People can be happy in different ways. For example, some people are delighted when surrounded by loved ones, while others find happiness in their work or hobbies. Many things can make people happy, and what makes one person happy may not make another person happy.
Some people believe that everyone has the potential to be happy and that happiness is a choice. Others believe that happiness comes naturally to some people and that people cannot force it.
There are so many definitions of happiness in psychology, and even more if experts take individual experiences in mind. However, there is one psychological variable that has the capability of explaining it. That variable is Psychological well-being or PWB.
What is Psychological Well-Being (PWB) in Psychology?
PWB is a multidimensional concept that includes cognitive, affective, and evaluative components of an individual’s current life satisfaction. The three parts are:
- Cognitive component: This refers to the individual’s beliefs and judgments about life. It includes things like self-esteem, optimism, and purpose in life.
- Affective component: refers to the individual’s emotions and feelings about their life. It includes things like happiness, joy, and contentment.
- Evaluative component: This refers to the individual’s overall evaluation of their life. It includes things like satisfaction with life and positive affect balance.
Essentially, if we have to put it in a single statement, PWB is an individual’s perspective on what makes their life satisfactory, desirable, and in some cases, happy.
PWB plays a significant role in preventing mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety.
PWB, Depression, and Anxiety
Depression and anxiety are two of the most common mental disorders. They are both characterized by negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
PWB is inversely related to both depression and anxiety. An inverse relationship means that the higher an individual’s PWB, the lower their depression and anxiety levels.
PWB has also been found to be a predictor of resilience to stressors. As a predictor, it has been found that individuals with high PWB are more likely to bounce back from stressful life events than those with low PWB.
PWB has also been related to physical health. Studies have found that individuals with high PWB are more likely to have better physical health, even after controlling for other variables such as age and lifestyle choices.
What Are the Factors That Affect Psychological Well-Being?
Many factors can affect an individual’s PWB. Some of these factors are within the individual’s control, while others are not.
Some of the factors that can affect PWB include:
- Age: Older adults tend to have lower PWB than younger adults. Older adults often experience more negative life events such as retirement, widowhood, and chronic health problems.
- Gender: Women tend to have lower PWB than men. Women tend to experience more negative life events such as gender discrimination, sexual harassment, and juggling work and family responsibilities.
- Socioeconomic status: Individuals with lower socioeconomic status tend to have lower PWB than those with higher socioeconomic status. This is likely because individuals with lower socioeconomic status often have less access to resources that can improve their lives.
What Can You Do to Improve Your Psychological Well-Being?
There are many things that you can do to improve your PWB. Some of these things are within your control, while others are not.
Some of the things that you can do to improve your PWB include:
- Choose to be happy: One of the most important things that you can do to improve your PWB is to be satisfied. This means focusing on the positive aspects of your life and not dwelling on the negative.
- Find meaning and purpose in your life: Another essential thing that you can do to improve your PWB is find meaning and purpose in your life. This means doing something that you are passionate about, which makes you feel good.
- Develop strong social relationships: Another important thing you can do to improve your PWB is to develop strong social connections. This means surrounding yourself with people who make you feel good and support you.
- Set goals and work towards them: Another essential thing that you can do to improve your PWB is to set goals and work towards
- Support the elderly: Among everything else. First, you must support your grandparents the best way you can. Having a high PWB is a primary concern among the elderly, and you can do so by getting help from home health agencies near you. They can help you care for your grandparents while also providing companionship.
Final Thoughts
PWB is an essential aspect of our lives that often gets overlooked. It is important to remember that PWB plays a significant role in our mental and physical health. We can do many things to improve our PWB, and it is crucial to make an effort to do so.
