Promoting Well-Being and Academic Success in the University Learning Environment Using the PERMA Model
Achusome Nkechi Frederica *
Department of Psychology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, NIMS University, Jaipur-303121, India.
Nirmala Singh Rathore
Department of Psychology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, NIMS University, Jaipur-303121, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: In the past, educational institutions prioritized subjects like technology, agriculture, and business, often neglecting mental well-being, contributing to rising youth mortality rates in the 21st century. Positive Psychology (PP) has emerged as a critical framework for fostering individual strengths, positive outlooks, and personal growth in learning environments.
Methodology: This study applies Seligman’s Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment (PERMA) model, incorporating a health component, to evaluate mental wellness among 231 undergraduate and postgraduate students (mean age = 22.65) from three Indian universities.
Results: Results indicate strong correlations between general well-being and life satisfaction, with moderate correlations to growth mindset and physical well-being. Positive Emotion showed strong associations with happiness (r = 0.642) and contentment (r = 0.553), while Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment correlated with relevant constructs like feeling excited (r = 0.446), feeling loved (r = 0.450), sense of purpose (r = 0.537), and achieving goals (r = 0.499). Moderate correlations across PERMA elements suggest they are related yet distinct, supporting the model’s internal consistency, convergent, and discriminant validity.
Conclusion: The PERMA model proved robust for assessing well-being in university settings, highlighting the need for holistic interventions balancing academic achievement with social and emotional support to enhance student well-being and academic success.
Keywords: Positive psychology (PP), PERMA model, well-being, academic success, university students, mental health