This study introduces an approach geared toward psychiatric epidemiology for diagnosing the poles of the mental health continuum. In particular, "flourishing" is a condition characterized as the presence of high levels of emotional, psychological, and social well-being, while "languishing" is a condition characterized as low levels of emotional, psychological, and social well-being. The diagnostic scheme is illustrated using the MacArthur Foundation MIDUS nationally representative sample of U.S. adults, aged 25-74, in 1995. Findings suggest that 13% of adults are languishing, and 22% of adults are flourishing . Findings show that the burden of languishing rivals the burden of depression, and languishing compounds the burden attributable to depression. Cardiovascular disease, chronic physical disease, illicit drug use, substance abuse behaviors, days lost of work due to health, and medical visits were markedly higher among adults who were languishing and had depression; the burden outcomes were comparable between adults who were languishing only and depressed only, and markedly lower among mental healthy (flourishing) adults. Lastly, the risk of languishing and depression decreased with age. However, singly and as comorbid conditions, languishing and depression are highly burdensome within all age group in this study. Globally, ongoing population shifts in aging and the projected burden of mental illness suggest that international public health efforts must include the assessment of, and interventions aimed at preventing, "languishing."
Learning Objectives: 1) Diagnosis of Mental Health 2) Epidemiology of the presence and absence of mental health compared with the presence of mental illness (Major Depression Disorder) 3) Estimate the burden of the absence of mental health compared with the presence of mental illness (Major Depression Disorder)
Keywords: Mental Health, Aging
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.