The article "Mental Illness and Mental Health: The Two Continua Model Across the Lifespan" by Gerben J. Westerhof and Corey L. M. Keyes explores the relationship between mental illness and mental health, proposing the two continua model. This model suggests that mental illness and mental health are distinct but related dimensions, with mental illness measured on one continuum and mental health on another. The study uses data from a representative survey of Dutch adults (N = 1,340, aged 18-87) to examine these relationships across the lifespan. Key findings include: - Older adults, except for the oldest-old, experience fewer mental illness problems compared to younger adults. - Older adults have higher emotional well-being but lower psychological well-being than younger adults. - There are no significant age differences in social well-being. - The two continua model is supported by the data, indicating that mental illness and mental health follow different age trajectories. - The study also found that older adults are less likely to be classified as having complete mental health (flourishing without mental illness) but this can be attributed to their better life contexts. The article concludes that while older adults experience fewer mental illness problems, they do not necessarily have better positive mental health than younger adults. The findings provide strong support for the two continua model, highlighting the importance of considering both mental illness and positive mental health in lifespan development.The article "Mental Illness and Mental Health: The Two Continua Model Across the Lifespan" by Gerben J. Westerhof and Corey L. M. Keyes explores the relationship between mental illness and mental health, proposing the two continua model. This model suggests that mental illness and mental health are distinct but related dimensions, with mental illness measured on one continuum and mental health on another. The study uses data from a representative survey of Dutch adults (N = 1,340, aged 18-87) to examine these relationships across the lifespan. Key findings include: - Older adults, except for the oldest-old, experience fewer mental illness problems compared to younger adults. - Older adults have higher emotional well-being but lower psychological well-being than younger adults. - There are no significant age differences in social well-being. - The two continua model is supported by the data, indicating that mental illness and mental health follow different age trajectories. - The study also found that older adults are less likely to be classified as having complete mental health (flourishing without mental illness) but this can be attributed to their better life contexts. The article concludes that while older adults experience fewer mental illness problems, they do not necessarily have better positive mental health than younger adults. The findings provide strong support for the two continua model, highlighting the importance of considering both mental illness and positive mental health in lifespan development.