How PERMA promotes preschool teacher well-being in Hong Kong: A 2-month randomized control trial

Sing Yeung Alfred LEE, Jesus Alfonso Daep DATU, Wing Kai FUNG, Kevin Kien Hoa CHUNG

Research output: Contribution to conferencePapers

Abstract

Background: Preschool teachers’ well-being is positively associated with their students’ development and learning outcomes. Developing a positive psychological intervention that can foster preschool teachers’ well-being would be essential.

Purpose: This study examined the effects of an intervention based on the PERMA (i.e., positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment) model on well-being outcomes among preschool teachers in Hong Kong.

Method: We recruited 116 preschool teachers (Mage = 34.14 years, SD = 10.17, range = 21–59; female = 98.51%). Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 51; received four online workshops that cultivated the PERMA dimensions in 4 weeks) and waitlist control group (n = 65; only received the workshops after the data collection). Participants completed a survey that measured the PERMA dimensions of well-being at baseline 4- and 8-week follow-up occasions. MANCOVA and ANCOVA, controlling for gender, age, and teaching experience, were employed to examine the intervention effects.

Results: A significant time x group interaction effect was found in the MANCOVA, Wilks’ Lambda F(10,102) = 2.19, p = .02, η2 = .18. The results of ANCOVA revealed that participants in the intervention group scored significantly higher on engagement, relationship, and accomplishment (η2 = .02 to .05, p < .05) than those in the control condition across time.

Conclusion(s): Our findings highlighted the effects of PERMA-based interventions to promote mental health of preschool teachers. Teachers are encouraged to engage in positive psychological activities (e.g., positive reappraisal and self-compassion) to cultivate their well-being. Copyright © 2023 ICBM.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2023
Event17th International Congress of Behavioral Medicine: "From Local to Global: Behavior, Climate and Health" - Vancouver, Canada
Duration: 23 Aug 202326 Aug 2023
https://isbm.info/news-and-events/congress-2023

Conference

Conference17th International Congress of Behavioral Medicine: "From Local to Global: Behavior, Climate and Health"
Abbreviated titleICBM 2023
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityVancouver
Period23/08/2326/08/23
Internet address

Citation

Lee, A. S. Y., Datu, J. A. D., Fung, W. K., & Chung, K. K. H. (2023, August 23–26). How PERMA promotes preschool teacher well-being in Hong Kong: A 2-month randomized control trial [Paper presentation]. 17th International Congress of Behavioral Medicine: "From Local to Global: Behavior, Climate and Health", Vancouver, Canada.

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