Corrigendum: Know and use your personal strengths! A Spanish validation of the strengths knowledge and use scales and their relationship with meaningful work and work-related well-being.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1086510.].

[The role of personal strengths in the relationship between adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity symptoms and perceived stress]. / A személyes erosségek szerepe a felnottkori figyelemhiányos/hiperaktivitás tünetek és az észlelt stressz kapcsolatában.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: David P. Bernstein's model of personal strengths was born out of the interaction of schema theory and positive psychology. According to Bernstein, the strengths of a healthy adult self can be described along four dimensions: self-directedness, self-regulation, connectedness, and transcendence. Previous research has shown that attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults is associated with higher levels of perceived stress, but the role of personal strengths in this context has not yet been investigated. The aim of our study was to explore the role of Bernstein's strength dimensions in the relationship between adult ADHD symptoms and perceived stress, using a dimensional approach in a non-clinical sample. METHOD: Our online questionnaire, which included the Bernstein Strengths Scale (BSS), the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), and a shortened version of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS4), was completed by 100 adults (mean age 38.25 years, standard deviation 5.73 years) after informed consent. RESULTS: In the bivariate analysis, the ASRS showed a significant negative association with the BSS dimensions, with a large effect size for self-regulation and a medium effect size for the other dimensions. On the other hand, the PSS4 scale showed significant negative correlations with all four strength dimensions, with effect sizes large for self-direction and self-regulation and medium for the connection and transcendence dimensions. Personal strengths mediated the relationship between ADHD symptoms and perceived stress. DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that ADHD symptoms may be associated with a deficit in personal strengths, which may contribute to negative outcomes. Psychotherapeutic interventions that support the recognition, cultivation and mobilization of strengths may be useful in the treatment of adults diagnosed with ADHD.

Eficacia de un programa de entrenamiento en fortalezas personales para reducir la sintomatología ansiosa y depresiva en adolescentes / Efficacy of a personal strengths training program to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms in adolescents

La literatura muestra la importancia de identificar experiencias que permitan a los adolescentes desarrollarse en el contexto escolar. Además, indica la escasa evidencia empírica existente con esta población. Por ello, en este estudio se pretende comparar la eficacia de un programa de intervención centrado en el entrenamiento en fortalezas personales, con respecto a otro programa basado en el entrenamiento de habilidades sociales y técnicas para reducir el estrés y un grupo control de lista de espera, para reducir la sintomatología ansiosa y depresiva en adolescentes. Los entrenamientos se aplicaron de forma colectiva y consistieron en 6 sesiones de intervención de dos horas cada una. Los participantes fueron 65 (33 chicos y 32 chicas) estudiantes de ESO (Educación Secundaria Obligatoria) con edades entre 13 y 17 años (M = 14.32 y DT = .89). Los resultados muestran que el programa de entrenamiento centrado en el desarrollo de fortalezas personales es eficaz para aumentar las fortalezas entrenadas además de ser más eficaz para disminuir la sintomatología que otro programa de entrenamiento y que la ausencia del mismo. Implantar de forma transversal en la escuela este tipo de programas podría ayudar a un desarrollo más completo y amplio de la persona adolescente. (AU)

The literature shows us the importance of identifying experiences that allow adolescents to develop in the school context, it also indicates the scant empirical evidence that exists in this population at school, therefore, this study aims to compare the effectiveness of a program of intervention, focused on training in personal strengths, with respect to another intervention program based on the training of social skills and techniques to reduce stress and a waiting list control group, to reduce the anxious and depressive symptoms of the/ as teenagers The trainings were applied collectively and consisted of 6 intervention sessions of two hours each. The participants were 65 (33 boys and 32 girls) ESO (Compulsory Secondary Education) students aged between 13 and 17 years (M = 14.32 and SD = .89). The results show that the training program focused on the development of personal strengths is effective in increasing the trained strengths, as well as being more effective in reducing symptoms than the other training program or the absence of it. Implementing this type of program across schools could help a more complete and comprehensive development of the adolescent. (AU)

Know and use your personal strengths! A Spanish validation of the strengths knowledge and use scales and their relationship with meaningful work and work-related well-being.

Introduction: Research in the field of work and organizational psychology increasingly highlights the role of meaningful work as a protector of well-being at work. This study tests the role of strengths knowledge and use as new pathways through which meaningful work may have a positive effect on work engagement and mental health. Methods: Study 1 and Study 2 report the validation of the Spanish Strengths Use and Knowledge Scales respectively, with samples of N = 617 (Study 1) and N = 365 (Study 2) employees. Study 3 tests the mediating effects of strengths use and knowledge in a model with different work-related constructs in another sample of N = 798 employees. Results: Findings from Studies 1 and 2 indicate that the instruments offer adequate evidence of reliability and validity. Results from Study 3 revealed that strengths knowledge is a mediator in the relationship between meaningful work and strengths use. Findings also confirmed the mediating roles of strengths use in the relationship between meaningful work and work engagement, and between meaningful work and mental health. Discussion: This study highlights the ability to be aware of and apply signature strengths as effective and novel pathways to foster well-being at work through the cultivation of meaningful work.

Adults with a child maltreatment history: Narratives describing individual strengths that promote positive wellbeing.

BACKGROUND: Child maltreatment often has negative impacts, but some individuals have strengths that lead to better outcomes. OBJECTIVE: Describe the narratives of adults who experienced childhood maltreatment, all of whom had positive psychosocial wellbeing at average age 18 years. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: A purposive sample of 21 adults (mean age 27.8 years SD = 1.0) who were part of a longitudinal study on the effects of childhood maltreatment. The sample was self-described as 85.7 % female, 14.3 % male, 42.9 % Black, 33.3 % Latinx, 19.0 % White, and 4.8 % multiracial. METHODS: This descriptive qualitative study, which is part of a sequential mixed method study, used semi-structured interviews and a narrative analysis approach. Four coders completed: (1) initial reading of sample interviews (2) generating codes independently and discussion, (3) creating a codebook, (4) reviewing 10-11 transcripts each (5) reconvening to discuss/resolve differences in coding, (6) identifying themes. RESULTS: There were four themes. The first theme was seeing oneself in a good light, highlighting self-worth and helper roles. The second theme, moving forward, included letting go of their past and a future orientation. Coping with life, the third theme, included boundaries for people around them, routines, and self-sufficiency. Meaning making, the fourth theme, included insights on the effect of their maltreatment and foster care, and reflections on appreciating life and adapting to changing circumstances. CONCLUSIONS: Findings describe varied strengths that promote positive functioning after childhood maltreatment. Study themes highlight how these strengths allow adults to make meaning of their experiences and move forward successfully in life.

Focus Forward Fellowship: Evaluation of a program for women student service members and veterans.

The Focus Forward Fellowship was designed to support women student service members and veterans (SSM/Vs) in developing skills and resources to promote persistence to graduation and career attainment. Despite their accomplishments and strengths, women SSM/Vs can be challenged by their military and gender identities in a university environment surrounded by peers who differ in age and life experience (Iverson et al., 2016). Guided by King's (2004) meaning of life meta-model, the Fellowship was designed to increase sense of belonging, understanding of self, and engagement in behaviors tied to academic and career success. We gathered longitudinal evaluation data from two early program cohorts comprising 19 women. Analyses indicated that women reported significant gains in knowledge and use of personal strengths, identity integration, resume preparation, and networking skills, with baseline assessments controlled. No gains were found for sense of belonging or engagement in networking with career professionals or military peers. Based on existing literature, improvement in identity integration is a particularly positive contribution to women students' academic and career success. Program refinements will aim to strengthen contributions to the "belonging" domainof the program.

Longitudinal Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Older Adults' Wellbeing.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a major stressful life event. This pandemic is causing significant changes in older adults' daily life affecting their physical and mental health. Psychological wellbeing is a protective variable when facing adverse circumstances, like the COVID-19 pandemic. This study analyzes the impact of COVID-19 on older adults' psychological wellbeing (personal growth and purpose in life) over time. Materials and Methods: One hundred ninety-two people over 60 years old participated in a longitudinal study. Data were collected in three time points: during the lockdown on March 2020, when the lockdown finished (4 months after baseline), and during the third wave (10 months after baseline). We used latent growth curve models to assess the linear longitudinal trajectories of psychological wellbeing. Results: Older adults did not show worse psychological wellbeing over time. Age has a positive impact on purpose in life. Furthermore, being a male, worrying about adverse effects of COVID-19, family functioning, resilience, personal growth, and acceptance associated with purpose in life. Discussion: These results suggest that despite the difficult circumstances experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults have used protective variables for their psychological wellbeing.

Evaluating a Strengths-Based mHealth Tool (MyStrengths): Explorative Feasibility Trial.

BACKGROUND: As the number of people living with chronic illnesses increases, providing wide-reaching and easy-to-use support tools is becoming increasingly important. Supporting people in this group to recognize and use more of their personal strengths has the potential to improve their quality of life. With this in mind, we have developed the MyStrengths app prototype, a gamefully designed app aimed at aiding users in both identifying their strengths and using these strengths more actively in their daily life. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to evaluate the user-reported feasibility and usefulness of the MyStrengths app. The study additionally aimed to explore whether the use of MyStrengths could be associated with selected psychosocial outcomes. METHODS: A 31-day explorative feasibility trial with a pretest-posttest design and an optional end of study interview was conducted. Data collection included system-use log data, demographic information, pre- and post-psychosocial measures (ie, strengths use, self-efficacy, health-related quality of life, depression), user experience measures (ie, usability, engagement, flow), and interview data. RESULTS: In total, 34 people with at least 1 chronic condition were enrolled in the study, with 26 participants (mean age 48 years, range 29-62 years; 1 male) completing the trial. Among these individuals, 18 were also interviewed posttrial. Participants used the MyStrengths app an average of 6 days during the trial period, with 54% (14/26) using the app over a period of at least 19 days. In total, 8738 unique app actions were registered. Of the psychosocial outcome measures, only 1 subscale, general health in the RAND 36-Item Health Survey, yielded significant pre- and posttest changes. Posttrial interviews showed that the number of participants who considered the MyStrengths app to be useful, somewhat useful, or not useful was evenly distributed across 3 groups. However, every participant did voice support for the strengths approach. All participants were able to identify a multitude of personal strengths using the MyStrengths app. Most participants that reported it to be useful had little or no previous experience with the personal strengths approach. A multitude of users welcomed the gameful design choices, particularly the rolling die feature, suggesting strengths exercises, activities that use a specific strength, were well received. CONCLUSIONS: Although the reported usefulness and feedback from use varied, most participants were favorable to the strengths-focused approach to care and support. Consequently, low-threshold and wide-reaching mobile health tools that use a strengths-focused approach, such as MyStrengths, hold the potential to support people living with chronic illness in performing self-management and achieving mastery of their life.

Forging Resilience to HIV/AIDS: Personal Strengths of Middle-aged and Older Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men Living With HIV/AIDS.

HIV-positive gay, bisexual, two-spirit, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) have exhibited significant resilience to HIV/AIDS in Canada since the start of the epidemic. Since 2012, most of the research that has been conducted on resilience to HIV/AIDS has utilized quantitative methods and deficits-based approaches, with a preferential focus on the plight of young MSM. In order to address apparent gaps in research on HIV/AIDS resilience, we conducted a community-based participatory research qualitative study that utilized a strengths-based approach to examine the perspectives and lived experiences of HIV-positive, middle-aged and older MSM on their individual attributes that helped forge their HIV/AIDS resilience. We conducted 41 semistructured interviews with diverse, HIV-positive, middle-aged and older MSM from Central and Southwestern Ontario, Canada. From our thematic analysis of our interviews, we identified four themes, which represented personal strengths that fostered resilience to HIV/AIDS: (a) proactiveness, (b) perseverance, (c) having the right mindset, and (d) self-awareness with self-control. This article discusses the importance of these personal strengths to fostering HIV/AIDS resilience, and how community-based resources could potentially lessen the need to muster such personal strengths, or alternatively, cultivate them.

Afrontamiento psicológico ante la COVID-19 en personas con uso problemático de drogas o adicciones / Psychological coping with COVID-19 in people with problematic drug use or addictions

Durante la situación crítica generada por el nuevo coronavirus SARS-Cov-2, en el servicio científico-tecnológico de Consultoría Especializada en Adicciones de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de La Habana fue necesario instrumentar un cambio de modalidad terapeútica de forma inucitada. Para la realización de acciones preventivas y asistenciales, dirigidas a integrantes de la comunidad universitaria con uso indebido de drogas u otros comportamientos adictógenos, se introdujeron los recursos propios de la telepsicología. Ello ha propiciado que la mayoría de los pacientes que han sido atendidos hayan evolucionado positivamente; lograran desarrollar habilidades para el afrontamiento psicológico adecuado a las situaciones adversas; y evitaran retrocesos y recaidas desmoralizantes. Una evidencia inicial, generada en la práctica asistencial, mostró que el 78.3% de los participantes desarrollaron fortalezas personales que les han ayudado a empoderarse para mantener la abstinencia o el consumo controlado durante la cuarentena preventiva. No obstante se pusieron de manifiesto dificultades para afrontar hechos y situaciones específicas que desbordan sus recursos personales; exacerbación de mitos relacionados con las drogas y las actividades adictivas en general; y ausencia de control emocional asociado a tendencias irracionales. Los resultados obtenidos han sido esenciales para potenciar la rehabilitacion de dichas personas desde una perspectiva correctiva y preventiva. (AU)

During the critical situation generated by the new SARS-Cov-2 coronavirus, in the scientifictechnological service of Specialized Consultancy in Addictions of the University of Medical Sciences of Havana it was necessary to implement a change in the therapeutic modality in an unexpected way. To carry out preventive and assistance actions, aimed at members of the university community with drug abuse or other addictive behaviors, the resources of telepsychology were introduced. This has led to the majority of the patients who have been cared for having evolved positively; They will be able to develop skills for adequate psychological coping with adverse situations; and avoid demoralizing setbacks and relapses. Initial evidence, generated in healthcare practice, showed that 78.3% of the participants developed personal strengths that have helped them empower themselves to maintain abstinence or controlled consumption during preventive quarantine. However, difficulties were revealed to face specific events and situations that exceed their personal resources; exacerbation of myths related to drugs and addictive activities in general; and lack of emotional control associated with irrational tendencies. The results obtained have been essential to promote the rehabilitation of these people from a corrective and preventive perspective. (AU)

Investigating effects of healthcare simulation on personal strengths and organizational impacts for healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: This cross-sectional study aimed at evaluating impacts of healthcare simulation training, either in-situ or lab-based, on personal strengths of healthcare workers (HCWs) and organizational outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: COVID-19 Taskforce was established to formulate standardized scenario-based simulation training materials in late-January 2020. Post-training questionnaires made up of 5-point Likert scales were distributed to all participants to evaluate their personal strengths, in terms of i) assertiveness, ii) mental preparedness, iii) self-efficacy, iv) internal locus of control, and v) internal locus of responsibility. Independent sample t-tests were used to analyze between-group difference in "In-situ" and "Lab-based" group; and one-sample t-tests were used to compare change in personal strengths with reference point of 3 (Neutral). Kirkpatrick's Model served as the analytical framework for overall training effects. RESULTS: Between 05 February and 18 March 2020, 101 sessions of simulation training were conducted in "In-Situ" at either Accident & Emergency Department (20, 20%) or Intensive Care Unit (15, 14%) and "Lab-based" for Isolation (30, 30%) and General Wards (36, 36%). 1,415 hospital staff members, including 1,167 nurses (82%), 163 doctors (12%) and 85 patient care assistants (6%), were trained. All domains of personal strengths were scored 4.24 or above and statistically significantly increased when comparing with reference population (p < .001). However, no significant differences between in-situ and lab-based simulation were found (p > .05), for all domains of personal strengths. CONCLUSION: Healthcare simulation training enhanced healthcare workers' personal strengths critical to operational and clinical outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MyStrengths, a Strengths-Focused Mobile Health Tool: Participatory Design and Development.

BACKGROUND: People living with chronic illnesses are an increasingly large group. Research indicates that care and self-management should not only focus on the illness and problem-oriented aspects of these individuals' lives but also support them in recognizing and leveraging their personal strengths in daily life. OBJECTIVE: This paper presents the design and developmental process of MyStrengths, a mobile health (mHealth) app designed to help its users (people with chronic conditions) both find and make use of their personal strengths in their daily lives. Through 4 consecutive phases, this paper presents participant- and researcher-driven activities, discussions regarding design, and development of both the MyStrengths app and its content. METHODS: During the 4 phases, we used a range of methods and activities, including (1) an idea-generating workshop aimed at creating ideas for strengths-supporting features with different stakeholders, including patients, caregivers, relatives, and designers (N=35); (2) research seminars with an international group of experts (N=6), in which the concept, theoretical background, and design ideas for the app were discussed; (3) a series of co-design workshops with people in the user group (N=22) aiming to create ideas for how to, in an engaging manner, design the app; and (4) in 4 developmental iterations, the app was evaluated by people in the user group (N=13). Content and strengths exercises were worked on and honed by the research team, the expert groups, and our internal editorial team during the entire developmental process. RESULTS: The first phase found a wide range of stakeholder requirements to, and ideas for, strengths-focused mHealth apps. From reviewing literature during the second phase, we found a dearth of research on personal strengths with respect to people living with chronic illnesses. Activities during the third phase creatively provided numerous ideas and suggestions for engaging and gameful ways to develop and design the MyStrengths app. The final phase saw the output from all the earlier phases come together. Through multiple increasingly complete iterations of user evaluations testing and developing, the final prototype of the MyStrengths app was created. CONCLUSIONS: Although research supports the use of strengths-focused mHealth tools to support people living with chronic illnesses, there is little guidance as to how these tools and their content should be designed. Through all activities, we found great support among participating users for strengths-focused apps, and we can consider such apps to be both appropriate and valuable. This paper illustrates how combining a range of user-, researcher-, literature-, and designer-based methods can contribute to creating mHealth tools to support people with chronic illnesses to find and use more of their own personal strengths.

Psychological well-being among older adults during the COVID-19 outbreak: a comparative study of the young-old and the old-old adults.

The COVID-19 outbreak could be considered as an uncontrollable stressful life event. Lockdown measures have provoked a disruption of daily life with a great impact over older adults' health and well-being. Nevertheless, eudaimonic well-being plays a protective role in confronting adverse circumstances, such as the COVID-19 situation. This study aims to assess the association between age and psychological well-being (personal growth and purpose in life). Young-old (60-70 years) and old-old (71-80 years) community-dwelling Spaniards (N = 878) completed a survey and reported on their sociodemographic characteristics and their levels of health, COVID-19 stress-related, appraisal, and personal resources. Old-old did not evidence poorer psychological well-being than young-old. Age has only a negative impact on personal growth. The results also suggest that the nature of the COVID-19 impact (except for the loss of a loved one) may not be as relevant for the older adults' well-being as their appraisals and personal resources for managing COVID-related problems. In addition, these results suggest that some sociodemographic and health-related variables have an impact on older adults' well-being. Thus, perceived-health, family functioning, resilience, gratitude, and acceptance had significant associations with both personal growth and purpose in life. Efforts to address older adults' psychological well-being focusing on older adults' personal resources should be considered.

Dimensions and subtypes of oppositionality and their relation to comorbidity and psychosocial characteristics.

The symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), or oppositionality, seem to constitute a three-dimensional structure of angry/irritable, vindictiveness and argumentative behavior dimensions. Also, subjects with oppositionality are characterized by different comorbidity and longitudinal trajectories, suggesting that they could be divided into subtypes. This study is the first to examine the dimensions and subtypes of oppositionality in Nordic children. Study participants included 3435 children aged 7-10 years from the Danish National Birth Cohort. Information was collected using the Development and Well-Being Assessment (DAWBA) online version. A three-factor ODD model was identified. The angry/irritable dimension was associated with emotional problems and disorders, fewer social skills and fewer personal positive attributes. The argumentative behavior dimension was associated with hyperactivity/conduct problems, reduced social skills and positive attributes. The vindictiveness dimension was associated with externalizing, internalizing and prosocial problems. Four ODD subtypes were identified. The subtypes with many or mainly angry/irritable symptoms were characterized by comorbid psychopathology, increased functional impairment and psychosocial problems. Children with ODD had fewer positive attributes, more friendship/school problems and higher functional impairment than children with emotional disorders and control group children. Oppositionality consists of three dimensions differently associated with comorbidity and psychosocial characteristics, and the same pattern is seen for the four ODD subtypes identified in this study. Children with ODD experience more adversities and functional impairment than children with emotional disorders. Our results indicate that treatment of children with ODD would improve from extended knowledge on individual ODD dimensions and subtypes and the related child psychosocial characteristics.

Creating Gameful Design in mHealth: A Participatory Co-Design Approach.

BACKGROUND: Gameful designs (gamification), using design pieces and concepts typically found in the world of games, is a promising approach to increase users' engagement with, and adherence to, electronic health and mobile health (mHealth) tools. Even though both identifying and addressing users' requirements and needs are important steps of designing information technology tools, little is known about the users' requirements and preferences for gameful designs in the context of self-management of chronic conditions. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to present findings as well as the applied methods and design activities from a series of participatory design workshops with patients with chronic conditions, organized to generate and explore user needs, preferences, and ideas to the implementation of gameful designs in an mHealth self-management app. METHODS: We conducted three sets of two consecutive co-design workshops with a total of 22 participants with chronic conditions. In the workshops, we applied participatory design methods to engage users in different activities such as design games, scenario making, prototyping, and sticky notes exercises. The workshops were filmed, and the participants' interactions, written products, ideas, and suggestions were analyzed thematically. RESULTS: During the workshops, the participants identified a wide range of requirements, concerns, and ideas for using the gameful elements in the design of an mHealth self-management app. Overall inputs on the design of the app concerned aspects such as providing a positive user experience by promoting collaboration and not visibly losing to someone or by designing all feedback in the app to be uplifting and positive. The participants provided both general inputs (regarding the degree of competitiveness, use of rewards, or possibilities for customization) and specific inputs (such as being able to customize the look of their avatars or by having rewards that can be exchanged for real-world goods in a gift shop). However, inputs also highlighted the importance of making tools that provide features that are meaningful and motivating on their own and do not only have to rely on gameful design features to make people use them. CONCLUSIONS: The main contribution in this study was users' contextualized and richly described needs and requirements for gamefully designed mHealth tools for supporting chronic patients in self-management as well as the methods and techniques used to facilitate and support both the participant's creativity and communication of ideas and inputs. The range, variety, and depth of the inputs from our participants also showed the appropriateness of our design approach and activities. These findings may be combined with literature and relevant theories to further inform in the selection and application of gameful designs in mHealth apps, or they can be used as a starting point for conducting more participatory workshops focused on co-designing gameful health apps.

Personal strengths reported by people with chronic illness: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Self-management of chronic illness can be highly demanding and people need to mobilize their personal strengths to live well with their condition. More knowledge is needed about how people with chronic illness perceive and use their personal strengths as a basis for better integrating empowering person-centred approaches into health care. OBJECTIVE: To explore what people with chronic illness describe as their strengths relevant to their health and well-being. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-nine participants (11 men) from 4 outpatient self-management programmes were recruited to individual or group interviews. Participants included patients with chronic respiratory disease (n = 7), chronic pain (n = 18) and morbid obesity (n = 14). Interviews were analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: A number of personal strengths were reported and categorized into 3 domains: (i) Internal strengths, (ii) External strengths and (iii) Self-management strategies. Internal strengths included being persistent, having a positive outlook, being kind and caring, experiencing positive emotions, being kind towards oneself, reconciling oneself with the situation, having courage and having knowledge and insight. External strengths included support from family, friends, peers and health-care providers. Self-management strategies included being active, planning and prioritizing, reducing stress, goal setting and seeking knowledge and help. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The study provides insights into personal strengths as reported by people with chronic illness. The results complement prior findings on strengths in people with health challenges and can aid in incorporating person-centred approaches into health care.

Developing Technology to Mobilize Personal Strengths in People with Chronic Illness: Positive Codesign Approach.

BACKGROUND: Emerging research from psychology and the bio-behavioral sciences recognizes the importance of supporting patients to mobilize their personal strengths to live well with chronic illness. Positive technology and positive computing could be used as underlying design approaches to guide design and development of new technology-based interventions for this user group that support mobilizing their personal strengths. OBJECTIVE: A codesigning workshop was organized with the aim to explore user requirements and ideas for how technology can be used to help people with chronic illness activate their personal strengths in managing their everyday challenges. METHODS: Thirty-five participants from diverse backgrounds (patients, health care providers, designers, software developers, and researchers) participated. The workshop combined principles of (1) participatory and service design to enable meaningful participation and collaboration of different stakeholders and (2) an appreciative inquiry methodology to shift participants' attention to positive traits, values, and aspects that are meaningful and life-giving and stimulate participants' creativity, engagement, and collaboration. Utilizing these principles, participants were engaged in group activities to develop ideas for strengths-supportive tools. Each group consisted of 3-8 participants with different backgrounds. All group work was analysed using thematic analyses. RESULTS: Participants were highly engaged in all activities and reported a wide variety of requirements and ideas, including more than 150 personal strength examples, more than 100 everyday challenges that could be addressed by using personal strengths, and a wide range of functionality requirements (eg, social support, strength awareness and reflection, and coping strategies). 6 concepts for strength-supportive tools were created. These included the following: a mobile app to support a person to store, reflect on, and mobilize one's strengths (Strengths treasure chest app); "empathy glasses" enabling a person to see a situation from another person's perspective (Empathy Simulator); and a mobile app allowing a person to receive supportive messages from close people in a safe user-controlled environment (Cheering squad app). Suggested design elements for making the tools engaging included: metaphors (eg, trees, treasure island), visualization techniques (eg, dashboards, color coding), and multimedia (eg, graphics). Maintaining a positive focus throughout the tool was an important requirement, especially for feedback and framing of content. CONCLUSIONS: Combining participatory, service design, and appreciative inquiry methods were highly useful to engage participants in creating innovative ideas. Building on peoples' core values and positive experiences empowered the participants to expand their horizons from addressing problems and symptoms, which is a very common approach in health care today, to focusing on their capacities and that which is possible, despite their chronic illness. The ideas and user requirements, combined with insights from relevant theories (eg, positive technology, self-management) and evidence from the related literature, are critical to guide the development of future more personalized and strengths-focused self-management tools.

Análisis psicométrico del Gratitude Questionnaire 6 (GQ-6) en población chilena / Psychometric analysis of Gratitude Questionnaire 6 (GQ-6) in Chilean Population

El objetivo de esta investigación es evaluar las propiedades psicométricas del Gratitude Questionnaire 6 (McCullough, Emmons & Tsang, 2002) en población chilena. En el estudio participaron 307 hombres y 295 mujeres de diferente grupo etario. En primer lugar se estimó la confiabilidad y validez del constructo de la escala. En segundo lugar se analizaron indicadores de validez basados en la convergencia y divergencia con los instrumentos: Cuestionario de los cinco grandes, Escala de satisfacción vital, Escala de afectos positivos y negativos y el Test de orientación vital revisado. Los resultados indican adecuación del cuestionario para su utilización en la evaluación de la gratitud en población chilena.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Gratitude Questionnaire 6 (McCullough, Emmons & Tsang, 2002) in Chilean population. In the study 307 men and 295 women of different age groups participated. We first estimated the reliability and construct validity of the scale. Secondly we analyzed the indicators convergent and divergent validity with these instruments: Big Five Questionnaire, Life Satisfaction Scale, Positive and Negative Affects Scale and Revised Life Orientation Test. The results indicate adequacy of the questionnaire for use in the evaluation of gratitude in Chilean population.

Aprecio a la Belleza como Fortaleza del Carácter y Creencias Asociadas en Adultos Venezolanos / Beauty Appraisal Based on Personality and Belief Strengths In Venezuelan Adults

El objetivo de esta investigación consistió en describir las creencias y manifestaciones culturales sobre la apreciación a la belleza como fortaleza del carácter en una muestra de 100 adultos venezolanos. Se utilizó el cuestionario VIA de fortalezas personales y un cuestionario de creencias sobre el aprecio a la belleza creado para esta investigación. Se concluyó que el aprecio a la belleza como fortaleza del carácter del venezolano se encuentra en una posición intermedia. El reconocimiento de la belleza, principalmente en la naturaleza, destaca entre las creencias de esta población, pero se obtuvieron diferencias significativas entre hombres y mujeres. La belleza física de las personas y de las mujeres, así como la estética en la naturaleza y los deportes son aspectos emblemáticos de la cultura venezolana.

This paper aims to describe cultural beliefs and manifestations related to beauty appraisal as a personality strength. 100 Venezuelans were sampled; a personal strengths and beliefs questionnaire related to beauty appraisal (VIA) was used to conduct this research. It was concluded that beauty appraisal as a Venezuelan personality strength is in an intermediate position. Beauty recognition, especially in nature, is highlighted among Venezuelan beliefs, but significant differences between men and women were found. Male and female physical beauty as well as esthetics in nature and sports are emblematic aspects of Venezuelan culture.

Calidad de vida en adolescentes: análisis desde las fortalezas personales y las emociones negativas / Quality of life in adolescents: analysis from personal strengths and negative emotions

El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar las relaciones de las fortalezas personales y las emociones negativas sobre la calidad de vida de 686 adolescentes escolarizados de la ciudad de Bogotá, Colombia, según el sexo y el estrato socioeconómico. Instrumentos: escala de resiliencia adolescente ARS, escala de autotrascendencia adolescente STS, escala subjetiva de felicidad SHS, test de orientación de vida en jóvenes YLOT, inventario de depresión infantil CDI, inventario infantil de estresores cotidianos IIEC y The KIDSCREEN-52. Los resultados mostraron niveles moderados en calidad de vida y resiliencia, y niveles bajos de emociones negativas. El análisis de regresión lineal múltiple indicó que las fortalezas personales y las emociones negativas pesan sobre la calidad de vida más en los hombres y en el estrato socioeconómico medio y alto. Conclusión: la calidad de vida en adolescentes es mediada por la autotrascendencia, la felicidad y emociones negativas como depresión.

The aim of this study was to compare the relationship of personal strengths and negative emotions on the quality of life of 686 adolescent students by sex and socioeconomic strata from Bogotá city, Colombia. Instruments: Adolescent Resilience Scale ARS, Self-Trascendence Scale, adolescent version STS, Subjective Happiness Scale SHS, The Youth Life Orientation Test YLOT, Children's Depression Inventory CDI, the Inventory of Daily Stressors Child IIEC and the KIDSCREEN-52. Results showed moderate levels in quality of life, resilience and low in negative emotions. It was found in the multiple linear regression analysis that personal strengths and negative emotions weigh on the quality of life in men more than women and in middle and high socioeconomic strata rather than low. Conclusion, quality of life in adolescents is mediated by self-transcendence and happiness and negative emotions as depression.