Evidence-based coaching to enhance senior students’ wellbeing and academic striving

Authors

  • Aylin Dulagil University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW
  • Suzy Green The Positivity Institute, Sydney, NSW
  • Madonna Ahern Mt St Michael's College, Ashgrove, QLD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v6i3.426

Keywords:

Coaching, High School, Positive Education, Positive Psychology, Well-being

Abstract

Abstract: This study examined the impact of an evidence-based within subjects coaching intervention within an Australian high school. Participants were a cohort of 25 female high school students aged between 15 and 16 years (mean age = 15.9). The coaching program was part of a broader positive education program conducted by the school. Participants took part in a ten-session evidence-based coaching program (teacher facilitated) that included topics such as goal setting, mindfulness, coaching, and helpful self-talk. Pre and post measures were obtained for wellbeing, cognitive hardiness, trait hope, depression, anxiety, stress, and goal striving and goal achievement. Participants showed a significant increase in wellbeing, total trait hope, cognitive hardiness, and a significant decrease in depression, anxiety and stress. Participants also showed a significant increase in perceptions of successful striving towards personal goals. Scores on personal goal commitment, academic goal striving and academic goal commitment demonstrated a trend towards increased success in the post-intervention scores but did not achieve significance. This study uniquely considers evidence-based coaching as part of a broader positive education approach in an education setting. Limitations of the study and directions for future research are discussed.

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Author Biographies

Aylin Dulagil, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW

Organisational Psychologist and PhD student

Suzy Green, The Positivity Institute, Sydney, NSW

Principal, The Positivity Institute, Sydney, NSW.

Madonna Ahern, Mt St Michael's College, Ashgrove, QLD

Deputy Principal - Students, Mt St Michael's College, Ashgrove, QLD.

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Published

2016-10-13

Issue

Section

Articles