Examining Positive Psychology Interventions to Boost Mental Health of Students in Universities in India
摘要
Positive psychology interventions (PPIs) have obtained growing interest in the domain of education, especially in promoting comprehensive well-being that includes academic, emotional and mental aspects among students. Students often experience stress due to academics and various aspects. Positive psychology interventions play a significant role in enhancing student involvement and motivation. This chapter studies the role of these PPIs in the higher education institutes of India. We have shed light on the impact of PPIs on students’ psychological well-being, academic performance and the institutional culture. Existing PPIs such as thankfulness exercises, mindfulness training, competency-based learning and empowerment and resilience activities have shown positive outcomes in international studies. However, their execution in Indian HEIs is limited and needs an organized approach according to the cultural landscape of the country. We have adopted a qualitative research methodology to research the standpoints of students and counsellors on positive psychology interventions (PPIs) in Indian universities and educational institutions. The research design comprises student perception surveys and focus group discussions with counsellors to provide a broad perspective of the holistic educational initiatives. The findings of this study accentuate the need for regulatory reforms and organizational commitment to integrate positive psychology interventions in higher educational institutions of India. Future research should focus on developing culturally relevant PPIs and assessing their long-term impact on students’ academic and personal development. Effective implementation of PPIs in Indian higher education institutes can result in a deeply impactful education, providing students with the mental resilience essential for life long achievement.