The Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology and Disability

by Andrews-Ash, Erin E.; Ayers, Kara B.; Dunn, Dana S.; Wehmeyer, Michael L.

• ISBN13: 9780197749760
• ISBN10: 0197749763
• eBook ISBN(s): 9780197749777
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2026-02-27
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Author Biography

Erin E. Andrews, PsyD, ABPP, is an affiliate faculty member in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Dell Medical School, the University of Texas at Austin, and the Chief of Psychology for the Veterans Health Administration VISN 17 Mental Health Clinical Resource Hub.

Kara B. Ayers, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics in the College of Medicine at the University of Cincinnati and the Associate Director of the University of Cincinnati Center for Excellence.

Dana S. Dunn, PhD, is Professor of Psychology and Director of Academic Assessment at Moravian University in Bethlehem, PA.

Michael L. Wehmeyer, PhD, is the Ross and Marianna Beach Distinguished Professor in Special Education and Senior Scientist and Director, Beach Center on Disability at the University of Kansas.

Table of Contents

Part I: Introduction to Positive Psychology and Disability

Chapter 1: Embracing Disability Identity: A Positive Psychology Perspective
Erin E. Andrews and Jaylene M. Lee

Chapter 2: A Brief History of Positive Psychology and Its Application to Disability
Dana S. Dunn and Michael L. Wehmeyer

Chapter 3: Conceptualizing Disability: Positive Psychology and the ICF Models
Michael L. Wehmeyer and Dana S. Dunn

Chapter 4: Positive Deviance: Character Strength Development at the Intersectionality of Disability
Dan Tomasulo

Chapter 5: Cultural Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Positive Psychology and Disability
Chandra Donnell Carey and Tyra A Bernard-Watts

Part II: Application of Positive Psychological Constructs to Disability

Chapter 6: Optimism Within the Context of Disability
Kevin L. Rand and Naheeda Ahamadeen

Chapter 7: Disability and Hope: The Neurodevelopmental Disorder Perspective
Malka Margalit and Michal Al-Yagon

Chapter 8: Coping and Disability: A Positive Psychology Perspective
Ella McNeil, Abigail Wang, Kaitlin Gelman, Jack Holloway, Gissette Noriega, and Michele M. Tugade

Chapter 9: Social Well-Being and Friendship
Carli Friedman

Chapter 10: Self-Determination and Self-Determined Learning
Sheida K. Raley, Michael L. Wehmeyer, and Todd D. Little

Chapter 11: Resilience, Problem Solving, and the Experience of Disability: A Positive Psychological Perspective
Dana S. Dunn and Kara B. Ayers

Chapter 12: Interpersonal Decision Making in Individuals With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Ishita Khemka

Chapter 13: Character Strengths
Ryan M. Niemiec

Chapter 14: Mindfulness and Disability
Nirbhay N. Singh, Giulio E. Lancioni, Rachel E. Myers, Yoon-Suk Hwang, and Oleg N. Medvedev

Chapter 15: Disability and Sexual Positivity: The Right to Sexual Citizenship
Roxanna Nasseri Pebdani, Rachel Cuesta, Gabrielle Ficchi, Jolie Chantharath, Margaret McGrath

Chapter 16: Disability and the Virtues of Interdependency
Shane Clifton and Jemma Clifton

Chapter 17: A Social Identity Approach to Positive Education: Toward New Sources of Life Satisfaction for Students with Disabilities
Jeffrey G. Noel, Thomas P. Dirth, and Michelle R. Nario-Redmond

Chapter 18: Understanding and Increasing Well-Being in People With Disabilities and/or Chronic Illness
Barry Nierenberg and D'anna Sydow

Part III. Strengths-based Processes, Approaches, and Systems

Chapter 19: Supports and Support Needs
Virginia Walker, Megan E. Carpenter, Yuwadee Viriyangkura, and James R. Thompson

Chapter 20: Positive Psychology Measurement and Assessment
Lauren A. Stutts and Erin E. Andrews

Chapter 21: Micro, Meso, and Macro Actions for an Inclusive and Sustainable Career Future
Laura Nota, Maria Cristina Ginevra, Sara Santilli, Denise Zucchini, and Salvatore Soresi

Chapter 22: Powering up Family Systems Using Systems-Informed Positive Psychology: Parent-Peer Workers as Levers for Change
Sylvana Mahmic, Margaret L. Kern, Annick Janson, Danielle Tracey, and Christine Johnston

Chapter 23: Aging With Disability
Tamar Heller, Lieke van Heumen, and Abby Schindler

Chapter 24: Social Support and Disability
Kathleen R. Bogart, Brooke A Bryson, and Amanda Hemmesch

Part IV. Positive Psychology and Disability Disciplines

Chapter 25: Positive Rehabilitation Psychology: Prospects, Progress, and Potential
Dana S. Dunn and Timothy R. Elliott

Chapter 26: Disability Studies
Brenda Jo Brueggemann and Jessica Gallagher

Chapter 27: Positive Psychological Mechanisms and Interventions in Chronic Pain
Jennifer G. Pearston and Dawn M. Ehde

Chapter 28: Positive Psychology and Brain Injury Systems
Jed N. McGiffin, Whitney Morean, and David Sheppard

Part V. Considerations in Positive Psychology and Disability

Chapter 29: Positive Psychology and Disability Ethics: Foundations and Principles
Emily M. Lund

Chapter 30: Adaptation and Disability Identity
Toni Saia, Joseph Stramondo, Abraham Graber, and Kathleen Green

Chapter 31: Toxic Positivity: The Pitfalls of Positivity in the Context of Disability
Carrie R. Pilarski and Miso Kwak

Chapter 32: Conclusions and Future Directions
Erin Andrews, Kara Ayers, Dana S. Dunn, and Michael L. Wehmeyer