The link between happiness and health: a review of concepts, pathways and strategies for enhancing well-being

Mendes, Mafalda Pereira; Simões, Pedro Augusto Gomes Rodrigues Marques; Simões, José Augusto Rodrigues; Santiago, Luiz Miguel de Mendonça Soares; Prazeres, José Filipe Chaves Pereira; Maricoto, Tiago

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.6/13440

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Authors

Mendes, Mafalda Pereira

Simões, Pedro Augusto Gomes Rodrigues Marques

Simões, José Augusto Rodrigues

Santiago, Luiz Miguel de Mendonça Soares

Prazeres, José Filipe Chaves Pereira

Maricoto, Tiago

Abstract(s)

Background. Recent years have seen a signifcant body of research independently associatng the presence of happiness and well-being with a lower risk of mortality and with an improved physical and mental health status, which presents a relevant impact on public health. Nonetheless, there are stll gaps in literature, and the underlying mechanisms are stll unclear. Objectves. this paper reviews literature regarding the main concepts and measurements associated with well-being, discussing pathways that link happiness to health and compiling strategies to improve it. Material and methods. A narratve literature review was performed gathering the most relevant artcles concerning concepts, defnitons and measurements associated with well-being, as well as regarding pathways and mechanisms that link happiness to health. The concepts and defnitons associated with happiness and well-being are discussed, and common constructs related to the later are then considered. Additonally, the available methods to measure happiness and well-being, and their limitatons, are analysed. Results. The main pathways that link mental to physical well-being include: 1) neurobiological processes, 2) the indirect impact on health behaviours, 3) the promoton of protectve psychosocial resources and 4) stress buﬀering eﬀects. Conclusions. Happiness and well-being play a major role on human’s health, and many features and dimensions may be involved in this relatonship. Public health measures should focus on upstream determinants of health and well-being, but more research is needed in order to fll in some gaps, such as the variety of available instruments to address, evaluate and promote efcient interventon.

Keywords

Health status Happiness Psychological well-being Illness behaviour

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.6/13440

Citation

Mendes M, Simões PA, Simões JA, Santago LM, Prazeres F, Maricoto T. The link between happiness and health: a review of concepts, pathways and strategies for enhancing well-being. Fam Med Prim Care Rev 2023; 25(3): 288–296.