The self at play: Exploring the core developmental origins of positive psychological well-being

Abstract

Positive psychological well-being (PPWB) has emerged as a significant factor associated with increasing health-enhancing behaviors and decreasing participation in health-risk behaviors as well as mitigating risk for non-communicable diseases. In its simplest form, PPWB refers to an individual's inner sense that their life is going well. However, PPWB has been conceptualized, defined, measured, and studied in myriad ways, causing confusion for both researchers and practitioners as to the essence of this inner sense and the mechanisms underlying its development. This is problematic for those conducting interventions to enhance PPWB across the lifecourse as effectiveness is limited by ambiguity and undue complexity. Guided by a developmental lifecourse perspective, the purpose of this conceptual review/essay is to explore the developmental origins of PPWB, which have rarely been sought. In exploring developmental origins we uncovered four innate, central potentialities—flow, autonomy, biophilia, eudaimonia—that comprise a synchronous expressive self with a strong connection to PPWB. When nurtured in early childhood and adolescence via quality parenting and play experiences, the expressive self produces a positive inner sense that life is going well as a natural byproduct or outcome that is sustainable throughout the lifecourse. These relationships remain strong within both Western and non-Western cultures.