title: From well-being to positive mental health: conceptualization and qualitative development of an instrument in Singapore.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is no global definition of well-being. Cultural differences in the perception of well-being and the social and behavioral contexts further limit its measurement. Existing instruments are developed in Western societies that differ in their conceptualization of well-being from Asian populations. Moreover, very few instruments address the multidimensional construct of well-being.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature was reviewed to develop a priori conceptual framework of mental health and well-being. Concepts were identified based on specific criteria to guide the qualitative investigations. Finally, focus group discussions were conducted among adults belonging to the three major ethnicities in Singapore to identify salient domains of mental health and well-being.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mental well-being is a multidimensional construct constituting of positive affect, satisfaction, and psychological functioning. While well-being explains the functional and psychological components, positive mental health is a combination of these and the skills required to achieve them. Although there is an overlap between the concepts identified from the literature and those identified in Singapore, certain differences existed, particularly with the relevance attributed to family interactions and religiosity or spirituality. Similar findings were observed across the three ethnic groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Domains identified can be used to develop a culturally relevant instrument in Singapore.
authors.affiliation: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Woodbridge Hospital, Singapore, Singapore. janhavi_vaingankar@imh.com.sg
authors.forename: Janhavi Ajit
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Vaingankar
authors.forename: Mythily
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Subramaniam
authors.forename: Mythily
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Subramaiam
authors.forename: Yee Wei
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Cathy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sherbourne
authors.forename: Nan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Gery
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Phua
authors.forename: Shazana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shahwan
authors.forename: Kian Woon
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Kwok
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bradley
authors.forename: Maria Orlando
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Edelen
authors.forename: Siow Ann
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Chong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D012196:Review Literature as Topic; D012846:Singapore; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires