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The relationship between self- and other directed motives in letters from the future and mental health

Lollies, F. (2013) The relationship between self- and other directed motives in letters from the future and mental health.

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Abstract:This study aims to explore the relationship between self- and other directed motives in letters from the future and mental health, because no empirical studies give evidence for this relationship. To study these relationship persons from different age and demography were invited via snowball and convenience sampling to participate in this study. The sample consists of 447 persons and within this study mixed method design with a cross-sectional character was applied. Further two data collection instruments were used which are MHC-SF questionnaire and a letter from the future. For the analysis of the motives within the letters, the valuation system of Hermans which consists of six types of valuations was used. The valuations refer to the S-motive which is an indicator for self-enhancement and to the O-motives which is an indicator for the striving for the contact to others. It seems that all six types of valuations are identifiable by the letter from the future method. Further the method gives insight in the diversity of motives while imagine a positive future. Most motives are the +S, standing for positive self-enhancement and +O, representing positive contact with others. It seems that people mostly associate positive motives with the future while doing positive futuring. Differences in the diversity of the valuation systems do not mean statistically significant differences on the MHC-SF score. But it seems that the letter from the future is feasible to access the implicit motives of a person. Further research is necessary to investigate the strengths and limitations of the future letter as a screening instrument for mental health or illness in psychological practice.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology BSc (56604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/63255
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