Revisiting Well-Being Interventions in Educational Contexts: State-of-the-Art and Future Avenues
摘要
Prioritizing well-being in educational-based contexts (e.g., from elementary schools to university) is a global priority for understanding and nurturing psychological health across the early stages of life. This chapter builds upon a prevention-based conceptualization of well-being to promote psychological health and offers an examination of evidence-based interventions designed to foster well-being in educational environments, drawing from a synthesis of empirical data derived from existing literature and our own research endeavors. The interventions discussed encompass various strategies, including psychological health programs and positive psychology interventions, which have been rigorously implemented and evaluated for their efficacy. Our synthesis of evidence underscores the benefits of such interventions for students, ranging from improved social relationships to enhanced academic performance and reduced psychological symptoms, suggesting that the promotion of protective psychological health factors can reduce the risk of psychological problems in educational settings. Despite the promising outcomes, this chapter delves into some of the challenges associated with scaling up these and effectively translating them into classroom practices. Existing challenges, such as implementation fidelity, sustained efficacy, and universality stand out as limiting factors that require careful consideration in these initiatives, emphasizing the need for comprehensive approaches that address systemic barriers. Moving forward, future research directions should prioritize the refinement of intervention methodologies, including intensive longitudinal assessment of effects, personalization of activities, and exploration of innovative approaches. Integrating well-being into the curriculum and providing educators and families with the necessary training and support are pivotal for successful intervention implementation. By addressing these avenues, educational institutions can cultivate environments that foster flourishing and academic success among their students.