Awe has been shown to promote well-being through various mechanisms (see Monroy & Keltner, 2023). In this research, we propose a novel perspective for the well-being benefits of awe: Awe fosters equanimity-a balanced state of mind toward all experiences of any valence-and we document how this works, namely, through temporal distancing. Across seven studies, using a combination of experiments, big data analytics, and intervention methods, we provide support for our hypotheses. In Studies 1-3, induced awe increased equanimity, indexed by a self-report scale (Study 1), a decrease in emotional reactivity (Study 2), and an unbiased behavioral approach to positive and negative experiences (Study 3). In Studies 4-6, awe increased equanimity via temporal distancing. This effect persisted beyond self-diminishment (i.e., feeling small and insignificant) and proved to be cross-culturally robust (Study 4). An analysis of almost 200,000 posts on social media (Study 5) revealed that the proposed mediation model manifested in ecologically rich contexts. Study 6 provided causal evidence for the mediation model. Finally, in a 5-day awe intervention (Study 7), awe increased psychological and physical well-being, with equanimity accounting for these benefits. Taken together, these findings reveal that awe cultivates a balanced state of mind by shifting one's temporal perspective on life events. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pspa0000410 | DOI Listing |
J Pers Soc Psychol
December 2024
Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley.
Awe has been shown to promote well-being through various mechanisms (see Monroy & Keltner, 2023). In this research, we propose a novel perspective for the well-being benefits of awe: Awe fosters equanimity-a balanced state of mind toward all experiences of any valence-and we document how this works, namely, through temporal distancing. Across seven studies, using a combination of experiments, big data analytics, and intervention methods, we provide support for our hypotheses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
December 2024
Department of Mathematics, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755.
J Homosex
December 2024
Department of Sociology and Behavioral Sciences, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines.
The school, like many other social institutions, is not immune from the far reaches of heteronormativity. To further understand and challenge such an oppressive regime, our study paid closer attention to how selected gay men wield their agency in the context of higher educational institutions (HEIs) in the Philippines. Our analysis is anchored on the assumptions of the theory of the Chordal Triad of Agency (CTA).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAppl Psychol Health Well Being
February 2025
Research Center for Psychology and Social Development, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
Existing evidence has indicated that adopting a temporally distanced perspective can enhance the search for and presence of meaning in life. However, this effect may not hold among individuals facing highly stressful situations, as meaning-search might be considered dysfunctional in such contexts. Furthermore, prior research has not distinguished between near and distant perspectives when examining the impact of temporal distancing on meaning-search and meaning-presence.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Public Health
September 2024
Risk Assessment Department, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Maisons-Alfort, France.
Introduction: Several COVID-19 outbreaks have been reported in meat processing plants in different countries. The aim of this study was to assess the environmental and socio-economic risk factors favouring the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in meat processing plants and to describe the prevention measures implemented.
Methods: Data from epidemiological investigations of COVID-19 clusters in France, the scientific literature, structured interviews and site visits were collected and summarised to investigate the main risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection in meat processing plants, including determinants within and outside the workplace.
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