Integrating Buddhist Psychology with Guidance to Enhance the Happiness of Lower Secondary School Students

Abstract

This study aimed to: 1. examine the level of happiness among lower secondary school students; 2. develop a Buddhist psychology–integrated counseling activity package; and 3. evaluate the effectiveness of the activity package in enhancing students’ happiness. The study employed a quasi-experimental research design using a one-group pretest–posttest approach with a one-week follow-up assessment. The sample consisted of 30 lower secondary school students from Kindergarten Wang Muang School, Saraburi Province, selected through purposive sampling. The research instruments included a Buddhist counseling activity package and a student happiness questionnaire. The quality of the instruments was confirmed by an Index of Item-Objective Congruence (IOC) of 0.93 and a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.87. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired-samples t-test, and content analysis.

The findings revealed that: 1. Prior to participation in the program, the students’ overall happiness was at a moderate level ( = 3.28). When ranked from the lowest to the highest mean score, the dimensions were life satisfaction ( = 2.90), relationship and compassion ( = 3.33), mindfulness and present-moment awareness ( = 3.43), and emotional management ( = 3.47), respectively. 2. The Buddhist psychology–integrated counseling activity package demonstrated the highest level of appropriateness, with a content validity index of 0.93 as evaluated by experts. The package consisted of eight activities: (1) True Happiness or False Happiness, (2) Awakening Through the Breath, (3) Emotional Awareness, (4) Practicing Mindfulness in Daily Life, (5) Sharing Kindness with One Another, (6) The Power of Connectedness, (7) Positive Thinking, and (8) Cultivating Happiness Through Wisdom. 3. After participating in the program, the students’ overall happiness significantly increased ( = 4.00, p < .05). Furthermore, all dimensions of happiness showed statistically significant improvements. The follow-up assessment conducted one week later indicated that the students’ happiness remained at a higher level, demonstrating the sustained effectiveness of the activity package.