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III. Empirical Dimensions of Mental Health

George E. Vaillant, MD

Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1975;32(4):420-426.

Abstract
In a nonpatient population, the concept of mental health was operationally defined both in terms of behavior and of abstract psychological functioning. Ninety-five college sophomores, selected for psychological health, were prospectively followed up for 30 years. They were assessed by independent raters on a scale reflecting objectively defined healthy adult adjustment; on a scale of clinically defined psychiatric illness; and on a scale of maturity of ego defenses.

These three scales were highly correlated. It seemed likely that relatively objective items like length of vacation, divorce, heavy use of mood-altering drugs, career dissatisfaction, and visits to medical physicians can—as a cluster—statistically identify the abstract concept of mental health.

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School (Boston), the Harvard University Health Services, and the Cambridge Hospital.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication Nov 7, 1974.

Read in part before the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association, Dallas, May 1, 1972.

Reprint requests to the Cambridge Hospital, 1493 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139 (Dr. Vaillant).

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