Human Neural Correlates of Emotional Well-being (EWB): The Systematic Reviews and Preliminary Meta-Analyses of MRI Studies

Emotional well-being (EWB) is essential for human health and has been conceptualized as an umbrella term for several related psychometrically defined concepts, including psychological well-being (PWB), positive mental health, health-related quality of life, thriving, and subjective well-being (SWB). However, its definition varies, prompting calls for a consensus definition. Understanding the neural mechanisms of EWB is key for health and interventions, yet findings remain inconsistent. Some studies link EWB to the insula and precuneus, while others associate it with the amygdala and temporal lobe regions. The inconsistencies shown in previous systematic reviews on the neural correlates of EWB-related constructs, may stem from employing varied definitions, prioritizing task-independent over task-dependent modalities, the inherent bias that systematic reviews still bring about when statistical analyses are not performed. This study makes a unique contribution by employing a consensus definition of EWB, conducting the systematic reviews supplemented by preliminary neuroimaging meta-analyses that separately examines task-dependent (task-based fMRI, n=14) and task-independent (resting-state fMRI, n=7; structural MRI, n=7) modalities. Task-based findings identify the left pallidum, likely through incentive and reward regulation, while task-independent results highlight the right superior temporal gyrus (STG) and insula, suggesting roles in social cognition and interoceptive awareness. This study proposed a framework distinguishing task-dependent and task-independent aspects of EWB and suggesting frontoparietal areas as overarching regions supporting EWB through cognitive control. Since the limited sample size in the current study, when more studies become available for large-scale systematic reviews and have neuroimaging empirical data, these findings can be further explored and validated. This work informs EWB paradigm design that capture its essential elements and supports evidence-based interventions to enhance EWB.