By creating the SPARK Resilience programme, psychologists focused on helping people gain resiliencethe ability to successfully adapt to and overcome challenging times. It is based on models of
and positive psychology. Developing an understanding of the SPARK model involves identifying the situation, perception, affect, reaction, and knowledge in application to real life situations.
, it is important to consider the situation as a set of neutral facts, to know the features of your perception of troubles (for example, a tendency to catastrophize or ignore problems), to notice and regulate automatic reactions resulting in destructive behavior. Usually, this conscious approach leads to a deeper understanding of the situation and your role in it and makes it possible to effectively manage stress.
SPARK Resilience was originally developed as a universal school programme. It is widely used in the UK, France, the Netherlands, Japan, and Singapore. Previously, the programme’s effectiveness was studied after it was tested on children and adolescents. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the study authors worked with this version of the programme, which allowed them to understand how SPARK Resilience affects adults.
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The data for the study was collected at the beginning of the pandemic (in April 2020) in France. The participants were French-speaking volunteers who took part in group coaching via Zoom video conferences. Eight one-and-a-half-hour sessions were conducted over four weeks. The SPARK sessions combined training, group interaction, surveys, quizzes, discussions in small virtual groups, mindfulness exercises and optional homework. They were conducted by two coaches with a degree in psychology and extensive experience in group work.
The sample included 101 programme participants and 86 people in the control group. Everyone filled out surveys before and after the programme. The analysis revealed a statistically significant increase in resilience and psychological well-being, as well as a decrease in perceived stress in the group that underwent intervention. Most of the participants confirmed that they want to apply what they learned during the programme in their life.
The participants reported high levels of satisfaction, which can also be explained by the context of the pandemicthe study was conducted during the earliest lockdown period, which was first introduced in France. It was exactly the time when people needed serious psychological support.
Source: Eurekalert
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