Journal of Positive Psychology

Scope & Guideline

Fostering Happiness, One Study at a Time

Introduction

Immerse yourself in the scholarly insights of Journal of Positive Psychology with our comprehensive guidelines detailing its aims and scope. This page is your resource for understanding the journal's thematic priorities. Stay abreast of trending topics currently drawing significant attention and explore declining topics for a full picture of evolving interests. Our selection of highly cited topics and recent high-impact papers is curated within these guidelines to enhance your research impact.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN1743-9760
PublisherROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2006 to 2024
AbbreviationJ POSIT PSYCHOL / J. Posit. Psychol.
Frequency6 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address2-4 PARK SQUARE, MILTON PARK, ABINGDON OX14 4RN, OXON, ENGLAND

Aims and Scopes

The Journal of Positive Psychology focuses on the empirical study of positive experiences, traits, and institutions, aiming to enhance human flourishing and well-being. It adopts a multidisciplinary approach, integrating insights from psychology, philosophy, sociology, and other fields to explore the complexities of positive psychological constructs.
  1. Human Flourishing and Well-being:
    The journal emphasizes research on the conditions and factors that contribute to human flourishing, including emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
  2. Character Strengths and Virtues:
    A core focus is on understanding character strengths and virtues, examining how these traits can be cultivated and leveraged to improve individual and collective well-being.
  3. Positive Interventions and Applications:
    The journal publishes studies on various positive psychology interventions and their effectiveness in enhancing well-being in diverse populations, including youth, adults, and marginalized groups.
  4. Social Connections and Relationships:
    Research on the role of social connections, relationships, and community in fostering positive psychological outcomes is a significant area of interest.
  5. Meaning and Purpose in Life:
    Exploration of the constructs of meaning and purpose, particularly how they relate to well-being, mental health, and life satisfaction, is a recurring theme.
  6. Cultural and Contextual Influences:
    The journal recognizes the importance of cultural and contextual factors in shaping positive psychological experiences, promoting cross-cultural research.
  7. Interdisciplinary Approaches:
    The publication encourages interdisciplinary research, drawing from various fields such as sociology, philosophy, and education to provide a holistic view of positive psychology.
The Journal of Positive Psychology is actively engaging with several trending and emerging themes that reflect contemporary societal challenges and the evolving landscape of positive psychology research. These themes highlight the journal's responsiveness to current issues and the integration of new methodologies and perspectives.
  1. Digital and Technological Interventions:
    There is a growing interest in the application of technology and digital platforms for delivering positive psychology interventions, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of online mental health resources.
  2. Interpersonal Gratitude and Social Dynamics:
    Research on gratitude, particularly in interpersonal contexts, is gaining traction, emphasizing its role in enhancing social connections and community well-being.
  3. Resilience and Coping Mechanisms:
    Emerging studies focus on resilience as a critical component of well-being, examining how individuals can adapt and thrive in the face of adversity.
  4. Mindfulness and Self-Compassion:
    The integration of mindfulness and self-compassion practices into positive psychology interventions is increasingly prominent, reflecting an expanded understanding of well-being.
  5. Cultural Perspectives on Well-being:
    An upsurge in research exploring cultural differences in well-being and the contextual factors influencing positive psychological outcomes is becoming more prevalent.
  6. Collective and Community Well-being:
    There is a notable trend towards examining collective well-being and the impact of community engagement on individual mental health, highlighting the importance of social support networks.
  7. Transdisciplinary Approaches:
    The journal is seeing a rise in transdisciplinary research that combines insights from various fields, including philosophy, sociology, and education, to enrich positive psychology scholarship.

Declining or Waning

While the Journal of Positive Psychology continues to explore a wide range of themes, certain topics have shown signs of declining interest or frequency in recent publications. These waning areas reflect shifts in research focus and emerging priorities within the field.
  1. Traditional Constructs of Happiness:
    There appears to be a declining emphasis on traditional constructs of happiness as standalone measures, with researchers increasingly favoring more nuanced approaches that consider well-being in a broader context.
  2. Bipolar Models of Well-being:
    Research utilizing bipolar models of well-being has decreased, as the field moves towards more complex, multidimensional understandings of mental health that recognize the coexistence of well-being and ill-being.
  3. Individualistic Approaches to Well-being:
    There is a noticeable reduction in studies focusing solely on individualistic approaches to well-being, as the journal shifts towards exploring relational and community-based aspects of flourishing.
  4. Static Measurement of Positive Traits:
    The reliance on static measures of positive traits, such as fixed character strengths, seems to be waning in favor of dynamic assessments that consider context and situational factors.

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