Positive Psychology and Offender Rehabilitation: A Narrative Review

Abstract

This paper includes a narrative review on strengths-based approaches, rooted in positive psychology, in rehabilitating different offender populations such as perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse (IPVA), street gang members and drug offenders. Based on Positive Psychology and Good Lives Model (GLM), we highlight the importance of emphasising on strengths, promoting desistance and internal transformation of identity. GLM provides the aetiology of criminality and the importance of developing appropriate prosocial ways to access primary goods. By accentuating the strengths and positive aspects of offenders, these approaches bolster engagement, motivation, and participation, leading to successful intervention outcomes. The paper concludes by suggesting future studies to incorporate positive psychological theories to develop offender rehabilitation programs. Future studies should also assess the efficacy of GLM-based intervention models in different offender populations. Integrative positive psychology and strengths-based approaches into offender rehabilitation provides a promising avenue to promote desistance, reduce recidivism and facilitate successful reintegration into the community.