Browsing by Author "Alin, Mariel"

Social debate and a number of studies take care of children’s and adolescent’s well-being; approximately 10–20% of children of all ages suffer from mental health problems. Supporting the well-being of children is also included in the national curriculum, which assigns schools a teaching and educational role to support students’ positive identity, development and well-being. Particularly important is the recognition of pupils’ own strengths and specialities. Over the past decade positive psychology and character strength interventions have been seen as one of the possibilities to support pupil’s well-being in schools. However, there is still little research on student experiences. The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of 6th and 9th grade pupils about their own strengths and success and the encouragement of another. In order to understand the pupils’ experiences, the second theoretical framework of this study is the development of the self as a part of identifying one’s own strengths. The purpose of this study is to give an indication of how necessary the use of positive pedagogy can be seen. A total of 175 pupils participated in the study, of which 107 were 6th graders and 9th graders 68. The study material was secondary and part of a broader research project at the University of Helsinki. The material consisted of three open questions that explored pupils’ experiences of their own strengths and success. Also the encouragement of others was investigated. The material was analysed by qualitative content analysis. Recognizing the strengths of children and adolescents, the experiences of their success and the encouragement of the other came to the fore in school and leisure contexts. However, about one-third of the students were unable to tell about a situation where they had succeeded or used their strengths. One of the strengths mentioned was the need to help others. Success was felt especially in school work. Pupils encouraged others to succeed. Pupils know more often about the situation in which they have encouraged others, rather than their own strengths and experiences of success.