Positive Psychology and Religion/Spirituality Across Cultures in Africa, Asia, and Oceania

Abstract

AbstractCulturally responsive cross-pollination of positive psychology (PP) and the psychology of religion/spirituality (PRS) has the potential to enrich both subfields and augment their impact. To strengthen the interaction of PP and the PRS beyond the traditional boundaries of the West, this chapter explores the current overlap between these two psychology subfields in Africa, Asia, and Oceania. After providing a brief overview of each region, we apply a systematic approach to identify and evaluate research that intersects PP and the PRS in each region. Our search revealed a total of 128 scholarly articles over the last three decades. Topical emphases were classified into three overarching themes: (a) well-being, (b) character strengths and virtues, and (c) positive adaptation. Although recent growth in publication outputs within each region is an encouraging sign for the next wave of research, the quality of the existing empirical evidence is limited by an overreliance on cross-sectional observational studies. We highlight some of the ways that culturally responsive cross-pollination of PP and the PRS could benefit people living in Africa, Asia, and Oceania. We also offer suggestions for broadening the scope and enhancing research that intersects both subfields in these culturally and religiously diverse regions.