Abstract

A number of prominent psychologists have articulated calls for a science of ‘positive psychology’ to complement psychology’s traditional focus on psychopathological conditions (e.g., Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). Rather than focusing exclusively on the origins, nature, and treatment of psychological symptoms, such a science would include attention to the study of psychological wellness. In this manner, psychological wellness is conceptualized to reflect more than the absence of symptoms. Comprehensive psychological evaluations must thus expand to incorporate individual and environmental strengths as well as psychological difficulties (Wright & Lopez, 2002). A variety of psychological strengths have been considered; however, the classification and measurement of many psychological strengths is in the early stages of development (Peterson & Seligman, 2004), precluding clinical applications of many constructs and measures at present.