National VA/DoD Women's Mental Health Mini-Residency: Building Clinical Expertise to Meet Women's Unique Treatment Needs Crystal City, Virginia | August 28-30, 2018

Positive Psychology Approaches to Enhancing Well-Being and Performance

Gabe Paoletti, EdD, MAPPConsortium for Health and Military PerformanceDepartment of Military and Emergency Medicine

Uniformed Services University

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Disclosures

The opinions and assertions expressed herein are those of the authors and should not be construed as reflecting those of the Uniformed Services University, Department of the Army, Department of the Air Force, Department of the Navy or the United States Department of Defense.

This continuing education activity is managed and accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Employee Education System (VA-EES).

Gabe Paoletti has no financial interest to disclose. Commercial support was not received for this activity.

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Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to: Describe the background and theory that underlies the foundation of positive

psychology and the classification of character strengths and virtues. Identify signature strengths as the character strengths that one feels

energized, intrinsically motivated and authentic when displayed. Assess the signature strengths in themselves and their patients. Recognize the cultural barriers women in the military may face that hinder

them from using their signature strengths. Practice the aware, explore, apply framework to cultivate the signature

strengths of their patients.

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Overview

∎ Positive psychology background∎ Classification of character strengths and virtues∎ Signature strengths: Who you are at your best? ∎How to help your patients maximize their strengths

using the aware, explore and apply framework

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Background of Positive Psychology

“Positive psychology is the scientific study of what it is that enable individuals and communities to thrive. The field is founded on the belief that people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within themselves, and to enhance their experiences of love, work, and play.”

- Martin Seligman

Background of Positive Psychology

Classification of Character Strengths and Virtues

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

Classification of Character Strengths and Virtues

1. Appreciation of Beauty & Excellence2. Bravery3. Caution/Prudence4. Creativity5. Critical Thinking/ Open mindedness6. Curiosity7. Fairness8. Forgiveness9. Gratitude10. Honesty11. Hope/Optimism12. Humility

13. Humor & Playfulness14. Kindness15. Leadership16. Love17. Love of Learning18. Persistence19. Perspective/ Wisdom20. Self-Control21. Social Intelligence22. Spirituality/Faith23. Teamwork/Loyalty24. Zest/Passion

Signature Strengths

∎ We are not equally dominant in all 24 character strengths. ∎ The character strengths that are most dominant in us are

called our signature strengths. ∎ Signature strengths are the character strengths in which one

feels:EnergizedIntrinsically motivatedAuthentic

Who you are at your best?

https://www.hprc-online.org/articles/who-are-you-at-your-best

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Who Cares about Signature Strengths?

“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.”

- C.G. Jung

Signature Strengths Can Support Total Force Fitness

∎ Applying ones signature strengths: Increases life-satisfaction Increases motivation

engagement, vitality and the experience of positive emotions

Decreases depression and stress When applied at work increases

job satisfaction, productivity, and engagement at work

Aware: Help your patients become aware of their signature strengths.

∎ Discover their signature strengths: Values in Action (VIA) survey Self Reflection Strengths 360 Story about a time at their best

∎ Strength awareness discussion prompts: How do your strengths show up in specific behaviors? How do you

apply them at work, at home, with friends, etc.?

∎ Strength spotting: Help them notice when they are displaying a strength as it happens.

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Try it out: Aware!

∎Get into pairs of two.∎ Each person pick one of the strengths that you

believe is one of your signature strengths and discuss the following questions: How does that strength show up in specific behaviors? How do you

apply it at work, at home, with friends, etc.? What are the most unexpected ways you display that strength?Who else in your life displays that strength? How is the way they

display that strength similar and/or different from you?

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Explore: Help your patients gain a deeper understanding of their strengths.

∎Development: How have their strengths developed over their lifetime?

∎ Shadow sides: When do their signature strengths get them in trouble?

∎ Barriers: What gets in the way of using their signature strengths?

∎ Relationships: How do their strengths help build their relationships? How might their strengths damage their relationships?

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Beliefs that prevent us from bringing the best of ourselves…

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Try it out: Explore!

∎With your partner discuss the potential barriers that might prevent females in the military from using their signature strengths? What can they do to help themselves bring the best of who they are?

∎What strategies can you use to help your patients overcome these barriers?

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Apply: Help your patients put their strengths into action.

∎Using your signature strengths in a new way: Pick a strength you want to develop and each day for a week use that strength in a way you haven’t before.

∎ Strength Journaling: Each day spend sometime journaling about how you or others demonstrated that strength.

∎ Research the specific strengths you want to build: Apply strength specific interventions.

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Try it out: Human Performance Resource Center!

∎One stop shop for evidence-based information and key resources on

∎Online, public facing, purple website

http://hprc-online.org

Ways to grow your gratitude

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4 powerful performance-enhancement questions optimists ask

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Why grit matters

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Key Takeaways

You can help your patients optimize the best of who they are by helping them to: Identify signature strengths as character strengths that one feels energized,

intrinsically motivated and authentic when displayed. Assess their signature strengths. Recognize the cultural barriers women in the military may face that hinder

them from using their signature strengths. Practice the aware, explore, apply framework to cultivate their signature

strengths.

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References

∎ Biswas-Diener, R. (2006). From the Equator to the North Pole: A study of Character Strengths. Journal of Happiness Studies, 7, 293–310. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10902-005-3646-8 .

∎ Brdar, I. Anić, P., & Rijavec, M. (2011). Character strengths and well-being: are there gender differences? In I. Brdar (Ed): The Human Pursuit of Well-Being: A Cultural Approach (pp.145-156). New York: Springer.

∎ Brdar, I., & Kashdan, T.B. (2010). Character strengths and well-being in Croatia: An empirical investigation of structure and correlates. Journal of research in personality, 44, 151-154. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2009.12.001

∎ Forest, J., Mageau, G. V. A., Crevier-Braud, L., Bergeron, L., Dubreuil, P., & Lavigne, G. V. L. (2012). Harmonious passion as an explanation of the relation between signature strengths’ use and well-being at work: Test of an intervention program. Human Relations, 65 (9), 1233-1252. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726711433134

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References

∎ Linley, A., Maltby, J., Wood, A.M., Joseph, S., Harrington, S., Peterson, C., & Seligman, M.E.P. (2007). Character strengths in the United Kingdom: The VIA Inventory of Strengths. Personality and Individual Differences, 43, 341-351. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2006.12.004

∎ Littman-Ovadia, H., & Lavy, S. (2012). Character Strengths in Israel. Hebrew adaptation of the VIA Inventory of Strengths. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 28, 41-50. d.o.i. http://dx.doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000089

∎ Miljković, D, & Rijavec, M. (2008). What makes us happy: Strengths of mind, strengths of Heart, or self-control? In M. Cindrić, V. Domović, y M. Matijević (Eds.). Pedagogy and the knowledge society (pp. 241-250). Zagreb: Učiteljski fakultet.

∎ Niemiec, R. M. (2013). VIA character strengths: Research and practice (The first 10 years). In Well-being and cultures (pp. 11-29). Springer, Dordrecht.

∎ Niemiec, R. M., Shogren, K. A., & Wehmeyer, M. L. (2017). Character strengths and intellectual and developmental disability: A strengths-based approach from positive psychology. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 52(1), 13. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59066-0_2.13

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References

∎ Ovejero, M., & Cardenal, V. (2011). Character strengths with gender perspective. A study with a Spanish sample. Second World Congress on Positive Psychology. Philadelphia, July, 23-26, 2011. Available on request to the author.

∎ Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. New York: Oxford University Press and Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

∎ Seligman, M. E. P., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: An introduction. American Psychologist, 55, 5–14. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037//0003-066X.55.1.5

∎ Seligman, M. E. P., Steen, T. A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive psychology progress: Empirical validation of interventions. American Psychologist, 60, 410 – 421.

∎ Shimai, S., Otake, K., Park, N., Peterson, C., & Seligman, M.E.P. (2006). Convergence of character strengths in American and Japanese young adults. Journal of Happiness Studies, 7, 311-322. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10902-005-3647-7.

∎ Wood, W., & Eagly, A. M. (2002). A cross-cultural analysis of the behaviour of women and men: implications for the origins of sex differences. Psychological Bulletin, 129, 699-727. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037//0033-2909.128.5.699

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Thank you!

Gabe Paoletti, EdD, MAPPgabriel.paoletti.ctr@usuhs.edu

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