AUTHOR=Chen Hongyan 

TITLE=Adaptive value of positive illusions: coping with adversity and improving relationships

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=Volume 16 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1540566

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1540566

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=The concept of positive illusions is rooted in positive psychology, and is essential for maintaining individual physical and mental health. This study primarily discusses the adaptive value of positive illusions from two perspectives: adversity response and relationship improvement. As a positive cognition, positive illusions can promote the fight against disease and accelerate the psychological recovery after traumatic events. They can also beautify the impression of others through positive projection, thereby helping in establishing positive, stable, and harmonious interpersonal relationships. Future research should expand the adaptive value of positive illusions in practical domains, exploring their positive roles in occupational contexts, clinical interventions, and parent–child relationships, while deepening investigations into their underlying brain mechanisms.