Challenges in defining and measuring well-being and their implications for policy
Book chapter
Huppert, Felicia. (2017). Challenges in defining and measuring well-being and their implications for policy. In In M. A. White, G. R. Slemp and A. S. Murray (Ed.). pp. 163 - 167 Springer International Publishing AG. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56889-8_28
Authors | Huppert, Felicia |
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Editors | M. A. White, G. R. Slemp and A. S. Murray |
Abstract | This chapter focuses on how psychologists understand and measure well-being and the related constructs, mental health and flourishing. For psychologists, well-being is about how people experience their lives, not the objective facts of their lives. Why does well-being matter? Although the instrumental benefits of well-being are frequently cited as the reason for its importance, it is argued here that they are merely a by-product of a high level of well-being. The real reason well-being matters is that well-being is an end in itself – an ultimate good. However, because there is as yet no agreed definition of well-being, there is no universally agreed method for measuring well-being. It is argued here that well-being is a combination of feeling good (the hedonic view) and functioning well (the eudaimonic view), and that in order to advance well-being science, we need a multi-dimensional approach to definition and measurement. Accordingly, at this early stage in the science of well-being, policymakers would be well advised to use measures which encompass a diversity of well-being constructs. |
Keywords | Well-being; Flourishing; Policy; Measure; Positive psychology |
Page range | 163 - 167 |
Year | 2017 |
Publisher | Springer International Publishing AG |
Place of publication | Switzerland |
ISBN | 9783319568881 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56889-8_28 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85038939153 |
Research Group | Institute for Positive Psychology and Education |
Publisher's version | File Access Level Controlled |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8923w/challenges-in-defining-and-measuring-well-being-and-their-implications-for-policy
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