It’s not all in the mind

psychobiological correlates and consequences of positive wellbeing

Positive wellbeing has been characterised as simply as feelings of happiness although other conceptualisations of positive wellbeing incorporate feelings of mastery, social connections and living with a sense of purpose. Positive wellbeing is influenced by daily experiences and life events, which exert unique and interactive effects on health via changes in biological systems linked to changes in positive wellbeing. This seminar will examine individual differences and intra-individual change in positive wellbeing, and discuss how these changes are incorporated into models of health over the lifespan. The discussion will draw from several prospective and intervention studies of the association of psychological and physical wellbeing. The findings will be described with reference to models of health, and the potential for health interventions using a positive psychology framework.

Organised by the Health and Aging research cluster

Links

Whitaker Institute Seminar Series