Introductory description

This module supports students to explore contemporary debates towards integrated positive practices in mental health and wellbeing across the lifespan. A key feature of this module is the opportunity to challenge the medical model of mental health and wellbeing by taking an interdisciplinary approach to promote positive approaches towards a life well lived. This module aligns with the QAA Benchmark Statements of Health, Early Childhood, and Sociology. The design of this module has been informed by a registered psychotherapist with a PhD focused on the use of counselling later in life. This module directly connects to workplace practice by promoting ethical praxis. Upon completion of this module, students will be able to appreciate the multidimensional nature of mental health and well-being across the lifespan.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Module introduction – epidemiology of mental health and wellbeing
Biological / environmental – Theories with child and adolescence mental health and wellbeing.
The multidimensional model of the person – The Layered Integrated Framework Example (LIFE). Mind/body dichotomy, Individual/collective dichotomy.
Happiness – the pursuit of pleasure over pain: wellbeing.
Contexts of positive adult development: Mental health and wellbeing as we age.
Assessment workshop
Policy and legislation –support and promotion of good mental health and wellbeing across the lifespan.
The mental-illness health continuum – applied positive psychology as a +5 for positive mental health and can you still flourish with poor mental health?
Evidence based non-medical interventions to promote, support and maintain mental health and wellbeing.
To make life better – praxis – for whom, how and when?
Ethical and reflective practice – boundaries, limitations and responsibilities to yourself and others.
Assessment workshop

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Examine multidimensional approaches to mental health and wellbeing.
• Analyse the bidirectional effects of parents and children on mental health and wellbeing.
• Evaluate how praxis shapes individuals, families and communities.
• Demonstrate ethical considerations to practice when supporting an individual, family or community to have a sense of purpose by which to promote mental health and wellbeing.

Indicative reading list

Davies, J. (2021) Sedated: How modern capitalism created our mental health crisis. [online] ProQuest Ebook Central - Book Details
Donaldson, S. I., Csikszentmihalyi, M. & Nakamura, J. (2020) Positive Psychological Science: Improving Everyday Life, Well-being, Work, Education, and Societies Across the Globe. [online] Routledge.
Joseph, S. (2021). "Posttraumatic growth as a process and an outcome: Vexing problems and paradoxes seen from the perspective of humanistic psychology". The Humanistic psychologist (0887-3267), 49 (2), p. 219.

Laakso, M (2021). "Flourishing Students: The Efficacy of an Extensive Positive Education Program on Adolescents’ Positive and Negative Affect". International journal of applied positive psychology (2364-5040), 6 (3), p. 253.

Malboeuf-Hurtubise, C (2018). "The Impact of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Happiness: A Reflection on the Relevance of Integrating a Positive Psychology Framework within Mindfulness Research in Youth". International journal of applied positive psychology (2364-5040), 2 (1-3), p. 23.

Waters, L., Dussert, D. & Loton, D. (2021) How Do Young Children Understand and Action their Own Well-Being? Positive Psychology, Student Voice, and Well-Being Literacy in Early Childhood. International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology (2022) 7:91–117.
Waite-Jones, J.M. & Rodriguez, A.M. (2022) Psychological approaches to child and adolescent health and wellbeing. [online] Psychosocial Approaches to Child and Adolescent Health and Wellbeing | SpringerLink (warwick.ac.uk)
Wong, P.T.P. (2023) Pioneer in Research in Existential Positive Psychology of Suffering and Global Flourishing: Paul T. P. Wong.

Interdisciplinary

This module synthesises positive approaches to mental health and wellbeing by drawing from the disciplines of positive and social psychology, health, sociology, early childhood and education.

Subject specific skills

The multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary nature of mental health and wellbeing.
The central place of research activity in the development of subject knowledge associated with positive practice in mental health and wellbeing.
The diverse determinants of mental health and well-being.
Emerging issues at the forefront of the subject
The range of theories relating to mental health and wellbeing.
Social policy approaches and potential influence upon mental health and wellbeing.
The theoretical and professional rationales concerning mental health and wellbeing interventions.
The role of individual differences (genetic and environmental) in affecting health status.
The diversity of the experience of mental health and wellbeing.
Ethical perspectives and the diversity of values associated with mental health and wellbeing.

Transferable skills

Ability to examine all those factors that have the potential to influence health and physical and mental well-being, from strategic level policy-making to aspects of health as experienced by the individual
Develop skills of reflective and critical evaluation of the many factors affecting health and its representations, in which attention is paid to the values, theories and professional perspectives that inform thinking and actions.