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Updated:
March 31, 2025
Written By:
Liz Robson
One of the key goals of positive psychology is to help young people flourish and thrive. This field of psychology focuses on promoting mental well-being and resilience, rather than simply treating mental illness. By utilising evidence-based practices and interventions, positive psychology can support young people in developing important skills and mindsets that can contribute to their overall success and happiness.
Flourishing youth aren’t just great test-takers or high achievers—they're resilient, optimistic and emotionally thriving. Imagine a generation empowered not just to survive, but to truly thrive.
Positive psychology is a relatively new branch of psychology that emerged in the late 1990s. It was championed by Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi (2000), who believed that traditional psychology focused too heavily on mental illness and neglected the study of positive human functioning. Positive psychologists believe that everyone has the capacity for growth and development, even in challenging circumstances.
Flourishing is a word used within Positive Psychology. When we talk about flourishing, we're referring to a state of optimal wellbeing where individuals feel positive, engaged, and experience a sense of purpose. It’s not just about “feeling good” temporarily; it's a deep-rooted sense of fulfilment, connection, and resilience.
Flourishing youth often demonstrate high levels of emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. Crucially, they are better equipped to face challenges, build meaningful relationships, and contribute positively to their communities.
Supporting our young people to flourish is a key priority for protecting mental health and promoting wellbeing. Supporting young people to move towards flourishing is essential to reduce the burden of adolescent mental health problems that are increasing nationally and internationally.
Flourishing during adolescence has been linked to numerous positive outcomes and benefits. Research has shown that adolescents who experience high levels of flourishing are more likely to thrive in different areas of their lives, including
Flourishing adolescents tend to perform better academically, have higher grades, and are more motivated to learn. They also have a higher likelihood of completing secondary education and pursuing further studies.
Adolescents who flourish are less likely to engage in risky behaviours such as substance abuse, smoking, or unsafe sexual practices. They also tend to have healthier lifestyle habits such as exercising regularly and eating nutritious foods.
Flourishing is strongly associated with positive emotions, such as happiness and life satisfaction. These individuals are also more resilient to stress and have better-coping mechanisms.
Flourishing adolescents tend to have stronger social connections and a supportive network of friends and family. They are more likely to engage in prosocial behaviours, such as volunteering or helping others, which can lead to increased self-esteem and a sense of purpose.
The benefits of flourishing during adolescence extend beyond the teenage years. Research has shown that individuals who experience flourishing during this stage of life are more likely to have better mental health, physical health, and overall well-being in adulthood. They are also less likely to engage in risky behaviours such as substance abuse or criminal activity.
Flourishing adolescents often develop effective coping strategies to deal with challenges and setbacks in life. This can include seeking social support, practising self-care activities, and reframing negative thoughts into more positive ones. These coping strategies not only help them navigate through adolescence but can also be utilized throughout their adult life.
Adolescents who are flourishing can serve as role models for their peers and younger generations. Their positive attitudes, resilience, and ability to overcome challenges can inspire others to do the same. By showcasing their strengths and successes, they can motivate their peers to strive towards personal growth and development. This can encourage them to prioritize their own well-being and set a good example for younger generations.
The impact of flourishing adolescents extends beyond themselves and those around them. It also has the potential to shape our future society in a positive way. As these young individuals continue to grow and develop into
It’s worth pondering—what would schools and society look like if we actively nurtured flourishing in 100% of young people?
Globally, research suggests a mixed picture. Studies show that, at most, two-thirds of young people report flourishing, while the other third report only moderate wellbeing. While this might seem promising, it still leaves a substantial proportion of young people who fall into a concerning psychological state known as languishing.
This highlights a critical gap in mental health and wellbeing support for youth across the nation. While many schools and communities have taken steps to prioritize mental health initiatives, there remains a pressing need to implement robust, targeted programs to ensure that every young person can thrive. Addressing this gap isn't just about improving individual lives; it's also about fostering a healthier, more resilient society as a whole.
Flourishing is not just a marker of wellbeing. It also plays a preventative role in mental health challenges. Young people who are flourishing are more likely to have stronger coping mechanisms and less likely to develop anxiety or depression.
Keyes’ (2006) research highlights that flourishing is a protective factor against future mental health challenges. His studies demonstrate that young people who are not flourishing—those who lack positive emotional states, purposeful engagement, and rewarding social connections—are significantly more likely to experience mental health problems.
This absence of flourishing creates a vulnerable state where negative emotions and stressors can take a stronger hold, ultimately increasing the likelihood of issues such as anxiety and depression. By identifying and supporting young people to proactively develop strategies that promote aspects of flourishing, there is a greater chance of building resilience and ensuring long-term mental wellbeing.
Promotion of flourishing also helps counteract the early warning signs of languishing—a state of life where youth feel uninspired, disengaged, and often “stuck.” Preventing languishing isn't just a mental health benefit; it’s a way to enhance academic performance, social development, and overall happiness—in other words, early prevention is key.
Languishing might not be as widely recognised as terms like “depression” or “mental illness,” yet it is an equally urgent issue. Coined by sociologist Corey Keyes (2002), languishing is described as the “absence of mental health”—a state of feeling apathetic, “meh,” and directionless.
While not necessarily clinically depressed, youth who languish often lack motivation or purpose. Young people in this state are at a higher risk for mental health struggles down the line if left unsupported.
Alarmingly, studies indicate that approximately one in three young people are languishing. These individuals often go unnoticed because they don’t display overt symptoms of mental health struggles yet persist in a low-energy, unfulfilling emotional state.
This highlights the urgent need to shift beyond fixing deficits and focus on building strengths—enabling youth to transition from simply existing to truly flourishing.
The Good Childhood Report 2024 provides a chance to understand how many young people in the UK have good well-being and are therefore flourishing. However, the report shows a troubling decline in children’s wellbeing across the UK. Among surveyed 10- to 17-year-olds, 11% report low wellbeing, with UK 15-year-olds ranking the lowest in life satisfaction across Europe.
Gender disparities are stark, with girls consistently less happy than boys, particularly regarding their life as a whole, appearance, and school. Socio-economic gaps are also alarming, as disadvantaged teens show significantly lower life satisfaction compared to their more advantaged peers. Financial strain affects nearly one in four households, exacerbating these issues, with 17% of children in such households experiencing low life satisfaction. Without urgent action, the findings signal a need for systemic change to reverse this troubling trend.
UK 15-year-olds ranking the lowest in life satisfaction across Europe.
The good news? Languishing doesn’t have to be permanent. With the right interventions, coaching, and encouragement, young people can transition into a state of flourishing.
The bridge often lies in positive psychology principles, which focus on amplifying what’s going well rather than fixing what’s “wrong.” This strength-based approach equips youth with tools to cultivate their own sense of wellbeing, resilience, and self-awareness.
Encourage young people to reflect on the things they are grateful for or appreciate daily. Research shows that cultivating gratitude not only boosts happiness, develops a positive outlook and strengthens social bonds.
Help young people name and manage their emotions and identify and increase the use of positive emotions. Tools like “emotion wheels” or journaling exercises can amplify self-awareness and emotional management, which is foundational for resilience.
Use positive psychology exercises based on character strengths to help young people identify and lean into their strengths, whether it’s creativity, teamwork, or leadership.
Lack of connection is a hallmark of languishing. Facilitate group activities—or peer-to-peer support programmes—where young people can develop interpersonal skills and build meaningful relationships.
Help youth find a sense of accomplishment by encouraging them to identify and work towards intrinsically motivating goals, and pursue causes, hobbies or goals bigger than themselves. This could be as simple as volunteering or as ambitious as entrepreneurship.
The solution lies in creating environments and relationships that enable young people to thrive by using applied positive psychology approaches that focus on their strengths, resources and aspirations rather than solely addressing challenges. This means investing in programmes or interventions that promote mental health, foster resilience, and build supportive relationships at home in the community and in schools.
Schools can play a crucial role in supporting young people to flourish. They are one of the main environments where students spend their time, and thus, have a significant impact on their wellbeing.
To support youth flourishing schools can adopt a more holistic approach, emphasising activities that nurture creativity, self-expression, and personal growth alongside implicitly and explicitly teaching strategies for wellbeing within their curriculum and day-to-day experience of the school or setting. Known as Positive Education, this young person-centred approach prioritises a balance between academic achievement and teaching wellbeing strategies, with the understanding that they are interconnected and equally important for a movement towards flourishing.
By prioritising and promoting strategies for wellbeing and empowerment within schools, we can help young people move from merely surviving to truly flourishing.
To find out more about how to develop whole school flourishing sign up for our Free School Wellbeing Webinar.
Positive psychology coaching empowers young people to recognise and apply their unique strengths and identify and use resources that foster personal growth and resilience. By focusing on solutions rather than problems, this approach builds a positive mindset and equips youth with tools to overcome challenges effectively.
Coaches use evidence-based techniques to enhance optimism, goal-setting, and self-efficacy, helping youth create meaningful paths toward their aspirations. Through personalised support, positive psychology coaching cultivates self-awareness and confidence, enabling young individuals to flourish and thrive in all areas of their lives.
By emphasising growth and personal development, this approach helps young individuals build resilience, enabling them to bounce back from setbacks stronger than before. Additionally, it fosters positive relationships by teaching effective communication and collaboration skills, which are essential for personal and professional success.
Positive Psychology Coaching also helps identify purpose and goals motivating young people to pursue fulfilling paths and make a positive impact on their communities. By cultivating optimism, self-compassion, and a growth mindset, it empowers youth to flourish not only in the present but well into their futures.
At Worth-it we specialise in using Positive Psychology Coaching to support young people to develop wellbeing and resilience. To find out more Access our FREE Introduction to Coaching Young People Course.
Youth mentors, teachers, and educators like you hold the power to make a profound impact. The shift from languishing to flourishing starts with intentional, strength-based efforts with individuals or the whole school community. And positive psychology coaching provides an invaluable toolkit for this transformation.
By fostering positive emotions, positive relationships, purpose, and engagement while leaning into positive psychology practices, you can empower young people to thrive emotionally, socially, and academically.
Are you ready to equip yourself with evidence-based tools tailored for supporting youth? Take the first step with our Introduction to Coaching Young People course. Explore how positive psychology coaching can elevate the work you do and join a community dedicated to helping young people flourish.
Sign up for the Introduction to Coaching Young People Course Today!
Join the mission to turn languishing into flourishing—because every young person deserves the chance to thrive.
If you would like to train to be a Positive Psychology Coach That works with Young People Apply for our Worth-it Coach Training Course.
References
Children’s Society. (2024). The Good Childhood Report 2024. The Children’s Society. https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk
Keyes, C. L. M. (2002). The mental health continuum: From languishing to flourishing in life. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 43(2), 207–222. https://doi.org/10.2307/3090197
Keyes, C. L. M. (2006). Mental health in adolescence and young adulthood. Social Indicators Research, 74(2), 245–266. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-005-5770-6
Keyes, C. L. M. (2006). Mental health in adolescence: Is America's youth flourishing? American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 76(3), 395–402. https://doi.org/10.1037/0002-9432.76.3.395
Keyes, C. L. M. (2007). Promoting and protecting mental health as flourishing. American Psychologist, 62(2), 95–108. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.62.2.95
Seligman, M. E. P., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: An introduction. American Psychologist, 55(1), 5–14. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.5
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