Human Thriving

Abstract

Abstract. Human beings have an inherent drive for self-improvement and growth ( Maslow, 1965 ; Ryan & Deci, 2002 ). In a quest to understand how human beings achieve fulfillment, researchers have sought to explain why some individuals thrive in certain situations, whereas others merely survive or succumb. The topic of thriving has become popular with scholars, resulting in a divergent body of literature and a lack of consensus on the key processes that underpin the construct. In view of such differences, the purpose of this paper is threefold: (i) to review a number of existing theoretical and conceptual debates, and to propose a conceptualization of thriving applicable across different populations and domains; (ii) to consolidate pertinent bodies of extant thriving research and identify key personal and contextual enablers to inform applied practice; and (iii) to identify noteworthy gaps within existing literature so as to make recommendations for future research and, ultimately, support the development of effective psychosocial interventions for thriving.

Thriving at work: A meta‐analysis

“…Human thriving has attracted the interest of social and behavioral scientists for several decades (see D. J. Brown, Arnold, Fletcher, & Standage, , for a review). In the broader psychological literature, thriving is typically conceptualized as a dynamic process of adaptation to physical, psychological, or social adversity, leading to positive outcomes such as personal growth and enhanced functioning (e.g., Bugental, ; Jackson, Firtko, & Edenborough, ; O'Leary & Ickovics, ).…”

Thriving from Work: Conceptualization and Measurement

“…Brown et al defined thriving as "the state of positive functioning at its fullest range-mentally, physically, and socially." [30] (p. 256). Spreitzer et al conceptualized a narrower view of thriving than Brown et al, centered only on vitality and learning [33,35,36].…”

Adaptação Portuguesa da Escala de Thriving na Adolescência

“…Comparativamente à substancial investigação sobre comportamentos de risco e comportamentos negativos na adolescência, adequados ou competência, a pesquisa sobre o conceito de thriving na adolescência continua em estudo (consultar, por exemplo, os estudos de Benson & Scales, 2009;Brown, Arnold, Fletcher, & Standage, 2017;Bundick et al, 2010;Lerner, Lerner, von Eye, Bowers, & Lewin-Bizan, 2011;Scales, Benson, & Roehlkepartain, 2011;Wiese, Tay, Su, & Diener, 2018), observando-se uma falta de consenso na investigação sobre o que consiste thriving, do que este inclui, e como pode ser medido. Sesma, Mannes e Scales (2013) notam que uma maior dificuldade em alcançar um consenso sobre o que constitui thriving na adolescência, comparativamente a comportamentos de risco que são necessários atender na adolescência, se deve ao facto de indicadores de thriving refletirem mais uma perspetiva moral e contextual particular -comparativamente a indicadores de risco (cujos efeitos são notórios independentemente do contexto cultural ou orientação moral, isto é, como por exemplo, o efeito prejudicial na saúde do consumo de tabaco ou substâncias ilícitas) -, sendo menos provável a universalidade do conceito.…”