In July, IPPA’s Student Division (SIPPA) brought student experiences into the spotlight through its Student Case Forum.
Contributors shared how they applied positive psychology in real-world settings, reflecting on successes, challenges and lessons learned.
The live session featured
- Beata Souders Clinicians’ experiences of flow states and burnout prevention in psychotherapy
- Jill Nachtigall An online nature group to support wellbeing among international adults with both autism and ADHD
- Zeena Hicks Positive self-coaching for parents raising children with ADHD
- Reena Sonigrah Self-compassion and hope with adolescent girls
Top presenter
If Stress Is Contagious, So Is Calm: Positive Self-Coaching for Parents Raising Children with ADHD
Congratulations to Zeena Hicks
Drawing on her experience as a positive psychologist raising two children with ADHD, Zeena put parents’ own wellbeing at the centre of her research.
Her six-week study, involving 216 parents at baseline, found that increases in self-kindness were strongly associated with reduced stress and improved wellbeing, with greater improvements when self-coaching was supported by peers. Parents’ reflections also suggested that these changes could have positive ripple effects across family life.
Learning beyond the live session
All accepted submissions were showcased as asynchronous posters, extending opportunities for learning across the community.
Thank you to all contributors, judges Kaviya Ilangovan, Lisa Sansom and Daniel Shek, and host Jennie Martow for supporting students to share, reflect and learn together.
