Citation

Kecmanović D. Acta Med. Acad. 2010; 39(1): 62-70.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Akademija nauka i umjetnosti Bosne i Hercegovine)

DOI

10.5644/ama.v39i1.75

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

No matter how we conceive subjective well-being, happiness,as a predominantly affective condition, is a key component of it. There is a tendency, mostly within positive psychology, to equate subjective well-being, i.e., happiness and mental health. The question arises as to how well founded it is to equate happiness and mental health. The author challenges the connection between subjective well-being and mental health. He argues that mental health should not be reduced to happiness. In order to back his view he analyses six aspects of the alleged association of happiness and mental health,and shows the mismatch of these two phenomena.
Conclusion. Mental health comprises inter alia the correct perception of reality, a critical stance towards the given society, and behavioral manifestations. All these occurrences are not the defining characteristics of subjective well-being. Therefore, subjective well-being can be a measure but not the measure of mental health.

Language: en