Positive Emotion Disturbance
Title
Positive Emotion Disturbance
Author
Gruber, June
Purcell, John
Research Area
Psychopathology
Topic
Mental Disorder Varieties
Abstract
The longstanding assumption has been that positive emotions and associated feelings are entirely adaptive. As a result, less scientific attention has been devoted to understanding the ways in which positive emotions might also be a source of dysfunction for our psychological health. However, the empirical tides have recently begun to change, and with it, a new wave of research has pointed to ways in which positive emotionality is also related to a range of poor health outcomes and maladaptive clinical syndromes. How might this be possible? Here, we provide cutting‐edge insights into unpacking the nature of positive emotion disturbance by highlighting six key themes outlining the ways positive emotion may go awry. We conclude by providing a roadmap for future research aimed at providing an integrative model for understanding positive emotion as well as how to harness and cultivate appropriate positive feelings.