An Integrative Perspective on Understanding Human Functioning: Positive Clinical Psychology

Abstract

The number of studies conducted with a holistic perspective as an alternative to the traditional clinical psychology approach has increased. It is noteworthy that studies examine the effects of positive concepts on human health in addition to discomfort. In this study, it was aimed to examine four concepts that are frequently researched in positive psychology, namely well-being, psychological resilience, hope and coping in an integrative context. Also, it was aimed to give information about the positive clinical psychology approach and the studies which investigate these four positive concepts. Studies were searched through PsycARTICLE, EBSCO and Pubmed electronic databases. Totally 208 studies were reached and 26 articles were included in this review article. As a result, the effective results in treatment of psychological disorders and increase of well-being of an individual with positive psychology interventions suggest that it is important to expand the positive perspective in clinical psychology. It is thought that it may be clinically important that the presence/increase of positive concepts as well as the absence/decrease of psychopathologies should be one of the treatment targets of mental health specialists. It is hoped that adopting an integrative perspective in future studies will enrich empirical research in the field of psychotherapy.