The relationship of psychological construals with well-being

This paper examines the relationships of construals of the properties of psychological distance dimensions with well-being. Construal-Level-Theory (CLT) has identified space, time, social distance, and hypotheticality as psychological distance dimensions. Close objects are construed, or mentally represented, in terms of low-level features. These are concrete, specific, unstructured, and contextualized representations. Distant objects are construed in terms of high-level features. These are abstract, global, coherent, and decontextualized representations. Additionally, the properties of construals, like values, give them meaning and importance. These dimensions, properties, and construals have been shown to guide evaluations, decisions, predictions, and other behaviors. Little research, however, has applied them to issues of mental health and psychological well-being. This paper examines identity, security, value, and control as important properties of psychological distance dimensions. The review demonstrates that, in many circumstances, when these properties of distance dimensions are construed at high-levels, they are associated with psychological well-being and behavioral adjustment.