Resting EEG power measures spontaneous brain activity, largely unaffected by task demands (Fingelkurts & Fingelkurts, 2015). Both frontal alpha asymmetry (the difference in alpha power between the left and right hemisphere) and absolute resting power have been used to probe at the neural mechanisms underlying mental illnesses such as major depressive disorder (Coburn et al., 2006; Fingelkurts & Fingelkurts, 2015).

Wellbeing was operationalised using the composite COMPAS-W wellbeing scale (Gatt et al., 2014)

This scale captures subjective wellbeing (SWB; happiness and life satisfaction) and psychological wellbeing (PWB; positive functioning and goal-driven behaviour) with six subscales: composure, own-worth, mastery, positivity, achievement, and satisfaction

Differences in EEG absolute power have also been reported in individuals with major depressive disorder relative to controls, with depression characterised by patterns of increased alpha and beta power, and decreased delta and theta power (Fingelkurts & Fingelkurts, 2015)

Recordings were made under an eyes open and eyes closed condition, each lasting a total of two minutes. Heart rate data was recorded simultaneously using an electrocardiogram (ECG) via an electrode on the left wrist.

Grouping based on frequency bands:

• The ‘High ABD’ profile associated with high wellbeing included individuals with
  • above-average alpha (mean = 1.49, SD = 0.370) and
  • delta (mean =1.04, SD = 0.178) power and
  • below average beta (mean = 1.13, SD = 0.227) power.
• Those with below-average alpha and delta and above-average beta were placed into a ‘Low ABD’ group (associated with low wellbeing)
• Everyone else was placed into a ‘Moderate ABD’ group (associated with moderate wellbeing).

46 participants were placed in the Low ABD group, 346 were in the Moderate group, and 30 were in the High ABD group.

A profile of high alpha and delta in combination with low beta was associated with elevated wellbeing.

The ABD interaction reported here indicates that the relative amplitudes of each band are relevant to mental wellbeing. Past studies have reported that alpha-delta coupling (i.e., positive correlation) and delta-beta coupling are associated with anxiety and stress levels (van Peer, Roelofs, & Spinhoven, 2008)