Proceedings of the Positive Psychology 2.0 International Conference 2025 (PP 2.0 2025)
25 articles
Proceedings Article
Peer-Review Statements
Alex Chi-keung Chan, Lufanna Ching-han Lai, Esther Yuet-ying Lau, Raymond Ho-man Kong, Raymond Chi-fai Chui, Yin-hung Bess Lam, Terence Chak-pui Lee, Ice Sum-yin Tsui, Mega Leung
All of the articles in this proceedings volume have been presented at the Positive Psychology 2.0 International Conference 2025 during June 25-28, 2025 in Tung Wah College, HKSAR, China. These articles have been peer reviewed by the members of the PP 2.0 International Conference 2025 International Programme...
Proceedings Article
The Self-Transcendence Spiral of Growth: Exploring the Many Faces, Places and Times of Self-transcendence
Piers Worth, Matthew D. Smith
This chapter explores the many definitions of self-transcendence and proposes they can helpfully be seen in a single diagram, a spiral of self-transcendence. Seen in this way it supports us in understanding the varied nature of self-transcendence and how it may occur in different time frames of our day...
Proceedings Article
Existentially Resilient Religion
Daryl R. Tongeren
The current chapter examines the role of religion in providing meaning and managing existential concerns amid suffering. From the lens of Positive Psychology 2.0, I introduce the concept of existentially resilient religion, and offer a framework for understanding how religion can help individuals metabolize...
Proceedings Article
School Counselling 2.0: Reimagining School Wellbeing through the Lens of Positive Psychology 2.0
Mark Harrison, Alex Tam
In the high-pressure climate of contemporary schools, counsellors face a tension between institutional demands for measurable success and a desire to address the systemic causes of illbeing to promote sustainable flourishing for the school community. This chapter proposes a pragmatic, reimagined approach...
Proceedings Article
Existential Positive Psychology’s Unique Contribution to Psychotherapy and Wellbeing Research
Baihua Jin
Existential Positive Psychology (EPP), also known as Positive Psychology 2.0, pioneered by Dr. Paul T. P. Wong, offers a transformative and integrative framework that bridges existentialism and positive psychology, emphasizing meaning-centered approaches to human suffering and flourishing. Grounded in...
Proceedings Article
Unravelling the Link Between Self-control and Relationship Well-being: A Mediational Model of Gratitude and Forgiveness
Lydia Tin Hang Wong, Joe Tsz Kin Ngai
Healthy relationships are fundamental to individual, familial, and community flourishing. While research on self-control, gratitude, and forgiveness in romantic relationships is expanding, their interrelationships remain underexplored. This study suggested that gratitude and forgiveness mediate the relationship...
Proceedings Article
Review and Reflection on Reminiscence Therapy: A Bibliometric-Based Visualization Analysis Approach
Jie Song, Luyao Yang, Jiyixi Hua, Chengyang Lin, Xiangting Yang, Yaling Shang, Yunan Wu, Zheng Xu
This study aims to perform a visual analysis of the literature in the field of reminiscence therapy using bibliometric methods. This study seeks to systematically and comprehensively synthesize the development trends and current state of reminiscence therapy research, thereby providing robust theoretical...
Proceedings Article
Review and Reflection on Exercise Therapy in Psychology: A Forty-Years Bibliometric and Visualization Analysis
Jiyixi Hua, Luyao Yang, Jie Song, Chengyang Lin, Xiangting Yang, Yaling Shang, Yunan Wu, Zheng Xu
The purpose of this paper is to explore the application of exercise therapy in the field of psychology. By systematically and comprehensively analyzing and synthesizing the research on exercise therapy since 1980, we aim to reveal the development of the field, the main research findings, the research...
Proceedings Article
Evaluating Emotional Support Needs of Young Athletes: From Stress Response to Resilience
Dilkirat Sarna, Neeta Mhavan
As India prepares its adolescent athletes for a demanding line-up of elite sports events—including the 2026 Youth Olympic Games (Dakar), the 2026 Asian Games (Aichi-Nagoya), the 2027 South Asian Games, and the 2028 Summer Olympics (Los Angeles)—emotional well-being emerges as a vital pillar of high-performance...
Proceedings Article
Exploring the Relationship Between Negative Life Events, Resilience and Self-Transcendence Among Youth in Hong Kong
Raymond Chi-fai Chui, Eric Kam-chu Cheuk
This study investigates between negative life events, resilience, and self-transcendence, as well as the moderating effect of self-transcendence on the impact of negative life events on resilience. The questionnaire was distributed to youth aged 18-24 through the online platform Qualtrics from December...
Proceedings Article
Reducing Compassion Fatigue in Spiritual Leaders: The Role of Connecting with God through Prayer Fulfillment and Connectedness
TaJuana Wade
This chapter examines the relationship between spiritual practices and compassion fatigue among spiritual leaders, revealing that prayer and connectedness are most protective when embedded within broader religious contexts rather than practiced in isolation. Drawing on empirical research with 113 Western...
Proceedings Article
Negative, but Not Positive, Self-Compassion Explains Additional Variance in Academic Stress Over and Above Adversity Among Tertiary Students
Jia Hua Pan, Siu Hei Wu, Ka Tung Cheung, Larry Auyeung
Mental health issues among tertiary students have become increasingly prominent, emerging as a significant public health concern. Academic stress is associated with various mental health issues. When compounded by adverse life events, it may further exacerbate the negative impact of academic stress on...
Proceedings Article
Spirituality, Sleep Quality and Psychological Distress of Youths in Hong Kong
Shirley Sui-yin Lau, Raymond Chi-fai Chui
This study aims to raise public awareness concerning youth mental health and underscore the importance of spirituality and sleep quality in fostering well-being by examining the relationship between spirituality, sleep quality, and psychological distress. A total of 191 youth samples in Hong Kong, aged...
Proceedings Article
Christianity and Positive Affect
Lufanna C. H. Lai
This study aimed to examine the affective composition of Christians in terms of homeostatically protected mood (HPMood), comprising content, happy and excited. It is postulated that biblical teaching may have an enhancement effect on the affective aspect of Christians. Hence, it is predicted that the...
Proceedings Article
Christian Spiritual Education in Hong Kong Kindergartens: The Predictors of Teachers’ Self–Efficacy
Nok Hang Lai
In Hong Kong, many young children receive education in Christian faith-based kindergartens (Education Bureau School Education Statistics Section, 2024). One of the core missions in these schools is to promote children’s spirituality. This study explores the educator and school factors that influence...
Proceedings Article
Applying the TSA Model of Adjustment for Understanding Adolescents’ Wellness
Moshe Israelashvili, Yeara Bodaker, Marwa Abe
The exploration of adjustment processes is rarely studied in traditional positive psychology models. Still, as people go through life transitions, they face a mix of challenging and positive experiences. Whether or not they feel prepared, individuals encounter moments of negative emotions caused by leaving...
Proceedings Article
Catalysing Positive Youth Development: A Qualitative Evaluation of A Cross-Sector Service-Learning Initiative in Food Rescue
JoJo T. C. Lai, Katrina Y. C. Cheng, Kathleen H. M. Chim, Kelvin M. K. Yuen, Kelvin W. H. Wang, Jonathan Y. H. Chan, Yoyo K. Y. Wong, Astor M. Y. Wong
This chapter examines the Sustaining Love Education and Youth Ambassador Programme, a transformative service-learning initiative designed to address two intersecting challenges in Hong Kong: food insecurity and youth psychological challenges. Grounded in Social Practice Theory and Positive Psychology,...
Proceedings Article
Youths’ Interpersonal Relationships: The Roles of Empathy and Spirituality
Ka-yi Chow, Raymond Chi-fai Chui
This study examines the impact of spirituality and empathy on interpersonal relationships among Hong Kong youth, addressing two research questions: (1) What is the relationship of spirituality and empathy with interpersonal relationships? (2) Will empathy mediate the relationship between spirituality...
Proceedings Article
Significance Matters: Examining the Association between Perceived Helplessness and Problematic Social Media Usage
Chi Fan Ho, Iris Rongwei Sun, Mega M. Leung, Po Fai Jonah Li, Alex Chi-Keung Chan
Previous studies have shown a positive association between problematic social media usage and negative affect among young adults. However, few studies have examined how this relationship relates to the three dimensions (3DM) of meaning in life: significance, coherence, and purpose. This study aims to...
Proceedings Article
Self-Transcendence, Social Networks and Meaning in Life of the Retired Older Adults with Chronic Illness in Hong Kong
Yin Yan Chan, Raymond Chi-fai Chui
Previous studies have highlighted the importance of self-transcendence, the meaning of life, and social networks in successful ageing. However, there is a lack of studies exploring the relationship between self-transcendence, the meaning of life, and the social networks of retired older adults with chronic...
Proceedings Article
Understanding Ginhawa as Well-Being in El Shaddai: Implications on Filipino Personhood, Spirituality, and Psychology
Gerard P. Concepcion
Drawing from traditional definitions of ginhawa, this study furthers it as a spiritual concept. By using Filipino indigenous methods, the researcher was able to interact with members of El Shaddai as the case of the study. Based on selected teachings of their servant-leader Bro. Mike Velarde, and testimonies...
Proceedings Article
An Empirical Study on Emotional and Psychological Well-Being Among Indian Adolescents
Dilkirat Sarna, Neeta Mhavan
Emotional and psychological well-being are cornerstones in shaping the lives of young adults, influencing their personal growth, academic performance, and overall societal engagement. Although the Western frameworks for gauging psychological well-being have been reasonably researched, gaps are wide open...
Proceedings Article
Bridging East and West: Validating the Tripartite Model of Meaning in a Cross-Cultural Study of the Meaning in Life Scale
Talal Alzabidi, Haniza Binti Rais
This study examines the psychometric properties and measurement invariance of the adopted Multidimensional Existential Meaning Scale in a non-Western context using data from 861 undergraduate students. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed to evaluate the scale’s factorial structure, reliability,...
Proceedings Article
Life and Knowledge: Perspectives from Ancient Chinese Philosophies to Ancient Near East Cultures
Noble Lo, Anson Sinn
This paper evaluates philosophies from Ancient Chinese philosophies and Ancient Near East cultures to consider their potential for applying second-wave positive psychology, also known as positive psychology 2.0 (hereafter “PP 2.0”). This book chapter offers alternative insights into alternative psychological...
Proceedings Article
“Let Go of the World”: Exploring the Role of Suffering in Hesychastic Spirituality Among Orthodox Hermits
Victor Niachayeu
This study explores the role of suffering in Orthodox Christian monasticism and the concept of self-transcendence (ST) as a coping mechanism. While ST is recognised in psychology for fostering resilience and meaning making, its significance in Eastern Christian asceticism has not been extensively studied....