The nature and nurture of wellbeing

Abstract

Psychological research has contributed to considerable progress in understanding and treating mental illness, however, we know much less about mental health and wellbeing, and how we can promote human flourishing (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). Studying what goes well in life, and how to improve wellbeing and foster human potential are central aims in positive psychology. Professor Martin Seligman highlighted the need to move beyond the disease model in his inaugural speech as President of the American Psychological Association in 1998 and, in doing so, galvanized the field of positive psychology. Since 1998, positive psychology has blossomed, and has contributed to some important insights into what it means to be mentally healthy, and how wellbeing is linked to successful outcomes, including physical health and longevity (e.g., Fredrickson, 1998; Howell, Kern, & Lyubomirsky, 2007; Lyubomirsky, King, & Diener, 2005).