Positive psychology, religion, and spirituality

Abstract

In this special issue, we have brought together a collection of six papers that we think are representative of the breadth of research in the positive psychology of religion and spirituality. In the first two papers, Lewis and Cruise (2006), and van Dierendonck and Mohan (2006), respectively, discuss the empirical literature on religion and well-being, and spirituality and well-being. The third paper, by Fiori, Brown, Cortina, and Antonucci (2006), is an example of the use of structural equation modelling to test the mediating effects of locus of control. In the fourth paper, Bretherton (2006) discusses the rapprochement between psychotherapy and religion from a Christian perspective and as a practising clinical psychologist. In the fifth paper, Watts, Dutton, and Gulliford (2006) outline their ongoing programme of research at the University of Cambridge into the topics of forgiveness, hope, and gratitude. In the sixth paper, Collicutt McGrath (2006) presents a social psychological account of the early development of Christianity. We hope that these papers will provide further impetus for research into the positive psychology of religion and spirituality.