Positive Psychological Approaches to Disaster

Written by prominent proponents of disaster mental health and/or positive psychology, this book examines disaster mental health and positive psychology in the context of natural and technological disasters. In the first section, several studies or research-informed reviews are presented with a focus on positive psychology, with specific regard for meaning and/or resilience. While the goal of the first section is to focus on applications of meaning and resilience in the area of disaster mental health, both serving as primary examples of applications of positive psychology and related frameworks, the second section of the special issue was designed to focus more specifically on key aspects of disaster mental health, particularly the importance of preparedness, training, and special populations. Some contributions reference positive psychology's relevance directly, while others share themes consistent with positive psychology or otherwise allude to the approach. Disaster Mental Health and Positive Psychology is a significant and timely collection of research, representing an effort of internationally respected scholars in positive psychology and disaster mental health.