Situating psychological well-being: Exploring the cultural roots of its theory and research

Psychological well-being is a seminal concept in counseling and yet it is seldom discussed, researched, or critiqued; this article examines the cultural values and assumptions underlying its theory and research. Contemporary understandings of psychological and subjective well-being are placed in cultural and historical context to illuminate their Euro-American cultural roots. Approaches to psychological well-being are shown to presuppose ontological and liberal individualism as notions of the self and as normative prescriptions for the good or ideal person. It is argued that culture-free theories or measures of well-being are unattainable; all understandings of psychological well-being are based on moral visions.