Research

Situating Psychological Well-Being: Exploring the Cultural Roots of Its Theory and Research

John Chambers Christopher

Psychological well-being is a seminal concept in counseling and yet it is seldom discussed, researched, or critiqued; this article examines the cultural values and assumptions underlying its theory and research. Contemporary understandings of psychological and subjective well-being are placed in cultural and historical context to illuminate their Euro-American cultural roots. Approaches to psychological well-being are shown to presuppose ontological and liberal individualism as notions of the self and as normative prescriptions for the good or ideal person. It is argued that culture-free theories or measures of well-being are unattainable; all understandings of psychological well-being are based on moral visions.

Edwards, L. M., & Romero, A. J. (in press). Coping with discrimination: An exploration of strategies used by Mexican descent adolescents. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences.

Edwards, L. M., Holtz, C. A., & Green, M. B. (in press). Promoting strengths among culturally diverse youth in schools. School Psychology Forum.

Ong, A. D., & Edwards, L. M. (in press). Positive emotions and adjustment to perceived racism. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology.

Edwards, L. M., Ong, A. D., & Lopez, S. J. (2007). Hope measurement in Mexican American youth. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 29, 225-241.

Ong, A. D., Edwards, L. M., & Bergeman, C. S. (2006). Hope as a source of resilience in later adulthood. Personality and Individual Differences, 41, 1263-1273.

Edwards, L. M. & Lopez, S. J. (2006). Perceived family support, acculturation, and life satisfaction in Mexican American youth: A mixed methods exploration. Journal ofCounseling Psychology, 53, 279-287.

Positive Emotion Styles Linked to Common Cold

Positive emotions may increase resistance to the common cold, according to a recent study in Psychosomatic Medicine (Vol. 65, No. 1). The research by Sheldon Cohen, PhD, of Carnegie Mellon University and colleagues adds to a body of literature that suggests that emotional styles influence health.

Robitschek, C. (2002). Validity of Personal Growth Initiative Scale Scores With a Mexican American College Student Population. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 50 (4), 496 - 502.

Please send any articles you would like to see added to this page to Dr. Daniel Singley.