Resource Document on the Nexus between Animal Welfare, the Environment, and Sustainable Development

This Resource Document has been developed to explore the Nexus (links) between Animal Welfare, the Environment, and Sustainable Development. The document includes relevant citations and reports addressing the topics encompassed by the Nexus. It will be maintained as a “living document” (subject to revision) in the WellBeing International Studies Repository. The original document and subsequent revisions will be kept in the Repository to provide a record of the changes

Measuring wellbeing in Scotland : the Oxfam Humankind Index

This paper describes recent work by the Fraser of Allander Institute (FAI) which constructs an index of wellbeing in Scotland. The issue of wellbeing has been extensively discussed in the economics literature on happiness, and wellbeing indices have been assembled for other counries. However, this is the first attempt to measure wellbeing in Scotland. The overall aim of the research is to identify in detail what people in Scotland believe affects their wellbeing and to construct an overall measure. The Scottish results are clearly interesting in that they identify the priorities that people in Scotland have in terms of wellbeing or happiness. A key finding is the relatively limited role that economic variables appear to contribute to wellbeing, Having secure work and suitable work and having enough money to pay the bills both ranked as joint fifth in the list of elements affecting wellbeing, reinforcing arguments made in the 2009 Sarkozy report, the broad thrust of which was that govermnent policy should focus less on creating economic growth and more on those areas which people identify as increasing wellbeing. A wellbeing index itself is clearly also a useful policy tool – for example, it allows us to assess how the government is performing in succesfully addressing issues which people in Scotland have identified as increasing wellbeing. A good example of this is when we compare health and safety. The index shows that while both being in good health and feeling safe in the local community contribute significantly to wellbeing, the performance on health far exceeds the performance on safety

Professional wellbeing

The aim of this chapter is to review issues relating to wellbeing and stress that may affect psychologists. It will discuss the causes of stress and wellbeing and the outcomes for psychologists, then set out some realistic ways in which stress can be managed and wellbeing can be supported

Perceived Parenting Styles and Psycho-social Wellbeing of Nigerian Adolescents

The influence of parenting styles on the psychosocial wellbeing of Nigerian adolescents is yet to be given adequate research attention. This study bridges the gap in knowledge. Findings may be useful in planning appropriate interventions programme necessary to improve the psychosocial wellbeing of adolescents in Osun state, southwestern Nigeria and relation with similar social cultural background. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 332 (mean age = 14) in-school adolescents who responded to Mental Health Continuum – Short Form (MHS-SF) and Parenting Style Instrument (PSI). Descriptive and inferential statistics (Regression, Independent sample t test and One Way ANOVA) were used for data analysis. A low level of psychosocial wellbeing was observed among the adolescents. Prevalence of very low levels of emotional wellbeing (16.9%), social wellbeing (22%), and psychological wellbeing (19.3%) were reported. Patterns of observed parenting styles are authoritative parenting style (45.5%, 41.6%, and 12.9%), authoritarian parenting style (53%, 30.7% and 16.3%); permissive parenting style (64.2%, 20.7% and 15.1%) for low, high and very high levels respectively. No significant gender difference was observed in the psychosocial wellbeing scores of the adolescents; a significant religious affiliation difference was found in the social wellbeing of the participants. Adolescents from public schools manifested higher levels of social wellbeing than their counterparts from private schools. Parenting styles significantly predict level of psychosocial wellbeing of the adolescents. Neither family type nor family size had significant influence on level of psycho-social wellbeing of the adolescents

The promotion of local wellbeing: A primer for policymakers

There is growing interest among policymakers in the promotion of wellbeing as an objective of public policy. In particular, local authorities have been given powers to undertake action to promote wellbeing in their area. Recent advances in the academic literature on wellbeing are giving rise to an increasingly detailed picture of the factors that determine people’s subjective wellbeing (how they think and feel about their lives). However, the concept of subjective wellbeing is poorly understood within local government and much of the evidence base is extremely recent. I therefore review the literature on the definition, measurement, and determinants of wellbeing, and discuss some of its implications for local public policy

Using a ‘wellbeing’ cost-effectiveness approach to improve resource allocation in social care

The promotion of wellbeing is the newly-stated guiding principle for the long-term care (social care) system in England. It signals a shift away from a focus on care need ‘deficits’ approach. Such a change in perspective has the potential to substantially alter how public care systems operate. The practical challenges are significant, both in the interpretation of wellbeing goals and in determining how the care system might be configured to achieve them. The main aim of this paper is to contrast a needs-led resource allocation system with one using a maximising wellbeing approach; that is, one based on: measuring the wellbeing consequences of using services and applying the principles of cost-effectiveness and opportunity cost. As a precursor, the paper also describes how a maximising wellbeing approach might be applied in the case of long-term care. We argue that in theory a maximising wellbeing approach with full information will produce greater total wellbeing improvement for the same budget than a needs-based system. In practice, the comparison will depend on: (a) whether we can actually measure wellbeing in a way that is consistent with the policy goals; (b) the availability of cost-effectiveness information; and (c) the decision rules used to implement a maximising wellbeing approach

Using health psychology to help patients: promoting wellbeing

This article explores the construct of wellbeing. Research concerning the relationship between subjective wellbeing and health is discussed. Key components of wellbeing that are important to health include ‘sense of coherence’, ‘optimism’ and ‘benefit finding and post-traumatic growth’. A range of positive psychology interventions that aim to increase positive thoughts, feelings and emotions in order to improve wellbeing have been developed. Mindfulness-based approaches to improving wellbeing are especially popular and are evidence based. These focus on helping the individual to develop an awareness of the present with acceptance and attention. Instead of trying to change uncomfortable thoughts or feelings, the individual practices accepting these, without judgement. Nurses can draw on the information in this article to provide evidence-based advice and guidance to help improve their patients' and their own wellbeing

Health Coaching Case Report: Optimizing Employee Health and Wellbeing in Organizations

Abstract Health and wellbeing of employees has a direct correlation to organizational performance. It is essential that organizations and successful leaders prioritize the health and wellbeing of all employees – from the C-suite to entry level positions. As rates of stress, chronic illness, and unhealthy lifestyle choices continue to increase, it is imperative that organizations discover strategies that cultivate employee wellbeing. Employees with high wellbeing are more engaged, productive, and energized and directly affect a company’s bottom line; it is in the best interest of employers to invest in human capital and wellbeing of employees. Health and wellness coaching demonstrates encouraging potential as a cost-effective catalyst to optimize employee wellbeing. Rooted in science-based research with the foundation in relationships, communication, and connection, health coaches partner with employees as they build self-awareness around a holistic view of health. As employees build self-awareness, they increasingly recognize the importance of managing stress and self-care, connecting to their vision and values, taking active steps towards change, and addressing barriers and obstacles. With these strategies, individuals build resilience as they gain energy, empowerment, and work towards positive growth. This paper outlines the challenges that leaders and employees are facing, describes the intervention of health and wellness coaching, and provides a group coaching case study that demonstrates how health and wellness coaching can foster employee wellbeing. This case study provides evidence that health coaching shows promise as an intervention to optimize employee health and wellbeing. Keywords: employee health and wellbeing, wellness, stress management, health and wellness coaching, group coaching, leader wellbeing, self-awareness, case repor

The promotion of wellbeing: A primer for policymakers

There is growing international interest among policymakers in the promotion of wellbeing as an objective of public policy. Recent advances in the definition and measurement of wellbeing are giving rise to an increasingly detailed picture of the factors that determine how people think and feel about their lives. Patterns in reported wellbeing show markedly different development over time to measures of GDP per capita and life expectancy often used as proxies for wellbeing by policymakers. However, the concept of wellbeing remains poorly understood by many policymakers and much of the evidence base is extremely recent. I therefore review the current state of the literature on the definition, measurement, and determinants of wellbeing, and discuss some of its implications for public policy.This paper forms part of the work undertaken under ESRC grant RES-192-27-0014

A rapid review of sexual wellbeing definitions and measures: should we now include sexual wellbeing freedom?

An increasing number of studies refer to sexual wellbeing and/or seek to measure it, and the term appears across various policy documents, including sexual health frameworks in the UK. We conducted a rapid review to determine how sexual wellbeing has been defined, qualitatively explored and quantitatively measured. Eligible studies selected for inclusion from OVID Medline, PsychInfo, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL were: in English language, published after 2007, were peer-reviewed full articles, focused on sexual wellbeing (or proxies for, e.g. satisfaction, function), and quantitatively or qualitatively assessed sexual wellbeing. We included studies with participants aged 16–65. Given study heterogeneity, our synthesis and findings are reported using a narrative approach. We identified 162 papers, of which 10 offered a definition of sexual wellbeing. Drawing upon a socio-ecological model, we categorised the 59 dimensions we identified from studies under three main domains: cognitive-affect (31 dimensions); inter-personal (22 dimensions); and socio-cultural (6 dimensions). Only 11 papers were categorised under the socio-cultural domain, commonly focusing on gender inequalities or stigma. We discuss the importance of conceptualising sexual wellbeing as individually experienced but socially and structurally influenced, including assessing sexual wellbeing freedom: a person’s freedom to achieve sexual wellbeing, or their real opportunities and liberties