The volume will be a collection of chapters about current theory, research, and practice related to multiculturalism and positive psychology. This book will serve as a reference to any who are interested in the intersection of positive psychology and multicultural context. While many in the field of positive psychology have begun to move more strongly towards a culturally-embedded approach that recognizes the importance of context in discussing, viewing and cultivating strengths in individuals from different backgrounds, there is still a dearth of research in this area compared with studies that take a cross-cultural approach (comparing people from different countries) or one that is purported to be "culture-free" or universal in its application. While it is becoming more common to see various articles or chapters published on these topics, there is still no comprehensive text aimed at discussion of the collection of these topics presented in a cohesive and structured way. This book aims to fill this gap in the literature. In this book, a broad definition of culture is utilized that includes such facets as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic or social class status, disability, religion, sexual orientation and gender. This book is intended to present research, theory and suggestions for practice that are grounded in diverse cultural contexts and current scholarship. It will assist researchers, students and practitioners who are studying and working within diverse populations. Currently there exists no comprehensive text that addresses the intersection of positive psychology and multiculturalism. Several edited volumes address positive psychology constructs (e.g., well-being, optimal experience, autonomy) across cultures, but they do not focus on multicultural populations within the United States. Other books focus more specifically on mental health applications and stress and coping among multicultural populations, however these books do not provide a broad perspective on psychology beyond this application piece. The proposed book will review current theory and research about constructs in addition to applications across contexts. Finally, other published books have focused on youth within multicultural society; this volume is more broad in its address of issues of positive psychology across the lifespan and across various aspects of identity including disability, gender, social class and sexual orientation.
This book provides the first comprehensive collection of topics that lie within the intersection of positive psychology and multicultural issues. Written by leaders in the field and using a broad definition of culture (including race, ethnicity, socioeconomic or social class status, disability status, religion/spirituality, sexual orientation, and gender), this book reviews relevant research, theory, and suggestions for practice and highlights the importance of considering context within a strengths-based framework. Beginning with a history of the intersection of multiculturalism and positive psychology and issues related to measurement and methodology, the volume proceeds to specific examples of current research in multiple areas of cultural identity. Finally, domains (e.g., school, work, psychotherapy) in which the findings of this work can be applied are described, as are directions for future theory and research in this area.
This volume is aimed at students, scholars, and practitioners across several fields including multicultural psychology, positive psychology, counseling and clinical psychology, school psychology, social psychology, as well as marriage and family counseling, and social work. It will serve as an important reference to any who are interested in learning about the intersection of positive psychology and multiculturalism.
"The focus of the majority of the chapters is reviewing positive psychology research through a multicultural perspective or examining positive psychology research relevant to particular cultural groups. ? Perspectives on the Intersection of Multiculturalism and Positive Psychology is an extremely important contribution to positive psychology that has long been needed. In many ways this books represents as an essential part of rebooting positive psychology." (Louis Hoffman and Monica Mansilla, PsycCRITIQUES, Vol. 60 (25), June, 2015)
