The Role of Positive Psychology in Interpersonal Decision Making

Abstract

Traditionally, research in the disability field has focused on remediating deficits rather than building on strengths. However, there is a shift from a medical model toward a social–ecological or person–environment fit model of disability. This chapter primarily focuses upon interpersonal decision making, which is central to maintaining a positive quality of life but which poses particular challenges to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Research to better understand and strengthen interpersonal decision making offers a potential avenue to reducing social vulnerability and increasing positive quality of life. The chapter begins with a brief discussion of the Pathways Model of Decision Processing followed by a description of some key decision-making research and intervention studies aimed at providing adults and adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities with a useful repertoire of decision-making skills. It concludes with suggestions for future directions for research and practice in decision making. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)