The critiques and criticisms of positive psychology: A systematic review

Zyl, Llewellyn Ellardus van; Gaffaney, Jaclyn; Vaart, Leoni van der; Dik, Bryan J.; Donaldson, Stewart I.

doi:10.1080/17439760.2023.2178956

Cited by 64 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 84 publications

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“…Positive psychology, a thriving approach in psychology in the past 20 years, oriented to study the best in people and systems, when understood through historical, cultural and social lens, has mostly been part of this overriding intraindividual and socially detached perspective (Marujo, 2021; Marujo and Neto, 2013). Among its many critics, the field has been accused of being a decontextualized neoliberal ideology that is detrimental to people and society and considered a capitalistic venture (van Zyl et al , 2023). Responding to such critics, and broadening the field, is therefore important for the science itself.…”

Section: Executive Summarymentioning

confidence: 99%

The nexus between peace and mental well-being: contributions for public happiness

Marujo

2023

MHSI

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Purpose This underscores individual and social implications for how mental disorders and mental well-being are constructed, conceived of and treated. Further, this paper aims to examine positive psychology’s role in supporting the advancement of a broader systemic and contextual approach to mental health. With that aim, this paper connects data on mental health and well-being with peace studies to describe the systems of value and social ecologies underpinning mental disorders, using public happiness/Felicitas Publica as a possible framework to enhance public mental health while intervening at the local level (Bruni and Zamagni, 2007; Marujo and Neto, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021; Marujo et al., 2019). Design/methodology/approach Theoretical foundations and data on positive peace and mental well-being are described with the intention to propose a systemic, contextual, relational, communitarian, economic and sociopolitical perspective of well-being that goes beyond individual bodies and/or brains and, instead, views mental disorder and mental health as social currency (Beck, 2020). Findings The interventions using dialogic, conversational and community approaches are a possible path to promote peace, mental health and public happiness. Research limitations/implications Examining the interplay between the fields of positive psychology, mental health and cultures of peace, this work contributes to the broadening of research and subsequent intervention topics through transdisciplinary approaches while reinforcing the role of systemic and social determinants and complementing the prevalent medical model and intraindividual perspective of mental health and well-being. Practical implications Adopting positive psychology to address mental health through public happiness concepts and interventions opens opportunities to respond to the ebb and flow of social challenges and life-giving opportunities. Therefore, the paper intends to articulate actor-related, relational, structural and cultural dimensions while moving away from discrete technocratic and individual models and pays attention to the way their implementations are aligned with both individual and social needs. Social implications The work offers an inclusive, equalitarian, politically sensitive approach to positive mental health and positive psychology, bringing forward a structural transformation and human rights-based approach perspective while rethinking the type of social and political solutions to mental health issues. Originality/value Creating a critically constructive debate vis-à-vis the fluidity and complexity of the social world, the paper examines mental health and positive psychology simultaneously from a “hardware” (institutions, infrastructures, services, systems, etc.) and a “software” (i.e. individuals and community/societal relations).

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Section: Executive Summarymentioning

confidence: 99%

The nexus between peace and mental well-being: contributions for public happiness

Marujo

2023

MHSI

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“…Positive psychology can be defined as “the study of the conditions and processes that contribute to the flourishing or optimal functioning of people, groups, and institutions” [ 50 ] (p. 104). In recent years, despite the criticism directed toward this movement [ 51 ], several authors have highlighted the value of developing positive experiences and affects in different areas of life, including career development, education, and guidance [ 52 ]. Some studies have also examined more specifically the links between positive affect and success or achievement, ultimately demonstrating a bidirectional relationship —for example, [ 53 , 54 ], a virtuous circle [ 52 ] in which positive affect and mood lead to positive experiences, which in their turn lead to further positive affect.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Relationship between Self-Esteem, Self-Efficacy, and Career Decision-Making Difficulties: Psychological Flourishing as a Mediator

Pignault,

Rastoder,

Houssemand

2023

EJIHPE

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Well-being associated with optimism, social support, and self-esteem is positively correlated with career decision. In this perspective, a rather recent concept of flourishing as an integrative notion incorporating these different resources, positive affect, and positive experience is particularly relevant to better understand the relations and correlations between self-evaluation, well-being, and career decision-making difficulties. The present study then examines the relationship between these possible difficulties, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and flourishing. One hundred and seventy-two higher education students participated in the study and completed a four-part questionnaire with the Career Decision-Making Difficulties Questionnaire, the Flourishing Scale, the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, and the General Self-Efficacy Scale. The results highlight the mediation of psychological flourishing between personality dimensions—self-esteem and self-efficacy—and career decision difficulties and the fact that those who are most flourishing in their lives will also have the least difficulty in making a career decision. As for the practical implications, guidance counselors for students and young adults need to identify resources and difficulties they have to cope with. This study emphasizes the importance of guiding students in three areas: self-esteem, the perceived quality of social relations, and the meaning attributed to one’s existence. Finally, the contribution of positive psychology to career development will be discussed.

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“…Positive organisational studies, rooted in positive psychology, offer a lens for understanding the well-being and performance of people in work contexts (Gruman and Saks, 2019;Seligman, 2011). However, in their study of critiques and criticisms of positive psychology, Van Zyl et al (2023) found that it neglects the role of the context in the flourishing of people. Wissing (2022) criticised the ignorance concerning contexts in positive psychological research by confirming the tendency to focus on research from western, educated, industrialized, rich and democratic (WEIRD) societies (Henrich et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Decent work, capabilities and flourishing at work

Ragadu

Rothmann

2023

MHSI

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Purpose This study aims to investigate the associations among decent work (DW), capabilities and the flourishing of employees in a South African context. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a convenience sample (N = 436) of early childhood development practitioners from two South African provinces. A demographic questionnaire, the Decent Work Scale, the Capability Set for Work Questionnaire and the Flourishing-at-Work Scale were administered. Findings Latent class analysis showed four capability sets: robust, relational, knowledge/skills and weak capability sets. Employees with a robust capability set were more inclined to report DW than those with knowledge/skills and weak capability sets. Employees with a weak capability set were significantly less inclined to report organisational values that complement family and social values than the other three capability sets. Employees with a robust capability set reported significantly higher emotional well-being (EWB), psychological well-being (PWB) and social well-being (SWB) levels than those with relational, knowledge/skills and weak capability sets. DW was significantly related to EWB, PWB and SWB. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature regarding DW, capabilities and flourishing of employees in a non-western, educated, industrialized, rich and democratic and non-POSH context. The study highlights the need for well-being policies that focus on DW and the capabilities of people in disadvantaged positions. These together would strengthen their agency for converting capabilities into well-being.

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The critiques and criticisms of positive psychology: A systematic review

Cited by 64 publications

References 84 publications

The nexus between peace and mental well-being: contributions for public happiness

The nexus between peace and mental well-being: contributions for public happiness

The Relationship between Self-Esteem, Self-Efficacy, and Career Decision-Making Difficulties: Psychological Flourishing as a Mediator

Decent work, capabilities and flourishing at work

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