Llewellyn Ellardus van Zyl

@optentia.co.za

Professor (Extraordinary) & Professor (Assistant)
Optentia Research Unit

Llewellyn Ellardus van Zyl
Llewellyn van Zyl ( is an internationally recognised positive psychologist and thought leader in the strengths-based talent assessment, development and optimisation space. He holds an extraordinary professorship in positive psychology with the Optentia Research Unit at the North-West University and is currently attached to the Eindhoven University of Technology. He also serves as the Co-Speciality Chief Editor of Frontiers in Psychology (Positive Psychology). Over the last 15 years, he has pioneered new frontiers in data-driven, technology infused talent assessment methodologies and development strategies as both a distinguished behavioral scientist and accomplished management consultant for major global organisations. As an applied positive psychological scientist, Llewellyn's groundbreaking research has led to the development of cutting-edge talent assessment tools, evidence-based coaching models, and strengths-based interventions that unlocks human performance. He is one of th

EDUCATION

PhD in Industrial Psychology
97

Scopus Publications

4779

Scholar Citations

39

Scholar h-index

77

Scholar i10-index

Scopus Publications

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • The unintended negative consequences of artificial intelligence use for psychologists
    LE Van Zyl
    Frontiers in Psychology 17, 1729050 , 2026
    2026
    Citations: 7
  • The AI-IARA framework: How to cultivate human agency before artificial intelligence optimizes it a (ny) way
    LE Van Zyl
    The Journal of Positive Psychology, 1-19 , 2026
    2026
    Citations: 4
  • The French Grit-O Scale: Psychometric Properties and Associations with Engagement, Performance, and Well-Being
    N Elimari, C Nguyen, N Verger, R Shankland, L van Zyl, Q Hallez
    OSF , 2026
    2026
  • The competence paradox: when psychologists overestimate their understanding of Artificial Intelligence
    LE van Zyl
    AI & SOCIETY, 1-15 , 2026
    2026
    Citations: 5
  • Cracks in the JD-R model? The failure of strengths use, job crafting, and home-work spillover to support wellbeing during COVID-19
    LE Van Zyl, MA Cornelisse, S Rothmann Sr
    Frontiers in Psychology 16, 1532083 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 9
  • The Identification and Structure of Strengths within the LGBTQIA+ Community: A Qualitative and Empowered Thematic Investigation
    JJ Klibert, N DiGregorio, H Houseman, M Shields, D Edward, E Murphy, ...
    International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology 10 (2), 40 , 2025
    2025
  • Psychometric validation of the self-compassion scale and the link of self-compassion to managerial flourishing in South Africa
    M Ford, S Rothmann, LE Van Zyl
    BMC Psychology 13 (597), 1-16 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 3
  • Why Do We Keep Investing In Wellbeing Interventions That Don’t Work
    LE van Zyl
    Italian Society for Positive Psychology Conference/ Sicily, Italy., 1-20 , 2025
    2025
  • Beyond universal prescriptions: Toward a person-centered, bottom-up science of wellbeing
    LE van Zyl, BJ Dik
    International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology 10 (1), 1-24 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 9
  • Exploring Potential Solutions to the Criticisms of Positive Psychology: Can the Bold, Idealistic Visions of Positive Psychologists Survive Real-World Scrutiny?
    LE Van Zyl
    Frontiers in Psychology 16 (1511128), 1-15 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 5
  • Gratitude in the time of the coronavirus: A thematic analysis of the three good things in young adults
    Z Di Blasi, M O’Doherty, LE van Zyl
    International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology 9 (2), 1-19 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 4
  • Positive organisational psychology 2.0: Embracing the technological revolution
    LE van Zyl, BJ Dik, SI Donaldson, JJ Klibert, Z Di Blasi, J Van Wingerden, ...
    The Journal of Positive Psychology 19 (4), 699-711 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 61
  • The psychometric properties of the psychological work immersion scale: An ESEM vs ICM-CFA approach
    LE Van Zyl, D Veldsman
    International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology 9 (1), 251-286 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 7
  • The Critiques and Criticisms of Positive Psychology: A Systematic Review
    LE van Zyl, J Gaffaney, L van der Vaart, BJ Dik, SI Donaldson
    The Journal of Positive Psychology, 1-30 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 328
  • The Study Demands and Resources Scale: Psychometric Properties, Longitudinal Invariance and Criterion Validity
    LE Van Zyl, R Shankland, J Klibert, NB Verger, S Rothmann, V Cho, ...
    Frontiers in Education 9, 1409099 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 8
  • Compassion, Secure Flourishing, and Organizational Commitment of Managers
    M Ford, S Rothmann, LE Van Zyl
    Frontiers in Organizational Psychology 2, 1383378 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 3
  • The Academic Task Performance Scale: Psychometric Properties, and Measurement Invariance Across Ages, Genders and Nations
    LE Van Zyl, J Klibert, R Shankland, J Stavros, M Cole, NB Verger, ...
    Frontiers in Education 9, 1281859 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 12
  • The Holistic Life-Crafting Model: a systematic literature review of meaning-making behaviors
    LE van Zyl, NCM Custers, BJ Dik, L van der Vaart, J Klibert
    Frontiers in psychology 14, 1271188 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 32
  • Person-environment fit and task performance: exploring the role (s) of grit as a personal resource
    LE van Zyl, HA Van Vuuren, LC Roll, MW Stander
    Current Psychology 42 (27), 23560-23579 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 58
  • Spirituality and positive psychology
    N Roussiau, CR Bellehumeur, C Bilodeau, O Navarro, N Bailly, ...
    Frontiers in psychology 14, 1202359 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 9

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • The Critiques and Criticisms of Positive Psychology: A Systematic Review
    LE van Zyl, J Gaffaney, L van der Vaart, BJ Dik, SI Donaldson
    The Journal of Positive Psychology, 1-30 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 328
  • Exploratory Structural Equation Modelling: Practical Guidelines and Tutorial with a Convenient Online Tool for Mplus
    LE Van Zyl, PM ten Klooster
    Frontiers in Psychiatry 12 (795672), 1-28 , 2022
    2022
    Citations: 298
  • PERMA+ 4: A Framework for Work-Related Wellbeing, Performance and Positive Organizational Psychology 2.0
    SI Donaldson, LE van Zyl, SI Donaldson
    Frontiers in Psychology 12, 1-16 , 2022
    2022
    Citations: 277
  • Towards happiness: Experiences of work-role fit, meaningfulness and work engagement of industrial/organisational psychologists in South Africa
    LE Van Zyl, E Deacon, S Rothmann
    SA Journal of Industrial Psychology 36 (1), 1-10 , 2010
    2010
    Citations: 218
  • Leadership empowering behaviour, psychological empowerment, organisational citizenship behaviours and turnover intention in a manufacturing division
    J Bester, MW Stander, LE Van Zyl
    SA Journal of Industrial Psychology 41 (1), 1-14 , 2015
    2015
    Citations: 209
  • Work engagement and task performance within a global Dutch ICT-consulting firm: The mediating role of innovative work behaviors
    LE Van Zyl, A Van Oort, S Rispens, C Olckers
    Current Psychology 40 (8), 4012-4023 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 195
  • The concept and components of engagement in different domains applied to eHealth: A systematic scoping review
    S Kelders, LE Van Zyl, G Ludden
    Frontiers in Psychology 11 (967) , 2020
    2020
    Citations: 195
  • Research methodology for the economic and management sciences
    LE van Zyl
    Pearson Education , 2014
    2014
    Citations: 166
  • Positive psychological coaching definitions and models: a systematic literature review
    LE van Zyl, LC Roll, MW Stander, S Richter
    Frontiers in psychology 11, 793 , 2020
    2020
    Citations: 146
  • Positive Psychological Intervention Design and Protocols for Multi-Cultural Contexts
    L Van Zyl, S Rothmann
    Springer , 2019
    2019
    Citations: 116
  • The general academic self-efficacy scale: Psychometric properties, longitudinal invariance, and criterion validity
    LE van Zyl, J Klibert, R Shankland, EWK See-To, S Rothmann
    Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment 40 (6), 777-789 , 2022
    2022
    Citations: 95
  • Grand Challenges for Positive Psychology: Future Perspectives and Opportunities
    LE van Zyl, S Rothmann
    Frontiers in Psychology 13 (833057), 1-26 , 2022
    2022
    Citations: 89
  • Effectiveness of an online positive psychology intervention among Tunisian healthcare students on mental health and study engagement during the Covid‐19 pandemic
    I Krifa, Q Hallez, LE van Zyl, A Braham, J Sahli, S Ben Nasr, R Shankland
    Applied Psychology: Health and Well‐Being 14 (4), 1228-1254 , 2022
    2022
    Citations: 82
  • Mental health during COVID-19 pandemic: the role of optimism and emotional regulation
    I Krifa, LE van Zyl, A Braham, S Ben Nasr, R Shankland
    International journal of environmental research and public health 19 (3), 1413 , 2022
    2022
    Citations: 75
  • Flourishing of students in a tertiary education institution in South Africa
    LE Van Zyl, S Rothmann
    Journal of Psychology in Africa 22 (4), 593-599 , 2012
    2012
    Citations: 70
  • High‐involvement HRM and innovative behaviour: The mediating roles of nursing staff's autonomy and affective commitment
    M Renkema, J de Leede, LE Van Zyl
    Journal of nursing management 29 (8), 2499-2514 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 68
  • Longitudinal trajectories of study characteristics and mental health before and during the COVID-19 lockdown
    LE Van Zyl, S Rothmann, MAJ Zondervan-Zwijnenburg
    Frontiers in psychology 12, 633533 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 68
  • Positive psychological coaching tools and techniques: A systematic review and classification
    S Richter, LE Van Zyl, LC Roll, MW Stander
    Frontiers in psychiatry 12, 667200 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 66
  • Beyond smiling: The evaluation of a positive psychological intervention aimed at student happiness
    LE Van Zyl, S Rothmann
    Journal of Psychology in Africa 22 (3), 369-384 , 2012
    2012
    Citations: 64
  • Positive organisational psychology 2.0: Embracing the technological revolution
    LE van Zyl, BJ Dik, SI Donaldson, JJ Klibert, Z Di Blasi, J Van Wingerden, ...
    The Journal of Positive Psychology 19 (4), 699-711 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 61