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

TLDR

Psychological well‑being varies widely among individuals, with social factors and early environment playing a key role, and some drivers overlap with those of ill‑being while others are more selective. This review examines the causes and consequences of positive well‑being (flourishing), aiming to shift the field toward a fresh approach that focuses on personal and interpersonal flourishing rather than merely alleviating disorder. The review explores the neurobiological basis of psychological well‑being, presenting recent data on brain activation patterns and neurochemical pathways. A universal intervention approach is proposed that can simultaneously increase population flourishing and reduce common mental health problems.

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 well‐being, 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.