What is Positive Psychology?
Positive Psychology is a scientific field that focuses on positive thoughts, feelings, and experiences—such as optimism, life purpose, happiness, and life satisfaction—rather than solely on mental illness or psychological distress. 1
Core Definition and Theoretical Framework
Positive psychology encompasses the positive aspects that individuals use to evaluate their lives favorably, and it represents an independent construct from the absence of psychological distress. 1 The field is informed by two distinct theoretical perspectives:
- Eudaimonic approach: Defines well-being according to one's ability to identify meaningful life pursuits and striving to achieve one's best 1
- Hedonic approach: Defines well-being according to pursuing and attaining pleasure and happiness 1
Key Components
The field serves as an umbrella term encompassing research on multiple positive aspects including: 2
- Optimism - expectations that good things will happen in the future 1
- Positive affect and life satisfaction - experiencing pleasure, happiness, and satisfaction with life 1
- Life purpose - identifying meaningful pursuits 1
- Gratitude - appreciation for positive aspects of life 1
- Personal strengths - individual talents, interests, and character strengths 1, 3
- Social support and relationships 4
- Additional constructs: creativity, resilience, empathy, compassion, and humor 2
Clinical Relevance and Health Implications
Positive psychology is not simply the opposite of psychological distress—research demonstrates that the absence of depression does not necessarily indicate the presence of psychological well-being. 1 This distinction is critical because psychological well-being has independent associations with health outcomes, particularly cardiovascular health. 1
The field aims to broaden clinical psychology beyond suffering and its alleviation, focusing instead on well-being and optimal functioning. 5 Positive psychology provides a framework for understanding human strengths and the foundations of a flourishing life, with goals that extend beyond reducing disease risk to include: 1
- Increasing healthy longevity
- Improving quality of life
- Preserving good mental health and cognitive function
- Achieving healthcare savings
Practical Applications
Positive psychotherapy has evolved as a therapeutic intervention from positive psychology research, showing promising results for reducing depression and increasing well-being in both healthy individuals and those with mental illness. 2, 3 Interventions include: 1
- Mindfulness-based programs
- Optimism-focused activities
- Gratitude exercises
- Strengths-based approaches
- Positive affect induction techniques
These interventions have been successfully implemented across multiple settings including clinical encounters, workplace wellness programs, community-based programs, and cardiac rehabilitation. 1