Applying Positive Psychology to Alcohol – Misusing Adolescents
During 2008-9 Miriam ran the UK’s first ever study of an application of positive psychology to vulnerable adolescents with issues of alcohol and drug misuse. It was an example of how positive psychology can be used to promote positive youth development with even the most disaffected of young people.
The study was hosted by Project 28, an alcohol & drug treatment service for young people and was funded by the Alcohol Education Research Council (AERC). The programme set a precedent in using a health model approach to ‘at risk’ adolescents with coaching as a tool rather than the usual treatment based on the disease model. Miriam developed a programme of 8 sessions based on the main themes from positive psychology. The young participants, most of whom were binge-drinking teenagers and NEETs (not in education, employment or training), attended a weekly session and were followed up 6 and 12 weeks after completion of the programme.
The results were incredibly positive with increases across four dimensions of well-being – hedonic, eudaimonic, physical and social-wellbeing and a significant decrease in alcohol dependence. Many of the participants described the programme as ‘life-changing’ and there was evidence of transformation both internally in mindsets and externally in circumstances. The study shows that positive psychology can be used with vulnerable and disaffected young people, who’ve moved beyond the risk into the reality of social, educational and health problems.
Session
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Happiness Themes
Feel Good Zone
Future Zone
Me Zone
Chill Zone
Change Zone
Me to You Zone
Body Zone
Bounce back Zone
Principal Themes
Positive Emotions, Savouring
Gratitude, Optimism
Strengths
Relaxation, Meditation
Change, Goal-setting
Relationships
Nutrition, Physical Activity
Resilience, Growth Mindset
Key Findings
- Alcohol dependence fell by two-thirds.
- Drug use declined becoming a part-time rather than full-time activity. Several participants gave up altogether.
- Statistically significant increases in happiness, optimism and positive emotions.
- The development of a future goal orientation. Participants set and achieved goals, becoming optimistic about their futures.
- The ratio of positive to negative emotions increased with evidence of the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions at work. Many of the participants went into a state of flourishing.
- 80% re-engaged with education. 40% gained new jobs. 40% were re-housed into more suitable accommodation.
- Coaching with positive psychology works well with vulnerable adolescents. The coaching question of 'what do you want' orients young people towards their future and motivates them to take steps towards achieving their goals.
You can view the abstract or read the full study. If you are interested in running a programme such as this, please get in touch. The results speak for themselves!