The Positive Psychology and Wellbeing Research Lab Newsletter Issue#7

POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY AND WELLBEING RESEARCH LAB FALL 2021 | ISSUE NO. 7

In this newsletter National Day celebration

Workshops

3rd Biennial International Psychology

Upcoming book project

Conference

Community

Resilience Psychology

–

The

role

of

Positive

initiatives

development

"My visit to the Ethiq well in Madina holds a history of resilience not to be forgotten. To understand that any journey with struggles will have an end point which in turn starts a new beginning. Like the water from the well that maintains its flow in continuing to give life to its surroundings is the essence of resilience".

- Hussam F. AlSharif

LETTER

FROM

THE

FOUNDER

Dear Readers, Welcome to the Fall 2021 edition of our newsletter. What a couple of years it has been! In the last few years, we have watched life change drastically.

Dr Saddiga Jaber Al Ghalib

We are now on the road to recovery as the world adapts to its new normal. I

any stigma is eliminated and a positive

am

view

amazed

resilient

in

strength

and

by

our

tough

ability times.

adaptability

to

be

Human are

truly

towards

cultivated

mental

health

beforehand.

In

is this

newsletter, we will be discussing the

remarkable. As we go through life’s

role

trials, we fail, we get hurt, we may fall

developing

but then we learn, we rise, and we

techniques for it. The newsletter will

grow. As Jodi Picoult wrote in her book

also

“My

Psychology

Sister’s

Keeper”,

“The

human

of

Positive

resilience

highlight and

how

and

in

some

the

Positive

Wellbeing

Research

capacity for burden is like bamboo- far

lab

more flexible than you'd ever believe

research-based

at first glance”. The world has proven

events to improve mental health in an

this to be true over and over in

interactive and enjoyable way. We also

history. Sometimes it may take us

have an exciting announcement at the

longer to bounce back or we may need

end!

help to get up and thrive again. We

I hope you enjoy this issue of the

must not hesitate to seek help when

Positive Psychology newsletter.

we need it. Mental health awareness

Thank you and best wishes.

and progress is a key component to ensuring a resilient society. Mental health education needs to start at an early age so that

has

Psychology

successfully

incorporated

techniques

in

its

NATIONAL

DAY

CELEBRATION

The PPWR Lab proudly celebrated the 91st Saudi National Day on September 29, 2021. The theme for our event was “Together we fight, together we heal, together we grow; together is a wonderful place to be”. We organized many interactive and fun activities for the students and staff. All our activities were prepared based on scientific research and were aimed to improve the happiness and wellbeing of the attendees.

Gratitude table We had several activities to promote gratitude.

We

such

writing

as

printing

had

and

different gratitude

decorating

events letters,

words

of

affirmation, preparing gifts for people we are grateful to, gratitude and many others. There is a lot of research to prove

the

relationship

between

wellbeing and gratitude. Gratitude has been

linked

satisfaction,

with

greater

happiness

and

life better

social relationships. As one study by

Forgiveness table

Dr. Martin E. P. Seligman showed,

We

writing

awareness

letters

significant

of

gratitude

positive

had

impact

a on

used

this

opportunity

about

the

to

rase

benefits

of

forgiveness through different activities

participant’s happiness scores and this

and

benefit lasted for a month (Giving

remember

thanks can make you happier, 2021).

process,

Besides

happens

immediately.

happiness, practicing gratitude has a

conscious

effort

positive

effect

on

where we can forgive someone who

fatigue

levels

and

increasing

wellbeing sleep

and

patterns,

resiliency.

It

treats.

It

is

that

it

is

important

forgiveness not to

something It

reach

to

is

a

that takes

a

point

hurt or betrayed us. Research has

detaches an individual from toxic and

proven

that

negative thoughts (Miller, 2021).

physical and mental benefits for the forgiver.

It

forgiveness is

linked

has with

many an

improvement in stress, depression and anxiety levels. It also has a positive effect on heart health, quality of sleep, cholesterol

and

blood

pressure

(Forgiveness: Your health depends on it). Forgiveness builds self esteem and hope in people who have been hurt (Souders, 2021).

Games corner There were different games that that the attendees could play with each other. Games can be used as a means of

lowering

stress

and

relieving

fatigue. Playing as a group can also help fulfill our social needs and forge new

relationships.

Positive

social

relationships have been shown over and over to have a significant impact on wellbeing and happiness. People who

experience

positive

social

interactions have been observed to have

better

mental

and

physical

Kindness table

health, reduced rate of mortality and

There was a kindness table at the

disease,

Saudi

and

increase

subjective

happiness (Mertika et al., 2020).

National

Day

celebrations.

Attendees were encouraged to write kind words to others or themselves so that everyone could read and benefit from

them.

kindness happiness

Research

with and

has

increased

linked

wellbeing,

improved

physical

health too. Even small everyday acts such as helping someone by holding the door for them has been found to increase wellbeing. Acts of kindness have a twofold effect. The receiver of kindness feels supported and happy and is more likely to show kindness to someone

else.

The

person

who

is

performing the act of kindness also feels an improvement in happiness and

becomes

more

inclined

continue to be kind (Abrams, 2021).

to

Sense of belonging At the Saudi National celebrations, we asked students what they loved about the university and the country. It is essential for people to feel a sense of belonging and community. In early childhood,

feeling

a

sense

of

belonging helps create a foundation for positive relationships in the future and lessen the impact of hardships that may be faced later (Allen, 2019).

"Strategies

to

create

a

sense

of

belonging in school can be shown to be

linked

to

motivation,

increased

improved

achievement;

reductions

student academic

in

student

absenteeism; increased staff wellbeing and

motivation

and

other

positive

social outcomes including health and wellbeing" (Ucl, 2020).

Art and craft corner An art and craft corner was organized at

the

event.

It

included

coloring

pages, painting, bookmark making and many other forms through which the

on stress, pain and wellbeing of adult

attendees could express their inner

and child cancer patients. Art therapy

artist.

was

Art

therapy

is

also

being

also

found

to

have

positively

recognized as one of the modes of

influenced mental function in patients

improving wellbeing. It is used to help

suffering

people tap into their feelings and

asthma patients also recorded lower

emotions. Researcher have observed

levels

that art therapy had a positive impact

undergoing art therapy (Tiret, 2022).

of

from stress

dementia. and

anxiety

Young after

“On the other side of a storm is the strength that comes from having navigated through it. Raise your sail and begin.” ― Gregory S. Williams

3RD

BIENNIAL

INTERNATIONAL

PSYCHOLOGY

CONFERENCE It was a two day conference themed "Resilience

and

Psychological

Wellbeing of Youth during the COVID19 Pandemic".

The PPWR Lab played a major role in organising the second day. The event was hosted by Ms. Maryam patel. It included

live

music

by

two

Effat

University students, Doujana Bahadur and Mayan Akram. Many mental health care centers and intitiatives such as Waad

Therapy

Center,

Center,

Roshd

Cure

Care

Consultation

and

Supervision, Etizan We

Care

Club,

Therapy Center,

Yuhka

Ana,

NSight

Center and Help Center were present at the venue to raise awareness of their services. The welcome address was given by Dr. Saddiga Al Ghalib. The second day of the conference also included

a

musical

entertainment

session by Dr. Naif Hashem. Many amazing works of art by young artists were dispayed at the event platform.

Ms Lujain Faqerah spoke about "The Elastic Being: Building Resiliency". Ms. Sarah AlAmoudi conducted a workshop on Resilience in line with the theme of the event. Ms. Amal Ismail spoke about "Nia:Moving to heal". Ms Amani Ismail, drawing from her experience as an art healer,

informed

the

audience

of

"Spontaneous Art". The last workshop was given by Dr Erik Theison who is the Director of Undergrduate Studies at Carnegie Mellon University in the US. He spoke on the topic "Personality, Emotion and Self Regulation: Cross Cultural

Variations

Responses".

and

Pandemic

GALLERY

RESILIENCE OF

POSITIVE

–

THE

ROLE

PSYCHOLOGY

Life is never a straight road. This

or ruminate about a bad event. This

pandemic has laid bare the reality of

stops us from moving towards the

existing mental health care. While we

healing process and keeps us trapped

have not completely recovered from

in our negative feelings. Research has

the pandemic, one positive outcome of

shown journaling will give us a better

it is the fact that we are now having

perspective about the issue and can

important discussions about mental

have a positive impact on pessimism

health and its importance. When we

and

are going through a difficult time, it

Techniques such as Mindfulness Based

seems never ending in the moment.

Stress Reduction, meditation, mindful

However, hard times do pass, and we

breathing, and mindful eating can help

end up stronger and more resilient

us focus more on the present and deal

through them. We become more aware

with

of what we can do differently, and this

constructive

awareness is what helps us grow,

them overtake our lives. The Lab has

learn and face life better. Resilience is

developed and published a culturally

an important characteristic to be able

and religiously inclusive three-week

to cope with difficulties and recover

mindfulness-training

from any setbacks. It is something that

designed to help university students

can be developed and improved with

deal with everyday stress, anxiety and

practice. The Positive Psychology and

depression while increasing levels of

Wellbeing Research Lab has tried to

life

develop resilience, especially among

completed this program reported less

students, through different research-

stress

based

compared

approaches.

approaches

is

One

of

journaling.

these We

sometimes tend to think over and over

depression

negative way

satisfaction. and

(Newman,

emotions

in

instead

letting

the

of

pilot

The

higher to

2016).

program

students

life

a

who

satisfaction

control

group.

Resilience can also be built by working to improve mental wellbeing.

Art therapy has shown to have a positive effect on people dealing with trauma

and

medical

issues

and

improve their life satisfaction (Cherry).

Many students have found the art corner at our lab enjoyable and stress reducing especially when they create something with their friends. Mental wellbeing and thereby resilience can also be enhanced by practicing selfcompassion and forgiveness. A way to develop self-compassion is to write down how we would treat a loved one in such a situation. Try to analyze why you are harder on yourself. Another technique

is

compassionate

to

write

letter”

a

to

“self-

yourself

about something you are struggling

help

with. Remind yourself that struggles

thriving and fulfilling lives.

are a part of every one’s life and being

References

hard on yourself is not the way to approach

any

struggle

(Newman,

2016). Forgiveness is another tactic of developing

resilience.

Forgiveness

helps us to let go of our negative feelings of resentment, hate or anger and

work

towards

healing.

It

is

important to understand the true aim of forgiveness which is to help the

everyone

living

Cherry,

K.

works.

Verywell

October

(n.d.).

in

How

it

art

Mind.

16,

to

lead

therapy Retrieved

2021,

from

https://www.verywellmind.com/whatis-art-therapy-2795755#citation-18.

Newman Kira M. Five science-backed strategies to build resilience. Greater Good.

Retrieved

October

16,

2021,

from

forgiver move on and heal and grow.

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/articl

Resilience and mental health do not

e/item/five_science_backed_strategies_

progress in a vacuum. It is imperative

to_build_resilience.

that we work together as a society to

WORKSHOPS

Workplace wellbeing

Ask the expert

Dr Saddiga Al Ghalib conducted a

The Psychology Club at Effat University

workshop

collaborated

on

the

topic

workplace

with

PPWR

Lab

to

wellbeing. Workplace wellbeing relates

organise an event where students and

to all aspects of working life, from the

staff could ask questions related to

quality

mental health and psychology to a

and

safety

environment,

to

about

work,

their

of

how

the

physical

workers their

feel

working

panel of experts. The panel consisted of

Dr

Toni

Sawma,

a

clinical

environment, the climate at work and

psychologist; Dr Saddiga Al Ghalib, a

work organization. It is a key factor in

positive

determining

Rashid, a personality psychologist and

an

organisation

'

s

psychlogist;

longterm effectiveness. Many studies

Ms

show

counselor.

a

direct

link

between

productivity levels and the general health and wellbeing of the workforce.

The different dimensions of wellbeing were

discussed.

explained

the

workplace

Dr

Saddiga

also

importance

of

wellbeing

to

the

organization and employees. She also elaborated

how

organizations

can

achieve happiness and wellbeing at the workplace.

Ruba

Sunbol,

Dr a

Tabassum University

UPCOMING

BOOK

PROJECT

‫َو َم ا َأْر َس ْلَناَك اَّل َرْحَم ًة‬ ‫ِإ‬ ‫ِلْلَع اَلِم ين‬

We have sent you ˹O Prophet˺ only as a mercy for the whole world.

(21:107)

Welcome to our new project!

characteristics that made him a great

The Positive Psychology and Wellbeing

leader and an inspiration to many

Research

an

people. His integrity and values were

exciting journey. We are planning to

praised even by those who opposed

publish a book that explores Prophet

him. In this book, we will shed light on

Muhammad’s

some

lab

is

embarking

(PBUH)

on

characteristics,

of

these

characteristics

his mannerisms, and teachings in the

providing

context of the virtues and character

instances from the Prophet’s (PBUH)

strengths

Positive

life. We intend to write this book as a

Psychology. The text will be published

means or a “toolkit” that can assist our

in English and Arabic.

readers

In this book we explore some of the

character strengths that can lead to a

character strengths of the Prophet

more thriving and meaningful life.

(PBUH) who has been sent as a “mercy

With

to mankind” from the perspective of

accounting

Positive Psychology with the intention

burden of disease and injury in people

to help our readers learn from these

aged 10-19 years” (Adolescent mental

characteristics and improve their lives

health

and happiness levels.

providing the youth will tools to better

Positive Psychology is often defined as

their mental health and live happier,

“the scientific study of what makes life

healthier and flourishing lives.

most worth living” (Peterson, 2008). It

References

outlined

by

focuses on an individual’s strengths and improving them to lead a fulfilling life. In this book, however, we take a slightly different approach. We will create or provide assessments to help readers measure their level in each characteristic

or

trait

that

will

be

described in the book. We hope that by providing techniques to improve

evidence

to

from

by

develop

mental

Hadith

and

health

for

“16%

2020),

our

of

or

improve

conditions the

focus

global

will

be

Peterson, C. (2008). What is positive psychology,

and

what

Psychology

Today.

is

it

Retrieved

not? from

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/ blog/the-good-life/200805/what-ispositive-psychology-and-what-is-it-not ·World

Health

September health.

28).

World

Organization.

(2020,

Adolescent

mental

Health

Organization.

and cultivate each of these traits, we

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-

can help people enrich their lives. The

sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had many

health.

“Courage doesn’t always roar.

Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying ‘I will try again tomorrow’.” ― Mary Anne Radmacher

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES

We, at the PPWR Lab, believe in supporting and encouraging individuals

or

wellbeing initiatives by organizations

in

the

community. We always aim to showcase their efforts and raise awareness about them.

‫‪BOXES‬‬

‫‪HEALING‬‬

‫عبارة عن ثالثة صناديق تهدف إىل ُم رافقة الفرد أثناء رحلة‬

‫شفاؤه لتكون صدي ًق ا داع ًم ا وحنو ًن ا‪ .‬هذه الصناديق عبارة عن‬

‫إشارات ُت رشدك وتأخذ بيدك نحو العافية النفسية لكنها ليس‬

‫بدي ًال عن دور ال ُم عالج‪ /‬أو الطبيب النفسي ‪.‬‬

‫صندوق اإلسعافات األولية العاطفية يقوم ب ُم عالجة وتحليل‬

‫ونقاش ‪ ٢٠‬حالة عاطفية قد ُت عنى باهتمام الفرد وتستنزف صحته‬

‫وطاقته‪ .‬بينما صندوق خارطة الشفاء يقود الفرد خطوة خطوة‬

‫عبر مائة سؤال من الممكن أن تدل الفرد عىل الصالبة النفسية‬

‫التي يتمتع بها دون أن يدري‪ .‬وأخي ًر ا صندوق العودة إىل الدهشة‬ ‫ُي عد دعوة لطيفة ل ُت عيدك مرة أخرى إىل االستمتاع بالحياة‬

‫واكتشاف عمقها بشغف وفضول ‪.‬‬

HAPPINESS

SECRET

4

YEAR

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Our team Our dynamic team is comprised of Dr Saddiga AlGhalib, Adeelah Yahya,

Afeefah

Yahya,

AlBatoul

Al

Shaiban,

Amnah

A

Yamani,Bashayer khalifah, Joud Altamimi, Lujain Faqerah, Madiha Khayat, Maryam Patel, Rana Dahlawi, Sarah Ikhtabi, Sarah Sultan, Shaden Al Khalifah, Shahad Al Sonare, Sundus Fazal ur Rehman and Tamara Gazzaz.

Join Us! You can Join our team of contributors to work on content development or donate to the development of the lab. Please follow the given link to learn more! https://www.effatuniversity.edu.sa/English/Research/ResearchLabs/Positive-Psychology/Pages/Join-Now.aspx

For inquiries regarding Positive Psychology & Well being Research Lab​, please contact us on

Email: saddigaj@gmail.com ppwresearchlab@gmail.com

Tel - +(966) 54 077 7731 Address: Administration and Registration Building, Room 301, Effat University, Jeddah ​21478 Kingdom of Sa​​udi Arabia.

Positive.Inspiring.Happiness

PPWResearchLab

@WellbeingJeddah