Positive Psychology: An Introduction

Abstract

The five articles contained in this special issue add to the emerging literature of positive psychology. McAuley et al (see record 2004-13958-003) carefully compared four different classes of factors that are known to affect subjective well-being, namely strivings, values, traits and implicit motive. Their findings suggest that subjective well-being is independently contributed by each of these factors, although the relative contribution differs across the factors. Luo Lu and Robin Gilmour's (see record 2004-13958-004) study adopted a cross-cultural perspective. Chan et al (see record 2004-13958-005) studied the extent of job stress among academics in an institution that is perhaps more affected by job instability than other institutions in the higher education sector in Hong Kong. Alice Man-Yan Kin and Helene H. Fung's (see record 2004-13958-006) study focused on the social relationships of people who had suffered from cancer. The most intriguing study, is the study on the self-concept of visually impaired people by Lok-Tsang Fok and Helene H,. Fung (see record 2004-13958-002). Positive psychology, needs to inform its audience how effective resources and support can be cultivated in an optimal way, even under the most difficult circumstances. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)