The Research Desk
Flourishing and quality of life are strongly linked but offer unique insights into mental health.
A Cross-Sectional Study Comparing Flourishing and Quality of Life as Indicators of Psychological Well-Being in Adults.
- Meaning
- Accomplishment
Setzer, M., Malone, S., Iyer, R., Winterlind, E., Gray, J.
In plain language
This study explores whether 'flourishing' and 'quality of life' are essentially the same or if they offer different insights into psychological well-being. Researchers used two established measures: the Harvard Human Flourishing Program Measure for flourishing and the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form for quality of life. A sample of 302 adults participated in the study, completing these measures along with assessments for depression, anxiety, alcohol use, and smoking dependence.
The results showed a strong positive correlation between flourishing and quality of life, suggesting they are closely related. Both measures were also similarly negatively correlated with depression and anxiety, indicating that higher flourishing or quality of life is associated with lower levels of these mental health challenges. The study found that including flourishing as a predictor alongside quality of life improved the prediction of depression and anxiety scores, but not for alcohol use or smoking dependence.
Key findings
- Flourishing and quality of life are strongly positively correlated (r = 0.81).
- Both measures negatively correlate with depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7).
- Flourishing and quality of life do not significantly differ in their correlation magnitudes with depression and anxiety.
- Adding flourishing as a predictor improves prediction of depression and anxiety scores.
- Flourishing does not improve prediction for alcohol use or smoking dependence.
Why it matters
This research highlights that flourishing and quality of life are closely linked yet can provide complementary insights into mental health, particularly for depression and anxiety.
Try this today
Recognize that enhancing both flourishing and quality of life can be beneficial for mental health. Consider integrating practices that boost overall life satisfaction and personal growth to help manage depression and anxiety more effectively.