PP2.0: Embracing The Yin & Yang

Editorial
Luis A. Marrero, MA, RODP

Happy 2016 to all our readers! We are happy to share with you the January 2016 International Network for Personal Meaning (INPM) Newsletter.

In this edition we have the pleasure to feature one of our distinguished Board of Director member, Ryan Marcoux, Graduate Student Representative. In the coming months we will be presenting and introducing the INPM’s Board Members to our readers, and do encourage you to reach out to us. We are here to serve you.

I am equally pleased to introduce you to Meghana A. Rao, President, Work & Organizations Division, International Positive Psychology Association; Director Human Resource Management Program, Claremont Graduate University; and Associate Director & Co-founder, Western Positive Psychology Association. Meg, as we fondly call her, is kindly sharing her article, “The Current State of Positive Psychology and Implications for the Study of a Meaningful Life.” In her paper Meg explains the genesis, evolution and impact of Positive Psychology, and what opportunities lie ahead.

We are also privileged to have Dr. Paul Wong, INPM President, explain to us “What is Second Wave Positive Psychology (PP2.0)? Why it is necessary?” and contrast the initial wave of Positive Psychology (PP1.0) with PP2.0. In his paper Dr. Wong explains why it is important to embrace both the positive as well as the difficult and tragic – or the Yin and Yang of life – to be able to grow.

You will find these two papers complementary and revealing, providing an insight on the similarities between Positive and Existential Psychology, and the potential of finding further common ground.

Please also read the President’s Report where Dr. Wong shares significant inroads by INPM, including the election of a new Board of Directors.

Regarding membership, if you are not a member of INPM, please visit our site and join our meaningful community! If you are a member and need to renew, it will only take a few minutes to fill the form and send them our way. Again, to register the site is http://www.meaning.ca/Membership.htm.

Please plan to join The 9^th Biennial International Meaning Conference in Toronto, Canada, July 28-31, 2016 at the Delta Toronto East Hotel. We have distinguished keynote speakers, among them: Robert Neimeyer, Mick Cooper, Kirk Schneider, Harold Koenig, William Breitbart, Clara Hill, Alex Pattakos, Itai Ivtzan, Alexander Batthyány, and Paul T. P. Wong. For more information, visit our site: http://meaning.ca/conference/

Finally, for those of you that would like to present papers, symposia, workshops, and posters, please submit your abstracts to drpaulwong@gmail.com and include the words “Meaning Conference 2016 Submission” in the email title.

• Deadline for submissions: April 30, 2016
• Notice of acceptance: Before May 31, 2016

President's Report Paul T.P. Wong, PhD

My heart is full of gratitude and hope as we enter a new year. In many ways, 2015 has been a breakthrough year for INPM, and I trust that in 2016, we will build on the successes of last year and reach another milestone.

In December, I had the privilege of taking part in the Research Work Group on Virtue, Happiness, and Meaning of Life and presenting the Hypothesis of a Good Life to a group of distinguished philosophers, theologians, and psychologists. [...]

The 9th Biennial International Meaning Conference

What Is Second Wave Positive Psychology and Why is it necessary? Paul T.P. Wong, PhD

The positive psychology (PP) movement, launched by Martin Seligman (1998), is the most significant phenomenon in contemporary psychology. Perhaps it is inevitable that its exponential growth has led to some excesses by its over-enthusiastic supporters and criticisms from its detractors. However, nothing has stopped PP’s growth; it continues to flourish and evolve in light of new theoretical formulations and research findings. [...]

The Current State of Positive Psychology and Implications for the Study of a Meaningful Life

Positive psychology, in its broadest sense, is a field that has been driven by the scientific study and practice of that which makes life worth living (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). Since its inception in 1998, this pursuit has witnessed tremendous growth and popularity. Recent reviews of the current state of the field (Donaldson, Dollwet, & Rao, 2015; Rusk & Waters, 2013) have revealed that there has been a steep rise in conceptual and empirical literature in positive psychology over the past decade. Positive psychology has influenced research across most sub-areas of psychology, and impacted research in disciplines beyond the immediate domain of psychology including education, management, public health, social services, philosophy, and political science, among others (Donaldson, Csikszentmihalyi, & Nakamura, 2011). Although the positive psychology movement originated in the United States (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000), there is now a vibrant community of researchers and practitioners across the world.[...]

2016 INPM Member Publications

Leo M. Abrami

Publications

• Abrami, L. M. (2015). La recherche du sens en analyse existentielle et logothérapie [The search for meaning in the existential analysis and logotherapy]. Paris, FR: L’Harmattan.
• Abrami, L. M. (2016, in press). The importance of meaning in positive psychology and logotherapy. In A. Batthyany (Ed.), Logotherapy and existential analysis: Proceedings of the Viktor Frankl Institute. New York, NY: Springer.
• Translating Lucien Lazare’s book, The Mission of Abbé Glasberg: In the French Resistance During WWII, from French to English in a Kindle edition.
• Posting three essays on edu: “Logotherapy, An Overview,” “The Healing Power of Humor in Logotherapy,” and “The Twelve Steps and Logotherapy.”

Professional Activities

• Abrami’s Arizona Institute of Logotherapy, which offers seminars and private consultations, has been accredited by the Viktor Frankl Institute, Vienna, Austria.
• Presenting “Using Projective Techniques to Help Patients Find the Meaning(s) of their Life” at the Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy Conference, in Dallas, TX and to colleagues in Jerusalem due to the unrest in the country.

Marie S. Dezelic

Publications

• Dezelic, M. S., & Ghanoum, G. (2015). Meaning-Centered therapy manual: Logotherapy & existential analysis brief therapy protocol for group & individual sessions. San Rafael, CA: Palace Printing & Design.
• Dezelic, M. S. (2016, in press). Meaning constructs and meaning-oriented techniques: Clinical applications of meaning and existential exploration. Journal of Constructivist Psychology, 00(0), 1-10.
• Assessment Instrument – Distress-Pain Assessment Screening: Whole Patient-Centered Care through Bio-Psycho-Social-Existential Perspectives (Dezelic, Breitbart & Ghanoum)

Professional Activities

• Dezelic, M. S., & Ghanoum, G. (2015, Mar.). Meaning-centered therapy workshop: Conceptual pictographs & their applications to foster meaning and purpose across clinical settings. Invited workshop presented to the First International Congress of Viktor Frankl’s Logotherapy in Haifa, Israel.
• Dezelic, M. S., & Ghanoum, G. (2015, Mar.). From surviving to thriving through cancer: Finding meaning in life and a triumphant attitude in daring to go beyond limitations. Invited lecture presented to the First International Congress of Viktor Frankl’s Logotherapy in Haifa, Israel (and Dallas, TX).
• Dezelic, M. S., & Ghanoum, G. (2015, May). Finding peace after loss: From initial shock to recovering meaning. Invited talk presented at the Aspen Center for Living Peace in Aspen, CO.
• Dezelic, M. S., & Ghanoum, G. (2015). Distress-Pain Assessment Screening. Implementation in Atlantis, FL, & Miami, FL.
• Dezelic, M. S., & Ghanoum, G. (2015, May). Logotherapy, a meaning-centered approach in palliative care for finding hope and spiritual well-being: A teaching manual in healthcare. Invited lecture to the World Congress for Existential Therapy in London, UK.
• Dezelic, M. S., Ghanoum, G., & Rogina, J. M. (2015). The noögenic activation method: Logotherapy & existential analysis applied to the ‘Stages of Change’ in clinical practice. Presented in Dallas, TX.
• Dezelic, M. S., & Ghanoum, G. (2015). Design your best life: Strategies for spiritual health & well-being. Presented in Geneva, Switzerland (and Atlantis, FL).
• Dezelic, M. S. (2015). Meaning-centered therapy workshop: Clinical applications to foster meaning & purpose across clinical settings. Presented in Miami, FL.
• Dezelic, M. S., & Ghanoum, G. (2015). Cracking the communication code in healthcare: Increasing staff and patient collaborating through integrating communication skills. Presented in Atlantis, FL.
• Dezelic, M. S., & Ghanoum, G. (2015). Palliative care: Psychosocial aspects of care. Presented in Atlantis, FL.
• Dezelic, M. S., & Ghanoum, G. (2015). It’s not ‘Difficult People,’ it’s disconnection in styles: Utilizing the ‘Relational Model’ to understand our differences and how to connect. Presented in Miami, FL.
• Dezelic, M. S., & Ghanoum, G. (2015, Sep.). Building the bridge of connection: The ongoing discovery of meaning & connection in relationships. Invited workshop presented to the Aspen Center for Living Peace in Aspen, CO.
• Dezelic, M. S., & Ghanoum, G. (2015). Trauma Treatment Foundational Phase-Work (TTFP) training: Integrative trauma-informed treatment, core elements for stabilization, recovery, & reconnection. Presented in Miami, FL.
• Dezelic, M. S., & Ghanoum, G. (2015). Commercially sexually exploited children (CSEC) human sex trafficking: Utilizing the trauma treatment foundational phase-work model. Presented in Miami, FL.

Luis A. Marrero

Publications: Personal Blog

• The Meaningful Awakening
• The Role of Meanings in Individual, Group and Organizational Health and Productivity: Logoteleological Interventions
• Suffering in Meaningful Purpose Psychology
• Monitoring and Improving the Impact of your Leadership
• The Task of Work as a Developmental Resource: A Logoteleological Perspective
• Hanging Together or Separately
• Je Suis Quoi?

Gordon Medlock

Publications

• Medlock, G. (2015). The San Miguel artist project: A grounded theory of “the emergence of wonder.” Forum: qualitative research (FQS), 16(2), Art. 5.
• Medlock, G. (2016, in press). Seeking consensual understanding of personal meaning: Reflections on the meaning summit at first congress on the construction of personal meaning. Journal of Constructivist Psychology.
• Medlock, G. (2016, in press). Guest editor of Studying personal meaning: Integrating theory and practice. Journal of Constructivist Psychology.

Professional Activities

• Developing a coaching practice and serving as faculty with the Wright Foundation and Graduate University.
• Joining the board of INPM and assuming responsibilities as chair of the publication committee.

Alex Pattakos

Publications

• Pattakos, A., & Dundon, E. (2014). The OPA! way: Finding joy & meaning in everyday life & work. Dallas, TX: BenBella Books, was recognized with six literary awards in 2015, and a Greek edition will be released in 2016 by Hestia (ΕΣΤΙΑ) Publishers, the oldest (since 1885) and one of the most respected publishers in Greece.
• Pattakos, A., & Dundon, E. (2016, in press). Discovering meaning through the lens of work. Journal of Constructivist Psychology, Special Meaning Edition.
• Currently co-authoring (with Elaine Dundon) a 3rd edition, revised and expanded, of international bestselling book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts: Viktor Frankl’s Principles for Discovering Meaning in Life and Work(currently in 22+ languages).

Professional Activities

• Keynoting at the World Presidents’ Organization and International Existential Coaching Congress in Bogotá, Columbia on the topic, “Living, Leading, and Working with Meaning, The OPA! Way.”
• Integrating work in innovation management, leadership development, and organizational transformation, and The OPA! Way, has been integrated under the umbrella of the Global Meaning Institute, which will offer certification programs that build upon, apply, and extend The OPA! Way paradigm and formula for finding meaning in life and work.
• Acting as Consulting Producer on a Greek-inspired, meaning-focused feature film, Swing Away, to be released Spring 2016.

Michael F. Steger

Publications

• Dik, B. J., Duffy, R. D., Allan, B. A., O’Donnell, M., Shim, Y., & Steger, M. F. (2015). Purpose and meaning in career development applications. The Counseling Psychologist, 43, 558-585.
• Brassai, L., Piko, B. F., & Steger, M. F. (2015). A reason to stay healthy: The role of meaning in life in relation to physical activity and healthy eating among adolescents. Journal of Health Psychology, 20, 473-482.
• Steger, M. F., Owens, G. P., & Park, C. L. (2015). Violations of war: Testing the meaning-making model among military veterans. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 71, 105-116.
• Steger, M. F., Fitch-Martin, A., Donnelly, J., & Rickard, K. M. (2015). Meaning in life and health: Proactive health orientation links meaning in life to health variables among American undergraduates. Journal of Happiness Studies, 16, 583-597.
• O’Donnell, M. B., Shim, Y., Barenz, J. D., & Steger, M. F. (2015). Revisiting the Meaning in Life Questionnaire, part 2: Intervention research and clinical relevance. International Forum for Logotherapy, 38, 41-48.
• Dik, B. J., & Steger, M. F. (2015). Discerning calling: Bridging the natural and supernatural. In J. H. Ellens, D. B. Yaden, & T. McCall (Eds.), Being called: Secular, Scientific, and Sacred Perspectives (pp. 127-140). Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger.

Professional Activities: Invited Talks

• Steger, M. F. (2015, Oct.). New Earth is Created from Fire: Posttraumatic Growth and Resilience. Invited lecture presented to Human Resources Institute, North-West University, South Africa.
• Steger, M. F. (2015, Oct.). Building Meaning in Life. Workshop presented to North-West University, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa.
• Steger, M. F. (2015, Jun.). Positive Psychology from a Positive Psychology Perspective. Invited lecture presented to Lisbon Technical University Executive Masters program, Lisbon, Portugal.
• Steger, M. F. (2015, Jun.). Meaning in Life: An Update on Life on Earth. Invited lecture presented to University of East London MAPP program, London, UK.
• Steger, M. F. (2015, Apr.-May). It Matters: The Science and Practice of a Meaningful Life. 8-week course presented to Mentorcoach, Bethesda, MD.
• Steger, M. F. (2015, Apr.). What Makes Life Worth Living, and How to Get the Most out of Life? Keynote presented to TMC Academy, Singapore.
• Steger, M. F. (2015, Apr.). SPIRE and CARMA for Meaningful Work. Invited panel presented to iGROW CEO Forum, Singapore.
• Steger, M. F. (2015, Apr.). Creating Meaningful Work in Your Organization. Invited lecture presented to Singapore Management University, Singapore.
• Steger, M. F. (2015, Feb.). Meaning in Life as a Psychological Construct in Positive Psychology. Invited lecture presented to Masters in Applied Positive Psychology program, North-West University, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa.

Gleb Tsipursky

Publications

• Tsipursky, G. (2015). Find your purpose using science [Kindle ed.]. Westerville, OH: Intentional Insights.
• Tsipursky, G. (2015, Apr. 14). The science of meaning. International Network of Personal Meaning. Retrieved from http://www.meaning.ca/featured-member-gleb-tsipursky.htm
• Tsipursky, G. (2015, May 22). Meaning and purpose in non-religious societies. Nonreligion and Secularity Research. Retrieved from http://blog.nsrn.net/2015/05/22/meaning-and-purpose-in-non-religious-societies/
• Tsipursky, G. (2015, Oct. 28) What is the meaning of life for you? The Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gleb-tsipursky/what-is-the-meaning-of-li_3_b_8370900.html

Paul. T. P. Wong

Publications

• Wong, P. T. P. (2015, Spring). The positive psychology of aging: Character strengths or meaning making [Review of the book Lighter as we go: Virtues, character strengths, and aging]. Retrieved from http://www.drpaulwong.com/lighter-as-we-go-virtues-character-strengths-and-aging/
• Wong, P. T. P. (2015, Spring). The positive psychology of grit: The defiant power of the human spirit [Review of the film Unbroken]. Retrieved from http://www.drpaulwong.com/the-positive-psychology-of-grit-the-defiant-power-of-the-human-spirit
• Wong, P. T. P. (2015). Meaning therapy: Assessments and interventions. Existential Analysis, 26.1, 154-167.
• Wong, P. T. P. (2015). Humanistic theories: Psychopathology. In H. L. Miller (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Theory in Psychology. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
• Wong, P. T. P. (2015). A meaning-centered approach to overcoming loneliness during hospitalization, old age, and dying. In A. Sha’ked & A. Rokach (Eds.), Addressing loneliness: Coping, prevention and clinical interventions (pp. 171-181). New York, NY: Routledge.
• Wong, P. T. P. (in press). Integrative meaning therapy: From logotherapy to existential positive interventions. In P. Russo-Netzer, S. E. Schulenberg, & A. Batthyany (Eds.). To thrive, to cope, to understand: Meaning in positive and existential psychotherapy. New York, NY: Springer.
• Wong, P. T. P., Ivtzan, I., & Lomas, T. (in press). Good work: A meaning-centred approach. In L. G. Oades, M. F. Steger, A. Delle Fave, & J. Passmore (Eds.), The Wiley Blackwell handbook of the psychology of positivity and strengths-based approaches at work. West Sussex, UK: Wiley Blackwell.
• Wong, P. T. P. (2016, in press). Meaning-seeking, self-transcendence, and well-being. In A. Batthyany, Logotherapy and Existential Analysis: Proceedings of the Viktor Frankl Institute (Vol. 1). New York, NY: Springer.
• Wong, P. T. P. (in press). A decade of meaning: Past, present, and future. Journal of Constructivist Psychology.
• Wong, P. T. P. (in press). Coping and stress. In A. Wenzel (Ed.), The SAGE encyclopedia of abnormal and clinical Psychology. New York, NY: SAGE Publications.
• Wong, P. T. P. (in press). Death and dying. In A. Wenzel (Ed.), The SAGE encyclopedia of abnormal and clinical psychology. New York, NY: SAGE Publications.
• Wong, P. T. P. (in press). Logotherapy. In A. Wenzel (Ed.), The SAGE encyclopedia of abnormal and clinical psychology. New York, NY: SAGE Publications.

Professional Activities

• Wong, P. T. P. (2015, May). Meaning therapy. Invited workshop at the First World Congress on Existential Therapy in London, UK.
• Wong, P. T. P. (2015, May). The second wave of positive psychology: an existential
• perspective. Invited address at the University of East London in London, UK.
• Wong, P. T. P. (2015, May). Viktor Frankl’s contribution to psychotherapy. Keynote at the conference on Frankl’s Man’s Searching for Meaning in Moscow, Russia.
• Wong, P. T. P. (2015, May). Meaning, resilience, and well being. Keynote at the Institute of Psychoanalysis in Moscow, Russia.
• Wong, P. T. P. (2015, Jun.). Embracing the dark side of human existence. Symposium on the second wave of positive psychology at the International Positive Psychology Conference in Orlando, FL.
• Wong, P. T. P. (2015, Jul.). INPM Summer Institute on meaning therapy in Toronto, ON.
• Wong, P. T. P. (2015, Aug.). INPM board meeting in Toronto, ON.
• Wong, P. T. P. (2015, Dec.). The meaning hypothesis of virtue and happiness. Presented at the Templeton Funded project on virtue, meaning & happiness at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC.