Complete Bibliography & Further Reading
The science of comprehensive human thriving
UBFlourishing2 is built on decades of rigorous research in positive psychology, well-being science, and mental health. This page provides a comprehensive bibliography of the academic works, books, and research papers that inform the product's dual-pillar approach: overcoming what holds you back AND cultivating what propels you forward. Each source is available through Amazon with direct purchase links.
The foundational research upon which UBFlourishing2's comprehensive flourishing model is built:
2011 • Atria Books
The definitive work introducing the PERMA model of flourishing from the founder of positive psychology. Seligman expands beyond his earlier focus on happiness to present a comprehensive theory of well-being encompassing Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment—the five pillars of human thriving.
2002-2023 • Various Academic Publications
Dr. Keyes' groundbreaking research at Emory University established that mental health and mental illness operate on two separate continua. True flourishing requires not just the absence of illness, but the active presence of positive mental health. His research shows that only 17% of adults truly flourish, while most are "languishing."
Essential texts from the founders and leaders of positive psychology and well-being science:
2009 • Harmony Books
Fredrickson's broaden-and-build theory explains how positive emotions expand our awareness, build lasting psychological resources, and create upward spirals of well-being. Her research demonstrates that flourishing requires a ratio of positive to negative emotions of approximately 3:1.
2007 • Penguin Books
Lyubomirsky's research reveals that 40% of our happiness is under our intentional control through specific activities and practices. This "40% solution" provides the scientific basis for believing that flourishing is cultivable through consistent effort.
2004 • Oxford University Press
The comprehensive classification of 24 character strengths organized under six core virtues. This 800-page handbook represents the positive psychology counterpart to the DSM, cataloging what is right with people rather than what is wrong.
2002 • Free Press
Seligman's earlier work that launched the positive psychology movement and introduced his first happiness theory, focusing on positive emotion, engagement, and meaning. The precursor to the more comprehensive PERMA model in "Flourish."
Research supporting the first pillar—removing barriers to flourishing:
1946 • Beacon Press
The classic memoir and philosophical work demonstrating that humans can find meaning even in the most extreme suffering. Frankl's logotherapy shows that purpose can be discovered through adversity, transforming obstacles into opportunities for growth.
2002 • Harmony
Based on 15 years of research at the University of Pennsylvania, this book presents seven learnable skills for bouncing back from adversity, setbacks, and everyday challenges. Resilience is shown to be a skill that can be developed, not a fixed trait.
2002 • HarperOne
Research from the Stanford Forgiveness Project demonstrating that forgiveness is a learnable skill with measurable benefits for mental and physical health. Holding onto grievances blocks flourishing; releasing them opens new possibilities.
Research supporting the second pillar—cultivating positive capacities:
1990 • Harper Perennial
The groundbreaking research on flow states—those moments of complete absorption where time seems to stop. Csikszentmihalyi shows that increasing flow experiences dramatically enhances life satisfaction and is a key component of flourishing.
2007 • Houghton Mifflin
The definitive work on gratitude science from the world's leading researcher on the topic. Emmons shows that gratitude practices produce reliable, significant increases in well-being across multiple domains of life.
2013 • Plume
Fredrickson redefines love as "positivity resonance"—micro-moments of connection that can occur with anyone. These moments of love are shown to build physical health, emotional well-being, and social bonds.
Peer-reviewed research underlying UBFlourishing2's evidence-based approach:
Keyes, C. L. M. (2002). Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 43(2), 207-222.
The foundational paper introducing the complete state model of mental health and the concept of "languishing" as the opposite of flourishing. Establishes that mental health and mental illness are separate continua.
Keyes, C. L. M. (2007). American Psychologist, 62(2), 95-108.
Demonstrates that flourishing is protective against mental illness and that promoting positive mental health is a distinct, complementary strategy to preventing and treating mental illness.
Seligman, M. E. P. (2018). Journal of Positive Psychology, 13(4), 333-335.
Seligman's clarification and defense of the PERMA model, explaining how the five elements work together to create comprehensive flourishing.
Fredrickson, B. L. (2001). American Psychologist, 56(3), 218-226.
The landmark paper explaining how positive emotions broaden our thought-action repertoires and build lasting personal resources—foundational for understanding how cultivating positives creates lasting flourishing.
Lyubomirsky, S., Sheldon, K. M., & Schkade, D. (2005). Review of General Psychology, 9(2), 111-131.
The "40% solution" paper showing that intentional activities account for 40% of happiness variance, providing scientific basis for believing that consistent flourishing practices produce lasting change.
Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377-389.
Experimental evidence that gratitude interventions produce significant, lasting improvements in well-being—supporting the power of the Inspire-U-2-B-Grateful module.
Diener, E., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2002). Psychological Science, 13(1), 81-84.
Research identifying that the happiest people share one key characteristic: rich, meaningful social relationships. Supports the centrality of connection modules in UBFlourishing2.
Fredrickson, B. L. (2001). American Psychologist, 56(3), 218-226.
Establishes that positive emotions are not merely pleasant but serve crucial evolutionary and developmental functions in building personal resources and resilience.
Google Scholar is a free academic search engine that indexes peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, and conference proceedings from universities and research institutions worldwide.
Unlike regular Google, Scholar focuses exclusively on academic and scholarly sources—the original research that books like those above are based on.
Use Google Scholar when you want to:
Note: Some papers require institutional access or purchase, but many are freely available as PDFs.
Transform comprehensive flourishing research into daily inspiration with UBFlourishing2's 57 modules and 5,700+ curated quotes spanning both pillars of well-being.