The role of positive psychology constructs in predicting life satisfaction in adolescents with and without cognitive disabilities: An exploratory study

Abstract

Positive psychology has begun to foster change in the study of adolescence by directing increased attention to the importance of building on adolescents' strengths and abilities as a means to promote positive outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore the associations between hope, optimism, locus of control, self-determination, and life satisfaction in adolescents with and without cognitive disabilities using structural equation modeling. The results demonstrated comparability in the measurement of each of these constructs in adolescents with and without disabilities. Hope, optimism, locus of control, and self-determination were strongly correlated, and hope and optimism predicted life satisfaction in adolescents with and without cognitive disabilities. The implications of the findings for future research are discussed.

A cross-cultural comparison of the self-determination construct in Italian and American adolescents

“…gender) or experience with selfdetermination and family support for self-determination within or across cultures. Given previous research (Nota et al, 2007;Shogren et al, 2006) that has suggested these variables may influence student self-determination, further research is needed to explore the influence of these characteristics across cultures. Second, our sample was limited to Italian and American adolescents, future research including a more diverse sample of nationalities is needed.…”

“…Increasingly, the application of this theory to adolescents without disabilities has been explored (Shogren, Lopez, Wehmeyer, Little, & Pressgrove, 2006;. Researchers argue that the f SDT has relevance for improving the outcomes of all students as they transition to adulthood, not just adolescents with disabilities.…”

“…Researchers argue that the f SDT has relevance for improving the outcomes of all students as they transition to adulthood, not just adolescents with disabilities. Shogren et al (2006) examined the comparability of self-determination and other positive psychology constructs across adolescents with and without disabilities, establishing that the construct could be defined in the same way in all adolescents, but that there were mean level differences in self-determination associated with a disability label.…”

A comparison of individual qualities of resiliency in adolescents with mild intellectual disability and typically developing adolescents

“…Studies conducted on samples of adolescents with ID revealed that positive individual characteristics (e.g. optimism, self-efficacy) were a good predictor of higher quality of life (Biggs & Carter, 2016) and life satisfaction (Shogren et al, 2006).…”

Affective Dimensions of Liminality

“…Optimism in a learning context is associated with learner autonomy and self-determination in relation to the accomplishment of learning tasks and goals (Shogren, Lopez, Wehmeyer, Little, & Pressgrove, 2006). The optimistic learner believes in the possibility of positive outcomes and that these can be attained through personal effort or persistence (Bryant & Cvengros, 2004).…”