Measuring well-being: Creating a taxonomy and item bank for positive mental health

The science of well-being has advanced rapidly, yet the field remains fragmented by inconsistent terminology and overlapping constructs; a challenge known as the “jingle-jangle” problem. To address this, we developed and calibrated item banks for 26 dimensions of positive mental health, aiming to provide a comprehensive and precise framework for assessment. Drawing from a pool of 3,555 items sources from existing scales identified in a prior review (Iasiello et al., 2024), we refined the selection to 224 items through rigorous content evaluation. These items were then calibrated using factor analysis, structural equation modeling, and item response theory in a diverse sample of American and Australian adults ( n =837). Findings supported the distinctiveness and separability of the 26 dimensions, enabling the creation of brief, precise measures. This multidimensional approach facilitates clearer communication between researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, enhancing the generalizability and replicability of well-being research and lays a foundation for a future taxonomy of positive mental health.