HYPOTHESIS AND THEORY article
Front. Psychol.
Sec. Positive Psychology
Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1610807
The Four Pathways of Assertiveness: A Multidimensional Framework for Enhancing Individual Well-Being
Provisionally accepted
Naoki Yoshinaga1*
Scott Cooper2- 1School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
- 2SWA San Francisco, SWA Group, San Francisco, United States
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This paper introduces a broader theoretical framework for assertiveness that integrates traditional social assertiveness with three additional dimensions: behavioral, emotional, and mental assertiveness. We delineate four distinct yet interrelated pathways of assertiveness, applying common, non-technical terminology: "speaking up" (social), "jumping in" (behavioral), "embracing compassion" (emotional), and "accepting life" (mental). These dimensions are situated within an integrative framework aimed at enhancing individual well-being through intentional and contextsensitive agency. Drawing from existing psychological theories (e.g., grit, self-regulation, empathy), we clarify how each facet is differentiated from related constructs or theories. Furthermore, we outline practical directions for empirical testing, including candidate self-report measures, behavioral tasks, and qualitative assessments. The proposed model offers a multidimensional basis for future research and intervention development.
Keywords: Assertiveness, Subjective well-being, happiness, Positive Psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, compassion, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Received: 13 Apr 2025; Accepted: 22 Jul 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Yoshinaga and Cooper. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Naoki Yoshinaga, School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
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