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Towards a Taxonomy of Positive Mental Health: A Delphi Consensus Study
Research Square, Vol.3 December 2025
Research Square Company
2025
Abstract
Inconsistent conceptualisation of terms such as positive mental health, flourishing, and mental wellbeing across disciplines hinders reliable measurement, intervention design, and policy. This study sought expert consensus on a preliminary taxonomy of positive mental health dimensions to standardize conceptualization using the Delphi method. We surveyed experts (n=122) across 11 disciplines relevant to positive mental health via three iterative rounds. The first round invited experts to rate the suitability of 26 initial dimensions (identified in prior reviews) on relevance for a taxonomy, while subsequent rounds invited expert-suggested dimensions and rating of dimensions as drivers or outcomes of positive mental health. Nineteen dimensions achieved consensus (≥75% agreement) for inclusion in the preliminary taxonomy of positive mental health. Six dimensions exceeded 90% agreement, including Meaning and Purpose, Life Satisfaction, Self-Acceptance, Connection, Autonomy, and Happiness. This taxonomy promotes standardized conceptualisation and cross-disciplinary collaboration, addressing fragmentation to enhance interventions and policy.
Details
- Title
- Towards a Taxonomy of Positive Mental Health: A Delphi Consensus Study
- Authors
- Matthew Iasiello - The University of AdelaideJoep van Agteren - The University of AdelaideKathina Ali - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - PsychologyElli Kolovos - Flinders UniversityPhilip Batterham - Australian National UniversityFallon Goodman - George Washington UniversityAaron Jarden - Edith Cowan UniversityTodd B. Kashdan - George Mason UniversityMike Kyrios - Flinders UniversityLindsay Oades - The University of MelbourneDorota Weziak-Bialowolska - Kozminski UniversityDan Fassnacht - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Psychology
- Publication details
- Research Square, Vol.3 December 2025
- Publisher
- Research Square Company
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8160993/v1
- ISSN
- 2693-5015
- Copyright note
- This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Psychology
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991192343602621
- Output Type
- Preprint
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