Well-being theory (WBT) proposes five indicators of well-being [i.e., positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, achievement (PERMA)] that are, independently, empirically supported predictors of flourishing (i.e., an optimal level of well-being; Seligman in Flourish: a visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. Free Press, NY, 2011). However, there is limited empirical support for the multidimensional model suggested by WBT. Two studies sought to test and validate the higher-order factor structure of the five components of PERMA and PERMA's ability to predict concurrent and prospective flourishing outcomes (e.g., physical health, college success). In Study 1, a longitudinal examination of college students, participants completed measures of wellbeing (including four of the five PERMA indicators), physical health, and college success at the end of their sophomore, junior, and senior years. In Study 2, a larger, cross-sectional study was conducted online to further validate the PERMA model with a broader sample and all five PERMA indicators. Participants completed measures similar to those administered at Study 1 and other measures used to validate Study 1 measures. Results from Study 2 further validated the PERMA model by comparing Study 1 measures to established measures and by adding meaning to the model. Study 1 and Study 2 PERMA models predicted markers of well-being (e.g., vitality, life satisfaction) and flourishing (e.g., physical health). The two studies reported here provide cross-sectional and longitudinal support that WBT is useful for predicting flourishing.

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Although much is written about the impact of deployment on nondeployed spouses (NDSs) and couple relationships, few empirical studies address this directly. Using attachment theory as a guiding framework, this study followed 32 NDSs across a military deployment. We examined the prospective association between NDSs' attachment avoidance and their response to relational challenges (assessed using both correlational and experimental designs) during a deployment. Two weeks before deployment, NDSs provided self-reports of their attachment avoidance and relationship satisfaction. During the deployment, they provided stream-of-consciousness speech samples regarding (a) the deployment and (b) their anticipated reunion with their spouse: after each speech sample they reported on their subjective anxiety. Based on random assignment, NDSs then completed either an experimenter-led "personal" or "relational" memory savoring task, reporting on their emotional state before and after the task. Two JESSICA L. BORELLI received her PhD in clinical psychology from Yale University and completed her predoctoral clinical internship at University of California, Los Angeles's Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. She is currently an assistant professor of psychology at Pomona College in Claremont, California. Her research program focuses on attachment relationships, emotion, parenting, and the goal of developing attachment-based interventions to enhance well-being. DAVID A. SBARRA received his PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Virginia. He is an associate professor of Psychology at the University of Arizona, where he also serves as director of Clinical Training. The focus of his research is on close relationships and health, especially the stress that follows social separations like divorce and military deployment. JONATHAN E. SNAVELY received his MA in psychology and evaluation from Claremont Graduate University, where he is now pursuing a doctorate in applied social psychology. His primary research investigates the differential impact of relational and collective self-construal on social cognition, especially in relation to prosocial behavior, health, and the meaningmaking process. DANA L. MCMAKIN received her PhD in clinical child psychology from the University of Denver and completed her predoctoral clinical internship

Few empirical studies have focused on young children's happiness (high positive affect and low negative affect) and specifically whether it is related to adult wellbeing. Adult well-being indices (e.g., life satisfaction, workplace hope, and optimism) may have developmental roots in early affect. In the 28-year Fullerton Longitudinal Study (N = 129) we examined positive affect and negative affect as independent constructs during infancy (parent report) and adolescence (self-report) to determine their relationship to global adult life satisfaction (self-report). In addition, we tested the generalizability of the effects of positive and negative affect in relation to domain-specific adult well-being constructs (i.e., workplace hope and optimism), which hold utility for concurrent and prospective well-being. Structural equation modeling revealed that positive affect during infancy and adolescence each uniquely predicted adult life satisfaction. In a separate model for a subsample of employed adults, infant positive affect showed significant positive associations with workplace hope and optimism. Neither infant nor adolescent negative affect predicted any adult well-being outcomes. Our results highlight the need for more developmental studies examining the relationship between children's positive and negative affect and long-term well-being.

Objective: This commentary reviews current conceptualizations of well-being, examines explanations for the lack of attention to well-being research, and provides justification for investing research time and funding into well-being studies. Opportunities for integrating factors related to well-being into prevention and intervention programs are also outlined. Key Points: Well-being may motivate people toward success, improve health and longevity, strengthen relationships, and boost the economy. Well-being can be enhanced in easy and inexpensive ways by incorporating facets of well-being into already-existing individual and systems-level intervention or prevention programs. Implications: Future research into this important construct should focus on objective means to assess and predict well-being, as well as strategies to enhance well-being across the life span. Investing more research time and financial resources into the study and promotion of well-being has the potential to lead to profound and enduring benefits to individuals, communities, and the larger society.