Spirituality and Positive Psychology

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Background

Spirituality is a research theme at the crossroads of different methodological, theoretical and epistemological orientations. In recent years, psychological research on spirituality has multiplied. This special issue aims to examine the links between positive psychology and spirituality, whether religious or non-religious. Although spirituality encompasses and transcends the field of psychology, there are many points of convergence between the two fields. Positive psychology aims to promote self-fulfillment at the level of individuals and groups, in inter-individual and institutional relationships, but also at the social and political level. Spirituality as a distinct and universal component of human experience participates in the process of individual fulfillment. It is in this way that this Research Topic advocates an integrative perspective, which is also meant to be critical.

The central issue of this topic concerns the advances that associate spirituality and positive psychology themes. It concerns the presentation of recent works at the personal level (on well-being, happiness, self-esteem, optimism, the meaning of life), at the interpersonal level (psychosocial skills, friendship, gratitude, empathy, family life), as well as at the social and political level (eco-citizen behaviors, volunteering, institutional good treatment, humanitarian and social actions). In this perspective, more specific aspects of spirituality such as spiritual intelligence, spiritual needs, spiritual accompaniment, spiritual well-being, spiritual connection, spiritual coping or the different forms of spirituality (religious, independent, humanist spirituality) or the links between spirituality and the connection to nature can be addressed.

To illustrate the theoretical and methodological reflections, the themes addressed may concern the links between spiritual approaches and the relationship to natural environments, to physical and mental health (gerontology, addictions, anxiety), to the clinic of the subject in a psychotherapeutic perspective, to education and to the professional world in general. Research in an intercultural perspective or in connection with the field of emotions (wonder, gratitude, compassion) or that of so-called spiritual practices (mindfulness meditation, artistic experiences) can be presented. Spirituality is understood in a religious as well as in a non-religious (areligious) way. Proposals may address questions of conceptual clarification (theoretical and epistemological) as well as methodological contributions and empirical results (from qualitative and/or empirical studies).

Keywords: Spirituality, Positive psychology, Health, Environmental psychology, Clinical psychology

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