Effects of positive psychology interventions in Arab countries: a protocol for a systematic review

Abstract

IntroductionDespite the growing volume of published studies on the effects of positive psychology interventions (PPIs), little is known about their effectiveness outside of Western countries, particularly in Arab countries. As the effectiveness of PPIs in this region remains unclear, a systematic review focusing on this area of research can offer a valuable contribution. Here, we present a protocol for the first systematic review that aims to examine the effects of PPIs on increasing well-being, quality of life and resilience and decreasing depression, anxiety and stress for both health and clinical, child and adult populations in Arab countries.Methods and analysisThis protocol is carried out in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols guidelines. A systematic literature search for studies up to 30 April 2021 will be conducted in the following electronic databases: PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, Dar Al Mandumah and Al Manhal. Experimental/quasi-experimental quantitative studies evaluating the effects of PPIs on healthy and clinical participants of all ages in the 22 Arab countries will be included. Outcomes will include psychological effects of PPIs on dimensions related to well-being (eg, happiness), quality of life, resilience, depression, anxiety and stress. The risk of bias will be evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. A narrative synthesis with tables of study characteristics will be provided. A meta-analysis will be included if outcomes allow; in this instance, subgroups analysis will be conducted, depending on the data gathered, to examine differences in effect sizes based on age group, population type, duration of intervention and type of intervention.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was not required for the performance of this systematic review. We intend to publish the study in a peer-reviewed journal and share the findings at relevant conferences.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020198092.

Assessing a Happiness and Wellbeing Course in the United Arab Emirates: It is What They Want, but is it What They Need?

“…Table 2 Course themes and activities symptoms, negative affect, or cultural dimensions were observed, contrary to expectation and the prevailing literature (Basurrah et al, 2021(Basurrah et al, , 2022Bolier et al, 2013;Carr et al, 2020;Chakhssi et al, 2018;Hendriks et al, 2020;Hoppen & Morina, 2021;Koydemir et al, 2021;Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009;van Agteren et al, 2021;White et al, 2019). While PPIs do work in the region, as recent meta-analyses (Bassurah et al, 2021(Bassurah et al, , 2022 and independent studies Lambert, Passmore, Scull et al, 2019) confirm, it may be that for-credit classroom offerings do not yield the same returns as those found in clinical, online, community or laboratory settings.…”

The effects of positive psychology interventions in Arab countries: A systematic review

“…This systematic review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020198092) and published at BMJ Open (Basurrah et al, 2021).…”

The PISA performance gap between national and expatriate students in the United Arab Emirates

“…School curricula must develop non-cognitive skills, not merely to reflect gains in international assessments, but because employers demand them and they hold benefits for society (World Economic Forum, 2017). Prior studies conducted in the UAE and region suggest they are effective (see for instance Bassurah et al, 2021; Lambert et al, 2019).…”