EFFECTIVENESS OF A PSYCHOEDUCATION PROGRAM FOR IMPROVING CHARACTER STRENGTHS AND MINDFULNESS AMONG MALE AND FEMALE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Abstract

Objective: To assess the levels of character strengths and mindfulness among high school students and examine gender differences in the effectiveness of a psychoeducational program.

Method: The study was conducted in two phases. Phase I employed a cross-sectional research design involving 342 high school students selected through stratified random sampling. Character strengths and mindfulness were assessed using the VIA-Youth Revised-2 (VIA-YR-2) and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale–Adolescents (MAAS-A) to identify students with low levels of character strengths and mindfulness. Phase II utilized a quasi-experimental pre-test–post-test control group design, in which students identified with low character strengths and mindfulness were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. The experimental group participated in an 8-week psychoeducation program (Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice - MBSP), whereas the control group received no intervention during the study period.

Results: Results: Most participants had moderate levels of character strengths and mindfulness. Approximately 25.45% students reported low levels of character strengths and 25.61% reported mindfulness. No significant gender differences were found in character strengths at pre-test, t (35) = −.68, p = .38, or post-test, t (35) = −.88, p = .38. However, significant gender differences were observed in mindfulness. Females scored higher at pre-test, t (35) = 2.65, p = .001, whereas males demonstrated significantly greater mindfulness at post-test, t (35) = 3.65, p = .001.

Conclusion: The psychoeducation program (mindfulness-based strengths practice) effectively enhanced character strengths and mindfulness among high school students. Although males showed greater improvement in mindfulness, both genders benefited equally in character strengths, supporting the effectiveness of the program in promoting adolescents’ positive psychological development and mental health.