Cited by 271Optimism, Hope, and Well-beingPsychological Well-being and Life SatisfactionHealth, psychology, and well-being

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The Value of Positive Psychology for Health Psychology: Progress and Pitfalls in Examining the Relation of Positive Phenomena to Health

Aspinwall, Lisa G., Tedeschi, Richard G.·2010·Annals of Behavioral Medicine

DOI 10.1007/s12160-009-9153-0

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Abstract

The growth of the "positive psychology" movement reflects increased scientific and lay interest in the relation of positive phenomena to mental and physical health and the corresponding potential for interventions that promote positive feelings, thoughts, and experiences to improve health and well-being. In this article, we (1) consider research on optimism, sense of coherence, and posttraumatic growth that predates the contemporary emphasis on positive psychology, but has clear and increasingly well-supported connections to health psychology, (2) examine several potential mechanisms through which such positive phenomena may influence the etiology, progression, and management of illness, (3) identify four pervasive but misleading assumptions about positive phenomena that may limit both scientific research and practical application, and (4) caution against serious pitfalls of popular views of positive thinking, such as its promotion as a cure for cancer and other diseases. We conclude with recommendations for the balanced scientific investigation and application of positive phenomena.

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Background

See all 271

Authors: Aspinwall, L. G., & Tedeschi, R. G.
Affiliations: University of Utah (US)
University of North Carolina at Charlotte (US)
Corresponding author: Aspinwall, Lisa G.
ORCID: Aspinwall, Lisa G.
Tedeschi, Richard G.
Venue: Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published: 2010-01-21
Volume: 39
Issue: 1
Pages: 4-15
ISSN: 0742-5554 (ISSN-L)
0883-6612
1532-4796
DOI: 10.1007/s12160-009-9153-0
OpenAlex: W2095639382
Semantic Scholar: daa089406818be30f260af382ebd347ca57ec66a
Cited by: 271
References: 138
Citations by year: 2026: 13 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 31 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 24
FWCI: 2.18
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Annals of Behavioral Medicine (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Optimism, Hope, and Well-being
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health, psychology, and well-being
Keywords: positive psychology, health psychology, optimism, sense of coherence, posttraumatic growth, positive thinking, well-being, health interventions
MeSH terms: Affect, Behavioral Medicine, Health, Humans, Mental Health, Models, Psychological, Psychological Theory

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The Value of Positive Psychology for Health Psychology: Progress and Pitfalls in Examining the Relation of Positive Phenomena to Health

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