Enhancing strengths through the teaching of positive psychology.

摘要

Traditional psychological treatments primarily aim to ameliorate negatives, this intervention attempted to enhance strengths postulated by the Values In Action Classification (Peterson & Seligman, in press). Utilizing a pre- and post-intervention control group design, it was delivered to the experimental group (n = 35) through an experiential course in Positive Psychology, while the control group (n = 30) took a course in Abnormal Psychology. The participants in the both groups were traditional age undergraduate and graduate students from a diverse ethno-cultural backgrounds studying at a metropolitan campus. The intervention presented the VIA strengths with an emphasis on exploring and enhancing strengths through cognitive-behavioral strategies included readings, watching an assigned film on each strength, writing a reaction paper weekly and group discussions and exercises. After adjusting for pre-intervention VIA scores, results indicated that the experimental group demonstrated significant, positive changes on 17 of 24 strengths. Zest, Playfulness & Humor, Social Intelligence and Judgment were found to be more malleable than Self-regulation, Humility & Modesty, Perspective, and Citizenship & Teamwork. Consistent with the VIA classification, non-signature strengths did not change even when attempted deliberately, whereas signature strengths increased without deliberate efforts. Subjective appraisal of most signature strengths (self-identified) did not associate with objective appraisals (signature strengths independently identified by three significant others and by corresponding VIA strength scores) suggesting that signature strengths might not have much cross-situational generality. Along with locating strengths within participants, the study also attempted to locate participants in their broader socio-cultural life conditions such as---Social Support, Health, Spirituality, Volunteerism and Life Satisfaction, all significantly associated with most VIA strengths. Results also indicated that enhancement of VIA strengths like Intimate Attachment, Kindness, Leadership, and Forgiveness & Mercy is mediated by optimal physical health. Future studies should explore developmental patterns, stability of gains and functional outcomes associated with VIA strengths.