Positive psychology research within the workplace in Namibia: Findings and prospects for the future

Abstract

The field of Psychology has been criticised as being overly focused on pathology and less on the positive aspects of human functioning. Positive psychology research assesses what is going well and try to find ways to learn from those phenomena to enhance positive functioning amongst human beings. Making use of a desk study review, this study discusses research related to Positive psychology conducted in Namibia related to the world of work. This study focused on research work published during 2009-2019 within different industries ranging from education, health and social services, governmental institutions, service industry and the mining sector. Recommendations span from enhancing the positive human qualities, identifying factors that work against positive functioning, enhancing the working environment, improving healthy styles of leadership and developing the overall well-being of the organisation. This study aims to consolidate what has been researched within the Namibian context, taking stock and guiding the future approaches and focus within the field of Positive psychology. There is limited research within the field of Positive psychology and even less within the Namibian context. This study aims to reduce that gap within knowledge and within the field of psychology.