Researchers recently made a breakthrough establishing the shared definition of positive mental well-being, based on the first international consensus.
In a groundbreaking study led by Adelaide University and Be Well Co, the team surveyed 122 global experts from 11 disciplines and created a standardized taxonomy to replace previously fragmented and inconsistent definitions of mental wellbeing.
The findings published in Nature mental healthhas laid the foundation for positive mental health based on six widely accepted pillars, including:
- Meaning and purpose: Feeling that life is worthwhile and purposeful
- Life satisfaction: providing an overall positive evaluation of one’s life
- Self-acceptance: Encouraging individuals to maintain a non-judgmental and positive view of themselves
- Autonomy: the feeling of having control over one’s own choices and self-expression
- Connection: having meaningful relationships
- Happiness: positive mood and cheerfulness
University of Adelaide researcher Dr Matthew Iasiello said: “By agreeing that positive mental health is not a single feeling, but a combination of how we feel, how we function and how we connect with others, the research brings much-needed clarity to the field.”
“For too long, mental well-being has been defined in different ways across research, healthcare and government, making it almost impossible to compare evidence or design effective policy,” he added.
The study also confirms that positive mental health is different from the absence of mental illness. Individuals can experience high levels of well-being even while living with a mental illness.
What is positive mental health?
“Positive mental health is not about feeling good all the time,” says Dr. Matthew Iasiello.
It’s about having a combination of emotional well-being, psychological functioning, and social connection that allows one to live a meaningful, manageable life, even in difficult times.
“In this way, positive mental health is less about feeling good all the time and more about having the right combination of factors to cope, live well and experience life as meaningful.”
“Understanding what constitutes positive mental wellbeing helps individuals and organizations focus on what can really make a difference,” said Dr Joep van Agteren, co-researcher from the University of Adelaide and Be Well Co.
“For the first time, we have a scientifically agreed blueprint for what good mental health actually looks like – and that changes everything,” he explained.
