The DOI matches its Crossref record; 72 of the 73 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Promoting and protecting mental health as flourishing: A complementary strategy for improving national mental health.
Abstract
This article summarizes the conception and diagnosis of the mental health continuum, the findings supporting the two continua model of mental health and illness, and the benefits of flourishing to individuals and society. Completely mentally healthy adults--individuals free of a 12-month mental disorder and flourishing--reported the fewest missed days of work, the fewest half-day or greater work cutbacks, the healthiest psychosocial functioning (i.e., low helplessness, clear goals in life, high resilience, and high intimacy), the lowest risk of cardiovascular disease, the lowest number of chronic physical diseases with age, the fewest health limitations of activities of daily living, and lower health care utilization. However, the prevalence of flourishing is barely 20% in the adult population, indicating the need for a national program on mental health promotion to complement ongoing efforts to prevent and treat mental illness. Findings reveal a Black advantage in mental health as flourishing and no gender disparity in flourishing among Whites.
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In the citing paper
“Increasing evidence demonstrates that mental health or well-being is more than just the absence of mental illness (e.g., Keyes, 2007)”
From Trajectories of change in well-being during cognitive behavioral therapies for anxiety disorders: Quantifying the impact and covariation with improvements in anxiety (2020) · cites this paper as Keyes, 2007
In the citing paper
“Given the findings that subjective, psychological, and social well-being can contribute to a more complete understanding of mental and physical health (Keyes, 2007)”
From Trajectories of change in well-being during cognitive behavioral therapies for anxiety disorders: Quantifying the impact and covariation with improvements in anxiety (2020) · cites this paper as Keyes, 2007
In the citing paper
“Given the increasing evidence that mental health is more than just the absence of mental illness (Keyes, 2005, 2007)”
From Trajectories of change in well-being during cognitive behavioral therapies for anxiety disorders: Quantifying the impact and covariation with improvements in anxiety (2020) · cites this paper as Keyes, 2007
In the citing paper
“Often overlooked is the fact that psychological well-being is not the absence of ill-being (Diener 2000; Keyes 2007).”
From The role of passion in sustainable psychological well-being (2012) · cites this paper as Keyes 2007
In the citing paper
“According to Keyes absence of mental health problems (i.e. languishing) is not similar to good mental health (i.e. flourishing) and mental health should be seen as a continuum”
From Impact of organized activities on mental health in children and adolescents: An umbrella review (2022) · cites this paper as Keyes, 2007
In the citing paper
“Thus, university teachers felt that their professional activity and the quality of their teaching were affected (e.g., when they established a more distant relationship with students, had less ability to prepare classes or lacked mastery in the use of technological tools), and they felt less involvement and flourishing [41, 42].”
From Boundary violations and university teachers' well-being during mandatory telework: Recovery's role and gender differences (2024) · cites this paper as [42]
In the citing paper
“it has previously been established that health and mental illness work in a relatively independent manner [153]”
From Well-Being and Romantic Relationships: A Systematic Review in Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood (2019) · cites this paper as [153]
In the citing paper
“PPWB is associated with higher psychological functioning, 16 lower incidence of chronic diseases (e.g., gastrointestinal disease, arthritis), 18 lower risk of cardiovascular events, 19 and improved health behaviors such as regular exercise, restful sleep, and a decreased sedentary behavior. 1”
From Positive psychological well-being in women with obesity: A scoping review of qualitative and quantitative primary research (2022) · cites this paper as [18]
In the citing paper
“studies have shown that after correcting for psychopathology, low levels of positive mental health are associated with more somatic diseases, increased risk of developing a mental disorder, and decreased social and work-related functioning [56].”
In the citing paper
“The original version of the instrument obtained good internal consistency for the full scale (α = 0.74) and between acceptable and good internal consistency for the sub-scales (α = 0.59 and 0.70; Keyes, 2007 ).”
From A latent profile analysis of aggression and prosocial behavior in relation to adolescent wellbeing (2025) · cites this paper as Keyes, 2007
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
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“Similarly, much current thinking in psychology suggests that psychological health is broader than the absence of symptoms (Hayes et al., 1999; Keyes, 2007; Snyder & Lopez, 2002).”
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Flourishing Across Europe: Application of a New Conceptual Framework for Defining Well-Being
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“Rather than subjective well-being research unintentionally yielding mental health symptoms that mirror the symptoms of mental disorders (Keyes 2007) we have intentionally and systematically examined symptoms of the common mental disorders and proposed their mirror opposites as exemplifying the…”
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Background
Metadata
- Authors
- Keyes, C. L. M.
- Affiliations
- Emory University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Keyes, Corey L. M.
- ORCID
- Keyes, Corey L. M.
- Venue
- American Psychologist
- Published
- 2007
- Volume
- 62
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 95-108
- ISSN
- 0003-066X (ISSN-L)
- 1935-990X
- OpenAlex
- W2037808094
- Cited by
- 2,268
- References
- 73
- Citations by year
- 2026: 149 · 2025: 161 · 2024: 159 · 2023: 164 · 2022: 216 · 2021: 176 · 2020: 146 · 2019: 140 · 2018: 117 · 2017: 154 · 2016: 112 · 2015: 105 · 2014: 83 · 2013: 107 · 2012: 78
- FWCI
- 61.73
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Psychologist (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health, psychology, and well-being
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Keywords
- eudaimonia, mental health continuum, mental health promotion, mental illness prevention, psychosocial functioning, resilience, helplessness, cardiovascular risk, chronic physical illness, health care utilization, labor productivity, National Mental Health Policy
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Mental Disorders, Educational Status, Female, Health Promotion, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Middle Aged, Quality of Life, Sex Factors, Socioeconomic Factors, United States, Racial Groups
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