FYI: Research on Happiness includes Counting Blessings

I love it when I find research that corroborates gospel teachings. These are quotes I’m taking from an article called Strengths of Character and the Family by Nansook Park, PhD and Christopher Peterson, PhD published in Family Therapy Magazine (Nov-Dec 2006 issue).

“Time and again, we find that the strengths that matter most in producing fulfillment are what we call strengths of the heart, positive traits that connect us to other people, such as kindness, love and gratitude, as opposed to strengths of the mind such as self-regulation, perseverance and prudence that are stressed in Western philosophy and the contemporary education system (Peterson, 2006.) Psychology has very few findings that can be conveyed without qualification, but here is one of them: No one is happy without good relationships with friends and family members (Diener & Seligman, 2002). Other people matter.”

“Strengths of character like bravery, humor, kindness, spirituality and appreciation of beauty are associated with successful recovery from physical illness, psychological disorder, and the effects of trauma (Peterson, Park, & Seligman, 2006).”

“Certain facts have come to light about good character. Although all strengths of character contribute to fulfillment… certain positive traits are more robustly associated with fulfillment than others (Park, Peterson, & Seligman, 2004). These strengths of character are gratitude, hope, zest, curiosity, and perhaps most importantly, love, defined as the ability to sustain reciprocated close relationships with other people. We have discovered that these five traits are robustly associated with well-being among youth as well as adults. Even among children as young as three years of age, those described as zestful, hopeful, and loving were also described by their parents as happy (Park & Peterson, (2006a).”

“Another part of our research has been the demonstration that certain strengths of character can be increased with lasting effects on well-being (Seligman, Steen, Park, & Peterson, 2005). Two such interventions are: counting your blessings and using your strengths in novel ways. Each is readily importable to the family.
Years ago, Irving Berlin urged us to count our blessings instead of sheep. Not only will a good night’s sleep result, but so too will happiness. Research shows that people who end each day by identifying three good things that happened to them become less depressed and happier as a result. These effects last for months. Several research participants told us they counted their blessings at the end of the day out loud to their spouses, who did the same. Those things for which they were most grateful often entailed the other person and the family. They went to sleep happy and grateful, perhaps reminded of why they married in the first place. Those who have gone to bed angry, next to a spouse who feels the same, know that this is not the route to a good life.”

“Individuals who identify their signature strengths are asked to use these strengths in novel ways. For example, someone whose signature strengths include curiosity or love of learning might join a book club that focuses on nonfiction. People who find new ways to do what they already do well become less depressed and happier as a result. “

“Everyone has strengths. They need to be recognized and celebrated.”

“No one this side of Hollywood ever said that happiness was easy. Lasting happiness results form hard work.”

“We would like to note that focusing on strengths does not mean denying or ignoring weaknesses in any way. We eventually have to deal with problems. However, identifying strengths in the family and strengthening them may be a good way to any intervention.”

“Healthy families are those where instances of celebration outnumber muted or negative responses to good news (Gable, Ries, Impett, & Asher, 2004). Families that thrive are families in which the members possess strengths of character and in particular those that bind people to one another.”