Related Experiment Videos
Positive psychology in cancer care: a story line resistant to evidence
James C Coyne1, Howard Tennen, Adelita V Ranchor
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 3535 Market St., Room 676, Philadelphia, PA, USA, jcoyne@mail.med.upenn.edu.
Background:
Aspinwall and Tedeschi (Ann Behav Med, 2010) summarize evidence they view as supporting links between positive psychological states, including sense of coherence (SOC) and optimism and health outcomes, and they refer to persistent assumptions that interfere with understanding how positive states predict health.
Purpose:
We critically evaluate Aspinwall and Tedeschi's assertions.
Methods:
We examine evidence related to SOC and optimism in relation to physical health, and revisit proposed processes linking positive psychological states to health outcomes, particularly via the immune system in cancer.
Results:
Aspinwall and Tedeschi's assumptions regarding SOC and optimism are at odds with available evidence. Proposed pathways between positive psychological states and cancer outcomes are not supported by existing data. Aspinwall and Tedeschi's portrayal of persistent interfering assumptions echoes a disregard of precedent in the broader positive psychology literature.
Conclusion:
Positive psychology's interpretations of the literature regarding positive psychological states and cancer outcomes represent a self-perpetuating story line without empirical support.
Related Concept Videos
Treatment Resistant Cancers
Unrealistic Optimism Bias
Treatment Resistent Cancers
Cancer Survival Analysis
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...
Humanistic Psychology
This approach...