In this special episode of Researching Happy, recorded at the European Conference on Positive Psychology in Dublin, Matthew Iasiello from Be Well Co and the University of Adelaide explores one of the most pressing issues in wellbeing science: the fragmented and inconsistent definitions of wellbeing.
Iasiello presents a clear diagnosis of the problem — with nearly 100 different measures using widely varying dimensions, the field struggles with research synthesis, policy impact, and clear communication. When studies claim to “improve wellbeing,” it’s often unclear what exactly is being measured or changed.He proposes a promising solution: the development of a flexible, modular taxonomy of positive mental health.
Drawing on a three-study program — including an umbrella review of 155 measures, in-depth item analysis, and a major Delphi consensus study with 122 leading international experts — Iasiello and his team identified 19 core dimensions that reached expert agreement.
The talk covers the resulting working definition of positive mental health, the tension between standardization and cultural nuance, and why a taxonomy (inspired by the successful Behavior Change Technique Taxonomy) could bring greater clarity without becoming a rigid “prison cell” for the field.
Iasiello discusses limitations, including the need for stronger cross-cultural validation and lived-experience perspectives, and outlines practical next steps for research, interventions, and policy.
This presentation offers both a critical look at the current state of wellbeing science and an optimistic, collaborative path forward. Whether you're a researcher, practitioner, or anyone passionate about human flourishing, this episode provides valuable insight into how we can make well-being science more coherent and impactful.
