The State of Wellbeing Science

Abstract

In this introductory chapter, some of the fundamental questions concerning the nature and importance of subjective wellbeing are addressed, and how wellbeing concepts and measures can be effectively integrated into interventions and policy. The chapter begins by asking what wellbeing is, and differentiating the concepts of positive mental health or flourishing from the absence of illbeing. It then tackles the issue of whether positive mental health and mental disorders should be regarded as lying along a single continuum. There follows a critical analysis of the measurement of wellbeing, which makes it clear that simple global evaluations, such as measures of life satisfaction or happiness, cannot adequately cover the wellbeing construct because it needs to go beyond hedonic and evaluative considerations. The development of effective interventions requires an understanding of the determinants of wellbeing. This chapter provides a comprehensive summary of what is known about the drivers of wellbeing, both external circumstances and psychosocial characteristics and behaviors. It also briefly examines the role of genetic factors and gene–environment interactions. Some general principals of wellbeing interventions are then explored. Finally, the implications for policy makers of the findings from wellbeing science and intervention strategies are discussed. It is concluded that policy should encourage a multiplicity of intervention approaches at this early stage in our knowledge. However, for the science and policy of wellbeing to progress, it is essential to evaluate programs using a common core of multidimensional measures of wellbeing. In this way, the benefits of different programs can be directly compared and optimal programs can be put in place in the future.

Healthcare Workers: Occupational Health Promotion and Patient Safety

“…On the other hand, emotional demands, such as, hide emotions and simulate good mood and/or empathy, are also linked to well-being. These results are in accordance with other studies on the impact of work relations and emotional demands, and underlines the role and contribution of social support, social relationships in occupational health and wellbeing [43][44][45].…”

“…These findings suggest that Portuguese healthcare workers can positively cope with the strains of professional life, and work productively and usefully [9]. Feeling good all the time will not be conductive to well-being, since negative and painful emotions play an important part in daily life when experienced in the appropriate context, such as feeling anger following injustice [42]. Regarding the work-related risk factors, this study showed that most of the participants are exposed to several risk factors at workplace (ranging from environmental risk factors, biological to physical), although the psychosocial risk factors (work relations with superiors and colleagues, employment relations, and emotional demands) are the ones that most impact on well-being.…”

Association of Childhood Family Connection With Flourishing in Young Adulthood Among Those With Type 1 Diabetes

“…5 This is especially true among those with childhood-onset chronic health conditions, such as type 1 diabetes. 6 Adult psychological well-being has many dimensions, [7][8][9] and its subjective evaluation is based on 2 primary frameworks. [10][11][12] The hedonic framework considers the experience of emotion, both positive and negative, with a focus on happiness and the evaluation of life satisfaction.…”

Design Challenges of Wellbeing Supporting Smart Environment in Collaborative Use Situations

“…Based on the previous findings, it is clear that with proper design, the smart spaces can be used for supporting user's wellbeing. Wellbeing can be seen from different perspectives: as a general phenomenon, or as an objective or subjective wellbeing of a person [9]. Subjective wellbeing of a person is connected into person's emotions which are usually triggered by an implicit cause (e.g., some event) [6].…”

“…Subjective wellbeing of a person is connected into person's emotions which are usually triggered by an implicit cause (e.g., some event) [6]. One of the key impacting factors for peoples' subjective wellbeing is the living environment and as people spend half of their lives in work, it is crucial to support wellbeing at work too [9]. The WELL building standard [4] focuses on health and wellbeing of people occupying the buildings and it is aimed for all stakeholders involved in the construction and use of the buildings.…”