Overview

Provides the tools and knowledge to develop and nurture the essential building blocks of a thriving life Understanding how to thrive, not just survive, has never been more critical in today's world. Grounded in over 25 years of peer-reviewed research, PERMA +4: Pathways to Well-Being and Positive Functioning provides a comprehensive guide to the essential building blocks of flourishing. Authors Stewart Donaldson and Victoria Cabrera share the latest evidence while providing actionable insights on how positive psychology interventions can help cultivate happiness and resilience. With clear explanations of nine scientifically validated building blocks, including emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment, PERMA +4 equips readers with tools to build their well-being while empowering others to do the same. The PERMA+4 framework extends foundational work by integrating new insights into areas such as physical health, mindset, and economic security. Each easy-to-read chapter is packed with practical activities, step-by-step guidance, informational charts and figures, full-color images, ""Key Takeaways, "" and reflection questions. Offering practical strategies for anyone eager to lead a more fulfilling life, PERMA +4: Introduces the PERMA+4 framework, extending Martin Seligman's foundational well-being theory with new evidence Explains the science behind positive psychology interventions and why they work Integrates findings from more than 1,000 research studies on flourishing and well-being Covers practical applications for education, workplaces, healthcare, and personal growth Ideal for health practitioners, educators, workplace leaders, and well-being coaches, PERMA +4: Building Blocks for Human Flourishing is essential reading for undergraduate, graduate, and professional audiences. It is perfect for courses in positive psychology, public health, leadership, and organizational development, or as a reference for practitioners aiming to enhance well-being in diverse settings.

Full Product Details

Author:   Stewart I. Donaldson (Claremont Graduate University) ,  Vicki Cabrera (Claremont Graduate University)
Publisher:   John Wiley & Sons Inc
Imprint:   John Wiley & Sons Inc
Dimensions:   Width: 14.70cm , Height: 1.50cm , Length: 22.40cm
Weight:   0.249kg
ISBN:  

9781394268160

ISBN 10:   1394268165
Pages:   208
Publication Date:   27 November 2025
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  College/higher education ,  Professional & Vocational ,  Undergraduate
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Available To Order  
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Table of Contents

About the Authors xi Preface xiii                 1 A Fresh Look at the Science of Well-Being and Positive Functioning 1                   A Fresh New Look at Feeling and Doing Well in Life 1                        PERMA+4 Building Blocks of Well-Being and Optimal Functioning 2                            Human Flourishing 3                       Human Suffering 6                           Human Struggling 7                         Human Languishing 8                     Human Thriving 9                             Measuring Human Flourishing 10                              Why Is Well-Being Important? 12                              How to Use This Book 14                               Conclusion 14                    References 15   2 Positive Emotions 17 What Are Positive Emotions? 18 Circumplex Model of Emotions (Russell, 2003) 19 Why Positive Emotions Are a Building Block of Well-Being 22 The Broaden and Build Theory of Positive Emotions (Cohn & Fredrickson, 2010; Fredrickson, 2013) 23 How to Leverage the Power of Positive Emotions to Improve Well-Being 25 Apply What You Learned About Positive Emotions 26 Learn More About Positive Emotions 26 Key Takeaways 26 References 27 3 Engagement and Flow 31 What are Engagement and Flow? 33 The Difference Between Engagement and Flow 34 Why is Flow a Building Block of Well-Being 35 How to Create More Experiences of Engagement and Flow to Care for Your Well-Being 36 Apply What You Learned About Engagement and Flow 38 Learn More About Engagement and Flow 39 Key Takeaways 39 References 39                 4 Positive Relationships 41                           What Are Positive Relationships? 42                         What About at School or Work? 42                           The Role of Positive Leadership 43                            Why Positive Relationships Are a Building Block of Well-Being 43                                How to Build and Nurture More Positive Relationships 44                               Apply What You Learned About Positive Relationships 44                               Learn More about Positive Relationships 45                          Key Takeaways 45                            References 46   5 Meaning and Purpose 49 What Is Meaning and Purpose? 50                 What Exactly Is Meaning? 50                 Busting Myths About Purpose 51 Why Does Purpose Matter? 51 Why Is Meaning and Purpose a Building Block of Human Flourishing? 52 How to Develop Meaning and Purpose 52 Apply What You Learned About Purpose 53 Learn More About Meaning and Purpose 53 Key Takeaways 54 References 54 6 Achievement 57 What Is Achievement? 59 Why Is Achievement a Building Block of Human Flourishing? 59 Achievement in the Workplace 60 Mastery as a Basic Psychological Need 60 Achievement as a Driver of Health and Well-Being 60 How to Nurture Achievement 61 Apply What You Learned About Achievement 61 Learn More About Achievement 62 Key Takeaways 62 References 63                 7             Physical Health 65                            The Treasure of Health 65                             What Is Physical Health? 67                         Why Is Physical Health Important for Well-Being? 67                        How to Improve and Maintain Physical Health 68                               Take It One Step at a Time 69                      Apply What You Learned About Physical Health 70                            Learn More About Physical Health 70                      Key Takeaways 70                            References 71                   8 Positive Mindset 73                     Tree of Growth 74                            What Is a Positive Mindset? 75                   The Power of a Positive Mindset: Psychological Capital 76                              Why It Matters 77                            Building Your Psychological Capital 77                     Why Is a Positive Mindset Important for Well-Being? 77                  How to Develop and Maintain a Positive Mindset 78                         The Psychological Capital Intervention (PCI) Model 80                      Apply What You Learned About Mindset 82                          Learn More About Mindset 82                    Key Takeaways 82                            References 83   9 Environment 85 Katrina’s Garden of Growth 86 What Is the Environment Building Block? 87 Why Your Environment Is a Building Block of Human Flourishing 87 How to Improve Your Physical Environment to Support Your Well-Being 88 Apply What You Learned About Your Environment 89 Learn More About Environment 90 Key Takeaways 90 References 91 10 Economic Security 93 The Tree of Stability: A Story About Economic Security and Well-Being 94 What Is Economic Security? 95 Why Economic Security Is Crucial for Well-Being 95 Why Income Matters for Well-Being 96 The Research on Economic Security and Life Satisfaction 96 When More Money Doesn’t Mean More Happiness 97 The Bottom Line 97 How to Improve Economic Security 97 Apply What You Learned About Economic Security 98 Learn More About Economic Security 99 Key Takeaways 99 References 99                 11 PERMA+4 Science: Why it is Important to Monitor & Assess                      Well-being 101                  PERMA+4 Science: A Simple Guide for Everyday Use 102                 The Science of Positive Psychology 103                   Validated Research Measures 106                             The PERMA+4 Scale (Donaldson & Donaldson, 2021) 106                                The PERMA+4 Short Scale (Donaldson et al., 2023) 108                    The Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener et al., 1985) 108                  The Flourishing Scale (Diener et al., 2009) 109                     Practical Tools for Developing and Monitoring Your PERMA+4                      and Well-Being 109                          How to Score the Cantril’s Ladder 113                     How to Interpret Your Cantril’s Ladder Scores 113                              Conclusion 114                  Key Takeaways115                          References 115 12 Activities to Develop PERMA + 4 117                 How to Use This Chapter 118                 How This Chapter Is Organized 118                 Positive Emotions 118                 Personal Activities 118                 Activities for Others 119                 Engagement and Flow 119                 Personal Activities 119                 Activities for Others 120                 Positive Relationships 120                 Personal Activities 120                   Activities for Others 121                                More Activities 121                          Meaning and Purpose 121                            Personal Activities 121                   Activities for Others 122                                Achievement 122                             Personal Activities 122                   Activities for Others 123                                Physical Health 123                          Personal Activities 123                   Activities for Others 124                                Mindset 124                       Personal Activities 124                   Activities for Others 124                                Economic Security 125                   Personal Activities 125                   Activities for Others 125                                Environment 126                              Personal Activities 126                   Activities for Others 126                                Activities That Develop Multiple PERMA + 4 Building Blocks 126                   Personal Activities 126                   Activities for Others 127                                Resources for More Activities to Strengthen                        PERMA + 4 Building Blocks 127                   PERMA+4 Activities Resources 127                           Books 127                            Journal Articles 127                         References 130 13 More PERMA+4 Resources 133 The PERMA Framework 134 Journal Articles 134 Books 134 Measures 135 The PERMA+4 Framework 135 Journal Articles 135 Measures 136 Online Resources 136 Books 136                 Positive Emotions 137                    Journal Articles 137                         Books 137                            Measures 138                    Audio Course 138                             Websites 139                     Engagement and Flow 139                            Journal Articles 139                         Book Chapters 139                           Other Publications 140                   Measures 140                    Websites 141                     Positive Relationships 141                             Research Articles 141                      Books 141                            Book Chapters 142                           Meaning and Purpose 142                            Journal Articles 142                         Achievement 143                             Journal Articles 143                         Books 143                            Physical Health 143                          Journal Articles 143                         Positive Mindset 144                       Research Articles 144                      Books 145                            Websites 145                     Environment 145                              Research Articles 145                      Books 146                            Economic Security 146                   Research Articles 146                      References 147 Index 000

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Author Information

Stewart I. Donaldson, PhD, is a Distinguished University Professor, President of the Claremont Flourishing Center, and Executive Director of the Claremont Evaluation Center and The Evaluators’ Institute at Claremont Graduate University. His leadership in advancing well-being research has earned him numerous awards and accolades worldwide. Vicki Cabrera, PhD, is a Research Fellow at Claremont Graduate University and Principal Well-being and Social Impact Consultant, Evaluator, and Researcher at Vicki Cabrera Consulting. She is an expert in well-being science, positive psychology, organizational psychology, and program evaluation and design. An award-winning scholar-practitioner, Dr. Cabrera also conducts scholarly research and has published articles and book chapters in leading journals.

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