Editing Positive psychology (section)

== Research and evidence ==
{{Main|Well-being contributing factors}}

Subject-matter and [[methodology]] development expanded the field of positive psychology beyond its core theories and methods. Positive psychology is now a global area of study, with various national indices tracking citizens' happiness ratings.

=== Research findings ===
Research in positive psychology, well-being, {{transliteration|grc|eudaimonia}} and happiness, and the theories of Diener, Ryff, Keyes, and Seligman cover a broad range of topics including "the biological, personal, relational, institutional, cultural, and global dimensions of life."<ref name="SeligmanCsikszentmihalyi2000" />

A [[meta-analysis]] of 49 studies showed that Positive Psychology Interventions (PPI) produced improvements in well-being and lower [[Depression (mood)|depression]] levels; the PPIs studied included writing gratitude letters, learning optimistic thinking, replaying positive life experiences, and socializing with others.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sin |first1=Nancy L. |last2=Lyubomirsky |first2=Sonja |title=Enhancing well-being and alleviating depressive symptoms with positive psychology interventions: a practice-friendly meta-analysis |journal=Journal of Clinical Psychology |year= 2009 |volume=65 |issue=5 |pages=467–487 |doi=10.1002/jclp.20593|pmid=19301241 |doi-access=free }}</ref> In a later meta-analysis of 39 studies with 6,139 participants, the outcomes were positive.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bolier |first1=Linda |last2=Haverman |first2=Merel |last3=Westerhof |first3=Gerben J |last4=Riper |first4=Heleen |last5=Smit |first5=Filip |last6=Bohlmeijer |first6=Ernst |title=Positive psychology interventions: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies |journal=BMC Public Health |year= 2013 |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=119 |doi=10.1186/1471-2458-13-119|pmid=23390882 |pmc=3599475 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Three to six months after a PPI the effects on subjective well-being and psychological well-being were still significant. However the positive effect was weaker than in the earlier meta-analysis; the authors concluded that this was because they only used higher-quality studies. The PPIs they considered included counting blessings, [[kindness]] practices, making personal goals, showing gratitude, and focusing on personal strengths. Another review of PPIs found that over 78% of intervention studies were conducted in Western countries.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hendriks |first1=Tom |last2=Warren |first2=Meg A |last3=Schotanus-Dijkstra |first3=Marijke |last4=Hassankhan |first4=Aabidien |last5=Graafsma |first5=Tobi |last6=Bohlmeijer |first6=Ernst |last7=de Jong |first7=Joop |title=How WEIRD are positive psychology interventions? A bibliometric analysis of randomized controlled trials on the science of well-being |journal=The Journal of Positive Psychology |year= 2019 |volume=14 |issue=4 |pages=489–501 |doi=10.1080/17439760.2018.1484941 |url=https://research.utwente.nl/en/publications/how-weird-are-positive-psychology-interventions(587f0601-26a4-46d6-9d94-f8ac6f01c9b1).html }}</ref>

In the textbook ''Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness'', authors Compton and Hoffman give the "Top Down Predictors" of well-being as high [[self esteem]], [[optimism]], [[self efficacy]], a sense of meaning in life, and positive relationships with others.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Castellani |first1=Valeria |last2=Perinelli |first2=Enrico |last3=Gerbino |first3=Maria |last4=Caprara |first4=Gian Vittorio |title=Positive orientation and interpersonal styles |journal=Personality and Individual Differences |date=August 2016 |volume=98 |pages=229–234 |doi=10.1016/j.paid.2016.04.048 }}</ref> The personality traits most associated with well-being are [[extraversion]], [[agreeability]], and low levels of [[neuroticism]].

In a study published in 2020, students were enrolled in a positive psychology course that focused on improving happiness and well-being through teaching about positive psychology.<ref name=SmithFordEricksonGuzman2020>{{cite journal |last1=Smith |first1=Bruce W. |last2=Ford |first2=C. Graham |last3=Erickson |first3=Kelly |last4=Guzman |first4=Anne |title=The Effects of a Character Strength Focused Positive Psychology Course on Undergraduate Happiness and Well-Being |journal=Journal of Happiness Studies |date=January 2021 |volume=22 |issue=1 |pages=343–362 |doi=10.1007/s10902-020-00233-9 }}</ref> The participants answered questions pertaining to the five PERMA categories. At the end of the semester those same students reported significantly higher scores in all categories (p<.001) except for engagement which was significant at p<.05. The authors stated, “Not only do students learn and get credit, there is also a good chance that many will reap the benefits in what is most important to them—their health, happiness, and well-being.”{{r|SmithFordEricksonGuzman2020}}

A systematic review was conducted to explore the impact of positive psychology interventions on breast cancer patients' mental and physical well-being. The review analyzed multiple studies that examined interventions such as mindfulness, gratitude practices, and strengths-based approaches in improving quality of life for those diagnosed with breast cancer. Results consistently demonstrated that these interventions significantly reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress, while fostering resilience, optimism, and emotional well-being. Furthermore, positive psychology approaches were found to enhance patients' adherence to treatment and improve their ability to cope with the challenges of illness and recovery. This review highlights the growing evidence for incorporating positive psychology into breast cancer care, underscoring its potential to support both mental health and holistic recovery in patients.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Casellas-Grau |first1=Anna |last2=Font |first2=Antoni |last3=Vives |first3=Jaume |title=Positive psychology interventions in breast cancer. A systematic review: Positive interventions in breast cancer |journal=Psycho-Oncology |date=January 2014 |volume=23 |issue=1 |pages=9–19 |doi=10.1002/pon.3353 |pmid=23897834 }}</ref>

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted using various positive psychology techniques to enhance the well-being of individuals with psychiatric and somatic disorders, including breast cancer patients. Key methods included mindfulness-based interventions, gratitude exercises, and strength identification, which aimed to build emotional resilience. Additionally, practices like savoring, cognitive reappraisal, and self-compassion were employed to foster positive emotions and coping strategies. These interventions significantly contributed to reducing distress and promoting overall psychological health by encouraging patients to focus on positive aspects of life despite their challenges.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Chakhssi |first1=Farid |last2=Kraiss |first2=Jannis T. |last3=Sommers-Spijkerman |first3=Marion |last4=Bohlmeijer |first4=Ernst T. |title=The effect of positive psychology interventions on well-being and distress in clinical samples with psychiatric or somatic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis |journal=BMC Psychiatry |date=December 2018 |volume=18 |issue=1 |page=211 |doi=10.1186/s12888-018-1739-2 |doi-access=free |pmc=6020379 |pmid=29945603 }}</ref>