Positive Debate

Question 1

Workplace - for

Answer 1

Netterstrom et al. (2013) - study of 198 people on sick leave split into 3 treatment groups - 8 weeks of mindfulness and workplace-specific therapy sessions, group receiving 12 weeks of therapy, and a control waitlist group.

Found that 71% in the mindfulness group returned to work, in comparison to 36% and 24% in others

Question 2

Workplace - against

Question 3

Implications of Netterstrom et al.’s (2013) research

Answer 3

Economic: less time off work for sick leave more financially stable society

Question 4

Implications of

Question 5

Education - for

Answer 5

Montero-Marlin (2022) - mindfulness program in schools, students who engaged reported improved mental health and mindfulness skills, and those who were taught especially well reported practicing mindfulness more often and learning new skills

Question 6

Education - against

Answer 6

Kyuken et al. (2022) - mindfulness programs in schools, found it wasn’t very effective in most young people (11-14), no difference with mindfulness trained teaching and standard social-emotional teaching, and it was only more cost-efficient

Question 7

Implications of Montero-Marlin’s (2022) research

Answer 7

Social/Ethical: Children who are less stressed during exam periods academically perform better

Question 8

Implications of Kyuken et al.’s (2022) research

Answer 8

Economic: Waste of money if students don’t take it seriously

Question 9

Health - for

Answer 9

Cerezo et al. (2014) - group intervention based on improving psychological strengths for cancer patients, found an improvement in self-esteem, emotional intelligence, resilience, and optimism

Question 10

Health - against

Answer 10

Coyne et al. (2020) - examined four areas to suggest that positive psychology helps cancer patients - 1) positive factors like ‘fighting spirit’ extending life, 2) immune functioning and cancer progression and mortality 3) benefit finding 4) post traumatic growth following serious illness

Question 11

Implications of Cerezo et al.’s (2014) research

Answer 11

Economic: if positive psychology improves mental and physical health, then more time and money is saved by NHS if people are generally healthier

Question 12

Implications of Coyne et al.’s (2020) research

Answer 12

Ethical: people may interpret PPI as blame for their illness and feel defeated as it doesn’t offer physical treatment