,Second Wave Positive Psychology
Positive psychology is currently equated with theory and research on the positive aspects of life.
The reality could not be further from the truth. Positive psychology investigates and researches
some of the most difficult and painful experiences. Second Wave Positive Psychology: Embracing the Dark Side
of Life is an innovative and groundbreaking textbook that explores a variety of topics we consider to
be part of the ‘dark side’ of life while emphasising their role in our positive functioning and trans-
formation as human beings. This more nuanced approach to the notions of ‘positive’ and ‘negative’
can be described as the ‘second wave’ of positive psychology.
Positive psychology is one of the fastest-growing and least understood branches of psychology.
Exploring topics at the heart of positive psychology, such as meaning, resilience, human develop-
ment, mortality, change, suffering and spirituality, this book engages with so-called negative mat-
ters from a positive psychology angle, showing how the path of personal development can involve
experiences which, while challenging, can lead to growth, insight, healing and transformation.
Containing useful resources, case studies, practical exercises and chapter summaries, Second Wave
Positive Psychology is an essential guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students studying positive
psychology, as well as clinicians wanting to know more about the subject. It will also be relevant to
the layperson who is interested in positive psychology.
Itai Ivtzan is a positive psychologist, a senior lecturer and the program leader of Masters in Applied
Positive Psychology (MAPP) at the University of East London (UEL). His research areas are mind-
fulness meditation, spirituality, and meaning in life. In addition to many journal papers and book
chapters, he is the author of several books and the leading editor of Mindfulness in Positive Psychology:
The Science of Meditation and Wellbeing.
Tim Lomas is a lecturer at the UEL, where he is the associate programme leader for the MSc
in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology as well as having published numerous
peer-reviewed papers and books.
Kate Hefferon is a chartered psychologist, senior lecturer and the head of the Posttraumatic
Growth Research Unit at the UEL. Her interests lie within the areas of posttraumatic growth (PTG),
physical activity, health and wellbeing. She is the author of numerous peer-reviewed papers and
book chapters as well as lead author on popular positive psychology textbooks.
Piers Worth is a chartered psychologist, accredited psychotherapist and head of Academic Depart-
ment – Psychology for Bucks New University. Piers wrote and leads the Bucks MSc Applied Positive
Psychology programme.
,‘Second Wave Positive Psychology: Embracing the Dark Side of Life is not only about seeing the reality of positive
psychology more clearly, it’s about seeing who we are as human beings more clearly. Positive psy-
chology studies and embraces all the vicissitudes of life. And here is the book that outlines this for
us.What is most incredible and impactful about this book? Is it that it represents the thought lead-
ership and scholarship of four distinguished positive psychology luminaries? Is it that it is the first
positive psychology book to deeply integrate the positive and negative of human experience across
a wide array of topics? Is it that it’s a clear and interesting read, easily peaking the reader’s curiosity
page after page? Is it that those who crack the book open will immediately make it required reading
for their students? Or, is it that despite being a scholarly, scientific work the book is also eminently
practical in its guidance for readers to reflect and explore that which is personal and meaningful?
My answer is clear: All of the above.’
—Ryan M. Niemiec, PsyD, author of Mindfulness and Character Strengths: A Practical Guide to Flourishing,
and Psychologist and Education Director, VIA Institute on Character
‘This timely book is a must read for anybody seriously interested in positive psychology. Rightly or
wrongly, positive psychology has been often perceived as focusing only on the positive aspects of
human life. However, as it reaches maturity, the discipline is increasingly moving in the direction
of embracing human life as a whole from a positive, constructive perspective. For example, can we
have something like ‘Positive Death’? These are issues that this courageous book is grappling with.
Written by scholars who have an excellent knowledge and experience of positive psychology, this
book may well become a landmark in the evolution of the field.’
—Nash Popovic, PhD, author of Personal Consultancy:
A model for integrating counselling and coaching
‘In a climate where the span of positive psychology science so often is reduced to simplistic
instructions just to smile, count your blessings, and look on the bright side of life, it is inspiring
and exciting to see such a high-quality book guiding us through the most compelling and com-
plex reaches of the field. This book engagingly demonstrates that positive psychology finds its true
strength when it unifies happiness and positivity with the kinds of suffering, doubt, and adversity
that are part and parcel with human life. It is written with a strong eye toward education, which
is completely fitting because Second Wave Positive Psychology is written by scientists who are experts at
teaching people how to apply research and theory to improve everyday life. Each chapter is an
authoritative review of an important topic within positive psychology, from emotions and devel-
opment to mortality and spirituality. It is a great recipe, blending quality science, insightful reflec-
tions and exercises, and new perspectives on the universal human pursuits not just of a brighter
smile, but of a richer, more authentic, and more meaningful life.’
—Michael Steger, PhD, Head of the Laboratory for the Study of Meaning and Quality of Life
‘The long awaited book on second wave positive psychology is finally here – clear evidence that
positive psychology has entered a new stage of development. Gone are the smiley face and the exis-
tential critique. At long last, positive psychology has openly embraced the dark side of life not only
as an inevitable aspect of the human condition, but also an essential part in optimal functioning
and transformation. The authors have skilfully provided a new narrative, buttressed by empirical
evidence that engagement with the challenge and distress in life can contribute to our healing,
growth and flourishing. I highly recommend this book to both the positive psychology commu-
nity and all my friends in the humanistic-existential community.”
—Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, editor of The Human Quest for Meaning
, Second Wave Positive
Psychology
Embracing the Dark Side of Life
Itai Ivtzan, Tim Lomas,
Kate Hefferon and Piers Worth
Positive psychology is currently equated with theory and research on the positive aspects of life.
The reality could not be further from the truth. Positive psychology investigates and researches
some of the most difficult and painful experiences. Second Wave Positive Psychology: Embracing the Dark Side
of Life is an innovative and groundbreaking textbook that explores a variety of topics we consider to
be part of the ‘dark side’ of life while emphasising their role in our positive functioning and trans-
formation as human beings. This more nuanced approach to the notions of ‘positive’ and ‘negative’
can be described as the ‘second wave’ of positive psychology.
Positive psychology is one of the fastest-growing and least understood branches of psychology.
Exploring topics at the heart of positive psychology, such as meaning, resilience, human develop-
ment, mortality, change, suffering and spirituality, this book engages with so-called negative mat-
ters from a positive psychology angle, showing how the path of personal development can involve
experiences which, while challenging, can lead to growth, insight, healing and transformation.
Containing useful resources, case studies, practical exercises and chapter summaries, Second Wave
Positive Psychology is an essential guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students studying positive
psychology, as well as clinicians wanting to know more about the subject. It will also be relevant to
the layperson who is interested in positive psychology.
Itai Ivtzan is a positive psychologist, a senior lecturer and the program leader of Masters in Applied
Positive Psychology (MAPP) at the University of East London (UEL). His research areas are mind-
fulness meditation, spirituality, and meaning in life. In addition to many journal papers and book
chapters, he is the author of several books and the leading editor of Mindfulness in Positive Psychology:
The Science of Meditation and Wellbeing.
Tim Lomas is a lecturer at the UEL, where he is the associate programme leader for the MSc
in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology as well as having published numerous
peer-reviewed papers and books.
Kate Hefferon is a chartered psychologist, senior lecturer and the head of the Posttraumatic
Growth Research Unit at the UEL. Her interests lie within the areas of posttraumatic growth (PTG),
physical activity, health and wellbeing. She is the author of numerous peer-reviewed papers and
book chapters as well as lead author on popular positive psychology textbooks.
Piers Worth is a chartered psychologist, accredited psychotherapist and head of Academic Depart-
ment – Psychology for Bucks New University. Piers wrote and leads the Bucks MSc Applied Positive
Psychology programme.
,‘Second Wave Positive Psychology: Embracing the Dark Side of Life is not only about seeing the reality of positive
psychology more clearly, it’s about seeing who we are as human beings more clearly. Positive psy-
chology studies and embraces all the vicissitudes of life. And here is the book that outlines this for
us.What is most incredible and impactful about this book? Is it that it represents the thought lead-
ership and scholarship of four distinguished positive psychology luminaries? Is it that it is the first
positive psychology book to deeply integrate the positive and negative of human experience across
a wide array of topics? Is it that it’s a clear and interesting read, easily peaking the reader’s curiosity
page after page? Is it that those who crack the book open will immediately make it required reading
for their students? Or, is it that despite being a scholarly, scientific work the book is also eminently
practical in its guidance for readers to reflect and explore that which is personal and meaningful?
My answer is clear: All of the above.’
—Ryan M. Niemiec, PsyD, author of Mindfulness and Character Strengths: A Practical Guide to Flourishing,
and Psychologist and Education Director, VIA Institute on Character
‘This timely book is a must read for anybody seriously interested in positive psychology. Rightly or
wrongly, positive psychology has been often perceived as focusing only on the positive aspects of
human life. However, as it reaches maturity, the discipline is increasingly moving in the direction
of embracing human life as a whole from a positive, constructive perspective. For example, can we
have something like ‘Positive Death’? These are issues that this courageous book is grappling with.
Written by scholars who have an excellent knowledge and experience of positive psychology, this
book may well become a landmark in the evolution of the field.’
—Nash Popovic, PhD, author of Personal Consultancy:
A model for integrating counselling and coaching
‘In a climate where the span of positive psychology science so often is reduced to simplistic
instructions just to smile, count your blessings, and look on the bright side of life, it is inspiring
and exciting to see such a high-quality book guiding us through the most compelling and com-
plex reaches of the field. This book engagingly demonstrates that positive psychology finds its true
strength when it unifies happiness and positivity with the kinds of suffering, doubt, and adversity
that are part and parcel with human life. It is written with a strong eye toward education, which
is completely fitting because Second Wave Positive Psychology is written by scientists who are experts at
teaching people how to apply research and theory to improve everyday life. Each chapter is an
authoritative review of an important topic within positive psychology, from emotions and devel-
opment to mortality and spirituality. It is a great recipe, blending quality science, insightful reflec-
tions and exercises, and new perspectives on the universal human pursuits not just of a brighter
smile, but of a richer, more authentic, and more meaningful life.’
—Michael Steger, PhD, Head of the Laboratory for the Study of Meaning and Quality of Life
‘The long awaited book on second wave positive psychology is finally here – clear evidence that
positive psychology has entered a new stage of development. Gone are the smiley face and the exis-
tential critique. At long last, positive psychology has openly embraced the dark side of life not only
as an inevitable aspect of the human condition, but also an essential part in optimal functioning
and transformation. The authors have skilfully provided a new narrative, buttressed by empirical
evidence that engagement with the challenge and distress in life can contribute to our healing,
growth and flourishing. I highly recommend this book to both the positive psychology commu-
nity and all my friends in the humanistic-existential community.”
—Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, editor of The Human Quest for Meaning
, Second Wave Positive
Psychology
Embracing the Dark Side of Life
Itai Ivtzan, Tim Lomas,
Kate Hefferon and Piers Worth
