Division 17 Section on Positive Psychology

Positive psychology is the scientific study of human strengths and virtues. It involves an attempt to move toward a more balanced perspective on human functioning that considers motives, capacities, and human potentials. Counseling Psychology historically and presently continues to be one of the few disciplines that highlights the values of fostering human capacities, satisfaction, and well-being. In some form Counseling Psychology always has been a vital part of promoting good health and preventing disease, including mental, physical, and social disorders for individuals and communities. It is in the context that this Section was formed. The aim of the this group is to focus on how Counseling Psychology fosters and builds human strength and well-being and in pursuing this endeavor, furthers the development of positive psychological science and practice. This site includes information about positive psychology research, teaching, and practice as well as events, strengths based books, and resources.

Each month our Research Representative compiles articles of interest for our members. Here are some selected topics:

RADICAL HOPE AND RADICAL HEALING

Adames, H. Y., Chavez-Dueñas, N. Y., Lewis, J. A., Neville, H. A., French, B. H., Chen, G. A., & Mosley, D. V. (2023). Radical healing in psychotherapy: Addressing the wounds of racism-related stress and trauma. Psychotherapy, 60(1), 39–50. https://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000435

Chopra, S. B., & Tsong, Y. (2023). Anti-racist pedagogy as activism: Cultivating radical healing and liberation among Asian American counseling and psychology students. Women & Therapy, 46(4), 376-390. https://doi.org/10.1080/02703149.2023.2286055

French, B. H., Neville, H. A., Lewis, J. A., Mosley, D. V., Adames, H. Y., & Chavez-Dueñas, N. Y. (2023). “We can create a better world for ourselves”: Radical hope in communities of color. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 70(4), 327–340. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000670

Hill-Jarrett, T. G. (2023). The Black radical imagination: A space of hope and possible futures. Frontiers in Neurology, 14, 1241922. https://doi.org/10.3389%2Ffneur.2023.1241922

Kallio, K. P., Meier, I., & Häkli, J. (2021). Radical Hope in asylum seeking: Political agency beyond linear temporality. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 47(17), 4006-4022. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2020.1764344

Lear, J. (2006). Radical hope: Ethics in the face of cultural devastation. Harvard University Press.

McNeil-Young, V. A., Mosley, D. V., Bellamy, P., Lewis, A., & Hernandez, C. (2023). Storying survival: An approach to radical healing for the Black community. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 70(3), 276–292. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000635

Mosley, D. V., Neville, H. A., Chavez‐Dueñas, N. Y., Adames, H. Y., Lewis, J. A., & French, B. H. (2020). Radical hope in revolting times: Proposing a culturally relevant psychological framework. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 14(1), e12512. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12512

PEACE AND PEACEFULNESS

Elliott, E. M. (2020). Security, with care: Restorative justice and healthy societies. Fernwood Publishing.

Hyder, A. A., Ambrosio, N. S., García-Ponce, O., & Barberia, L. (2022). Peace and health: Exploring the nexus in the Americas. BMJ Global Health, 7, e009402. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2022-009402

Khayyer, Z., Oreyzi, H., Asgari, K., & Sikström, S. (2019). Self-perception and interpersonal peacefulness: The mediating role of theory of mind and harmony. Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research, 11(3), 180-199. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1108/JACPR-10-2018-0383

Mac Ginty, R. (2021). Everyday peace: How so-called ordinary people can disrupt violent conflict. Oxford University Press.

Nelson, L. L. (2021). Identifying determinants of individual peacefulness: A psychological foundation for peace education. Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, 27(2), 109–119. https://doi.org/10.1037/pac0000517

 Percival, V., Thoms, O. T., Oppenheim, B., Rowlands, D., Chisadza, C., Fewer, S., ... & Friberg, P. (2023). The Lancet Commission on peaceful societies through health equity and gender equality. The Lancet, 402(10413), 1661-1722. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01348-X

 Söderström, J., Åkebo, M., & Jarstad, A. K. (2021). Friends, fellows, and foes: A new framework for studying relational peace. International Studies Review, 23(3), 484-508. https://doi.org/10.1093/isr/viaa033

 Sophie, V., Sara, C., Jellen, T. J., & Lieven, A. (2022). The role of ‘peace of mind’ and ‘meaningfulness’ as psychological concepts in explaining subjective well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 23(7), 3331-3346. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-022-00544-z

GRATITUDE

Arnout, B. A., & Almoied, A. A. (2021). A structural model relating gratitude, resilience, psychological well‐being and creativity among psychological counsellors. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 21(2), 470-488. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12316

 Davis, D. E., Choe, E., Meyers, J., Wade, N., Varjas, K., Gifford, A., Quinn, A., Hook, J. N., Van Tongeren, D. R., Griffin, B. J., & Worthington, E. L., Jr. (2016). Thankful for the little things: A meta-analysis of gratitude interventions. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 63(1), 20–31. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000107

 Kumar, S. A., Edwards, M. E., Grandgenett, H. M., Scherer, L. L., DiLillo, D., & Jaffe, A. E. (2022). Does gratitude promote resilience during a pandemic? An examination of mental health and positivity at the onset of COVID-19. Journal of Happiness Studies, 23(7), 3463-3483. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-022-00554-x

 Wong, Y. J. (2023). The catalyst model of change: Gratitude interventions with positive long-term effects. Affective Science, 4(1), 152-162. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42761-022-00136-3

 Wong, Y. J., McKean Blackwell, N., Goodrich Mitts, N., Gabana, N. T., & Li, Y. (2017). Giving thanks together: A preliminary evaluation of the Gratitude Group Program. Practice Innovations, 2(4), 243–257. https://doi.org/10.1037/pri0000058

 Bryant, J., Bolt, R., Botfield, J. R., Martin, K., Doyle, M., Murphy, D., ... & Aggleton, P. (2021). Beyond deficit: ‘Strengths‐based approaches’ in indigenous health research. Sociology of Health & Illness, 43(6), 1405-1421. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9566.13311

 Doery, E., Satyen, L., Paradies, Y., & Toumbourou, J. W. (2023). The relationship between cultural engagement and psychological well-being among indigenous adolescents: A systematic review. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 54(1), 90-113. https://doi.org/10.1177/00220221221128215

 Gonzalez, M. B., Sittner, K. J., Saniguq Ullrich, J., & Walls, M. L. (2021). Spiritual connectedness through prayer as a mediator of the relationship between indigenous language use and positive mental health. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 27(4), 746-757. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000466

 Houkamau, C., Milojev, P., Greaves, L., Dell, K., Sibley, C. G., & Phinney, J. (2021). Indigenous ethnic identity, in-group warmth, and psychological wellbeing: A longitudinal study of Māori. Current Psychology, 42, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-01636-4

 Rountree, J., & Smith, A. (2016). Strength-based well-being indicators for indigenous children and families: A literature review of indigenous communities' identified well-being indicators. American Indian & Alaska Native Mental Health Research: The Journal of the National Center, 23(3), 206-220. https://doi.org/10.5820/aian.2303.2016.206

HOPE

Cavazos Vela, J., Smith, W. D., Whittenberg, J. F., Guardiola, R., & Savage, M. (2018). Positive psychology factors as predictors of Latina/o college students’ psychological grit. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 46(1), 2–19. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmcd.12089

Duncan, A. R., Jaini, P. A., & Hellman, C. M. (2020). Positive psychology and hope as lifestyle medicine modalities in the therapeutic encounter: A narrative review. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 15(1), 6–13. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827620908255

Gallagher, M. W., Smith, L.J., Richardson, A. L., D’Souza, J. M., & Long, L. J. (2021). Examining the longitudinal effects and potential mechanisms of hope on COVID-19 stress, anxiety, and well-being. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, 50(3), 234–245. https://doi.org/10.1080/16506073.2021.1877341

Genc, E., & Arslan, G. (2021). Optimism and dispositional hope to promote college students’ subjective wellbeing in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Positive Psychology, 5(2), 87–96. https://doi.org/10.47602/jpsp.v5i2.255

Wen, F., Zhu, J., Ye, H., Li, L., Ma, Z., Wen, X., & Zuo, B. (2021). Associations between insecurity and stress among Chinese university students: The mediating effects of hope and self-efficacy. Journal of Affective Disorders, 281, 447–453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.12.047

POSTTRAUMATIC GROWTH:

Ali, D. A., Figley, C. R., Tedeschi, R. G., Galarneau, D., & Amara, S. (2021). Shared trauma, resilience, and growth: A roadmap toward transcultural conceptualization. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001044

Calhoun, L. G., & Tedeschi, R. G. (Eds.). (2014). Handbook of posttraumatic growth: Research and practice. Routledge.

Dickinson, S. (2021). Post-traumatic growth in the twenty-first century: How current trends may threaten our ability to grow after trauma. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 16(4), 503—511. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2020.1752782

Jayawickreme, E., Infurna, F. J., Alajak, K., Blackie, L., Chopik, W. J., Chung, J. M., Dorfman, A., Fleeson, W., Forgeard, M., Frazier, P., Furr, R. M., Grossmann, I., Heller, A. S., Laceulle, O. M., Lucas, R. E., Luhmann, M., Luong, G., Meijer, L., McLean, K. C., Park, C. L., … Zonneveld, R. (2021). Post-traumatic growth as positive personality change: Challenges, opportunities, and recommendations. Journal of personality, 89(1), 145–165. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12591

Lowe, S. R., James, P., Arcaya, M. C., Vale, M. D., Rhodes, J. E., Rich-Edwards, J., Roberts, A. L., & Koenen, K. C. (2020). Do levels of posttraumatic growth vary by type of traumatic event experienced? An analysis of the Nurses’ Health Study II. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000554

 Taku, K., Tedeschi, R. G., Shakespeare-Finch, J., Krosch, D., David, G., Kehl, D., Grunwald, S., Romeo, A., Di Tella, M., Kamibeppu, K., Soejima, T., Hiraki, K., Volgin, R., Dhakal, S., Zieba, M., Ramos, C., Nunes, R., Leal, I., Gouveia, P., Silva, C. C.,…Calhoun, L. G. (2021). Posttraumatic growth (PTG) and posttraumatic depreciation (PTD) across ten countries: Global validation of the PTG-PTD theoretical model. Personality and Individual Differences, 169, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2020.110222

Waters, L., Cameron, K., Nelson-Coffey, S. K., Crone, D. L., Kern, M. L., Lomas, T., Oades, L., Owens, R. L., Pawelski, J. O., Rashid, T., Warren, M. A., White, M. A., & Williams, P. (2021). Collective wellbeing and posttraumtic growth during COVID-19: How positive psychology can help families, schools, workplaces, and marginalized communities. The Journal of Positive Psychology, https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2021.1940251

 

GRATITUDE

Jans-Beken, L., & Wong, P. T. P. (2021) Development and preliminary validation of the Existential Gratitude Scale (EGS). Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 34(1), 72–86. https://doi.org/10.1080/09515070.2019.1656054

Bono, G., Mangan, S., Fauteux, M., & Sender, J. (2020). A new approach to gratitude interventions in high schools that supports student wellbeing. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 15(5), 657–665. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2020.1789712

Cousin, L., Redwine, L., Bricker, C., Kip, K., Buck, H. (2021). Effect of gratitude on cardiovascular health outcomes: A state-of-the-science review. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 16(3), 348–355. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2020.1716054

Locklear, L. R., Taylor, S. G., & Ambrose, M. L. (2020). How a gratitude intervention influences workplace mistreatment: A multiple mediation model.  Journal of Applied Psychology, 106(9) 1314–1331. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/apl0000825

Yang, K., Yan, W., Jia, N., Wang, Q., & Kong, F. (2021). Longitudinal relationship between trait gratitude and subjective well-being in adolescents: Evidence from the bi-factor model. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 16(6), 802–810. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2020.1818812

 

PHYSICAL HEALTH

 

Celano, C. M., Freedman, M. E., Beale, E. E., Gomez-Bernal, F., & Huffman, J. C. (2018). A positive psychology intervention to promote health behaviors in heart failure: A proof-of-concept trial. The Journal of nervous and mental disease, 206(10), 800–808. https://doi.org/10.1097/NMD.0000000000000883

 Celano, C. M., Gianangelo, T. A., Millstein, R. A., Chung, W., Wexler, D. J., Park., E. R., & Huffman, J. C. (2018). A positive psychology–motivational interviewing intervention for patients with type 2 diabetes: Proof-of-concept trial. The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 54(2), 97–114. https://doi.org/10.1177/0091217418791448

 Kubzansky, L. D., Huffman, J. C., Boehm, J. K., Hernandez, R., Kim, E. S., Koga, H. K., Feig, E. H., Lloyd-Jones, D. M., Seligman, M. E. P., & Labarthe, D. R. (2018). Positive psychological well-being and cardiovascular disease. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 72(12), 1382–1396. Retrieved from https://www.jacc.org/doi/abs/10.1016/j.jacc.2018.07.042

 Jans-Beken, L., Jacobs, N., Janssens, M., Peeters, S., Reijnders, J., Lechner, L.,& Lataster, J. (2019). Gratitude and health: An updated review. Journal of Positive Psychology, 15(6), 743–782. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2019.1651888

 Thurston, R. C., Fritz, M. M., Chang, Y., Barinas Mitchell, E., & Maki, P. M. (2021). Self-compassion and subclinical cardiovascular disease among midlife women. Health Psychology, 40(11), 747–753. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0001137

 

 CONTENTMENT

 Berenbaum, H., Huang, A. B., & Flores, L. E. (2018). Contentment and tranquility: Exploring their similarities and differences. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 14(2), 252–259. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2018.1484938

 Cordaro, D. (2020). What if you pursued contentment rather than happiness? Greater Good Magazine. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/what_if_you_pursued_contentment_rather_than_happiness

 Cordaro, D. T., Bradley, C., Wei Zhang, J., Zhu, F., & Han, R. (2020). The development of the positive emotion assessment of contentment experience (PEACE) scale. Journal of Happiness Studies, 22, 1769–1790. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10902-020-00295-9

 Pandya, S. P. (2019). Meditation program mitigates loneliness and promotes wellbeing, life satisfaction, and contentment among retired older adults: A two-year follow-up study in four South Asian cities. Aging & Mental Health, 25(2), 286–298. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2019.1691143

 Wayant, C., Manquen, J., Wendelbo, H., Kerr, N., Crow, M., Goodell, J., Tricco, A. C., Mack, J. W., Hellman, C., & Vassar, M. Identification of evidence for key positive psychological constructs in pediatric and adolescent/young adult patients with cancer: A scoping review. Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology, 10(3), 247–259. https://doi.org/10.1089/jayao.2020.0184

 

 POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY AND LGBTQ INDIVIDUALS

 

Collict, D., Pfund, G. N., Rodriguez de los Reyes, G. O., & Hill, P. L. (2021). Identity formation among gay men, lesbian women, bisexual and heterosexual samples: Associations with purpose in life, life satisfaction, pathways to purpose and implications for positive sexual minority identity. Journal of Happiness Studies, 22, 2125–2142. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-020-00313-w

 Ghabrial, M. A., & Andersen, J. P. (2021). Development and initial validation of the Queer People of Color Identity Affirmation Scale. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 68(1), 38–53. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000443

Lange, T. M., Hilgeman,M. M., Portz, K. J., Intoccia, V. A., & Cramer, R. J. (2021). Pride in all who served: Development, feasibility, and initial efficacy of a health education group for LGBT veterans. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 21(4), 484–504. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299732.2020.1770147

 Lytle, M. C., & Sprott, R. A. (2021). Resolving to fix social injustices for gender and sexually diverse youth: Starting points. In M. C. Lytle & R. A. Sprott (Eds.), Supporting gender identity and sexual orientation diversity in K-12 schools (pp. 13–24). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000211-002

 Zavala, C., & Waters, L. (2021). Coming out at LGBTQ+: The role of strength-based parenting on posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic growth. Journal of Happiness Studies, 22, 1359-1383. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-020-00276-y

STRENGTHS

Allot, K., Steele, P., Boyer, F., de Winter, A., Bryce, S., Alvarez-Jimenez, M., & Phillips, L. (2020). Cognitive strengths-based assessment and intervention in first-episode psychosis: A complementary approach to addressing functional recovery? Clinical Psychology Review, 79, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101871

Cole, B. P., Moffitt-Carney, K., Patterson, T. P., & Willard, R. (2021). Psychology of Men and Masculinities’ focus on positive aspects of men’s functioning: A content analysis and call to action. Psychology of Men & Masculinities, 22(1), 39–47. https://doi.org/10.1037/men0000264

 

Dolev-Amit, T., Rubin, A., & Zilcha-Mano. (2021). Is awareness of strengths intervention sufficient to cultivate wellbeing and other positive outcomes. Journal of Happiness Studies, 22, 645–666. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-020-00245-5

 

Smith, B. W., Ford, C. G., Erickson, K., & Guzman, A. (2021). The effects of a character strength focused positive psychology course on undergraduate happiness and well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 22(1), 343–362. 

 

Wingert, J. R., Jones, J. C., & Swoap, R. A., & Wingert, H., M. (2020). Mindfulness-based strengths practice improves well-being and retention in undergraduates: A preliminary randomized controlled trial. Journal of American College Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2020.1764005

 

If you would like to share a positive psychology resource with the Division 17 Section on Positive Psychology, please follow the below link to submit.

http://www.div17pospsych.com/share-a-resource

RESILIENCE

 

Ali, D. A., Figley, C. R., Tedeschi, R. G., Galarneau, D., & Amara, S. (2021). Shared trauma, resilience, and growth: A roadmap toward transcultural conceptualization. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001044

 

Bomysoad, R. N., & Francis, L. A. (2021). Associations between parental incarceration and youth mental health conditions: The mitigating effects of adolescent resilience and positive coping strategies. Current Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-01351-0

 

Hendriks, T., Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., Graafsma, T., Bohlmeijer, E., & Jong, J. (2021). Positive emotions as a potential mediator of a multi-component positive psychology intervention aimed at increasing mental well-being and resilience. International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology, 6, 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-020-00037-5

 

Kotera, Y., Green, P., & Sheffied, D. (2021). Positive psychology for mental well-being of UK therapeutic students: Relationships with engagement, motivation, resilience, and self-compassion. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00466-y

 

Masten, A. S., Lucke, C. M., Nelson, K. M., & Stallworthy, I. C. (2021). Resilience in development and psychopathology: Multisystem perspectives. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 17, 521—549. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-081219-120307

 

Yildiri, M., & Tanriverdi, F. C. (2021). Social support, resilience, and subjective well-being in college students. Journal of Positive School Psychology, 5(2), 127—135. https://doi.org/10.47602/jpsp.v5i2.229

FLOURISHING

Bu, H., & Duan, W. (2021). Strengths-based flourishing intervention to promote resilience in individuals with physical disabilities in disadvantaged communities: A randomized controlled trial. Research on Social Work Practice, 31(1), 53­­–64. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1049731520959445

Drake, A., Dore, B. P., Falk, E. B., Zurn, P., Bassett, D. S., & Lydon-Staley, D. M. (2021). Daily stressor-related negative mood and its associations with flourishing and daily curiosity. Journal of Happiness Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-021-00404-2

 

Pankow, K., McHugh, T. F., Mosewich, A. D., & Holt, N. L. (2021). Mental health protective factors among flourishing Canadian women university student-athletes. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 52, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2020.101847

 

Rhew, I. C., Cadigan, J. M., & Lee, C. M. (2021). Marijuana, but not alcohol, use frequency associated with greater loneliness, psychological distress, and less flourishing among young adults. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 218(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108404

 

Srinivasan, T., & Sulur Nachimuthu, G. (2021). COVID-19 impact on employee flourishing: Parental stress as mediator. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001037

 

Virgona, A., & Kashima, E. S. (2021). Diversity ideologies and flourishing: An Australian study comparing polyculturalism, multiculturalism, and colorblindness. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 81, 236–251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2021.02.002

 

 

Compiled by Dacia Oberhelman, Ph.D.