Pupil perceptions of wellbeing: A positive psychology perspective during a pandemic

Lauran, Eckloff 2021. Pupil perceptions of wellbeing: A positive psychology perspective during a pandemic. DEdPsy Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

	PDF (DEdPsy Thesis) - Accepted Post-Print Version Download (3MB)
	PDF (Cardiff University Electronic Publication Form) - Supplemental Material Restricted to Repository staff only Download (110kB)

Abstract

Context: Positive Psychology has gained interest amongst applied psychologists, including Educational, Psychologists (EPs), as a means of promoting wellbeing in young people. Seligman’s (2011) PERMA Model has become central to the application of Positive Psychology in practice. However, research to date has identified variations in the ‘fit’ of the PERMA Model (Seligman, 2011) between different populations, including young people (Kern et al., 2015) Aims: This study aimed to elicit young people’s constructions of what is important to their wellbeing and to explore, through utilising Q methodology, how their constructions relate to those presented within the PERMA Model (Seligman, 2011). Further, this study aimed to contextualise findings within the current Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. Methodology: In the first phase of this study 30 young people (aged 11-19) completed an online questionnaire asking them what they believe is important to their wellbeing. In the second phase, responses were combined with items from the PERMA Profiler (Butler & Kern, 2016) and presented to 14 young people who prioritised the statements in order of importance to them. In addition, during the first phase the 30 participants were asked whether they felt that the pandemic had impacted their views of what they consider important to their wellbeing and responses were analysed using Thematic Analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Results: Whilst participants identified elements within the PERMA Model (Seligman, 2011) as important to their wellbeing they also identified additional elements (e.g. autonomy, safety, health). Further, Principle Component Analysis indicated that the structure of the PERMA Model (Seligman, 2011) may not best reflect how wellbeing is conceptualised by young people. Thematic Analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) offered insight into how the findings may be understood in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Conclusions: Reflections are made in relation to the application of the PERMA Model (Seligman, 2011) to understanding and promoting the wellbeing of young people in practice as well as the value of Q methodology in both research and practice.

Item Type:	Thesis (DEdPsy)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Psychology
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	13 September 2021
Last Modified:	07 Oct 2022 01:33
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/144051

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item