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Flourishing in Later Life: a Positive Psychology Training for Care-Workers

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Flourishing in Later Life: a Positive Psychology Training for Care-Workers FLOURISHING IN LATER LIFE: A POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY TRAINING FOR CARE-WORKERS ZACHARY RHODENIZER B.A./B.Ed., University of Lethbridge, 2010 A Project Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of the University of Lethbridge in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF EDUCATION – COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGY FACULTY OF EDUCATION LETHBRIDGE, ALBERTA January 2014 Abstract Most careworkers would agree that continued engagement is important and necessary for residents of a long-term care facility; however, the manner in which careworkers can plan activities in order to be engaging and motivating to residents is less certain. A program based on positive psychology is presented that aims to promote meaningful, engaging, and intrinsically motivating activities that can benefit any resident living in care. The program demonstrates positive psychology and self-determination theory to careworkers and the manner in which this knowledge can be applied to older populations. The program then informs careworkers how to facilitate interventions that promote gratitude, forgiveness, hope, altruism, and apply signature strengths to meaningful pursuits. These interventions can be implemented regardless of physical limitations and can help residents to flourish in long-term care. iii Acknowledgments To my supervisor, Dr. Blythe Shepard, your patience with me and this project has been greatly appreciated. I shudder to think where I would be in this process if it were not for your guidance and direction. To Dr. Jennifer Thannhauser, your encouragement pushed me to attempt this endeavour in the first place. Knowing that you believed in my abilities helped me through the times when I did not. To the staff and residents at St. Therese Villa and St. Michael’s, thank you so much for opening your doors and supporting me in this project. I hope to benefit you at least as much as you have me. If it were not for Covenant Health’s support, this project would have been completely different. To Sarah, now that this work is finished I can start paying back the time and attention I owe you. It was all for you anyway. Now we can focus on how our family can flourish. iv Table of Contents Abstract .............................................................................................................................. iii Acknowledgments.............................................................................................................. iv Table of Contents .................................................................................................................v List of Figures .................................................................................................................. viii Chapter One: Overview .......................................................................................................1 Intent of Project........................................................................................................3 Rationale ..................................................................................................................4 Statement of Interest ................................................................................................6 Overview and Structure of Project ...........................................................................7 Definition of Terms..................................................................................................9 Summary ................................................................................................................10 Chapter Two: Literature Background ................................................................................11 Developmental Issues of Aging .............................................................................11 Generativity and stagnation: Care. .............................................................12 Intimacy and isolation: Love. ....................................................................14 Identity and identity confusion: Fidelity ....................................................15 Industry and inferiority: Competence ........................................................16 Initiative and guilt: Purpose .......................................................................17 Autonomy and shame: Will .......................................................................19 Trust and mistrust: Hope. ...........................................................................20 Critiques of Erikson’s theory. ....................................................................21 Possible Selves .......................................................................................................23 v Successful Aging ...................................................................................................24 Promoting Successful Aging..................................................................................27 Positive Psychology ...............................................................................................28 Gratitude. ...................................................................................................34 Forgiveness. ...............................................................................................41 Flow. ..........................................................................................................42 Altruism. ....................................................................................................45 Optimism....................................................................................................46 Strengths ................................................................................................................49 Cognitive strengths. ...................................................................................50 Emotional strengths. ..................................................................................50 Social strengths. .........................................................................................51 Values ........................................................................................................52 Summary ................................................................................................................52 Chapter Three: Methods ....................................................................................................53 Search Terms .........................................................................................................53 Designing the Workshop........................................................................................55 Framework .................................................................................................55 Designing the sessions ...............................................................................55 Summary ................................................................................................................56 Chapter Four: Synopsis ......................................................................................................57 Overview of Manual ..............................................................................................57 Projected Outcomes of Workshop .........................................................................59 vi Target Population ...................................................................................................60 Strengths ................................................................................................................60 Limitations and Areas of Future Research.............................................................61 Knowledge Transfer...............................................................................................61 Reflections .............................................................................................................62 Summary ................................................................................................................63 References ..........................................................................................................................64 Facilitator’s Manual ...........................................................................................................75 Appendices .......................................................................................................................112 A: Program Evaluation ........................................................................................112 B: Informed Consent Forms for Workshop Participants .....................................117 C: Informed Consent Form for Resident Participants..........................................119 D: PERMA Handout ............................................................................................121 E: Gratitude and Forgiveness Handout ................................................................122 F: Signature Strengths Assessment ......................................................................124 G: Motivation Handout ........................................................................................138 H: Legacy Exercise Handout ...............................................................................139 I: Workshop Evaluation Questionnaire ................................................................140 J: Interview and Focus Group Questions .............................................................141 vii List of Figures Figure 1. Flourishing
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