Appreciative Inquiry and Mental Health Improvement: A Review on Applicative Potential at Individual Level

Background

Appreciative inquiry was created to provide an unconventional approach to solve organizational problem and was an alternative for problem solving approach (Beattie, 2018). Problem solving method mostly deals and focuses on what is not doing well or wrong in the organization, where as appreciative inquiry deals and encourages the positive things as capable components behind organizational development. Watkins et al (2016) described appreciative inquiry as an efficient tool to change social system. They also depicted that it is also capable of bringing change in complex human world. According to Bushe (2007) the method of appreciative inquiry is not only limited to positive characteristics but a pursuit of novel ideas, theories, models that discover and manifest cumulative desires. Many researchers also commented that AI should not just merely be treated as a tool for organizational development but an ideology and inclination which can reform and reshape primarily the process of organization learning, design and development (Watkins & Mohr 2001).AI is more about “both a philosophy and a worldview, with particular principles and assumptions and a structured set of core processes and practices for engaging people in identifying and co creating an organization’s future” (Coughlan et al, 2003). The applicative potentials of AI are vast. The method and principles of appreciative inquiry were thoroughly investigated by many researchers. For example- Van Buskirk (2002) conducted his research on urban catholic schools and found satisfactory transformational results. AI was proved to be useful even in enhancing personal relations (Klem, 2005) of the individuals. Kaye et al (2008) in their research also explained that AI interventions provides the opportunity to its participants -to explore and depict the best experiences of life, assessment of life giving components and to express the tales of their personal eminence. Laertius & Yonge, (2006) described that AI principles are reinforced by the psychology of adult development through introspection or knowing oneself and actualizing one’s innate strengths. These avenues of self reflections through narrations become the pillar for transformation even at individual level. Appreciating the good things in life, being content, grateful and interpersonal resilience improves one’s sense of well being. These factors can even contribute positively towards the improvement of participant’s mental health.