Examining the Effectiveness of a Positive Psychology-Based Psychoeducation Program on Adolescents' Character Strengths

Abstract

In recent years, recognizing character strengths and virtues, strengthening them, and ensuring their use in all areas of life has become one of the important areas of study. Considering the positive and developmental effects of various studies on children, adolescents, and adults, it appears that conducting studies to develop character strengths is important for individual and community mental health. This study was aimed to increase the character strengths, self-esteem, optimism, gratitude levels and reduce the pessimism levels of adolescents. A 2x3 split-plot experimental design with pre-test, post-test, follow-up test and control group were used in the study. A total of 32 students participated in the research. A 15-session intervention program based on positive psychology was applied to the participants in the experimental group. Character Strengths Inventory (VIA-IS-P), Pears-Harris Self-Concept Scale for Children, Optimism-Pessimism Scale and Gratitude Scale were used to collect data in the study. Research revealed that the positive psychology-based psychoeducation program applied was effective in increasing adolescents' self-esteem, optimism, gratitude, and total character strength levels and reducing their pessimism levels; the applied psycho-education program has a medium effect value in increasing adolescents' character strengths, self-esteem and optimism levels and decreasing their pessimism levels, and a high effect value in increasing their gratitude levels.