A Narrative Review of Peer-Led Positive Psychology Interventions: Current Evidence, Potential, and Future Directions

Maike Neuhaus, Tarli Young, Laura J. Ferris, Charlotte L. M. Grimmel and Natasha Reid
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Maike Neuhaus: Centre for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
Tarli Young: School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
Laura J. Ferris: School of Business, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
Charlotte L. M. Grimmel: Independent Researcher, Port Vila, Vanuatu
Natasha Reid: Centre for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-15

Abstract: Positive psychology interventions are an effective means for cultivating flourishing, addressing low levels of wellbeing, and preventing languishing. Peer-led interventions can be a particularly advantageous delivery method of positive psychology interventions, as participants tend to respond more favourably to people that they can identify with personally. Such interventions have been applied in a variety of settings and populations, but the literature on peer-led positive psychology interventions has not yet been summarised. This paper provides a narrative overview of peer-led positive psychology interventions. We reviewed relevant peer-led interventions, assessed the available evidence on their effectiveness, and highlighted promising opportunities for peer-led positive psychology interventions. We found that the majority of the studies were observational in design but showed a high level of acceptability for participants across the reviewed domains. In particular, schools, workplaces, the aged care sector, and community settings are noted as promising target domains for these interventions. However, more studies—particularly high-quality research—will be needed to comprehensively test the effectiveness of peer-led positive psychology interventions. We discuss opportunities for future research in this field.

Keywords: positive psychology; positive psychology interventions; flourishing interventions; peer-led positive psychology; complete mental health; peer-led intervention; peer support (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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