POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY AND STRENGTH-BASED COMMUNITY INTERVENTIONS

Abstract

Positive psychology and strength-based practice have reshaped the way communities are understood and supported, shifting attention away from a narrow focus on pathology, risk, and deficiency toward the recognition and mobilisation of existing capacities, relationships, and resources. This chapter traces the conceptual evolution of positive psychology from its emergence as a distinct scientific movement to its convergence with strength-based and asset-based traditions in social work and community development. It situates these approaches within established theoretical frameworks, including the PERMA model of well-being, the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions, character strengths and virtues, and sense-of-community theory, and examines their practical application across youth development, mental health recovery, ageing populations, and disaster-affected communities. Evidence from the literature indicates that strength-based community interventions are associated with improved subjective well-being, greater community cohesion, and more sustainable outcomes than conventional deficit-oriented programming, although questions remain regarding measurement, cultural adaptability, and the risk of overlooking structural inequities. The chapter concludes with a forward-looking discussion of how participatory technologies, culturally responsive adaptation, and rigorous evaluation frameworks might strengthen the next generation of community-based positive psychology practice.