Peacefulness as a Personality Trait

Abstract

Review of relevant interdisciplinary literature and several recent factor analytic studies revealed that serenity and inner peace encompasses four interrelated factors or components: higher power (including spirituality and search for meaning); harmony (including acceptance/wisdom, anger management, forgiveness, self-compassion, and meditation/mindfulness); positivity (including happiness/subjective well-being, positive emotions, humor, gratitude, and positive coping); and lifestyle (including living for today, health psychology, pursuit of a simple life, appreciate nature, positive social networks, contribute to society/volunteer efforts, and servant leadership). The chapter elaborates on these four factors, describing them and providing practical considerations. In addition, the chapter concludes with a discussion of the relationship between serenity and positive mental health.