scholarly journals Using Character Strengths to Address English Writing Anxiety

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 11-35
Author(s):  
Tammy Gregersen ◽  
Peter D. MacIntyre ◽  
Rachel Buck
Keyword(s):  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Positive Emotion ◽  
Significant Contribution ◽  
Character Strengths ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Writing Anxiety ◽  
English Writing ◽  
Case Study Analysis

Positive psychology has been introduced to the applied linguistics literature with the broad goal of improving the experience of language learners and teachers through a variety of interventions (MacIntyre & Mercer, 2014; Gabryś-Barker & Gałajda, 2016). “The aim of positive psychology is to catalyze a change in psychology from preoccupation only with repairing the worst things in life to also building the best qualities in life” (Seligman &Csikszentmihalyi, 2000, p. 5). One significant contribution of this young field has been a series of empirically-tested positive psychology interventions (PPIs) that have been shown to increase positive emotion, reduce distress, and/or improve well-being (Seligman, Steen, Park, & Peterson, 2005; Sin & Lyubormirsky, 2009). In the present research, we examine one application of a PPI involving a focus on using character strengths as a way to address language anxiety. Through a case study analysis, we demonstrate the ways that this intervention was beneficial for the student.             

scholarly journals Development of a Positive Psychology Program (LAVENDER) for Preserving Medical Student Well-being: A Single-Arm Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 216495612098848
Author(s):  
Elaine O Cheung ◽  
Ian Kwok ◽  
Allison B Ludwig ◽  
William Burton ◽  
Xinzi Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Student ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Positive Emotion ◽  
Albert Einstein College ◽  
Albert Einstein ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Psychology Program

Background Mental health tends to worsen over the course of medical school, with steep declines in well-being in students’ clerkship year (M3). Positive emotion promotes adaptive coping to stress and may help preserve medical student well-being. Objective This study describes the development of LAVENDER (Leveraging Affect and Valuing Empathy for Nurturing Doctors’ Emotional Resilience), a program aimed at increasing positive emotion to preserve well-being in medical students. Methods We conducted a single-arm pilot of LAVENDER, a positive psychology intervention developed for medical students delivered in an interactive classroom format to a cohort of 157 third-year medical students at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Our primary outcome was the acceptability of LAVENDER. We also examined preliminary efficacy using measures of emotion, stress and burnout collected at each intervention session. Results LAVENDER showed good acceptability: 76% of participants agreed that the LAVENDER skills were useful and 72% agreed that they would recommend the LAVENDER program to others. Qualitative feedback suggested that medical students enjoyed the program and found the skills to be useful for coping with stress, but also reported the following barriers to engagement: lack of time to practice the skills, resistance to the mandatory nature of the wellness sessions, and difficulty integrating the skills in daily life. We did not find support for the preliminary efficacy of LAVENDER for improving medical student well-being in students’ clerkship year. Participants showed decreases in positive emotion and increases in symptoms of burnout over the intervention period ( ps < .01). Conclusion The current paper describes the development and a single-arm pilot test of LAVENDER, a positive psychology program tailored for medical students. Although we found preliminary evidence for the acceptability of LAVENDER, we did not find support for the preliminary efficacy. Lessons learned and next steps for the program are discussed.

“What Do We Do For Snacks?”: The Perceived Role of Parks and Recreation Administrators in the Youth Sports Food Environment

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madison Augustine ◽  
Lori Andersen Spruance ◽  
J. Mitchell Vaterlaus
Keyword(s):  
Food Environment ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Youth Sports ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Study Analysis ◽  
Parks And Recreation ◽  
Case Study Analysis ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Sporting Activities

Dietary intake is influenced by multiple systems, as highlighted in the Social- Ecological Model, including community influences like community programs. In this context, parks and recreation administrators may have a role in the types of snacks and beverages provided during youth sports. The current study focused on understanding park administrators’ experiences relative to the youth sports environment, including their responsibility and influence on the food environment. This was an exploratory qualitative case study conducted in Utah. Semi-structured interviews with parks and recreation administrators were completed via phone by a research assistant. A qualitative case study analysis was conducted by two researchers. In addition to the interviews, the websites of all the park and recreation sites were searched and phone calls were made to check physical locations for nutrition fliers/information. Three themes emerged through qualitative case study analysis. The first theme was the administrators’ role in the youth parks and recreation activities. The second theme was the administrators’ awareness of the food environment within youth sports. The final theme was the administrators’ role in influencing more nutritious snacks at these youth sporting activities. The results from this case study suggest that the parks and recreation administrators within Utah valued the importance of nutritional snacks and beverages within youth sporting activities and were supportive of the food environment improving. Several of the parks and recreation administrators in this study agreed that their further involvement (i.e., guidelines on snacks and beverages) in the youth sports food environment could improve the environment and better effect youth who are participating, thus enhancing opportunities to improve overall health and well-being. The results from this study show that administrators could bring awareness to youth sports nutrition and support guidelines for the types of snacks and beverages brought to youth sporting activities. Administrators could work with dietitians to develop information that would be appropriate to distribute to youth sports participants and parents. Providing information about what kinds of snacks to bring has the possibility to improve the conditions of the youth sports food environment. Additionally, consideration for policy changes in youth sports and recreation center facilities could be explored.

scholarly journals Learning Strategies in Alleviating English Writing Anxiety for English Language Learners (ELLs) with Limited English Proficiency (LEP)

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Chia-Pei Wu ◽  
Huey-Ju Lin
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Limited English Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Learning Strategy ◽  
English Proficiency ◽  
Writing Anxiety ◽  
English Writing

<p>This study utilized the Oxford Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) and an English writing anxiety scale to examine the relationship between learning strategies and English writing anxiety in 102 university-level English language learners (ELLs) with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) in a university in Taiwan. Kruskal Wallis Test results revealed no significant association between learning strategies and English writing anxiety. The common learning strategies utilized by participants were compensation, social, memory and mixed strategies. The interview data indicated that ELLs suffered considerably from writing anxiety. Coping strategies of highly anxious ELL of each learning strategy group is also reported. However, further studies of larger populations and comparison of different ethnic groups as well as quantitative statistics analyses are needed.</p>

scholarly journals Towards a Strengths-Based Personal Informatics Framework for Transformative Tourism Experiences: A Phenomenological Study on Serious Leisure Practitioners

2022 ◽  
pp. 331-342
Author(s):  
C. K. Bruce Wan ◽  
Cees J. P. M. de Bont ◽  
Paul Hekkert ◽  
Kenny K. N. Chow
Keyword(s):  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Character Strengths ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Serious Leisure ◽  
Personal Informatics ◽  
Integral Role ◽  
Development Trajectories

AbstractPersonal technology plays an integral role in shaping people’s quality of life which includes leisure and tourism experiences. A number of personal informatics tools can support people in performing their activities by collecting biometric and environmental data; however, little is known regarding the use of psychological data to enrich leisure and tourism experiences. To address this research gap, this study aims to propose a conceptual framework that fosters memorable and meaningful leisure experiences (MMEs) based on theories from serious leisure and positive psychology. In particular, this study probes into the MMEs of serious leisure practitioners who put their efforts and resources into pursuing intrinsically rewarding leisure activities. Excelling at these activities, which may draw upon participants’ character strengths, yields sustained fulfillment which fosters personal transformation. The idiosyncratic nature of MMEs demands a phenomenological inquiry that involves in-depth interviews concerning the character strengths used and their development trajectories. Using theory triangulation from both positive psychology and serious leisure allows researchers to gain a holistic view of participants’ well-being. Character strengths were found to be the integral factors that contribute to MMEs at different stages of leisure activities. The result identified three aspects of strengths used: strengths well spent, reflection and introspection, and anticipation of the future self, which informs the development of a strengths-based personal informatics framework for leisure and tourism.

Promoting Students’ Positive Emotions, Character, and Purpose

2020 ◽  
pp. 282-312
Author(s):  
Shannon M. Suldo ◽  
Jenni Menon Mariano ◽  
Hannah Gilfix
Keyword(s):  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Emotional State ◽  
Character Strengths ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Psychology Interventions ◽  
School Based ◽  
Measurement Tools ◽  
Via Classification

Grounded in positive psychology, this chapter focuses on constructs that increase well-being and may result in a flourishing emotional state. Within the PERMA framework, flourishing is reflected in positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. Specifically, this chapter takes an in-depth look into the constructs of positive emotions, character, and purpose. Information on measurement tools, correlates, and possible interventions for each of the three constructs is provided. An emphasis is also placed on promising positive psychology interventions, many of which utilize strategies involving character strengths as defined in accordance with the Values in Action (VIA) Classification of Character Strengths and Virtues. The chapter concludes with information on how a reader can implement various positive psychology activities, as well as different school based-programs that incorporate purpose and positive psychology interventions.

scholarly journals A balanced psychology and a full life

2004 ◽  
Vol 359 (1449) ◽  
pp. 1379-1381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin E. P. Seligman ◽  
Acacia C. Parks ◽  
Tracy Steen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
World War Ii ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Positive Emotion ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Worth Living ◽  
World War ◽  
Life Worth Living

Psychology since World War II has been largely devoted to repairing weakness and understanding suffering. Towards that end, we have made considerable gains. We have a classification of mental illness that allows international collaboration, and through this collaboration we have developed effective psychotherapeutic or pharmacological treatments for 14 major mental disorders. However, while building a strong science and practice of treating mental illness, we largely forgot about everyday well–being. Is the absence of mental illness and suffering sufficient to let individuals and communities flourish? Were all disabling conditions to disappear, what would make life worth living? Those committed to a science of positive psychology can draw on the effective research methods developed to understand and treat mental illness. Results from a new randomized, placebo–controlled study demonstrate that people are happier and less depressed three months after completing exercises targeting positive emotion. The ultimate goal of positive psychology is to make people happier by understanding and building positive emotion, gratification and meaning. Towards this end, we must supplement what we know about treating illness and repairing damage with knowledge about nurturing well–being in individuals and communities.

Comment: Homing in on a Balanced Psychology

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-63
Author(s):  
Jeff T. Larsen
Keyword(s):  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Positive Emotion ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Negative Emotion ◽  
Negative Emotions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
To Come ◽  
Positive And Negative Emotions

Hernandez et al.’s (2018) review provides clear evidence that positive affect can contribute to well-being and fits nicely within the positive psychology framework. The emergence of positive psychology has been valuable for understanding well-being, but I suggest that a balanced psychology can prove even more valuable in the years to come. A balanced psychology requires giving as much attention to negative emotion as to positive emotion. It also requires considering whether there are circumstances in which positive emotions can be detrimental and negative emotions can be beneficial. Along those lines, evidence reviewed here indicates that healthy coping with severe stressors involves experiencing a combination of positive and negative emotions.

scholarly journals MORPHOLOGICAL INTERFERENCE ON STUDENT�S WRITING

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 189
Author(s):  
Muziatun Muziatun ◽  
Indri Wirahmi Bay ◽  
Sitti Maryam
Keyword(s):  
Research Method ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Significant Contribution ◽  
Morphological Properties ◽  
Past Tense ◽  
Official Language ◽  
English Writing ◽  
Linguistic Interference ◽  
Bahasa Indonesia

The aim of this research is to find out the types of morphological interference on students' English writing. Through qualitative research method applying a design of the case study, twenty of university students were chosen. Data were collected from written tests and classified based on the Politzer and Ramires (1973) on theory of Linguistic Category. The results revealed that, whilst it is inevitable that the English morphology features governed by the distinctive rules and systems have been the potential target for interference taking place, Bahasa Indonesia, which stands as the official language, becomes the source of transfer. From six types of morphological interference based on Polizter and Ramirez� (1973), in this study the writer only found three of them. These types encompass of the morphological properties from the use of article, plural marker and simple past tense. Furthermore, there are 40 morphological mistakes in total, in which four mistakes represent the intralingual transfer and 36 data describe the interference. In terms of the mistakes made as a result mostly from the interference transfer. This study makes a significant contribution to the teaching and learning process of linguistic interference.Keywords: linguistic interference; morphology; students� writing.

scholarly journals Psychological Well Being Pada Mantan Pengguna NArkoba di Kota Palembang

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (01) ◽  
pp. 53-62
Author(s):  
Muhamad Noor Ikhsan ◽  
Desy Arisandy
Keyword(s):  
Drug Users ◽  
Positive Emotion ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Research Subjects ◽  
Case Study Approach ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Psychological Dynamics ◽  
The City

Abstract : This study aims to determine the psychological well being of former drug users in the city of Palembang. Factors causing well being, and psychological dynamics in former drug users in the city of Palembang, this study uses a qualitative research design and uses a case study approach to be able to find out the causes of well being and psychological dynamics of the research subjects. In this study, researchers used 7 sources, 2 people as research subjects, two people as informants knew from each subject and 2 people as informants. The results of this study found that there are factors that cause both the subject of being well that arises from within oneself (internal) and factors that arise from outside self (external).The two subjects in this study broadly have the same causative factors of being well although there are some differences in the positive emotion and engagement factors found in the study.     Keywords: Psychological well being, former drug user, Case Study Approach          Abstrak : Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui psychological well being pada mantan pengguna narkoba di kota palembang. Faktor penyebab well being, dan dinamika psikologis pada mantan pengguna narkoba di kota Palembang, Penelitian ini menggunakan desain penelitian kualitatif serta menggunakan pendekatan studi kasus untuk dapat mengetahui faktor penyebab well being serta dinamika psikologis dari para subjek penelitian. Dalam penelitian ini, peneliti menggunakan 7 orang sumber, 2 orang sebagai subjek penelitian, dua orang sebagai informan tahu dari masing-masing subjek dan 2 orang sebagai informan pelaku. Hasil penelitian ini menemukan  bahwa adanya faktor penyebab kedua subjek well being yang muncul dari dalam diri sendiri (internal) dan faktor yang timbul dari luar diri (eksternal). Kedua subjek di dalam penelitian ini secara garis besar memiliki faktor penyebab well being yang hampir sama walaupun terdapat beberapa perbedaan di dalam faktor positive emotion dan engagement yang ditemukan dalam penelitian.   Kata Kunci : Psychological well being, mantan pengguna narkoba, Pendekatan studi kasus  

Positive Psychology and Character Strengths: Application to Strengths-Based School Counseling

2008 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 2156759X0801200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nansook Park ◽  
Christopher Peterson
Keyword(s):  
Positive Psychology ◽  
School Counseling ◽  
School Counselors ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Character Strengths ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Children And Youth ◽  
Basic Premise ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Positive Traits

The basic premise of positive psychology is that the happiness and fulfillment of children and youth entail more than the identification and treatment of their problems. This article provides an overview of positive psychology and the Values in Action (VIA) project that classifies and measures 24 widely recognized character strengths. Good character is multidimensional, made up of a family of positive traits manifest in an individual's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Recent research findings are presented concerning the correlates and the consequences of the VIA character strengths for positive youth development. Character strengths are related to achievement, life satisfaction, and well-being of children and youth. Further, the implications and specific techniques informed by positive psychology are discussed for school counselors in the context of a strengths-based approach.

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