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A Positive Psychology Intervention Program in a Culturally-Diverse University: Boosting Happiness and Reducing Fear

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  • L. Lambert

    (Canadian University Dubai)

  • H.-A. Passmore

    (University of British Columbia)

  • M. Joshanloo

    (Keimyung University)

Abstract

While developing excellence in knowledge and skills, academic institutions have often overlooked their obligation to instill wellbeing. To address this, we introduced a 14-week positive psychology intervention (PPI) program (Happiness 101) to university students from 39 different nations studying in the United Arab Emirates (N = 159). Students were exposed to 18 different PPIs. Pre, post, and 3-month-post measures were taken assessing hedonic and eudaimonic well-being, and beliefs regarding the fear and fragility of happiness. At the end of the semester, relative to a control group (N = 108), participants exposed to the Happiness 101 program reported higher levels of both hedonic and eudaimonic well-being, and lower levels of fear of happiness and the belief that happiness is fragile. Boosts in life satisfaction and net-positive affect, and reduction of fear of happiness and the belief that happiness is fragile were maintained in the Happiness 101 group 3 months post-intervention.

Suggested Citation

  • L. Lambert & H.-A. Passmore & M. Joshanloo, 2019. "A Positive Psychology Intervention Program in a Culturally-Diverse University: Boosting Happiness and Reducing Fear," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(4), pages 1141-1162, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:20:y:2019:i:4:d:10.1007_s10902-018-9993-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-018-9993-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. L. Lambert & Z. A. Draper & M. A. Warren & M. Joshanloo & En-Ling Chiao & A. Schwam & T. Arora, 2022. "Conceptions of Happiness Matter: Relationships between Fear and Fragility of Happiness and Mental and Physical Wellbeing," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 535-560, February.
    2. Holli-Anne Passmore & Ying Yang & Sarena Sabine, 2022. "An Extended Replication Study of the Well-Being Intervention, the Noticing Nature Intervention (NNI)," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(6), pages 2663-2683, August.
    3. Satıcı, Seydi Ahmet & Yılmaz, Fatma Betül & Karaağaç, Zahide Gül & Okur, Sinan, 2024. "From childhood psychological maltreatment to fear of happiness: Exploring the serial mediation of external shame and family communication," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    4. Bruce W. Smith & C. Graham Ford & Kelly Erickson & Anne Guzman, 2021. "The Effects of a Character Strength Focused Positive Psychology Course on Undergraduate Happiness and Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(1), pages 343-362, January.

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