Current Research on Mental Health and Emotional Wellness

Like physical health, mental health exists along a spectrum. At one end are feelings of thriving and flourishing, and at the other are depressed and anxious feelings. While the field of mental health has historically focused on the negative end of this spectrum, a growing body of research is examining the factors that support positive mental health. This research suggests that mental health can be improved through the development of skills such as flexibility, strength, and optimism, enhanced personal traits such as high self-esteem and a sense of purpose, and expanded personal resources such as spiritual practices and support from family and friends.

People who are emotionally well feel good about themselves, their relationships, and their purpose in life. Emotional wellness is not the absence of sadness, anger, or confusion. All people will feel these emotions from time to time. However, people who are emotionally well may have fewer emotional lows and will be able to recuperate faster from such lows. Emotional wellness may also increase feelings such as happiness and joy during positive times. Emotional wellness has many components, including:

• Healthy emotional, cognitive, and physical habits (such as physical activity, healthy eating, and developing good sleep habits) that reflect the practice of valuing self
• Identification and/or connection with others
• Rewarding and supportive relationships
• Rewarding activities
• A sense of balance and purpose in life (which allows for opportunities to engage in pleasurable activities)
• A strong sense of self and compassion for personal life experience
• Compassion for others
• The ability to adapt to change and cope successfully with adversity
• Meaningful spiritual and/or cultural beliefs, traditions, and practices

Mental health is shaped by the interaction of multiple factors and processes, some of which are within the individual's control and some of which are not. Environmental factors such as safe and clean living conditions, access to quality medical care, and good nutrition can decrease an individual's risk for psychological problems. Conversely, crowded or dangerous living conditions, lack of access to medical care, inadequate nutrition, or discrimination or social stigma based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, spirituality, or other factors can increase this risk. Likewise, a family history of positive relationships and nurturing activities decrease risk, while depression or substance abuse, chronic illness, or stresses such as divorce or the death of a loved one increase risk.

To understand emotional wellness, it is helpful to know the characteristics of people who are emotionally well. One review of scientific studies on happiness⁴ found that happy people tend to:

• Be optimistic, outgoing, and agreeable
• Have close relationships (e.g., friendships or marriages)
• Have work and leisure activities that engage their skills
• Have meaningful faith traditions
• Sleep well
• Exercise
• Have high self-esteem

Likewise, positive subjective well-being (including life satisfaction, happiness, and optimism), positive traits (creativity, compassion, courage, and integrity), and positive institutions (healthy relationships, communities, and schools) are related to overall wellness.⁵ Positive mental health also has been linked to a sense of competence, autonomy, and relatedness.⁶

Emotional wellness both promotes and maintains emotional and mental health. For example, positive emotions buffer resilient people against depression and help them to thrive,⁷ as well as "trigger upward spirals toward emotional well-being."⁸ In addition, several components of emotional wellness have been linked to positive physical health outcomes. Promoting emotional wellness may be one way to promote self-management of diseases.

For example:

• Coping: Effective coping skills can enable individuals to exercise some control over their mental and physical health.⁹ Coping styles are associated with significant positive and negative health outcomes as early as mid-adolescence.¹⁰ Moreover, coping styles are important determinants of how well individuals adjust to serious illnesses.¹¹
• Optimism: Optimism is consistently related to positive physical health outcomes,¹² and optimism provides protective benefits to people who are suffering from severe illnesses.¹³
• Self-esteem: Self-esteem is linked to positive health outcomes throughout the lifespan.¹⁴
• Social support: Health-promotion behaviors are more frequent among individuals with positive and strong social support networks.¹⁵
• Spirituality: Spirituality is an additional resource for coping.¹⁶

The good news is that women can build positive emotional health and counteract negative forces through the development of positive skills, traits, and resources. Qualities such as resiliency, hardiness, and optimism can help individuals be healthier and thrive.¹⁷ As importantly, these skills can be learned.¹⁸ For example, optimism has been successfully increased via clinical interventions.¹⁹ This suggests that emotional wellness can be learned and strengthened.

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