Well-being in the United Arab Emirates: How Findings From Positive Psychology Can Inform Government Programs and Research

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a minister of happiness was selected to start initiatives that could enhance citizen well-being. One major early accomplishment was starting the Program for Happiness. This program focuses on three main pillars: 1) include consideration of citizen happiness and well-being in every governmental program and policy; 2) promote happiness and well-being as an important part of one’s lifestyle; and 3) develop tools to measure national happiness and well-being. Though these projects have already made a positive impact, especially in organizational contexts, one major aspect of UAE culture was not included – religion. As an Islamic country, religion plays a vital role for most citizens in the UAE. Religion is considered to be a part of life that most people in UAE practice on a daily basis. Therefore, religion likely plays an important role in the well-being of many citizens in the UAE. This capstone will address well-being in the UAE while also discussing the specific role of religion. First, it will describe the UAE happiness initiative’s past, present, and future. Second, it will analyze some of the projects under the Program for Happiness using the lens of contemporary Positive Psychology theory and research. Third, it will discuss religion and well-being in the UAE and propose a study on the relationship between well-being and Islamic prayer

Positive Education at The Shipley School

Positive education, a unique blend of academic learning and positive psychology theory on well-being, is becoming increasingly important in today’s educational system, as mental disorders like anxiety and depression continue to increase in schools. Located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, The Shipley School, an independent PK-12 school, is an early adopter of positive education. In August 2017, Shipley led a three-day positive psychology retreat for all of its colleagues (teachers and staff); 25 self-selected colleagues, known as trained trainers, received an additional two days of training to guide them towards becoming thought leaders at Shipley. Preliminary evidence suggests that student’s perceptions of their teachers’ well-being may be associated with student well-being at Shipley. Additionally, the positive psychology retreat seems to have enhanced positive relationships among colleagues while decreasing loneliness and negative emotions. Per colleague feedback, active constructive responding, gratitude, mindfulness, optimism/thinking traps, and strengths appear to be the most salient skills taught at the retreat. As a result, we have developed onboarding plan recommendations for new colleagues encompassing the teaching of these five skills in small-group settings led by the trained trainers. We believe that Shipley is well on its way to becoming a leading model for positive education

An Explorative Qualitative Study

Copyright © 2022 AlKuwaiti, Hamada, Aljneibi, Paulo and Elbarazi.A positive COVID-19 infection may impact physical, mental, and social health. Different factors may influence these impacts on different levels due to personal circumstances. This study aimed to explore the impact of a positive COVID-19 diagnosis on the physical,mental, social, psychological health, and lifestyle practices of an individual in the United Arab Emirates. A sample of 28 participants was interviewed using online interviews. An interview guide was created based on the coping strategy model and conceptual framework of coping strategies. All interviews were recorded; then transcribed after obtaining written consent from participants. The NVivo software was used for thematic analysis based on both identified coping models. Major themes included the physical effects, social effects, psychological effects, spiritual effects, and lifestyle effects. Emerging themes include coping mechanisms, trust in authorities and the health care system, appreciation of the role of the government, conspiracy theories, and media roles. This study indicates that people diagnosed with COVID-19 have perceived very good support in terms of their physical health from the government and health authorities, but require social, psychological, and educational support during the infection period and post-recovery.publishersversionpublishe

Towards a better understanding between non-Muslim primary care clinicians and Muslim patients: A literature review intended to reduce health care inequities in Muslim patients

Although Muslims are a growing population within many non-Muslim countries, there are insufficient Muslim clinicians to care for them. Studies have shown that non-Muslim clinicians have limited knowledge and understanding of Islamic practices affecting health, which may lead to disparities in the quality of healthcare delivery and outcomes when caring for Muslim patients. Muslims come from many different cultures and ethnicities and have variations in their beliefs and practices. This literature review provides some insights which may strengthen therapeutic bonds between non-Muslim clinicians and their Muslim patients resulting in improved holistic, patient-centered care in the areas of cancer screening, mental health, nutrition, and pharmacotherapy. Additionally, this review informs clinicians about the Islamic perspective on childbirth, end of life issues, travel for Islamic pilgrimage, and fasting during the month of Ramadan. Literature was sourced by a comprehensive search in PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL along with hand screening of citations. Title and abstract screening followed by full-text screening excluded studies including less than 30% Muslim participants, protocols, or reporting results deemed irrelevant to primary care. 115 papers were selected for inclusion in the literature review. These were grouped into the themes of general spirituality, which were discussed in the Introduction, and Islam and health, Social etiquette, Cancer screening, Diet, Medications and their alternatives, Ramadan, Hajj, Mental health, Organ donation and transplants, and End of life. Summarizing the findings of the review, we conclude that health inequities affecting Muslim patients can be addressed at least in part by improved cultural competency in non-Muslim clinicians, as well as further research into this area