Mental Wellbeing (Psychology Unit 4 - Area of Study 2)

Vocabulary flashcards covering core terms and definitions from the Mental Wellbeing notes (Area of Study 2).

Mental wellbeing

A state of well-being that relates to mental health, including enjoying life, coping with everyday stresses, and realizing one’s potential; it exists on a continuum and is influenced by internal and external factors.

Wellbeing

A broad sense of wellness that can refer to overall health or to a specific domain (for example, social or emotional wellbeing).

SEWB (Social and Emotional Wellbeing)

A multidimensional, holistic framework for wellbeing used to understand the mental wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; it includes body, mind and emotions, family and kinship, community, culture, country, spirituality and ancestors.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Indigenous Australians whose mental wellbeing is understood within SEWB; wellbeing is influenced by cultural determinants and holistic approaches.

Seven SEWB domains

One of SEWB's key ideas: seven interconnected domains that make up SEWB: connection to body, mind and emotions, family and kinship, community, culture, country, and spirituality and ancestors.

Connection to body

The physical health and bodily wellbeing that enable participation in daily life; includes nutrition, exercise, physical health, and management of illness.

Connection to mind and emotions

The ability to think and feel in ways that support mental health; includes self-esteem, motivation, confidence, and coping with thoughts and emotions.

Connection to family and kinship

The quality of relationships with family and kinship networks, providing belonging, support and care.

Connection to community

Engagement with and support from the wider community, including social networks and services that help individuals feel connected.

Connection to culture

A sense of identity and belonging linked to one's culture, including traditions, language, values and practices.

Connection to Country

Spiritual and emotional ties to traditional lands and country; connection to place and to the landscape.

Connection to spirituality and ancestors

Beliefs and practices relating to spirituality and to ancestors who influence life and wellbeing.

Social determinants

External factors shaping health and wellbeing based on where people live and work, such as socioeconomic status, poverty, unemployment, and discrimination.

Historical determinants

The ongoing influence of historical events, policies, trauma (e.g., colonisation) and their legacies on groups’ health and wellbeing.

Political determinants

Policies and governance that shape the distribution of resources and contribute to health inequalities.

Cultural determinants

Cultural factors that influence wellbeing and can support a strengths-based approach to mental health; recognizing identity and cultural practices.

Determinants

Factors that influence mental wellbeing, including social, historical, political, and cultural influences.

Functioning

The extent to which a person independently operates in their environment; observable behavior across life domains and fluctuates along a continuum.

High level of functioning

Ability to carry out daily tasks, be productive, set goals, adapt to change, and live independently.

Low level of functioning

Difficulty carrying out basic tasks, lethargy, lack of direction, and inability to cope with changes.

Adaptive behaviour

Actions that enable effective, independent daily living and adaptation to daily demands.

Maladaptive behaviour

Behaviour that interferes with daily functioning and can be dysfunctional or impair everyday activities.

Resilience

The ability to adapt to, cope with, and recover from stressors or adversity, returning to a functioning state; a protective factor for mental health that can be developed.

Three key qualities of resilience

Ability to achieve positive outcomes in adversity, to function competently under stress, and to recover from trauma.

Ten ways to build resilience

Strategies such as making connections, accepting help, moving toward goals, taking decisive actions, maintaining hope, keeping perspective, and self-care to strengthen resilience.

Social wellbeing

The ability to form and maintain meaningful relationships, have a strong support network, and communicate effectively.