Psikolojik İyi Oluşun Yordayıcıları Olarak Şükran, Umut, İyimserlik ve Yaşam Doyumu

Yıl 2019, Cilt: 19 Sayı: 82, 81 - 100, 31.07.2019

Ferhat Kardas , Zekeriya Cam , Mustafa Eskısu , Sedat Gelıbolu

Öz

Problem Durumu: 19. yüzyılın sonlarında
başlayıp İkinci Dünya Savaşı’na kadar devam eden süreçte, psikoloji alanında
genel anlamda hayatın negatif yönlerine odaklanan, sorunları teşhis ve tedaviye
yoğunlaşan ve bireylerin güçlü yönleri yerine sorunlu yönlerine odaklanan bir
yaklaşımın egemen olduğu görülmektedir. Özellikle İkinci Dünya Savaşı’ndan
sonra savaşın etkisi, hümanizm anlayışının yaygınlaşması, hayatın pozitif
yönlerini kucaklamaya yönelik ihtiyaç psikolojide hakim paradigmada
farklılaşmalara neden olmuştur. Bu çerçevede Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow gibi
öncülerin çalışmalarının etkisiyle insanların güçlü yönlerine olan vurgu
artmaya başlamıştır. Pozitif psikoloji yaklaşımı patoloji (hastalık) odaklı bu
bakış açısına önemli eleştiriler getirmiş ve psikolojinin hayatın pozitif
yönlerini kucaklaması gerektiğini ve bireylerin güçlü yönlerine odaklanarak
onların iyi oluşlarını arttırmayı hedeflemesi gerektiğini ileri sürmüştür. Bu
çerçevede ortaya çıkan ortaya çıkan çalışmalar 2000’li yılların başında Pozitif
Psikoloji alanının sistematik olarak ortaya çıkmasına zemin hazırlamıştır.
Pozitif psikoloji yaklaşımının yaygınlaşmasıyla birlikte mutluluk, iyi oluş,
yaşam doyumu gibi konular sıkılıkla araştırılmaya başlanmıştır. Bu bağlamda
bireylerin yaşam doyumlarını ve iyi oluş düzeylerini yordayan değişkenlerin
ortaya konulması ve bu değişkenlere ilişkin çeşitli kuramsal ve uygulamalı
çalışmaların gerçekleştirilmesi önem kazanmıştır. Bu bağlamda şükran, umut,
iyimserlik ve yaşam doyumu değişkenlerinin birbirileriyle olan ilişkilerinin
ortaya konulması ve bu değişkenlerin iyi oluşu yordama düzeylerinin ortaya
konulmasının yararlı olacağı düşünülmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

İyi oluş, şükran, umut, iyimserlik, yaşam doyumu

Gratitude, Hope, Optimism and Life Satisfaction as Predictors of Psychological Well-Being

Öz

Purpose: The
mainstream psychology has mostly focused on the negative factors that threaten
human mental health. With the emergence of positive psychology approach, the
human strengths have started to be studied and the number of studies on the
issue of happiness and well-being has increased. The aim of this research is to
reveal the level of prediction for psychological well-being by the variables of
gratitude, hope, optimism and life satisfaction.

Method: Research sample consisted of 510 students from various faculties
and departments of four different universities. The study group consisted of
359 female (70.4%) and 151 male (29.6%) university students. The age range of
participants varied between 17 and 30. 

Findings: All the variables discussed in the study were positively related to each
other, and the variables of gratitude, optimism, hope, and life satisfaction
all together accounted for about 51% of the variance of psychological
well-being. Gratitude was determined as the most predictive variable for
well-being and it was followed by the variables; hope, optimism, and life
satisfaction, respectively. Accordingly; gratitude predicted 35.4% of the variance
in well-being alone; gratitude and hope predicted 45.4% together; gratitude,
hope, and optimism predicted 48.8% together; while gratitude, hope, optimism,
and life satisfaction predicted 50.7% percent altogether.

Implications for Research
and Practice: These findings are thought to
be important in terms of revealing variables that predict well-being with a
high level of variance. It is thought that these findings can be used in the
field of mental health especially by the researchers and practitioners using
intervention studies. Especially, since the gratitude level accounts for 35.4%
of the variance in well-being alone, gratitude interventions can effectively be
used to improve well-being level.

Anahtar Kelimeler

well-being, gratitude, hope, optimism, life satisfaction

Kaynakça

• Akman, Y., & Korkut, F. (1993). Umut ölcegi uzerine bir calişma [A Study on Hope Scale] Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 9, 193-202. Retrieved from http://www.efdergi.hacettepe.edu.tr/shw_artcl-1370.html
• Atik, G.,& Atik, Z. E. (2017). Predicting hope levels of high school students: The role of academic self-efficacy and problem-solving. Education and Science, 42(190), 157-169. https://doi.org/10.15390/EB.2017.5348
• Aydin, G., &Tezer, E. (1991). İyimserlik, sağlık sorunları ve akademik başarı ilişkisi [The relationship between optimism, health problems and academic achievement]. TürkPsikolojiDergisi, 26(7), 2-9.
• Buyukozturk, S. (2013). Sosyal bilimler için veri analizi elkitabı: İstatistik, araştırma deseni, SPSS uygulamaları ve yorum [Handbook of data analysis for social sciences: Statistics, research design, SPSS applications and interpretation]. (18. Baskı). Ankara: Pegem Akademi Yayınları.
• Carr, A. (2013). Positive psychology: The science of happiness and human strengths. Routledge.
• Chan, D. W. (2013). Subjective well-being of Hong Kong Chinese teachers: The contribution of gratitude, forgiveness, and the orientations to happiness. Teaching and Teacher Education, 32, 22-30. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0742051X12001837
• Chang, E. C.,&Sanna, L. J. (2001). Optimism, pessimism, and positive and negative affectivity in middle-aged adults: A test of a cognitive-affective model of psychological adjustment. Psychology and Aging, 16(3), 524-531. https://doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.16.3.524
• Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The satisfaction with life scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49(1), 71-75. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa4901_13
• Diener, E. (2000). Subjective well-Being: The science of happiness and a proposal for a National Index. American Psychologist, 55, 1, 34-43. Retrievedfrom https://psycnet.apa.org/journals/amp/55/1/34/
• Diener, E., Wirtz, D., Tov, W., Kim-Prieto, C., Choi, D. W., Oishi, S.,& Biswas-Diener, R. (2010). New well-being measures: Short scales to assess flourishing and positive and negative feelings. Social Indicators Research, 97(2), 143-156. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-009-9493-y
• Durak, M., Senol-Durak, E., & Gencoz, T. (2010). Psychometric properties of the satisfaction with life scale among Turkish university students, correctional officers, and elderly adults. Social Indicators Research, 99(3), 413-429. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-010-9589-4
• Dursun, P. (2012). The role of meaning in life, optimism, hope, and coping styles in subjective well-being. (Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation). Middle East Technical University, Graduate School of Social Sciences, Ankara.
• Emmons, R. A. (2009). Gratitude. In The Encyclopedia of Positive Psychology. (pp. 442-447). Willey-Blackwell.
• Emmons, R. A. (2004). The psychology of gratitude: An introduction. In R. A. Emmons & M. E. McCullough (Eds.), The psychology of gratitude(pp. 3–16). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
• Emmons, R. A., &McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 377–389.
• Eryilmaz, A., & Atak, H. (2001). The Relationships between adolescent subjective wellbeing, self-esteem and optimism. Electronic Journal of Social Sciences, 10(37), 170-181. Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/esosder/issue/6151/82621
• Eryilmaz, A.(2014). Üniversite öğrencileri için geliştirilen öznel iyi oluşu artırma programının etkililiğinin incelenmesi [Examining the effectiveness of the subjective well-being increasing program developed for university students]. Mehmet Akif Ersoy Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 1(31), 111-128. Retrieved from http://dergipark.gov.tr/maeuefd/article/206247
• Fredrickson, B. L. (2004). Gratitude, like other positive emotions, broadens and builds. In R. A. Emmons & M. E. McCullough (Eds.), The psychology of gratitude (pp. 145-166). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195150100.003.0008
• Guse, T.,&Shaw, M. (2018). Hope, Meaning in Life and Well-Being Among a Group of Young Adults. In Hopefor a Good Life (pp. 63-77). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-78470-0_3
• Gündoğdu, R., &Yavuzer, Y. (2012). Eğitim fakültesi öğrencilerinin öznel iyi oluş ve psikolojik ihtiyaçlarının demografik değişkenlere göre incelenmesi [Examining subjective well-being and psychological needs of students at the educational faculty according to demographic variables]. Mehmet Akif Ersoy Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 12(23), 115 – 131. Retrieved from http://acikerisim.aksaray.edu.tr/xmlui/handle/20.500.12451/1085
• Hefferon, K.,&Boniwell, I. (2011). Positivepsychology: Theory, researchandapplications. McGraw-HillEducation.
• Ilhan, T., & Ozbay, Y. (2016). Yaşam amaclarinin ve psikolojik ihtiyac doyumunun oznel iyi olus uzerindeki yordayici rolu [The Predictive role of life goals and psychological need satisfaction on subjective well-being]. Türk Psikolojik Danışma ve Rehberlik Dergisi, 4(34), 109-118. Retrieved from http://eds.a.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&sid=12eef767-91e1-4a49-be01-e4ffbee235d7%40sdc-v-sessmgr02
• Karasar, N. (2011). Bilimsel arastirma yontemi [Scientific research methodology]. Ankara: Nobel.
• Kardas, F. (2017). Universite ogrencilerinde bir model sinamasi: pozitif duyguların ve kisisel kaynaklarin etkilesimi [Testing a model on thecollege students: interaction of positive feelings and personal resources]. (Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation). Ankara Üniversitesi Eğitim Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Ankara.
• Kardas, F., & Yalcin, İ. (2018). Sukran: Ruh Sağliği Alaninda Guncel Bir Kavram. Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklasimlar - CurrentApproaches in Psychiatry, 10(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.18863/pgy.334494
• Kardas, F., & Yalcin, İ. (2019). Sükran olcegi: Gecerlik ve guvenirlik calismasi (Gratitude scale: Validity and reliability study). Electronic Journal of Social Sciences. 18(69): 13-31. https://doi.org/10.17755/esosder.406306
• Kucuksille, E. (2010). SPSS uygulamaları, cok degiskenli istatistik teknikleri [SPSS applications and multivariate statistical techniques]. (In: Ş. Kalaycı (ed). Ankara: AsilYayınDağıtım.
• Lin, C. C. (2015). Gratitude and depression in young adults: The mediating role of self-esteem and well-being. Personality and Individual Differences, 87, 30-34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2015.07.017
• Lyubomirsky, S. (2008). The how of happiness: A scientific approach to getting life you want. New York: The Penguin Press.
• McCullough, M. E. (2002). Savoring life, past and present: Explaining what hope and gratitude share in common. Psychological Inquiry, 13(4), 302–304. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/1448873
• Nelson, S.K., &Lyubomirsky, S. (2016). Gratitude. In: H. S. Friedman (Ed), Encyclopedia of Mental Health (2. Bas). (pp. 277-280). Waltham, MA: Academic Press.
• Oguz Duran, N., & Tan, S. (2013). Minnettarlik ve yasam amaclari yazma calismalarinin oznel iyi olusa etkisi [The Effects of gratitude and life goals writing tasks on subjective well-being]. Türk Psikolojik Danışma ve Rehberlik Dergisi, 5(40), 154-166. Retrieved from Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/tpdrd/issue/21460/229894
• Peterson, C. (2000). The future of optimism. American Psychologist, 55, 44–55. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.44
• Robustelli, B. L., &Whisman, M. A. (2018). Gratitude and life satisfaction in the United States and Japan. Journal of Happiness Studies, 19(1), 41-55. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-016-9802-5
• Roberts, R.C. (2004). The Blessings of gratitude. In R. A. Emmons & M. E. McCullough (Eds.), The psychology of gratitude (pp. 58–78). ). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195150100.003.0004
• Sapmaz, F., & Dogan, T. (2012). Iyimserligin mutluluk ve yasam doyumuna etkisinin incelenmesi [Examination of the Effect of Optimism on Happiness and Life Satisfaction]. Mersin Universitesi Egitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 8(3), 63-69. Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/mersinefd/issue/17381/181487
• Scheier, M. F.,& Carver, C. S. (1985). Optimism, coping and health: Assessment and implications of generalized outcome expectancies. Health Psychology, 4,(3) 219- 247. Retrieved from https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1986-19862-001
• Scheier, M. E., &Carver, C. S. (1987). Dispositional optimism and physical well‐being: The influence of generalized outcome expectancies on health. Journal of personality, 55(2), 169-210. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.1987.tb00434.x
• Segerstrom, S. C. (2007). Optimism and resources: Effects on each other and on health over 10 years. Journal of Research in Personality, 41, 772- 786. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092656606001127
• Seligman, M. E. P. (1999). Positive social science. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 1(3), 181-182. https://doi.org/10.1177/109830079900100306
• Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Authentic happiness: Using the new positive psychology to realize your potential for lasting fulfillment. Simonand Schuster.
• Seligman, M. E. P. (2006). Learned optimism: How to change your mind and your life. Vintage.
• Sheldon, K. M.,Corcoran, M., &Prentice, M. (2019). Pursuing eudaimonic functioning versus pursuing hedonic well-being: The first goal succeeds in its aim, whereas the second does not. Journal of Happiness Studies, 20(3), 919–933. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-018-9980-4.
• Shin, D. C., &Johnson, D. M. (1978). Avowed happiness as an overall assessment of the quality of life. Social Indicators Research, 5, 475-492. Retrievedfrom https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00352944
• Snyder, C. R. (2000). Handbook of hope: Theory, measures, and applications. In Handbook of hope: Theory, measures, and applications.
• Snyder, C. R., Harris, C., Anderson, J. R., Holleran, S. A., Irving, L. M., Sigmon, S. T., ... & Harney, P. (1991). The will and the ways: Development and validation of an individual-differences measure of hope. Journal of Personality And Social Psychology, 60(4), 570.https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.60.4.570
• Tabachnick, B. G., &Fidell, L. S. (2013). Using multivariate statistics (6th ed.). Pearson.
• Telef, B. B. (2013). Psikolojik iyi olus olceği: Türkceye uyarlama, gecerlik ve guvenirlik calisması [The Adaptation of Psychological Well-Being into Turkish: A Validity and Reliability Study]. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 28(28-3). Retrieved from http://dergipark.gov.tr/hunefd/issue/7791/101929
• Terzi, S. (2008). Universite ögrencilerinde kendini toparlama gucunun icsel koruyucu faktorlerle iliskisi [The Relationships between resilience and internal protective factors in university students]. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 35, 297-306. Retrieved from http://dergipark.gov.tr/hunefd/issue/7803/102295
• Uzun Ozer, B.,& Tezer, E. (2008). Umut ve olumlu-olumsuz duygular arasindaki ilişkiler [Relationship between hope and positive-negativeaffect]. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Buca Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 23, 81-86. Retrievedfrom http://dergipark.gov.tr/deubefd/issue/25428/268280
• Watkins, P. C., McLaughlin, T., & Parker, J. P. (2019). Gratitude and subjective well-being: Cultivating gratitude for a harvest of happiness. In Scientific Concepts Behind Happiness, Kindness, and Empathy in Contemporary Society (pp. 20-42). IGI Global.
• Watkins, P. C.,Woodward, K., Stone, T.,&Kolts, R. L. (2003). Gratitude and happiness: Development of a measure of gratitude, and relationships with subjective well-being. Social Behavior and Personality, 31(5), 431–452. https://doi.org/10.2224/sbp.2003.31.5.431
• Witvliet, C. van O., Richie, F. J., Root Luna, L. M., & Van Tongeren, D. R. (2019). Gratitude predicts hope and happiness: A two-study assessment of traits and states. Journal of Positive Psychology, 14(3), 271–282. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2018.1424924
• Wood, A. M., Froh, J.J., & Geraghty, A.W.A. (2010). Gratitude and well-being: A review and theoretical integration. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(7), 890–905. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.03.005
• Yang, Y.,Zhang, M. &Kou, Y. (2016). Self-compassionand life satisfaction: Themediating role of hope,PersonalityandIndividual Differences,98, 91–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.03.086
• Young, M. E., & Hutchinson, T.S. (2012). The Rediscovery of gratitude: Implications for counseling practice. Journal of Humanistic Counseling, 51, 99-113. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-1939.2012.00008.x