Beyond positive psychology? Toward a contextual view of psychological processes and well-being.

doi:10.1037/a0024572

Paper

Beyond positive psychology? Toward a contextual view of psychological processes and well-being.

Published Feb 1, 2012 · J. McNulty, F. Fincham

The American psychologist

Q1 SJR score

421

Citations

18

Influential Citations

Open Access PDF Full text Semantic Scholar

Abstract

The field of positive psychology rests on the assumption that certain psychological traits and processes are inherently beneficial for well-being. We review evidence that challenges this assumption. First, we review data from 4 independent longitudinal studies of marriage revealing that 4 ostensibly positive processes-forgiveness, optimistic expectations, positive thoughts, and kindness-can either benefit or harm well-being depending on the context in which they operate. Although all 4 processes predicted better relationship well-being among spouses in healthy marriages, they predicted worse relationship well-being in more troubled marriages. Then, we review evidence from other research that reveals that whether ostensibly positive psychological traits and processes benefit or harm well-being depends on the context of various noninterpersonal domains as well. Finally, we conclude by arguing that any movement to promote well-being may be most successful to the extent that it (a) examines the conditions under which the same traits and processes may promote versus threaten well-being, (b) examines both healthy and unhealthy people, (c) examines well-being over substantial periods of time, and (d) avoids labeling psychological traits and processes as positive or negative.

Literature Review

Highly Cited

Study Snapshot

Positive psychological traits and processes can both promote and harm well-being depending on the context in which they operate, highlighting the need for a more holistic approach to promoting well-being.

PopulationOlder adults (50-71 years)

Sample size24

MethodsObservational

OutcomesBody Mass Index projections

ResultsSocial networks mitigate obesity in older groups.

Sign up to use Study Snapshot

Consensus is limited without an account. Create an account or sign in to get more searches and use the Study Snapshot.

Create an account

Paper

Beyond positive psychology? Toward a contextual view of psychological processes and well-being.

Sign up to use Study Snapshot

References

The Dark Side of Forgiveness: The Tendency to Forgive Predicts Continued Psychological and Physical Aggression in Marriage

Higher forgiveness tendencies in newlywed couples predict increased psychological and physical aggression, while less forgiving spouses experience declines in both aggression over time.

Self-compassion and relationship maintenance: the moderating roles of conscientiousness and gender.

Self-compassion can benefit relationships, especially with high conscientiousness, but can also harm them in low conscientiousness men and women.

Forgiveness increases the likelihood of subsequent partner transgressions in marriage.

Forgiveness in marriage may increase the likelihood of future partner transgressions by removing negative consequences that would discourage reoffending.

Marriage in the New Millennium: A Decade in Review

The past decade has seen increased focus on understanding marital outcomes and the impact of positive transactions and strengths, while also highlighting the importance of context and social and political factors in research.

The doormat effect: when forgiving erodes self-respect and self-concept clarity.

Forgiving can diminish self-respect and self-concept clarity if the perpetrator has not signaled safety and value in a continued relationship.

Citations

When Self-Compassion Lacks Ferocity: Anger and Responding to False Accusations.

High self-compassion can lead to lower anger levels after false accusations, which may make individuals more susceptible to being taken advantage of when facing false accusations.

The duality of hope and challenges: a phenomenological study of first-year university students’ experiences in South Africa

First-year South African university students experience hope as a multifaceted concept that helps them navigate uncertainty and contributes to personal growth and societal contributions during their transition to higher education.

Lockdown Stories: A Qualitative Assessment and Comprehensive Taxonomy of Career Resources

M. E. Ford's taxonomy effectively classifies career resources and obstacles in lockdown stories, with the type of story influencing their association with quantitative measures.

Expressing Negativity Enhances Support From Romantic Partners, Even for Trivial Stressors.

Expressing negative thoughts and feelings to romantic partners enhances their support, even for trivial stressors, by increasing their perceptions of support need.

Using machine learning to explore the predictors of life satisfaction trajectories in older adults.

Machine learning models can effectively predict life satisfaction trajectories in older adults, with emotional experiences, body mass index, and self-reported health being significant predictors.

Interpersonal Communication and Relationship Satisfaction in the Era of Instant Messaging

Balancing instant messaging with face-to-face communication is essential for maintaining high relationship satisfaction, with younger and long-distance couples benefiting more from IM use.