Conceptualising toxic positivity - definition, dimensions, antecedents and consequences: a scoping review of the literature.

Toxic positivity has emerged as a critical area of concern in the discourse on mental health and well-being. Despite its relevance, toxic positivity remains underexplored as a psychological construct, with limited empirical research, standard definitions, or validated measurement tools. This scoping review aims to conceptualise toxic positivity by addressing specific research questions: What is (are) the (1) definition; (2) dimensions; (3) antecedents; and (4) consequences of toxic positivity? The review includes both academic and grey literature published in English between January 2011 and June 2024. Data from 59 selected studies were charted based on the Arksey and O'Malley framework. Using a narrative synthesis, toxic positivity was understood as a socially enforced and overgeneralised norm that compels the performance and pursuit of happiness across all situations, fosters biased cognitive appraisals toward unfailingly positive expectations, dismisses or minimises negative emotional experience, and inhibits the expression of genuine negative emotions. Four key dimensions were identified as emotional suppression, emotional invalidation, unrealistic optimism, and disingenuous happiness. Antecedents include sociocultural (social media influence, cultural and historical influences, societal expectations and misinterpretation of positive psychology traditions), and emotional factors (self-protection). The varied consequences discussed are at intrapersonal, interpersonal, and socio-cultural levels.