IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/jhappi/v24y2023i2d10.1007_s10902-022-00611-5.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Efficacy of a School-Based Mental Health Intervention Based on Mindfulness and Character Strengths Use Among Adolescents: a Pilot Study of Think Happy-Be Happy Intervention

Author

Listed:
  • Anne Kennes

    (Open University of the Netherlands)

  • Johan Lataster

    (Open University of the Netherlands
    School for Mental Health and Neuroscience)

  • Mayke Janssens

    (Open University of the Netherlands
    School for Mental Health and Neuroscience)

  • Marianne Simons

    (Open University of the Netherlands)

  • Jennifer Reijnders

    (Open University of the Netherlands)

  • Nele Jacobs

    (Open University of the Netherlands
    School for Mental Health and Neuroscience)

  • Sanne Peeters

    (Open University of the Netherlands
    School for Mental Health and Neuroscience)

Abstract

This study investigated the efficacy of a school-based intervention (8 sessions of 45 min) based on mindfulness and character strengths use (i.e., “Think Happy-Be Happy”). A quasi-experimental study, including assessments at baseline, post-intervention (i.e., one week after the intervention), and follow-up (i.e., six months after the intervention) was performed. Results at post-intervention revealed that adolescents who participated in all intervention sessions experienced significantly increased well-being (i.e., emotional, psychological, and social well-being) and decreased hyperactivity/inattention symptoms and peer-related problems compared to adolescents who did not participate in the intervention. The “intention to treat” analyses showed that adolescents who started the intervention, regardless of the number of sessions they attended, experienced significantly decreased hyperactivity/inattention symptoms compared to adolescents who did not participate in the intervention. However, significant outcomes were not maintained at follow-up. Nevertheless, this study demonstrates that integrating mindfulness with strengths use in school-based interventions might have the potential to promote the mental health of adolescents in terms of both increased well-being and reduced psychological problems.

Suggested Citation

  • Anne Kennes & Johan Lataster & Mayke Janssens & Marianne Simons & Jennifer Reijnders & Nele Jacobs & Sanne Peeters, 2023. "Efficacy of a School-Based Mental Health Intervention Based on Mindfulness and Character Strengths Use Among Adolescents: a Pilot Study of Think Happy-Be Happy Intervention," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 677-697, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:24:y:2023:i:2:d:10.1007_s10902-022-00611-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-022-00611-5
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10902-022-00611-5
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10902-022-00611-5?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Richard Douglass & Ryan Duffy, 2015. "Strengths Use and Life Satisfaction: A Moderated Mediation Approach," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 619-632, June.
    2. Denise Quinlan & Nicola Swain & Dianne Vella-Brodrick, 2012. "Character Strengths Interventions: Building on What We Know for Improved Outcomes," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 13(6), pages 1145-1163, December.
    3. Shannon Suldo & Michael Frank & Ashley Chappel & Melanie Albers & Lisa Bateman, 2014. "American High School Students’ Perceptions of Determinants of Life Satisfaction," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 118(2), pages 485-514, September.
    4. Adam Hanley & Alia Warner & Eric Garland, 2015. "Associations Between Mindfulness, Psychological Well-Being, and Subjective Well-Being with Respect to Contemplative Practice," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(6), pages 1423-1436, December.
    5. Anat Shoshani & Sarit Steinmetz, 2014. "Positive Psychology at School: A School-Based Intervention to Promote Adolescents’ Mental Health and Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 15(6), pages 1289-1311, December.
    6. Tom Hendriks & Marijke Schotanus-Dijkstra & Aabidien Hassankhan & Joop Jong & Ernst Bohlmeijer, 2020. "The Efficacy of Multi-component Positive Psychology Interventions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 357-390, January.
    7. Anat Shoshani & Michelle Slone, 2013. "Middle School Transition from the Strengths Perspective: Young Adolescents’ Character Strengths, Subjective Well-Being, and School Adjustment," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(4), pages 1163-1181, August.
    8. Lucy Morrish & Nikki Rickard & Tan Chyuan Chin & Dianne Anne Vella-Brodrick, 2018. "Emotion Regulation in Adolescent Well-Being and Positive Education," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(5), pages 1543-1564, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. María J. Blanca & Marta Ferragut & Margarita Ortiz-Tallo & Rebecca Bendayan, 2018. "Life Satisfaction and Character Strengths in Spanish Early Adolescents," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(5), pages 1247-1260, June.
    2. Shiri Lavy, 2020. "A Review of Character Strengths Interventions in Twenty-First-Century Schools: their Importance and How they can be Fostered," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(2), pages 573-596, April.
    3. Paula Yépez-Tito & Marta Ferragut & Shally Cóndor-Guerrón & Maria J. Blanca, 2022. "Life Satisfaction and Character Strenghs in Ecuatorian Adolescents," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 15(2), pages 599-616, April.
    4. Hayley K. Jach & Jessie Sun & Daniel Loton & Tan-Chyuan Chin & Lea E. Waters, 2018. "Strengths and Subjective Wellbeing in Adolescence: Strength-Based Parenting and the Moderating Effect of Mindset," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(2), pages 567-586, February.
    5. Maria Christina Meyers & Marianne Woerkom, 2017. "Effects of a Strengths Intervention on General and Work-Related Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Positive Affect," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 671-689, June.
    6. Rui-Ping Zhang, 2016. "Positive Affect and Self-Efficacy as Mediators Between Personality and Life Satisfaction in Chinese College Freshmen," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 17(5), pages 2007-2021, October.
    7. 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.
    8. Yuan Zheng & Jingyi Zhou & Xianglong Zeng & Mingyan Jiang & Tian P. S. Oei, 2022. "A New Second-Generation Mindfulness-Based Intervention Focusing on Well-Being: A Randomized Control Trial of Mindfulness-Based Positive Psychology," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(6), pages 2703-2724, August.
    9. Zi Jia Ng & Eugene Scott Huebner & Alberto Maydeu-Olivares & Kimberly Joy Hills, 2018. "Confirmatory Factor Analytic Structure and Measurement Invariance of the Brief Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS) in a Longitudinal Sample of Adolescents," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 11(4), pages 1237-1247, August.
    10. Valérie Benoit & Piera Gabola, 2021. "Effects of Positive Psychology Interventions on the Well-Being of Young Children: A Systematic Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-19, November.
    11. Jacky C. K. Ng & Victor C. Y. Lau & Sylvia Xiahua Chen, 2020. "Why are Dispositional Enviers not Satisfied With Their Lives? An Investigation of Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Pathways Among Adolescents and Young Adults," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 525-545, February.
    12. Vincenza Capone & Mohsen Joshanloo & Miriam Sang-Ah Park, 2022. "Job Satisfaction Mediates the Relationship between Psychosocial and Organization Factors and Mental Well-Being in Schoolteachers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-14, December.
    13. Deniz Yucel & Anastasia S. Vogt Yuan, 2016. "Parents, Siblings, or Friends? Exploring Life Satisfaction among Early Adolescents," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 11(4), pages 1399-1423, December.
    14. Claudio Barbaranelli & Marinella Paciello & Valentina Biagioli & Roberta Fida & Carlo Tramontano, 2019. "Positivity and Behaviour: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy in Organisational and Educational Settings," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 707-727, March.
    15. Blake Allan, 2015. "Balance Among Character Strengths and Meaning in Life," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(5), pages 1247-1261, October.
    16. Connie Zheng & Asanka Gunasekara, 2022. "Sustaining Workforce Engagement: From Mindfulness to Psychological Flourishing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-14, November.
    17. Sylvia Y C L Kwok & Siqi Fang, 2021. "A Cross-Lagged Panel Study Examining the Reciprocal Relationships Between Positive Emotions, Meaning, Strengths use and Study Engagement in Primary School Students," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 1033-1053, March.
    18. Wenjie Duan & Samuel M. Y. Ho, 2018. "Does Being Mindful of Your Character Strengths Enhance Psychological Wellbeing? A Longitudinal Mediation Analysis," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(4), pages 1045-1066, April.
    19. Lea E. Waters & Daniel Loton & Hayley K. Jach, 2019. "Does Strength-Based Parenting Predict Academic Achievement? The Mediating Effects of Perseverance and Engagement," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(4), pages 1121-1140, April.
    20. Romualdas Malinauskas & Vilija Malinauskiene, 2022. "Meta-Analysis of Psychological Interventions for Reducing Stress, Anxiety, and Depression among University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-17, July.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:24:y:2023:i:2:d:10.1007_s10902-022-00611-5. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.