Positive psychology in Brazil: a systematic review

Abstract

Positive Psychology is a theoretical paradigm that is expanding in Brazil. The Positive Psychology proposal is tostudy the psychological fundamentals of well-being and happiness, as well as the strengths and human virtues. To discuss about scientific production on this field in Brazil, this article aimed to present a systematic review of national scientific literature about Positive Psychology considering the period of its initial publications until 2012. The descriptor “Positive Psychology” was used and the review was conducted in databases of national publications SciELO, BVS and BDTD. Little and nonlinear scientific publications increase was found in this area. Few Brazilian studies have proposed to study positive psychology with scientific rigor, what allows to conclude that Brazilian research’s production in this area is still limited. Considering the theoretical constructs, well-being was the focus of the majority of studies and seven different survey instruments used to evaluate different constructs of positive psychology were also identified. Studies that assessed the effectiveness of interventions in Positive Psychology were found, suggesting an approach and application in clinical, health and school psychology areas.