Findings on happiness in Proctor et al. (2011a): study GB 2009

Publication
Author(s)Proctor, C.L.; Tsukayama, E.; Wood, A.M.
TitleStrengths Gym: The Impact of a Character Strengths-based Intervention on the Life Satisfaction and Well-being of Adolescents.
SourceThe Journal of Positive Psychology, 2011, Vol. 6, 377 - 388
URLhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2011.594079
DOIDoi: 10.1080/17439760.2011.594079
Investigation
PublicAdolescents, participants in a strengt training and controls, UK, 2009
 Years 8 and 9 secundary school
Survey nameUnnamed study
SampleNon-probability purposive sample
 Two secondary schools agreed to participate. In Cheshire the school assigned 4 year 8 and 4 year 9 classes to the experimental group and 3 year 8 classes and 2 year 9 classes to the comparison group. In Chanelislands, four year 8 classes were assigned to the experimental group and 3 year 9 classes to the comparison group.
Respondents N =319
 experimental group n = 218, comparison group n = 101
Non ResponseNot available
 drop out 30 %
AssesmentQuestionnaire: paper
 completed in class
Happiness measure(s) used
Full textSelfreport on 20 questions. Indicate to what extend you felt this way in the last week. A nervous B distressed C afraid D edgy E grouchy F upset G scared H exiled I ashamed J guilty K hostile L active M determined N inspired O enthusiastic P alert Q attentive R proud S emotionally strong T interested Answer options: 1 very slightly or not at all 2 a little 3 moderately 4 quite a bit 5 extremely Negative affect score (NAS): A to K Positive affect score (PAS): L to T Affect Balance Score (ABS): PAS - NAS Name: Watson et al's PANAS (adapted last week version for children)
ClassificationA-BW-cw-mq-v-5-b
Author's labelPositive affects and negative affects
Page in publication381
RemarksAffect Balance at baseline, both groups. Computed by WDH team
Finding used in
nation ranks		Yes
 On original range -40 - 40On range 0 - 10
Mean1.61
Standard deviation

Correlational findings

Author's label Our subject description
Character strengths-based interventionshow  Actual changes in happiness
Character strengths-based interventionshow  Empowerment, also classified as above ↑
Character strengths-based interventionshow  Exercise, also classified as above ↑
Character strengths-based interventionshow  Mandatory, also classified as above ↑
Character strengths-based interventionshow  School, also classified as above ↑