Flourishing

The concept flourishing is based on optimal human functioning. It incorporates several constructs from the field of positive psychology.
In contrast to the commonly used hedonic approach of subjective well-being, flourishing is based on the eudaimonic approach of psychological well-being and involves some of the same constructs as self-efficacy from a mastery perspective. People reporting a higher sense of flourishing are also expected to score higher on self-efficacy. Higher self-esteem is also linked to higher levels of mastery and self-efficacy.

Flourishing Scale
The Flourishing Scale has eight items with answers given on a 7-point Likert scale from 1 strongly disagree to 7 strongly agree [Diener, 2009].

  1. I lead a purposeful and meaningful life
  2. My social relationships are supportive and rewarding
  3. I am engaged and interested in my daily activities
  4. I actively contribute to the happiness and well-being of others
  5. I am competent and capable in the activities that are important to me
  6. I am a good person and live a good life
  7. I am optimistic about my future
  8. People respect me

This scale was also used as part of the New Zealand’s Sovereign Well-Being Index (N=100,009). Subsequent analyses of the underlying structures and psychometric properties of the scales were performed as well as reliability and validity checks and benchmarking to other well-being scales used in the survey. The study concluded that the Flourishing Scale “is a valid and reliable brief summary measure of psychological functioning, suited for use with a wide range of age groups and applications ” [Hone, 2013].

In the data from my own experiment the Flourishing Scale (α=.90, mean 4.07 [SD 0.65]) correlates with other measurements of well-being (PANAS and self-esteem) as expected.

REFERENCES
Keyes CLM. Flourishing. In: The Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons; Jan 30, 2010.
Diener, E., Wirtz, D., Tov, W., Kim-Prieto, C., Choi, D., Oishi, S., & Biswas-Diener, R. (2009). New measures of well-being: Flourishing and positive and negative feelings. Social Indicators Research, 39, 247-266.
Diener E, Wirtz D, Biswas-diener R, Tov W, Kim-prieto C, Choi D, et al. New measures of well-being. In: Diener E, editor. Assessing Well-Being. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer; 2009:247-266.
Ryan RM, Deci EL. Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being.
Am Psychol 2000 Jan;55(1):68-78. [doi: 10.1037//0003-066x.55.1.68] [Medline: 11392867]
Lyubomirsky S, Tkach C, DiMatteo MR. What are the Differences between Happiness and Self-Esteem. Soc Indic Res
2005 Oct 04;78(3):363-404. [doi: 10.1007/s11205-005-0213-y]
Kardefelt-Winther D. The moderating role of psychosocial well-being on the relationship between escapism and excessive
online gaming. Computers in Human Behavior 2014 Sep;38:68-74. [doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2014.05.020]
Robins RW, Hendin HM, Trzesniewski KH. Measuring Global Self-Esteem: Construct Validation of a Single-Item Measure
and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Pers Soc Psychol Bull 2016 Jul 02;27(2):151-161. [doi: 10.1177/0146167201272002]
Hone L, Jarden A, Schofield G. Psychometric Properties of the Flourishing Scale in a New Zealand Sample. Soc Indic Res
2013 Nov 6;119(2):1031-1045. [doi: 10.1007/s11205-013-0501-x]

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