Discovering Personal Beliefs, Strength and Virtues PDF

Living a Meaningful Life Discovering Personal Beliefs, Strength and Virtues GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 1  Learning Outcome Utilize critical self-reflection techniques to identify personal beliefs, attitudes, and experiences about happiness to foster greater sense o...

Living a Meaningful Life Discovering Personal Beliefs, Strength and Virtues GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 1  Learning Outcome Utilize critical self-reflection techniques to identify personal beliefs, attitudes, and experiences about happiness to foster greater sense of self-actualization and obligation within the context of healthcare delivery and outcomes. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 2  Lecture Objectives 1.Define personal beliefs and values. 2.Explore the sources of personal beliefs and values. 3.Discuss the concept of diversity in personal beliefs and values, recognizing the variability among individuals and cultures. 4.Examine the importance of self-reflection in understanding and evaluating personal beliefs and values. 5.Introduce the concept of human virtues and strengths, emphasizing their significance in ethical and moral decision-making. 6.Identify and discuss the six core virtues. 7.Introduce the concept of signature strengths as identified by the VIA (Values in Action) classification of character strengths.. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 3 Discovering who you are is really important if you want to have a happy and meaningful life. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 4 One of the foundational principles of positive psychology and a key factor in living a flourishing life is the understanding of our beliefs, values, along with the development of our strengths and virtues. In this lecture, we will explore the fundamental aspects of personal beliefs, virtues, and strengths. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 5  A belief is an idea that a person holds as being true. Discovering Personal Personal beliefs are core principles that shape Beliefs your actions and personality traits. Personal beliefs are a collection of principles and standards that help you tell right from wrong. They guide decision-making, aspirations, and relationships. Personal beliefs are deeply held opinions and principles that shape our perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 6 Origins of Our Personal Beliefs These beliefs are learned from others and evolve through personal growth. Children initially adopt principles from family but develop their own as they mature. Various factors influence them, including childhood, culture, religion, experiences, and social influences. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 7 The diagram illustrates how our beliefs influence our values, behavior, and attitudes. It demonstrates the connection between our beliefs and values and how they shape our attitudes and subsequent actions. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 8  Our Believes Affect How Happy We Feel When what we believe is important matches what we do every day, we feel more fulfilled and content. But if what we value doesn't match our actions, it can make us feel unhappy and conflicted inside. For example, if family is important to someone but they hardly spend time with them because of work, they might feel unhappy because of this difference. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 9 The Role of Personal Beliefs in Healthcare Delivery Healthcare providers’ personal beliefs can influence their approach to patient care, communication styles, and decision-making processes. Example: A provider’s belief in holistic healing might encourage them to recommend complementary therapies, while another may prioritize evidence-based medical interventions. Healthcare provider needs to balance personal beliefs with professional ethics and patient autonomy. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 10  Respecting Diversity Personal values and beliefs vary from person to person and may evolve over time based on life experiences. Defining your values and beliefs is like exploring yourself. It helps you understand your goals, what's important to you, and where you want your life to go. Understanding different values and beliefs is key to thriving in both professional and personal areas. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 11 Respecting Diversity in Healthcare Healthcare providers must navigate diverse belief systems, respecting patients’ cultural, religious, and spiritual needs while maintaining professional standards. Acknowledging both the provider’s and the patient’s personal beliefs helps build a relationship based on trust and respect. When providers are sensitive to patients' beliefs, it can lead to improved adherence to treatment plans, better patient satisfaction, and more positive health outcomes. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 12  Case Discussion: Refusal of Blood Transfusion A 35-year-old patient, is admitted to the hospital after a serious car accident. The patient has lost a significant amount of blood, and the medical team recommends an urgent blood transfusion to save their life. However, the patient refuses the transfusion due to their religious belief, which prohibits accepting blood products. What do you think is the best option for the healthcare team in this situation? GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 13  Case Discussion: Refusal of Blood Transfusion The healthcare team can resolve this issue by respecting the patient's religious beliefs while offering alternative treatments, such as bloodless surgery or volume expanders, and maintaining open, respectful communication to ensure the patient receives the best possible care without compromising their values. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 14  Examples of Personal Values and Believes 1. Authenticity Authenticity is about being genuine, staying true to yourself, and being honest in your interactions. It means embracing who you truly are, strengths and weaknesses included, and not pretending to be someone else. Living authentically leads to deeper connections, trust, and personal growth. Example: A doctor acknowledges that communication isn't their strongest skill and asks a colleague who is better at explaining complex medical issues to help explain a diagnosis to the patient. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 15  Examples of Personal Values and Believes 2. Collaboration Valuing teamwork and seeking opportunities to work with others toward common goals. Example: In a surgical ward, doctors, nurses, anesthesiologists, and physical therapists work together to create a comprehensive care plan for a patient. Each team member contributes their expertise, ensuring the patient receives the best care possible from diagnosis to recovery. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 16  Examples of Personal Values and Believes 3. Placing Importance on Family Prioritizing quality time and relationships with loved ones for happiness and fulfillment. Making family an integral part of their personal belief system. Example: A healthcare provider includes a patient’s family in discussions about treatment options, ensuring they understand the process and feel empowered to support the patient in their decision-making. For instance, in palliative care, families are involved in end-of-life decisions, respecting their input on the patient’s comfort and emotional needs. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 17  Examples of Personal Values and believes 4. Honesty Honesty is the belief in telling the truth and being straightforward in communication, actions, and relationships. Example: A doctor discusses the potential side effects of a treatment honestly with a patient, ensuring they fully understand both the risks and benefits. This transparency allows the patient to make an informed decision about their health. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 18  Examples of Personal Values and Believes 5. Loyalty: Loyalty refers to a strong sense of commitment, duty, or faithfulness to a person, group, organization, or cause. Example: A healthcare worker remains dedicated to a long-term patient through several years of treatment, consistently providing support and care even during difficult moments. They advocate for the patient when needed, ensuring their needs are met and their voice is heard in medical decisions. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 19 Self-Reflection and Personal Beliefs GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 20  Self-Reflection and Personal Beliefs Self-reflection on personal beliefs is a powerful tool for self-awareness, personal growth, and decision-making. By engaging in regular self-reflection, we can deepen our understanding of ourselves, clarify our values, and live more authentically. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 21 Strategies for Self-Reflection on Personal Beliefs Keep a journal: Writing down your thoughts and reflections can help clarify your beliefs and identify patterns or inconsistencies. Question assumptions: Challenge your assumptions and beliefs by asking yourself why you hold them and whether they are based on evidence or conditioning. Seek feedback: Engage in open and honest discussions with others to gain different perspectives and insights on your beliefs. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 22 Overcoming Barriers to Self-Reflection 1. Fear of change: Acknowledge any fears or resistance to examining your beliefs and remind yourself of the potential for growth and self-improvement. 2. Time constraints: Make self-reflection a priority by setting aside dedicated time for introspection and reflection. 3. Avoidance of discomfort: Embrace discomfort as a natural part of the self-reflection process and be open to exploring challenging or uncomfortable beliefs. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 23 Virtues and Strength GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 24  Virtues and Strength “Virtues are good qualities (traits) that make you a better person. Having virtues helps you deal with life's challenges and become the best version of yourself.” Virtues are about how we act around others. Positive psychology states that strengths and virtues are important for being happy and having a good life. They help us do well and be positive. Virtues are key to living a good and fulfilling life. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 25  Virtues and Strength Virtues are like the building blocks that make up a good character. They are positive traits that help us be our best selves. There are 6 classes of virtues that are made up of 24 character strengths. Healthcare providers should demonstrate key virtues and strengths that enhance their ability to deliver quality care and effectively meet their patients' various needs. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 26  The Six Core Virtues. Researchers found six core virtues to be common across cultures. 1. Wisdom & Knowledge Cognitive strength that involve the gaining and use of knowledge. 2. Courage Emotional strengths are about having the determination to achieve your goals even when facing challenges from inside or outside. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 27  The Six Core Virtues. 3. Humanity Interpersonal strength that involve caring for and making friends with others. 4. Justice Civic strength is about having a healthy and active community life. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 28  The Six Core Virtues. 5. Temperance Being forgiving, merciful, humble, prudent, and in control of our behaviors and instincts prevents us from being arrogant, selfish, or any other trait that is excessive or unbalanced. 6. Transcendence The ability to rise above ordinary experiences and limitations, seeking higher levels of meaning, purpose, and understanding in life. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 29  Signature Strength Seligman (2002) argues that each of us has a signature strength and that if we use these strengths everyday in main areas of life then we experience gratification and authentic happiness. The more we can identify and build our character strength and recognize how we using them the happier, more energized and effective we will feel. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 30  Scientists found a common language of 24 character strengths that make up what is best about our personality. Everyone possesses all 24 character strengths to different degrees, so each person has a truly unique character strengths profile. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 31  They show the true you. Features of They make you feel excited when you use them. Signature Strength : A person excels such strength quickly. They make you feel energized and motivated from inside when you use them. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 32 GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 33  Assessment of Character Strength and Virtues VIA classification of Strength The VIA Survey is one validated tool that can help us discover our strengths, including those we tend to use and rely on the most. ✓Developed by psychologists Peterson and Seligman (2004). ✓VIA stands for Values in Action. ✓The survey contains 240 total questions – 10 items for each of the 24 identified strengths, laid out in a 5-point Likert scale format. https://www.viacharacter.org/survey/account/register GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 34 GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 35  Case Discussion Using The Six Core Virtues in Healthcare Dr. Hamad is a primary care physician working in a busy community hospital. One of his patients, Mr. Williams, is a 70- year-old man with a history of diabetes and hypertension. During a routine check-up, Dr. Hamad notices that Mr. Williams has not been taking his medication regularly and is showing signs of kidney damage. He feels overwhelmed by his health condition and is reluctant to engage with his care plan. Dr. Hamad must decide how to approach this situation, keeping in mind the six core virtues: wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 36 What is an example of Dr. Hamad demonstrating the virtue of courage? A) Offering emotional support to Mr. Williams. B) Avoiding the conversation about Mr. Williams' worsening condition. C) Confronting patient about the seriousness of his condition, despite its discomfort. D) Scheduling another routine check-up without addressing his non-compliance. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 37 Which of the following actions would best demonstrate the virtue of justice in healthcare? A) Focusing only on the patient's medical issues and ignoring socio-economic factors. B) Ensuring the patient has access to affordable medication and equal care resources. C) Prioritizing other patients because they are younger and healthier. D) Assuming all patients understand their treatment equally. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 38 How does transcendence play a role in patient care? A) By providing quick and effective medical interventions. B) By inspiring patients to connect their health to a higher purpose or meaning in their lives. C) By focusing solely on medical treatment without considering emotional or spiritual needs. D) By encouraging patients to adhere strictly to treatment protocols. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 39  Summary of Core Virtues and Example Application Virtue Definition Application in Case (Dr. Hamad & Mr. Williams) Wisdom Knowledge and good judgment applied to Adjusting treatment to fit Mr. Williams' lifestyle and practical situations. needs. Courage Facing challenges and fears with Initiating a tough conversation about the seriousness of confidence and bravery. Mr. Williams' condition. Humanity Compassion, empathy, and care for others. Listening to Mr. Williams’ concerns and offering emotional support. Justice Fairness and ensuring equal treatment for Ensuring Mr. Williams has access to affordable all. medications and care resources. Temperance Self-control and moderation in response to Remaining patient despite Mr. Williams’ non- challenges. compliance, guiding him without frustration. Transcendence Inspiring connection to higher values and Motivating Mr. Williams by focusing on his role as a meaning in life. grandfather, inspiring hope and a sense of purpose. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 40  Healthcare providers must respect the diversity of beliefs among patients, as these beliefs can greatly influence their acceptance of medical interventions. By honoring these differences, providers create a more comprehensive healthcare environment. Additionally, discovering and empowering personal virtues and strengths is essential for delivering quality care. This combination fosters trust between providers and patients, ultimately leading to better health outcomes. GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 41 Resources PositivePsychology.com. (2020). Classification of character strengths and virtues. Retrieved from https://positivepsychology.com/classification- character-strengths-virtues/#strong-virtuous MasterClass. (n.d.). Personal values. Retrieved from https://www.masterclass.com/articles/personal- values#BxraLpSUR1EoNDuHcp56u High5Test. (n.d.). Personal values list. Retrieved from https://high5test.com/personal-values-list/ New Zealand Immigration Advisers Authority. (n.d.). Personal beliefs, values, attitudes, and behavior. Ethics Toolkit. Retrieved from https://www.iaa.govt.nz/for-advisers/adviser-tools/ethics-toolkit/personal- beliefs-values-attitudes-and- behaviour/#:~:text=A%20belief%20is%20an%20idea,person's%20own%20e xperiences%20or%20experiments GRD106- Health and Wellbeing 42