Skip to main content

Positive Psychology in Southern Europe (Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain)

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The International Handbook of Positive Psychology
  • 1426 Accesses

Abstract

This chapter illustrates the main applied research conducted in Southern Europe in the field of positive psychology. Even though this field is relatively new and underrepresented in this part of the world, by a theoretical viewpoint, the philosophical roots of positive psychology are intrinsically embedded in Southern Europe cultural history. Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece have their national Associations of Positive Psychology, where academics, researchers and private practitionaires can meet and share their contributions in applying positive psychology in the clinical, educational, school and organizational settings. Well-being has been evalutaed and promoted in different age populations, from children to adult and aging individuals, with a peculiar emphasis on longevity, which is becaming a common phenomenon in Southern Europe.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 259.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Albieri, E., Visani, D., Offidani, E., Ottolini, F., & Ruini, C. (2009). Well-being therapy in children with emotional and behavioral disturbances: A pilot investigation. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 78(6), 387–390. https://doi.org/10.1159/000235983

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bassi, M., & Delle Fave, A. (2012). Optimal experience and self-determination at school: Joining perspectives. Motivation and Emotion, 36(4), 425–438. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-011-9268-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bassi, M., Falautano, M., Cilia, S., Goretti, B., Grobberio, M., Pattini, M., … Delle Fave, A. (2014). The coexistence of well- and ill-being in persons with multiple sclerosis, their caregivers and health professionals. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 337(1–2), 67–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2013.11.018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bassi, M., Falautano, M., Cilia, S., Goretti, B., Grobberio, M., Pattini, M., … Delle Fave, A. (2016). Illness perception and well-being among persons with multiple sclerosis and their caregivers. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 23(1), 33–52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-015-9425-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bassi, M., Steca, P., Monzani, D., Greco, A., & Delle Fave, A. (2014). Personality and optimal experience in adolescence: Implications for well-being and development. Journal of Happiness Studies, 15(4), 829–843. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-013-9451-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beesdo, K., Knappe, S., & Pine, D. S. (2009). Anxiety and anxiety disorders in children and adolescents: Developmental issues and implications for DSM-V. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 32, 483–524.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boyle, P. A., Barnes, L. L., Buchman, A. S., & Bennett, D. A. (2009). Purpose in life is associated with mortality among community-dwelling older persons. Psychosomatic Medicine, 71(5), 574–579. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0b013e3181a5a7c0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boyle, P. A., Buchman, A. S., Barnes, L. L., & Bennett, D. A. (2010). Effect of a purpose in life on risk of incident alzheimer disease and mild cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older persons. Archives of General Psychiatry, 67(3), 304–310. https://doi.org/10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2009.208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Casellas-Grau, A., Font, A., & Vives, J. (2014). Positive psychology interventions in breast cancer. A systematic review. Psycho-Oncology, 23(1), 9–19. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.3353

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Casellas-Grau, A., Ochoa, C., & Ruini, C. (2017). Psychological and clinical correlates of posttraumatic growth in cancer. A systematic and critical review. Psycho-Oncology. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.4426.

  • Casellas-Grau, A., Vives, J., Font, A., & Ochoa, C. (2016). Positive psychological functioning in breast cancer: An integrative review. Breast, 27, 136–168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.breast.2016.04.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cesetti, G., Vescovelli, F., & Ruini, C. (2017). The Promotion of well-being in aging individuals living in nursing homes: A controlled pilot intervention with narrative strategies. Clinical Gerontologist. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2017.1292979.

  • Chaves, C., Hervas, G., & Vazquez, C. (2016). Granting wishes of seriously ill children: Effects on parents well-being. Journal of Health Psychology, 21(10), 2314–2327. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105315576348

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chaves, C., Lopez-Gomez, I., Hervas, G., & Vazquez, C. (2016). A comparative study on the efficacy of a positive psychology intervention and a cognitive behavioral therapy for clinical depression. Cognitive Therapy and Research, (April), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-016-9778-9.

  • Chaves, C., Vazquez, C., & Hervas, G. (2016). Positive interventions in seriously-ill children: Effects on well-being after granting a wish. Journal of Health Psychology, 21(9), 1870–1883. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105314567768

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D’Araújo, M. A., Alpuim, M., Rivero, C., & Marujo, H. Á. (2016). Narrative practices and positive aging: A reflection about life celebration in a group of old women. Women and Therapy, 39(1–2), 106–123. https://doi.org/10.1080/02703149.2016.1116323

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delle Fave, A., Brdar, I., Freire, T., Vella-Brodrick, D., & Wissing, M. P. (2011). The eudaimonic and hedonic components of happiness: Qualitative and quantitative findings. Social Indicators Research, 100(2), 185–207. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-010-9632-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Fátima Perloiro, M., Neto, L. M., & Marujo, H. Á. (2012). We will be laughing again: Restoring relationships with positive couples therapy. In G. Burns (Ed.), Happiness, healing, enhancement (pp. 15–28). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118269664.ch2

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Fava, G. A. (2016). Well-being therapy: Current indications and emerging perspectives. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 85(3), 136–145. https://doi.org/10.1159/000444114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fava, G. A., & Ruini, C. (2003). Development and characteristics of a well-being enhancing psychotherapeutic strategy: Well-being therapy. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 34(1), 45–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7916(03)00019-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fava, G. A., Ruini, C., Rafanelli, C., Finos, L., Conti, S., & Grandi, S. (2004). Six-year outcome of cognitive behavior therapy for prevention of recurrent depression. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 161(10), 1872–1876. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.161.10.1872

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fave, A. D., Brdar, I., Wissing, M. P., Araujo, U., Solano, A. C., Freire, T., … Soosai-Nathan, L. (2016). Lay definitions of happiness across nations: The primacy of inner harmony and relational connectedness. Frontiers in Psychology, 7(JAN). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00030.

  • Ferreira, M. J., & Freire, T. (2010). Well being, subjective quality of experience and loneliness: Relations with human aging [Portuguese]. Psicologia Educacao Cultura, 14(1), 41–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fianco, A., Sartori, R. D. G., Negri, L., Lorini, S., Valle, G., & Fave, A. D. (2015). The relationship between burden and well-being among caregivers of Italian people diagnosed with severe neuromotor and cognitive disorders. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 39, 43–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2015.01.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fitzpatrick, M. R., & Stalikas, A. (2008). Integrating positive emotions into theory, research, and practice: A new challenge for psychotherapy. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 18(2), 248–258. https://doi.org/10.1037/1053-0479.18.2.248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freire, T. (2006). Optimal experiences and leisure: Concerning the quality of subjective experience in daily life. Psicologia: Teoria, Investigacao E Pratica, 11(2), 243–258.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freire, T., Teixeira, A., Silva, E., & Matias, G. P. (2014). Interventions for youth depression: From symptom reduction to well-being and optimal functioning. Journal of Behavior, Health & Social Issues, 6(2), 9–19. https://doi.org/10.5460/jbhsi.v6.2.50816

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friedman, E., Ruini, C., Foy, R., Jaros, L. V., Sampson, H., & Ryff, C. (2017). Lighten UP! A community-based group intervention to promote psychological well-being in older adults. Aging & Mental Health, 21(2), 199–205. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2015.1093605

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Galanakis, M., & Anastasios, S. (2007). The role of positive emotions experiencing in team effectiveness. Psychology: The Journal of the Hellenic Psychological Society, 14(1), 96–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Galanakis, M., Galanopoulou, F., & Stalikas, A. (2011). Do positive emotions help us cope with occupational stress? Europe’s Journal of Psychology, 7(2), 221–240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Galanakis, M., Stalikas, A., Pezirkianidis, C., & Karakasidou, I. (2016). Reliability and validity of the modified Differential Emotions Scale (mDES) in a Greek sample. Psychology, 7(January), 101–113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • García, F. E., Cova, F., Rincón, P., Vázquez, C., & Páez, D. (2016). Coping, rumination and posttraumatic growth in people affected by an earthquake. Psicothema, 28(1), 59–65. https://doi.org/10.7334/psicothema2015.100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, K. E. (2012). The neglected role of positive emotion in adolescent psychopathology. Clinical Psychology Review, 32, 467–481.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gillham, J. E., Adams-Deutsch, Z., Werner, J., Reivich, K., Coulter-Heindl, V., Linkins, M., et al. (2011). Character strengths predict subjective well-being during adolescence. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 6, 31–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gillham, J. E., Hamilton, J., Freres, D. R., Patton, K., & Gallop, R. (2006). Preventing depression among early adolescents in the primary care setting: A randomized controlled study of the Penn Resiliency Program. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 34, 203–219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hervás, G., & Vázquez, C. (2013). Construction and validation of a measure of integrative well-being in seven languages: The Pemberton Happiness Index. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 11, 66. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-11-66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, R. D., & Smith, D. J. (2015). Positive aging: At the crossroads of positive psychology and geriatric medicine. In P. A. Lichtenberg, B. T. Mast, B. D. Carpenter, J. Loebach Wetherell, P. A. Lichtenberg, B. T. Mast, B. D. Carpenter, & J. Loebach Wetherell (Eds.), APA handbook of clinical geropsychology (History and status of the field and perspectives on aging) (Vol. 1, pp. 301–329). American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, P. L., & Turiano, N. A. (2014). Purpose in life as a predictor of mortality across adulthood. Psychological Science, 25(7), 1482–1486. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797614531799

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, E. S., Sun, J. K., Park, N., Kubzansky, L. D., & Peterson, C. (2013). Purpose in life and reduced risk of myocardial infarction among older U.S. adults with coronary heart disease: A two-year follow-up. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 36(2), 124–133. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-012-9406-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, E. S., Sun, J. K., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2013). Purpose in life and reduced incidence of stroke in older adults: ‘The Health and Retirement Study’. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 74(5), 427–432. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2013.01.013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kimm, H., Sull, J. W., Gombojav, B., Yi, S., & Ohrr, H. (2012). Life satisfaction and mortality in elderly people: The kangwha cohort study. BMC Public Health, 12, 54. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marujo, H., & Neto, L. M. (2007). Álbuns de família: De viva voz. Manual de possibilidades para construção do futuro. Ponta Delgada, Açores: Instituto de Acção Social.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marujo, H. Á., & Neto, L. M. (2010). Community Positive Psychology: A paradigmatic example of integration with populations of poverty [Psicologia Comunitária Positiva: Um exemplo de integração paradigmática com populações de pobreza]. Analise Psicologica, 28(3), 517–525.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moraitou, M., Galanakis, M., Stalikas, A., & Garivaldis, F. J. (2011). The relation of positive emotions to post partum depression. Europe’s Journal of Psychology, 7(1), 112–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ochoa, C., Casellas-Grau, A., Vives, J., Font, A., & Borràs, J.-M. (2017). Positive psychotherapy for distressed cancer survivors: Posttraumatic growth facilitation reduces posttraumatic stress [Psicoterapia Positiva para supervivientes de cáncer con elevados niveles de malestar emocional: la facilitación del crecimiento postrau]. International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, 17(1), 28–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijchp.2016.09.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paiva, B. S. R., de Camargos, M. G., Demarzo, M. M. P., Hervás, G., Vázquez, C., & Paiva, C. E. (2016). The Pemberton happiness index. Medicine, 95(38), e4915. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000004915

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Romero, N., Sanchez, A., Vázquez, C., & Valiente, C. (2016). Explicit self-esteem mediates the relationship between implicit self-esteem and memory biases in major depression. Psychiatry Research, 242(June), 336–344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2016.06.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruini, C. (2017). Positive psychology in the clinical domains. Research and practice (1st ed.). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52112-1.

  • Ruini, C., Albieri, E., & Vescovelli, F. (2015). Well-being therapy: State of the art and clinical exemplifications. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 45(2), 129–136. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-014-9290-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruini, C., & Fava, G. A. (2009). Well-being therapy for generalized anxiety disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 65(5), 510–519. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.20592

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruini, C., & Fava, G. A. (2012). Role of well-being therapy in achieving a balanced and individualized path to optimal functioning. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 19(4), 291–304.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruini, C., & Fava, G. (2014). The individualized and cross-cultural roots of well-being therapy. In G. A. Fava & C. Ruini (Eds.), Increasing psychological well-being in clinical and educational settings SE - 2 (Vol. 8, pp. 21–39). Springer Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8669-0_2.

  • Ruini, C., Ottolini, F., Tomba, E., Belaise, C., Albieri, E., Visani, D., … Fava, G. A. (2009). School intervention for promoting psychological well-being in adolescence. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 40(4), 522–532. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbtep.2009.07.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruini, C., & Ryff, C. D. (2016). Using eudaimonic well-being to improve lives. In A. M. Wood & J. Johnson (Eds.), The Wiley handbook of positive clinical psychology (pp. 153–166). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118468197.ch11

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Ruini, C., & Vescovelli, F. (2013). The role of gratitude in breast cancer: Its relationships with post-traumatic growth, psychological well-being and distress. Journal of Happiness Studies, 14(1), 263–274.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruini, C., Vescovelli, F., & Albieri, E. (2013). Post-traumatic growth in breast cancer survivors: New insights into its relationships with well-being and distress. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 20(3), 383–391.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryff, C. D. (2014). Psychological well-being revisited: Advances in the science and practice of eudaimonia. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 83(1), 10–28. https://doi.org/10.1159/000353263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryff, C. D., & Singer, B. H. (2008). Know thyself and become what you are: A eudaimonic approach to psychological well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 9(1), 13–39. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-006-9019-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stalikas, A., Fitzpatrick, M., Mistkidou, P., Boutri, A., & Seryianni, C. (2015). Positive emotions in psychotherapy: Conceptual propositions and research challenges. In Psychotherapy research: Foundations, process, and outcome. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-1382-0_17

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Steptoe, A., Dockray, S., & Wardle, J. (2009). Positive affect and psychobiological processes relevant to health. Journal of Personality, 77(6), 1747–1776. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2009.00599.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teixeira, A., & Freire, T. (2013). The Leisure Attitude Scale: psychometrics properties of a short version for adolescents and young adults. Leisure/Loisir, 37(1), 57–67. https://doi.org/10.1080/14927713.2013.776748

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tomba, E., Belaise, C., Ottolini, F., Ruini, C., Bravi, A., Albieri, E., … Fava, G. A. (2010). Differential effects of well-being promoting and anxiety-management strategies in a non-clinical school setting. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 24(3), 326–333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2010.01.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vázquez, C. (2015). Beyond resilience: Positive mental health and the nature of cognitive processes involved in positive appraisals. The Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 38(September), e125. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X14001733

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vázquez, C., Pérez-Sales, P., & Ochoa, C. (2014). Posttraumatic growth: Challenges from a cross-cultural viewpoint. In G. A. Fava & C. Ruini (Eds.), Increasing psychological well-being in clinical and educational settings SE - 4 (Vol. 8, pp. 57–74). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8669-0_4.

  • Vescovelli, F., Albieri, E., & Ruini, C. (2014). Self-rated and observer-rated measures of well-being and distress in adolescence: An exploratory study. Springerplus, 3, 490.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vescovelli, F., Albieri, E., & Ruini, C. (2017). Positive narrative therapy for an unspecified eating disorder. Clinical Case Studies. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534650117698799.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chiara Ruini .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Ruini, C. (2022). Positive Psychology in Southern Europe (Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain). In: Chang, E.C., Downey, C., Yang, H., Zettler, I., Muyan-Yılık, M. (eds) The International Handbook of Positive Psychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-57354-6_8

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics