Wohlbefindens

Wohlbefinden, commonly translated as well-being, is a multidimensional concept describing the overall state of a person’s health, happiness, and life satisfaction. In scholarly usage it often encompasses emotional, physical, and social dimensions, reflecting how individuals perceive and experience their lives.

There are two prominent strands of well-being. Hedonic well-being emphasizes positive affect and the balance between pleasant and unpleasant feelings, along with overall life satisfaction. Eudaimonic well-being focuses on meaning, purpose, personal growth, and the realization of one’s potential. In practice, researchers frequently combine these perspectives to capture a broad sense of well-being.

Measurement of Wohlbefinden relies on self-reported indicators. Common tools include life-satisfaction scales, such as the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and indices of subjective well-being like the WHO-5 Well-Being Index, which assess positive mood, vitality, and general flourishing. Cross-cultural research highlights that assessments of well-being are influenced by cultural norms, expectations, and adaptation to circumstances.

Determinants of Wohlbefinden are diverse and interrelated. Health status, income and employment, social relationships, education, housing, neighborhood conditions, and lifestyle choices all contribute. Public health, economics, and policy domains increasingly monitor well-being as an outcome alongside traditional measures like mortality and morbidity, informing interventions and social programs.

Critiques note that well-being is partly subjective and culturally contingent, raising concerns about measurement validity and potential misalignment with objective indicators. Despite these challenges, Wohlbefinden remains a central concept in psychology, sociology, and public policy as a holistic aim of a good life.