Event

Part of the BCTR’s Talks at Twelve Series

Talk 1: Motivating the Study of Intersectional Flourishing: Explorations in Natural Language Use – Dakota W. Cintron, Postdoctoral Associate

Understanding how human flourishing is conceptualized across diverse populations is essential for a comprehensive assessment of well-being. This study investigates how Black and white Americans define the good life in their own words. Using topic modeling, we analyze open-ended responses to the question “What do you do to make your life go well?” from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study (n = 1711). Our findings reveal commonalities and differences in how the good life is understood and expressed across diverse populations. We identified several topics that captured different facets of flourishing, such as leisure activities, health and wellness habits, financial management, coping strategies, social engagement and connection, spirituality and faith, personal and professional development, and unconditional happiness. We also find significant variations in language use and topic prevalence across racial and intersectional subgroups. These findings reveal novel insights into the multifaceted nature of human flourishing, shedding light on the divergent perspectives of Black and white Americans regarding the constituents of a fulfilling life. By uncovering unique dimensions and language patterns, this study challenges conventional measures and underscores the pressing need for more nuanced instruments to comprehensively assess well-being in diverse populations.

Talk 2: Integrative Data Analysis of Positive Psychology Interventions – Kenneth Tyler Wilcox, Postdoctoral Associate

Positive psychology interventions (PPIs) have been shown to increase well-being and resilience in nonclinical populations, as well as in patients with mild to moderate depressive symptoms. However, individual studies of PPIs are generally underpowered and the current evidence regarding their efficacy and for whom, when, and how they work remains limited. This talk proposes integrative data analysis as a means to better synthesize and understand PPIs. New hybrid methods combining meta-analysis and integrative data analysis are proposed to combine studies providing full participant-level data and summary statistics to maximize generalizability and precision, account for key sources of heterogeneity, and develop commensurate measures to examine PPI efficacy over time. In tandem with the growing adoption of more rigorous scientific practices such as study preregistration and data sharing, cumulative data analysis methods can provide new answers to better understand and improve PPIs.