A Closer Look at the Relationship between Life Satisfaction and Job Performance Abstract The central aim of this research was to examine the mediating role of bonding social capital and affective commitment in the life satisfaction – job performance relationship. The proposed relationships were tested by conducting two survey studies within the context of two separate Pakistani organizations. For study 1, the sample comprised of 183 employees who were drawn from a new start-up company; whereas, for study 2 the sample consisted of 187 employees who were working in a large footwear company. Both studies used identical variables with the only difference being that in study 1 in-role performance and innovative work behaviour were used as the two indicators of job performance; whereas, for study 2 innovative work behaviour was replaced with organizational citizenship behaviour. Structural equation modelling was used to test the direct and mediating effects. Results showed that in both studies, bonding social capital and affective commitment fully mediated the link between life satisfaction and the different facets of job performance. The implications and limitations of this research are discussed.

Does Social Isolation Affect Medical Doctor Visits? New Evidence Among European Older Adults Abstract We aimed to determine whether social isolation is associated with higher health-care utilization among European older adults. We have used panel data (2004–2015) from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) to examine the impact of social isolation on general practitioner health-care use. More precisely, we have considered negative binomial panel count data models to study the main driving factors. Socio-demographic, health, and social isolation measures are analyzed. Differences by Welfare Regimes have been also considered. Using two definitions of social isolation (Alone and Help), we have found that a sizeable proportion of those aged 50 years and older in Europe reported social isolation. Our results showed that while non-partnership was significantly and positively correlated with health-care utilization (β = 0.03), providing help was significantly and negatively related with physician visits considering the full sample of European countries (β = −0.09). Differences by Welfare Regimes are highlighted. Also, Mediterranean countries consume more health-care services than other European ones. Targeting interventions for social isolated elders may significantly decrease general practitioner consultations and so health-care costs. Our findings provide several implications in current debates on the sustainability of welfare states.

Environmental Psychology and Quality of Life Research

Assessing Loneliness in UAE Populations: the Relationship with Age, Gender, Marital Status, and Academic Performance Abstract This study evaluates the extent of loneliness among tertiary students and the wider population in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and examines its association with age, gender, marital status and academic performance. The study used the Arabic version of the UCLA Loneliness Scale. A total of 1429 students from all colleges of the UAEU and 1431 participants from the UAE responded to the scale and to questions on gender, age, marital status and educational level. It was found that college students tended to score below average on the loneliness scale and that males tended to score slightly lower than females. As for the wider UAE community, the participants’ mean loneliness score was also below the scale average and there were no statistically significant differences between males and females or between married and single persons. With respect to age, it was found that only among unmarried participants was age significantly correlated with loneliness. Interestingly enough, the relationship between academic performance as measured by GPA and loneliness levels was not statistically significant for either gender. These results were discussed within the UAE cultural context and the related literature.

Subjective Well-Being of Bullied Children in Indonesia Abstract This study aimed to explore sibling bullying and school bullying across three age groups (8, 10, and 12 years old) in Indonesia (N = 21,002; 49.44% boys, 50.56% girls) and how these bullying actions (physical, psychological, verbal) affect children’s subjective well-being. The study used data from the third wave of Children’s Worlds Survey, which was conducted in West Java Province. Bullying actions were measured by reported frequency of experiencing being bullied by siblings and other children during the last month. Subjective well-being (SWB) was measured using the Children’s Worlds Subjective Well-Being Scale (CW-SWBS). Data were analysed using structural equation modelling. Being hit by siblings displayed significant effects on the CW-SWBS for Grades 6 and 2, while being called unkind names by siblings showed significant effects in the three grades. Being hit by other children at school did not display a significant effect on the CW-SWBS for Grades 2 and 4, and only a low level of significance for Grade 6. Being left out by children in class showed significant effects for all grades. Being called unkind names by children at school displayed significant effects for Grades 2 and 4 and was non-significant for Grade 6. Many Indonesian children who are victims of bullying seem to have adapted to physical bullying to maintain their level of SWB through buffers (behaviour and good relationships). The incidence of bullying in Indonesian children is very worrying and it must be taken into account by parents and teachers that these children may be at risk, although they remain passive to the situation in apparently a conformist way, by reporting rather high SWB scores.

From Unemployment to Employment and Back: Professional Trajectories and Well-Being Abstract So far, only few studies have considered different aspects of well-being in studying losing or gaining employment. We examined life satisfaction, mental health, and the orientations to pleasure, engagement, and meaning over two years in a large sample of the Swiss labor force (N = 1231). We analyzed four different trajectories: Individuals always being employed, never being employed, those who lost employment, and those who gained employment. Results showed that losing and gaining employment went along with expected changes in life satisfaction and mental health. Additionally, gaining employment went along with increases in the orientations to pleasure, engagement, and meaning while a decrease in the orientation to pleasure was observed in the constantly unemployed. Further, life satisfaction was predictive for gaining employment, mental health problems were predictive for losing employment, and the orientations to pleasure, engagement, and meaning were unrelated to the future employment status. We conclude, in line with earlier studies, that well-being might be an important resource for coping with vulnerabilities and could be used for identifying risk groups with regard to employment status.

Particip-active Musical Performance: Quality of Life at a Seniors’ Village in South Africa Abstract With increasing life expectancy around the globe, both developed and developing countries face greater ageing populations. South Africa is no different as ageing impacts on quality of life. This paper situates itself within a wider study Spirituality and Well-being: Music in the community. It focuses on a mixed voice choir based in the Somerset West area (near Cape Town). The senior citizens in this choir are all ex-professional people bar one, almost all residing in this affluent retirement home. Using case study methodology and drawing on questionnaire data, we employ Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis as an analytical tool to code the data and report on these overarching themes: Sense of Community and Social Relationships, The Desire to Learn and Try New Things, and Creating New Spiritual Selves. Our findings show that through ‘particip-action’ and performance, in both formal and informal settings, participants have the opportunity to actively learn, experience and question their sense of spirituality, and engage in a leisure activity like singing which significantly contributes to their life quality. This case study adds to the wider body of research that promotes active participation for all seniors. In a country like South Africa, where there is much disparity between the haves and have nots, we argue that singing is an effective medium that may contribute to the lives of all seniors despite their financial background. As this is a small-scale study, a limitation in itself, generalization to other countries or communities cannot be made.

Personality, Luck Beliefs, and (Non-?) Problem Lottery Gambling Abstract This study offers both the first systematic investigation of the relationship between the five-factor personality model and general (ostensibly non-problem) lottery gambling, and the first application of Thompson and Prendergast’s (2013) bidimensional model of luck beliefs to gambling behavior. Cross-sectional analyses (N = 844) indicate the bidimensional model of luck beliefs significantly accounts for variance in lottery gambling that is discrete from and greater than that of the five-factor personality model. Moreover, the broad pattern of relationships we find between presumably harmless state-sponsored lottery gambling and both personality and luck beliefs tend to parallel those found in studies of problem gambling, suggesting implications for quality of life and public policy in relation to lottery gambling.

Correction to: Factors Influencing the Maternal Life Balance of Flemish Mothers, a Cross-Sectional Study The author name Roxanne Bleijenbergh was incorrectly published as Roxanne van Bleijnbergh in the above article.

Factors Influencing the Maternal Life Balance of Flemish Mothers, a Cross-Sectional Study Abstract This cross-sectional study examined the levels of maternal life balance and its influencing factors. The sample was composed of 731 Flemish mothers who self-reported on perceived maternal life balance; maternal-infant bonding; emotional wellbeing and coping responses to motherhood. Sociodemographic details were obtained. Mothers overall perceived life balance. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a model with predictors of perceived maternal life balance: Sense of coherence (B.157; p.000), level of education (B.035; p.000), seeking social support (B.064; p.008) and shared parenting (B.080; p.030) had a significant positive relationship with maternal life balance. Low emotional wellbeing (B-.273; p.000), income level (B-.144; p < .000), maternal age (B−.009; p.011) had a significant negative relationship with maternal life balance. To establish and maintain maternal life balance, Flemish mothers, mothers ≥31 years of age in particular, would benefit from support during their children’s pre-primary school age-period, irrespective of maternal socio-economic characteristics. Professional and peer support should include the dialogue about transition to motherhood, adaptation of the maternal identity and about maternal role attainment. The woman’s emotional wellbeing, her concerns about motherhood, her coping resources and what motherhood means to the individual woman should be considered. Education of professionals and future research, with specific attention to co-parents, older mothers and mothers with a non-Flemish background, are recommended.