Positive Rehabilitation Psychology

Abstract Abstract Research in positive psychology informs work done in the allied subfield of rehabilitation psychology, as well as theory, therapy, and practice work with people with disabilities. Rehabilitation psychology relies on psychological findings, applications, and skills to promote the psychosocial health, welfare, independence, and choice, as well as well-being, of disabled individuals and others with chronic health conditions, across their lives. Due to its origins, philosophy, history, and practices, rehabilitation psychology embodies a positive focus where disability and quality of life are concerned. Indeed, rehabilitation psychology possessed many characteristics of positive psychology before the latter subfield was defined, yet it has subsequently embraced many of its perspectives to enrich the lives of people with disabilities and chronic health conditions who seek rehabilitation in clinic, practice, and research contexts. This chapter reviews how positive psychological material has guided research efforts within rehabilitation psychology. To do so, it discusses the early prospects of positive psychology for understanding disability and what progress has been made in the near term, before going on to focus on potential areas and topics of inquiry linking positive psychology to disability and rehabilitation issues.