Positive Psychology is a relatively new sub-branch of psychology that focuses on the science of well-being. In contrast to traditional psychological approaches that take a reactive, deficits based approach, Positive Psychology takes a proactive, strengths-based approach to understanding human nature. Positive Psychology aims to identify and understand the human strengths and qualities that confer resilience and allow people to flourish, despite life’s challenges.
Prof. Sirois’s research focuses on a number of Positive Psychological qualities including gratitude, optimism, joy, thriving, and others, listed below.
Gratitude
Podcasts & Videos
In this Phoenix Helix podcast I discuss the scientific evidence indicating the benefits of gratitude for health and well-being, especially in the context of living with a chronic health condition.
The science of gratitude is the focus of my chat with Dr Michael Mosley on his BBC “Just One Thing” podcast. Listen from 4:29 – 11:48
In part 1 of this video conversation with the Gratitude Initiative, I discuss science-backed ways to cultivate gratitude.
What does research on gratitude tell us about gratitude?
In part 2 of my video conversation with the Gratitude Initiative, I review the evidence on the benefits of gratitude.
Can we say that gratitude helps us cope or even thrive in difficult situations?
Part 3 of my video conversation with the Gratitude Initiative.
How do you think gratitude contributes to social harmony?
Part 4 of my video conversation with the Gratitude Initiative.
Joy
How to ditch ‘fomo’ and foster ‘jomo’ – the joy of missing out
In this article written for The Conversation I explore the evidence on the benefits of the joy of missing out (jomo). Jomo is unusual form of joy that involves positive feelings due to the absence of an event or experience (like being “plugged in”) rather than the presence of a positive event.
Optimism
Lay Articles
Do optimists really live longer? Here’s what the research says
This article summarises recent research connecting optimism to longevity, and unpacks the reasons why expecting positive outcomes may contribute to a longer life.
Les optimistes vivent-ils vraiment plus longtemps ? Ce qu’en dit la science…
French version of the original article in The Conversation
Journal Articles – Gratitude
Alteir, H. R., Hirsch, J. K., Weber, A. M., Kohls, N., Schelling, J., Toussaint, L., Sirois, F. M., & Offenbächer, M. (2025). Gratitude and sleep disturbance in primary care patients: The mediating roles of health self-efficacy, health behaviors, and psychological distress. Frontiers in Sleep, 4. Open access.
Charzyńska, E., Offenbächer, M., Halverson, K., Hirsch, J. K., Kohls, N., Hanshans, C., Sirois, F. M., & Toussaint, L. (2025). Profiles of well-being and their associations with self-forgiveness, forgiveness of others, and gratitude among patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. British Journal of Health Psychology, 30, e12749 (IF = 3.5). Link
Kaniuka, A., Kelliher Rabon, J., Brooks, B.D., Sirois, F. M., Kleiman, E., & Hirsch, J.K. (2021). Gratitude and suicide risk among college students: Substantiating the protective benefits of being thankful. Journal of American College Health, 69, 660-667. (IF = 2.4) Link | Self-archived version
Sirois, F. M., & Wood, A. M. (2017). Gratitude uniquely predicts lower depression in chronic illness populations: A longitudinal study of inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis. Health Psychology, 36, 122-132. (IF = 6.12). Link | Self-archived link
Toussaint, L. L., Sirois, F. M., Hirsch, J. K., Weber, A., Vajda, C., Schelling, J., C., Kohls, N., & Offenbächer, M. (2017). Gratitude partially explains quality of life differences between fibromyalgia patients and healthy controls. Quality of Life Research, 26, 2449-2457 (IF = 3.44). Link | Self-archived version
Journal Articles – Positive Qualities and Emotions
Khazaei, M., Holder, M. D., Sirois, F. M., Oades, L. G., & Gallagher, M. W. (2023). Evaluating the psychometric properties of the Mental Health Continuum Short Form (MHC-SF) in Iranian adolescents. Current Psychology, 42, 17995–18009. (IF = 2.8). Link
Khazaei, M., Holder, M. D., Sirois, F. M., & Gallagher, M. W. (2023). Development and assessment of the Personal Emotional Capital Questionnaire for Adolescents. Evaluation & the Health Professions, 46, 69-83 (IF = 2.3). Link
Hirsch, J. K., Altier, H.R., Offenbächer, M., Toussaint, L., Kohls, N., & Sirois, F. M. (2021). Positive psychological factors and impairment in rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease: Do psychopathology and sleep quality explain the linkage? Arthritis Care and Research, 73, 55-64 (IF = 4.06). Link
Khazaei, M., Holder, M. D., Sirois, F. M., Oades, L. G., & Gendron, B. (2021). Development and assessment of the Personal Emotional Capital Questionnaire for Adults. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), 1856. (IF = 3.39) Open access
Vallejo, M. A., Vallejo-Slocker, L., Offenbacher, M., Hirsch, J.K., Toussaint, L. L., Kohls, N., Sirois, F. M., & Rivera, J. (2021). Psychological flexibility is key for reducing the severity and impact of fibromyalgia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (14). (IF = 4.61) Open access
Hirsch, J.K., Treaster, M., Kaniuka, A., Brooks, B., Sirois, F. M., Kohls, N., Nöfer, E., Toussaint, L., & Offenbächer, M. (2020). Fibromyalgia impact and depression: Can perceiving a silver lining make a difference? Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 61, 543-548 (IF = 2.31). Link | Self-archived version
Millings, A., Hirst, S., Sirois, F. M., & Houlston, C. (2020). Emotional Adaptation to Relationship Dissolution: A new conceptual model and measure. PLoS ONE. (IF = 2.74) Open access
Webb, T., Benn, Y.,Chang, B., Reynolds, J., Assinari, A., Sirois, F. M., Harris, P. (2020). The relationship between individual differences in the tendency to self-affirm and affect associated with self-weighing. Journal of Research in Personality, 89. (IF = 3.89). Link | Self-archived version
Stockton, D., Keller, S., Berrios, R., Sirois, F. M., Wilkinson, N., & Miles, G. (2019). Identifying the underlying mechanisms of change during acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): A systematic review of contemporary mediation studies. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 47, 332-362 (IF = 2.47). Link | Self-archived version
Sirois, F. M., & Hirsch, J. K. (2017). A longitudinal study of the profiles of psychological thriving, resilience and loss in people with inflammatory bowel disease. British Journal of Health Psychology, 22, 920-939 (IF = 8.01). Link | Self-archived version
Offenbaecher, M., Dezutter, J., Kohls, N., Sigl, C., Vallejo, M. A., Rivera, J., Bauerdorf, F., Schelling, J., Vincent, A., Hirsch, J., Sirois, F. M., & Toussaint, L. L. (2017). Struggling with adversities of life: The role of forgiveness in patients suffering from fibromyalgia. Clinical Journal of Pain, 33, 528–534. (IF = 3.42). Link | Self-archived version
Sirois, F. M., Millings, A., & Hirsch, J. K. (2016). Insecure attachment orientation and well-being in emerging adults: The roles of perceived social support and fatigue. Personality and Individual Differences, 101, 318–321. (IF = 3.95). Link | Self-archived version
Hirsch, J.K., & Sirois, F.M. (2016). Hope and fatigue in chronic illness: The role of perceived stress. Journal of Health Psychology, 21, 451-456 (IF = 3.79). Link | Self-archived version
Sirois, F. M., & Hirsch, J. K. (2015). Big Five traits, affect balance and health behaviors: A self-regulation resource perspective. Personality and Individual Differences, 87, 59–64. (IF = 3.95). Link | Self-archived version
Sirois, F. M. (2014). Positive psychological qualities and adjustment to arthritis. OA Arthritis, 2, (1), 1-4. Open access.
Sirois, F. M., & Hirsch, J. K., (2013). Associations of psychological thriving with coping efficacy, expectations for future growth, and depressive symptoms over time in people with arthritis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 75, 279-286. (IF = 3.01). Link | Self-archived version
Fuschia Sirois 