Can positivity be counterproductive when suffering domestic abuse?: A narrative review

Abstract

Positive Psychology has been criticized for making people feel pressured to remain positive irrespective of circumstances. This narrative review specifically investigates the relationship between positive attitudes and denial in the context of domestic abuse, in order to examine whether there is research evidence to support the critique on the adverse upshots of positivity. The search yielded 29 studies. Overall the literature suggests that misdirected or overgeneralized positivity exacerbates harm and abuse: an optimistic bias can put victims in danger; empathy, hope, acceptance and resilience are associated with refraining to leave abusive relationships; and forgiveness increases the likelihood of further transgressions. We therefore argue that scholars and practitioners need demonstrate care in promoting positivity, since it can be detrimental within a toxic context.

Barriers to and facilitators of help-seeking behavior among Israeli men who experience intimate partner violence: A qualitative study.

“…Hope for future family harmony was also found to deter some men from help-seeking. This is consistent with findings regarding the dark side of optimizing found among non-Israeli women victims; it can delay help-seeking by promoting the endurance of violence based on an illusion of improvement, increasing the risk of IPV, which escalates over time (Sinclair et al, 2020).…”

“…Specifically, the current findings, in line with the notion of caring masculinity (Elliott, 2016), indicate empathy and enactment of a femininity notion of nurturing of the partner as cognitive mechanisms of abuse appraisals that result in its denial. Indeed, in a recent review that explored the relationship between positive attitudes in the context of domestic abuse, Sinclair et al (2020) found that empathy mediated victims’ views of their antagonists, eliciting greater sympathy toward the perpetrators and their violent behavior and failure to properly acknowledge a real risk of IPV.…”

Which dimensions of forgiveness mediate and moderate childhood trauma and depression? Insights to prevent suicide risk among university students

“…All forgiveness dimensions were correlated with depression -the forgiveness of others was the lowest. In addition to the discussion before, these results both contradicted and supported a narrative review by Sinclair et al (2020) which explained that positivity could be misdirected or overgeneralized thus exacerbating harm and abuse and as a result of more ACEs, then self-coldness increased, resulting in self-criticism tendencies and negative emotional symptoms would lead to psychological vulnerability (Megawati et al, 2018). When self-critical persons perceived failure, they would criticize themselves in a hostile manner, generate feelings of worthlessness, and perpetuate negative affect.…”

Hope as a Moderator of Intimate Partner Violence and Suicide Risk Behaviors Among Latinas

“…Generally speaking, the findings also suggest that assuming hope is always positive or useful may not be wise, especially when environmental conditions are not taken into account. Assuming that certain constructs such as hope are always positive can be harmful to IPV survivors, especially if it can lead to denial or inaction (Sinclair et al, 2020), or in the case of these findings, increased agency and pathways toward suicide risk behaviors. Providers who work with Latina IPV survivors should be aware that focusing on building hope or decreasing hopelessness may not be warranted for those experiencing high levels of IPV.…”