Positive Psychology Applied to the Workplace: A Foucauldian Discourse Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 002216782110294
Author(s):  
Matthew McDonald ◽  
Lan Thi Nguyen ◽  
David Bubna-Litic ◽  
Thanh-Nha Nguyen ◽  
Greig Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Discourse Analysis ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Psychological Interventions ◽  
Methodological Framework ◽  
Negative Outcomes ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
Strength Based ◽  
Positive Psychological Interventions

An ever-expanding literature now exists critiquing the theory and philosophy of positive psychology, however, research has yet to provide a critical analysis of its practical application. The current study extends on these critiques by exploring how positive psychology is applied to the workplace by investigating practitioner-based sources including interviews with workplace coaches who use positive psychological interventions and applied published texts. The study draws on Michel Foucault’s concepts of power/knowledge and discourse as a theoretical and methodological framework. Three dominant discourses were identified which illustrate the ways in which positive psychology is applied to the workplace. These include the promotion of its scientific credentials, employing a strength-based approach and using goal-setting and behavioral reinforcement interventions. When applied to the workplace, these discourses psychologize workplace problems, resulting in potentially negative outcomes for employees. However, interviews with some of the workplace coaches indicate they practice a degree of reflexivity, providing a salutary lesson for the science of positive psychology.

Positive psychology: resilience and its role within mental health nursing

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Jan Macfarlane
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Psychological Interventions ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Mental Health Nursing ◽  
Mental Health Workforce ◽  
Positive Psychological Interventions ◽  
Health Nursing ◽  
The Individual ◽  
User Friendly

This is the ninth article in a series that explores the meaning of positive psychology and the importance it has on the wellbeing of the mental health workforce. It will focus on positive psychology interventions that help to develop resilience and to consider how the uplifting effect of resilience through contemporary use in the field of mental health nursing can be experienced. This article will explain what the term resilience means and how it is embedded in the practice of positive psychological interventions. Finally, it will emphasise how the application of positive psychological interventions can benefit the individual and the organisation. The practical tasks provided in the boxes throughout the article will help the reader identify what resilience means for them and understand how to further develop its transferability through evidence-based, user-friendly exercises.

The Science of Self-Help

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen M. Schueller ◽  
Acacia C. Parks
Keyword(s):  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Psychological Interventions ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Evidence Based Practices ◽  
Positive Side ◽  
Positive Behaviors ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Human Functioning ◽  
Positive Psychological Interventions

Positive psychology aims to understand the positive side of human functioning, expanding research on positive behaviors, cognitions, emotions, and character traits. The findings of this research have highlighted strategies (e.g., savoring, gratitude, kindness, social relationships, and hope and meaning) that, when practiced, lead to increases in individual happiness. Researchers and practitioners have translated these strategies into effective interventions that can be disseminated directly to individuals, allowing them to actively pursue greater levels of happiness. We present a summary of the current state of positive psychological interventions as they pertain to self-help. A major focus in the application of positive psychological interventions for self-help is dissemination – ensuring that those interested have access to evidence-based strategies to increase their happiness. The future of self-help involves spreading these practices through classes, workshops, books, and increasingly prevalent technologies such as Internet sites and mobile applications. We outline unique concerns related to providing self-help in the absence of professional support including motivation and engagement, variety and flexibility, and person-activity fit. As positive psychology has developed a host of evidence-based practices, the next stage of research requires implementing these strategies in ways to support their use in real-world contexts.

scholarly journals Efecto de intervenciones de psicología positiva y ejercicio físico en el bienestar y malestar psicológico de estudiantes universitarios/Effect Of Positive Psychology And Exercise Interventions On College Students’ Psychological Well-Being And Ill-Being

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 149
Author(s):  
Kristy Barrantes-Brais ◽  
Isabel Balaguer-Solá
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Negative Emotions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Interventions ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Exercise Interventions ◽  
Positive Psychological Interventions ◽  
Psicología Positiva ◽  
Estudiantes Universitarios

<p><strong>Español</strong></p><p>El propósito de este estudio fue analizar el efecto de intervenciones de Psicología positiva y de ejercicio físico sobre indicadores de bienestar y malestar psicológico en estudiantes universitarios costarricenses. Se realizó una investigación cuasiexperimental, de diseño factorial (4 x 2) con mediciones pre y post, en el que 233 estudiantes universitarios (18.97 ± 2.18 años, 135 mujeres, 98 hombres) se vieron expuestos a una de cuatro diferentes condiciones: intervenciones de psicología positiva (PP), intervenciones de ejercicio físico (E), intervenciones combinadas de PP y E y control (C). Se midieron indicadores de bienestar y malestar psicológico. Las intervenciones de Psicología positiva mejoraron el indicador de malestar psicológico “emociones negativas” (p = .022), pero no impactaron significativamente los indicadores de bienestar psicológico (p &gt; .05). La combinación las intervenciones de PP y E generó los mismos efectos que cuando únicamente se utilizan las estrategias derivadas de la psicología positiva, esto es, se presentó una reducción significativa en el indicador “emociones negativas” (p = .028). Dicho efecto puede contribuir a la mejora de la vivencia de la vida universitaria y proteger a los estudiantes de los riesgos asociados con experiencias de malestar psicológico en diversas esferas de su vida. Las intervenciones de ejercicio por sí mismas no modificaron de manera significativa los indicadores de bienestar ni malestar psicológico (p &gt; .05).</p><p><strong>English</strong></p><p>The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of positive psychology and exercise interventions on psychological well-being and ill-being indicators in Costa Rican college students. This study had a quasi-experimental factorial (4 x 2) design, 233 college students (18.97 ± 2.18 years, 135 females, 98 males) were assigned to one of four different conditions: positive psychological interventions (PP), exercise interventions (E), combined (PP + E) interventions, and control group (C). Psychological well-being and ill-being indicators were measured pre and post interventions. Positive psychological interventions improved the “negative emotions” indicator (p = .022); but did not have a significant impact on well-being indicators (p &gt; .05). The combination of PP and E interventions produced the same effects as PP alone; a decrease in “negative emotions” was observed (p = .028). This effect might contribute to improve the experience of university life for higher education students and protect them from the risks associated with psychological ill-being. Exercise interventions alone did not change either the psychological well-being or ill-being indicators (p &gt; .05).</p>

Measuring Positive Emotion Outcomes in Positive Psychology Interventions: A Literature Review

2020 ◽  
pp. 175407392095081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith T. Moskowitz ◽  
Elaine O. Cheung ◽  
Melanie Freedman ◽  
Christa Fernando ◽  
Madelynn W. Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Disease Prevention ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Positive Emotion ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Interventions ◽  
Positive Psychology Interventions ◽  
Positive Psychological Interventions

Accumulating evidence for the unique social, behavioral, and physical health benefits of positive emotion and related well-being constructs has led to the development and testing of positive psychological interventions (PPIs) to increase emotional well-being and enhance health promotion and disease prevention. PPIs are specifically aimed at improving emotional well-being and consist of practices such as gratitude, savoring, and acts of kindness. The purpose of this narrative review was to examine the literature on PPIs with a particular focus on positive emotion outcomes. We evaluated the evidence on the effects of PPIs on positive emotion specifically, and discussed the range of evidence regarding the relative responsiveness of emotion measures to PPIs in order to gain a better understanding of the specific emotional pathways through which PPIs influence psychological and physical well-being. We conclude with recommendations for best evaluating effects of PPIs on positive emotion outcomes.

scholarly journals Promoting Goal Setting: An Experimental Study of Positive Psychology in an EFL Context

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 144
Author(s):  
Samieh Noori ◽  
Mehry Haddad Narafshan
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Proficiency Level ◽  
Strength Based ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Impact

<em>The present quasi-experimental study addresses the impact of a Character Strength Based Positive Psychology Intervention (CSBPPI) on Goal Setting (GS) of TEFL university students in Iran. In so doing, the study utilized an experimental design with 18 participants in the control group and 18 participants in the experimental group which totalled 7 male and 29 female students. The pretest showed that the participants of the two groups were homogenous with regard to their proficiency level as well as their goal setting. Data was collected over five months using Erickson et al. (2015) goal setting questionnaire before and after an MA course. The results of the post-test revealed that PP has a positive and significant impact on learners’ goal setting. The findings from this research suggest positive paths from positive psychology to understanding, managing and successfully setting the goals. </em>

Reality Negotiation

2009 ◽  
pp. 474-482
Author(s):  
Raymond L. Higgins ◽  
Matthew W. Gallagher
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Social Constructionist ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Negative Outcomes ◽  
Negotiation Research ◽  
The Social ◽  
Coping Processes

This chapter presents an overview of the development and status of the reality negotiation construct and relates it to a variety of coping processes. The reality negotiation construct follows from the social constructionist tradition and first appeared in discussions of how excuses protect self-images by decreasing the causal linkage to negative outcomes. The reality negotiation construct was later expanded to include a discussion of how the process of hoping may be used to increase perceived linkage to positive outcomes. In the two decades since these constructs were first introduced, four individual differences measures have been developed, and the effects of these reality negotiation techniques have been studied extensively. Reality negotiation techniques can be both maladaptive and adaptive and have been shown to be associated with coping and social support in a variety of populations. The chapter concludes by highlighting a few areas in which reality negotiation research could expand to further its relevance and applicability to the field of positive psychology.

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