The relationships between curiosity and wellbeing: a systematic review

Curiosity has been considered a potential asset for wellbeing, but there remains uncertainty about which types of curiosity are connected to wellbeing and mental health. In this systematic review, we examined different conceptualisations of curiosity—including stretching and embracing curiosity, state-trait curiosity, five-dimensional curiosity, and curiosity as a feeling of deprivation. This preregistered review includes 22 studies on wellbeing and mental health indicators in the context of curiosity. Our findings indicate that curiosity predominantly exhibits positive associations with wellbeing outcomes such as life satisfaction and positivism, and a negative association with depression indicators. Additionally, some types of curiosity revealed inconsistent associations with wellbeing, linking positively with mental health indicators and negatively with positive wellbeing measures. We discuss the research gaps, particularly the need to investigate the mixed impacts of different curiosity types and to develop more nuanced frameworks for future research on the relationship between curiosity and wellbeing.