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Predicting mental health and well-being in adulthood
Kay Wilhelm1, Lucinda Wedgwood, Gordon Parker
1School of Psychiatry and Black Dog University, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. kwilhelm@stvincents.com.au
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
|February 11, 2010
Summary
This study explored factors predicting mental well-being, comparing mental health (lack of disorder) and dispositional optimism. Key predictors for both included fewer adverse life events and higher self-esteem, highlighting shared protective factors for psychological wellness.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Traditional research focused on risk factors for mental disorders.
- Recent research emphasizes factors predicting positive mental well-being.
- Understanding predictors of mental well-being is crucial for intervention development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare two conceptualizations of mental well-being: mental health (absence of disorder) and dispositional optimism.
- To identify significant predictors for each definition of mental well-being.
- To discuss the implications of these definitions for future research and practice.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a longitudinal study dataset.
- Employed logistic and linear regression analyses.
- Compared predictors for mental health (lack of DSM caseness) and dispositional optimism.
Main Results:
- Mental health predictors: fewer adverse life events, higher self-esteem, greater social support, less anticipated depressogenic effects.
- Optimism predictors: fewer adverse life events, higher self-esteem, lower neuroticism, higher femininity.
- Identified overlapping and distinct predictors for both well-being constructs.
Conclusions:
- Both mental health and dispositional optimism can serve as proxies for mental well-being when direct measures are unavailable.
- Highlights the need for precise conceptualizations of mental well-being.
- Emphasizes the importance of objective measures in guiding future mental well-being research.
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