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The challenge of defining wellbeing
Open accessAbstract
Wellbeing is a growing area of research, yet the question of how it should be defined remains unanswered.This multi-disciplinary review explores past attempts to define wellbeing and provides an overview of the main theoretical perspectives, from the work of Aristotle to the present day.The article argues that many attempts at expressing its nature have focused purely on dimensions of wellbeing, rather than on definition.Among these theoretical perspectives, we highlight the pertinence of dynamic equilibrium theory of wellbeing (Headey & Wearing, 1989), the effect of life challenges on homeostasis (Cummins, 2010) and the lifespan model of development (Hendry & Kloep, 2002).Consequently, we conclude that it would be appropriate for a new definition of wellbeing to centre on a state of equilibrium or balance that can be affected by life events or challenges.The article closes by proposing this new definition, which we believe to be simple, universal in application, optimistic and a basis for measurement.This definition conveys the multi-faceted nature of wellbeing and can help individuals and policy makers move forward in their understanding of this popular term.
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“Being a multi-dimensional construct, the definition of psychological well-being, or the elements emphasized, change depending on the context in which it is studied (Dodge et al., 2012).”
From Psychological Well-Being and Its Relationships with Active and Passive Procrastination (2015) · cites this paper as Dodge et al., 2012
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“The quest for a single definition of wellbeing is a quest as yet unresolved (Dodge, et al., 2012) and definitions currently in use are various.”
From A GROUNDED THEORY EXPLORATION OF WELLBEING FOR WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN FORCIBLY DISPLACED AS A RESULT OF TRAUMA CAUSED BY CONFLICT, BASED ON THE EXPERIENCE OF PARTICIPANTS LIVING IN UGANDA (2025) · cites this paper as Dodge, et al., 2012
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“Fundamental to the challenge of measuring well-being is the extent of disagreement over its definition9 and theoretical basis.8”
From Review of 99 self-report measures for assessing well-being in adults: exploring dimensions of well-being and developments over time (2016) · cites this paper as [9]
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Metadata
- Authors
- Dodge, R., Daly, A., Huyton, J., & Sanders, L.
- Affiliations
- Cardiff Metropolitan University (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Dodge, Rachel
- Venue
- International Journal of Wellbeing
- Publisher
- International Journal of Wellbeing
- Published
- 2012-08-28
- Volume
- 2
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 222-235
- ISSN
- 1179-8602 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4250386232
- Cited by
- 2,166
- References
- 67
- Citations by year
- 2026: 126 · 2025: 158 · 2024: 227 · 2023: 252 · 2022: 281 · 2021: 291 · 2020: 223 · 2019: 177 · 2018: 118 · 2017: 113 · 2016: 82 · 2015: 59 · 2014: 41 · 2013: 13
- FWCI
- 54.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by-nc-nd
- Locations
- International Journal of Wellbeing (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Cardiff Metropolitan Research Repository (Cardiff Metropolitan University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health, psychology, and well-being
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Quality of Life Measurement
- Keywords
- well-being, homeostasis, life problems, lifespan development, Aristotle, well-being measurement, life events
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