Main description:

Positive psychology-the study and promotion of character strengths, positive emotion, optimism, and resilience-has gained considerable momentum and support over the last 20 years. More recently, neuropsychology has begun to embrace related perspectives. In the first edition of Positive Neuropsychology, an extensive collection of perspectives from national leaders in neuropsychology clarified the importance of promoting cognitive health through various means. The present edition expands on the first edition, with four new chapters and updates of all previous chapters. Topics include the importance of physical, social, and intellectual engagement across the lifespan; nutrition and brain health; novel technologies used to maintain brain health and functional independence; compensating for and preventing cognitive limitations; and strategies to promote brain health in clinical and other settings. Chapters reveal not only the benefits of understanding cognitive health and optimal outcomes across the lifespan, but also emerging avenues for practitioners to expand their work into non-traditional settings. Bringing new dimensions to the neuroscience, wellness, and positive psychology literatures, Positive Neuropsychology will interest a wide range of academics and clinicians, including neuropsychologists, clinical and health psychologists, geriatricians, primary care physicians, cognitive neuroscientists, and other healthcare professionals.

Contents:

1) What is Positive Neuropsychology? Author: John J. Randolph, Ph.D.

* Update of chapter from 1st edition; topics to include a general introduction to Positive Neuropsychology, its roots in Positive Psychology, and emerging literature trends suggesting that neuropsychology has begun to embrace brain health principles; updated neuropsychological journal review indicating increased focus on cognitive health in neuropsychological research since 1st edition; and inclusion of the C.A.P.E. Model of Brain Health as a conceptualization of four key brain health strategies; references to be updated since 2013.

2) Coping in neurological disorders. Authors: Amanda Rabinowitz, Ph.D., and Peter Arnett, Ph.D.

* Update of chapter from 1st edition; topics to include a review and synthesis of research examining coping strategies and cognition in multiple sclerosis (MS) and traumatic brain injury (TBI); quality of life and social support in neurological populations; recent compensatory strategy research in MS and TBI; and cognitive benefits of treating secondary factors in neurological illness; references to be updated since 2013.

3) Modifiable lifestyle factors and cognition through midlife. Authors: John J. Randolph, Ph.D., and Jennifer S. Randolph, M.Sc.

* Update of chapter from 1st edition; topics to include a review of the impact of aerobic exercise, intellectual stimulation, and nutritional factors on cognition from childhood through middle age; and negative effects of smoking and iron depletion on cognition; references to be updated since 2013.

4) Lifestyle factors and successful cognitive aging in older adults. Authors: Maureen O'Connor, Ph.D., Malissa Kraft, Psy.D., and John J. Randolph, Ph.D.

* Update of chapter from 1st edition; topics to include effects of exercise on cognitive aging; aging and sleep; diet and brain health; cognitive reserve and cognitive aging; stereotypes/aging beliefs and cognitive aging; and interventions to improve cognition in older adults; references to be updated since 2013.

5) Assessment of lifestyle factors associated with brain health. Authors: Lauren Strober, Ph.D., and John J. Randolph, Ph.D.

* NEW CHAPTER for this edition; topics to include a discussion of strategies and measures to assess physical activity, social activity, mental/intellectual activity, diet, and other lifestyle factors, and how these assessments relate to brain health and subjective functioning in daily life.

6) Promoting the executive functions: Core foundations, assessment considerations, and practical applications. Authors: John J. Randolph, Ph.D., and Naomi Chaytor, Ph.D.

* Update of chapter from 1st edition; topics to include executive functioning models and frameworks; assessment considerations; ecological validity of executive functioning assessment; digital assessment of executive functions in the context of medical illness; and promotion of executive functioning; references to be updated since 2013.

7) Promotion of cognitive health through prevention: The case of sports concussion. Author: Ruben Echemendia, Ph.D.

* Update of chapter from 1st edition; topics to include definition and pathophysiology of concussion; assessment and cumulative effects of concussion; concussion prevention and management strategies; and legislation related to concussion; references to be updated since 2013.

8) Promoting psychosocial and cognitive wellness in the workplace: the emerging neuroscience of leadership development. Author: John J. Randolph, Ph.D.

* Update of chapter from 1st edition; topics to include workplace stress and the brain; neuroscience of social interaction and emotional intelligence; neuroscience of organization and decision making; managerial roles and reduced risk of dementia; and the role of executive coaching; references to be updated since 2013.

9) Technologies for health assessment, promotion, and assistance: Focus on gerontology. Authors: Maureen Schmitter-Edgecombe, Ph.D. and co-author TBD

* Update of chapter from 1st edition; topics to include wearable and environmental monitoring technologies for promoting brain health and managing cognitive deficits; prompting technologies for health promotion and assistance; applications of smart environments to clinical practice; and challenges of adopting new technologies; references to be updated since 2013.

10) Positive effort, motivation, and engagement. Authors: Ben Hill, Ph.D., and Stephen Aita, Ph.D.

* NEW CHAPTER for this edition; topics to include constructs associated with positive aspects of effort/motivation including grit, need for cognition, conation, resiliency, core personality factors, and neurobiological factors.

11) Positive cognitive outcomes. Authors: John J. Randolph, Ph.D. and Heather Wishart, Ph.D.

* NEW CHAPTER for this edition; topics to include a discussion of research examining multiple sclerosis patients, stroke patients, and older adults who have experienced positive cognitive and general outcomes; the factors associated with these outcomes; and discussion of possible future models for the study of positive outcomes in neuropsychology.

12) The importance of neuropsychological feedback in promoting brain health. Author: Karen Postal, Ph.D.

* NEW CHAPTER for this edition; topics to include content areas to review during feedback sessions; effective strategies to communicate neuropsychological evaluation results; opportunities to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors during the feedback session; and coaching techniques to prompt initial behavior changes post-evaluation.

13) Future directions and remaining questions. Author: John J. Randolph, Ph.D.

* Update of chapter from 1st edition; topics to include summary of topics covered throughout the volume, additional clinical considerations related to promoting cognitive health, remaining questions related to brain health promotion, and concluding comments; references to be updated since 2013.