Well-being: A critical analysis

Though the concept of well-being is increasingly being used by researchers and psychologists in various fields of education, mental health, corporate sectors and development of people, there are several underlying issues that have not been addressed critically. The present conceptual Paper, based on a survey of literatures, seeks to explore and analyse issues underlying the concept of well-being. Meaningful and accurate application of the concept of well-being in various fields requires an understanding of assumptions, philosophical orientations, perspectives and methodologies underlying the concept. The Paper analyses issues related to the definition and nature of well-being, structure of Affect, construct of happiness, evaluative process in well-being, dynamics and reliability of well-being, stable or transient nature of well-being, cultural relativism of well-being, and finally the possibility of arriving at a universal concept of well-being. There are many interpretations on each of the above issues depending on the methodologies, models, and philosophical and psychological orientations. The analysis will carry the author's own critique. It is proposed that no one interpretation on the above issues holds total validity. In the conclusion analytical evaluation on each of the above aspects of well-being will be put forth with recommendations for further research. The paper will point out the need for integration of different perspectives on the concept of well-being so that a common understanding of well-being could be arrived at.