Cited by 54Psychological Well-being and Life SatisfactionPhysical Activity and HealthHealth, psychology, and well-being

Associations between lifestyle behaviours and optimal wellbeing in a diverse sample of New Zealand adults

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Prendergast, Kate B., Schofield, Grant M., Mackay, Lisa M.·2015·BMC Public Health

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In positive psychology optimal wellbeing is considered a broad, multi-dimensional construct encompassing both feelings and functioning. Yet, this notion of wellbeing has not been translated into public health. The purpose of this study is to integrate public health and positive psychology to determine associations between lifestyle behaviours and optimal wellbeing in a diverse sample of New Zealand adults. METHODS: A web-based survey design was employed to collect data. Participants reported on their wellbeing and lifestyle behaviours including nutrition, exercise, sedentary behaviour, and sleep. Optimal wellbeing was calculated using a multi-dimensional scale designed to mirror the internationally recognised diagnostic criteria for mental disorders. Binary logistic regression was used to calculate associations between 10 lifestyle behaviours and optimal wellbeing. RESULTS: Of the total sample (n = 9514), 24 % met the criteria for optimal wellbeing. Compared to reference groups, the association with optimal wellbeing was greater for those who reported exercising ≥ 7 times/week (odds ratio: 1.61, 95 % confidence interval: 1.22-2.13, p < 0.01) and sitting "almost none of the time" (1.87, 1.01-3.29, p < 0.01). Optimal wellbeing was lower for those reporting restless sleep "almost all of the time" (0.24, 95 % CI: 0.17-0.32 p < 0.01) and consuming sugary drinks 5-6 times/week (0.73, 95 % CI: 0.53-0.95, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Public health and positive psychology were integrated to provide support for a relationship between lifestyle behaviours and a multi-dimensional measure of optimal wellbeing. It is likely this relationship between lifestyle behaviours and optimal wellbeing is bidirectional giving rise to the debate that holistic approaches are needed to promote positive health.

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  • Positive psychological well-being (PPWB) is associated with improved physical health, mental well-being, and healthy behaviors.

    “Positive psychological well‐being (PPWB) is associated with improved physical health, mental well‐being, and healthy behaviors. 1”

    From Positive psychological well-being in women with obesity: A scoping review of qualitative and quantitative primary research (2022) · cites this paper as [1]

    The Conclusion (page unavailable) reports associations between optimal wellbeing and healthy behaviours, including exercise, sleep and sedentary behaviour. The Background describes optimal wellbeing in terms of positive mental functioning, but the paper does not establish a separate association with improved mental wellbeing. Nor does it show that positive psychological wellbeing is associated with improved physical health; it reports an association with BMI, not improvement in physical health. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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Authors
Prendergast, K. B., Schofield, G. M., & Mackay, L. M.
Affiliations
Auckland University of Technology (NZ)
Corresponding author
Prendergast, Kate B.
Venue
BMC Public Health
Published
2015-12
Volume
16
Issue
1
Pages
62-62
ISSN
1471-2458 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2258957433
Cited by
54
References
36
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 2
FWCI
3.83
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • BMC Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Tuwhera (Auckland University of Technology) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health, psychology, and well-being
Keywords
lifestyle habits, positive psychology, physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep quality, restless sleep, sugar-sweetened beverages, nutrition, mental health, New Zealand adults
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Diet, Female, Health Status, Humans, Life Style, Male, Mental Health, Middle Aged, New Zealand, Socioeconomic Factors, Health Behavior, Exercise, Logistic Models, Odds Ratio, Young Adult, Sedentary Behavior

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