2016 archive

The Compass for Life: Ways to thrive

In 2016 the APS ran the Compass for Life campaign to impart psychology knowledge and skills to Australians by sharing Ways to Thrive.

The APS conducted research, surveying Australian adults and young people to measure their wellbeing and life satisfaction across five key domains: positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning and accomplishment, known as PERMA. The results were released during Psychology Week, and Australians were also invited to take an online survey to find their own measure of happiness and wellbeing.

Books on Wellbeing

Peruse these titles on wellbeing, ways to thrive and positive psychology

How being positive improves your health

In 2003 a landmark study revealed what psychologists had long suspected: that people who experience positive emotions are at a reduced risk of disease. Researchers assessed a group of 334…

A holistic approach to student wellbeing

By Dr Peggy Kearns, Senior Lecturer at the Centre of Positive Psychology, University of Melbourne A key challenge for schools is how to best educate young people for the rigours…

Finding ways to thrive

Happiness, flourishing, thriving and wellbeing…these terms have increased in popular use in parallel to the rise of wellbeing science and positive psychology. Some claim these ideas are “Pollyanna-ish” and fluffy…

What is wellbeing

By Dr Lindsay G. Oades, Associate Professor and Director of the Centre for Positive Psychology at the University of Melbourne

Compass for Life Report

As part of the Australian Psychological Society Compass for Life survey, 1,000 Australian adults responded to a series of wellbeing, behavioural and social media questions. The survey utilised the evidence-based…

About PERMA

Measure your wellbeing, happiness and life satisfaction

Mobile Apps

A range of apps that promote wellbeing, mindfulness and boost mood are now available.

Why giving is good for the soul

The evidence is strong: helping others can actually boost your own wellbeing

How a positive ripple can shape our lives

Dr Lea Waters MAPS talks about positive psychology and how it can benefits our lives

Positive Psychology and living a good life

Dr Dianne Vella-Brodrick MAPS, Director of the Master of Applied Positive Psychology, discusses the principles of positive psychology, how we can all live a fuller life and how positive psychology…

The advantages of living a meaningful life

What science tells us about the advantages of living a meaningful life

Positive Parenting

The value of strengths-based parenting Strength-based parenting is an approach where parents deliberately identify and cultivate positive states, processes and qualities in their children. It’s about connecting your kids with…

Strengths

A focus on our strengths can help to support our wellbeing. There is growing psychological focus on the value of people identifying and applying their strengths in a range of…

Mindfulness

The benefits of mindfulness and how mindfulness can positively impact wellbeing are of growing interest to psychologists and the community. There is now some scientific research that supports various ways that…

Students

Teaching wellbeing at school Schools will always be focused on academic learning, but research suggests it is time to make wellbeing a regular part of teaching. Imagine if we taught…

Wellbeing

Foundations for wellbeing: A new scientific approach