Research Database

Use the filters on the left to sort research by publication date, asset type, health asset, or health outcome.

July 2014
A Multidimensional Approach to Measuring Well-Being in Students: Application of the PERMA Framework
Martin Seligman's multidimensional theory of psychological well-being, PERMA (positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment), was empirically tested on a sample of Australian male students (age 13-18). Researchers selected a subset of theoretically relevant items from an extensive well-being assessment. Four of the fiver PERMA elements emerged from a factor analysis, along with two ill-being factors.
April 17, 2012
The Heart's Content: The Association Between Positive Psychological Well-Being and Cardiovascular Health
Positive psychological well-being, especially optimism, protects against the incidence, and somewhat against the progression, of cardiovascular disease through a broad array of mechanisms, according to this extensive literature review.
March 2011
Happy People Live Longer: Subjective Well-Being Contributes to Health and Longevity
In this study, researchers review seven types of evidence that shows high subjective well-being (SWB)--including life satisfaction, absence of negative emotions, optimism, and positive emotions--cause better health and longevity. Examples of each type of evidence are described, and issues such as causality, effect size, methodological rigor, whether too much happiness can be detrimental to health, and whether there is a threshold effect for SWB are discussed.

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