Relationships are crucial.  They are crucial in promoting resilience to stress, and they are crucial in enhancing wellbeing and happiness.  Research suggests that all three of social support, social integration and (inversely) social conflict contribute to self-esteem and health.  The relationship...

It has seemed likely for some time that skilful goal setting boosts wellbeing.  A couple of small recent research studies from the Department of Psychology at Royal Holloway, University of London reinforce this understanding (MacLeod, Coates et al. 2008).  Wellbeing was assessed by an often used conglomerate measure which adds measures of 'positive' emotion and life satisfaction while...

I'm a big fan of Self-Determination Theory (SDT).  SDT is a general theory of motivation and personality that has evolved over the past three decades.  SDT suggests that humans, like plants or other animals, intrinsically 'strive' for need satisfaction & flourishing.  Social context and personal choices can support or thwart this need striving with major effects for health and wellbeing...