Profile of Self-transcendence in Emerging Adults: An Indicator of their Positive Emotions and Flourishing

Description

Ananya Pragnya Roy Sharma, Suvashisa Rana, and Naga Seema (Centre for Psychology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Telangana)

Although several studies reveal an association between self-transcendence values and favourable mental health, there remains a dearth of explanations regarding how self-transcendental ideals influence positive development during emerging adulthood. Thus, the present study seeks to explore the profile of self-transcendence in emerging adults and examine its role in influencing their positive emotions and flourishing. The study also aims to identify the important confounding variables. The authors have surveyed a group of 260 emerging adults recruited from different universities. Three standardized measures are used: the Questionnaire on Self-Transcendence, Flourishing Scale, and Modified Differential Emotions Scale. K-means cluster analysis reveals three clusters based on three dimensions of self-transcendence: distancing, observing oneself, and inter-transcendence. The reliability of the classification is validated using discriminant analysis. Furthermore, the results of the One-Way MANOVA suggest that the profile of self-transcendence plays a significant role in determining the positive emotions and flourishing of emerging adults. The three clusters of emerging adults are not confounded by the major demographic variables. These preliminary findings suggest a close association between self-transcendence, positive emotions, and flourishing of emerging adults. Further research in this area is needed, encompassing other key dimensions of positive mental health. The implications and shortcomings are discussed.