What is PERMA Model of Wellbeing? Core Elements, and Examples
The pursuit of happiness is the ultimate goal of every human being. However, it is tough to define the true meaning of happiness. Even though happiness is subjective, most of the time the words that define it are living a good life, purpose, joy, self-realisation, and self-care. Can we learn the skills that lead to happiness?
The PERMA Model talks about something that focuses on the theory of wellbeing, and describes ways to apply its components in life. In this blog, we will learn about the PERMA model, and how it can help us lead a fulfilling life.
What is the PERMA Model?
The PERMA model of wellbeing represents the five elements of wellbeing that are: Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning and Relations. The PERMA model was first designed by American psychologist Martin Seligman in 2011 to increase and measure wellbeing.
Martin believed that the five elements of the PERMA model are what is required for people to have a healthy sense of wellbeing, satisfaction, and fulfilment in life that leads to finding true meaning in life. These elements are measured independently of each other.
Suggested Read: Lack of Wellbeing Data Might Be Hurting Your Business’s Success
Research has shown links between the elements of PERMA and vitality, physical health, mental health, life satisfaction, job satisfaction, engagement, and commitment within organisations. In addition, working on the PERMA components not only reduces psychological distress but also increases aspects of wellbeing.
Five Elements of PERMA Model
The five elements of PERMA are:
- Positive emotion
- Engagement
- Relationships
- Meaning
- Accomplishments
Let’s discuss these elements in detail below:
P - Positive Emotion (Positive Psychology of Perma Model)
Positive emotion is about feeling good, and it’s directly related to being happy. When one feels happy, there is a release of positive emotion within. However, positive emotion is not about having a big smile on the face because it can be faked easily.
Positive emotion is all about accepting the past no matter how bad it was, and being very positive about what the future holds. It doesn’t mean that one person should be happy 100% of the time because it is impossible. But positive emotions trigger other aspects of life including other elements of PERMA mode. Positive emotions can help one build good physical and mental health that leads to overall wellbeing.
What causes positive emotion?
- Spending time with loved ones (Souce: Kok et al., 2013).
- Spending time on the hobbies and activities you enjoy (Source: Conner et al., 2018)
- Feeling grateful for the things in life (Source: Emmons & McCullough, 2003_
- Listening to inspirational music (Source: Juslin & Sakka, 2019)
E – Engagement
As per Martin Seligman engagement is in flow in whatever you are doing. The concept of flow means loss of one's consciousness when indulging in an activity. Flow occurs when one finds the perfect blend of challenge and skill.
According to research, individuals who used their strengths in new ways every day for a week were a lot happier, and less depressed after 6 months. (Source: Seligman, Steen, Park, & Peterson, 2005).
How to increase engagement?
- Participate in activities that you love (Bonaiuto et al., 2016)
- Spend time with nature, observing, watching, and listening to what’s happening around you (Petersen et al., 2021).
- Try to live in the moment even while doing mundane activities or tasks(Belitz & Lundstrom, 1998).
- Find out what you are good at, and learn about your strengths (Lai et al., 2018).
R - Relationships
Relationships are the third element of the PERMA Model of wellbeing and one of the most crucial ones for wellbeing. Relationships include all types of interactions individuals have with family, friends, partners, mentors, colleagues, bosses, and the community.
The Relationship element in the PERMA model is about feeling supported, valued, and loved by others. Humans are inherently social creatures (Seligman, 2012). Social interactions become more important as we age. The social environment plays a crucial role in preventing cognitive decline, contributing to better physical and mental health among older people. (Source: Siedlecki et al., 2014)
How to Build Meaningful Relationships?
- Interact with people you don’t know well
- Get in touch with people you haven’t connected with
- Make friends with people you are acquainted with
- Join groups/classes that you are interested in
M – Meaning
Another goal of human beings is to search for meaning in life. According to Seligman meaning is something that serves something greater than ourselves. Having a purpose helps individuals focus on the important things. The definition of meaning or purpose is different for everyone.
Meaning can be found through the job, social cause, chasing passion, religious belief, or community or extracurricular activities. People with a sense of meaning, and purpose in life have fewer health problems.
How to Build Meaning?
- Spend quality time with the people you love
- Get involved in activities that matter to you
- Explore new and creative activities that you feel connected with
- Find out how to help others by using your passion
A – Accomplishments
Accomplishment is the result of reaching your goals. We all have been through a phase where we take pride in something we have accomplished. It contributes to boosting wellbeing as individuals feel proud of themselves (Seligman, 2012).
When people achieve something, it strengthens their self-esteem and confidence. Accomplishments allow people to dream big, and become more.
How to Accomplish Anything?
- Set SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound) goals
- See how you have achieved something in the past
- When you achieve something, don’t forget to celebrate
How to Use the PERMA Model in the Workplace?
The level of happiness experienced by the workers can directly impact the productivity and success of an organisation. That’s why the PERMA model of employee wellbeing should be followed in the workplace to foster a positive work environment.
- Positive Emotions: Organisations can trigger positive emotions by simply congratulating or appreciating employees for their work. There are various ways in which organisations can foster the emotional wellbeing of employees.
- Engagement: Employee wellbeing and employee engagement are correlated and improving one will have a positive impact on another. To boost employee engagement organisations must be very clear about their goals, and be transparent when given recognition and feedback. Investing in your employees and focusing on employee wellbeing are also great ways to increase engagement.
- Relationships: Workplace relationships are very important as they bring a sense of belonging to the workplace. This is done through various team-building activities, team outings, or incorporating any team activities.
- Meaning: The employees should find their work meaningful. To achieve this organisations must acknowledge employees who go above and beyond to make a positive impact. Organisations should also help employees see how their contributions make a difference.
- Accomplishments: Organisation should always acknowledge their employees on a regular basis. It gives a sense of achievement to the employees and encourages them to achieve more.
The Workplace PERMA Profiler
Do you want to assess your employee's wellbeing based on the PERMA model? In that case, the Workplace PERMA Profiler would be the best tool for you. Unlike a general PERMA profiler, the Workplace version tailors the questions to specifically gauge work-related experiences. This allows for a more targeted understanding of how employees feel about their jobs.
What are the Benefits?
- By evaluating each PERMA element, the profiler can pinpoint areas where employees might be struggling.
- It will allow the organisation to make positive changes for employee wellbeing
- It provides a data-driven basis for discussions about workplace wellbeing.
- Organisations can implement specific programs to address identified weaknesses.
- A happier and more fulfilled workforce can lead to better outcomes.
- Overall, the Workplace PERMA Profiler is a valuable tool for promoting positive psychology practices in the workplace.
- By measuring and addressing employee wellbeing across these key dimensions, organisations can create a more thriving and successful work culture.
How CHOYS Conduct Survey Using the PERMA Model?
CHOYS empowers your company to understand and nurture employee wellbeing through the scientifically validated Workplace PERMA Profiler. This survey delves into the five key elements of PERMA - Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment - within the specific context of your workplace.
Here's How CHOYS Makes Employee Wellbeing Assessments Engaging and Effective and Drive Employee Engagement:
Unlike traditional surveys, CHOYS isn't just about gathering data; it's about fostering a culture of wellbeing at work. Here's why CHOYS excels at conducting employee wellbeing assessments and achieving high engagement:
Engaging for Employees
- Quick & Easy: Our surveys are concise and take minimal time to complete, minimising disruption to your employees' workday.
- Interactive Interface: CHOYS utilises a user-friendly interface that makes answering questions a breeze, not a chore. Gamification elements (consider adding this if applicable) can further enhance engagement.
- Confidentiality Guaranteed: Anonymity is paramount. Employees feel comfortable providing honest feedback knowing their responses are completely confidential.
Actionable Insights for Organisation:
- Real-Time Data Visualisation: CHOYS presents data in clear, easy-to-understand dashboards, allowing you to track progress and identify trends in real time.
- Customisable Reporting: Generate reports tailored to your specific needs, focusing on departments, teams, or individual factors within the PERMA model.
- Actionable Recommendations: Gain insights that go beyond data. CHOYS provides actionable recommendations to address areas needing improvement and build a more positive work environment.
CHOYS goes beyond simply collecting data. It empowers both employees and employers to actively participate in fostering a thriving workplace culture that prioritises wellbeing. Want to know more? Schedule a Demo today!
FAQs on Perma Model by Martin Seligman
Q. What is PERMA Model?
The PERMA model is a psychological theory of wellbeing and happiness. It outlines five core elements contributing to an individual's well-being and helping people achieve a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Q. What are the 5 elements of the perma model?
The 5 elements of the PERMA model include Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning and Achievement.
Q. Who proposed the PERMA theory?
The PERMA theory was proposed by Dr. Martin Seligman, one of the leading figures in positive psychology. He introduced this model in his 2011 book, "Flourish," to provide a comprehensive approach to well-being beyond just happiness.
Q. What are the benefits of Perma?
The benefits of the PERMA model are far-reaching, impacting both mental and emotional well-being. By focusing on Positive Emotion, individuals experience greater happiness and optimism, while Engagement encourages flow and productivity in meaningful tasks.
Q. What does the PERMA model stand for?
The PERMA model stands for Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Achievement. These five pillars represent the essential components for thriving and achieving optimal wellbeing.