Skilful living: is positive psychology the answer?

What are the correlates of a good life and how do these relate to the personal and professional change strategies advocated by positive psychologists and other helping professionals? This session draws on qualitative interview data from participants in a number to countries to examine the perceived effectiveness of positive psychology, cognitive, social, physical and attentional approaches in achieving a lasting improvement in wellbeing. It examines the role of social embeddness, embodied approaches, social skills, engagement, attention shifting, acceptance, distraction and other non-cognitive factors. The data presents a challenge to the suitability of positive psychology and cognitively-based interventions for certain personality types, situations and cultural settings