Positivity: An Antidote to Health Problems

The present study investigated the relationship of five positives, i.e. Happiness, Gratitude, Hope, Forgiveness and Resilience, both individually as well as cumulatively with Health. A sample of 300 individuals in the age bracket 20 to 60 yrs (mean age = 32.60 yrs), was administered the PsyPositive, a test measuring positivity index, along with Abhyankar’s Health Screening Index that assesses health by measuring the frequency of reported health symptoms during the past year. The findings revealed a significant negative relationship between positivity index and health problems thereby highlighting a close link between positivity and good health. Moreover, Hope, Resilience, Forgiveness, Gratitude and Happiness also were individually negatively correlated with health problems. The results thus supported the hypotheses of the study and also provided strong evidence for criterion-related validity of the PsyPositive.