Abstract
The aim of this study is to summarize the developments in the field of positive psychology in India by focusing on research and applications. Since the emergence of the positive psychology movement in the West in 1998, researchers worldwide including India have been influenced by its strength-based approach. Over time, positive psychology in India has garnered an empirical base. This paper attempts to trace the development of the field within India. Various databases such as PsycINFO, Science Direct, PubMed, EBSCO and Shodhganga were searched along with the gray literature according to a set of criteria. Relevant researches were categorized under study characteristics, variables studied and assessment of positive psychology variables. Findings show that well-being is the most widely studied topic in positive psychology in India. Other topics including character strengths and posttraumatic growth also seem to be gaining popularity. Future directions on investigating topics that have not received adequate attention, making efforts to bridge the gap between Indian psychology and positive psychology, addressing cultural issues in positive psychology research, focusing on interdisciplinary and multi-method approach and finally making positive psychology available to the non-scientific community, have been provided. It is hoped that these efforts will enable us to build a positive psychology community. On the basis of this analysis, it may be derived that psychology research in India has started focusing on prevention along with cure.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Banavathy, V. K., & Choudry, A. (2014). Understanding happiness: A vedantic perspective. Psychological Studies. doi:10.1007/s12646-013-0230-x.
Banerjee A (2013) Work pressure pushing techies to the brink. The Times of India. Retrieved from: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Work-pressure-pushing-techies-to-the-brink/articleshow/21926233.cms
Bhushan, B., & Kumar, J. S. (2012). A study of posttraumatic stress and growth in tsunami relief volunteers [Abstract]. Journal of Loss and Trauma: International Perspectives on Stress & Coping. doi:10.1080/15325024.2011.635580.
Bhushan, B., Kumar, S., & Harizuka, S. (2011). Bereavement, cognitive-emotional processing, and coping with the loss: A study of Indian and Japanese students [Abstract]. Journal of Social Work in End-of-life and Palliative Care. doi:10.1080/15524256.2011.593160.
Biswas-Diener, R., & Diener, E. (2001). Making the best of a bad situation: Satisfaction in the slums of Calcutta. Social Indicators Research, 55, 329–352.
BS Reporter (2014). Suicide rate highest among youngsters in India: WHO. Business Standard. http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/suicide-rate-highest-among-youngsters-in-india-who-114090400879_1.html. Accessed February 9, 2015.
Campbell- Sills, L., & Sills, M. B. (2007). Psychometric analysis and refinement of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC): Validation of a 10-item measure of resilience. Journal of Trauma and Stress. doi:10.1002/jts.20271.
Chandra, P. S., Sowmyaa, H. R., Mehrotra, S., & Duggal, M. (2014). ‘SMS’ for mental health—Feasibility and acceptability of using text messages for mental health promotion among young women from urban low income settings in India [Abstract]. Asian Journal of Psychiatry. doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2014.06.008.
Chatterjee, P. (2011). Study says India most depressed country. Indian Express. Retrieved from: http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/study-says-indiamost-depressed-country/822950/. Accessed 9 Feb 2015.
Choubisa, R. (2011). Enhancing college students’ well-being through a web-based intervention module: An empirical investigation. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi New Delhi.
Choubisa, R., & Singh, K. (2011). Psychometrics encompassing VIA-IS: A comparative cross cultural analytical and referential reading. Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology. https://www.academia.edu/692564/Psychometrics_Encompassing_VIA-IS_A_Comparative_Cross_Cultural_Analytical_and_Referential_Reading. Accessed September 3, 2014.
Christopher, J. C. (2014). Putting “positive” and “psychology” in perspective: The role of Indian psychology. Psychological Studies. doi:10.1007/s12646-014-0249-7.
Cornelissen, R. M. M. (2014). A commentary on “Positive psychology and Indian psychology: In need of mutual reinforcement”. Psychological Studies. doi:10.1007/s12646-014-0248-8.
Cummins, R. A., & Lau, A. L. D., (2005). Personal wellbeing index—School children (3rd edn). http://www.deakin.edu.au/research/acqol/instruments/wellbeing-index/pwi-id-english.pdf. Accessed September 3, 2014.
Dalal, A. K. (2014). Search for grounds of mutual reinforcement. Psychological Studies. doi:10.1007/s12646-014-0255-9.
De Neve, J. (2011). Functional polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) in the serotonin transporter gene is associated with subjective well-being: Evidence from a US nationally representative sample. Journal of Human Genetics. doi:10.1038/jhg.2011.39.
Diener, E. (1984). Subjective well-being. Psychological Bulletin, 95(3), 542–575.
Donaldson, S. I., Dollwet, M., & Rao, M. A. (2014). Happiness, excellence, and optimal human functioning revisited: Examining the peer-reviewed literature linked to positive psychology. The Journal of Positive Psychology: Dedicated to Furthering Research and Promoting Good Practice. doi:10.1080/17439760.2014.943801.
Donaldson, S. I., & Ko, I. (2010). Positive organizational psychology, behavior, and scholarship: A review of the emerging literature and evidence base. The Journal of Positive Psychology. doi:10.1080/17439761003790930.
Fredrickson, B. L. (1998). What good are positive emotions? Review of General Psychology, 2(3), 300–319. doi:10.1037/1089-2680.2.3.300.
Gupta, V., & Singh, S. (2014). Psychological capital as a mediator of the relationship between leadership and creative performance behaviors: Empirical evidence from the Indian R&D sector. The International Journal of Human Resource Management. doi:10.1080/09585192.2013.870311.
Hafen, C. A., Singh, K., & Laursen, B. (2011). The happy personality in India: The role of emotional intelligence. Journal of Happiness Studies, 12, 807–817. doi:10.1007/s10902-010-9228-4.
Hasnain, N., Khan, O., Hasan, Z. (2013). Organizational citizenship behavior, happiness and work motivation as correlates of organizational commitment of managers of public and private banks. The International Journal of Humanities & Social Studies. http://theijhss.com/3.HSS1309-007.pdf. Accessed August 25, 2014.
Hills, P., & Argyle, M. (2002). The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire: A compact scale for the measurement of psychological well-being. Personality and Individual Differences, 33, 1073–1082.
Holder, M. D., Coleman, B., & Singh, K. (2012). Temperament and happiness in children in India. Journal of Happiness Studies. doi:10.1007/s10902-011-9262-x.
Hussain, D., & Bhushan, B. (2013). Posttraumatic growth experiences among Tibetan refugees: A Qualitative Investigation [Abstract]. Qualitative Research in Psychology. doi:10.1080/14780887.2011.616623.
Jesson, J. K., Matheson, L., & Lacey, F. M. (2013). Doing your literature review: Traditional and systematic techniques. New Delhi: Sage Publications India Pvt. Ltd.
Jeste, D. V., Palmer, B. W., Rettew, D. C. & Boardman, S. (2015). Positive psychiatry: Its time has come. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 76(6), 675–683. http://www.psychiatrist.com/JCP/article/_layouts/ppp.psych.controls/BinaryViewer.ashx?Article=/JCP/article/Pages/2015/v76n06/v76n0601.aspx&Type=Article.
Kapur, M. (2013). Resilience and competence in childhood. In G. Misra (Ed.), History of science, philosophy and culture in indian civilization, 13(3) (pp. 255–267). New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
Khosla, M., & Dokania, V. (2010). Does happiness promote emotional intelligence? Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology, 36(1), 45–54.
Kumar, A., & Kumar, S. (2013). Karma yoga: A path towards work in positive psychology. Indian Journal of Psychiatry. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.105511.
Lakshmanan, R. M. K., & Mythili, T. (n. d.). The effect of psychological intervention on resilience among early adolescent girls in Chennai corporation school. http://counselingchennai.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/Full_paper_Resilience_Study.22205430.pdf. Accessed Dec 15, 2014.
Linley, P. A., & Harrington, S. (2006). Strengths coaching: A potential-guided approach to coaching psychology. International Coaching Psychology Review. http://groups.psychology.org.au/Assets/Files/ICPR_journal_1_April_2006.pdf#page=39. Accessed August 14, 2014.
Linley, P. A., & Leontiev, D. (2009). Multiple dimensions of the good life: Introducing international and interdisciplinary perspectives. The Journal of Positive Psychology. doi:10.1080/17439760902933641.
Lopez, S. J. (2009). Encyclopedia of positive psychology. United Kingdom: Wiley.
Lyubomirsky, S., King, L., & Diener, E. (2005a). The benefits of frequent positive affect: Does happiness lead to success? Psychological Bulletin. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.131.6.803.
Lyubomirsky, S., & Lepper, H. (1999). A measure of subjective happiness: Preliminary reliability and construct validation. Social Indicators Research. http://sonjalyubomirsky.com/subjective-happiness-scale-shs. Accessed March 2, 2015.
Lyubomirsky, S., Sheldon, K. M., & Schkade, D. (2005b). Pursuing happiness: The architecture of sustainable change. Review of General Psychology. doi:10.1037/1089-2680.9.2.111.
Magesh, P., Shruthi, & Divya (2014). A study on relationship between forgiveness, gratitude and subjective well-being among adolescents. The International Journal Of Humanities & Social Studies. http://theijhss.com/force_download.php?file_path=wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2.HS1409-114.pdf&id=839. Accessed December 20, 2014.
Malik, A., & Singh, D. (2012). Happiness: A central objective of positive psychology. Indian Journal of Positive Psychology. doi:10.15614/ijpp/2012/v3i1/49779.
Mathur, R., & Sharma, S. (2014). A correlational study of positive concomitants of well-being. IIS Unversity Journal of Social Science. http://iisjoss.org/sites/default/files/iisjoss/2014/PDF/3.%20Roopa%20Mathur%20and%20Swati%20Sharma.pdf. Accessed December 5, 2014.
McCullough, M. E., Emmons, R. A., & Tsang, J. (2002). The grateful disposition: A conceptual and empirical topography. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. doi:10.1037//0022-3514.82.1.112.
Mehrotra, S. (2013). Feeling good & doing well?—Testing efficacy of a mental health promotive intervention program for Indian youth. International Journal of Psychological Studies. doi:10.5539/ijps.v5n3p28.
Mehrotra, S. (2014). Synergy between positive psychology and Indian psychology? Reflections on barriers and pathways. Psychological Studies. doi:10.1007/s12646-014-0257-7.
Mehrotra, S., Elias, J. K., Chowdhury, D., & Gupta, A. (2013). Feeling good & doing well: Development of a mental health promotion program for youth. Psychological Studies. doi:10.1007/s12646-012-0176-4.
Mehrotra, S., & Tripathi, R. (2011). Positive psychology research in India: A review and critique. Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology, 37(1), 9–26.
Mehrotra, S., & Tripathi, R. (2013). Flourishing at work. In D. M. Pestonjee & S. Pandey (Eds.), Stress and work: Perspectives on understanding and Managing Stress (pp. 239–263). New Delhi: Sage Publications.
Mehrotra, S., Tripathi, R., & Banu, H. (2015). Assessment of character strengths: Preliminary report on a vignette based measure [Abstract]. Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology, 38(3), 151–160.
Meyers, M. C., Woerkom, M., & Bakker, A. B. (2013). The added value of the positive: A literature review of positive psychology interventions in organizations. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology. doi:10.1080/1359432X.2012.694689.
Miret, M., Caballero, F. F., Mathur, A., Naidoo, N., Kowal, P., et al. (2012). Validation of a measure of subjective well-being: An abbreviated version of the Day Reconstruction Method. PLoS One, 7(8), e43887. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0043887.
Misra, G. (2014). Editorial. Psychological Studies. doi:10.1007/s12646-014-0263-9.
Mukherjee, S., Nargundkar, M., & Manjaly, J. A. (2014). Monetary primes increase differences in predicted life-satisfaction between new and old Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Psychological Studies. doi:10.1007/s12646-014-0259-5.
Murthy, R. K. (2014). Psychological capital, work engagement and organizational citizenship behaviour. Department of Psychology, Osmania University, Hyderabad. http://nci2tm.sinhgad.edu/NCIT2M2014_P/data/NCI2TM_72.pdf. Accessed September 2, 2014.
Nath, P., & Pradhan, R. K. (2011). Positive writing and positive well-being: Issues and implications. Indian Journal of Health and Well-Being, 2(1), 61–64.
Nath, P., & Pradhan, R. K. (2012). Influence of positive affect on physical health and psychological well-being: Examining the mediating role of psychological resilience. Journal of Health Management. doi:10.1177/097206341201400206.
Nath, P., & Pradhan, R. K. (2013). Implications of positive emotions in growing out of adversity: Examining the role of individual differences. In Paper presented at 3rd biennial conference of the Indian Academy of Management. http://vslir.iimahd.ernet.in:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/11505. Accessed September 1, 2014.
Nath, P., & Pradhan, R. K. (2014). Does feeling happy contributes to flexible thinking: Exploring the association between positive emotions and cognitive flexibility. Psychological Studies. doi:10.1007/s12646-014-0241-2.
Pandey, S. (2011). Positive psychology: Blending Strengths of Western, Eastern and Other Indigenous Psychologies. In Paper presented at 1st international conference on “Emerging Paradigms in Business & Social Sciences.” http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2150585. Accessed December 2, 2014.
Pandit, S. A., & Satish, L. (2014). When does yoga work? Long term and short term effects of yoga intervention among pre-adolescent children. Psychological Studies. doi:10.1007/s12646-013-0209-7.
Paranjpe, A. (2014). On getting best of both the worlds [Abstract]. Psychological Studies. doi:10.1007/s12646-014-0249-7.
Paul, H., & Garg, P. (2014). Healing HRM through positive psychology: An outlook. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.04.178.
Peltzer, K., & Pengpid, S. (2013). Subjective happiness and health behavior among a sample of university students in India. Social Behavior and Personality. doi:10.2224/sbp.2013.41.6.1045.
Pereira, I. (2013). India saw 1,35,445 suicides last year. The Hindu. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-saw-135445-suicides-last-year/article4849710.ece. Accessed February 9, 2015.
Peterson, C. (2007). Character strengths (chapter 6). A primer in positive psychology. (pp. 137–164). New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. Washington, DC: APA Press and Oxford University Press.
Pinjarkar, R., & Mehrotra, S. (2014). Meaning in life and well-being in the lives of college going Indian youth. Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology. http://jiaap.org/Listing_Detail/Logo/a5d8c6a5-ae6b-43b2-b606-96056c4c0a4b.pdf. Accessed December 5, 2014.
Pirta, R. S. (2014). Yoking gnosis and logos: On the knowledge function of some exceptional mental states for well-being. Psychological Studies. doi:10.1007/s12646-013-0210-1.
Pradhan, R. K., & Nath, P. (2011). Dynamics of positive emotions and creative potential. Indian Journal of Positive Psychology, 2(1), 103–107.
PTI (2014, September 4). India has highest number of suicides in the world: WHO. The Economic Times. Retrieved from: http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-09-04/news/53563875_1_suicide-attempts-suicide-rate-prevention. Accessed February 9, 2015.
Raje, M. (2014). Integrated psycho-therapeutic approach restores family mental health [Abstract]. European Psychiatry. doi:10.1016/S0924-9338(14)77596-0.
Ramesh, M. G., Sathian, B., Sinu, E., & Rai, K. S. (2013). Efficacy of Rajayoga meditation on positive thinking: An index for self-satisfaction and happiness in life. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2013/5889.3488.
Rao, K. R. (2014). Positive psychology and Indian psychology in need of mutual reinforcement. Psychological Studies. doi:10.1007/s12646-013-0228-4.
Rao, D., & Mehrotra, S. (2010). Personal Goal Survey development and preliminary trial in the Indian community. Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology, 36(1), 133–145.
Rathi, N. (2011). Psychological well-being and organizational commitment: Exploration of the relationship. Working Paper No.106/2011. Amrita School of Business. https://www.amrita.edu/faculty/dr-neerpal-rathi. Accessed September 3, 2014.
Ridley, D. (2012). The literature review: A step-by-step guide for students (2nd ed.). New Delhi: Sage Publications India Pvt. Ltd.
Sahoo, F. M., & Sahu, R. (2009). The role of flow experience in human happiness. Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology. http://medind.nic.in/jak/t09/s1/jakt09s1p40.pdf. Accessed September 3, 2014.
Salagame, K. K. (2014). Positive psychology and Indian psychology: Birds of the same feather. Psychological Studies. doi:10.1007/s12646-014-0258-6.
Sankaranarayanan, A., & Cycil, C. (2014). Resiliency training in Indian children: A pilot investigation of the PENN resiliency program. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. doi:10.3390/ijerph110404125.
Seligman, M. E. P. (2002). Authentic happiness. London: Nicholas Brealey Publishing.
Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Flourish: A new understanding of happiness and well-being—and how to achieve them. Boston: Nicholas Brealey Publishing.
Seligman, M. E. P., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: An introduction. American Psychologist. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.5.
Seligman, M. E. P., Steen, T. A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005a). Positive psychology progress. American Psychologist. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.60.5.410.
Seligman, M. E. P., Steen, T. A., & Peterson, C. (2005a). Positive psychology progress: Empirical validation of interventions. American Psychologist. http://www.ppc.sas.upenn.edu/ppprogressarticle.pdf.
Shahar, T. B. (2013). Happiness 101. TED talks. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxsPl2WClHg.
Shahnawaz, M. G., & Jafri, M. H. (2009). Psychological capital as predictors of organizational commitment and organizational citizenship behaviour. Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology. http://medind.nic.in/jak/t09/s1/jakt09s1p78.pdf. Assessed October 16, 2014.
Sharma, C., & Choudhary, A. (2013). Positive psychology: An approach to rehabilitation of trafficked victims. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications. http://www.ijsrp.org/research-paper-0813.php?rp=P201622#citatio. Accessed November 5, 2014.
Shrivastava, A. K., & Misra, G. (2011). Happiness and well-being: An Indian perspective. In G. Misra (Ed.), Handbook of psychology in India (pp. 299–310). New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
Singh, K. (2010). Positive psychology and its intervention programmes for academic institutes. Psychosocial Aspect of Health and Illness. http://globalvisionpub.com/globaljournalmanager/pdf/1390387658.pdf. Accessed December 19, 2014.
Singh, K. (2015). Professor spotlight: Kamlesh Singh, Ph.D. (SIPPA, Interviewer). International Positive Psychology Association. Retrieved from: http://www.ippanetwork.org/sippa/kamlesh-singh/. Accessed 7 Sep 2016.
Singh, K., & Choubisa, R., (2009a). Psychometric properties of Hindi translated version of values in action inventory of strengths (VIA-IS). Journal of Indian Health Psychology. https://www.academia.edu/631337/Psychometric_properties_of_Hindi_translated_version_of_Values_in_Action_Inventory_of_Strengths_VIA-IS_. Accessed November 19, 2014.
Singh, K., & Choubisa, R. (2009b). Effectiveness of self focused intervention for enhancing students’ well-being. Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology. http://medind.nic.in/jak/t09/s1/jakt09s1p23.pdf. Accessed October 16, 2014.
Singh, K., & Choubisa, R. (2010). Empirical validation of values in action-inventory of strengths (VIA-IS) in Indian context. Psychological Studies. doi:10.1007/s12646-010-0015-4.
Singh, K., & Duggal, S. (2012). Relationship between values in action and personality factors: A positive psychology perspective [Abstract]. Indian Journal of Clinical Psychology, 36(1), 33–41.
Singh, K., & Jha, S. D. (2008). Positive and negative affect, and grit as predictors of happiness and life satisfaction. Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology, 34(Special Issue), 40–45.
Singh, K., Kaur, J., Singh, D., & Junnarkar, M. (2014a). Socio-demographic variables affecting well-being: A study on Indian rural women. Psychological Studies. doi:10.1007/s12646-014-0239-9.
Singh, K., Ruch, W., & Junnarkar, M. (2014b). Effect of the demographic variables and psychometric properties of the personal well-being index for school children in India. Child Indicators Research. doi:10.1007/s12187-014-9264-4.
Singh, A. K., Singh, S., & Singh, A. P. (2012). Does trait predict psychological well-being among student of professional courses? Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology, 38(2), 234–241.
Singh, K., & Yu, X. (2010). Psychometric evaluation of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) in a sample of Indian students. Journal of Psychology, 1(1), 23–30.
Sood, S., & Gupta, R. (2012). A study of gratitude and well being among adolescents. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science. http://figshare.com/articles/A_study_of_gratitude_and_well_being_among_adolescents/1270172. Accessed November 15, 2014.
Swaminath, G., & Rao, B. R. R. S. (2010). Going beyond psychopathology-positive emotions and psychological resilience. Indian Journal of Psychiatry. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.58887.
Thirunavukarasu, M., & Thirunavukarasu, P. (2010). Training and national deficit of psychiatrists in India—A critical analysis. Indian Journal of Psychiatry. http://www.indianjpsychiatry.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5545;year=2010;volume=52;issue=7;spage=83;epage=88;aulast=Thirunavukarasu. Accessed February 20, 2015.
Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegen, A. (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS Scale. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.54.6.1063.
World Health Organization (2014). Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/en/.
Yadav, R., Koushal, V., Aggarwal, P., Saini, V., & Sharma, R. (2012). The interrelationship between positive mental and physical health: A health promoting approach. Indian Journal of Positive Psychology, 3(1), 47–52.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank researchers for sharing their publications via e-mail communication and to the anonymous reviewers for their suggestions. The current work has been undertaken by the funding provided by Indian Council of Medical Research.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ghosh, A., Deb, A. Positive Psychology Progress in India: Accomplishments and Pathways Ahead. Psychol Stud 61, 113–125 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-016-0367-5
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-016-0367-5