Coaching psychology interventions vs. positive psychology interventions: The measurable benefits of a coaching relationship

Abstract

ABSTRACT Both Coaching Psychology and Positive Psychology programs have been empirically shown to enhance various aspects of well-being. Perhaps surprisingly, no study to date has directly compared the two approaches along various outcomes in adults. We randomly assigned 393 M.B.A students to attend 13 weeks of lectures, with accompanying practical exercises, in either Positive Psychology, Coaching Psychology, or Organizational Behaviour (control group). Though participants in both the Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology groups experienced improvements (vs. the control group) in subjective well-being and psychopathology, Coaching Psychology participants experienced additional benefits – beyond those experienced by Positive Psychology participants, who did not differ from the control group – in goal attainment, self-insight, psychological well-being, and solution-focused thinking. The latter benefits may be attributable to Coaching Psychology’s capacity to enhance personal agency through goal-focused self-regulation, a key tenet of the coaching relationship. We suggest that this concept could inform future Positive Psychology programs.