Üsküdar University, which has been conducting significant studies in the field of Positive Psychology since its establishment, also makes important contributions to the scientific literature with its ‘Journal of Happiness and Well-being’ (JHWB). From Üsküdar University's Psychology department, Positive Psychology Coordinator Assist. Prof. Dr. Fatma Turan made statements to Üsküdar University Media Relations Specialist Ayşe Nur Akçelik about the ‘Journal of Happiness and Well-being’, where she serves as Assistant Editor. Turan stated that the ‘Journal of Happiness and Well-being’ is a pioneer, even a brand, in its field, and emphasized that Üsküdar University's contribution to the field of Positive Psychology is very significant. Turan said; “There is no journal directly under the title ‘Positive Psychology’ named ‘Happiness and Well-being’. In this sense, we are pioneering with our journal, and we believe it is a brand.”
“Treatment process should be initiated for pathological mental disorders”
Turan stated that many mental disorders have emerged after the pandemic, saying, “The pandemic process was a very challenging period for all of us. During this period, we encountered many mental disorders, many diseases were triggered, and consequently, our lives changed. Especially during the pandemic, we observed an increase in anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorders. It is absolutely necessary for a treatment process to take place regarding their pathological dimension; we attach great importance to this. In situations where a person cannot cope, it is valuable to work with a specialist and complete their own treatment process. Beyond this, for situations that have not yet reached a pathological level but affect our lives, especially concerning these anxiety disorders, we emphasize focusing on more positive aspects, exactly as expressed in the name of the 'Journal of Happiness and Well-being' published by Üsküdar University. Focusing on positive points is not about looking at everything positively or seeing everything as positive. Yes, we are aware of the negativities in life, but we want to use our preference in a more positive direction. What are the strengths we possess, what are the talents bestowed upon us in our lives, what do we have? If we exhibit behaviors aimed at discovering these, we will have made positive contributions to ourselves in this regard.”
Turan: “Our country truly needed a psychologically-based well-being journal!”
Turan stated that they wanted to publish a journal due to the mental health issues that emerged after the pandemic, mentioning that they made plans for the ‘Journal of Happiness and Well-being’ and that some surprising developments might occur very soon. Turan; “We decided that there was truly a need for a psychologically-based well-being journal in our country. We wanted to produce science for people's ‘well-being’ and to convey this science to the public, to society, to people. The ‘Journal of Happiness and Well-being’ continues under the editorship of our esteemed Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, with me as Assistant Editor, and as managing editor. Our journal is one that entered publication life in 2013, and for many years, it was a journal created by a very valuable professor of ours with his contributions. It was a journal founded by our professor Tayfun Doğan. Professor Tayfun published 12 issues over 6 years from 2013 to 2018; there is a beautiful archive with a lot of effort put in and many excellent articles. From 2018 to 2022, there were no further issues or publications. As of 2022, it was included among Üsküdar University's periodical publications. It is a valuable work with the foresight and broad vision of our Professor Nevzat. Subsequently, we published our first issue in September 2022. We will be publishing our 14th issue as of March. Besides this, of course, there are surprising things related to our journal that I cannot reveal much about right now. Our intensive preparations continue to ensure that its publication life can continue in a higher quality manner, reaching more academics scientifically and more people. Our efforts to increase the quality of our journal are ongoing.”
“We are pioneering in the field of Positive Psychology with the Journal of Happiness and Well-being”
Turan stated that the ‘Journal of Happiness and Well-being’ is a pioneer, even a brand, in its field, and also drew attention to the importance Üsküdar University places on the field of Positive Psychology. Turan; “There is no journal directly under the title ‘Positive Psychology’ named ‘Happiness and Well-being’. In this sense, we are pioneering with our journal, and we believe it is a brand. This is not merely our belief, but a situation supported by scientific data and evidence-based findings. Because there are efforts spanning many years; since 2013, we have been offering ‘Positive Psychology’ as a mandatory rectorate course to our students at the university. Not only do we teach the course, but we also organize conferences, and we have a positive psychology study group composed of our academics, from which articles and books are produced. The book ‘Science of Happiness’ is one of them. It was worked on as a textbook for many years. Its publication took place after going through many stages. It emerged as a beautiful book that will be taught as a supplementary textbook in high schools, and we received very positive reactions from important academic circles. Therefore, our journal is also one of our important outputs and works in the same way.”
“We have created a quite broad spectrum for our journal’s topics”
Turan also made evaluations regarding the aims of the Journal of Happiness and Well-being, drawing attention to their work across a wide spectrum in the field of positive psychology. Turan; “The ‘Journal of Happiness and Well-being’ will continue its publication life, crowned in different avenues in the next stage; this is one of our biggest wishes. Of course, there are many topics; when we look, we actually don't just have articles related to happiness, but many articles. For example, we are a journal that publishes qualitative and quantitative research in the field of positive psychology. This is our main goal. If we were to list the topics: ‘the pursuit of happiness, benefits of happiness, happiness and well-being, determinants of happiness, psychological resilience which constitutes a very important point. Forgiveness, psychology of emotions, emotional intelligence, empathy and altruism, love… from patterns we love, sexual well-being, marriage and romantic relationships, mindfulness, especially the meaning and purpose of life, strong human characteristics, discovery of strengths, discovery of talents, character strengths, environmental resources here, human relationships and social support, work engagement, work life, positive psychology in work life, which we all greatly need… being able to appreciate each other when necessary, optimism and hope… one of our very important concepts, self-esteem and self-compassion, self-efficacy, positive body, our body perception, the reflection of our emotions on our body, psychological needs and motivation, humility and modesty, compassion, psychological well-being, emotional intelligence, gratitude, being able to thank, thankfulness,’ we have created quite a broad spectrum because we are human. We have a biological, a psychological, and a social structure. We cannot be happy without others. We cannot be happy without forming relationships.”
“Many surprises await our readers in the upcoming period”
Turan also shared insights regarding the journal's international activities and its recognition in academic circles, emphasizing the importance of the Positive Psychology Congresses organized by Üsküdar University. Turan; “Our journal also has a scientific background. We have held discussions with many reviewers from abroad and received positive feedback from them. We are currently in contact with them. Through international reviewers, we contribute to our articles reaching abroad. Since we publish in both English and Turkish, our journal is bilingual. With the 4th and 5th Positive Psychology Congresses we organized, we had the opportunity to reach many important academics from abroad. I cannot say much, as I said, I have many surprises; in every sense, we try to progress with newer, more current topics each year. In important international congresses to be held from now on, Üsküdar University, as Positive Psychology, will take part alongside our professor. Many surprises await our readers in the upcoming period.”
Interview: Ayşe Nur Akçelik İlgeç
Photography: Kaan Güzeltepe