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Subjective wellbeing, homeostatically protected mood and depression : a synthesis
This paper concerns the idea that Subjective Wellbeing (SWB) is managed by a system of psychological devices which have evolved for this purpose. It is proposed that this management is actually directed at the protection of Homeostatically Protected Mood, as the major component of SWB. We normally experience HPMood as a combination of contentment, happiness and positive arousal. A theoretical description of this construct is offered that can account for many of the commonly observed empirical characteristics of SWB data. It is further proposed that when homeostasis fails, due to the overwhelming nature of a negative challenge, people lose contact with HPMood and experience the domination of negative rather than positive affect. If this condition is chronic, people experience the clinical condition we call depression.
History
Journal
Journal of happiness studiesVolume
11Issue
1Pagination
1 - 17Publisher
Springer NetherlandsLocation
Dordrecht, NetherlandsPublisher DOI
ISSN
1389-4978eISSN
1573-7780Language
engPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2009, Springer Science+Business Media B.V.Usage metrics
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