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Vitality Revisited: The Evolving Concept of Flourishing and Its Relevance to Personal and Public Health

Author

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  • Alan C. Logan

    (Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA)

  • Brian M. Berman

    (Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
    Family and Community Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA)

  • Susan L. Prescott

    (Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
    Family and Community Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
    Medical School, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
    The ORIGINS Project, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia)

Abstract

Human flourishing, the state of optimal functioning and well-being across all aspects of an individual’s life, has been a topic of philosophical and theological discussion for centuries. In the mid-20th century, social psychologists and health scientists began exploring the concept of flourishing in the context of health and high-level wellness. However, it is only in recent years, in part due to the USD 43 million Global Flourishing Study including 22 countries, that flourishing has entered the mainstream discourse. Here, we explore this history and the rapid acceleration of research into human flourishing, defined as “the relative attainment of a state in which all aspects of a person’s life are good” by the Harvard University’s Flourishing Program. We also explore the construct of “vitality”, which refers to a sense of aliveness, energy, and motivation; we contend that this has been neglected in the flourishing movement. We explore why incorporating measures of vitality, together with a broader biopsychosocial approach, considers all dimensions of the environment across time (the total exposome), which will greatly advance research, policies, and actions to achieve human flourishing.

Suggested Citation

  • Alan C. Logan & Brian M. Berman & Susan L. Prescott, 2023. "Vitality Revisited: The Evolving Concept of Flourishing and Its Relevance to Personal and Public Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-15, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:6:p:5065-:d:1096125
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. George Uchenna Eleje & David Chibuike Ikwuka & Kingsley Chinaza Nwosu & Lydia Ijeoma Eleje & Nasiru Sani & Jean Paul Niyoyita & Kazeem Bidemi Okesina & Uchechukwu Dimkpa & Obiageli Ifeoma Ikwuka & Uch, 2024. "Exploring the Positive Feeling of Physical and Mental Energy among Struggling Preclinical Medical Students in Nigeria: A pilot Observational Study," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 8(3s), pages 4610-4622, October.
    2. Heidi Witten & Shazly Savahl & Sabirah Adams, 2024. "A Qualitative Study on Adolescents’ Perceptions and Understandings of Flourishing in the Western Cape, South Africa," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 17(5), pages 1969-1993, October.
    3. Mona Said El-Sherbini & Yusuf Amuda Tajudeen & Habeebullah Jayeola Oladipo & Iyiola Olatunji Oladunjoye & Aminat Olaitan Adebayo & Jemilah Mahmood, 2023. "Planetary Health and Anthropocene Discourse: The Role of Muslim Religious Leaders," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-16, November.
    4. Wendy Ellyatt, 2024. "Optimising Worldviews for a Flourishing Planet: Exploring the Principle of Right Relationship," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-12, October.

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