Psychological Well‐being: Evidence Regarding its Causes and Consequences†

Abstract

This review focuses on positive aspects of well-being, or flourishing. It examines evidence for the causes of positive well-being and also its consequences, including beneficial effects for many aspects of cognitive functioning, health, and social relationships. The neurobiological basis of psychological well-being is examined, and recent data on brain activation and neurochemical pathways are presented. Individuals vary widely in their habitual level of psychological wellbeing, and there is evidence for a seminal role of social factors and the early environment in this process. It is often assumed that the drivers of well-being are the same as (but in the opposite direction to) the drivers of ill-being, but while this is true for some drivers, others have more selective effects. Future developments in the science of well-being and its application require a fresh approach-beyond targeting the alleviation of disorder to a focus on personal and interpersonal flourishing. A universal intervention approach is outlined which may both increase population flourishing and reduce common mental health problems.

Individual difference in configural associative learning.

“…Flexibility of human learning is an adaptive feature contributing to wellbeing (Beddington, Cooper, Field et al, 2008;Huppert, 2009). For instance, a behaviour that is appropriate in one circumstance may not be appropriate in a similar circumstance.…”

O trabalho e seus sentidos: um estudo com peritos criminais da Polícia Federal

“…These three are considered to be indicators of the quality of psychological life at work, according to the experience of Vilas Boas and Morin (2013Morin ( , 2014. They sustain the idea that the experience of meaning is related to the experience of psychological health, associated not only with psychological well-being (Huppert, 2009;Veit and Ware, 1983), but also with an affective commitment to the organization (Meyer and Allen, 1991) and low levels of psychological distress (Veit and Ware, 1983).…”

“…Huppert (2009) points out that psychological well-being has evolved from a concept related to the notion of the absence of dysfunction or poor adaptation to the social environment, to notions related to the development of an individual's potential, having control over one's own life, and having plans and objectives to achieve as well as positive experiences in social relations. This being so, as Morin did on her own (2008) and jointly in Vilas Boas and Morin (2013Morin ( , 2014, we will assume the hypothesis that meaning is an indicator of the presence of psychological well-being at work.…”

“…The experience of painful emotions (deception, failure, mourning, for example) is a normal part of life and being able to manage these negative or painful emotions is essential to long-term well-being. However, it can be compromised when negative emotions are extreme or last a long time and interfere in the ability of a person to function in his or her daily life (Huppert, 2009). Massé and partners (1998) demonstrate that psychological well-being and psychological distress are different but complementary mental states.…”

Socialinio tinklo dydis, asmenybė ir gerovė prieš pensiją ir pensijoje

“…In Lithuania, this problem became even more pressing due to the extreme rates of emigration, which is more prevalent among younger adults (Thaut, 2009). Thus, focus on the well-being of retired adults, as well as people approaching retirement, has been growing in epidemiological research, social sciences and, most importantly, in the psychological domain (Huppert, 2009;Wang & Shi, 2014).…”