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An editorial is presents the evolving landscape of psychobiography, emphasizing the need to integrate socio-cultural perspectives into the study of extraordinary individuals' lives. Topics include the historical dominance of psychoanalytic theories, the call for greater inclusivity beyond WEIRD contexts, and the Special Issue's proposal to expand disciplinary theories to encompass socio-cultural influences.

This article promotes and advocates for the integration of psychobiography into academic training in psychology. While psychobiography has been foundational to the discipline of psychology since Freud's study of Leonardo da Vinci, its procedures and methods have been sorely neglected in academic psychology. Following a brief introduction to psychobiography, the authors provide a historical review of the specialty area, review the current scope of psychobiographical training in psychology, and summarize the benefits of psychobiography to both the training of students and the broader psychology field. Next, models and examples of psychobiography integration across three continents and five countries are provided. The article concludes with specific recommendations for advancing psychobiography in academic psychology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Chinese culture, there is a widely circulated phrase, 'A hen crows in the morning'. This phrase is used to humiliate women who steal power and engage in the political field. It demonstrates the complicated relationship between women and power in the context of Chinese culture. Women are not completely excluded from the politics, but women in power are often stigmatised. This study explores the life of Empress Dowager Cixi (1835–1908), the last female dominator in Chinese history, takes psychobiography as the research method, and attempts to understand the complicated relationship between women and power in Chinese culture through analysing Cixi's life from the perspective of complex and cultural complex theory which originated with C.G. Jung and analytical theory. The research findings show that humiliating and suppressing women with political talent can trigger their complexes, both personal and cultural. This study attempts to propose the femininity castrated complex to better describe the conscious and unconscious psychological dynamics impacting on women within patriarchal, political Chinese culture. This complex further relates to (1) denying her biological sex in order to avoid accusations of superego and, (2) the relationship with her son who is not only her son, but also her enemy regarding (political) power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the life of Viktor von Weizsäcker (VvW, 1886–1957), a German medical doctor, philosopher and founder of the Heidelberg School of Anthropological Medicine, from a psychobiographical and salutogenic perspective. The authors use salutogenesis and sense of coherence (SOC), and take crucial cultural, historical, and socio-structural frameworks into account to explore the life during the 19th and 20th Centuries in Germany. They present the exploration of a strong SOC in the life of VvW and show how SOC is created within the tight family bonds of the family clan, which has produced many extraordinary theologists, philosophers, scientists and politicians over six generations. In a complex, interconnected and holistic way, SOC is evident in von VvW's individual life, and is also shown to be a family resource. This article contributes to psychobiography in three ways: it develops the salutogenetic perspective in psychobiography, explores the life of VvW within a specific sociocultural context, and investigates the life from a salutogenetic and socio-cultural perspective. Finally, conclusions are drawn, and recommendations for theory and practice are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Like most historical leaders, Israel's fourth prime minister, Golda Meir, is a controversial figure. Some consider her the worst prime minister in Israel's history, who was responsible for Israel's lack of preparedness for the Yom Kippur War, and others perceive her to be the only 'man' who stood in the way of Arabs' countries victory over Israel. Some view her to be conservative, not brilliant, dogmatic, masculine, and racist, and some others, as a simple, modest, warm, and empathetic woman. The authors bridge between these two conflicting views by employing theories of identity, culture, and gender role bias to investigate how Golda Meir's early age trauma caused by pogroms against Jews, cultural transition between Russia, the USA, and Mandatory Palestine, and serving as a powerful woman leader in an all-men political system, influenced her personal and political behaviour and her public image. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the romantic love in intercultural couples and investigates the qualities that challenge them and help them succeed in their relationships. It uses a qualitative research design within the hermeneutical interpretative research paradigm, aiming to understand the phenomenon of love from different cultural perspectives. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed through content analysis. Qualitative quality criteria and ethical considerations were applied. Ethical consent was provided by Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. The findings represent the views of couples on their love and their relationship, in particular the challenged experienced and the coping strategies to overcome them. Challenges highlighted are the non-acceptance of the relationship by family members and friends; disagreement on cultural values, norms, rules, and rituals; communication in a third language; no language in common with family members; differences in concepts, such as religion, love, feelings, communication; building a common future, and minor differences in personality traits. The participants use individual and joint coping mechanisms to deal with challenges and stressors. These coping mechanisms include attitudes and behaviours regarding culture, awareness, faith and religion, learning, future orientation, and fighting together for the relationship. Conclusions are provided and recommendations for leading intercultural romantic relationships are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Love is the core of human experience and central to our meaning in life and wellbeing, yet it is also a complex concept full of ambiguity and contradiction. The main purpose of this paper is fourfold: Firstly, we want to clarify questions such as 'What is the meaning of love?' and 'Why is meaning of love so important to us?' Secondly, we want to explain why love is both suffering and essential for our happiness and mental health. Thirdly, we identify the major types of love and clarify which types are constructive and which are destructive. We also identify the key dimensions of true love. Finally, we emphasise that love does not always mean happiness; rather, it is meant to be a school to teach us important lessons and to make us complete. Therefore, we need to embrace suffering and at the same time cultivate the constructive types of love to improve our mental health and to make the world a more compassionate place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Germany, more than two-thirds of employees report mental health issues, while in Japan, more than half of the country's workforce are mentally distressed. Although both countries are socio-economically developed in similar ways, their cultures differ strongly. This article investigates mental health constructs among German and Japanese employees. A cross-sectional design was employed in which 257 German and 165 Japanese employees completed self-report scales regarding mental health problems, mental health shame, self-compassion and work motivation. T-tests, correlation and regression analyses were conducted. Results show that German employees have significantly higher levels of mental health problems, mental health shame, self-compassion and work motivation than Japanese employees. While many correlations were similar, mental health problems were associated with intrinsic motivation in Germans, but not in Japanese. Shame was associated with both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in Japanese, but not in Germans. Self-compassion – defined as a complex of compassion, humanity, care and unconditional, compassionate love – was associated with gender and age in Japanese, but not in German employees. Lastly, regression analysis uncovered that self-compassion was the strongest predictor of mental health problems in Germans. In Japanese employees, mental health shame is the strongest predictor of mental health problems. Results can guide managers and psychologists in internationalised organisations to effectively approach employee mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, a large number of employed individuals all over the world were obliged to work remotely during lockdown. This article focuses on the coping mechanisms which individuals used to manage this difficult situation, specifically the impact which loving and caring for pets had on the way in which people dealt with the challenges of the remote-working environment. Methodologically, this qualitative study used a phenomenological research design to understand the lived experience of the participants in the study. Ten qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with pet owners during the Covid-19 lockdown period in South Africa. The sample was recruited using purposeful and snowball sampling techniques. Data were analysed through content analysis while qualitative quality criteria were applied. Findings show pets supported their owners in many different ways during the pandemic and only the animal's presence supported the owners at home physically, psychologically and emotionally. They helped to reduce the stress of their owners and create a homely atmosphere. Pets played a specific role in providing love, companionship, strong emotional and affective bonds and by creating experiences of comfort, positive as well as negative distraction from work, and physical presence. The experience of love was one major aspect of the relationships between pets and humans. Conclusions are drawn and recommendations are given with regard to future research, highlighting how organisations and consultants can use the positive influences of pets in remote-working scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) brings radical changes for employees, organizations and societies. These changes are accompanied by unforeseeable challenges on cognitive, affective and behavioural levels, as well as fundamental questions that require a response. Work and meaning of work are changing. Organizations have to address employees' perceptions, and deal with rapid technological innovation, new work and employment concepts, as well as global and local power shifts. This conceptual article proposes selected key concepts for managing organizations and employees, namely creativity, positive emotions and solution-focus as keys to meaning-making in the 4IR. The aim of this article is to explore selected key concepts in managing 4IR organizations on a conceptual level and to stimulate future theoretical reflections and discourses of positive psychology (PP) and positive organizational psychology (POP) impacts within the 4IR transformations. Conclusions are drawn and provides recommendations for theory and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An editorial is presented to the article positive psychology studies have advanced to mainstream psychological dialogue for the decades and have developed since Seligman and Csikszentimihalyi's first publication in 2000. Topics include the pioneers of positive psychology have used research to bring a new perspective to bear on the problem-orientated discourses of analytic; and PP2.0 emphasizes a new approach to life and meaning by working for both sides of situations.

Holistic wellness theories conceptualise wellness as a multidimensional and synergistic construct. The term wellness refers to a way of life oriented towards optimal health and wellbeing in which body, mind, and spirit are integrated by the individual to live life fully within the human and natural community. The proposed Wheel of Wellness Model incorporate five life tasks that are influenced by seven life forces that are, in turn, influenced by global events. In this study, the model is employed to explore the life of Angela Merkel from a psychobiographical and holistic wellness perspective. Merkel was purposively selected as an extraordinary leader who demonstrated exceptional coping abilities and wellness. Findings show that Merkel's wellness is particularly strong in terms of spirituality and self-direction. Suggestions are proposed how to expand the WoW in the context of latest positive psychology developments and with regard to socio-cultural changes within contemporary societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed at qualitatively exploring the development of a sense of coherence (SOC) among systemic family therapist trainees (FTT) over a 3-year period. It was conducted in a private family therapy training institute in central Germany. The sample consisted of 66 trainees. The components of SOC and their general health played an important role in the development of FTTs throughout the three training years. Findings show that the SOC component of meaningfulness (motivation) was most frequently mentioned and most important to participants' personal and professional development, followed by comprehensibility (understanding of self, others and the context) and finally by manageability (coping with challenges based on personal, social and professional resources). The three SOC components fostered a positive self-care approach in FTTs and improved health and well-being over the 3 years. Visions of FTT at the end of the training show that they aim at personal and professional growth and development in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the question of how organizations can transform constructively and positively towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). It presents insights into the state of the art on 4IR, positive psychology movements PP1.0 and PP2.0 and particularly on German organizations in the 4IR within the South African context. The study uses a qualitative research approach and presents findings from a study conducted with 16 managers across top, middle and lower management levels in a German engineering organization, based in South Africa, operating in Southern Africa. Findings, discussion, conclusions and recommendations provide insights into emerging themes on the 4IR from perspectives that take the context of discourses on the 4IR in developed and developing countries into account. Findings show the importance of five main themes when transforming into the 4IR: (1) Employee management; (2) Innovative technological and systemic change; (3) Work organization; (4) Environment and (5) Network and cooperation. Human communication and connectivity and a balanced human–machine interaction seem to build the core framework for constructive socio-technological change and a meaningful work environment. Thereby, a focus on the positive transformation requires working through the challenges and dark sides of the 4IR as well as a contextual and culture-specific approach to finally create a meaningful, healthy and optimal functioning work environment for the employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors argue that a paradigm shift in intercultural management is needed to withdraw from a problem-oriented perspective – stressing the differences and difficulties of intercultural interactions – and foster a solution-oriented, positive psychology perspective, taking PP1.0 and PP2.0, the first and second wave of positive psychology, into account. This Positive Intercultural Management (PIM) perspective, thereby provides new directions to intercultural management during the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The article contributes to filling the void of PIM by demonstrating and promoting the positive, complementary and synergistic experiences in intercultural management interactions. On the basis of negotiated culture and intercultural synergy, the article describes and discusses positive factors contributing to PIM, such as interculturally competent actors; organizational structures such as intercultural tandems; and negotiated processes mediated by boundary spanners. It further addresses previously discussed challenging issues, such as cultural othering and awareness in intercultural management. Practical implications relate to key actors in PIM, such as managers or consultants, who need to change the perspective from problem-focused to solution-orientated PIM in international and global management contexts, in order to steer intercultural negotiation processes so that they promote complementarity and synergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salutogenesis is the study of what keeps people healthy and how to develop health. It is a theory introduced by the medical sociologist, Aaron Antonovsky, in the late 1970s. Contemporary salutogenesis is an internationally well-researched theory. It was previously placed in a positive psychology framework (PP1.0) as a theory. In this article, the authors discuss how salutogenesis and the second wave of positive psychology (PP2.0) can contribute to developing the mental health and well-being of individuals in the counselling context. They focus on the emotions of shame, guilt and anxiety and their impact on counselling. The article further presents a conceptual approach to deal with shame, guilt and anxiety from a salutogenic and PP2.0 perspective to transform emotions that are experienced negatively into positive experiences. This salutogenic transformation can contribute to the growth, mental health and well-being of individuals. One case example from counselling practice is given. The article closes with conclusions and theoretical and practical recommendations for counselling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a psychobiographical approach, this study addresses magical thinking across the life span of Paulo Coelho. Paulo Coelho, who was born in Brazil in the 1940s, has become one of the most sold and famous contemporary authors in the world. In his life, as well as in his books, which are mainly autobiographical accounts, magic and magical thinking, spirituality, meaningfulness, and the living of one’s dream, are key themes. The aim of this study was to explore magic and magical thinking in Paulo Coelho’s life and creative works. The study uses a psychobiographical single case study approach within the methodological frame of Husserl’s phenomenology. The author, Paulo Coelho, was chosen as the subject of research. Documents providing both first person and third person perspectives were subjected to content analysis. The findings show that magical thinking played an important role in Coelho’s creative works and in his life, in the form, for example, of ascriptions of magic to key situations in his life, the performance of daily rituals, mystic interpretations of life events, and his deep religious faith. Magical thinking is usually regarded as indicative of pathological and inappropriate cognitive and psychological behaviour, especially when found in adults in a westernised culture. However, the analysis of Coelho’s life and works shows that magical thinking can be utilised creatively and be integrated into one’s life to enable personal development and growth while simultaneously providing fertile ground for creative production. In Paulo Coelho’s case, the intertwining of religion and magical thinking provided deep meaning that guided his personal development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored experiences of shame in the context of racial and cultural belonging. Participants were a multiracial purposive sample of 11 South Africans (five females and six males, four white, two coloured, two Indian and three black Africans; in the age range between 40 to 61 years). The participants completed a semi-structured interview on their perceptions of shame in the context of family and community. The interview data were analysed utilising interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA). Participants from all racial groups considered shame experiences primarily in relation to violation of family and community norms and values. Findings show that male white Afrikaans-speaking participants narrated shameful experiences mainly with regard to the violation of religious (Calvinist) norms and values. Furthermore, the violation of racially constructed boundaries was also likely with females with an Indian and white Afrikaans culture background. Overall, the findings suggest white Afrikaans culture to be less shaming of individuals in comparison to black, coloured, or Indian cultures. Shame beliefs appear to be culturally nuanced in their salience to members or racial-ethno groupings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on family therapy training and sense of coherence is lacking. Sense of coherence has been proposed as a meta-model for salutogenic family therapy. This study aims to explore the development of sense of coherence among systemic family therapist trainees in Germany over a 3-year period. The sample consisted of 66 trainees (1st year) with 55 and 43 respondents in the 2nd and 3rd years, respectively. Biographical and sense of coherence data were analyzed. Findings indicate an increase in total sense of coherence, particularly for meaningfulness. Certain subgroups developed sense of coherence and subscales more so than others. Conclusions are provided and recommendations for family theory and practice given. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study sought to gain an in-depth understanding of the meaning that women attribute to their work in the South African context. The six women informants were 27–32 years old, all with tertiary education, in senior positions, without children. Data on the meaning of work for South African women were collected using semi-structured interviews. Findings indicate that the meaning of work for South African women changes when they experience work autonomy. Working women also report having a sense of identity and self-worth, meeting instrumental needs, achieving social relatedness, and being of service to others. The meaning of work also comes from intrinsic satisfaction, a sense of power and authority. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article focuses on managers in a selected South African organization and the connections they draw between mental health, culture and spirituality within the workplace. The aim is to gain a deeper understanding of the interrelationships in this complex and growing scientific discourse and to respond to the research question of how mental health, culture and spirituality are interrelated from a managerial perspective. The study follows an inductive single case study approach within the phenomenological paradigm. Qualitative research methods using in-depth interviews and observation were used. The sample comprised 27 managers within the international South African automotive organization. The findings show that not only culture, but also spirituality and religion in particular, influence mental health and well-being of managers at work. Conclusions are drawn and recommendations made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whilst striving to create a balanced and healthy life, individuals experience challenges across their life span. Spirituality can contribute to mental health and well-being, as can cultural constructs. In South Africa, apartheid categories are still vivid, which affect spiritual, cultural and racial mental constructs and impact on the mental health of individuals across cultural groups. This article focuses on the long-term development of spiritual and cultural concepts within a selected individual in Cape Town, South Africa, during 11 years of field work. It also explores the impact of spirituality and culture on the researcher-researched relationship. A mixed-method approach was used, including various qualitative methods of data collection as well as content analysis to analyse the data and intersubjective validation to interpret them. Findings show a strong intrapersonal interlinkage of spirituality, culture and mental health and the researcher-researched relationship having a strong impact on spiritual, cultural and mental health constructions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the concept of spirituality within selected South African managerial work contexts. The aim of the study was to determine managers' perceptions of spirituality and health-related aspects in various South African workplaces. A phenomenological research paradigm was used, applying an in-depth qualitative research approach. The sample consisted of 12 senior managers from different organizations, including, for example, an international healthcare provider, an international auditing and consulting firm, a manufacturer of paint supplies and decorations and an ecclesiastical organization. Research methods included semi-structured interviews and observation. Data was analysed through content analysis, identifying themes, categories and codes. The findings indicate that spirituality promotes the development of health-related aspects of individuals, such as self-awareness, inner peace and the management of stress and depression. Managers emphasize that spirituality also has an impact on managing teams and teamwork, engaging in competitive behaviour, encouraging honesty and reducing selfishness. Based on the findings, a conclusion is given and practical as well as scientific recommendations are emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global changes and new managerial challenges require new concepts of health and well-being in organizational contexts. In the South African context, health and well-being of managers have gained relevance in organizations and in management sciences. International organizations, in particular, attempt to address the increasing demand for health care and the delivery of health services to their managers. Careful and appropriate health management requires research to evaluate context-specific health concepts and strategies. The purpose and aim of this article is to assess managerial concepts on health and well-being that could be used by the organization to contribute to managerial well-being by implementing health promotion according to managerial needs. At the same time, this article contributes to salutogenetic health research that is very rare with regard to the South African organizational management research. This study is a multi-method research study conducted in a selected international organization in South Africa. However, in this article, selected qualitative findings will only be presented. This organizational study presents selected research findings on health concepts and strategies employed by managers. Findings demonstrate that the managerial concepts of health and strategies mainly refer to not only physical but also to mental and spiritual aspects, with a priority on physical health and well-being. The findings presented are based on qualitative research methods and their research criteria. This assessment serves as a foundation for new approaches to health management within the international work context in South Africa. It also contributes to a paradigm shift from pathogenetic to salutogenetic concepts of health and well-being within the South African organizational work context. The article produces new insights into the qualitative health concepts of South African managers and expatriates and contributes to promoting salutogenesis in organization within South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the past 30 years, salutogenesis and sense of coherence have been well researched in various disciplines, such as psychology, sociology and medical sciences. However, only a few studies have focused on transcultural and educational work contexts. A strong sense of coherence (SOC) is associated with a positive school performance, achievement, success, the ability to manage conflicts and transcultural competences and well-being. However, interventions on how to increase SOC and transcultural competences within the educational field have rarely been addressed. This article aims at contributing theoretically to the void in literature on didactic and educational interventions in educational and particularly school systems to promote SOC and transcultural competence. The team ombuds model, a didactic model, will be presented to promote mental health with special regard to SOC and transcultural competences within the formal educational system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors comment on the promotion of mental health and sense of coherence (SOC) in various social, organizational, cultural and scientific contexts. They say SOC has been introduced as a salutogenic, culture-general and universal life orientation, and SOC in adults is influenced by (organizational) work contexts. The individual's need to maintain mental health and promote SOC is growing with regard to the globalizing work contexts.

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue about spirituality, culture and health in management.