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Research in Psychology and Behavioral Sciences. 2023, 11(1), 12-21
DOI: 10.12691/rpbs-11-1-3
Open AccessArticle

The Association between Mindset and Perceived Psychological Wellbeing within the Armed Forces. A PERMA Model Perspective

Watkinson A.D1, McGann D1 and Riby L.M1,

1Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Pub. Date: June 04, 2023
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Cite this paper:
Watkinson A.D, McGann D and Riby L.M. The Association between Mindset and Perceived Psychological Wellbeing within the Armed Forces. A PERMA Model Perspective. Research in Psychology and Behavioral Sciences. 2023; 11(1):12-21. doi: 10.12691/rpbs-11-1-3

Abstract

Research on fixed and growth mindset has primarily focused on goal achievement in such settings as education and sports performance. Although providing critical insights into the positive impacts of mindset, we cannot assume that a growth mindset is desirable in other domains such as psychological wellbeing. This pilot investigation focused on the relationship between growth, fixed mindset, and different components of wellbeing in a military population where unique stressors are anticipated. Sixty-three participants completed online self-report measures of mindset, focused explicitly on intelligence (growth mindset scale), personality (kind of person implicit theory scale) and the PERMA profiler measure of wellbeing. The results indicated that mindset accounted for significant variance in all aspects of wellbeing besides health and loneliness. A multiple regression analysis showed that a growth mindset regarding personality positively predicted positive emotion, engagement, meaning, accomplishment, and overall wellbeing. Interestingly, a growth mindset regarding intelligence was not a significant contributor to any of the PERMA factors. The results indicate that, within the targeted population, a growth mindset of personality is conducive to flourishing, whilst a mindset concerning intelligence is not a significant contributing factor. These data will provide the groundwork for studies exploring methods to support resilience in the armed forces.

Keywords:
mindset growth mindset fixed mindset wellbeing PERMA profiler intelligence personality armed forces military

Creative CommonsThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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