Psychological Well-Being, Dimensions of

Thomas V. Merluzzi & Anthony D. Ong

Psychological well-being (PWB) is a theory of positive psychological functioning that focuses on the human capacity to develop, function effectively, and flourish. Theoretical beliefs about what constitutes PWB derive from the philosophical and psychological writings of Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers. For Maslow, human behavior was characterized by movement toward self-actualization and, at the same time, limited by more basic processes such as physiological and safety needs. Actualization is attainable only if basic needs were met. Rogers shared the perspective that self-actualization is an inherent possibility and posited that certain interpersonal conditions, such as empathy, respect, and genuineness, facilitate movement toward self-actualization. Thus, consistent with Maslow and Rogers, current PWB theory holds that the development of human potential involves two processes: (1) ...

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