Positive outcomes: Positive psychology's application in intellectual disability context- a systematic review and bibliometric analysis

This systematic review aimed to synthesize the existing literature addressing to foster positive outcomes in individuals with intellectual disabilities, in addition to their parents and caregivers, which is mostly neglected. We adhered to PRISMA guidelines to conduct a review of literature published between 1998 and 2025. The search was performed using Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed databases on October 1, 2025. Empirical studies published in English, focusing on the application of positive psychology constructs to individuals with intellectual disabilities, their parents and caregivers, were included. The risk of bias was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Of the 1,48,969 initially identified articles, 38 were finally examined and analyzed. These findings indicate a substantial contribution from the developed countries. Quality of life has emerged as the most prominent construct and framework in the literature. Common methodological approaches employed were questionnaire surveys for data collection, t-tests, and ANOVA for statistical analyses. Furthermore, interventions grounded in positive psychology have produced favourable outcomes. Although positive psychology applications fostered positive outcomes, disparities in findings were also reported, highlighting the need for further research. The insights gained from bibliometric analyses could contribute to evidence-based policy formulations and implications for intellectual disability research.