Applications of Positive Psychology in Child Development: A Literature Review

Abstract

This study aimed to perform an integrative review of the Brazilian literature on the applications of Positive Psychology in child development. We searched for scientific articles using the SciELO and PePSIC electronic databases, with the terms Positive Psychology, resilience, optimism, social skills, well-being, and happiness articulated to the terms child development, children, and childhood. A total of 202 publications were retrieved between 2000 and 2019, among which 72 were analyzed. We observed an increase in the scientific production on the field, especially about the social skills construct. There was a predominance of empirical research and quantitative analyses. However, there were few studies on the effectiveness of interventions. It was concluded that it is important to diversify the investigated constructs and to invest in the development and validation of evaluation instruments and interventions in different contexts that provide the enhancement of human qualities in childhood for the prevention and promotion of mental health throughout life.

Keywords:
positive psychology; well-being; children; childhood; scientific research