Positive psychology offers approaches that go beyond reducing resilience symptoms toward building the conditions for genuine flourishing.
PERMA and Resilience
Martin Seligman's PERMA model identifies five elements of wellbeing relevant to resilience:
- Positive emotions: Deliberately cultivating joy, gratitude, and pleasure alongside resilience treatment
- Engagement: Flow states that create absorption and counter resilience
- Relationships: Quality connections that buffer against resilience
- Meaning: Purpose that persists despite resilience
- Achievement: Progress toward goals, even while managing resilience
Signature Strengths and Resilience
Research shows that using your top character strengths in new ways is a robust resilience intervention. The VIA Character Strengths survey identifies your strengths.
Integrating Positive Psychology with Resilience Treatment
Positive psychology doesn't replace resilience treatment — it complements it. Treating resilience removes obstacles; positive psychology builds the structure of a fulfilling life.