Fostering Positive Changes in Health and Social Relationships in Children

MARIANA LOZADA; VIVIANA KELMANOWICZ; MARCELA KAPELMAYER; PAOLA D´ADAMO; NATALIA CARRO; ANDREA CZAR

Positive Psychology Interventions in Practice,

Springer International Publishing

Año: 2017; p. 143 - 161

Several studies have demonstrated that altruism and gratitude may conferbeneficial effects on psychophysical wellbeing. The present chapter describes howpositive changes in health and social relationships can be fostered in 6- to 9-year-oldchildren when participating in positive interventions. The findings show that the experienceof working with others to attain shared goals and focusing on gratefulness positivelymodulated altruism and social interactions among peers, highlighting the greatbehavioural plasticity of children. Moreover, interventions involving cooperative playingnot only increased positive relationships but also contributed to a decrease inchronic stress levels. The positive outcomes of participating in the described interventionswere assessed by means of quantitative methods, such as physiological parameters,sociometric measures, and tests of altruism, the use of which, to our knowledge,has not been thoroughly explored in children. The present findings tie in well with thehypothesis that altruism is an embodied and situated human resource, which can conveyintrinsic benefits. Furthermore, results from the studies mentioned indicate thatpositive transformations can be easily fostered through the performance of this type ofintervention. Given that schools provide a stimulating environment that significantlyinfluences children?s development, our findings highlight the benefits of working inthis way to promote positivity in formal educational contexts, which could certainlycontribute to the enhancement of individual and social well-being.