Provides the tools and knowledge to develop and nurture the essential building blocks of a thriving life
Understanding how to thrive, not just survive, has never been more critical in today's world. Grounded in over 25 years of peer-reviewed research, PERMA +4: Pathways to Well-Being and Positive Functioning provides a comprehensive guide to the essential building blocks of flourishing. Authors Stewart Donaldson and Victoria Cabrera share the latest evidence while providing actionable insights on how positive psychology interventions can help cultivate happiness and resilience.
With clear explanations of nine scientifically validated building blocks, including emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment, PERMA +4 equips readers with tools to build their well-being while empowering others to do the same. The PERMA+4 framework extends foundational work by integrating new insights into areas such as physical health, mindset, and economic security. Each easy-to-read chapter is packed with practical activities, step-by-step guidance, informational charts and figures, full-color images, "Key Takeaways, " and reflection questions.
Offering practical strategies for anyone eager to lead a more fulfilling life, PERMA +4:
- Introduces the PERMA+4 framework, extending Martin Seligman's foundational well-being theory with new evidence
- Explains the science behind positive psychology interventions and why they work
- Integrates findings from more than 1,000 research studies on flourishing and well-being
- Covers practical applications for education, workplaces, healthcare, and personal growth
Ideal for health practitioners, educators, workplace leaders, and well-being coaches, PERMA +4: Building Blocks for Human Flourishing is essential reading for undergraduate, graduate, and professional audiences. It is perfect for courses in positive psychology, public health, leadership, and organizational development, or as a reference for practitioners aiming to enhance well-being in diverse settings.
Table of Contents:
About the Authors xiii
Preface xv
Acknowledgements xix
1 A Fresh Look at the Science of Well- Being and Positive Functioning 1
A Fresh New Look at Feeling and Doing Well in Life 1
PERMA+4 Building Blocks of Well-Being and Optimal Functioning 2
Human Flourishing 4
Human Suffering 6
Human Struggling 7
Human Languishing 8
Human Thriving 9
Measuring Human Flourishing 10
Why Is Well-Being Important? 12
How to Use This Book 14
Conclusion 14
References 15
2 Positive Emotions 17
What Are Positive Emotions? 18
Circumplex Model of Emotions 19
Why Positive Emotions Are a Building Block of Well-Being 22
The Broaden and Build Theory of Positive Emotions 23
How to Leverage the Power of Positive Emotions to Improve Well-Being 24
Apply What You Learned About Positive Emotions 26
Learn More About Positive Emotions 26
Key Takeaways 26
References 27
3 Engagement and Flow 31
What Are Engagement and Flow? 33
The Difference Between Engagement and Flow 34
Why Is Flow a Building Block of Well-Being? 35
How to Create More Experiences of Engagement and Flow to Care for Your Well-Being 36
How to Create the Conditions of Flow for Others 38
Apply What You Learned About Engagement and Flow 38
Learn More About Engagement and Flow 39
Key Takeaways 39
References 39
4 Positive Relationships 41
What Are Positive Relationships? 42
What About at School or Work? 42
Why are Positive Relationships a Building Block of Well-Being 43
How to Build and Nurture More Positive Relationships 44
Apply What You Learned About Positive Relationships 45
Learn More About Positive Relationships 45
Key Takeaways 46
References 46
5 Meaning and Purpose 49
What Is Meaning and Purpose? 50
What Exactly Is Meaning? 50
Why Does Meaning and Purpose Matter? 51
Why Is Meaning and Purpose a Building Block of Human Flourishing? 51
How to Develop Meaning and Purpose 52
Apply What You Learned About Meaning and Purpose 53
Learn More About Meaning and Purpose 54
Key Takeaways 54
References 55
6 Achievement 57
What Is Achievement? 58
Why Is Achievement a Building Block of Human Flourishing? 59
Achievement in the Workplace 60
How to Nurture Achievement 61
Apply What You Learned About Achievement 61
Learn More About Achievement 62
Key Takeaways 62
References 63
7 Physical Health 65
What Is Physical Health? 66
Why Is Physical Health Important for Well-Being? 67
How to Improve and Maintain Physical Health 68
Take It One Step at a Time 69
Apply What You Learned About Physical Health 70
Learn More About Physical Health 70
Key Takeaways 70
References 71
8 Positive Mindset 73
A Real-World Journey of Growth 73
What Is a Positive Mindset? 74
Why Is a Positive Mindset Important for Well-Being? 76
How to Develop and Maintain a Positive Mindset 77
The Psychological Capital Intervention (PCI) Model 79
Apply What You Learned About Mindset 81
Learn More About Mindset 81
Key Takeaways 81
References 82
9 Environment 85
What Is the Environment Building Block? 87
Why Your Environment Is a Building Block of Human Flourishing 87
How to Improve Your Environment to Support Your Well-Being 88
Apply What You Learned About Your Environment 90
Learn More About Environment 90
Key Takeaways 90
References 91
10 Economic Security 93
What Is Economic Security? 94
Why Economic Security Is Crucial for Well-Being 95
The Research on Economic Security and Life Satisfaction 96
How to Improve Economic Security 96
Apply What You Learned About Economic Security 98
Learn More About Economic Security 98
Key Takeaways 98
References 99
11 PERMA+4 Science: Why It Is Important to Monitor & Assess Well- Being 101
Science: A Simple Guide 102
The Science of Positive Psychology and PERMA+4 103
Validated Research Measures 106
The PERMA+4 Scale 106
The PERMA+4 Short Scale 108
The Satisfaction with Life Scale 108
The Flourishing Scale 109
The Global Flourishing Index 109
Practical Tools for Developing and Monitoring Your PERMA+ 4 and Well-Being 110
How to Score the Cantril’s Ladder 113
How to Interpret Your Cantril’s Ladder Scores 113
Conclusion 114
Key Takeaways 115
References 116
12 Activities to Develop PERMA + 4 119
How to Use This Chapter 120
How This Chapter Is Organized 120
Positive Emotions 120
Personal Activities 120
Activities for Others 121
Engagement and Flow 122
Personal Activities 122
Activities for Others 123
Positive Relationships 123
Personal Activities 123
Activities for Others 124
Meaning and Purpose 125
Personal Activities 125
Activities for Others 125
Achievement 126
Personal Activities 126
Activities for Others 127
Physical Health 127
Personal Activities 127
Activities for Others 128
Mindset 129
Personal Activities 129
Activities for Others 130
Environment 130
Personal Activities 130
Activities for Others 131
Economic Security 132
Personal Activities 132
Activities for Others 133
Activities That Develop Multiple PERMA + 4 Building Blocks 133
Personal Activities 133
Activities for Others 134
Resources for More Activities to Strengthen PERMA + 4 Building Blocks 135
Key Takeaways 135
PERMA+4 Activities Resources 135
Books 135
Journal Articles 136
References 139
13 More PERMA+4 Resources 143
The PERMA Framework 144
Journal Articles 144
Books 145
Measures 145
Digital Resources: Websites, Articles, Video, and Audio Materials 145
The PERMA+4 Framework 146
Journal Articles 146
Books 147
Measures 148
PERMA+4 Short Scale 148
Positive Functioning at Work Scale—Spanish Version 148
Positive Functioning at Work Scale – German Version (PFW-DE) 148
Digital Resources: Websites, Articles, Video and Audio Materials 148
Positive Emotions 149
Journal Articles 149
Books 150
Measures 151
Digital Resources: Websites, Articles, Video and Audio Materials 152
Engagement and Flow 153
Journal Articles 153
Books and Book Chapters 154
Chapters 154
Measures 155
Digital Resources: Websites, Articles, Video and Audio Materials 156
Positive Relationships 157
Journal Articles 158
Books and Book Chapters 158
Books 159
Measures 159
Digital Resources: Websites, Video & Audio Materials 160
Meaning and Purpose 161
Journal Articles 161
Books 162
Measures 163
Digital Resources: Websites, Video & Audio Materials 163
Achievement 164
Journal Articles 164
Books 165
Measures 166
Digital Resources: Videos, Podcasts, and Websites 166
Physical Health 167
Journal Articles 167
Books 168
Measures 168
Digital Resources: Videos, Podcasts, and Websites 169
Mindset 170
Journal Articles 170
Books 171
Measures 172
Digital Resources: Websites, Articles, Video and Audio Materials 172
Environment 173
Journal Articles 173
Books 174
Measures 174
Digital Resources: Videos, Podcasts, and Websites 175
Economic Security 175
Journal Articles 175
Books 176
Measures 176
Digital Resources: Videos, Podcasts, and Websites 177
Key Takeaways 177
References 178
Index 179
