An overview of research on positive psychology in South Africa

Abstract

The paradigm of positive psychology was publicly launched by Martin Seligman in his Presidential Address to the American Psychology Association in 1998. Since then, the scientific study of optimal human functioning gained new momentum. This article provides an overview of research on positive psychology in South Africa. The article explores general trends and the main developments in the field, internationally as well as nationally. South African research in the paradigm of positive psychology was categorised according to a framework developed for the purposes of this article. Results indicate frequencies of South African research undertaken over the last 36 years. Possible future directions for research in the field are pointed out and integrated with recommendations from prominent South African and international authors.