Social Validity of a Preventative Equitable Positive Psychology Intervention for Students With Low Subjective Well-Being

• In Event: Policies and Practices to Promote Mental Health in Schools

Abstract

This paper focuses on the social validity of an evidence-based positive psychology counseling practice, the Well-Being Promotion Program (WBPP), when implemented in public middle schools by school mental health professionals (SMHPs). The WBPP is an early intervention intended to foster positive emotions, which underlie optimal mental health and enable academic engagement. The social validity data was drawn from multiple perspectives (N = 98 students, 75 of their caregivers, and 12 SMHPs from three schools), using multiple methods (surveys, interviews), and at multiple time points (before and after implementation). Preliminary findings support intervention credibility as perceived by educators and participants. Implications for how practitioners might successfully use the WBPP in additional school contexts will be discussed.

Authors

• Shannon M. Suldo, University of South Florida
  Presenting Author

• Sarah A. Fefer, University of Massachusetts - Amherst
  Presenting Author

• Sarah Kiefer, University of South Florida
  Non-Presenting Author

• John M. Ferron, University of South Florida
  Non-Presenting Author

• Kai Zhuang Shum, University of South Florida
  Non-Presenting Author

• Emily Barry, Triumph Center Inc
  Non-Presenting Author

• Kristen Mahony, University of South Florida
  Non-Presenting Author

• Jacqueline Blass, University of Massachusetts - Amherst
  Non-Presenting Author