Module 1
(Introduction to Psychology of
wellness)
Dr. Sheetal Musale,
Asst Prof. Psychology, VIT Chennai
Definition: The term wellness appeared as part of a
parallel transformation in the definition of health
toward a more holistic perspective that is interrelation,
positive in nature, and focuses on the examination of
healthy human functioning (Westgate, 1996).
Some scientists have argued that wellness is subjective
and conceptualized wellness on a continuum and not as
an end state.
World Health Organization (WHO) was the first to
introduce a holistic definition of health as “a state of
complete physical, mental, and social well-being and
not merely the absence of disease and infirmity”
(1948).
During world war II emergence of technology, different types
of viruses, changes in environment, food habits etc. everyone
started talking about wellness.
WHO (1967) health has a positive component
led to widely used term “wellness.”
Dimensions of Wellness
• Physical;
• psychological/
emotional;
• social;
• intellectual;
• spiritual;
• occupational;
• environmental.
Physical Wellness
Physical wellness includes physical activity, nutrition,
and self-care, and involves preventative and proactive
actions that take care of one’s physical body.
Exercise to health, and longevity, healthy diet and
feelings by monitoring internal and external physical
signs.
Taking action to prevent and avoid harmful behaviours
(e.g., tobacco use and excess alcohol consumption)
affects physical wellness, with benefits including better
autoimmune functioning.
Anspaugh and colleagues (2004) detailed physical
wellness to include physical indices (muscle tone,
cholesterol level, blood pressure) and behaviours (eating
habits, exercise levels).
Psychological/Emotional Wellness
Emotional wellness is conceptualized as
awareness and control of feelings, as well as
a realistic, positive, and developmental
view of the self, conflict, and life
circumstances, coping with stress, and the
maintenance of fulfilling relationships with
others (Adams, Bezner, and Steinhardt,
1997; Leafgren, 1990). Hettler (1980)
considered emotional wellness to be a
continual process that included an
awareness and management of feelings,
and a positive view of self, the world, and
relationships.
Factors associated with
Emotional wellness Emotional Wellness
includes experiencing
*Personality is one of the strongest
satisfaction, curiosity,
indicators of wellbeing
and enjoyment in life,
as well as having a
*Features of the environment, one’s
optimistic outlook. behaviour, and one’s personality may
mutually influence each other and affect
subjective well-being.
nce *Personality aspects of individuals may
h a
n en re elf affect life satisfaction, people who are more
ca at a d s
s
r t s th s a n
p
o
p rce e s self-conscious and introverted scoring lower
u
l s esou appi n
i a
r or levels of life satisfaction than extroverts,
at e t r h
m ess nt f o
extroverts are more comfortable in social
acc orta on
p situations
im lizati
rea
Social Wellness
social wellness is getting along with others
and being comfortable and willing to
express one’s feelings, needs, and opinions;
supportive, fulfilling relationships and
interaction with the social environment and
contribution to one’s community
Features of social support consist of the size or
density of one’s social network and frequency of
contact with relatives and friends.
Durlak (2000) includes peer acceptance,
attachments/ bonds with others, and social skills
(communication, assertiveness, conflict resolution) as
fundamental to social wellness.
Helliwell (2005) found that married people are
happier, and separated individuals are the least happy
Intellectual Wellness
Intellectual wellness is the degree to which
one engages in creative and stimulating
activities, as well as the use of resources to
expand knowledge and focus on the
acquisition, development, application, and
articulation of critical thinking. .
It represents a commitment to lifelong
learning, an effort to share knowledge with
others, and development of skills and
abilities to achieve a more satisfying life
This also includes particularly knowledge of
Crose and colleagues (1992) defined
attending cultural events and seeking out
intellectual wellness as one’s education
opportunities to gain and share knowledge,
and learning history, mental status,
and world events.
cognitive style and flexibility, and
attitude toward learning.
Hettler (1980) and others (Adams et al., 1997; Renger et al.,
2000) defined spiritual wellness as the process of seeking
meaning and purpose in existence.
It includes the appreciation of the depth of life and the Spiritual Wellness
universe, questioning the meaning and purpose in life, as
well as recognizing, accepting, and tolerating the complex
nature of the world and accepting that the universe cannot be
completely understood.
Hettler (1980) adds that spiritual wellness is focused on
harmony with the self, and with others and the universe,
and the search for a universal value system. This value
system includes the formation of a worldview that gives unity,
purpose, and goals to thoughts and actions.
Hettler (1980) and Anspaugh and colleagues
(2004) defined occupational wellness as the
level of satisfaction and enrichment gained
by one’s work and the extent one’s
Occupational Wellness occupation allows for the expression of
values.
Furthermore, occupational wellness
included the contribution of one’s unique
skills and talents to the community in
rewarding, meaningful ways through paid
and unpaid work.
Lastly, occupational wellness incorporated
the balance between occupational and
other commitments.
Environmental Wellness
Renger and co-authors (2000) Defined as
balance between home and work life, as well
as the individual’s relationship with nature
and community resources (i.e., involvement in
a recycling or community clean-up effort).
environmental wellness has a broad
dimension that considers the nature of an
individual’s reciprocal interaction with the
environment on a global level (e.g., balance,
impact, control). The environment includes
home, work, community, and nature.