Introduction of Well-Being Scale

1. Introduction
Well-being has become a central theme in modern psychology, health sciences, and

social studies. In simple terms, well-being refers to the overall quality of an individual’s

life, including their physical health, emotional stability, social relationships, and sense of

meaning or purpose. It is more than just the absence of illness; rather, it represents a

state of flourishing where individuals feel happy, capable, and connected to their

environment.

The importance of well-being has grown in recent decades with the development of

Positive Psychology, a movement initiated by Martin Seligman in the late 1990s.

Positive psychology emphasizes strengths, virtues, and positive experiences rather than

focusing only on pathology and treatment of disorders. Within this framework, well-being

is seen as an essential indicator of human progress and a goal of psychological

intervention.

Therefore, studying well-being is not only useful in academic research but also vital in

real life. It helps us understand why some individuals thrive even in difficult

circumstances while others struggle despite having resources. Well-being provides

insights into how people can live meaningful, purposeful, and satisfying lives.

2. Meaning and Definitions of Well-Being

2.1 Meaning
The word “well-being” comes from two simple words: “well” meaning health, balance,

and positivity, and “being” meaning existence. Together, they imply a state of healthy

and satisfactory living. In psychology, well-being is used to describe the extent to which
individuals evaluate their lives positively, function effectively, and experience harmony

within themselves and with others.

2.2 Definitions
Different scholars and organizations have defined well-being in varied ways:

●​ World Health Organization (1948): Health is not just the absence of disease but
“a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.”
●​ Ed Diener (1984): Defined Subjective Well-Being as consisting of life satisfaction,
positive affect, and low negative affect.
●​ Carol Ryff (1989): Described Psychological Well-Being through six
dimensions—autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive
relations, purpose in life, and self-acceptance.
●​ Corey Keyes (1998): Added the dimension of Social Well-Being, emphasizing
social contribution, social integration, and social acceptance.
From these definitions, it becomes clear that well-being is a broad and multidimensional

concept involving happiness, fulfillment, and effective functioning.

3. Historical Background of Well-Being

3.1 Ancient Indian Perspective

In Indian philosophy, well-being has always been seen as a union of body, mind, and

spirit. Practices like Yoga, Meditation, and Ayurveda aimed not only at curing illness but

also at achieving inner balance and peace. The Bhagavad Gita highlights that a

disciplined lifestyle, control over desires, and spiritual awareness are essential for true

well-being.

3.2 Greek Perspective

In ancient Greece, philosophers gave different interpretations of well-being. Aristotle’s

concept of “Eudaimonia” emphasized living according to virtue and fulfilling one’s

potential. Epicurus, however, described well-being as pleasure, but he clarified that real

pleasure lies in inner peace, freedom from fear, and absence of pain.
3.3 Modern Psychological Perspective
For much of the 20th century, psychology focused mainly on illness and mental

disorders. However, with the works of Bradburn (1969) on happiness and Diener (1984)

on subjective well-being, the focus shifted to positive experiences. The Positive

Psychology movement, led by Martin Seligman, later brought well-being to the center of

psychology. Today, various models and scales have been developed to measure and

enhance well-being.

4. Theoretical Perspectives of Well-Being

Well-being can be understood through different theoretical approaches. Each provides a

different lens for interpreting what makes life meaningful and satisfying.

4.1 Hedonic Approach (Pleasure-Based)

The hedonic perspective suggests that well-being is about maximizing pleasure and

minimizing pain. It focuses on happiness, enjoyment, and life satisfaction. According to

this approach, a person with high positive emotions and fewer negative emotions is

considered to have high well-being.

4.2 Eudaimonic Approach (Meaning-Based)

In contrast to the hedonic view, the eudaimonic approach emphasizes living according

to one’s true self and fulfilling personal potential. It argues that well-being comes not

from temporary pleasures but from growth, self-realization, and having a meaningful

purpose in life.

4.3 PERMA Model (Seligman, 2011)

Seligman’s PERMA model offers a comprehensive framework:

●​ P – Positive Emotions: Experiencing joy, gratitude, hope.

●​ E – Engagement: Being deeply absorbed in activities (flow state).
●​ R – Relationships: Having positive, supportive social connections.
 ●​ M – Meaning: Living with purpose beyond oneself.
●​ A – Accomplishment: Pursuing goals and feeling a sense of achievement.

4.4 Ryff’s Six-Factor Model of Psychological Well-Being

Ryff proposed that well-being is not just about feeling good but about functioning well.

Her model includes six elements:

1.​ Autonomy – Independence and self-determination.

2.​ Environmental Mastery – Ability to manage life and surroundings.
3.​ Personal Growth – Developing and realizing one’s potential.
4.​ Positive Relations – Maintaining meaningful and supportive relationships.
5.​ Purpose in Life – Having goals and direction.
6.​ Self-Acceptance – A positive attitude towards oneself.

4.5 Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan)

This theory states that well-being depends on satisfying three psychological needs:

●​ Autonomy – Freedom of choice.

●​ Competence – Feeling capable and effective.
●​ Relatedness – Connection and belongingness with others.

4.6 Other Contemporary Approaches

Some researchers also include social well-being (Keyes), spiritual well-being (Ellison,

1983), and holistic models that integrate physical, mental, social, and spiritual

dimensions together.

5. Types of Well-Being
Well-being is a multidimensional concept, which means it cannot be confined to a single

category. Psychologists and philosophers have identified different types of well-being to

capture its complexity. Each type represents a specific dimension of human functioning,

and together they provide a holistic understanding of what it means to live well.

5.1 Subjective Well-Being (SWB)

Subjective well-being, often called happiness, was popularized by Ed Diener. It refers to

how individuals evaluate their own lives. This includes both cognitive evaluations, such

as life satisfaction, and emotional evaluations, such as the presence of positive

emotions and the absence of negative emotions.​

For example, a student who feels joy while learning, pride after achieving good grades,

and satisfaction with friendships is said to have high subjective well-being.

5.2 Psychological Well-Being (PWB)

Proposed by Carol Ryff, psychological well-being goes beyond simple happiness. It

reflects positive functioning and focuses on how well individuals are realizing their

potential. People with high PWB are self-accepting, have meaningful goals, maintain

strong relationships, and continuously strive for personal growth. For instance, an

individual who works to improve their skills, maintains self-respect, and faces

challenges with confidence demonstrates psychological well-being.

5.3 Social Well-Being

Corey Keyes introduced the idea of social well-being, which highlights the importance of

feeling connected to society. It includes a sense of belonging, social contribution, and

integration into the community. For example, participating in community service, feeling

respected by society, and contributing positively to one’s social group are signs of social

well-being.

5.4 Emotional Well-Being

This type refers to the ability to manage emotions effectively. It does not mean always

feeling happy, but being able to regulate stress, anger, or sadness while cultivating

hope, optimism, and gratitude. A person with high emotional well-being can maintain

balance even in challenging situations.

5.5 Physical Well-Being

Physical well-being relates to maintaining a healthy body through proper nutrition,

exercise, sleep, and medical care. A healthy body often supports a healthy mind, which

is why physical well-being is closely linked to psychological and emotional well-being.

5.6 Spiritual Well-Being

Spiritual well-being is often overlooked but plays a significant role in many cultures,

especially in India. It involves finding meaning in life through spirituality, meditation,

religious practices, or connection to higher values. Spiritual well-being gives people

inner peace and strength to cope with life’s difficulties.

6. Factors Influencing Well-Being

Well-being is shaped by a variety of internal and external factors. These influences

determine how people perceive their lives and how satisfied they feel.

6.1 Biological Factors

Biological aspects such as genetics, age, gender, and physical health play an important

role. For instance, research shows that genetics account for a significant percentage of

individual differences in happiness. Similarly, physical health and vitality often contribute

to higher well-being, while chronic illness may reduce it.

6.2 Psychological Factors

Personality traits like optimism, resilience, self-esteem, and coping skills greatly affect

well-being. People who view challenges as opportunities, rather than threats, tend to be

happier and healthier. Emotional intelligence also contributes to psychological stability

and satisfaction.

6.3 Social Factors

Human beings are inherently social. Family support, friendships, marital relationships,

and sense of community influence well-being deeply. People with strong social

connections are more likely to report higher levels of happiness and less stress.

6.4 Economic Factors

Although money does not guarantee happiness, financial security provides comfort and

stability. Having sufficient income for basic needs, education, and health care positively

influences well-being, while poverty, unemployment, and job insecurity reduce it.

6.5 Environmental Factors

Living conditions, neighborhood safety, access to resources, and even natural

surroundings influence well-being. A clean, safe, and supportive environment enhances

quality of life, while pollution, overcrowding, and unsafe living conditions lower

well-being.

6.6 Cultural and Religious Factors

Culture and religion shape people’s beliefs, values, and practices. In collectivist cultures

like India, family and community ties are seen as essential to well-being. Religious and

spiritual practices such as prayer, meditation, and rituals also provide comfort, meaning,

and resilience.

7. Measurement of Well-Being
Since well-being is abstract, psychologists use scales and questionnaires to measure it.

These tools help quantify individuals’ experiences, making it possible to study

well-being scientifically.

7.1 Self-Report Scales

Most commonly, well-being is measured through self-report questionnaires where

individuals evaluate their own life satisfaction, emotions, and purpose.

7.2 Objective Measures
Objective indicators such as physical health, productivity, and social involvement are

also used, though they are less personal than self-reports.

7.3 Commonly Used Scales

1.​ WHO-5 Well-Being Index – A simple tool measuring emotional well-being.

2.​ Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scale – Assesses six dimensions like autonomy
and purpose in life.
3.​ PERMA Profiler – Based on Seligman’s PERMA model.
4.​ Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) – Focuses on cognitive life satisfaction.
5.​ General Well-Being Schedule (GWBS) – Measures psychological and physical
well-being.

8. Importance of Well-Being
Well-being is important at both individual and social levels. For individuals, it enhances

mental health, resilience, and productivity. Students with higher well-being perform

better academically, while employees show greater motivation and creativity. At a social

level, well-being promotes harmony, cooperation, and reduced conflicts.

Countries today even use well-being as an index of development. For example, Bhutan

measures Gross National Happiness (GNH) instead of just Gross Domestic Product

(GDP), showing the significance of well-being in governance and policy-making.

9. Well-Being in Indian Context

India has a rich cultural and philosophical heritage related to well-being. Ancient

practices like yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, and spiritual traditions emphasized balance

of body, mind, and soul. Indian society also values family, community, and spirituality,

which strongly influence well-being.

In the modern era, research shows that Indians often associate well-being with spiritual

growth, family support, and social harmony rather than only individual achievements.
This makes the Indian concept of well-being unique compared to Western cultures,

which often emphasize individual success.

10. Applications of Well-Being Research

●​ Clinical Psychology: Enhances therapy by focusing on strengths and positive
experiences.
●​ Counseling Psychology: Helps students and employees cope with stress and find
purpose.
●​ Workplace: Promotes employee engagement, reduces burnout, and increases
productivity.
●​ Education: Improves student learning, motivation, and overall school
environment.
●​ Policy Making: Helps governments design policies that promote health, equality,
and happiness.

11. Conclusion
To conclude, well-being is a broad and holistic concept that goes beyond mere

happiness. It includes subjective evaluations of life, psychological growth, social

belonging, and even spiritual fulfillment. Multiple theories, from hedonic and eudaimonic

perspectives to modern models like PERMA and Ryff’s framework, explain different

dimensions of well-being.

Studying well-being is essential because it provides insights into how people can live

more meaningful, productive, and fulfilling lives. It also helps psychologists, educators,

and policymakers design interventions that not only reduce suffering but also promote

flourishing. The Well-Being Scale, therefore, is not just a tool for measurement—it is a

window into understanding the deeper quality of human life.