Positive psychology in the context of salutogenesis

Abstract

The positive psychology movement has generated interest in topics such as optimism, hope, creativity, empathy, and gratitude and their application to educational, health, and workplace contexts. However, despite the feeling of innovation, it has also become clear that positive psychology has had a much longer past and has not fully acknowledged the salutogenic paradigm of Antonovsky. In this chapter, however, we attempt to reflect on the conceptualisation of positive psychology in light of Antonovsky’s theory of salutogenesis. Both positive psychology and the salutogenic paradigm challenge mainstream thought to reconsider the resources of healthy functioning. We conclude that researchers in both traditions may learn from each other. Firstly, the Sense of Coherence concept deserves greater research attention by positive psychologists in their search for understanding the mechanisms underpinning optimal functioning. Secondly, those working in the salutogenic paradigms may benefit from greater attention to the conceptualisation of healthy outcomes as defined in positive psychological terms.