Developing an Integral Well-Being Model–Bridging Multidimensional Perspectives on Human Functioning

Abstract

Well-being has been examined through various theories and models, often overlapping with the concepts of health, quality of life, happiness, and life satisfaction. Multiple disciplines, from philosophy to psychology, have shaped its understanding - from the ancient Greek philosophers’ distinction between Hedonia and Eudaimonia, to Maslow’s theory of self-actualization, positive psychology’s emphasis on flourishing, and the World Health Organization’s definition of health. Literature reflects a rich yet fragmented definition of well-being. The gap is particularly evident in its measurement and demands a model that represents its holistic and interconnected nature. The current study adopts a theoretical approach to address this gap by systematically reviewing, analyzing, and integrating well-being literature across Indian and Western contexts. Common and unique factors that characterized well-being were identified and reviewed iteratively to develop the initial Integral Well-Being (InWeB) model, which is currently under empirical validation. InWeB offers a comprehensive framework with eight core well-being dimensions: physical, psychological, social, occupational, financial, digital, spiritual, and environmental. This integrative approach holds the potential to advance theoretical and practical applications in studying human well-being.