THE EFFECT OF A SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING INTERVENTION PROGRAM ON HAPPINESS

Asude Malkoç, Ayşe Esra Aslan

Abstract


This study sets out to explore the effect of a subjective well-being intervention program on university students’ subjective levels of well-being. The study was conducted with 24 university students (18 women and 6 men) aged between 17 and 23 ( = 18.75), studying in a class called Psychological Counseling and Guidance at the Atatürk Faculty of Education, Marmara University, Istanbul. The data-collecting instruments were “Subjective Well-Being Scale” and “NEO Five-Factor Personality Inventory (NEO-FFI)”. Students in the experimental group joined a “subjective well-being intervention program” developed by the researcher. Students in the control group did not receive any experimental treatment. The “Mann-Whitney U test” and the “Wilcoxon signed-rank test” were used for data analyses. The findings showed that the subjective well-being intervention program was effective in increasing students’ levels of subjective well-being. The follow-up test, carried out three months later, indicated that the effect of the program was permanent.

 

Article visualizations:

Hit counter

DOI

Keywords


subjective well-being, happiness, intervention program, university students

Full Text:

PDF

References


Baumeister, R.F., & Leary, M.R. (1995). The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117, 497-529.

Billings, A. G., & Moos, R. H. (1984). Coping, stress, and social resources among adults with unipolar depression. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 46, 887-891.

Boehm, J. K., & Kubzansky, L.D. (2012). The heart’s content: The association between positive psychological well-being and cardiovascular health. Psychological Bulletin, 138 (4), 655-691.

Boehm, J. K., Lyubomirsky, S., & Sheldon, K.M. (2011). A longitudinal experimental study comparing the effectiveness of happiness-enhancing strategies in Anglo Americans and Asian Americans. Cognition & Emotion, 25, 1152-1167.

Büyüköztürk, Ş. (2001). Deneysel Desenler: Öntest- Sontest Kontrol Grubu Veri Analizi (1.Baskı). Ankara: Pegem Yayıncılık.

Carruthers, C. & Hood, C.D (2004). The power of the positive: Leisure and well-being. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 38, 225-245.

Carver, C.S., Scheier, M.F. & Weintraub, J.K. (1984). Assessing coping strategies: A theoretically based approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61, 115-121.

Corey, G. (2005). Psikolojik danışma, psikoterapi kuram ve uygulamaları, (Seventh Edition). Ankara: Mentis Yayıncılık.

Costa, P.T. & McCrae, R. (1992). Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) and NEO Five Factor Model (NEO-FFI) Professional Manual. Odesa, FL; Psychology Assessment Center.

Diener, E. (1984). Subjective well-being. Psychological Bulletin, 95, 542–575.

Diener, E. (2000). Subjective well-being: The science of happiness and a proposal for a national index. American Psychologist, 55, 34-43.

Diener, E., Lucas, R. E. & Oishi, S. (2002). Subjective well-being The science of happiness and life satisfaction. In Handbook of Positive Psychology. C. R. Snyder; Shane j. Lopez (editors). Oxford University Press. 63-73.

Diener, E., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2002). Very happy people. Psychological Science, 13, 81-84.

Ekşi, H. (2004). Personality and coping: A multidimensional research on situational and dispositional coping. Educational sciences: Theory and practice, 4, 81-98.

Eid, M., & Diener, E. (2001). Norms for experiencing emotions in different cultures: Inter-and intranational differences. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 81(5), 869-885.

Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M.E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: an experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84 (2), 377-389.

Eryılmaz, A., & Atak, H. (2011). Ergen öznel iyi oluşunun, özsaygı ve iyimserlik eğilimi ile ilişkisinin incelenmesi. Elektronik Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 37(37), 170-181.

Fava, G. A. & Ruini, C. (2005). What is the optimal treatment of mood and anxiety disorders? Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 12, 92–96.

Fava, G. A., Ruini, C., Rafanelli, C., Finos, L., Salmaso, L., Mangelli, L., ve Sirigatti, S. (2005). Well-Being Therapy of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. 74 (1), 26-30.

Fordyce, M.W. (1983). A program to increase happiness: Further studies. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 30, 483-498.

Fredrickson, B. L., Cohn, M.A., Coffey, K.A., & Finkel, S.M. (2008). Open hearts build lives: Positive Emotions, Induced through Loving-Kindness Meditation, Build Cosequential Personal Resources. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 95(5), 1045-1062.

Froh, J. J., Sefick, W. J., & Emmons, R. A. (2008). Counting blessings in early adolescents: An experimental study of gratitude and subjective well-being. Journal of School Psychology, 46, 213-233.

Gable, L.S., & Haidt J. (2005). What (and Why) is positive psychology? Review of General Psychology, 9, 103–110.

Gable, L.S., Reis, H.T., Asher, E.R., & Impett, E.A. (2004). What do you do when things go right? The intrapersonal and interpersonal benefits of sharing positive events. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 87, 228-245.

Goodhart, E.D. (1985). Some psychological effects associated with positive and negative thinking about stressful event outcomes: was Pollyanna right? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 48 (1), 216-232.

Gülgöz, S. (2002). Five Factor Model and NEO-PI-R in Turkey. In R. R. Mcrae & J. Allik (Eds.), The five-factor model of personality across cultures (pp. 175-195). New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers.

Gündoğdu, R., & Yavuzer, Y. (2012). Eğitim fakültesi öğrencilerinin öznel iyi oluş ve psikolojik ihtiyaçlarının demografik değişkenlere göre incelenmesi. Mehmet Akif Ersoy Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 12 (23), 115-131.

Harris, A.H.S., & Thoresen, C.E. (2006). Extending the influence of positive psychology interventions into health care settings: Lessons from self-efficacy and forgiveness. Journal of Positive Psychology, 1, 27-36.

Hilpert, P. (2008). A positive psychology intervention: Improving strategies for sustainable positive change in significant everyday situations. Unpublished master thesis, University of Zurich.

Ilhan, T., & Özbay, Y. (2016). Yaşam amaçlarının ve psikolojik ihtiyaç doyumunun öznel iyi oluş üzerindeki yordayıcı rolü. Türk Psikolojik Danışma ve Rehberlik Dergisi, 4 (34), 109-118.

Karasar, N. (2008). Bilimsel Araştırma Yöntemleri (17.Baskı). Ankara: Nobel Yayınevi.

Kesebir, P., & Diener, E. (2008). In pursuit of happiness: Empirical answers to philosophical questions. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 3(2), 117-125.

King, L.A. (2001). The health benefits of writing about life goals. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 27, 798-807.

Layous, K., Nelson, S.K., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2013). What is the optimal way to deliver a positive activity intervention? The case of writing about one’s best possible selves. Journal of Happiness Studies, 14, 635-654.

Lucas, R. E., & Diener, E. (2001). Understanding extraverts' enjoyment of social situations: The importance of pleasantness. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 81, 343-356.

Lucas, R. E., Diener, E., & Suh, E. M. (1996). Discriminant validity of well-being measures. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 71, 616-628.

Lyubomirsky, S. (2000). On studying positive emotions. Prevention and Treatment, 3, article 5.

Lyubomirsky, S., & Dickerhoof, R. (2010). A construal approach to increasing happiness. In J. Tangney & J. E. Maddux (Eds.), Social psychological foundations of clinical psychology (pp. 229-244). New York: Guilford Press.

Lyubomirsky, S., Dickerhoof, R., Boehm, J. K., & Sheldon, K. M. (2007). How and why positive activities work to boost well-being: An experimental longitudinal investigation of regularly practicing optimism and gratitude.

Lyubomirsky, S., & Lepper, H.S. (1999). A measure of subjective happiness: preliminary reliability and construct validation. Social Indicators Research, 46 (2), 137-155.

Lyubomirsky, S., King, L. A., & Diener, E. (2005). The benefits of frequent positive affect: Does happiness lead to success? Psychological Bulletin, 131, 803-855.Lyubomirsky, S., Sheldon, K. M., & Schkade, D. (2005). Pursuing happiness: The architecture of sustainable change. Review of General Psychology, 9, 111-131.

Lyubomirsky, S., Tkach, C., & DiMatteo, M. R. (2006). What are the differences between happiness and self-esteem? Social Indicators Research, 78, 363-404.

McCullough, M.E. (2001). Forgiveness: Who does it and how do they do it? Current Directions in Psychological Science, 10, 194-197.

McCullough, M.E., Worthington, E.L., & Rachal, K.C. (1997). Interpersonal forgiving in close relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 73, 321-336.

McRoberts, C., Burlingname, G. M., & Hoag, M. J. (1998). Comparative efficacy of individual and group psychotherapy: A meta analytic perspective. Group dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice, 2(2), 101-117.

Mook, D.G. (2001). Psychological Research behind the Ideas. (1st Edition). p.199, New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Myers,A., & Hansen C. (2006). Experimental Psychology (6th Edition). Thomson Wadsworth. Belmont: USA.

Pennebaker, J. W. (1997). Writing about emotional experiences as a therapeutic process. Psychological Science, 8, 162-166.

Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A classification and handbook. New York: Oxford University Press/Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Peterson, C. (2006). A primer in positive psychology, New York: Oxford University Press, Inc.

Robinson, L.A., Berman, J.S., & Neimeyer, R.A. (1990). Psychotherapy for the treatment of depression: A comprehensive review of controlled outcome research. Psychological Bulletin, 108 (1), 30-49.

Sarı, T., & Çakır, G. (2016). Mutluluk korkusu ile öznel ve psikolojik iyi oluş arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi, Eğitim ve Öğretim Araştırmaları Dergisi. 5(2), 222-229.

Scheier, M. F., & Carver, C. S. (1993). On the power of positive thinking: The benefits of being optimistic. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 2, 26-30.

Sheldon, K. M., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2007). Is it possible to become happier? (And, if so, how?) Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 1, 129-145.

Sheldon, K. M., Kasser, T., Smith, K., & Share, T. (2002). Personal goals and psychological growth: Testing an intervention to enhance goal attainment and personality integration. Journal of Personality, 70 (1), 5-31.

Schwartz, C.E., & Sendor, M. (1999). Helping others helps oneself: Response shift effects in peer support. Social Science and Medicine, 48, 1563-1575.

Segerstrom, S. C. (2001). Optimism, goal conflict, and stressor-related immune change. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 24, 441-467.

Seligman, M. E. P. (2002). Authentic happiness: Using the new positive psychology to realize your potential for lasting fulfillment. New York: Free Press.

Seligman, M.E.P., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: An Introduction. American Psychologist, 55(1), 5-14.

Seligman, M. E.P., Rashid, T., & Parks, C.A. (2006). Positive Psychotherapy. American Psychologist. 774-788.

Seligman, M.E.P., Steen, T.A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive Psychology Progress: Empirical Validation of Interventions. American Psychologist, 60, 410-421.

Sin, L.N., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2009). Enhancing well-being and alleviating depressive symptoms with positive psychology interventions. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 65(5), 467-487.

Strack, F., Argyle, M., & Schwarz, N. (1991). Subjective well-being: An interdisciplinary perspective (1st Edition). New York: Pergamon Press.

Tkach, C., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2006). How do people pursue happiness? Relating personality, happiness-increasing strategies, and well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 7, 183-225.

Tuzgöl Dost, M. (2005). Ruh sağlığı ve öznel iyi oluş. Eğitim Araştırmaları Dergisi, 20, 223–231.

Tuzgöl Dost, M. (2007). Üniversite öğrencilerinin yaşam doyumunun bazı değişkenlere göre incelenmesi. Pamukkale Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 22 (2), 132-142.

TÜİK Haber Bülteni Yaşam Memnuniyeti Araştırması Sonuçları, 2009 18 Şubat 2010 Sayı:27 (http://www.tuik.gov.tr/PreHaberBultenleri.do?id=6191). Web adresinden 06 Ocak 2011 tarihinde edinilmiştir.

TÜİK Haber Bülteni Yaşam Memnuniyeti Araştırması Sonuçları, 2017 (www.tuik.gov.tr/PreHaberBultenleri.do?id=27590). Web adresinden 10 Haziran 2018 tarihinde edinilmiştir.

Voltan-Acar, N. (2001). Grupla psikolojik danışma ilke ve teknikleri (Geliştirilmiş 3. Baskı). Ankara: Nobel Yayın Dağıtım.

Voltan-Acar, N. (2003). PDR'de yirmibeş yıl (Makaleler). Ankara: Nobel Yayın Dağıtım.

Voltan-Acar, N. (2004). Ne kadar farkındayım? Gestalt Terapi. Ankara: Ebabil Yayıncılık.

Watkins, P.C., Grimm, D.L., & Kolts, R. (2004). Counting your blessings: Positive memories among grateful persons. Current Psychology: Developmental, Learning, Personality and Social, 23, 52-67.




DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v0i0.1922

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2018 Asude Malkoç, Ayşe Esra Aslan

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Copyright © 2015-2023. European Journal of Education Studies (ISSN 2501 - 1111) is a registered trademark of Open Access Publishing Group. All rights reserved.


This journal is a serial publication uniquely identified by an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) serial number certificate issued by Romanian National Library (Biblioteca Nationala a Romaniei). All the research works are uniquely identified by a CrossRef DOI digital object identifier supplied by indexing and repository platforms. All authors who send their manuscripts to this journal and whose articles are published on this journal retain full copyright of their articles. All the research works published on this journal are meeting the Open Access Publishing requirements and can be freely accessed, shared, modified, distributed and used in educational, commercial and non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).