Promoting Student Happiness Positive Psychology Interventions in Schools

Grounded in cutting-edge research, this book shows how interventions targeting gratitude, kindness, character strengths, optimistic thinking, hope, and healthy relationships can contribute to improved academic and social outcomes in grades 3-12. It provides a 10-session manual for promoting subjective well-being--complete with vivid case examples--that can be implemented with individuals, small groups, or whole classes. Factors that predict youth happiness are discussed, evidence-based assessment tools presented, and ways to involve teachers and parents described. In a large-size format for easy photocopying, the volume includes 40 reproducible handouts and forms. Purchasers get access to a companion website where they can download and print these materials, plus online-only fidelity checklists and parent and teacher notes.

This book is in The Guilford Practical Intervention in the Schools Series, edited by Sandra M. Chafouleas.

Shannon Suldo, PhD, is Professor in the School Psychology Program at the University of South Florida. Her research focuses on youth happiness, and she has completed numerous studies to understand factors that explain differences in students' levels of happiness. She frequently presents her work at local, state, national, and international conferences, and has extensive experience implementing positive psychology interventions in elementary, middle, and high schools. Dr. Suldo is a recipient of the Lightner Witmer Award from Division 16 (School Psychology) of the American Psychological Association She has coauthored more than 30 journal articles and 10 book chapters.

I. Overview of Student Happiness
1. Background and Rationale
2. Measuring Students' Well Being (with E. Scott Huebner & Michael Furlong)
3. Factors Associated with Youth Subjective Well Being
II. Student Focused Strategies for Promoting Youth Happiness
4. Theoretical Framework Underpinning Design and Development of Positive Psychology Interventions
5. The Well Being Promotion Program: A Selective Intervention for Adolescents (with Jessica Savage)
6. Alternative Selective and Indicated Interventions for Promoting Youth Happiness (with Brittany Hearon)
III. Ecological Strategies for Promoting Youth Happiness
7. Universal Strategies for Promoting Student Happiness (with Mollie McCullough & Denise Quinlan)
8. Family Focused Strategies for Promoting Youth Happiness (with Rachel Roth)
IV. Professional Considerations in Promoting Happiness across Cultures and Systems
9. Cross Cultural and International Considerations (with Gary Yu Hin Lam)
10. Integrating Positive Psychology in Multi Tiered Systems of Support (with Natalie Romer)