Positive psychology research and interventions in the African context: Advances, challenges, and future directions — ASN Events

Positive psychology research and interventions in the African context: Advances, challenges, and future directions (#265)

Richard Appiah 1 2
  1. Center for African Studies, Harvard University, Cambridge, USA
  2. College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu, Accra, GREATER ACCRA, Ghana

Despite recent advances, the volume of positive psychology research and interventions in Africa remains low, compared to global efforts. Yet, the unique cultural, social, and economic contexts of much of Africa make the continent potentially fructuous for theoretical research and for generating and evaluating context-tailored positive psychology interventions (PPIs) to support individuals, communities, and societies to flourish. This presentation will explore the latest research on PPIs in Africa, with a focus on how they were tailored to meet the needs of diverse populations, taking into consideration the cultural norms, values, and beliefs of different communities. The presentation will discuss the best practices for promoting mental health and well-being in African populations, explore the challenges that hinder the implementation of PPIs in Africa, and how researchers can collaborate with local communities to minimize ethics dumping, safeguard the integrity of the research process, and ensure the effectiveness of interventions. Further, the presentation will explore future directions for positive psychology research and interventions in the African context and discuss the need for more interdisciplinary collaborations, the use of innovative research methods, and the development of culturally sensitive measures to assess positive psychology constructs in African populations. The presentation concludes with an invitation to scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to exchange ideas and collaborate on innovative solutions to advance positive psychology research and interventions in Africa.

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