Article Gold Open Access 2021

Changes in Finnish ninth graders’ positive psychological capital (PsyCap) in a strength-based student guidance intervention

KM
Katajisto, Marjo
 HS
Hyvarinen, Sanna
 US
Uusiautti, Satu
International Journal of Adolescence and Youth
Journal · Vol. 26 · Issue 1 · pp. 321-339
Abstract

The purpose of this research was to implement the strength-based student guidance among ninth graders by using a Power Zone tool and to analyse what kind of impact the guidance had in students. The especial focus was on the analysis of positive psychological capital (PsyCap). The test group (n = 57 students) and the control group (n = 46 students) were selected from two ordinary mainstreaming comprehensive schools with grades from 1 to 9 located in West-Finland. In the test group, the students’ scores in PsyCap, strengths and resources, and student guidance increased positively and more than in the control group. The statistically significant change was found in the test group regarding their strengths and resources and a very significant change in the experiences of student guidance. The findings were encouraging. The positive changes encourage using the Power Zone tool in student guidance. It is possible to increase PsyCap through the strength-based guidance. © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Keywords

Author Keywords

positive psychology an intervention research human strengths positive psychological capital (PsyCap) power zone strength-based guidance

Index Keywords

human Article controlled study major clinical study positive psychology Finland
Author Affiliations
Faculty of Education, Lapin Yliopisto, Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland
Funding & Acknowledgements
No funding information
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