Conceptualizing Toxic Positivity: A Scoping Review Protocol

Abstract

Toxic positivity, characterized by an overemphasis on maintaining a positive outlook while suppressing negative emotions, has been increasingly prevalent, particularly in the context of social media and the COVID-19 pandemic. This article presents the protocol for a scoping review that aims to synthesize existing literature on toxic positivity following Arksey and O’Malley’s framework for conducting scoping reviews[1]. The proposed scoping review will primarily address 4 key research questions: What is the definition of toxic positivity? What are its dimensions, antecedents, and consequences? Furthermore, the review aims to identify gaps in current research and offer insights into the mental health implications of toxic positivity, advocating for a balanced approach to emotional well-being.