Promoting Sustainable Wellbeing: Integrating Positive Psychology and Environmental Sustainability in Education

Tammie Ronen and Dorit Kerret
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Tammie Ronen: Department of Social Work, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo 6997801, Israel
Dorit Kerret: Department of Public Policy, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo 6997801, Israel

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-19

Abstract: This article proposes an integrative policy approach to defining and promoting wellbeing through the joint lenses of positive psychology and environmental sustainability. The study suggests that while both positive education and environmental education address various aspects of wellbeing, a common definition is still absent. The study proposes a framework for advancing a mutual concept of wellbeing: “sustainable wellbeing”, integrating aspects of individual wellbeing and the wellbeing of the environment. Sustainable wellbeing is achieved when improving individual wellbeing is correlated with improving the wellbeing of other members of society and the natural environment. It suggests a framework for integrating the benefits of positive education and environmental education into a coherent approach for exploring, discussing, and experiencing sustainable wellbeing. The paper mainly develops, explores, and demonstrates ten rules for implementing sustainable wellbeing literacy in schools, based on cognitive behavioral therapy and positive psychology insights. It contributes to the development and understanding of wellbeing, highlights the benefits of parallel developments of two distinct educational fields, and offers practical guidelines for implementing educational programs. Furthermore, the paper contributes to developing 21st century educational systems and further develops the emerging field of positive sustainability.

Keywords: positive psychology; sustainability; environmental education; wellbeing literacy; character strength; hope; positive education (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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