Post-Congress Workshop International Positive Psychology Association 8th IPPA World Congress 2023

Introduction to Tools for Strengthening PERMA+4, Well-Being, and Positive Functioning  (#306)

Stewart I. Donaldson 1 , Jana Koci 2
  1. Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA, United States
  2. Heath Education, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic

Seligman (2011) illustrated that well-being can actively be developed through pursuing five measurable building blocks - Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment - which he called PERMA. Donaldson et al. (2020) found empirical evidence supporting the addition of four more building blocks – physical health, mindset, environment, and economic security – which they called PERMA+4.  Professors Stewart I. Donaldson and Jana Koci have developed practical evidence-based tools for assessing and strengthening PERMA+4, well-being, and positive functioning.  These practical tools are being used for assessment, to guide evidence-based coaching practice, and to guide the design of positive psychology interventions (PPIs).  In this workshop you will learn how to use these evidence-based tools to strengthen PERMA+4, well-being, and the positive functioning of diverse people you are serving, or desire to serve, in your positive psychology practice. 

Donaldson, S. I., Heshmati, S., Young, J. Y., and Donaldson, S. I. (2020). Examining building blocks of wellbeing beyond PERMA and self-report bias. J. Posit. Psychol., 1–8. doi: 10.1080/17439760.2020.1818813

Seligman, M. E. (2011). Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Wellbeing. New York, NY. Simon and Schuster.