Positive Psychology for Families with Infants: A Literature Review

When a child is born into a family, many things suddenly change in the parents’ lives. The focus in life changes and people have to rethink their views of their family, work, health and life in general. Many are too tired and lonely to be the best parents they could be (Gottman & Schwartz Gottman, 2007). At the same time, this could be the best time of their lives, a meaningful opportunity to learn, grow and deepen their love of their child and each other as well as find a more purposeful and mature insight into the world. For the baby, the first years are crucial for healthy development. Secure attachment in infancy is the root of our well-being. The present work is a literature review on how positive psychology can help an infant family to not only survive, but flourish as well. This literature review uses the scientific information that positive psychology has to offer on positive child development and positive parenting of infants. One important aspect of positive parenting is the relationship that parents have with each other as this has many indirect effects on the baby. I also review secure attachment, positive emotions and mindfulness as theoretical frameworks to build profound resilience and connection with the baby and between the parents. I also discuss the need for interventions and further research in the field.