Summary: For decades, “mental wellbeing” has been a fuzzy, catch-all term that meant different things to different people. A landmark study has finally provided the world’s first international consensus.
By surveying 122 global experts across 11 disciplines—from economics to theology—researchers identified 19 dimensions of positive mental health. The core takeaway? Being “well” isn’t just about the absence of sadness; it is a specific combination of how we feel, how we function, and how we connect.
Key Facts
- The “Blood Pressure” Comparison: Lead researcher Dr. Matthew Iasiello notes that defining wellbeing is like measuring blood pressure—without a standardized definition, the results of studies and policies are meaningless.
- Wellbeing vs. Illness: The study confirms that positive mental health is separate from mental illness. This means a person can have high mental wellbeing even while managing a condition like depression or anxiety.
- Drivers vs. Definitions: Factors like physical health, income, and housing were classified as drivers of wellbeing, but not the definition of it. You can have money and a house but still lack the psychological factors of “being well.”
- Beyond “Feeling Good”: The consensus emphasizes that positive mental health isn’t about being happy all the time; it’s about having the psychological tools to live a meaningful life even when things are difficult.
- A Taxonomy for Policy: This new “blueprint” allows governments, workplaces, and schools to design programs that target specific, agreed-upon areas of human flourishing.
Source: University of Adelaide
For decades, ‘mental wellbeing’ has been one of the most used, but least agreed upon, terms in mental health. Now, a landmark study led by Adelaide University and Be Well Co has brought alignment to one of mental health’s most fundamental questions – what does it actually mean to be well?
Conducted in partnership with Australian and international academics, and published in Nature Mental Health today, the study is the first to achieve international consensus on what constitutes positive mental health and what does not.
Surveying 122 global experts across 11 disciplines, researchers achieved agreement (75%+ consensus) on 19 dimensions, with near‑unanimous agreement (90%+ consensus) on six factors that are essential to positive mental health:
- Meaning and purpose – feeling life is worthwhile and goal‑directed
- Life satisfaction – overall evaluation that your life is good
- Self‑acceptance – positive and non‑judgemental view of self
- Connection – close, caring relationships with others
- Autonomy – feeling in control of choices and self‑expression
- Happiness – frequent positive mood and cheerfulness.
The definition is designed to inform how mental wellbeing is measured, supported and promoted across healthcare, workplaces and public policy.
“By agreeing that positive mental health isn’t a single feeling, but a combination of how we feel, how we function and how we connect with others, the study brings much‑needed clarity to the field,” said Adelaide University researcher Dr Matthew Iasiello.
“For too long, mental wellbeing has been defined in different ways across research, healthcare and government, making it almost impossible to compare evidence or design effective policy.
“Imagine if there were 150 different ways of measuring blood pressure – the results would be meaningless. That’s why it’s important to agree on what positive mental health is, and what it isn’t.”
Factors such as physical health, income, housing, coping strategies and spirituality were determined not to define positive mental health, instead being considered important drivers of it.
Importantly, the study confirms that positive mental health is separate from mental illness, meaning people can experience mental wellbeing even while living with a mental health condition.
Across 11 disciplines (Economics, Medicine, Nursing, Philosophy, Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology, Health Psychology, Positive Psychology, Public Health, Sociology and Theology), researchers confirmed a total of 19 dimensions of mental wellbeing*, including the six dominant factors.
“Positive mental health isn’t about feeling good all the time,” Dr Matthew Iasiello said.
“It’s about having a combination of emotional wellbeing, psychological functioning, and social connection that helps you live a meaningful, manageable life, even when things might be hard.
“In this way, positive mental health is less about feeling good all the time, and more about having the right combination of factors to cope, live well, and experience life as meaningful.
“When people can better recognise which parts of their wellbeing are strong, and which might need support it gives them a clearer sense of where to focus their efforts.”
Co-researcher, Adelaide University and Be Well Co’s Dr Joep van Agteren said the research is not only about advancing scientific understanding, but essential to guide mental health policy, programs and measurement tools.
“Workplaces, government organisations and community groups often need help to build the conditions that help their people to thrive,” Dr van Agteren said.
“Understanding what makes up positive mental wellbeing helps individuals and organisations focus on what can really makes a difference.
“Whether it’s government departments creating spaces for connection, or teachers building optimism in kids at school, many of us are already contributing to wellbeing without realising it.
“We hope that this taxonomy can further strengthen the efforts of anyone who is trying to do their part in making people feel their best, in Australia and beyond, is worthwhile.”
The findings underscore the importance of a shared definition for guiding research, policy and practice going forward.
“You can’t build what you can’t define,” said senior author and Associate Professor Dan Fassnacht, University of the Sunshine Coast.
“For the first time, we have a scientifically agreed blueprint for what good mental health actually looks like – and that changes everything.”
Key Questions Answered:
A: Not at all. Happiness is just one of the six core pillars. If you feel a strong sense of meaning, have close connections, and feel in control of your life (autonomy), you can still have high mental wellbeing even during a sad or stressful week.
A: The experts categorized these as drivers, not the state itself. Think of it like a car: Gasoline (income) and a GPS (spirituality) help the car run and find its way, but they aren’t the “car” (the mental state) itself. The definition focuses on the internal psychological engine.
A: Until now, a workplace “wellbeing” program might have just meant a free yoga class. With this new blueprint, organizations can target specific gaps—like increasing employee autonomy or fostering deeper social connection—leading to programs that actually move the needle on how people feel.
Editorial Notes:
- This article was edited by a Neuroscience News editor.
- Journal paper reviewed in full.
- Additional context added by our staff.
About this mental health research news
Author: Annabel Mansfield
Source: Adelaide University
Contact: Annabel Mansfield – Adelaide University
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Closed access.
“Towards a Taxonomy of Positive Mental Health: A Delphi Consensus Study” by M. Iasiello, J. van Agteren, K. Ali, E. Kolovos, P. J. Batterham, F. Goodman, A. Jarden, T. B. Kashdan, M. Kyrios, L. G. Oades, D. Weziak-Bialowolska & D. B. Fassnacht. Nature Mental Health
DOI:10.1038/s44220-026-00617-5
Abstract
Towards a Taxonomy of Positive Mental Health: A Delphi Consensus Study
Inconsistent conceptualization of terms such as positive mental health, flourishing and mental well-being across disciplines hinders reliable measurement, intervention design and policy. Here we sought expert consensus on a preliminary taxonomy of positive mental health dimensions to standardize conceptualization using the Delphi method.
We surveyed experts (n = 122) across 11 disciplines relevant to positive mental health via 3 iterative rounds. The first round invited experts to rate the suitability of 26 initial dimensions (identified in prior reviews) on relevance for a taxonomy, while subsequent rounds invited expert-suggested dimensions and rating of dimensions as drivers or outcomes of positive mental health.
Nineteen dimensions achieved consensus (≥75% agreement) for inclusion in the preliminary taxonomy of positive mental health. Six dimensions exceeded 90% agreement, including ‘meaning and purpose’, ‘life satisfaction’, ‘self-acceptance’, ‘connection’, ‘autonomy’ and ‘happiness’.
This taxonomy promotes standardized conceptualization and cross-disciplinary collaboration, addressing fragmentation to enhance interventions and policy.
