Publications [#385285] of Terrie E. Moffitt

Journal Articles

1. Tamnes, CK; Bekkhus, M; Eilertsen, M; Nes, RB; Prydz, MB; Ystrom, E; Aksnes, ER; Andersen, SN; Ask, H; Ayorech, Z; Baier, T; Beck, D; Berger, EJ; Bjørndal, LD; Boer, OD; Bos, MGN; Caspi, A; Cheesman, R; Chegeni, R; Cortés-García, L; Demange, PA; Ebeltoft, JC; Edvoll, M; Eftedal, NH; Eilertsen, EM; Fang, Y; Ferschmann, L; Fluit, S; Folstad, SH; Fredriksen, E; Gashi, L; Gustavson, K; Hansen, T; Hofgaard, LS; Karl, V; Kozák, M; Krogshus, KG; Liu, J; Lyngstad, TH; MacSweeney, N; Maes, HHM; Mayerhofer, L; McAdams, TA; Moffitt, TE; Naseri, N; Nilsen, TS; Norbom, LB; Nygaard, E; Oftedal, A; Pedersen, W; Qin, Q; Rodríguez-Cano, R; Skirbekk, V; Smajlagic, D; Solberg, OM; Tandberg, AD; Teulings, IJE; Torvik, FA; Tsotsi, S; Ulset, VS; Vira, EG; Røysamb, E; von Soest, T (2025). The nature of the relation between mental well-being and ill-being.. Nature human behaviour, 9(12), 2431-2440. [doi]
   (last updated on 2026/01/10)

   Abstract:
   Research on mental health has traditionally separated the study of ill-being, including clinically defined mental and behavioural disorders and subthreshold problems, from the study of well-being, which encompasses factors such as life satisfaction and positive affect. Although previous reviews of studies primarily using self-report scales indicate that ill-being and well-being are distinct yet interconnected constructs, a deeper examination of their relationship is lacking. In this Perspective, we synthesize genetic, biological, developmental, psychosocial, societal, cultural and clinical research on ill-being and well-being. Our review reveals substantial genetic overlap and similar biological underpinnings for ill-being and well-being. By contrast, environmental factors and societal changes often exert divergent influences. We propose a differentiated multidisciplinary framework in which the shared and unique determinants, predictors, mechanisms and consequences of mental ill-being and well-being vary across levels of analysis, offering a more nuanced understanding of the interconnections.