PROMOTING PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING: THE SYNERGY OF CHARACTER STRENGTHS AND FLOW STATES

Abstract

This article is framed within the paradigm of positive psychology, adopting a salutogenic perspective to examine the functional relationship between two key variables in the study of psychological well-being: flow states and character strengths. Its relevance lies in the growing need to identify psychological resources that foster emotional self-regulation, adaptive coping, and subjective well-being across occupational, academic, and sociocultural contexts. From a dynamic conception of mental health, recent empirical findings are analyzed, addressing how certain character strengths—such as hope, self-regulation, gratitude, and perseverance—positively influence the emergence and sustainability of flow. Flow is understood as an optimal psychological state characterized by intrinsic satisfaction, deep concentration, and high engagement in task performance. The evidence is structured around three key axes: research focused on flow states, studies addressing character strengths, and works exploring their combined effect. The findings indicate that both variables act as facilitators of mental health by enhancing perceived self-efficacy, resilience, and task commitment. Likewise, their applicability to professional, adolescent, and university populations is emphasized, highlighting their potential as core elements of preventive and psychoeducational interventions. It is concluded that the empirical and conceptual integration of these variables may strengthen programs aimed at promoting psychological well-being throughout different stages of life.