Explanatory framework for well-being theories: systematic, comprehensive, persistent

Well-being is a broad construct widely acknowledged for being multidimensional, multidisciplinary and dynamic in nature. There is a growing need for a framework to assist in building comprehensive theories providing an explanation for well-being outcomes. In this thesis, a systems approach to well-being theories is proposed following research traditions in personality and organizational psychology and other disciplines. In these latter domains, a systems approach has provided many benefits including increased understanding of complex phenomena and theory formalization. Using conceptual analysis, systems theory is applied as a framework to develop five principles for building and evaluating theories of well-being: a well-being system framework. The principles are then applied to evaluate two integrative well-being frameworks: the engine of well-being (Jayawickreme, Forgeard, & Seligman, 2012) and the four qualities of life (Veenhoven, 2000). The theoretical contribution of this thesis is an explanatory framework aiming to guide theory development by suggesting components that a theory requires to explain well-being. The well-being system framework aims to open new avenues for research using a systems theory approach to assist in developing comprehensive models of well-being.