The iNEAR programme: an existential positive psychology intervention for resilience and emotional wellbeing

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new psychological intervention, the iNEAR, which is a resilience and wellbeing programme consisting of a classroom based set of activities designed to facilitate the formation of positive identities through the acquisition of skills for growth and personal flourishing. Three hundred and fifty-four young people aged 11 and 12, matched for age and gender, were randomly allocated to the intervention (84 girls; 80 boys) and control conditions (93 girls; 96 boys). Following the intervention, boys, compared to girls, showed higher levels of wellbeing and environmental mastery, and higher levels of tolerance to uncertainty. The intervention was effective in increasing appreciation of positive relationships with others, for girls, and, although not statistically significant, it generated change in the desired direction for boys. In contrast to boys, girls' scores on openness to diversity also increased between baseline and post-intervention. Ways in which positive psychology interventions can resource individuals to better respond to adversity, coercion, and personal uncertainty, and so contribute to safeguarding against the adoption of extreme belief systems are also discussed.

Biological and Psychological Perspectives of Resilience: Is It Possible to Improve Stress Resistance?

“…Improvements in resilience in humans have been reported as a result of psychological and cognitive therapies, such as child caregiver advocacy resilience (Li et al, 2017 ), a life skills education-based program (Sarkar et al, 2017 ), the iNEAR programme (Tunariu et al, 2017 ), intensive mindfulness meditation training (Hwang et al, 2018 ) and stress inoculation training (Horn et al, 2016 ). Although all the above achieved good outcomes, the same method may have different therapeutic effects in different individuals.…”

Stress, Social Support, and Resilience in Younger Rural Women: A Structural Equation Model

“…With the global aging of the general population, the implications for women’s health and nursing are to address the health care needs and preventive service challenges for the increasing numbers of older women [ 23 ]. There is promising evidence in empirical literature that intervention strategies can improve resilience [ 31 , 57 , 58 , 59 ]. Interventions designed to improve resilience may facilitate reductions in perceived stress [ 60 ].…”

Transforming Shame in the Pandemic: An International Study

“…Since 2011 existential positive psychology (PP2.0) has gained in importance, dealing with the questions how to lead a meaningful and a positive and constructive life at the same time (Wong, 2011 ; Passmore and Howell, 2014 ; Ivtzan et al, 2017 ; Carreno and Pérez-Escobar, 2019 ). Therefore, research in PP2.0 suggests that the dark and negative aspects of life, the suffering and the pain of existence need to be radically accepted, dealt with and transformed—if this is the case, mental health and well-being improves based on the lived-through experience (Wong, 2011 , 2016 , 2020 ; Fowers et al, 2017 ; Turaniu et al, 2017 ; Vanderheiden and Mayer, 2017 ; Mayer and Vanderheiden, 2019 ; Van Tongeren and Showalter Van Tongeren, 2020 ).…”