The effect of a positive psychology intervention on psychosocial well-being among a group of early adolescents

Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a positive psychology intervention on the psychosocial well-being of a group of adolescents between the ages of 12 and 13 using a quasi-experimental quantitative approach. The positive psychology intervention was implemented over a four week period within the school setting, and consisted of one half-hour session per week. Intervention activities focused on enhancing positive emotions about the past, in the present, and toward the future through meditation, gratitude activities, a savouring exercise, a kindness intervention, identifying and developing character strengths and an optimism enhancing exercise. Complete data at baseline, one-week post-intervention, and 5-week follow-up was gathered from 95 grade seven scholars who were randomly assigned to the experimental (intervention) condition (n = 44) or control group (n=51). The control group received no intervention and no placebo. Data was gathered using the Mental Health Continuum – Short Form (MHC-SF) for adolescents to measure well-being, and the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale – Short Version (RCADS-SV) as the indicator for anxiety and depression. While no significant changes were indicated in the control group in either well-being or pathology, quantitative data revealed promising results in the experimental group, suggesting that the brief intervention may have impacted on the psychosocial well-being of the adolescents indirectly by significantly decreasing symptoms of mental ill-health including anxiety and depression after follow-up analysis. Although no significant differences were found in psychosocial well-being per se, the significant decrease in anxiety and depression may increase well-being and in so doing promote flourishing adolescents. Furthermore, evidence suggests that well-being interventions have a delayed or long-term effect and as such future research ought to look at the effects of positive psychology interventions among a broader agerange and socio-economic group using longitudinal studies.M.A