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Within the context of positive psychology, workplace spirituality is explained in this review. The purpose of this study is to analyze both workplace spirituality and positive psychology literature that can further help in developing positive organizational and human qualities. This study looks at the theories of workplace spirituality and positive psychology and analyzes how they relate to one another. Value theory, flow theory and institutional theory shed light on this review.

In this extensive systematic assessment of the literature covering the years 2000–2023, the authors carefully reviewed 83 papers about positive psychology and workplace spirituality. The primary goal was to identify the different facets and aspects of positive psychology and workplace spirituality, as well as to know about these concepts, their similarities and differences in an organizational setting.

A thorough examination of their important aspects at the individual, group and organizational levels is provided, emphasizing the remarkable parallels between workplace spirituality and positive psychology. Notably, the two fields share a common emphasis on the strategic application of preventative measures to alleviate probable organizational confusion. The study also provides directions for further studies.

This study examines the connections between workplace spirituality and positive psychology through a systematic literature review, with an emphasis on research questions.

Organizations stand to lose a great deal from the workplace integration of spirituality and positive psychology. It increases employee well-being, engagement and productivity. It strengthens corporate culture, advances leadership strategies and fosters innovation. These benefits improve the organization’s commitment, output and long-term sustainability and elevate it as a more appealing place to work and develop.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the paper is original and produced after a thorough study of workplace spirituality and positive psychology literature.

The aim of this chapter is to introduce the aims of the book, how it is structured and introduce the main concepts of positive psychology and positive education. This includes a brief history of positive psychology and how it led to its application in schools as positive education. The chapter introduces positive education, what it is, why wellbeing is important in education and some of the main frameworks for positive education being used in schools. A rationale for why the focus of this book is on positive education and at all levels of those involved in education in the UK is also provided. Namely, to address whether positive education is too positive for the UK (Robson-Kelly, 2018).

Parents ‘matter’ to schools for their child’s education and parents ‘matter’ in relation to their child’s wellbeing. Indeed, in his synthesis of over 800 studies, Hattie (2008) equated the benefits of parental engagement with schools as being equivalent to adding two or three further years to their education. The aim of this chapter, therefore, is to look at parents in relation to wellbeing through positive education and, as part of this, the concept of positive psychology parenting too. Drawing on scientific research, the benefits of positive psychology to parents and families, alongside some of the ‘why’ and ‘how’ parents can better engage with schools, will be presented. A Positive Psychology in Practice case study of Bounce Back, a freely available, online introduction to positive psychology designed to give parents and carers an introduction to several different concepts, approaches, and hands-on techniques, based on the principles of positive psychology, will also be provided. This case study will also present Bounce Back as an intervention, giving parents and carers practical advice on how best to use this online resource, as well as information on how to implement some of the wider ideas from positive education at home to help them better understand, and intervene in, their own and their family’s wellbeing.

During the past decade, the winds and raucous waves of positive psychology have altered the landscape and brought new life to the profession and discipline of psychology. Since Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi (2000) proffered the positive psychology manifesto at the turn of the century, an amazing plethora of books, articles, research investigations, grants, awards, and applications for improving human welfare and society at large have emerged (see Donaldson, 2011a). Sheldon, Kashdan, and Steger (2011) fully described this impressive groundswell of positive psychology activity in their recent edited volume on Designing positive psychology: Taking stock and moving forward. This rapid growth of scholarly activity has also spawned new professional societies such as the International Association of Positive Psychology (http://www.ippanetwork.org/Home/), scholarly journals including the Journal of Positive Psychology (http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/17439760.asp) and Journal of Happiness Studies (http://www.springer.com/social+sciences/well-being/journal/10902), and top tier graduate programs such as the Masters of Applied Positive Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and the MA and PhD programs in Positive Organizational Psychology and Positive Developmental Psychology at Claremont Graduate University. All of these efforts share the desire to better organize and foster the continued growth and impact of positive psychology.

The purpose of this opinion piece is to present a case for the potential of positive autoethnography (PosAE) as a new autoethnographic approach.

This work resulted from on-going discussions between the authors as to the practicalities and benefits of associating the qualitative approach of autoethnography with the field of positive psychology.

PosAE is proposed to encourage writers to actively reflect on the importance for themselves, and their readers, of including positive narrative elements, prospective visions and exploratory trajectories in their work.

This research builds on existing research that has included positive psychology in autoethnography. As positive psychology is grounded in empirical research, the authors are suggesting that PosAE is allied to pragmatic autoethnography.

PosAE offers to facilitate positive thought, affect and strategies that could improve well-being. For example, some people struggling with serious health issues, and those helping them, may find it useful for articulating conditions and envisioning, even experiencing, positive change.

With so many lives impacted by mental health issues globally, and with rapidly changing societies struggling to provide stability and purpose, an autoethnography that provides tools such as PERMA (Positive emotions, Engagement, Positive Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishments/Achievements) to communicate the positive seems timely.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time the creation of an autoethnographic approach explicitly linked to positive psychology has been proposed.

The purpose of this article is to meet Professor Paul T.P. Wong, PhD, CPscyh, who is based at the Department of Psychology, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. Wong represents an interesting case of how a racial/cultural minority could achieve success in a hostile environment consisting of the systemic biases of injustice, discrimination and marginalization. His life also epitomizes how one can experience the paradoxical truth of healing and flourishing in an upside-down world through the positive suffering mindset (PSM).

This case study is presented in two sections: a positive autoethnography written by Wong, followed by his answers to ten questions. The core methodology of positive autoethnography allows people to understand how Wong’s life experience of being a war baby in China, a constant outsider and a lone voice in Western culture, has shaped a very different vision of meaning, positive mental health and global flourishing.

Wong reveals how to live a life of meaning and happiness for all the suffering people in a difficult world. He has researched the positive psychology of suffering for 60 years, from effective coping with stress and searching for meaning to successful aging and positive death. According to Wong’s suffering hypothesis and the emerging paradigm of existential positive psychology (Wong, 2021), cultivating a PSM is essential for healing and flourishing in all seasons of life.

An expanding literature has been developed to illustrate why the missing link in well-being research is how to transcend and transform suffering into triumph. Wong reveals how this emerging area of research is still not fully embraced by mainstream psychology dominated by the individualistic Euro-American culture, and thus why, in an adversarial milieu, existential positive psychology is limited by its inability to attract more researchers to test out Wong’s suffering hypothesis.

The wisdom and helpful tools presented here may enable people to achieve mature happiness and existential well-being even when they have a very painful past, a very difficult present and a bleak future.

This autoethnographic case study offers new grounds for hope for all those who are injured by life, marginalized by systemic biases or tormented by chronic illnesses and disorders. It also provides a road map for a better world with more decent human beings who dare to stand up for justice, integrity and compassion.

Meaning as reflected in suffering is according to Wong the most powerful force to bring out either the worst or the best in people. The new science of suffering shows us how the authors can achieve positive transformation through cultivating a PSM, no matter how harsh one’s fate may be.

The purpose of this paper is to meet Dr Claude-Hélène Mayer, Professor in Industrial and Organisational Psychology at the University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa.

This is a qualitative positive autoethnographic case study. Mayer uses positive autoethnography to reflect on mental health, positive psychology and leadership across the life span. The first author also responds to ten questions.

Leadership can be developed and appreciated in others. Leadership can be a positive and transformative force that can assist and contribute to mental health and well-being. Positive leadership can be supported by developing wisdom, creativity, critical thinking and conflict and emotional management.

Qualitative research cannot be generalised. Positive autoethnography reflects the views and experiences of the author, in this case a transdisciplinary and transcultural researcher and practitioner.

Readers will find a range of practical recommendations as to how to develop mental health and leadership and stay positive in challenging times. Academic literature relating to practical recommendations is also shared.

Positive leadership has many social implications. It can be a constructive influence that impacts our lives and benefits our personal development, but also one that impacts the lives and benefits the personal development of other people.

In this original paper, Dr Claude-Hélène Mayer shares mental health, positive psychology and leadership experiences and recommendations. Leadership skills are of particular value in times of complex change.

The purpose of this paper is to invite Dr. Grant J. Rich, a positive psychologist influenced by humanistic and existential psychology, to tell his story and to share his research in the field including his insight on mental health and peace.

A positive autoethnographic case study approach is used to enable Dr. Rich to narrate his story while also addressing topics within a Q and A format.

Dr. Rich narrates how his life and work has been enriched by intercultural, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research. Mental health and peace can be closely related, and Rich narrates a range of ways he honed his peacemaking skills which he views as requiring a kind and gentle approach, but also courage.

This case study narrates the experiences, perspectives and insight of one person, and these cannot be generalized.

As Dr. Rich states, “the world aches for peace now”. Peace psychology can enable us to understand how to induce inner and inter-relational peace, and reduce conflict and violence, for better mental health. This involves a practitioner/activist approach, albeit the authors have much to explore and investigate as to how best to do this.

Social needs and outcomes are fundamental to advancing peace psychology’s insights. A focus on multi-disciplinary collaborations, including with educators, social psychologists and sociologists, and the public is recommended.

Dr. Rich is a psychologist with a positive psychology orientation who has called for more qualitative and mixed-methods research in positive psychology. Here, he shares with us multiple insights and his research including in the areas of mental health and peace.

This chapter examines the ‘West’ of the Compassionate Positive Applied Strengths-based Solutions (COMPASS) model and application of Positive Psychology to understanding and supporting desistance from offending behaviour. Positive Psychology, a field dedicated to the study of strengths, well-being and human flourishing, offers valuable tools for fostering pro-social change in individuals with a history of offending. Unlike positive criminality, which focuses on rehabilitative strategies within the criminal justice system, Positive Psychology emphasises enhancing overall life satisfaction through the cultivation of personal strengths and positive experiences. This chapter discusses the concept of well-being, the Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning and Accomplishment (PERMA) model and the Broaden and Build theory, highlighting their relevance to desistance. It also explores key skills and strengths, such as hope, character strengths and gratitude, that can support individuals in their journey towards a life free from offending. By integrating these principles, this chapter provides a framework for understanding how personal growth and positive psychological attributes can contribute to successful desistance and improved quality of life.