Moving Beyond Disciplinary Silos Towards a Transdisciplinary Model of Wellbeing: An Invited Review

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Ecology

Background:

• The concept of wellbeing is criticized for promoting individualism and neglecting systemic issues like inequality and climate change.
• There is a growing need for a more comprehensive understanding of wellbeing that incorporates broader societal and environmental factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a theoretical framework, the GENIAL framework, that elucidates the multifaceted determinants of wellbeing.
• To define wellbeing as a positive psychological experience influenced by connections to self, community, and environment, supported by vagal function.
• To link the biopsychosocial underpinnings of wellbeing to a broader ecological context, addressing factors within and beyond individual control.

Main Methods:

• An interpretative framework was applied to existing literature and theory.
• A theoretical model was developed to integrate multiple domains and levels of scale influencing wellbeing.
• The framework emphasizes the interactions between individual, community, environmental, and socio-contextual factors.

Main Results:

• Wellbeing is defined as positive psychological experience, promoted by connections and healthy vagal function.
• Socio-contextual factors beyond individual control significantly impact wellbeing.
• Vagal function is shown to be interconnected with key wellbeing domains and influenced by broader contexts.

Conclusions:

• The GENIAL framework provides a foundation for a transdisciplinary science of wellbeing.
• This approach can promote individual wellbeing while contributing to solutions for major societal challenges.
• The framework highlights the reciprocal relationships between multiple factors influencing wellbeing across different scales.