Challenges and Prospects for Positive Psychology Research, Theory, Assessment, and Practice in a Multiracial and Multiethnic World

• Main Authors: Chang, Edward C., Downey, Christina A., Hirsch, Jameson K., Lin, Natalie J.
• Published: Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University 2016
• Subjects: ethnic minority groups; positive psychology; psychology; racial minority groups; Psychology; Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms; Health Psychology; Public Health
• Online Access: https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/444; https://www.amazon.com/Positive-Psychology-Racial-Ethnic-Groups/dp/1433821486

Book Summary: Positive psychology has become a vibrant, well-regarded field of study, and a powerful tool for clinicians. But, for many years, the research in areas relevant to positive psychology, such as happiness, subjective well-being, and emotional intelligence, has been based on findings from largely White samples and has rarely taken the concerns of the ethnic community into consideration. Now, for the first time, leaders in the field have come together to provide a comprehensive reference that focuses specifically on how a culturally-informed approach to positive psychology can help capitalize on the strengths of racial minority groups and have a greater potential to positively impact their psychological well-being. Acting as a bridge between positive psychology theory and research—largely based on an essentialist view of human behavior—and the realities of practice and assessment in diverse groups, Positive Psychology in Racial and Ethnic Groups focuses on four main ethnic groups: Asian Americans, Latin Americans, African Americans, and American Indians.