Backgrounds

: This theoretical article reviews empirically and carefully the concepts of wellbeing, optimal/positive mental health, types of wellbeing and flourishing, in order to clarify and differentiate them based on what the current scientific literature offers; concepts that are usually used as synonyms, or as interchangeable terms.

State of the art

: various inclusion and reference criteria are explained and proposed for what we usually consider «positive» and «negative» in scientific studies of wellbeing and ill-being (disease, pathogenic, languish), as a framework and reliable guide for future research and work methodologies related to the constructs studied here, as well as a support in the elaboration and enrichment of the same definitions. In addition to this, specific and differentiated concepts of wellbeing, optimal mental health and flourishing are proposed and articulated, which are recognized as independent but interrelated. Conclusions: the review of the literature and the analysis of the information give way to the appearance of a new concept called «integrative wellbeing» that seeks to compile the types of existing wellbeing and mental health that together lead to individual and social flourishing. Thus, it was sought to impact the use of adequate, current and functional terminologies, due to the complexity and dynamism offered by the terms; trusting, in addition, it will allow researchers and various professionals, the conformation and development of evaluation instruments, as well as possible practical applications in the clinical, educational, social, political, laboral or other types of fields.