Discovering Psychological Well-Being: A Bibliometric Review

Abstract

Psychological well-being is among the concepts that have attracted significant attention from researchers in the fields of social life, work life, and health in recent years. We conducted bibliometric mapping and content analysis to reveal current trends in the concept and contribute to the literature. Using VOSviewer, Citespace, Bibliometrix and MS Office Excel programs, we analysed 16,885 academic studies published in the Web of Science database between 1980 and 2022. The research results show a continuous increase in publications and citations, with a notable surge observed after 2016. The United States accounts for over a third of the publications. Furthermore, the International Journal of Environment Research and Public Health and Frontiers in Psychology stand out as the most productive journals, whereas Carol D. Ryff is the most prolific and cited author in the field. When the footprints of the keywords over the past 10 years are interpreted, some notable trends are identified. Initially, research themes mainly revolved around children, dementia, and social support. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic emerging as a new thematic focus and the disruption of the person-job and person-environment order due to the repercussions of lockdowns, the emphasis has shifted from the theme of social support to mindfulness, loneliness, and support. Notably, motivation and rehabilitation have emerged as significant focal points, with increased attention on social isolation and healthcare workers in recent publications.