Associations of positive orientation with health and psychosocial adaptation: A review of findings and perspectives

Abstract

Earlier findings have shown that positive evaluations about oneself, life, and future are related to each other and can be traced to a common latent dimension originally named positive orientation and then positivity. Further findings have led to the development of an eight-item scale that allows a direct measurement of positivity. A review is presented of the major findings that point to positivity as a basic self-evaluative disposition and that attest to its relevant impact across domains of functioning. Finally, possible avenues for promoting positivity and to allow individuals to fully benefit from it are discussed.