Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE RSE2003

 
TITLE Resilience, Positive Psychology and Wellbeing

 
UM LEVEL 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Centre for Resilience and Socio-Emotional Health

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit is recommended for those who wish to learn more about resilience, positive psychology and strengths based approaches and how these may be applied to promote wellbeing and mental health. It focuses on examining scientific research centered on the nature of resilience, positive emotions and psychological well-being. Topics include the theories and measurement of resilience; risk and protective factors; resilience systems; the positive emotions; the engagement and flow; an overview of positive thinking concepts (optimism and hope); the classification of character strengths and virtues; the characteristics of successful relationships (forgiveness, gratitude, positive communication); meaning, purpose and life values; and posttraumatic growth. Practical applications for building resilience and well-being will be demonstrated and discussed with the emphasis on developing these skills.

Study-unit Aims:

This study-unit aims to familiarize students with the fundamental principles,theories and practices of resilience, positive psychology, and how these help to promote optimal human functioning and wellbeing in various contexts and systems, including home, school, community, health settings and work places. It will also enable participants to integrate theory and research into practice, both at personal and systems level. By the end of the study-unit the students will acquire basic knowledge and skills in resilience and positive psychology and their relevance and application to mental health, well-being and resilience both on a personal level as well at systems level such as home, school and community amongst others.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge of the theory and research in resilience and positive psychology in relation to wellbeing and mental health;
- identify the essential principles and theoretical background of the main concepts of resilience, wellbeing and mental health;
- integrate resilience and positive psychology theory and research into practice at both personal and systems levels;
- identify the barriers to wellbeing and mental health and how to overcome them;
- gain a clear understanding of the importance of positive emotions and positive thinking;
- identify their own personal qualities and contextual factors and and how to use them more efficiently in daily life;
- suggest simple interventions improving quality of life and well-being.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- apply the gained knowledge within their own respective field of study;
- contribute to the healthy functioning of social systems and contexts;
- promote their own personal growth, resilience and wellbeing;
- use their strengths more effectively;
- cope with difficult life situations;
- develop optimistic and flexible thinking style;
- use mindfulness exercises to promote own and others' wellbeing;
- adopt positive ways of communication and develop healthy relationships.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- Goldstein, S and Brooks, R.B. (2013) Resilience in Children (2nd edition). NY: Springer Publications.
- Peterson, C. (2006). A Primer in Positive Psychology. New York: Oxford University Press.

Supplementary Readings:

- Aspinwall, L.G., & Staudinger, U.M. (Eds.). (2003). A Psychology of Human Strengths: Fundamental Questions and Future Directions for a Positive Psychology. Washington: APA.
- Boniwell, I. (2008). Positive Psychology in a Nutshell: A Balanced Introduction to the Science of Optimal Functioning. London: PWBC.
- Cefai, C. & Cavioni, V (2014) Social and Emotional Education in Primary School. Integrating Theory and Research into Practice. New York: Springer P.
- Cefai, C et al (2015) RESCUR Surfing the Waves. A Resilience Curriculum for Early Years and Primary Schools in Europe. Malta: Centre for Resilience and Socio-Emotional Health, University of Malta.
- Cefai, C. et al. (2015) Social inclusion and social justice: a resilience curriculum for early years and elementary schools in Europe. Journal for Multicultural Education, 9:3, 122-139.
- Cefai, C. & Camilleri, L. (2015). A Healthy Start: Promoting mental health and wellbeing in the early primary school years. Emotional and Behaviour Difficulties, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 133-152.
- Cefai, C. & Galea, N. (2016). Children's Worlds. The subjective wellbeing of Maltese children. Third Monograph of the Centre for Resilience & Socio-Emotional Health, University of Malta.
- Csikszentmihalyi, M. & Csikszentmihalyi, I. (Eds.). (2006). A Life Worth Living: Contributions to Positive Psychology. New York: Oxford University Press.
- Diener, E. & Biswas-Diener, R. (2008). Happiness. Unlocking the Mysteries of Psychological Wealth. Blackwell Publishing.
- Fredrickson, B.L. (2009). Positivity: Top-notch Research Reveals the 3 to 1 Ratio That Will Change Your Life. New York: Three Rivers Press.
- Joseph, S. (2013). What Doesn't Kill Us: The New Psychology of Posttraumatic Growth. New York: Basic Books.
- Keyes, C. L. M. (2002). Flourishing: Positive Psychology and the Life Well-lived. Washington, DC: APA.
- Linley, P. A. & Joseph, S. (2004). Positive Psychology in Practice. New Jersey: J.Wiley and Sons.
- Linley, A. (2010). The Strengths Book. Coventry, UK: CAPP Press.
- Lopez, S. J. (2013). Making Hope Happen – Create the Future You Want For Yourself and Others. New York: Atria Books.
- Lyubomirsky, S. (2007). The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want. New York: Penguin Press.
- Masten, A. S. (2011) Resilience in children threatened by extreme adversity: Frameworks for research, practice, and translational synergy. Development & Psychopathology, 23 (2), 493-506.
- Niemiec, R. (2014). Mindfulness and Character Strengths. A practical guide to Flourishing. Boston: Hogrefe Publishing.
- Peterson, C. & Seligman, M.E.P. (2004). Character Strengths and Virtues. A Handbook and Classification. Oxford University Press.
- Seligman, M.E.P. (1991). Learned Optimism. New York: Knopf.
- Seligman, M.E.P. (2011). Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being. New York: Free Press.
- Slezackova, A. & Sobotkova, I. (2016). Family Resilience: Positive Psychology Approach to Healthy Family Functioning. In Updesh Kumar (Ed.). The Routledge International Handbook of Psychosocial Resilience, (379-390). Routledge.
- Slezackova, A. (2015). Boosting hope. In L. Bormans (Ed.). World Book on Hope. (104-107), Tielt: Lannoo.
- Slezackova, A. & Havigerova, J.M. (2012). Positive education: Principles and Contribution to the Prevention of Socially Pathological Phenomena at School. In G. Milkowska (Ed.). Prevention in School - Prevention in Education. Toruń: Wydaw. Adam Marszalek, (152-168).
- Snyder, C.R. (2000). Handbook of Hope. New York: Academic Press.
- Snyder, C.R. & Lopez, S.J., & Pedrotti, J.T. (Eds.). (2010). Positive Psychology. The Scientific and Practical Exploration of Human Strengths. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
- Ungar, M. (2012). Researching and theorizing resilience across cultures and contexts. Preventive Medicine, 55(5), 387-389.
- Vaillant, G. E. (2009). Spiritual evolution: How we are wired for faith, hope, and love. New York: Three Rivers Press.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture and Seminar

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment SEM1 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Alena Slezackova
Carmel Cefai (Co-ord.)

 

 
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The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

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