Flourishing amidst adversity: Exploring mechanisms of change in a spiritually based character strengths intervention using the PERMA framework in Zambia

Mataanana Mulavu^1,*, Dana Seale², J. Paul Seale³, Sion K. Harris⁴, Tulani Francis L. Matenga¹, Mwitwa Mugode¹, Shimeo Sakanya¹, Jonathan M. Tirrell⁵, Phillip Chimponda⁶, Wilbroad Mutale⁷, Mutale Sampa⁸, Oliver Mweemba¹
1 Department of Health Promotion and Education, School of Public Health, Ridgeway Campus, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
2 Global Resilience Oral Workshops, Macon, GA, USA
3 Department of Community and Behavioral Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
4 Center for Adolescent Behavioral Health Research (CABHRe), Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
5 Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
6 Serenity Harm Reduction Programme Zambia (SHARPZ), Lusaka, Zambia
7 Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Ridgeway Campus, University of. Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
8 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Ridgeway Campus, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
* Corresponding Author: Mataanana Mulavu. Email: email

Journal of Psychology in Africa https://doi.org/10.32604/jpa.2026.071580

Received 07 August 2025; Accepted 18 November 2025; Published online 02 February 2026

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Abstract

Unhealthy substance use is high among adolescents and young people in Zambia. Conceivably, a character strength approach could help reduce alcohol and other psychoactive substance use among young adults. We tested the efficacy of a positive psychology based group-based character strengths prevention and recovery program for alcohol risk reduction among Zambian young adults. The primary study participants included schoolchildren and community members. We conducted 8 focus group discussions (FGDs) with school students (aged 13 to 17) and community youth (ages 18–24), 12 FGDs with parents, teachers, family, friends, and group leaders. Moreover, we conducted 8 key informant interviews who had significant contact with primary participants. We utilized the widely recognized PERMA model from positive psychology to guide our assessment of overall impact across multiple dimensions of well-being. Thematic analysis indicated rehabilitative effects of experiencing greater positive emotions (joy, hope, and gratitude); developing stronger relationships with peers, family, and God; finding a clearer sense of meaning and purpose; and achieving personal goals such as employment, education, academic improvement, and reduced alcohol and substance use. Our findings suggest that the synergistic effect of combining character strength training is likely to increase emotional and spiritual flourishing and reduce unhealthy substance use behaviors.