Existential Psychology
Dr. Paul Wong
Agency, hope, and wellbeing
*This abstract was co-authored with Don Laird (Carlow University). In the precent precarious time, psychology needs a paradigm shift to meet the existential crises we all face (Wong et al., 2022). Our paper redefines agency as an illustration of this new paradigm,...
Editorial: A New Science of Suffering, Existential Intelligence, and the New Behavioral Economics of Happiness—Toward a General Theory of Wellbeing
This editorial was coauthored with Lok Sang Ho (Lingnan University), Claude-Hélène Mayer (University of Johannesburg) , Fan Yang (The University of Chicago), & Richard G. Cowden (Harvard University)This Special Issue is designed to extend the theme of existential...
Embracing life’s challenges: Developing a tool for assessing resilient mindset in second wave positive psychology
Abstract The purpose of this study is to develop and validate the Resilient Mindset Scale (RMS), a brief tool designed to measure resilient mindset among Turkish individuals. Additionally, the study aims to explore the relationship between resilient mindset and mental...
Spiritual-Existential Wellbeing (SEW): The Faith-Hope-Love Model of Mental Health & Total Wellbeing
Abstract This paper proposes a paradigm shift as a better alternative to solving the present global mental health crisis. This new model moves beyond the medical model and reframes mental health in terms of how to live well or how to enjoy a high level of existential...
An Existential Perspective on Positive Psychology: Towards a General Theory of Global Flourishing.
Abstract Recent developments in positive psychology and wellbeing research are moving away from the narrow positive focus of individual wellbeing towards the broader context of existential universals, multiculturalism, and ecological concerns. This paradigm shift...
Measuring Personal and Social Responsibility: An Existential Positive Psychology Approach.
(This paper was co-authored with Gökmen Arslan, Mehmet Akif Ersoy University)Positive psychology emphasizes the importance of virtues and an individual’s signature strengths, such as hope and gratitude (Lopez & Snyder, 2009; Peterson & Seligman, 2004). In...
Existential Suffering in Palliative Care: An Existential Positive Psychology Perspective
Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the inadequacies of the current healthcare system and needs a paradigm change, which is holistic, and community based illustrated by the healing wheel. The present paper proposes that existential positive psychology (PP 2.0)...
Positive Psychology Goes to Hell and Back
My friends in Taiwan call me a laughing Buddha. Most of my friends comment on my happy smile. An English as a second language (ESL) school even used my photo as an example of happy smile. Does anyone know that I live with pain day and night? Literally, I experience...
Two Different Models of Human Flourishing: Seligman’s PERMA Model Versus Wong’s Self-transcendence Model
Seligman's (2011) PERMA model is limited by its failure to address existential suffering, which can undermine our best efforts to achieve flourishing. Wong's model is developed from the framework of existential positive psychology (PP 2.0): Existential anxieties and...
Vulnerability Awareness and The New Science of Transforming Suffering Into Resilience
The courage to face our suffering is the first step towards turning away from toxic positivity and addiction towards healthy positivity. Awareness of our vulnerability is the first step towards positive transformation. These two counterintuitive ideas are the main...
Transcend the Pandemic: How to Redesign the Future of Work
Abstract The coronavirus has drastically changed the world of work and demands a redesign for organizations and individuals in order to meet the numerous new challenges, such as working remotely and a reduction of resources. In this paper, I propose a...
What is Existential Positive Psychology (PP 2.0)? Why is it Necessary for Mental Health During the Pandemic?
Abstract This paper explains the need for existential positive psychology (PP 2.0) from three different angles. First, psychology needs to move towards integration in order to meet the mental health challenges during COVID-19. Second, PP 2.0 provides a promising...
Meaning Conference 2025 will be the INPM’s first in-person conference with a virtual option after the pandemic.