MHM Magazine

24 | MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS | 2023 | Issue 1 MHM The concept of eudaimonia can be traced back to the writings of the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BCE). For Aristotle, the broad concept of eudaimonia speaks to the highest of all human goods, a virtue indicated by a life of flourishing, in which an individual is able to fully develop their skills, capacities and virtues. Contemporary research has further built on this concept toward the notion of eudaimonic well-being, which integrates contemporary theories of positive psychological functioning and is accepted as being an evolving, multidimensional concept. At its core, flourishing, as a component of eudaimonic well-being, speaks to the realisation of human potential, and achieving the best within us. One of the most prolific eudaimonic approaches to flourishing is that of Carol Ryff (1989), which offers six psychological aspects for eudaimonic well-being, namely: • Autonomy: the capacity to be self- determining and independent, to regulate behaviour intrinsically. • Environmental Mastery: Sense of competence in managing the environment, effective use of resources, capacity to create contexts which match personal values and needs. • Personal Growth: A feeling of sustained development in which the self is perceived as growing and expanding, an openness to new experiences, and a perception of the self as growing over time. • Positive Relations with Others: Experience of warm, satisfying relationships with others, concern for the welfare of others, capacity for empathy and understanding the give and take of human relationships. • Purpose in Life: Having goals in life, a sense of directedness, sense of purpose in past and present life, holding objectives and aims for living. • Self-Acceptance: Holding a positive attitude and evaluation of the self, acceptance of various aspects of the self, both good and bad. Satisfaction of the criteria contained in the aspects above is salient in the experience of flourishing in life. When these aspects are further considered in terms of overall well-being and health, the notion of purpose in life is highlighted in multiple studies as being linked to reduced mortality rates, and where in some cases, purpose in life can be linked to a reduced risk of all-cause mortality, with further specific reduced risk of mortality from heart, blood and circulatory conditions. Those who have higher eudaimonic well-being show a greater prevalence Kevin Jooste Industrial/Organisational Psychologist Director psyQ Consulting, Centurion: Gauteng kevin@psyqconsulting.co.za UNDERSTANDING FLOURISHING AND ITS POTENTIAL IMPACT ON PATIENT HEALTH