Workshop 6th World Congress on Positive Psychology 2019

Strengths-Based Resilience: An Intervention to Cultivate Resilience with Culturally Diverse Students  (#200)

Tayyab Rashid 1 , Jane Gillham 2 , Afroze Anjum 3 , Aryel Maharaj 1 , Samantha King 4 , Ruth Louden 3
  1. Health & Wellness Centre, Associate Faculty, Graduate Program in Psychological Science
, University of Toronto , Toronto, ON, Canada
  2. Psychology, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania , USA
  3. Psychological Services, Toronto District School Board, Toronto, ON, Canada
  4. Teacher, Toronto District School Board, Toronto, ON, Canada

Strengths-Based Resilience (SBR) is broadly based on principles of positive psychology, focusing on conditions and processes that foster individual and collective well-being and resilience. The program was administered in three settings: five high schools, two adolescent outpatient hospital units, and in ten groups at a university counselling centre. Participants were culturally diverse (> 80% non-Caucasian). Program evaluation, which included comparison groups, has shown, significant decreases in stress and perceived stigma, and significant increases in well-being and resilience. These therapeutic gains have been maintained at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Students were also invited to share their experience of the program six months after completion through video interviews and the vignettes illustrate how they utilized their strengths to bounce back from an assortment of challenges.

The workshop will describe the program topic-by-topic, which include concepts like stories of resilience, open-mindedness, signature strengths, problem solving, grudge and gratitude, empathy, slowness and savoring, positive relationships, altruism, and meaning and purpose. Three of these topics will be demonstrated experientially with the help of relevant research insights, real-life narratives, multi-media illustrations, and in-session practices. The workshop will end with outlining challenges encountered and recommendations regarding its adaptation in various educational, cultural, and therapeutic settings.

 

  • Select one of the following conference tracks which best describes your submission area: Positive Education