Routledge International Handbook of Positive Health Sciences Positive Psychology and Lifestyle Medicine Research, Theory and Practice Routledge International Handbooks Series

This ground-breaking book combines research and practice in the rapidly growing field of Positive Psychology with the fastest-growing medical speciality of Lifestyle Medicine.

Section 1 maps out the new field of positive health by exploring the scope, content and architecture of this rapidly emerging area of research. It explores research findings and applications derived from Lifestyle Medicine and Positive Psychology that are critical for positive health. Section 2 delves into positive health research, covering topics such as using character strengths to improve health, maximising psychological wellbeing from head to toe, optimising gut health and understanding the relationships between mind and body. Section 3 offers guidance on applying the principles of positive health by describing new Positive Health Interventions (PHIs), introducing innovative positive health coaching models and exploring the contribution of positive psychology to health equity.

The book is ideal for medical doctors, nurses and health professionals interested in helping their patients flourish psychologically and physically. It is an invaluable guide for social workers, positive psychologists, coaches and mental health professionals who want to explore the physiological dimensions of wellbeing.

List of figures

List of tables

List of editors

List of contributors

Foreword

PART I

Mapping out the field of Positive Health

1 Positive health: An Emerging New Construct

Ciaran A. O’Boyle, Liana Lianov, Jolanta Burke, Beth Frates and Ilona Boniwell

2 Lifestyle medicine breakthroughs

Gia Merlo and Gabrielle Bachtel

3 Positive psychology breakthroughs

Ilona Boniwell

PART II

Positive health research

4 Flourishing from head to toe: An interdisciplinary approach

Dianne Vella-Brodrick and Annelise Gill

5 Character strengths and positive health

Dorota Weziak-Bialowolska, Piotr Bialowolski and Ryan M. Niemiec

6 Do our relationships make us healthier? Physiological correlates of social connections and close relationships

Cagla Sanri and Aaron Jarden

7 The power of positive emotions

Trudy Meehan

8 Resilient grieving: How can the field of positive health better support those coping with loss?

Lucy C. Hone, Tiffani Clingin and Brigitte Lavoie

9 Optimism, a conceptual complexity but a health resource?

Charles Martin-Krumm

10 Psychobiotics, gut health and the promise of positive psychology

Pádraic J. Dunne

PART III

Positive health applications

11 Applications to self/self-care/self-coaching, role-modelling

Beth Frate

12 Positive health interventions: An emerging concept

Jolanta Burke, Pádraic J. Dunne and Elaine Byrne

13 People may have many wishes but if they lose their health, they only have one wish, to become healthy again

Dóra Guðrún Guðmundsdóttir and Svala Sigurðardóttir

14 Positive health coaching: Adopting a dialogical approach to health and wellbeing

Christian van Nieuwerburgh and Jim Knight

15 Person・nature fit: Fostering well-being through nature

Annalisa Setti and Tadhg Mac Intyre

16 Arts as medicine: Using art interventions to promote health and wellbeing

Andrea Giraldez-Hayes

17 Digital positive health Platforms, supported by artificial intelligence, measured using wearable devices

Jennifer Donnelly, Pádraic J. Dunne, Justin Laiti, Croía Loughnane and Róisín O’Donovan

18 Motivation; the self, the stick, and the carrot

Ciara Scott and Karen Morgan

19 Positive psychology for health equity

Qadira M. Ali, Alyssa Vela and David Bowman

20 Applying positive psychology and the pillars of lifestyle medicine

Liana Lianov

Jolanta Burke is a Chartered Psychologist and Senior Lecturer (US: Associate Professor) at the Centre for Positive Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ireland.

Ilona Boniwell is a Professor of Positive Psychology at the University of East London and the original founder of the UEL’s MSc in Applied Positive Psychology.

Beth Frates is a trained physiatrist and a health and wellness coach, with expertise in Lifestyle Medicine and an award-winning teacher at Harvard Medical School.

Liana S. Lianov serves as lead faculty for the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) Physician and Health Professional Wellbeing course and Chair of the ACLM Happiness Science and Positive Health Committee.

Ciaran A. O’Boyle is a Professor of Psychology at the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and the Founding Director of the RCSI Centre for Positive Health Sciences.