Izanette I Van Schalkwyk International Positive Psychology Association 7th IPPA World Congress 2021

Izanette I Van Schalkwyk

Izanette van Schalkwyk obtained her first PhD in Psychology at North-West University (NWU) in 2010 (The title of her thesis: “Flourishing in a group of South African adolescents”); and, she obtained her second PhD in Psychology at Stellenbosch University (SU) in 2020 (The title of her thesis: “A wellness programme for mothers living in a high-risk community in the Western Cape to promote their personal and parental competencies”). Since 2009 she is involved in a particular high-risk community in the Western Province of South Africa to enhance the well-being of children, adolescents, families and school communities. Because Izanette is convinced that theoretical framework of Positive Psychology is a good fit for a mostly non-clinical South African population, she directs various projects to intentionally encourage personal, relational and collective well-being. Since 2017 her personal research focuses on the intentional strengthening of healthy families, namely female-headed households in the high-risk context. Izanette is part of NWU in the capacity as researcher since 2013. She acts as supervisor for M and D students with a particulate emphasis to investigate “well-being” in the South African context of risks linked mainly to the impact of poverty. She is a keen author of research publications in many journals; and, presents at national and international conferences with a specific focus on research and social impact.