Conceptualizing an Abundance Mentality

Mental health concerns continue to rise, and many individuals face persistent stressors such as materialism, upward social comparisons, and time poverty. These patterns reflect a broader culture of scarcity that can impact emotional well-being, limit learning, and reduce the capacity for human flourishing. This literature review explores abundance mentality as a proactive approach to these challenges. Although the concept was popularized in leadership literature, little scholarly work has examined its theoretical foundations. Framed by Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions and viewed through the lens of profound living, this review identifies nine characteristics and seven core themes that define an abundance mentality, including generosity, humility, and interdependence. Drawing from research in psychology, economics, and adult development, this paper proposes a working definition and introduces a conceptual model connecting positive emotions, abundance mentality, and human flourishing. The findings have implications for adult learning, mental health, and organizational development.