Positive relationships are widely considered to be one of the pillars of well-being. Their boosting effect on emotional and physical health has repeatedly been documented by experimental and longitudinal studies. Despite their instrumental role, the existing literature does not offer systematic observations of their nature and characteristics. In this paper, we aim to explore the specific characteristics of positive relationships. We conducted a thorough research of the existing most recent literature and grouped our findings according to the following two research questions: (a) the kind of relationships that are positive in people's lives and, (b) the way positive relationships relate and support well-being. Our findings suggested that specific relationships are examined with respect to different age groups, e.g. peer relationships in adolescence or marital relationships in adulthood. All relationships described as positive at each developmental stage are correlated with wellbeing in various ways. Beyond the characteristics of people and the way they relate, relationships seem to contribute to wellbeing by sharing positive moments and events, being supportive with respect to autonomy and showing an attitude of interest and emotional engagement. In conclusion, we argue that while relationships seem to contribute to wellbeing, there is not yet an exhaustive list of ingredients that make the relationship “positive”. We suggest new ways to enhance the study of positive relationships as well as possible variables that have not yet been examined and could possibly enhance our understanding of positive relationships and their influence on wellbeing.

Positive relationship" is a term frequently used, as synonymous to close, meaningful, supportive or important relationships. However, the characteristics of a relationship characterized as positive have not yet been fully examined and described. This study aims to investigate the psychometric properties of a new instrument for measuring the characteristics of positive relationships. The Positive Relationships Questionnaire (PRQ) is a 35-item self-report instrument that evaluates the quality of positive relationships as well as the conditions that people need to offer and/or provide to others in order to have positive relationships. Its 35 items were drawn from the findings of previous qualitative research and are grouped into three broad categories: positive emotions, active contribution and readiness to support. A total of 331 adults, aged from 17 to 57 years old completed the PRQ and the PERMA Profiler. The findings showed that PRQ has good internal consistency and its factor structure includes four factors: self-improvement, practical support, emotional support, and shared enjoyment. All factors were found to have high correlations with the two domains of PERMA, positive emotions and relationships, and low to moderate correlations with engagement, meaning, and accomplishment. These results provide initial evidence of satisfactory convergent and divergent validity. PRQ is a useful instrument. It provides a quantitative evaluation of the quality and content of positive relationships and can be used broadly as a wellbeing index.

Exposure-based cognitive-behavior therapy (EBCBT) is the treatment of choice for panic disorder (PD). However, little is known about early treatment processes that facilitate retention in treatment and positive outcomes of PD treatment. We studied the development of early treatment process with semi-structured individual in-depth interviews with 12 patients with PD, conducted post session 3. Grounded theory was used to analyze the transcripts. The development of early treatment process was captured by four thematic categories: approaching the problem, easing in and opening up, building trust and bonding, and making sense of panic. The developmental scheme culminated to the core category: Jointly Engaging in PD Therapy versus Awaiting Relief, capturing early engagement or disengagement from PD therapy respectively. The emergent core category was cross-validated against distal treatment outcome. Emergent processes can be replicated and incorporated in early treatment procedures of EBCBT for PD. Clinical practice recommendations are discussed.

The present study aims to test the hypothesis that a multi-component 6-week PPI programme will lead to a significant decrease in depression, anxiety, stress, and negative emotions, as well as to a significant increase of well-being, life satisfaction and positive emotions. To conduct the study, participants were recruited online and formed the experimental (N = 13) and control (N = 13) groups. Each participant completed a battery of self-reported questionnaires before, after and 3-month following the completion of the programme. The self-reported questionnaires completed were the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale, DASS-21, the Mental Health Continuum Short Form, MHC-SF, the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience, SPANE and the Satisfaction with Life Scale, SWLS. The results support our hypothesis that PPIs could be considered as a successful alternative intervention to people with symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress.