Evidence-Based Positive Psychological Interventions in Multi-Cultural Contexts

This volume presents clearly defined and described evidence-based positive psychology interventions (PPIs), which have been validated in multi-cultural contexts. It discusses validated PPIs which have been shown to have a significant impact in both clinical and real-world settings. From the late 1990s, there has been an upsurge in popular psychological “self-help” publications drawing from processes and principles of positive psychology. These publications are based on clinically validated PPI studies and translated in a “consumer friendly” manner. However, in these popular works the intervention methods are significantly altered from the original forms, and the contexts of the consumers are meaningfully different from those of the original study populations, the impact on outcome variables are often misinterpreted or over-inflated, and incorrect outcome variables are targeted. Original research articles also do not extensively discuss the content of the interventions, but merely present short descriptions of the PPI. As such, the intervention content cannot accurately be translated into practice. Hence, the need for this volume which discusses in depth how validated PPIs in various multi-cultural contexts work in both clinical and real-world settings.

Llewellyn van Zyl (PhD) is currently an assistant professor of work and organizational psychology at the University of Eindhoven in the Netherlands.  He also holds an extraordinary professorship in Industrial Psychology with the Optentia Research Focus Area at the North-West University. Academically, he has completed a Doctorate degree in the field of Industrial Psychology, specializing in the development and evaluation of Positive Psychological Interventions aimed at increasing happiness. He also holds a Master of Commerce, an Honours and a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Psychology, which were obtained from the North-West University (cum laude) at the top of his class. These qualifications provided him with a means to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a psychologist (cat: industrial). Professionally, Llewellyn is a respected researcher and published author of various scientific articles and specialist books. Within the scientific community he is known for his academic work as Associate Editor of the South African Journal of Industrial Psychology as well as his work on the editorial board of the Journal of Leadership and Organizational studies. Llewellyn has extensive experience within the tertiary educational environment (as a lecturer and researcher), as well as within the private and public sectors (as a consultant). Llewellyn has a passion for Online Positive Psychological Interventions aimed at talent development and consumer behaviour. As of 1 January 2017, Llewellyn holds the ranking as a C2 rated researcher with the National Research Foundation within South Africa.

Sebastiaan Rothmann (Ph.D) is a professor in Industrial/Organisational Psychology at the North-West University (Vanderbijlpark Campus) and the Director of the Optentia Research Programme in South Africa. His research journey started with the topics of stress, burnout and work engagement and has evolved towards prospering and flourishing of people in work and organisational contexts. People who prosper in work and organisational contexts are satisfied with their jobs, experience positive emotions, are energetic, learning and dedicated, experience satisfaction of their autonomy, competence and relatedness needs, find meaning and purpose in their work, experience harmony and relate positively. He focuses on researching the prospering of people at work, the antecedents and outcomes thereof, and intervention programmes that could contribute to prospering of individuals and organisations.