Daily Adolescent Purposefulness, Daily Subjective Well-Being, and Individual Differences in Autistic Traits

Ratner, Kaylin; Li, Qingyi; Zhu, Gaoxia; Estevez, Melody; Burrow, Anthony L.

doi:10.1007/s10902-023-00625-7

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 96 publications

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“…Indeed, adolescence represents a key period during which the foundations of well-being are built: it has been suggested that when adolescents live their lives with a purpose, they experience psychological well-being ( Witten et al, 2019 ). During adolescence, the individual starts thinking about who they are and who they want to be in the future ( Hill et al, 2021 ; Ratner et al, 2023 ). The adolescent years are also characterised by increased capacity for abstract thinking, which allows for reflecting about meaning and purpose in life, including setting proximal and distant goals for one’s own life ( Sawyer et al, 2012 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The adolescent years are also characterised by increased capacity for abstract thinking, which allows for reflecting about meaning and purpose in life, including setting proximal and distant goals for one’s own life ( Sawyer et al, 2012 ). Research suggests that purpose in life during adolescence promotes adaptive growth ( Pfund and Lewis, 2020 ), may play a role in identity development ( Burrow and Hill, 2011 ) and improves overall well-being ( Bronk and Finch, 2010 ; Ratner et al, 2023 ). Similar to findings in adults, purpose in life in adolescence is positively associated with positive affect, subjective well-being, and life satisfaction ( Burrow and Hill, 2011 ; Bronk, 2014 ; Pfund and Lewis, 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Purpose in life as an asset for well-being and a protective factor against depression in adolescents

Barcaccia,

Couyoumdjian,

Di Consiglio

et al. 2023

Front. Psychol.

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Purpose in life, which is a central component of the eudaimonic paradigm of well-being, has been sparsely examined in adolescence. This is unfortunate as adolescence is characterised by identity development and is a key period for the onset of mental disorders. To inform future research on well-being and purpose in life in adolescents, we drew factors from several fields of research, including mental health and psychological factors, and explored which factors were most strongly associated with purpose in life. Data were collected in a sample of 444 Italian adolescents (Mage = 16.30 [SD = 1.50], range: 14 to 20 years; 58% girls) and associations with mental health (stress, anxiety, depression, anger), psychological traits (mindfulness, self-hate, self-inadequacy, self-reassurance, isolation), and sociodemographic variables (age, sex, place of birth) were examined. Regression, dominance, and network analyses indicated that a stronger sense of purpose in life was associated with lower depressive symptoms, higher levels of self-reassurance, and being born in Italy. Our findings suggest that purpose in life is an important asset for well-being in adolescents and may protect against depression. Future longitudinal and/or experimental research should examine the potential protective role of purpose in life in relation to adolescent depression and how self-reassurance and sociodemographic factors (e.g., immigrant background) are involved.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Purpose in life as an asset for well-being and a protective factor against depression in adolescents

Barcaccia,

Couyoumdjian,

Di Consiglio

et al. 2023

Front. Psychol.

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“…Research demonstrates the relationship between autistic traits and measures of positive and negative wellbeing. In general population samples, positive associations have been reported between autistic traits and anxiety, depression and suicidality (Fietz et al, 2018; Freeth et al, 2012; Ishizuka et al, 2022; Liew et al, 2015; Pelton & Cassidy, 2017; Rai et al, 2018; South et al, 2020), as well as negative associations with positive wellbeing (McKenzie et al, 2022; Ratner et al, 2023; Stimpson et al, 2021). Additionally, higher autistic traits have been demonstrated in individuals with anxiety and depression (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the mediating effect of camouflaging and the moderating effect of autistic identity on the relationship between autistic traits and mental wellbeing

Moore,

Cassidy,

Rodgers

2023

Autism Research

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Mental health difficulties are prevalent among autistic adults. Camouflaging (behaving differently to fit in) may be a mechanism by which autistic traits and mental health difficulties relate to each other, but little research has considered the role of different facets of camouflaging. Additionally, autistic identity might buffer against camouflaging and mental health difficulties. This research aims to explore the mediating effects of camouflaging behaviours on the relationship between autistic traits and both positive and negative mental wellbeing, as well as how autistic identity might moderate the relationship between autistic traits and camouflaging, and also mental health. Data were available for 627 autistic adults, recruited through volunteer databases and social media. Participants completed measures of autistic traits, anxiety, depression, positive wellbeing, camouflaging behaviours (compensating for difficulties, masking, and assimilating/putting on an act) and autistic identity. Mediation and moderated mediation models were tested, applying 95% bootstrapped CIs (10,000 resamples) and including age, gender and diagnosis as covariates. There were no significant direct effects between autistic traits and mental wellbeing. Assimilation was a significant mediator of all mental wellbeing measures, and compensation was a significant mediator of positive wellbeing only. Autistic identity was not a significant moderator. Assimilation and compensation should be considered when offering psychological interventions to support mental wellbeing of autistic people. Additional research into external drivers of camouflaging (e.g. stigma) and mechanisms by which camouflaging impacts mental wellbeing, such as autonomy, authenticity, skill mastery and community, may identify other areas of support. Concurrently, societal change is necessary to reduce the need to camouflage.

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Motivation to Change Direction in Life with a Little Help from a Digital Companion or a Professional Assistance

Allemand,

Pfund,

Hill

2024

Int J Appl Posit Psychol

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This article examines whether people are motivated to change their life direction at all, who is currently changing their purpose, and whether they prefer the assistance of a digital companion or a professional when changing their purpose. Adults (N = 792, 50.3% women) participated in a survey that addressed these questions. Across all participants, 53.4% said they wanted to change their life direction or were currently working on it, and among those respondents, 56.5% preferred support from a professional or digital companion. Results showed that lower life satisfaction, younger age, and identifying as a woman were associated with a greater likelihood of being motivated to change their purpose and a greater likelihood of actually making an effort to change their purpose, relative to not wanting to change their purpose. In addition, demographic variables helped distinguish participants who preferred support from a professional or a digital companion compared to those who did not.

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Daily Adolescent Purposefulness, Daily Subjective Well-Being, and Individual Differences in Autistic Traits

Cited by 3 publications

References 96 publications

Purpose in life as an asset for well-being and a protective factor against depression in adolescents

Purpose in life as an asset for well-being and a protective factor against depression in adolescents

Exploring the mediating effect of camouflaging and the moderating effect of autistic identity on the relationship between autistic traits and mental wellbeing

Motivation to Change Direction in Life with a Little Help from a Digital Companion or a Professional Assistance

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