted. Furthermore, potential psychological rewards (e.g., increased happiness, well-being) of tourism are often used for promoting a destination without any empirical evidence. This is in part due to the fact that people tend to engage in tourism within a cultural context that, like water surrounding a fish, is so obvious that the fish does not even notice it. Furthermore, much of the research in this domain is focused on the industrial side (e.g., what makes people travel to certain places). Yet the motives of a pilgrim visiting religious sites are quite different from those of a person who just wants to relax on a cruise, learn about a different culture, or to visit places of historical interest. Thus, a greater understanding of tourists’ motives will help elucidate the actual psychological rewards (or consequences) of travel. We are proposing a simple but fundamental classification system for describing the motivation for self-initiated travel, based on two dynamic dimensions: the first takes into account whether the travel is motivated primarily by intrinsic vs. extrinsic reasons; and the second whether the expected benefits are primarily hedonic (i.e. pleasurable) or eudaemonic (i.e. involve personal growth and development). This model is designed with the goal of better understanding and promoting the in the moment and long-term well-being of tourists while at the same time promoting individualized travel that often involves multiple motivations. Furthermore, we endeavor to provide some analyses of touristic experiences based on the model.
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narratives for qualities thought to reveal important information regarding the organization of
attachment, and the different ways in which attachment insecurity presents. Researchers
increasingly use this method to assess attachment in middle childhood, but further work needs to
be conducted with respect to the divergent validity of attachment narratives in this age range.
Thus, the current study examined differential associations between children’s discursive style
and linguistic behavior when completing an attachment interview (Child Attachment Interview
[CAI]; Shmueli-Goetz et al., 2004) and a non-relational interview. In addition, the discriminant
validity of attachment narratives was assessed in predicting children’s physiological reactivity to
a relational challenge. Children (N = 125) completed a non-relational interview and the CAI at
Time 1. A subset of the original sample (n = 64) completed another assessment 1.5 years later
involving simulated non-relational and relational challenges. While narrative coherence was
moderately associated across the two interviews, CAI narrative coherence uniquely predicted
reactivity to a relational probe. We discuss implications for understanding children’s narrative
styles across discourse topics as well as the significance of the results for using attachment
interviews in this age range
relatively neglected in the literature. The Child Attachment Interview represents a promising assessment of
attachment in middle childhood; recent evidence supports its reliability and validity in restricted samples. We
assessed the construct validity of the CAI among a diverse sample of 104 8-12 year-old children (Mage = 9.80 years;
50 boys; 49% family income < $40,000; 38% Latino/a). We evaluated associations among CAI variables and selfreport
measures of attachment (convergent validity). Further, we evaluated whether CAI variables uniquely relate to
theoretically-relevant constructs (internalizing symptoms) above and beyond self-reported attachment (incremental
validity) and a theoretically-distinct construct, child temperament (discriminant validity). Our findings support the
CAI’s validity, and have important implications for assessing and understanding attachment processes in middle
childhood, as well as their development across the lifespan.
Objective: This commentary reviews current conceptualizations of well-being, examines explanations for the lack of attention to well-being research, and provides justification for investing research time and funding into well-being studies. Opportunities for integrating factors related to well-being into prevention and intervention programs are also outlined. Key Points: Well-being may motivate people towards success, improve health and longevity, strengthen relationships, and boost the economy. Well-being can be enhanced in easy and inexpensive ways by incorporating facets of well-being into already-existing individual and systems-level intervention or prevention programs. Implications: Future research into this important construct should focus on objective means to assess and predict well-being, as well as strategies to enhance well-being across the lifespan. Investing more research time and financial resources into the study and promotion of well-being has the potential to lead to profound and enduring benefits to individuals, communities, and the larger society.
We are proposing a simple but fundamental classification system for describing the motivation for self-initiated travel, based on two dynamic dimensions: the first takes into account whether the travel is motivated primarily by intrinsic vs. extrinsic reasons; and the second whether the expected benefits are primarily hedonic (i.e. pleasurable) or eudaemonic (i.e. involve personal growth and development). This model is designed with the goal of better understanding and promoting the in the moment and long-term well-being of tourists while at the same time promoting individualized travel that often involves multiple motivations. Furthermore, we endeavor to provide some analyses of touristic experiences based on the model.
narratives for qualities thought to reveal important information regarding the organization of
attachment, and the different ways in which attachment insecurity presents. Researchers
increasingly use this method to assess attachment in middle childhood, but further work needs to
be conducted with respect to the divergent validity of attachment narratives in this age range.
Thus, the current study examined differential associations between children’s discursive style
and linguistic behavior when completing an attachment interview (Child Attachment Interview
[CAI]; Shmueli-Goetz et al., 2004) and a non-relational interview. In addition, the discriminant
validity of attachment narratives was assessed in predicting children’s physiological reactivity to
a relational challenge. Children (N = 125) completed a non-relational interview and the CAI at
Time 1. A subset of the original sample (n = 64) completed another assessment 1.5 years later
involving simulated non-relational and relational challenges. While narrative coherence was
moderately associated across the two interviews, CAI narrative coherence uniquely predicted
reactivity to a relational probe. We discuss implications for understanding children’s narrative
styles across discourse topics as well as the significance of the results for using attachment
interviews in this age range
relatively neglected in the literature. The Child Attachment Interview represents a promising assessment of
attachment in middle childhood; recent evidence supports its reliability and validity in restricted samples. We
assessed the construct validity of the CAI among a diverse sample of 104 8-12 year-old children (Mage = 9.80 years;
50 boys; 49% family income < $40,000; 38% Latino/a). We evaluated associations among CAI variables and selfreport
measures of attachment (convergent validity). Further, we evaluated whether CAI variables uniquely relate to
theoretically-relevant constructs (internalizing symptoms) above and beyond self-reported attachment (incremental
validity) and a theoretically-distinct construct, child temperament (discriminant validity). Our findings support the
CAI’s validity, and have important implications for assessing and understanding attachment processes in middle
childhood, as well as their development across the lifespan.
Objective: This commentary reviews current conceptualizations of well-being, examines explanations for the lack of attention to well-being research, and provides justification for investing research time and funding into well-being studies. Opportunities for integrating factors related to well-being into prevention and intervention programs are also outlined. Key Points: Well-being may motivate people towards success, improve health and longevity, strengthen relationships, and boost the economy. Well-being can be enhanced in easy and inexpensive ways by incorporating facets of well-being into already-existing individual and systems-level intervention or prevention programs. Implications: Future research into this important construct should focus on objective means to assess and predict well-being, as well as strategies to enhance well-being across the lifespan. Investing more research time and financial resources into the study and promotion of well-being has the potential to lead to profound and enduring benefits to individuals, communities, and the larger society.
We are proposing a simple but fundamental classification system for describing the motivation for self-initiated travel, based on two dynamic dimensions: the first takes into account whether the travel is motivated primarily by intrinsic vs. extrinsic reasons; and the second whether the expected benefits are primarily hedonic (i.e. pleasurable) or eudaemonic (i.e. involve personal growth and development). This model is designed with the goal of better understanding and promoting the in the moment and long-term well-being of tourists while at the same time promoting individualized travel that often involves multiple motivations. Furthermore, we endeavor to provide some analyses of touristic experiences based on the model.