REVIEWS & OVERVIEWS

Cultural and Spiritual Foundations of Positive Psychology and Mental Health

  • WANG Xinrui ,
  • MENG Jinshou ,
  • HAN Buxin
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  • 1CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing 100101, China;
    2Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
* HAN Buxin, hanbx@psych.ac.cn

Online published: 2024-10-18

Abstract

There is an increasing number of scholars that show interest in spiritual power and study spirituality. Positive psychology scholars overemphasize rational behaviors of humans, yet ignore the nature of spirituality. Positive experiences are the trifles and spirituality is the essential. Unhappiness is not due to little positive experiences, but the weakness in spirituality, and little positive experience is often the result of slightly weak spirituality. Spirituality is an important source in searching for the positive forces of human beings. Valuing human life and self-worth and seeking a sense of control over life are closely linked to mental health and happiness. This article reviews spirituality and its related theoretical basis, and expounds on the important role of spirituality in positive psychology and even mental health. However, the prosperity of positive psychology focuses on the external positive effect and neglects the deep connotation of spirituality and culture, accounting for difficulties in the integration of body and mind. In the face of disasters (i.e. novel COVID-19, earthquake, and death), the spiritual meaning construction of people who experienced major life events is particularly important for helping them understand the major events that happened to themselves or their family members, promoting post-traumatic growth. Future research should focus on the spiritual foundation of mental health.

Cite this article

WANG Xinrui , MENG Jinshou , HAN Buxin . Cultural and Spiritual Foundations of Positive Psychology and Mental Health[J]. Psychological Communications, 2020 , 3(3) : 176 -185 . DOI: 10.12100/j.issn.2096-5494.219036

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