Optimal well-being after psychopathology: prevalence and correlates

First published March 24, 2022 Research Article

https://doi.org/10.1177/216770262210

Commentary

This study reported the prevalence of optimal well-being (OWB) after recovery from depression, suicidal ideation, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorder.

The analysis used a national Canadian sample (N= 23,491) and operationalized OWB as a 12-month lack of psychopathology, scoring above the 25th percentile for psychological well-being and below the 25th percentile for disability measures.

We also found that participants with a lifetime history of psychopathology had OWB compared to participants with no history of psychopathology.

Adults with a history of substance use disorder (10.2%) and depression (7.1%) were most likely to report OWB, while those with anxiety (5.7%), suicidal ideation (5.0%), bipolar I (3.3%) and bipolar II (3.2%) were least likely to report OWB.

Having these disorders compared to having multiple disorders has been reported to increase the odds of OWB by 4.2-fold.