Nichols, Brianne

Brianne Nichols
Start date:
October 2014
Research Topic:
Investigating the role of agency and resilience in relation to Flourishing among students in Higher Education
Research pathway:
Research Supervisor:
Dr John Parkinson
Supervising school:
Ysgol Seicoleg,
Primary funding source:
ESRC Studentship

A lot of research within the field of Positive Psychology has underpinned the vital role of positive emotions in relation to Flourishing, which is an optimal state of wellbeing. What is less understood within this field of research is the role of negative emotions in relation to wellbeing, and how some people may Flourish despite having experienced hardship. For this reason, my research aims to investigate the role of negative emotions among students in Higher Education and its relation to Flourishing. More specifically, I’m interested in the role of personal agency in this process and how negative emotions may motivate solution-focused behaviours and thus, contribute to Flourishing.