SOSHANI AND STEINMETZ (2014)- CONCEPTS, THEORIES

Question 1

Main Context- Why was there a need for positive psychology?

Answer 1

1) Increase in MH disorders in youth: Costello et al (2004) reported that there has been a dramatic increase in the number of reported mental health disorders in adolescence, since the late 1990s.
2) Increase of MH disorders and general unhappiness: Huebner et al (2000) found that 25% American students reported: An ‘unhappy’ or ‘terrible’ existence or high levels of negative school and family experiences.
3) Shifting education culture: There has been a shift in the education system as it begins the prioritise academic achievement with less of a focus on social and emotional educational components.

4) Positive psychology as an answer? During this time, Positive psychology has progressed in terms of understanding these trends, and create interventions in order to address them.

Question 2

What did Huebner et al. (2000) find regarding the mental health of American students?

Answer 2

• 25% of American students reported: having an ‘unhappy’ or ‘terrible’ existence and high levels of negative school and family experinces.

Question 3

What is positive psychology?

Answer 3

The scientific study of the 3 happy lives.

Question 4

What are the 3 happy lives?

Answer 4

• The Good life
• The Pleasant life
• The Meaningful

Question 5

How does the DUAL FACTOR MODEL (DFM) define mental health?

Answer 5

Mental heath should be defined as 2 distinct but related dimentions:
One dimension is mental health problems.
One dimension is positive and subjective wellbeing- refering to a general good feeling about life, relationships and one’s purpose.
The model stresses that both can exists at the same time.
Subjective well-being itself consists of a cognitive and affective component.

it’s possible to have moments of purpose, happiness (high wellbeing) but still struggle with mental health issues.

Question 6

What two components does subjective well-being consist of?

Answer 6

It consists of 2 components
1) Cognitive component- refers to life satisfaction
2) Affective component -refers to experiencing positive feelings/ absence of negative feelings

Question 7

Why is subjective well-being especially important for students?

Answer 7

Subjective wellbeing is very important for students as its associated with academic success and health (Antaramian et al 2010) and better relationships (Gilman & Huebner 2006).

Question 8

What 2 approaches has been used to explain well-being?

Answer 8

• Hedonic approach
• Eudaimonic approach

Question 9

What is the Hedonic approach?

Answer 9

Maximising pleasure, positive emotions, and life satisfaction; minimising negative feelings.

Students in the experimental group showed higher self-esteem and fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression- These are classic hedonic indicators of improved well-being.

Question 10

What is the Eudamaic approach?

Answer 10

Developing one’s potential, building resilience, and living a meaningful, fulfilling life.

Increases in self-efficacy and optimism suggest students were becoming more confident, capable, and growth-oriented.

These outcomes reflect the eudaimonic perspective, which values personal development over just feeling good.