Living in the shadow of occupation: Life satisfaction and positive emotion as protective factors in a group of Palestinian school children

Starting from perspectives on functioning and wellbeing, the aim of the present study was to investigate positive and negative affect, self-perceived life satisfaction and happiness in a group of 74 Palestinian children exposed to political violence. We hypothesized that the children in our sample would display generally satisfactory wellbeing and good functioning in terms of positive affect, life satisfaction and happiness, despite their negative life conditions. Both quantitative and qualitative analysis of the dimensions of participants' wellbeing was carried out. In particular, we explored the ecological dimensions affecting the wellbeing of Palestinian children through content analysis of narratives produced by the group of participants. Positive emotions were found to contribute to wellbeing and life satisfaction in children, acting as protective factors in dealing with daily violence. The children displayed a range of personal resources facilitated above all by the functioning community structure supporting them. Implications for clinical intervention are discussed.     

Socio-psychological barriers for peace making and ideas to overcome them / Barreras sociopsicológicas para la paz e ideas para superarlas

Intensive and violent intergroup conflicts that rage in different parts of the world are real. These conflicts center over disagreements focusing on contradictory goals and interests in different domains and must be addressed in conflict resolution. It is well known that the disagreements could potentially be resolved if not the powerful socio-psychological barriers which fuel and maintain the conflicts. These barriers inhibit and impede progress towards peaceful settlement of the conflict. They stand as major obstacles to begin the negotiation, to continue the negotiation, to achieve an agreement and later to engage in a process of reconciliation. These barriers are found among both leaders and society members that are involved in vicious, violent and protracted intergroup conflicts. They pertain to the integrated operation of cognitive, emotional and motivational processes, combined with a pre-existing repertoire of rigid supporting beliefs, world views and emotions that result in selective, biased and distorted information processing. This processing obstructs and inhibits the penetration of new information that can potentially contribute to facilitating progress in the peace-making process. The paper elaborates on the nature of the socio-psychological barriers and proposes preliminary ideas of how to overcome them. These ideas focus on the unfreezing process which eventually may lead to cessation of adherence to the repertoire that supports the continuation of the conflict, its evaluation and arousal of the readiness to entertain of alternative beliefs that support peace making.     

Emotions in the Practice of Systemic Therapy

Emotions are connected to meaning making in human interactions. This can be seen not just in terms of the immediate participants and their developmental history but also through broader cultural, social, and gender lenses. In times of relational tension, which require system flexibility, some emotional interaction can constrain alternative actions or meanings being constructed. Therapists can hypothesize about these emotional dances (including those that are taking place in the therapist/client system) and such hypotheses can inform interventions aimed at generating different emotional sequences. If participants in therapy experience alternative emotional responses as a result of therapeutic intervention, then change can occur (e.g., a greater sense of agency or hope, or a different perception of the situation).     

零售业企业员工的积极应激因素探索——基于哥本哈根社会心理问卷的分析

积极心理学的兴起和哥本哈根社会心理问卷的出现,为积极应激这一较少得到实证研究的应激现象提供了理论视角和分析工具.通过对该问卷的重新分析,选取10家零售商业企业的383名员工为被试,验证了应激项目与健康状况因子、工作满意度因子之间的正相关关系,并归纳了积极应激的工作意义感、团队精神感、与领导关系、工作控制度、工作认可度、工作自由度这七个因子及其具体内容.这些积极应激条件的存在与甄别,为企业激发员工的积极应激状态、提高工作满意度提供了可操作化的途径.     

Is the Study of Happiness a Worthy Scientific Pursuit?

This paper critiques the view that the study of happiness is not a worthy scientific pursuit. The happiness set point and hedonic treadmill theories denote the complexity of increasing happiness levels due to genetic limitations and adaptation, however, there is mounting evidence to suggest that with the use of appropriate measures and specific interventions aimed at fostering strengths and virtues, happiness can be increased. Furthermore, the benefits of investigating methods for increasing happiness include improvements in physical, psychological and social health and well-being. It is concluded that approaching human needs from a top down or holistic standpoint where individuals can use their strengths to overcome life’s challenges, is beneficial to health and well-being. Hence, the study of happiness is a worthy scientific pursuit.     

A Model of Quality of College Life (QCL) of Students in Korea

This study develops and tests a model of quality of college life (QCL) of students in Korea. In this study, QCL of students is conceptualized in terms of needs satisfaction and affect balance. It has been hypothesized that satisfaction with education services, administrative services, and facilities have a significant impact on QCL, which in turn positively influences identification, positive word of mouth, and overall quality of life. The results of a survey on 228 Korean college students largely support the model. Managerial and policy implications are discussed.     

Incorporating human sexuality content into a positive youth development framework: Implications for community prevention

As approaches to positive youth development (PYD) gain momentum, the issue of sexuality – a critical component of human development – is being subsumed by ideological debates. In the current political climate, sexuality education is often relegated to biological and/or values-based approaches, neglecting essential relational and collective aspects of sexuality. Through the explication of sexuality as an important component of youth's social ecology, this paper provides a conceptual link between the goals of the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States' (SIECUS) Guidelines for comprehensive sexuality education and those of PYD. We argue that sexuality, as a normative part of human development, culture, identity, and relationships, be approached from an asset-based perspective, rather than a deficit-based perspective. We propose a framework that illustrates how aspects of sexuality are embedded within PYD contexts, and demonstrates how a sexuality education program rooted in SIECUS guidelines can further PYD goals across community contexts.     

积极语篇分析:和谐的态度韵律研究——以汉语导游讲解词为例

文章从语篇分析的新视角——积极语篇分析入手,以评价理论为框架,试图探寻在导游讲解词中,导游是如何缩短自身以及景点与游客之间的距离,从而达到宣传景点、传播文化的交际目的的。作为一个较新视角的积极语篇分析并没有固定的分析方法和模式,本文融合了语类理论、评价理论和态度韵律理论构建了态度韵律研究的分析模式,并将它运用到导游讲解词的分析中。通过研究本文发现导游讲解词作为一种机构语言确是语类的一种,是分阶段的具有目标朝向性的社会过程,并有其独特的语类结构。主要包括五个阶段:欢迎词、整体介绍、具体讲解、评价和欢送词。态度韵律是一个具有层级性的结构,存在于语篇之中,具有普遍共性,导游讲解篇词中的态度韵律有其特性。态度韵律的运作有着内在机制,态度韵律可分为发散韵、波浪韵和梯度韵三类,这三类结构具有动态平衡的特质,它们共同流动于语篇之中使其成为和谐统一的整体。      

自由的追索及其逃遁——弗洛姆“逃避自由”思想解析

自由是现代启蒙精神的核心,但随着现代化的进程的推进却衍生了人追求自由,反而陷入逃避自由的悖论之中。中国社会也在实现现代化的路径中,人们在追求物质自由的时候,更需要对心灵自由给予关怀和引领。弗洛姆提出的完整人格、爱与创造性劳动是实现人的积极自由的良方,对于今天的中国社会具有一定警示和借鉴意义。     

从“积极”到“稳健”——中国财政政策的适时转型

稳健性财政政策的科学内涵是:控制赤字、调整结构、推进改革、增收节支。当前提高稳健性财政政策的有效性,在税收方面,推进税制改革,加强税收征管;在支出方面,调整支出方向,做到有保有控;在国债方面,应逐步减少需发国债资金和数额;在财政政策的功能方面,完善公共财政体制。