Introduction
The online annotated bibliography is intended as a web-based resource that policy makers, practitioners and researchers with an interest in wellbeing can contribute to and develop. Brief and full abstracts summarise each publication, and the policy implications and recommendations of each piece are also listed. Where applicable, links are provided to either the publication itself or to a relevant website.
Contribute to the bibliography
If you are aware of any wellbeing publications that are not listed in the bibliography below, you can suggest their inclusion by emailing k.mcgeevor@psi.org.uk. You can recommend your own work or the work of someone else. Books, reports, journal articles, and chapters from edited collections will all be considered. If you have any further comments about the online wellbeing bibliography, please contact us.
Bibliography entries
Shaping Neighbourhoods: A Guide for Health, Sustainability and Vitality
author: Barton, H., Grant, M., and Guise, R.
pub. type: BOOK: London: Spon Press, 2003
web link: n/a
abstract: The authors are town planners and architects who have designed the guide as a ‘desktop manual for planners, designers, developers and community groups’. They seek to define the characteristics of sustainable, healthy neighbourhoods and to provide the information needed to put sustainable development into practice. In their own words, ‘The guide is concerned with how planning, design and management of the physical environment can enhance quality of life, promote social inclusion and husband natural resources’.
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Are psychological and ecological well-being compatible? The role of values, mindfulness, and, lifestyle
author: Brown, K. W. and Kasser, T.
pub. type: JOURNAL ARTICLE: Social Indicators Research, 74, 349-368 (2005)
web link: view the pdf
abstract:This paper reports original research that suggests that subjective well-being is correlated with ecologically responsible behaviour. This is explained as a function of intrinsic value motivation and mindfulness.
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Happiness and the Human Development Index: the Paradox of Australia
author: Blanchflower, D. G. and Oswald, A. J.
pub. type: SERIES for the Australian Economic Review, 2005 forthcoming
web link: view the pdf
abstract: Uses regression analysis of International Social Survey Programme data to show that Australia’s ranking in terms of happiness and satisfaction data is lower than its global position measured through the UN HDI. Sees this paradox as illustrating that the HDI does not fully describe well-being in developed countries. The authors argue that their findings show that happiness data and analysis offer a new tool for policymakers, and a chance to quantify non-material correlates of well-being.
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Well-being over time in Britain and the USA
author: Blanchflower, D. G. and Oswald, A. J.
pub. type: SERIES Journal of Public Economics 2004:88, pp 1359-1386
web link: view the pdf
abstract: Secondary analysis of happiness data in Britain and USA. Shows trends in happiness moving downwards over time in USA and plateauing in Britain. Discusses these findings in light of economic theory and original economic equations, which show in dollar values the ‘compensation’ required to restore happiness levels following life events such as divorce and unemployment.
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Environment Group Research Findings 25/2005: Public Attitudes and Environmental Justice in Scotland
author: Curtice, J., Ellaway, A., Robertson, C., Morris, G., Allardice, G. and Robertson, R.
pub. type: REPORT/WEB 2005
web link: view the pdf
abstract: This is a study of the reported incidence, distribution, and impact of environmental incivilities. An environmental incivility is any aspect of the environment about which people may be inclined to feel negatively. In commissioning this research, the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department was particularly interested in whether certain groups of people or those living in certain types of places are more likely to regard potential incivilities as a problem in their area. The study also examined the impact of the reported incidence of environmental incivilities upon health, social trust and fear of crime.
(from Authors’ opening)
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Subjective Wellbeing: Three Decades of Progress
author: Deiner, E., Eunkok, M. S., Lucas, R.E. and Smith, H.L.
pub. type: SERIES Psychological Bulletin Vol 5, no 2: 276-302, 1999
web link: Obtainable via British Library
abstract: The authors examine how understanding of subjective well-being has developed since an influential review by Wilson in 1967. On the basis of the research evidence available to them, they define a happy person as someone ‘blessed with a positive temperament, [who] tends to look on the bright side of things, does not ruminate excessively about bad events, and is living in an economically developed society, has social confidants and possess adequate resources for making progress towards valued goals’ They conclude that the subject is growing rapidly and that their description of what it means to be happy is likely to change with new research.
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Beyond Money: Toward an Economy of Wellbeing
author: Diener, E. and Seligman, M.E.P.
pub. type: SERIES Psychological Science in the Public Interest, vol 5 no 1, 2004
web link: view the pdf
abstract: The authors review the existing evidence concerning material and non-economic correlates of well-being. They conclude that the non-economic elements of well-being are most important in developed societies and that the measurement of well-being is crucial to good governance and to assessing the state of society. They argue that current indicators of well-being are inadequate and that better measures are required. Well-being should take a prominent place in all policy discussions.
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Dymanic Well-being: Connecting Indicators of What People Anticipate with Indicators of What They Experience
author: Dolan, P. and White, M.
pub. type: Social Indicators Research (2006) 75:303-333
web link: access journal (payment / subscription required)
abstract: There are many indicators of a person’s well-being that could be used for policy purposes. Few would argue that any single indicator of well-being is appropriate in all contexts and, increasingly, social scientists are attempting to integrate the various indicators. Further successful integration depends on understanding how the various indicators of well-being relate to one another in a dynamic way. This paper attempts to connect indicators of what people anticipate to indicators of what is actually experienced and, in so doing, inform the normative debate about the appropriateness of different indicators in policy contexts.
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Life Satisfaction: the state of knowledge and implications for Government
author: Donovan, N. and Halpern, D. with Sargeant R.
pub. type: GOV - Cabinet Office analytical paper; REVIEW, 2002
web link: view the pdf
abstract: Review of research into life satisfaction, the circumstances and factors which are associated with and/or promote well-being. The authors relate this research base to policy-making, looking at the extent to which well-being can and ‘should’ be influenced and the implications for policymaking and specific policies.
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Building a better theory of well-being
author: Easterlin, R. A.
pub. type: Discussion paper – web publication, 2003
web link: view the pdf
abstract: Easterlin develops a critique of the main psychological and economic approaches to well-being. Economic approaches arguing that ‘more is better’ in terms of income, are shown to be flawed, and the assumption in psychological literature that life events only temporarily lower well-being is questioned. He posits an improved theory of well-being which de-emphasises consumption and income gains, and gives prominence to time spent with family and in social relationships, as these secure higher rewards for long-term well-being.
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Is Modern Western Culture a Health Hazard?
author: Eckersley, R.
pub. type: JOURNAL ARTICLE : International Journal of Epidemiology, 35, 252-258 (2006)
web link: view the pdf
abstract: Reviews a range of epidemiological evidence to argue that the culture of materialism and individualism in Western societies is detrimental to health and well-being. These effects are mediated by the impact of culture on psychosocial factors including personal autonomy and social support. Effects can be seen in a range of health outcomes, but most importantly in psychological health – especially in increasing rates mental illness. The paper concludes that the Western emphasis on consumption as a means to achieving well-being amounts to ‘cultural fraud’
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The Economist Intelligence Unit's Quality of Life Index
author: The Economist
pub. type: SERIES The Economist: The World in 2005 report, Jan 2005
web link: view the pdf
abstract: Details the development of The Economist’s Quality-of-Life Index, which takes subjective measures of wellbeing in surveys as a starting point and relates them to objective indicators. The index scores allow the researchers to weight the relative importance of each of the objective indicators to well-being, and to compare countries in order to produce a league table of quality of life according to their score on the index. The index has attracted particular attention because it signals that subjective measures of satisfaction and non-material factors are now considered important elements in wellbeing by mainstream economists.
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Income and Wellbeing: An Empirical Analysis of the Comparison Income Effect
author: Ferrer-i-Carbonell, A.
pub. type: Journal of Public Economics, 2005, 89, 997-1019
web link: view the pdf
abstract: This paper presents an empirical analysis of the importance of ‘comparison income’ for individual well-being or happiness. In other words, the influence of the income of a reference group on individual well-being is examined. The study concludes that the income of the reference group is about as important as the own income for individual happiness, that individuals are happier the larger their income is in comparison with the income of the reference group, and that for West Germany this comparison effect is asymmetric.
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Environmental degradation and happiness
author: Ferrer-i-Carbonella, A., and Gowdy, J. M.
pub. type: JOURNAL ARTICLE: Ecological Economics (in press)
web link: n/a
abstract: Uses panel data from the BHPS to show relationships between environmental concern and SWB. Concern about the ozone layer is negatively associated with SWB, whilst concern about biodiversity loss is positively associated. Both relationships hold when various demographic and psychological trait variables are controlled.
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Sustainability and Quality of Life Indicators: towards the integration of economic, social and environmental measures
author: Flynn, P., Berry, D. and Heintz, T.
pub. type: SERIES: Indicators: the Journal of Social Health, vol 1, no 4 Fall 2002
web link: view the pdf
abstract: Review of the development of indicators in US national statistics. Charts the history of economic, social and environmental indictors, and the trend towards integration of these domains in the realms of sustainable development and quality-of-life indicators.They conclude that the task for statisticians now is to ‘view… well-being from a systems perspective in which the relationships between economic, social, and environmental factors are considered simultaneously. In the end, perhaps we will know ourselves, our environment, and the consequences of our actions all the better’.
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Human well-being and social structures: relating the universal and the local
author: Gough, I.
pub. type: SERIES Global Social Policy vol 4, no 3, 2004, pp 289-311
web link: access journal (subscription / payment required)
abstract: Looks at well-being in the context of developing countries and globalisation issues. Argues that well-being can best be improved through solutions which take account of local needs, preferences and existing resources, rather than imposing solutions from outside. Builds up typologies of needs and regimes. Argues that much of the debate and activity around eliminating poverty and improving well-being is stuck in an either/or approach to global and local strategies, when in fact the two levels of activity need to be reconciled. Gough concludes that ‘Regional and regime-specific actors and institutions can provide social models and policies better moulded to national and local realities than Washington- or Geneva-based global institutions’.
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Individual Wellbeing: A Report for the Scottish Executive and Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics
author: Hird, S.
pub. type: REPORT/WEB, August 2003
web link: view the document
abstract: Review of literature relating to subjective, objective and psychological well-being and the scales and indicators used to measure and monitor well-being. The report includes a range of recommendations to the Scottish Executive in terms of enhancing understanding and use of concept of well-being , and developing appropriate indicaots and scales to measure it nationally.
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What is Wellbeing? A Brief Review of Current Literature and Concepts
author: Hird, S.
pub. type: WEB, NHS Scotland, 2003
web link: view the document
abstract: A highly useful review of the concepts of well-being used in research literature. Aims to inform non-academics about the subject so that they can apply concepts and use measures in their work. Covers the strengths and weaknesses of objective and subjective approaches to well-being, and lists the scales used to measure the various dimensions of well-being, including psychological well-being. Features a number of useful charts and diagrams, showing how different concepts are related to one another.
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The science of well-being: integrating neurobiology, psychology and social science
author: Huppert, F. A., Baylis, N. and Keverne, B.
pub. type: SERIES/ EDITED VOLUME: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, Series B, vol 359, no 1449. September 2004, pp 1331-1451
web link: n/a
abstract: Collected papers of Discussion Meeting on the science of well-being, held at the Royal Society in late 2003. Huppert, Baylis and Keverne provide useful introductory and concluding papers which look at the definition of the concept of well-being and the prospect for its development through the disciplines of neurobiology, psychology and social science. A complete list of papers appears in the full abstract.
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A survey method for characterising daily life experience: The Day Reconstruction Method (DRM)
author: Kahneman, D., Krueger, A. B., Schkade, D., Schwarz, N. and Stone, A. A. (2004a)
pub. type: Science (2006), 306: 1776-1780
web link: n/a
abstract: The Day Reconstruction Method (DRM) assesses how people spend their time and how they experience the various activities and settings of their lives, combining features of time-budget measurement and experience sampling. Participants systematically reconstruct their activities and experiences of the preceding day with procedures designed to reduce recall biases. The DRM's utility is shown by documenting close correspondences between the DRM reports of 909 employed women and established results from experience sampling. An analysis of the hedonic treadmill shows the DRM's potential for well-being research.
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Social Well-Being
author: Keyes, C. L.
pub. type: SERIES Social Psychology Quarterly, vol 61, no 2, Jun. 1998, pp 121-140
web link: Access online (subscription required)
abstract: Extends definition of well-being into public life by drawing attention to social dimensions of well-being. Builds a model of social well-being based on five elements: social integration (belonging, common interests), social contribution (have something to offer society), social coherence (concern for/knowledge of wider world), social actualization (belief that society has potential which is reached through activity of citizens and institutions), social acceptance (trust in others). The model is validated through factor analysis. The author finds that well-being is associated with participation in social and community activities. Keyes advocates greater focus on the social aspects of well-being.
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Social Indicators
author: Land, K.
pub. type: WEB/CHAP Borgatta, E. F., and Montgomery, R. V. (eds.) (2000) Encyclopedia of Sociology Revised Edition. New York: Macmillan
web link: n/a
abstract: Traces the history of the development of social indicators in U.S. statistics from the 1960s to the present day. Notes the need in the Sixties to develop a full picture of society and social change through social indicators which could complement economic statistics. The use of social indicators expanded in the Seventies into a ‘Social Indicators Movement’, and this included the first attempts to measure and chart subjective well-being. Land explores how social indicators relate to the formulation of social policies and the assessment of their effectiveness in reaching defined goals.
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Happiness: Lessons from a New Science
author: Layard, R.
pub. type: BOOK: Allen Lane, Penguin, 2005
web link: related webpage
abstract: Layard starts from the classic paradox that although Western society has become much richer over recent decades, reported levels of happiness have not increased proportionately. He reviews the work of economists addressing this paradox, reports on the evidence regarding increasing levels of depression, addiction, crime and social problems and concludes that there is a case for policy intervention aimed at greater happiness in society. The book examines psychological and neuropsychological evidence related to happiness in some detail, and also explores issues related to the role of education and shared moral values in fostering happiness.
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Environment and Social Justice: Rapid Research and Evidence Review
author: Lucas, K., Walker, G., Eames, M., Fay, H. and Poustie, M.
pub. type: REPORT London: PSI/SDRN 2004
web link: more information
abstract: The key objective of the review was to summarise the evidence for environmental inequalities and injustice in the UK in relation to 21 topic areas identified as relevant by Defra. Despite the formative nature of the evidence base it is possible to draw some reasonably robust ‘headline’ conclusions from this review. Firstly, it is clear that patterns of environmental injustice are varied and complex. There is, therefore, a need for some caution in making claims of inequality and to be wary of overgeneralisation. However, there is mounting evidence that:
- Environmental injustice is a real and substantive problem within the UK.
- Problems of environmental injustice afflict many of our most deprived communities and socially excluded groups.
- Both poor local environmental quality and differential access to environmental goods and services have a detrimental effect on the quality of life experienced by members of those communities and groups.
- In some cases, not only are deprived and excluded communities disproportionately exposed to an environmental risk they are also disproportionately vulnerable to its effects.
- Whilst more needs to be known about both the causes and impacts of environmental injustice, research is also needed to support the development and effective implementation of policy measures to address and ameliorate the impacts of environmental injustice.
(Authors' own).
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Unemployment alters the set point for life satisfaction
author: Lucas, R. E, Clark, A. E., Georgesllis Y., Diener, E.
pub. type: Psychological Science, 2004, 15 (1):8-13
web link: view the pdf
abstract: According to set-point theories of subjective well-being, people react to events but then return to baseline levels of happiness and satisfaction over time. We tested this idea by examining reaction and adaptation to unemployment in a 15-year longitudinal study of more than 24,000 individuals living in Germany. In accordance with set-point theories, individuals reacted strongly to unemployment and then shifted back toward their baseline levels of life satisfaction. However, on average, individuals did not completely return to their former levels of satisfaction, even after they became reemployed. Furthermore, contrary to expectations from adaptation theories, people who had experienced unemployment in the past did not react any less negatively to a new bout of unemployment than did people who had not been previously unemployed. These results suggest that although life satisfaction is moderately stable over time, life events can have a strong influence on long-term levels of subjective well-being.
(Authors' own)
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Neighbours as Negatives: Relative Earnings and Well-being
author: Luttmer, E. F. P.
pub. type: The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 2005 20(3):963-1002
web link: n/a
abstract: This paper investigates whether individuals feel worse off when others around them earn more. There is suggestive evidence that the negative effect of increases in neighbors' earnings on own well-being is most likely caused by interpersonal preferences, that is, people having utility functions that depend on relative consumption in addition to absolute consumption.
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The (un)Happy Plant Index: An Index of Human Well-being and Environmental Impact
author: Marks, N., Abdallah, S., Simms, A., and Thompson, S.
pub. type: Published report: London: nef (the new economics foundation)
web link: view the pdf
abstract: This report presents an original index that combines well-being and environmental impact to give a measure of well-being efficiency: the amount of well-being produced in a country per unit of planetary resource consumption. ‘Middle development’ countries tend to perform best, since they achieve high levels of well-being at relatively little environmental cost. Meanwhile, the ‘high development’ countries perform badly because levels of well-being, whilst good, are achieved only with high levels of resource consumption.
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Researching Well-Being: Communicating between the Needs of Policy Makers and the Needs of People
author: McGregor, J. A.
pub. type: SERIES Global Social Policy vol 4, no 3, 2004, pp 337-358
web link: view the pdf
abstract: Looks at how concepts of well-being can inform poverty reduction strategies in the developing world by enhancing understanding of the subjective experience of poverty and ways out of it, and taking proper account of the local context. Cites case study evidence from community projects in Bangladesh.
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Social Determinants of Health Inequalities
author: Marmot, M.
pub. type: SERIES The Lancet Vol 365, March 19, 2005
web link: view the pdf
abstract: First article published by Marmot in role as Chair of the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health. Argues that the basis of health inequalities is in social and working life and that should be of interest to all policymakers, not just health specialists. Sees education and working conditions as crucial to health, and shows that inequalities within and between societies are growing. Shows that GNP is not related to life expectancy rates.
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Making Happy People: the nature of happiness and its origins in childhood
author: Martin, P.
pub. type: BOOK, London: Fourth Estate, 2005
web link: n/a
abstract: Martin’s book is part of the growing school of ‘positive psychology’. He believes that happiness is central to life, and is like a skill that can be learnt by parents and children. He refutes the notion that happiness occurs when people are doing something else – rather he argues that there is a robust evidence base about the nature of happiness, and the activities and attitudes which produce it: this means parents can draw on scientific knowledge of happiness to raise happy children and be happy themselves.
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Health, Well-being and Open Space
author: Morris, N.
pub. type: WEB: pdf, July 2003.
web link: view the pdf
abstract: Literature review concerning the value of access to and use of open space and greenspaces. Drawn mainly from environmental and health sources. Covers economic, social and environmental aspects of the benefits of green space, and notes that a more integrated approach is required to improve our knowledge – the subject suffers from a lack of interdisciplinary research.
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The Power and Potential of Well-being Indicators: Measuring young people's well-being in Nottingham
author: New Economics Foundation (nef)
pub. type: REPORT, 2004
web link: view the pdf
abstract: Details a nef pilot project focussed on young people in Nottingham which sought to:
- Explore ways of using the new power of well-being that local authorities have been given.
- Examine and test out theories about what is meant by well-being.
- Learn more about ways to measure well-being, particularly using a multi-dimensional approach.
- Illuminate factors that influence young people’s well-being.
- Understand how such research can shed light on policy making.
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A wellbeing manifesto for a flourishing society
author: New Economics Foundation
pub. type: REPORT, 2004
web link: view the pdf
abstract: nef reviews the key research into well-being and generates a policy manifesto on the basis of the research evidence related to well-being. The authors believe that improving well-being is the key task of policymakers in developed countries, and they propose a range of measures to de-emphasise consumption (which fails to improve happiness) and to encourage the aspects of which enhance individual and social well-being, and therefore reduce spending on problems of poor well-being and low quality of life.
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Happiness: The Science Behind Your Smile
author: Nettle, D.
pub. type: BOOK, Oxford: OUP, 2005
web link: n/a
abstract: Looks at happiness from an evolutionary psychology perspective. Reviews the main theories and definitions of happiness and modern social science research. Emphasises the importance of neuropsychology and evolutionary function of happiness in human psychology.
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Modelling Subjective Wellbeing
author: Peasgood, T.
pub. type: PAPER: Conference 2005, work in progress cited with permission from author
web link: view the pdf
abstract: Looks at subjective well-being (SWB) and its correlates in the British Household Panel Study and the General Household Survey. Uses statistical modelling to map the relationship between the measures of SWB in each survey and relates SWB to individual, household and societal characteristics. Explores the reliability of SWB measures and assesses their utility for policy. Highlights the role of social contacts in positive well-being.
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Mental Health Improvement: An Appraisal of Scottish Policy
author: Platt, S., Petticrew, M., McCollam, A., Wilson, S. and Thomas, S.
pub. type: REPORT (SUMMARY)/WEB NHS Health Scotland, 2004
web link: view the pdf
abstract: In 2004 NHS Health Scotland and the Scottish Executive’s National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Well-Being commissioned a review of Scottish policy with respect to mental health improvement. This project involved mapping out the key policy areas in Scotland, gathering key policy documents from these areas to identify references to mental health improvement, and assessing the degree to which current policy and the research evidence are aligned. Interviews were also conducted with key policy makers from six Scottish Executive departments, to explore the impact of the National Programme and the importance of mental health and well-being in different policy areas.
((Authors' introduction)
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The Wellbeing of Nations: A Country-by-Country Index of Quality of Life and the Environment
author: Prescott-Allen, R.
pub. type: BOOK: Island Press, 2002
web link: n/a
abstract: Prescott-Allen takes on the major task of developing new indices to examine human wellbeing, ecosystem well-being and the interaction between human and ecological systems. He uses the indices to measure a wide range of relevant data in 180 countries, in order to demonstrate the extent of sustainable development. He concludes that even the wealthiest countries have considerable distance to travel to achieve sustainability and to prevent human development from occurring at the expense of the ecosystem.
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On Happiness and Human Potentials: A Review of Research on Hedonic and Eudaimonic Wellbeing
author: Ryan, R. and Deci, E.
pub. type: SERIES: Annual Reviews in Psychology, 2001, 52: 141-166
web link: view the pdf
abstract: Well-being is a complex construct that concerns optimal experience and functioning. Current research on well-being has been derived from two general perspectives: the hedonic approach, which focuses on happiness and defines well-being in terms of pleasure attainment and pain avoidance; and the eudaimonic approach, which focuses on meaning and self-realization and defines well-being in terms of the degree to which a person is fully functioning. These two views have given rise to different research foci and a body of knowledge that is in some areas divergent and in others complementary. New methodological developments concerning multilevel modelling and construct comparisons are also allowing researchers to formulate new questions for the field. This review considers research from both perspectives concerning the nature of well-being, its antecedents, and its stability across time and culture.
(Authors’ own)
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Measuring the Impact of Research on Well-being: A Survey of Indicators of Wellbeing
author: Sharpe, A and Smith, J.
pub. type: CANADIAN GOV REPORT, Feb,2005
web link: view the pdf
abstract: Highly useful overview of the main indicators used worldwide to assess well-being in economic, social and environmental terms. Also explores how research into and measurement of well-being can be put into practice and inform policy. Notes that indicators can affect policy in three ways: if accepted as worthwhile objective by public, they can spur government action; if government commits to an indicator and sets a performance target, the public can clearly see success or failure of policy; if government advocates use of new indicators, it sparks productive debate about the type of society we live in.
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Making the most of the Power of Well-being to Achieve Sustainable Development
author: Sustainable Development Commission
pub. type: WEB: Report on Workshops, held April, 2004
web link: view the pdf
abstract: Report of workshops held by the SDC and Northumbria University Sustainable Cities’ Research Institute to explore the issues raised by the ‘Power of Well-being’ introduced in the Local Government Act, 2000, enabling Local Authorities to monitor and promote economic, social and environmental well-being in their communities.
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Redefining Prosperity: Resource Productivity, Economic Growth and Sustainable Development
author: Sustainable Development Commission
pub. type: REPORT/WEB: 27.06.2003
web link: view the pdf
abstract: Report which makes the case for ‘de-coupling’ people’s well-being and quality of life from economic growth and increasing consumption. SDC argue that the global economy is a subsystem of human society, in turn a subsystem of life on earth. As such economic growth can only be pursued in the context of environmental sustainability, which means that we must increase resource productivity and confront issues around decreasing consumption, for the evidence is that current patterns of economic growth and resource use are unsustainable. The report refers to a range of indices which account for the real environmental and social costs of economic growth, and argues that Governments must monitor both the costs of economic growth and levels of well-being in their populations, more carefully. SDC make a range of policy suggestions to fulfil these aims.
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The Greatest Happiness Principle: Happiness as an aim in social policy
author: Veenhoven, R.
pub. type: WEB/ CHAP in Linley, A and Joseph, S (2004) Positive Psychology in Practice, Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons.
web link: view the pdf
abstract: Utilitarian philosophy holds that public policy should aim at advancing human happiness. This moral theory meets many objections, on pragmatic grounds it is denounced as unfeasible and on ideological grounds as undesirable. As a result the principle is marginal in policy making. In this chapter I consider these classic philosophical qualms in the light of recent empirical research on life-satisfaction. It appears that these objections do not apply. Happiness is a useful goal criterion, both in public policy and in individual therapy.
(Author’s own)
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Why Social Policy Needs Subjective Indicators
author: Veenhoven, R.
pub. type: SERIES Social Indicators Research 58: 33-45, 2002
web link: view the pdf
abstract: A paean to the use of subjective indicators in policymaking. Veenhoven outlines the main criticisms of subjective measures of well-being and rejects them all. Sees happiness and longevity as the ultimate reflection of success in government and policy and shows how the information supplied by subjective measures of satisfaction and broader public polling are essential to good government.
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Well-being in the Welfare State: Level not higher, distribution not more equitable
author: Veenhoven, R.
pub. type: SERIES: Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis, 2000, vol 2, pp 91-125
web link: view the pdf
abstract: Analysis of data from 40 countries 1980-1990 shows – counter-intuitively- that social security expenditure is not linked with levels of wellbeing – those in the most generously funded countries do not enjoy better health or happiness than those where welfare expenditure is less generous. Veenhoven is aware of the controversial nature of this finding and devotes some time to the politics of it. He notes that more subtle measures of the reach of welfare state are required to develop his analysis further, and that just because the results indicate that social security spending could be reduced without affecting well-being does not mean that this should happen.
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Progres dans la comprehension du bonheur (Advances in the Understanding of Happiness)
author: Veenhoven, R.
pub. type: SERIES Revue quebecoise de Psychologie, vol 18, 1997, pp 29-74 *IN FRENCH
web link: author's website
abstract: Seminal review of the state of knowledge of happiness as of the late Nineties. Looks in detail at the various concepts and definitions of happiness and quality of life; at the issues around measuring happiness; differences between people and countries; determinants of happiness; whether happiness can be increased.
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Environment and Happiness: Valuation of Air Pollution Using Life Satisfaction Data
author: Welsch, H.
pub. type: JOURNAL ARTICLE Ecological Economics, 58, 2006, 801 - 813.
web link: website
abstract: Analyses panel data to assess the relationship between air pollution, income and subjective well-being in ten European countries. Argues that air pollution plays a statistically significant role as a predictor of inter-country and inter-temporal differences in subjective well-being.
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Linking Social Structure and Individual Vulnerability
author: Wilkinson, R.
pub. type: SERIES Journal of Community Work and Development, 2004
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abstract: Research on health inequalities has made us aware of how sensitive health continues to be to the social and economic structure of our societies. In this paper Wilkinson outlines an interpretation of research on the social determinants of health and explores the effects of inequality, not only on health but also on issues such as social capital and levels of violence.
One of the recent changes in our understanding of the determinants of population health is the recognition of the importance of psychosocial pathways in the link between poor conditions and poor health. It is not just what your material circumstances do to your health directly which matters, but also what your social position makes you feel about your circumstances.
(From Author’s own introduction)
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