Humility, non-judgment and frugality in the Orthodox Christian tradition: Theoretical background for the development of positive psychology interventions

Abstract

This study explores the conceptual and methodological integration of three fundamental Christian virtues—humility, non-judgment, and frugality—into the framework of positive psychology. While positive psychology has developed evidence-based interventions that cultivate character strengths and promote wellbeing, it often remains disconnected from religious and spiritual traditions that historically shaped corresponding virtues. Drawing on biblical, patristic, and ascetic sources, this work examines how these three virtues are described, practiced, and cultivated within Orthodox Christian spirituality, and proposes their operationalization as psychological constructs that can enrich contemporary wellbeing interventions. A review of the relevant psychological literature shows that humility is comparatively well-studied, with established measurement tools and initial intervention efforts, whereas non-judgment and frugality remain underdeveloped constructs with limited empirical frameworks. Through conceptual analysis, the study identifies cognitive, emotional, and behavioral components of each virtue that can be translated into measurable traits and potentially enhanced through structured interventions. The goal is not to secularize or fragment Christian virtues, but to articulate aspects of these qualities that can be meaningfully and ethically incorporated into positive psychology, contributing to a deeper understanding of human flourishing. The proposed framework sets the basis for future empirical research and interdisciplinary dialogue between psychology and Christian theological anthropology.