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Physiological Correlates of Mental Well-Being

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Mental Well-Being

Abstract

This chapter reviews research investigating physiological correlates of mental well-being including both hedonic and eudaimonic orientations of well-being and their common measures. This review makes it clear that there are consistent associations between different physiological systems and hedonic well-being in terms of positive affect; findings on the physiology of life satisfaction are unconvincing. Research investigating eudaimonic well-being is inconclusive but suggests that there are physiological correlates of psychological well-being. In particular, meaning, one of the dimensions of psychological well-being turns out to be strongly associated with physiology. This chapter concludes that additional research is needed to further clarify the physiological underpinnings of various aspects of mental well-being including both hedonic and eudaimonic orientations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden

    Petra Lindfors

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  1. Petra Lindfors
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Correspondence to Petra Lindfors .

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  1. , Dept. of Sociology, Emory University, Dickey Dr. 1555, Atlanta, 30322, Georgia, USA

    Corey L.M. Keyes

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Lindfors, P. (2013). Physiological Correlates of Mental Well-Being. In: Keyes, C. (eds) Mental Well-Being. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5195-8_12

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