Dr. Tyler VanderWeele is a distinguished figure in epidemiology, biostatistics, and the study of human flourishing. He holds the John L. Loeb and Frances Lehman Loeb Professorship of Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Additionally, Dr. VanderWeele is a co-director of the Initiative on Health, Religion, and Spirituality, a faculty affiliate of the Harvard Institute for Quantitative Social Science, and the director of the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University.
His research encompasses a wide range of topics, including psychiatric and social epidemiology, the science of happiness and flourishing, and the study of religion and health. His methodological research focuses on theories and methods for distinguishing between association and causation in the biomedical and social sciences. Dr. VanderWeele has authored or co-authored over three hundred peer-reviewed publications and several books, including Explanation in Causal Inference, Modern Epidemiology, and Measuring Well-Being.
In addition to his academic contributions, Dr. VanderWeele is actively involved in disseminating his research to a broader audience. He writes a monthly blog on topics related to human flourishing for Psychology Today.
1) At the International Positive Psychology Association World Congress this year, you provided a nuanced distinction between the constructs of “thriving” and “flourishing.” Can you briefly discuss why this differentiation is essential in the context of personal well-being?
In everyday conversations, many of us often use “flourishing” and “thriving” almost interchangeably. However, there are subtle differences in their connotations. While thriving often implies doing well, possibly despite difficulties, flourishing suggests a harmony with the environment or community that supports an individual’s well-being.
To make a more refined distinction, I define “flourishing” as living in a state where all aspects of a person’s life are good, encompassing not just the individual but also their context, their communities, and their environments. It’s about the individual within a broader external environment. For instance, someone might be thriving or experiencing positive well-being in a challenging or corrupt environment, but we wouldn’t say they’re fully flourishing, because the surrounding environment is detrimental to their well-being.
This also ties into the idea of the shared good. Our well-being is partly defined by our participation in the common good, meaning that the well-being of our community is an integral part of our own flourishing.
2) Where does the concept of flourishing work well in the world, and what are the lessons we can extract?
Our empirical research on flourishing has primarily focused on the individual, but we are expanding to a more global perspective with the launch of the Global Flourishing Study. This study will provide better measures of not only individual well-being, but also community- and country-level well-being. We aim to explore how factors like national solidarity, structures that enable agency, environmental preservation, and economic resources contribute to individual well-being.
We’ll gain a more comprehensive understanding of these dynamics soon. It’s important to recognize that flourishing (as an ideal encompassing all positive aspects of life, including the context of community) is never perfectly attained. Nonetheless, we strive toward this ideal, understanding that it may be achieved to varying degrees in different places. For example, a well-functioning family, school, or neighborhood can exemplify a sense of flourishing, or where there is trust, support, joy, and pride in a community are evident; these attributes provide mutual positive reinforcement.
3) When discussing environments conducive to flourishing, what are the contributing factors or conditions that come to mind?
Positive interactions and mutual reinforcement are key in communities conducive to flourishing. In the U.S., for example, while there are positive aspects, the presence of political polarization and tensions suggests we have not fully achieved communal flourishing. Political interactions should be conducted with an understanding that, despite disagreements, we are part of the same country and need to work together toward an environment more conducive to flourishing.
At an individual level, practices like gratitude, physical exercise, and moral character are important for happiness and health. However, for broader flourishing, which includes aspects like meaning, purpose, character development, and relationships, we need more than just positive physiological and psychology exercises. We need embeddedness in communities, institutions, and long-term relational commitments. From a public health perspective, factors like connection to family, work, education, and religious community are crucial. These commitments contribute to various aspects of flourishing and are common in thriving populations.
In the Global Flourishing Study, we will examine factors like solidarity and trust in society, a sense of agency, economic resources, and environmental conditions to understand their impact on flourishing. Community participation and religious participation also has shown to be a benefit to health and well-being. These activities that create a sense of wholeness, that engage the totality of the human person, like worship and volunteering, are likely to have a larger impact than less engaging activities. The more a particular community shares a sense of purpose, values, and history, the larger its positive effect on the individual.
4) What are the important considerations when designing environments that support flourishing?
Designing environments that support flourishing is complex. There are elements that may appear zero-sum, like college admissions or job markets, where one person’s gain can be another’s loss. It’s important to acknowledge this fact and think about equitable distribution of resources and supporting those who may not have access.
However, many aspects of flourishing are not zero-sum. For example, genuine friendship inherently benefits both parties, and positive social cohesion in a neighborhood arises from everyone’s contribution, creating a common good. Focusing on fostering these relational and communal goods is crucial.
On a global scale, recognizing we are part of a global community where the well-being of one country affects others. Addressing global challenges, like threats of war or economic instability, requires viewing ourselves as part of a larger community and aiming toward the broader common good. Even in situations that might seem zero-sum, there’s potential to work together for the common good at both local and global levels.
5) For someone who feels they’re constantly in “survival mode” or just “getting by,” what would be the first step they can take toward creating an environment where they can truly flourish?
Addressing the feeling of being in “survival mode” involves several steps. First, it’s important to take stock of and utilize available resources, such as social support, spiritual beliefs, or financial means. These resources can provide critical support in difficult times.
Second, identifying and addressing the specific type of psychological distress is key. Whether it’s depression, anxiety, or anger, there are generally clinical and self-help resources available that can be helpful. For example, David Burns’ book Feeling Good has been shown to help with depression, and there are cognitive behavioral therapy interventions for both depression and anxiety. We’ve also seen benefits from forgiveness interventions for those struggling with anger, which can be freeing and reduce depression and anxiety.
Third, even in tough times, positive psychology tools can be beneficial. Practices like gratitude exercises, acts of kindness, or envisioning one’s best possible self can provide significant support. For instance, a student shared how daily gratitude practice helped her cope with the loss of her brother.
Lastly, and perhaps most challenging, is finding growth within suffering. This involves seeking new meaning, building relationships, strengthening character, and clarifying life’s priorities through adversity. While it’s not a universal solution, approaching difficulties with this mindset can, in some cases, lead to significant personal growth and change. Any of these has the potential to help someone move from merely surviving to thriving.
